The Southern Sierra Restaurants

Most small towns in the Sierra Nevada have at least one restaurant. Standard American fare is the norm, but you'll also find sophisticated cuisine. With few exceptions, dress is casual. Local grocery stores and delis stock picnic fixings, good to have on hand should the opportunity for an impromptu meal under giant trees emerge.

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  • 1. The Warming Hut

    $$

    Warm up by a crackling fire in the stone fireplace while fueling up on healthy, made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes at this ski-lodge-style eatery. The flexible menu allows for lots of choice, including a DIY breakfast with more than 20 mix-and-match items, five types of hash, keto selections, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, burgers, and soups. Come for bingo on the third Tuesday of every month.

    343 Old Mammoth Rd., Mammoth Lakes, California, USA
    760-965–0549

    Known For

    • Nearly everything made in-house, including ketchup
    • Build-your-own pancake stack (batters, mix-ins, toppings)
    • Family-owned and -operated
  • 2. Black Velvet Coffee

    $

    Start your day the way scores of locals do—with a stop at the slick Black Velvet espresso bar for Belgian waffles, baked treats, and coffee drinks made from small batches of beans roasted on-site. Then return in the afternoon to hang out in the upstairs wine bar (open 3 to 6) where tastings are offered Thursday–Sunday ($25). It's also a great place to come for a steamy cup of organic tea or to grab a craft beer and log onto the free Wi-Fi.

    3343 Main St., California, 93546, USA

    Known For

    • Small-batch coffee roasting
    • Small-lot wines by the glass
    • Belgian waffles

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 3. Ducey's on the Lake/Ducey's Bar & Grill

    $$$

    With elaborate chandeliers sculpted from deer antlers, the lodge-style restaurant at Ducey's attracts boaters, locals, and tourists with its lake views and standard lamb, beef, seafood, and pasta dishes. It's also open for breakfast: try the lobster-crab cake eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, or the Rice Krispies–crusted French toast.

    54432 Rd. 432, Bass Lake, California, 93604, USA
    559-642–3121

    Known For

    • Steaks and fresh fish
    • Lake views
    • Upstairs bar and grill with more affordable eats
  • 4. Epic Cafe

    $

    Hungry travelers and locals feast on fresh, healthy, cooked-to-order comfort food at this casual café at Lakeview Lodge, near the Tioga Road and Highway 395 junction. The menu changes daily, but you can count on items like waffles and frittatas for breakfast; paninis, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, and soups for lunch; and three special dinner entrées, perhaps locally caught fish, chicken potpie, or braised short ribs.

    349 Lee Vining Ave., Lee Vining, California, 93541, USA
    760-648–8044

    Known For

    • Local and organic food sources
    • Cozy indoor dining room and garden patio
    • Fresh-baked scones, muffins, desserts, and other goodies

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. and Nov.–early May
  • 5. Gateway Restaurant and Lodge

    $$$

    The view's the draw at this roadhouse that overlooks the Kaweah River as it plunges out of the high country. The Gateway serves everything from osso buco and steaks to shrimp in Thai chili sauce; dinner reservations are essential on summer weekends.

    45978 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, California, 93271, USA
    559-561–4133

    Known For

    • Scenic riverside setting
    • Fine dining in otherwise casual town
    • Popular bar
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Tioga Gas Mart & Whoa Nelli Deli

    $

    This might be the only gas station in the United States serving craft beers and lobster taquitos, but its appeal goes beyond novelty. Order at the counter, and grab a seat inside, or sit at one of the picnic tables on the lawn outside and take in the distant view of Mono Lake.

    Hwy. 120 and U.S. 395, Lee Vining, California, 93541, USA
    760-647–1088

    Known For

    • Fish tacos and barbecued ribs
    • Regular live music
    • Convenient location

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed early Nov.–late Apr.
  • 7. Toomey's

    $$

    A passionate baseball fan, chef Matt Toomey designed this casual space near the Village Gondola to resemble a dugout, and decorated it with baseball memorabilia. Swing by pre–outdoor adventure for coconut mascarpone pancakes or soft bagels topped with smoked trout and chipotle cream cheese. Later in the day, fill up on buffalo meat loaf, seafood jambalaya, or a New Zealand elk rack chop. You can also get a taste of Toomey’s at home: its signature seasoning is sold online. 

    6085 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, California, 93546, USA
    760-924–4408

    Known For

    • Lobster taquitos and fish tacos
    • Wild buffalo meat loaf
    • Coconut mascarpone pancakes

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