Imagine sitting down for a delicious meal inside a restaurant that’s been serving hungry travelers for more than 120 years, with one of the world’s most famous natural wonders just steps away!
This historic Arizona restaurant first opened in 1905 and has welcomed everyone from famous presidents to travelers looking for a memorable meal.
With its exposed wooden beams, old-fashioned charm, classic American dishes, and jaw-dropping canyon views, it’s easy to see why this place has remained a favorite for over a century.
You don’t even have to book a room at the historic hotel it’s located inside to enjoy a meal here!
Where Is It?
The El Tovar Dining Room is located inside the historic El Tovar Hotel, which you’ll find on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
With its location in Grand Canyon Village, it is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Flagstaff, 2 hours and 40 minutes from Sedona, and up to 4 hours from Phoenix.
If you’re coming from Las Vegas, plan on a 4.5–5-hour drive to reach this famous restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal alongside some seriously incredible Grand Canyon views.
About
If you’ve ever dreamed of enjoying a delicious meal just a stone’s throw away from one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, the El Tovar Dining Room needs to be on your Grand Canyon bucket list!
Located inside the historic El Tovar Hotel, this beautiful restaurant is one of the most famous places to eat at Grand Canyon National Park, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a hotel that’s been welcoming guests for more than 120 years.
Speaking of guests, El Tovar has hosted some pretty famous ones, including President Theodore Roosevelt, President Bill Clinton, and Albert Einstein.
The El Tovar Hotel first opened its doors on January 14, 1905, making it the premier lodging facility at the Grand Canyon long before the area was even designated a national park.
Today, the hotel is a National Historic Landmark and continues to operate as a top-notch hotel choice for anyone visiting the Grand Canyon.
Designed by Charles Whittlesey, chief architect for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the hotel was created to give railroad travelers a place to stay while exploring the canyon.
The building was constructed using local limestone and Oregon pine, with a design that combines elements of Swiss chalets and Norwegian villas.
Gorgeous as the hotel’s interiors are, one of the biggest reasons to go here is to eat your meal with a side of amazing Grand Canyon views!
The El Tovar Dining Room sits right along the South Rim, with some tables offering views of the canyon’s massive cliffs, colorful rock formations, and deep valleys stretching into the distance.
Just keep in mind that not every table has a canyon view, and window seating isn’t guaranteed, but you can always try your luck and put in a request with your reservation!
Plus, even if you’re seated away from the windows, you can walk outside after your meal and reach the canyon’s edge in just a few steps.
The nearby Rim Trail offers incredible views, and you’re also a short walk from popular viewpoints such as Hopi House and the Lookout Studio.
Now, it’s about time we talk about the food!
The El Tovar Dining Room specializes in international and local Southwestern cuisine, with a menu that boasts signature items such as the Prime Rib Hash or the Salmon Tostada.
Unlike the casual grocery and grab-and-go spots scattered throughout the national park, this restaurant offers a more traditional sit-down dining experience with table service.
For breakfast, you can expect classics like eggs benedict, omelets, pancakes, and French toast, along with heartier options to fuel a full day of exploring the canyon.
Lunch brings a mix of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and other American favorites, making it a convenient stop if you’re spending the day sightseeing along the South Rim and need a quick food break.
Dinner is when the restaurant really shows off its more upscale side.
Depending on the seasonal menu, you might find dishes like charbroiled filet mignon, confit duck leg, seared trout, and other carefully prepared entrées.
And if you’re celebrating a special occasion, the restaurant’s beverage menu, including a wine list, cocktails, beer, and more, will make it easy to turn dinner into a memorable evening.
Menus and prices can change seasonally, so it’s worth checking the latest offerings on the website before your visit.
You might be shelling out more than you would if you ate an ordinary meal elsewhere, but you’re also paying for the historic setting and unbeatable location along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim!
Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast before a hike or treating yourself to a fancy dinner after a day of sightseeing, eating at the El Tovar Dining Room is one of the most memorable ways to experience the Grand Canyon!
Know Before You Go
If you’re planning to eat at the El Tovar Dining Room, there are a few things worth knowing before you go!
The hotel and its restaurant are open year-round, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, so you can enjoy a meal here no matter when you’re visiting the Grand Canyon.
Breakfast is typically served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., although hours may change depending on the season.
Dinner reservations are required, while breakfast and lunch reservations are optional but highly recommended, especially during peak months when the Grand Canyon attracts thousands of tourists every day.
Reservations are generally accepted up to 60 days in advance for groups of 1–10, via the Make a Reservation button on the official Grand Canyon National Park Lodges website.
You don’t have to be staying at the El Tovar Hotel to eat at the restaurant, either!
The dining room is open to the public, though do note that non-guests will need to make their dinner reservations in advance.
The restaurant has a more upscale atmosphere than most dining spots inside Grand Canyon National Park, but you don’t need to dress up in anything fancy.
Parking is available around Grand Canyon Village, particularly in the Visitor Center Plaza, but finding a spot close to the hotel can be tricky during peak tourist season, so do give yourself ample time to park before your reservation.
After your meal, take a few minutes to explore the historic hotel lobby or walk along the nearby trails, where you’ll find some of the best canyon views.
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or another special occasion, El Tovar is an especially memorable place to book a table.
After all, there aren’t many restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal inside a 1905 landmark, then step outside to admire one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
With more than 120 years of history, classic American cuisine, and the Grand Canyon right outside its doors, the El Tovar Dining Room is sure to turn an ordinary meal into one of the most unforgettable parts of your Arizona adventure!
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