Where To Eat in West Yellowstone

Note about West Yellowstone Place to Eat: West Yellowstone is busy in the morning, noon, and evening. There are lots of people and traffic, so please be careful when crossing streets and with youngsters. There are lots of shops to visit and it’s fun to walk around. The restaurants are busy as well and most do not take reservations. Below are some of our favorite places. Information shared with permission by Sandy Briggs.

Running Bear Pancake House,
538 Madison Avenue
(406) 646-7703

A great place to have breakfast. If you are hungry, the chicken fried steak is a favorite. They have good lunches, but most people go there for breakfast. They do not take reservations, but they usually move people through fast. The best way to avoid the crowds is to show up when they open at 6:00 am.

Wild West Pizza, 14 Madison Avenue
(406) 646-4400
This is a favorite place to stop and pick up a pizza to take home when exiting the park through the West Entrance. You can get cell service at the overlook of the Madison River, stop, and place your pickup order. If they aren’t too busy, the timing is good. They have the world’s best baked macaroni and cheese, too. Eating in is nice, too, but some of the longest lines in town are for this establishment. They do not take reservations.

McDonald’s, 100 South Canyon St.
(406) 646-4592

Hold on to your pocketbooks for this McDonald’s. It is literally the most expensive McDonald’s I have ever been to. When your troop is in the mood for fast food they know and love, what can you do? I am only adding this restaurant for those who have young kids (wink, wink). They may need a Happy Meal to keep them in their seats on the long day ahead or as a reward for staying in their seats all day. Just throwing it out there, it is an American favorite. You can order online which may save you some time

Bullwinkle’s, 115 North Canyon St.
(406) 380-4011
Bullwinkle’s has been a local favorite for a long time. Probably the most consistent food in West Yellowstone. They have American fare, fish, and game, in a comfy Western-themed atmosphere. They do not take reservations, but if you wait outside, they will add you to their list. It is close enough to local shops you can take turns sightseeing while someone in your party waits to be called.

 

Las Palmitas Taco Bus, 21 North Canyon St.
(406) 760-8174

This is one of our favorite places to get Mexican food in West Yellowstone. We usually call ahead and order it to go as the wait can sometimes be long. The tables are nice to sit, and people watch in and it’s nice to take a walk after dinner and check out the stores.



Mountain Mama’s Coffee House & Bakery
17 Madison Avenue
(406) 641-0089

This is the only place in miles to get a Starbuck’s drink. They don’t have all the drinks, but enough to make you feel less like you aren’t roughing it. They are famous for their huckleberry bear claws but get there early because they have been known to sell out. It is also a great place to get a custom sandwich if you are picnicking in the park. They also have some different specialty food items like elk meat pot pie. It’s a fun store to check out.

Ernie’s Bakery and Deli, 406 US-20
(406) 646-9467

Ernie’s is only open during the summer, and they do a booming business. They will make custom sandwiches. Call when you leave the cabin and pick them up on the way into town. They also have the best breakfast sandwiches in town. My daughter’s favorite is hashbrown, eggs, cheese, and sausage on a croissant. They aren’t cheap, but the result is worth it. Note: If they don’t answer the phone, it is because they are busy. If you want something, just stop in, and wait your turn.

Firehole BBQ Company, 120 Firehole Avenue
(406) 641-0020
A menu featuring an array of smoked meats and classic American comfort sides. This place always has a line, which is because if you want BBQ, this is the place to go. You can call ahead with orders if they aren’t too busy with walk-up customers. It’s worth the wait if you are craving BBQ.

The Buffalo Bar, 335 US-20
(406) 646-1176
Homey tavern with rustic, western décor, and video slot machines. They serve bison burgers, beer, and bar bites. They have buffalo in case you were hankering to try some. This place can get crowded on weekends and is a local favorite. They do not take reservations.



Rustic Candy Shop, 33 N. Canyon Street
(406) 646-7538
The Rustic Candy Shop is a local favorite. They make candy right in the store. They have fudge, chocolates, taffy, caramel apples, and other fun things to give you a sugar boost so you can make it through the day.

