My hiking group is going in early October and we're looking for unique dining experiences. Any suggestions?

we made the trip last summer. We found very little that was edible in the bryce area. The lodge has fairly decent food. The park is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. There are a few towns nearby with almost edible food. There's lots of good restaurants in the Zion area (springdale) The pizza and noodle place is fun. There are a couple of mexicanplaces as well. Theres a terrific hotel in springdale--desert pearl inn. Stay there if you can.

The scenery is definitely the star at Zion and Bryce. The previous post about sums it up. Dining experiences at Bryce are very limited; the lodge, the restaurant at Ruby's Inn/Best Western, and a family-run restaurant at Bryce Pines Motel are your best bets. Make reservations at the lodge restaurant before you go since options are so limited. As for Zion, again you have the lodge restaurant in the park, or go into nearby Springdale. Zion Pasta & Noodle is my favorite; also have heard good things about Flanigan Inn's restaurant. At Bryce, I like the Bryce Pines best after a long hike- it isn't as large and bustling as Ruby's and the lodge's restaurant. At Zion, Zion Pasta and Noodle definitely hits the spot after a day on the trail. Enjoy!

We enjoyed Flanigan's in Springdale, otherwise food was not a high point at either park.

How is the pizza and Noddle place fun? Is there something going on?

The Bit and Spur restaurant in Springdale is great for Mexican food. Excellent marguaritas. This place has been around forever and is consistently good.
Don't miss it.

We ate at Ruby's at Bryce. It was...sustenance, that's about it. ;>

Ate at both Flanigans (Spotted Dog Cafe) and Zion Pizza and Noodle in Zion and both were quite good, though Flanigans a nicer dining experience and more elaborate menu. As someone said though, food isn't the thing in this area. It's just an incidental--you're there for the scenery and if also happen to find food you enjoy, then great.

We just got back from Zion. Let me tell you the Bit and Spur mexican place is overrated and terrible! We hated it and it was soooo expensive (and we're from NYC where things are pretty expensive anyhow!) We liked Flanigans and don't be fooled by the Pioneer Restaurant at the Pioneer lOdge motel. Looks like a dump but the food is darn good. Otherwise, everywhere else we ate was pretty lame and not so great. Flanigan's, again, was super. We had dinner there and it was spectacular.