Where to Eat in Zion & Springdale: Oscar's Cafe, Zion Canyon Brew Pub, Bit & Spur & Picnics

Unlike remote national parks with basic cafeteria food, Springdale sits directly at the end of the Zion Visitor Center footbridge, offering dozens of independent cafes, coffee roasters, Mexican cantinas and craft beer gardens with 600-metre red-rock views right from your patio table.

1. Top 5 Restaurants & Cafes in Springdale (Outside the South Gate)

1. Oscar's Cafe (948 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale Shuttle Stop #5): the hikers' legend of Springdale. Sit under the shaded patio vines facing West Temple for their famous Murder Burger (with bacon, cheddar, pastrami and grilled onions), massive Pork Chile Verde Burritos, or early breakfast burritos and banana-nut pancakes.
2. Zion Canyon Brew Pub (95 Zion Park Blvd, 50 Metres from the Park Pedestrian Bridge): the first building you reach when walking out of the park over the Virgin River footbridge. Grab a riverside patio table facing the Watchman for a cold pint of locally brewed Springdale Amber Ale or Zion Pale Ale with elk burgers and nachos.
3. Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon (1212 Zion Park Blvd, Stop #6): Springdale's classic evening dinner patio since 1981 for Sweet Potato Tamales, slow-braised pork ribs, steaks and prickly-pear margaritas.
4. King's Landing Bistro & Spotted Dog Cafe: book a cliff-view table at King's Landing Bistro or Spotted Dog Cafe (at Flanigan's Inn) for an upscale sunset dinner.
5. Pre-Hike Coffee & Pastries: fuel up before the first shuttle at Deep Creek Coffee Company, FeelLove Coffee, or try homemade bumbleberry pie at Bumbleberry Gift & Bake Shop.

2. Eating Inside the Park (Zion Lodge at Stop #5) & Packing Trail Lunches

Once you board the shuttle into Zion Canyon, the only place selling food inside the canyon is Zion Lodge at Shuttle Stop #5 (home to the sit-down Red Rock Grill and grab-and-go Castle Dome Cafe). Before hiking The Narrows or Scout Lookout, stop at Sol Foods Supermarket in central Springdale for fresh deli sandwiches, fruit and trail snacks.