Food

Yosemite Valley

There’s plenty to eat inside Yosemite National Park [1], but if you leave the valley floor you’ll need to plan for meals. In Yosemite Valley, you have a number of dining options. The Ahwahnee Dining Room (Ahwanee Hotel, 209/372-1489, daily 7–10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 5:30–9 p.m., $20–35) enjoys a reputation for fine cuisine that stretches back to the 1920s. The grand dining room features expansive ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers, and a stellar valley view.

The restaurant serves three meals daily, with dinner the highlight. The California cuisine of an Ahwahnee dinner mirrors that of top-tier San Francisco [2] restaurants (with a price tag to match). Reservations are recommended for all meals, though it’s possible to walk in for breakfast and lunch. Dinner requires more formal attire.

At the other side of the valley, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Yosemite Falls [3] at the Mountain Room Restaurant (Yosemite Lodge, 209/372-1274, 5:30–9 p.m., year-round, $15–20), part of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. The glass atrium lets every guest at every table take in the view. The menu runs to American food, and drinks are available from the full bar. A casual bar menu is available at the Mountain Room Lounge (noon–11 p.m., inexpensive) immediately across from the restaurant.

For more casual food options, head to Yosemite Village for Degnan’s Loft (spring–fall) for hot pizza, soups, and appetizers, and Degnan’s Delicatessen (daily 7 a.m.–5 p.m.) for an array of sandwiches, salads, and other take-away munchies.

Curry Village is where to go for (relatively) cheap, fast food. Hiking clothes are expected! The Curry Pavilion (daily Mar.–Nov., $10–15) hosts an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast and dinner. There is also a deck, with a full-service bar, a taqueria, pizza, ice cream, and coffee.

Wawona

If you can, plan a meal at the south end of the park in the Wawona Dining Room (Wawona Hotel, 209/375-1425, moderate–expensive). This lesser-known gem of a restaurant serves upscale homey California cuisine for reasonable prices to all comers. No reservations are accepted-all seating is first come, first served. The large, white painted dining room is family friendly, and the menu offers options for vegetarians as well as devout carnivores.

Because you’ll probably have to wait for a table on high-season weekends, a large common area invites seating, drinks, and live piano music by local legend Tom Bopp. The Wawona Dining room serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, and a weekly outdoor barbecue on Saturday evenings during the summer.