Best Restaurants Death Valley National Park
There are few options for food in Death Valley National Park, and we found ourselves eating mostly outside of the park. Luckily, we weren’t staying inside the park itself, so that made it much easier to explore food options on the way to our (very out of the way) bed & breakfast location. Due to road closures within the park during our visit, we had over a 90 min drive just to get to the park entrance. For that reason, and the oddity of the place we stayed at (no heat, thin walls, lots of feathers everywhere (I kid you not!), we will not be advertising that lodging here.
Options inside of Death Valley National Park
Since we were traveling in Winter to Death Valley National Park (high season) we expected that the restaurants and bars we carefully looked up in the Furnace Creek area of Death Valley National Park, would be open. They were all closed except for the Ranch 1849 Buffet, that we had for breakfast. Staff was lovely, but I can’t recommend the buffet, very few options, most tubs were empty, food was cold and mediocre. Price was very high, and we had just come from Las Vegas prices! Disappointing overall, and hopefully we just hit it on a bad day.
The Last Kind Words Saloon was closed each time we drove by, Ice Cream Parlor looked permanently closed, and we didn’t find the Inn Dining Room open. If we had paid to stay in the expensive rooms at the resort, we would have been very disappointed (as I see in reviews), especially if we had to travel 1hr+ for a meal due to the lack of options.
We did peak through the gift shop/mini mart in the resort, and it had more options for grab and go food – all at a premium price as well. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center also had grab and go drinks and sandwiches, which might be the best option in park.
Best Restaurants near
Death Valley National Park
We ate nearly all our meals outside of Death Valley National Park, mostly in Pahrump or Beatty. Here’s restaurants I would recommend. We didn’t try them all, but with research, I believe these would be your best bets close to Death Valley National Park. If you are able, I would consider grabbing a cooler and pick up sandwiches and food at a grocery store to bring into the park if you are exploring for a long day. You already can assume that you’ll need to bring a ton of water in your car, so why not pick up some snacks at the same time?
Pahrump, Nevada Restaurants
An hour drive south-east from Death Valley National Park’s Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the town of Pahrump, Nevada with a lively population of 36,000. Here you will find the most options for food, lodging, and gas (don’t buy within the park if you can help it!), from Las Vegas to Death Valley.
El Jefe
When Mexican food and a margarita sound simply divine after a morning of hiking, this is your spot. We had lunch here after being up since long before sunrise, and it was low key, mostly locals, and very reasonable prices. Servings are enormous, food is authentic Mexican, and the service superb. This is not a place with a bar scene or even a bar like most Mexican restaurants I’ve been at. Classic booths around the sides, tables in the middle, and could use some updating, but we were not there for ambiance, just good solid food, and they had that in spades.
Artesian Cellars
Now this was the best surprise of our trip. The unassuming outside didn’t appeal to me, but my husband pulled in and said we should check out this wine tasting. Nothing about this place from the road would be what I would ever check out, but he noticed a full parking lot and a sign for wine tasting and was eager for an adventure. Well, he proved me wrong! This place was amazing right down to the intimate atmosphere, fun staff (Thank you Dana!), and delicious wine. We were entertained by the large group of older women, who were clearly regulars, chatting and laughing about everything from their men, to their bodies after breast cancer, to the local gossip, and new purses. It was a fun, lighthearted atmosphere and we got to spend some time asking our server all about the area, how she ended up living here, and that, my friends is why I travel. I dearly love the people we meet. Ok, and the wine blew me away, with a price point that made me want to join their wine club, but alas, they don’t ship to Washington State. (Disclaimer: If you don’t know me, I only drink red wine, so no clue if the whites were “good”).
I kicked myself for stuffing my gut at the Mexican restaurant, as their menu and the food I saw brought to the other tables looked delicious. Had we had more days in the area, I certainly would have lunched here. Artesian Cellars also has a brunch once a month on Sundays that is supposedly to die for, as well as bloody mary’s out of this world. Another time…
Other Options to check out:
Chatthai Bistro
Thai Food, highly rated
Symphony’s
A bougie, white table cloth establishment with a large wine selection and featuring seafood and steak on the menu. Prices are reasonable, and it’s a well-known spot for Las Vegas locals to drive the hour to eat here for a nice night out. We didn’t attempt it, as our sandy covered hiking clothes didn’t seem appropriate.
Farinata Italian Style Pizza
Pizza, from all accounts looks amazingly drool-worthy.
The Place to Be
ok, love the name. Philly Steak, Tator-Tots and Burgers are the highlights. I absolutely would have checked this place out if we’d had more time.
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Beatty, Nevada Restaurants
Just under an hour from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, is Beatty, Nevada. A small town of just over 1000 residents.
4 restaurants stand out in this small town, and we managed to eat at one of them.
Smokin’ J’s Barbecue
There was no way that James was going to let this place be skipped past. This was our dinner after a day of traveling and hiking, and it still makes me drool thinking of it. From the rustic decor to the saucy woman behind the counter, this was a great local find, and we throughly enjoyed ourselves here. Customers were all hikers or construction workers, and everyone was chowing on some of the best BBQ outside of Texas. The rubs on the brisket were perfection, the pickles and coleslaw were wonderfully matched, burgers were excellent, and oh my GOD the banana pudding. I’m not the biggest banana or pudding fan, but all the reviews made me feel I needed to at least attempt it – you know, for review purposes😉, and I am so glad I did. It was the perfect ending to that meal for the way back to our place. Don’t miss this one!
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Gema’s Cafe
Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, this seems to be best saved for Breakfast. A small cafe with a few scattered tables, unassuming decor, and some delicious looking scrambles, skillets, waffles, and omelets. They do serve breakfast all day, so if in the mood after a day of exploring, hit this place up.
Happy Burro Chili & Beer
I love a place with a funky, fun name. I keep saying this, but it’s true, with another day to hike and eat, I would have checked this place out for certain. Chili Dogs, chili, and beer. Yep, that’s it, but do you know what I’ve always discovered? That when a menu is small, its because that place usually knows what they are doing. This place looks like its right out of a western movie, and will definitely stay in your mind as a unique spot on your trip!
Beatty VFW
Searching for a true bar out in the middle of nowhere atmosphere, plopping you right In with rowdy, fun locals? Then Beatty’s is for you! Excellent bar food and drinks for all, this place is sure to be a delightful stop. We didn’t partake because smoking at the bar is allowed (and me with my dang asthma), but please check it out and shoot me a note on what I missed out on.
Shoshone, California
One more spot to mention if you find yourself down in Shoshone, about an hour south of Furnace Creek Visitor Center and 30 mins from Pahrump. Why would you even be out there? To check out Dublin Gulch of course! WTF is that you say? You’ll find out on my post of A Perfect Weekend in Death Valley National Park (and surrounding areas). Stay tuned…
Crowbar Cafe
Small diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hashbrowns, egg dishes, burgers and BLTs look too good to pass up. So if you are nearby and hungry, check this little spot out.
