Drive 260 miles to the northeast of Las Vegas into Utah for the breathtaking beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park. That name is a misnomer; rather than a canyon, the star here is a giant natural amphitheater formed by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Crimson-colored hoodoos, those spire-shaped rock formations, are perfect at sunrise and sunset. In between hiking and setting up the best photos, hunger sets in. Here’s a look at some of the restaurants near the entrance to Bryce Canyon, where visitors can get a caffeine fix, chow down on steaks, or grab a fun cowboy experience filled with country music.
Texas-style barbecue smoked over mesquite reigns at Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe in Panguitch, Utah. Try tri-tip, ribs, chicken, turkey, or pulled pork paired with sweet potatoe fries, a baked yam, mashed potatoes and gravy. Or make it a green chili pork burrito, country-fried steak, trout, or a range of steaks.
Kenny Rays in Panguitch, Utah, offers breakfast dishes to fuel the day, including fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and eggs. A soup and salad buffet awaits at lunch and dinner. Try hot roast beef, a garlic Reuben, or pulled pork sandwich for lunch, or pot roast, country fried steak, or garlic- and herb-rubbed rib-eye steak for dinner.
Pick up a kolache to go with a fresh drip coffee, latte, or cappucino before heading out to Bryce Canyon. Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee sits inside a little log cabin with a picnic table for outdoor seating 20 minutes from the park.
Comfort foods galore make the menu at Bryce Canyon Pines, which has been in business for more than 50 years. The menu features cowboy-sized steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade soups and pies to die for, ranging from sour cream with raisins and strawberry banana to blueberry and chocolate angel. Stop here for breakfast steaks, biscuits and gravy, muffins, or omelets for fuel before any hike.
Outdoor lovers get a taste of the Old West mixed with Mexican flair at this restaurant at Bryce Canyon Resort. Steaks, chicken, and burgers have a campfire flavor. The restaurant uses Utah-raised fish and beef and produce from local farmers. Must-drink Baba Black Lager and HooDoo Golden Ale sit on the 12 taps behind the bar. Stop by for the breakfast buffet with eggs, hash browns, meats, and Danishes starting at $12.99.
Dinner here is defined by classic dishes: flat-iron steak, salmon, barbecue platter, or chicken, all on the menu for $32 to $38. Each meal comes with cowboy beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a biscuit, dessert, and a drink. Cowboy demonstrations and country music entertain in this restaurant at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn.
Inside Stone Canyon Inn, you’ll find this white-tablecloth restaurant with views of the mountains. Chicken Florentine, Alaskan salmon, rib-eye steaks, and pork chops make up some of the favorites here. Diners should try the seared scallops with mushroom and spinach risotto.
Stop by I.D.K. Barbecue for a plate of pulled pork and brisket with coleslaw and macaroni and cheese or make it a sandwich with sweet chicken.
This rustic, Western-themed restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus complete with patio tables. Mexican dishes such as smothered burritos and taco plates, double bacon cheeseburgers, rainbow trout, mango-glazed salmon, and wild mushroom pesto make the menu. Try breakfast favorites such as peanut butter pancakes, peach pecan waffles, strawberry cheesecake French toast, or omelets.
For a coffee fix, hikers head to this coffee shop 10 miles from the entrance of Bryce Canyon. A log cabin with a patio sets the scene for the full espresso bar with lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas, along with smoothies, baked goods, and breakfast bites.
The drive alone to Sweetwater Kitchen is worth the trip, taking diners through Dixie National Forest with views of sagebrush and pinon pine forest and Boulder Mountain in the distance. The restaurant at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch features steaks from the Bar None Ranch, their own ranch, sweet potato enchiladas, and trout tacos with goat cheesecake and apricot cobbler for dessert. Plan ahead to order lunch to go, with pan-seared Utah red trout, falafel, and garden veggie options.
Look for the 1993 aqua colored Chevy Bluebird Bus for kimchee breakfast tacos, a vegan burrito, or homemade churros before heading out in the morning. Order loaded fries, a Cuban press, or tacos for lunch, then head to the picnic tables.