Where to eat in Island Park Idaho Close to Yellowstone

Note about Island Park Restaurants: Island Park is a small community. Because of the lack of available/affordable housing and the amount of people visiting Yellowstone National Park, local establishments suffer from lack of service providers. Please be patient if you are at one of these local establishments, everyone tries so hard to provide what you need, but it doesn’t always happen. The best advice is to plan as far ahead as possible and make reservations (if they take them). If you are spontaneous, try to arrive early (before 5:00 pm) and beat the rush or have the patience to wait for a table. Above all, practice kindness! We are all vested in you and your family having a great time in our small community.

Trout Hunter, 3327 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-9900

 Trout Hunter is a restaurant, a fly shop, and handles guided fly-fishing trips. Because of this, the restaurant is often busy with their clients and a lot of tables are pre-reserved. If you want a fancier meal than other places, this is a good option. They have great food, steaks, fish, soups, salads, and the like and are on the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. In the summer they have seating on the deck. Check our blog about our dinner here but we love the caprice brochette, bison rib eye and a dinner salad. Oh and those mashed potatoes are the best bites ever too.

Café Sabor, 4298 US Highway 20, Island Park
(208) 558-9300

Café Sabor is the only Mexican restaurant in the area. They recently remodeled and are on the Big Springs section of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. The food can be good at times, but at others, not so good. It is nice to sit on the deck and enjoy a margarita though, but don’t let them give you the PREMIX… you really want the margarita made from scratch. Give it a try if you are craving some Mexican food and don’t want to cook your own. I usually get the chimichanga.

Lakeside Lodge, 3857 Lakeside Lodge, Island Park
(208) 558-9770

Lakeside Lodge is the closest restaurant to the cabin in Rancho McCrea but still close to all of Island Park really, and if you have a boat, it’s fun to cruise down the reservoir, dock, and have some lunch or dinner on their deck. They serve burgers, steaks, salads, and have prime rib on occasion. It is great to have a late dinner then cruise the shores of Island Park Reservoir’s many homes as you watch the sun set. If you don’t have a boat, you can drive there by car in about 15 minutes from Rancho McCrea area. It is directly across the reservoir on the other side of the river. If you really want a great Idaho staple, try the FINGER STEAKS. They are a Boise Idaho thing and so so dang good. Tell them Teara sent you!

 Connie’s Restaurant, 4130 Quakie Ln., Island Park
(208) 558-6987

Connie’s is known for its home cooking. Soups, salads, burgers, ribs that fall of the bone, prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights, and home-made pies. Call ahead for reservations with as much notice as possible or show up before 5:00 pm to beat the dinner crowd. Note: They will not take to-go orders if the dining room is busy. They do take reservations for parties larger than 6 at the time of this writing. And really my favorite thing there is the fall off the bone ribs. Never gone wrong with them!

Henry’s Fork Lodge and Restaurant, 2794 S. Pinehaven Dr., Island Park

(208) 558-7953

This is the local special occasion dinner location. The restaurant is renowned throughout the region for gourmet, locally sourced, and seasonal dining. Call for reservations as the dining room is small and they accommodate their lodging and guiding guests first. It is a nice relaxing place on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.


Parlor at Mack’s Inn, 4292 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-2450

The Parlor is across the water from Café Sabor and right next to the new Marriott hotel. The Parlor serves ice cream, coffee, specialty drinks, pizza, and desserts. It would be a great spot to stop after floating Big Springs to get a cold drink or some ice cream. It’s a popular area and can be quite congested. Watch for pedestrians.

Pond’s Lodge, 3757 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7221

Pond’s Lodge is not too far from the cabins in Island Park. It is the closest restaurant with decent pizza if you are craving some. They have the only poutine (dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) around. They do not take reservations but can usually accommodate a fair amount of people. Try their tap root beer served in a frosty mug, it’s great on a hot day. Their burgers, French dips, and other food is alright. Though some of the service is not my favorite, the pizza is pretty okay.