10 Best Casual Restaurants in Jackson Hole

Casual restaurants in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are famous for their focus on Rocky Mountain cuisine, particularly the use of local game meats like elk and bison, and for their location in historic log cabins and Western-style buildings. The dining scene is a key part of the tourism experience, offering a literal taste of the region. Restaurants such as Gather and The Whistling Grizzly feature dishes like elk bolognese and bison burgers. Many popular spots are housed in charming, rustic structures, with Cafe Genevieve operating out of a historic log cabin near the Town Square. This combination of local ingredients and atmospheric, Western settings is a defining feature of Jackson Hole dining.

Jackson Hole's casual dining is characterized by its upscale mountain-town bistros, historic taverns, and modern brewpubs. These different kinds of Jackson Hole restaurants make up the area's well-known food offerings.

• Modern American and Rocky Mountain Bistros: These are stylish, contemporary dining rooms that serve creative, chef-driven menus often featuring local game. Gather and The Whistling Grizzly are primary examples.
• Historic Log Cabin Restaurants and Taverns: This category includes popular spots located in some of the town's oldest and most iconic buildings. Cafe Genevieve and Roosevelts are key examples.
• Upscale Steakhouses and Bars: These are establishments that focus on high-quality steaks and chops in a lively, bar-centric environment. Local Restaurant and Bar fits this description.
• Brewpubs: This includes modern breweries with full-service restaurants, often in scenic locations. StillWest Brewery and Grill, located at the base of Snow King Mountain, is a main example.
• Cuisine-Specific Eateries: These are restaurants dedicated to a particular type of food not widely found elsewhere in town. Miazga's, which serves traditional Polish food, is a prominent example.

Yes, Jackson Hole is home to casual restaurants that are true to specific culinary heritages, from Eastern European home cooking to classic Western institutions. Miazga's is an authentic Polish restaurant, serving homestyle dishes like pierogi and golabki made from family recipes. Cafe Genevieve is a genuine historic Jackson Hole eatery, operating out of a 1900s log cabin and preserving a piece of the town's old Western heritage. Bin22 is an authentic Spanish-style bodega and tapas bar, where guests can select a bottle of wine from the retail shelves and enjoy it with small plates in a communal setting.

Yes, securing a table online is an option at most casual restaurants in Jackson Hole, and reservations are almost always recommended due to the town's high volume of tourists. Popular spots like Gather, Cafe Genevieve, and Local all use online booking platforms like Resy and OpenTable. Bin22's small dining area fills up quickly, and reservations are strongly advised. Even more casual places like StillWest Brewery and Grill accept online reservations.

Jackson Hole's best casual restaurants are identified by signature dishes that showcase regional game meats and creative American comfort food. The following list describes some of the most notable food in Jackson Hole.

• Elk Bolognese: A rich, slow-cooked meat sauce made with ground elk, served over pasta. This is a signature dish at Gather.
• Pig Candy: Thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, baked with a blend of sugars and spices until it is crispy and caramelized. This is the most famous menu item at Cafe Genevieve.
• Bison Burger: A burger made with ground American bison, which is leaner than beef, often served with classic toppings on a brioche bun. This is a regional specialty featured at places like The Whistling Grizzly.
• Pierogi: Traditional Polish dumplings filled with ingredients like potato and cheese or sauerkraut and mushrooms, which are boiled and then pan-fried. This is a main specialty at Miazga's.
• House-Pulled Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella cheese made in-house daily, served warm with toasted bread and other accompaniments. This is a well-known small plate at Bin22.

A meal at a casual restaurant in Jackson Hole typically costs between $30 and $90 per person, reflecting the town's resort status. A single meal at a more laid-back spot like Miazga's or Sidewinders is between $20 and $40. A group meal for two to four people at a popular sit-down restaurant such as Gather or Cafe Genevieve runs from $100 to $250. Lunch can be found for around $20 to $30 per person. A full dinner with drinks at an upscale-casual restaurant like Local or The Whistling Grizzly costs $70 to $120 per person.

Yes, vegan options are available at casual restaurants in Jackson Hole, such as Gather, Hatch, and StillWest Brewery and Grill. Gather's menu includes creative vegetable-based small plates that can be prepared vegan. Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas offers several vegetarian tacos and other dishes that can be made vegan by omitting cheese and cream. StillWest Brewery and Grill has salads and other items that can be modified for vegan diners.

Yes, casual restaurants in Jackson Hole offer many gluten-free options at places like Gather, Local, and Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas. The menus at Gather and Local feature numerous grilled meat and fish entrees, such as elk loin or steak, that are naturally gluten-free. Hatch serves all of its tacos on corn tortillas, and most of its fillings are gluten-free. Most upscale restaurants in town are accustomed to accommodating gluten-free requests.