Kiva Koffeehouse offers a view of the Escalante River Canyon near Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Snack on tamales, apple crumb pie, breakfast bagels, quinoa potato cakes, or oatmeal pancakes and order a cup of cappucino, espresso, or cafe mocha in this quaint little cottage.
Texas-style barbecue smoked over mesquite reigns at Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe in Panguitch, Utah. Try tri-tip, ribs, chicken, turkey, or pulled pork paired with sweet potatoe fries, a baked yam, mashed potatoes and gravy. Or make it a green chili pork burrito, country-fried steak, trout, or a range of steaks.
Kenny Rays in Panguitch, Utah, offers breakfast dishes to fuel the day, including fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and eggs. A soup and salad buffet awaits at lunch and dinner. Try hot roast beef, a garlic Reuben, or pulled pork sandwich for lunch, or pot roast, country fried steak, or garlic- and herb-rubbed rib-eye steak for dinner.
Pick up a kolache to go with a fresh drip coffee, latte, or cappucino before heading out to Bryce Canyon. Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee sits inside a little log cabin with a picnic table for outdoor seating 20 minutes from the park.
Comfort foods galore make the menu at Bryce Canyon Pines, which has been in business for more than 50 years. The menu features cowboy-sized steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade soups and pies to die for, ranging from sour cream with raisins and strawberry banana to blueberry and chocolate angel. Stop here for breakfast steaks, biscuits and gravy, muffins, or omelets for fuel before any hike.
Outdoor lovers get a taste of the Old West mixed with Mexican flair at this restaurant at Bryce Canyon Resort. Steaks, chicken, and burgers have a campfire flavor. The restaurant uses Utah-raised fish and beef and produce from local farmers. Must-drink Baba Black Lager and HooDoo Golden Ale sit on the 12 taps behind the bar. Stop by for the breakfast buffet with eggs, hash browns, meats, and Danishes starting at $12.99.
Dinner here is defined by classic dishes: flat-iron steak, salmon, barbecue platter, or chicken, all on the menu for $32 to $38. Each meal comes with cowboy beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a biscuit, dessert, and a drink. Cowboy demonstrations and country music entertain in this restaurant at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn.
Inside Stone Canyon Inn, you’ll find this white-tablecloth restaurant with views of the mountains. Chicken Florentine, Alaskan salmon, rib-eye steaks, and pork chops make up some of the favorites here. Diners should try the seared scallops with mushroom and spinach risotto.
Stop by I.D.K. Barbecue for a plate of pulled pork and brisket with coleslaw and macaroni and cheese or make it a sandwich with sweet chicken.
This rustic, Western-themed restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus complete with patio tables. Mexican dishes such as smothered burritos and taco plates, double bacon cheeseburgers, rainbow trout, mango-glazed salmon, and wild mushroom pesto make the menu. Try breakfast favorites such as peanut butter pancakes, peach pecan waffles, strawberry cheesecake French toast, or omelets.
For a coffee fix, hikers head to this coffee shop 10 miles from the entrance of Bryce Canyon. A log cabin with a patio sets the scene for the full espresso bar with lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas, along with smoothies, baked goods, and breakfast bites.
The drive alone to Sweetwater Kitchen is worth the trip, taking diners through Dixie National Forest with views of sagebrush and pinon pine forest and Boulder Mountain in the distance. The restaurant at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch features steaks from the Bar None Ranch, their own ranch, sweet potato enchiladas, and trout tacos with goat cheesecake and apricot cobbler for dessert. Plan ahead to order lunch to go, with pan-seared Utah red trout, falafel, and garden veggie options.
Look for the 1993 aqua colored Chevy Bluebird Bus for kimchee breakfast tacos, a vegan burrito, or homemade churros before heading out in the morning. Order loaded fries, a Cuban press, or tacos for lunch, then head to the picnic tables.
Kiva Koffeehouse offers a view of the Escalante River Canyon near Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Snack on tamales, apple crumb pie, breakfast bagels, quinoa potato cakes, or oatmeal pancakes and order a cup of cappucino, espresso, or cafe mocha in this quaint little cottage.