A casual dining option a short drive east of the central Grand Canyon Village hotel concentration, the Yavapai Lodge Restaurant is a quick and easy choice for meals any time of day. Enjoy western American favorites at reasonable prices, and do so in a relatively quiet and very efficient environment. It’s been recently remodeled and rebranded, too, so you may have heard of the Canyon Café (its previous incarnation).
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant Ambiance
This low-key venue is a great place to start your morning with a tasty, all-you-can-eat breakfast, or relax with a nice dinner after a long day of canyon sightseeing. It’s cafeteria-style seating, so you choose your own table after ordering from their really convenient self-serve screens.
Décor is basic and clean, with unobtrusive southwestern tones like warm beiges and browns. It’s a very casual atmosphere, so you’re sure to be comfortable here at any time of day. They’re even less crowded than other South Rim restaurants during the busy season, so it’s a nice option if you’re looking to get away from the press and noise of tourists.
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant Food
Serving up western-style barbecue and other southwestern items, Yavapai’s restaurant is another great offering among the South Rim dining options. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with operating hours varying seasonally.
The all-inclusive breakfast buffet is an easy option for hungry travelers on the go, featuring everything bacon and eggs to yogurt and oatmeal. They conveniently serve the same menu for lunch and dinner, so there’s a lot to try any time of day. Choose from popular favorites like beef brisket, ribs, and burgers. There is also a variety of hot sandwiches, a create-your-own pizza option, some unique vegetarian choices, and a wide-ranging kid’s menu.
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant also offers a nice selection of adult beverages, with a range of craft beers from California and Arizona, and American-made wines.
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant Details
Like Maswik’s dining venue, this cafeteria option is first-come, first-served. There is no dress code, and families like to come here for the smaller crowds and efficient service. Prices are comparable to any tourist-heavy area, but are among the lowest compared to other restaurants on the South Rim.
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant Neighborhood
Because this café is located at Yavapai Lodge, it’s a bit off the beaten path on the South Rim. That said, it’s still within an easy driving distance of the other hotels in Grand Canyon Village, including Maswik Lodge, El Tovar, Kachina & Thunderbird Lodges, and Bright Angel Lodge.
Out here you’re right by the Yavapai Geological Museum and Bookstore (a fun place to look for souvenirs and learn a little more about the area), and a quick drive away from Hopi House, Kolb Studio & Park Store, and Lookout Studio. The Grand Canyon Railway is nearby, too, which is a historic train line still in operation.
