Think of this as the conversation you’d have with me (your host Richelle) during your property walkthrough — except you can read it before you arrive, share it with your group, and skip the “where are we eating tonight?” debate entirely while in Jackson Hole.
Why This Guide Exists
One of the most common questions I hear from Elk Ridge Estate guests is “Where should we eat?” You’ll probably ask me before you arrive. Maybe even before you book!
It sounds simple, but a lot of our guests have to coordinate the diverse needs of three generations since they’re taking advantage of our multi-home estate to travel with kids and grandkids. When you’re coordinating meals for a group of six to ten people across three generations, the question of where to eat gets complicated fast: grandparents who want a real sit-down experience, kids who need something immediately, adults who just want to relax after a day on the trails — and everyone’s starving at the same time.
This guide is designed specifically for the families and groups who stay at Elk Ridge Estate, or anyone else coming to Jackson Hole who wants the local hangouts instead of the overpriced, stuffy places that won’t accommodate families well.
This isn’t a ranked list from a review site. It’s what I actually recommend to guests. These are places where your whole group can walk in, feel welcome, and eat well without overthinking it — places Jackson Hole natives and locals actually eat and love.
How to Use This Guide
We’ve organized this guide by the situations you’ll actually face: breakfast before a hike, a casual family dinner after a long day in the park, a special-occasion evening out, and quick bites when the kids can’t wait another minute. Each restaurant card includes what it’s best for, an insider tip, and a direct note from me based on years of guest feedback.
A note on reservations: Jackson Hole restaurants fill up fast in summer and over the holidays. For groups of six or more, call ahead whenever possible — even at casual restaurants. For many places like Aurora and the Silver Dollar Grill, reservations are essential. At others, you’ll at least slash your wait time.
Breakfast & Morning Stops
Many Elk Ridge guests are heading out early for a day of hiking, skiing, or park exploration. These are the restaurants that will fuel your group and get you on the road — or give you a slow, lingering start if that’s the kind of morning you’re having.
The Bunnery Bakery & Restaurant
Breakfast & Lunch
“I always send my guests to the Bunnery for breakfast. It’s right across from Cowboy Coffee, it’s always busy for good reason, and the pastries are what I pick up for our welcome treats.”
— Richelle
Bubba’s Breakfast & BBQ
Simple, Filling and Delicious
Saturday Farmers Market
Seasonal — Summer Saturdays
“A lot of our guests are used to farmers markets at home, and they love finding out Jackson has one on the square. It’s been packed the last few summers. It’s a party, not just produce.”
— Richelle
Creekside Market
Breakfast, Lunch, Quick Grocery Stop
Nora’s Fish Creek Inn
Local Hangout, James Beard Award Winner
Casual Family Dinners
This is where most Elk Ridge guests land. After a full day outside, few of our guests want a long wait, a formal dress code, or a menu written half in French that confuses the grandkids. These restaurants are local hotspots and reliably welcoming for groups with mixed ages and appetites. They’re the places our guests order from over and over — based on the pizza boxes and takeout containers I find during turnover. 😀
Merry Piglets Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex, a Casual Local Favorite
“My guests love Merry Piglets. The burrito bowl is my personal go-to: fantastic, healthy, and always consistent. Takeout is great, but the fun murals, buzzing atmosphere, and bottomless chips and salsa make a sit-down experience worthwhile.”
— Richelle
Hand Fire Pizza (Teton Pizzeria)
Pizza & Salads
“I can always tell when guests have been here — six to ten pizza boxes stacked in the garage. Their pizza is good, it’s always full, and they do to-go and delivery. It’s the most popular dinner choice among our guests, hands down.”
— Richelle
Pinky G’s Pizzeria
Pizza & Salads, Casual
Pica’s Mexican Taqueria
Mexican, Local Favorite
The Town Square Walkabout: Picking on the Fly
Many of our guests, especially first-time Jackson Hole visitors, want to spend an evening strolling the Town Square and picking restaurants in the high-traffic area. I recommended some of my favorite haunts above (Pinky G’s, Hand Fire Pizza, and Merry Pigs, as the locals call it), but there are a lot of options to choose from — whether you want a high-end steakhouse or a mid-tier burger joint.
You’ll probably see some shops your group will want to slip into as well, so it’s well worth doing at least one night during your stay. There’s a parking lot about a mile into town on the corner of Cache and Gill where you can leave the car and walk the whole square on foot. Make a night of it: amble around the Town Square, take in the sights and shops, and of course get your picture at the elk antler arches.
Pro tip: Don’t try to get everyone to agree on one restaurant before you walk. Head to the square, see what’s open and appealing, and decide on the spot. Trying to pre-plan dinner for ten people based on Yelp reviews is a quick way to make everyone miserable.
Just desserts: Walk to Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream near the northeast corner of the Town Square for dessert. The huckleberry ice cream is a Jackson Hole signature — unusual, local, and something your group won’t find at home. Plus it may be the creamiest ice cream you’ve ever had. While you’re in the neighborhood, browse the art galleries and shops around the square.
