Without a doubt the finest dining inside the park, the El Tovar dining room serves breakfast (6:30–11 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.), and dinner (5–10 p.m.). Dinner reservations (928/638-2631, ext. 6432, or eltovar-dinner-res-gcsr [at] xanterra [dot] com) fill up quickly and can be made up to six months in advance by hotel guests with a reservation, or 30 days in advance without room reservations.

Breakfast can be as simple as a pastry ($4) or as hearty as one of the chef’s Southwestern egg specialties ($12). Lunch selections include soups, salads, sandwiches ($6–13), or entrées ($11–16). The dinner menu includes appetizers, soups, and salads ($6–11), as well as entrées ($19–29) highlighting organic and sustainable items.

Elegant cuisine with the occasional Southwestern fillip, such as a mesquite-smoked pork chop stuffed with pine nuts, cornbread, and wild rice ($23), are also available in the evenings. Half-portions are offered for children at discounted prices. The wine list has a wide range of choices by the glass or bottle.

The adjoining El Tovar lounge (11 a.m.– 11 p.m.) offers light fare indoors or on the veranda. No reservations are necessary, but you might have to wait for a table. It’s not only one of the best spots in the village to sit back and people-watch with the canyon as backdrop, but it’s also the kind of place travel writers think twice about divulging.

Bright Angel Lodge offers several dining options. The Bright Angel Restaurant (6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.) celebrates Harvey Girl history on its menu. With choices like “A Dip in the River” (sliced beef, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese sub served au jus, $10), the breakfast ($2–11), lunch ($4–9), and dinner selections ($4–15) are as much fun to read about as they are to eat. If you want atmosphere, try to get a table in the narrow ell with mullioned windows overlooking the canyon.

Next door, but with its own outdoor entrance, Bright Angel Fountain (open seasonally, hours vary) tempts people off the Rim Trail for ice-cream cones, hot dogs, and other light fare (under $5).

The Bright Angel Bar (11 a.m.–close, varies seasonally) serves up refreshing beverages and salty snacks in a casual atmosphere. Canyon murals cover the walls, and on summer evenings, you might catch some live Western or folk music. If you overindulge and fall asleep at your table, you’re in luck: The bar transforms into the Canyon Coffee House in the morning (open seasonally, hours vary), serving coffee and pastries.

The Arizona Room, also located in Bright Angel Lodge, is a classic Western-style steakhouse that’s open for lunch (11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Mar.–Oct.) and dinner (4:30–10 p.m. Mar.–Dec.). Lunch selections include burgers and barbecue ($9–12), and dinner extends to include steaks, chops, and ribs ($15–25). This is definitely carnivore heaven, but vegetarians aren’t completely ignored: In addition to salad selections, the dinner menu includes roasted vegetable-and-black bean enchiladas ($15). Beer, wine, and cocktails are available; margaritas are a specialty. Reservations aren’t accepted, and sometimes the wait list is lengthy, but you can spend the time browsing the lodge’s history room or gift shop.

Maswik Cafeteria (6 a.m.–10 p.m. daily) has five food stations to help lines move quickly. Selections include hot and cold breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches, pasta, and Mexican cuisine. Meals are under $10. The sports lounge (5–11 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 3–11 p.m. Sat.–Sun.), next to the cafeteria, has a full bar and snacks, along with televisions tuned to current games.

The Canyon Café (6 a.m.–10 p.m., hours vary seasonally) at Yavapai Lodge serves up family favorites like pizza, burgers, fried chicken, and a salad bar, all under $10. The cafeteria-style restaurant and lodge close for a few weeks each winter, usually in January.

The General Store’s Canyon Village Deli serves up salads, sandwiches, and daily specials at a counter at the front of the store. You can sit and eat at the tables or order something to go. Most entrées are less than $10 (cash only). You’ll see a lot of locals eating here, including park rangers.

The Hermits Rest snack bar (9 a.m.–sunset), located at the end of Hermit Road (West Rim Dr.), is convenient when the overlooks and Rim Trail have tempted you into staying much longer than you planned. For a couple of bucks, you can get a cold or hot drink and a snack to sustain you until you get back to the village.

Frankly, most of us would choose the Desert View Trading Post Deli (8 a.m.–6 p.m., hours vary seasonally) only out of convenience, but for those camping at Desert View, this counter-style deli is a blessing. Sandwiches, pizza, and hot breakfasts are available for a few bucks.