Steak on the hoof

The Gateway communities around Yellowstone have plenty of options for eating and drinking. In our experience, with the notable exception of Jackson, the food is normally quite basic and you will struggle to find ‘fine dining’. You will however be spoilt for choice of burgers, steaks and American style pizza. You may find life a little limited if you are a non-pizza eating vegetarian…..

In our view, the places of note in the various communities are as follows;

View of Gardiner

Gardiner, Montana

If you want a burger head to Helen’s Corral Drive In – it’s especially good if the weather is warm enough to sit outside and watch the world go by.

The K Bar does hugely filling pizza with interesting toppings and the Two Bit Saloon is a fun place for a beer.

Cooke City – Silver Gate, Montana

We like the Beartooth Cafe for breakfast / lunch / picnic provision.

The Miner’s Saloon is a fun place for lunch or dinner (or a few beers). Kids are welcome for food and the pizza has a great reputation.

Cody, Wyoming

For break / lunch / picnic provisions try Peter’s Cafe and Bakery.

For something completely different, you could try a cowboy dinner show at the Cody Cattle Company. It is a little way out of town but you could easily incorporate it with a trip to the rodeo as it is adjacent to the ground.

For dinner Wyoming’s Rib and Chop House or 8^th Street at the Ivy are good bets, the latter does a really nice brunch.

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson has an enormous range of places to eat and drink and if you are a foodie it will be your best opportunity for great food on a trip to Yellowstone. If you enjoy wine it is also your best opportunity to sample some of the American wines that do not make it over the Pond to the UK and to stock up on good wine for the duration of your trip at one of the wine shops.

For a good breakfast or lunch try Cafe Boheme or the Lotus Cafe. The Lotus Cafe is particularly good if you are vegetarian, vegan or allergic to gluten and they do serve dinner too.

Head to Pearl St Market if you are looking for lunch or to put together a picnic. If you are on a diet abandon all hope now.

The Gun Barrel Steak and Game House is especially good for families. It does good food in a themed hunting-lodge style building that has plenty of things to look at and keep kids amused.

If you feel like going upmarket, Snake River Grill does fabulous steak in a very pleasant atmosphere. If you are looking for something a little more eclectic then the Kitchen is well worth a try.  I also like the Blue Lion for dinner.

A great place for a beer and an inexpensive meal is the Snake River Brewing Company and Restaurant. There is a large patio area if the weather is nice and a very relaxed, lively atmosphere.

West Yellowstone, Montana

We particularly like the Running Bear Pancake House for a carb-fulled breakfast, especially good if you are intending on a full day hike.

The Woodside Bakery and Ernie’s Bakery and Deli are good alternatives for breakfast and great places to pick up a picnic lunch.

For dinner, if you have had enough of steak and burgers or you are a vegetarian the Serenity Bistro is well worth a look.

There are various pubs and bars. We like micro-breweries and if you fancy a different range of beer check out the Wolf Pack Brewing Company.