Looking for the best Bryce Canyon restaurants? Start with these brilliant spots.
If you ask us, nothing rewards an epic day spent hiking better than a tasty meal. And, with your energy depleted and desperation at an all-time high, it can be oh-so-easy to head to the first restaurant in sight.
But, weary traveler, keep your hunger at bay for a moment longer and use this insider’s guide to find the best of the best. From BBQ brisket to delectable sweet treats, there’s no need to go hungry.
Knives out, mouth-watering? Let’s get to it, then.
Best Restaurants in Bryce Canyon
Stone Hearth Grille
$$$
Choosing our favorite restaurant in Bryce Canyon was quite the task. But, once you’ve sat down for a meal at the Stone Hearth Grille, you’ll agree that it’s pretty fabulous.
Famous not just for its fantastic food, this spot boasts panoramic views of the canyon as the perfect meal companion.
Stone Hearth is an unpretentious local favorite that showcases the best in modern American fine dining. Although it sits about an hour’s drive from the park in the small town of Tropic, it’s well worth the trip.
Paired with an expertly curated wine list, its menu is pretty indulgent. Standout dishes include grilled artichoke with hollandaise and mouth-watering bone-in grilled pork chops with a cheddar-potato fondue.
Our top pick: Local grass-fed beef fillet with Yukon gold potato puree and seasonal vegetables.
Note: Stone Hearth is open seasonally from March to October.
Bryce Canyon Lodge Restaurant
$$$
What could be better than chowing down on classic American dishes served in a historic lodge surrounded by towering pines? Thought so. Look no further than the Bryce Canyon Lodge Restaurant.
Known for its rustic western charm, this spot serves three dishes daily – so you never really know what you’re going to get. Not to worry though, it’s all delicious.
While feasting on dishes such as buffalo sirloin steak or burgundy-braised bison stew, you can quench your thirst with some pretty spectacular craft beers. A standout, surprisingly, is its Vegan Noodle Bowl, a vegetarian option made with organically grown and locally sourced ingredients.
Our top pick: Shrimp Scampi served with angel hair pasta in a garlic butter sauce paired with fresh garlic bread.
Bryce Canyon Pines
$$
Few restaurants near Bryce Canyon can compare to the charm of Bryce Canyon Pines restaurant. Sitting roughly six miles from the canyon, you’ll find this throwback to western times inside the Bryce Canyon Pines Motel.
Reminiscent of a down-to-earth, classic roadhouse, its decor brims with Old West memorabilia, while its menu blends international and American cuisine. As your time spent in Bryce Canyon brings you close to backcountry exploring, the country-style ambiance here makes it a favorite for locals and visitors.
On its menu, you’ll find staples such as elk burgers (which are huge, by the way), rib-eye steaks, and Utah rainbow trout.
But nothing comes close to the homemade Bryce Canyon Pines pies. With flavors such as banana-blueberry cream to the more eclectic boysenberry, your tastebuds will thank you, trust us.
Our top pick: Boneless pork loin chops served with side applesauce and waffle-cut sweet potato fries. Save room for the boysenberry pie.
Rustler’s Restaurant
$$
If you find yourself hungry near Tropic, Rustler’s Restaurant is a great answer to the ‘Where to eat at Bryce Canyon’ question. Its name might fool you into thinking this is a classic steakhouse, but its menu serves (pun intended) to break any misguided assumptions.
At first glanse, the Old West saloon decor, wooden floors, and columns practically scream backcountry dining. And, to be fair, its diverse menu does offer that and so much more; Rustler’s bewitches with its rustic yet modern dishes.
The menu highlights include a flavour-packed Mexican-inspired chicken quesadilla with Monterey Jack cheese and country-fried steak, covered in their secret recipe gravy for good measure.
For dessert, you have to indulge in the iconic Rustler’s Bodacious Brownie drizzled in chocolate sauce and topped with Oreos.
Our top pick: Lazy-aged and flame-broiled eight oz. filet mignon with portobello mushrooms and sautéed onions.
The Pizza Place
$
No guide to the best places to eat near Bryce Canyon would be complete without a genuine comfort food hot spot like The Pizza Place. Serving classic Italian pizza, what could possibly be better?
Now take that delectable slice of heaven and picture yourself eating it against the backdrop of the canyon mountains.
If that doesn’t have you sold yet, have we mentioned the pizza is hand-tossed? For any connoisseur or casual pizza enthusiast, that translates into literal melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
McLain’s favorite BBQ chicken pizza smothered in homemade BBQ sauce is a highlight, though, for spice lovers, the Navajo Taco pizza is a pure smash with chili topped beef with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Our top pick: It’s got to be the BBQ chicken – truly delish.
Other Places to Eat in Bryce Canyon
Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee
$
Sometimes a sugary treat is all you need. That’s where Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee shines.
Caffeine and sugar cravings aren’t just fed at Wanderlust… They’re demolished. The little outdoor cabin stand might deceive you at first, but the excellent coffee and snacks won’t. Indulge in fresh drip coffee, chai lattes (spiced, vanilla, and mocha), or classic hot chocolate.
Pssst… Make sure you look up at the sky full of hot air balloons above.
Our top pick: The Kolache, a Czech-inspired pastry made to order and filled with homemade fruit jam.
Magnolias Street Food
$$
Alright, so Magnolias Street Food might not be a restaurant, but we don’t think you’ll argue with us once you’ve tasted their offerings.
Founded in 2014, this spot mixes classic American favorites with Asian and Mexican influences. Magnolias is famous for its picturesque location underneath sprawling cottonwood trees and views of the neighboring Boulder Town.
Though, that’s not to take away from the tastebud-delighting food Magnolias offers.
Its menu includes spicy kimchi tacos and a mouthwatering Southern Belle burrito – crammed with two eggs, carnitas, sweet potatoes, and ranchero salsa. And, in true street food fashion, the picadillo loaded fries with pickled jalapeños, carrots, and cotija cheese are sublime.
Our top pick: The Sweet Magnolia burrito, filled with grilled sweet potato, mushrooms, and goat cheese with a side of achiote rice.
IDK Barbecue
$$
Sometimes a messy, wholesome BBQ is all you want. For those times, IDK Barbecue rivals any of the best places to eat in Bryce Canyon city. This is an outdoor eatery complete with scenic picnic tables, serving up Old Wild West-style food for the soul.
What makes IDK stand out is the unique (and massive) mural awash with signatures of eager diners who have come before you. You can bet you’ll forever remember the meal you’ll have here, but you can also add your name to the mural making sure IDK always remembers you.
Deciding on a favorite dish is quite tricky here, but the asiago cheese bun with barbecue beef and nacho cheese is out of this world. Then again, so is IDK’s nachos topped with either turkey, sweet chicken, or pork. Drool.
Our top pick: The three-meat plate featuring sweet chicken, pork, and brisket, served with a side of Mac ‘n Cheese. It’s a big’un.
Now you’ve discovered the best restaurants, check out our guide to the brilliant things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park to fill out your next trip itinerary.
Practical Tips for Exploring The Best Bryce Canyon Restaurants
- Always save room for dessert. The restaurants surrounding Bryce Canyon National Park all offer incredible sweet options. The only trouble is… Will it be fudge cake? Or maybe a hot slice of apple pie?
- Don’t fret if you have a dietary requirement – many restaurants have vegan/veggie alternatives on their menus, while most chefs are happy to deal with more complex needs.
- Plan your meals around snapping some incredible photos at these epic sunrise and sunset spots in Bryce Canyon.