Special Occasions & Memorable Evenings
Most Elk Ridge guests aren’t looking for white-tablecloth dining every night — they’re here for the outdoors. But when you do want something special for a birthday, an anniversary, or simply a more experience-driven night, we have a handful of faves to recommend.
Aurora at Snow King Summit
Elevated Regional Cuisine
The Silver Dollar Bar & Grill at The Wort Hotel
Western Dining & Live Music
“The Wort Hotel has really moved up on my list. The food has improved dramatically — great organic salads, great nachos, the Silver Dollar plate. It’s always busy and it’s not overpriced. Plus, take the kids in just to look at the silver dollars on the bar and walk around the hotel lobby. It’s like a museum of real Jackson Hole history; my great-grandparents used to go there.”
— Richelle
Holiday dining: The Wort Hotel is also my go-to recommendation for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. They’ve offered multi-course holiday meals in recent years, and it’s one of the only places in Jackson where your whole group can celebrate a holiday dinner in a genuinely historic, welcoming setting. Call ahead well in advance for holiday reservations.
Dining in Grand Teton National Park
Some of the most memorable meals in Jackson Hole aren’t in the town of Jackson. They happen overlooking the Tetons and the Snake River with a fresh slice of pizza in your hand. If your group is spending a day in the park, plan a stop at Dornan’s — you get two completely different dining experiences in one place, and they’re both worth it.
Dornan’s Pizza & Pasta Company / Chuckwagon Grill
Casual Restaurant or Outdoor Chuckwagon — Inside Grand Teton NP
“I tell guests to go up to Dornan’s, enjoy the colors on the Snake River, grab a pizza, and sit up on the rooftop overlooking the park. I’ve sat out there a lot. It’s been a favorite of mine since the 1970s.”
— Richelle
Signal Mountain Lodge
Sit-Down Casual or Formal — Inside Grand Teton NP
A gentle heads-up — restaurants to skip:
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar: It’s iconic, it’s on the square, and your group will probably want to poke their heads in. Go for the atmosphere, the pool tables, and the saddle barstools. But don’t plan to eat dinner here — the food is bar food that’s been in a freezer, and draft beer isn’t available (you’ll be drinking from a can). Visit for the experience, then walk around the corner to the Wort Hotel for an actual meal.
High-end “see and be seen” restaurants: Jackson has several upscale restaurants that get a lot of buzz — Snake River Grill, Local, Gather, The Blue Lion, and others on or near the square. They’re fine and can be quite good. But in my experience, Elk Ridge guests consistently favor the places in this guide: they cost less, feel more authentically local, and the food is just as good if not better. If you do want the high-end steakhouse experience, Gather is probably our preferred option. But most of our groups tell us they’d rather grill elk burgers on the estate’s patio or bring home takeout pizza and watch the sunset on the Sleeping Indian over the Elk Refuge.
Practical Tips for Group Dining
Groceries & Cooking at the Estate
Elk Ridge Estate’s Main House has a fully equipped luxury kitchen with both a gas grill and a charcoal barbecue, plus every cooking gadget you could want. Many of our guests find that their best “restaurant” meals happen right on the patio.
Grocery guide: It depends on what you like. Albertson’s is the closest large grocery store to the property. If you’re price-conscious, Smith’s has better pricing for most things. And if you want the best-quality produce, Whole Foods is between Albertson’s and Smith’s. Most of our guests end up at Whole Foods.
Delivery: Instacart and DoorDash both operate in the Jackson area. Many guests stock the kitchen through Instacart before arrival and order DoorDash from Hand Fire Pizza or other restaurants when the group doesn’t feel like going out.
Coordinating Dinner for Your Group
Don’t overplan. The number-one mistake we see is trying to pre-book every dinner before arrival. Your plans will change based on weather, energy levels, and what you did that day. Have two or three nights loosely planned — one night downtown, one night cooking at the house or barbecuing on the patio, one night ordering in — and let the rest unfold as you settle in.
Feed the kids first if you need to. If the adults want a quieter dinner downtown, consider feeding the kids pizza at the house first. The guest house works beautifully as a separate space for grandparents or a sitter with the little ones while the adults head to the Wort Hotel or Aurora.
Uber and Lyft work here. If your group wants to enjoy drinks downtown, ride-shares are available in Jackson. Many Elk Ridge guests take an Uber the short mile into town so everyone can relax.
Private Chef & Catering
Elk Ridge Estate can coordinate private chef services and meal delivery with 72 hours’ notice. If you’re celebrating a milestone like a birthday, anniversary, or family reunion, having a chef prepare dinner right at the estate is one of the most relaxing options available. Ask Richelle when you book, and she’ll connect you with local providers.
Questions? Just Ask Richelle.
That’s what I’m here for. Every Elk Ridge guest gets a personal property walkthrough and a standing invitation to text or call anytime during your stay — restaurant recommendations, reservations help, directions, whatever you need. I love making your stay better.
Book direct — or just ask your host
307-200-7422 · elkridgejh@gmail.com · elkridgejh.com
Book direct for the best rates — no OTA fees or surcharges.