Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [468]
This restaurant has a greenhouse-garden look and makes the most of the area's spectacular scenery, with large windows and an outdoor patio. The chef uses fresh local ingredients and herbs from the inn's garden whenever possible. Breakfast features homemade granola, fresh fruits and juices, traditional egg dishes (including trout and eggs), and wonderful omelets, such as smoked salmon and brie. Dinner selections in spring are likely to include fresh vegetable and lamb dishes; in summer look for innovative salads and light entrees, such as local red trout and mesquite-roasted chicken; during fall and winter you can expect rich sauces, Black Angus beef, pork, wild game, and scrumptious desserts. Vegan dishes can be individually prepared. The restaurant has an excellent 2,000-bottle wine cellar, microbrewery draft beers, and complete liquor service.
Zion Mount Carmel Restaurant
Utah 9, ¼ mile east of the east entrance to Zion National Park. ☎ 435/648-3012. Breakfast $3.25–$6.95; sandwiches $3.50–$5.95; Mexican dishes $3.25–$8.95. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 9am–5pm. AMERICAN/MEXICAN.
This down-home coffee shop offers great homemade pies, spicy New Mexico–style Southwest dishes, shakes, sundaes, burgers, and sandwiches. Locals love the green-chile beef and bean burrito as well as the enchilada-style burrito, which is smothered with chile sauce. The breakfast menu includes the standards: ham and eggs, omelets, pancakes, and French toast. No alcoholic beverages are served.
Zion Park Gift & Deli
866 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale. ☎ 435/772-3843. Menu items $5–$10. AE, DISC, MC, V. Summer Mon–Sat 8am–9pm; reduced hours in winter. SANDWICHES.
This is our choice for a top-quality deli-style sandwich at an economical price. You can eat at one of the cafe-style tables inside or on the patio outside, or you can carry your sandwich off on a hike or to a national park picnic ground. All baked goods, including the excellent sandwich breads and sub rolls, are made in-house. You order at the counter and wait as your sandwich is prepared with your choice of bread, meats, cheeses, and condiments. This is also a good breakfast stop for those who enjoy fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, muffins, banana nut bread, and similar goodies, with a cup of espresso. Locally made candy, including excellent fudge, and 24 flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt are offered. No alcohol is served.
Zion Pizza & Noodle
868 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale. ☎ 435/772-3815. www.zionpizzanoodle.com. Reservations not accepted. Entrees $7.95–$14. No credit cards. Daily from 4pm; call for winter hours. PIZZA/PASTA.
A favorite of both locals and visitors (including us) this busy cafe is the place to come for good pizza and pasta in a somewhat funky atmosphere—it's in a former Mormon church with a turquoise steeple. The dining room has small, closely spaced tables and black-and-white photos on the walls. The 12-inch pizzas, with lots of chewy crust, are baked in a slate stone oven. They're very good, but we were initially put off by all the oddly topped specialty pies, such as the Southwest burrito pizza and barbecue chicken pizza. But have no fear— you can get a basic cheese pizza or add any of the roughly 17 extra toppings, from pepperoni to green chilies to pineapple. The menu also offers calzones, Stromboli, and a variety of pastas, such as penne with grilled chicken, broccoli, carrots, fresh cream, and cheese. Takeout and delivery are available. Beer is served inside and in the delightful year-round beer garden.
Picnic & Camping Supplies
You'll find most of the groceries and camping and RV supplies you want in Springdale, just outside the park's south entrance. At Zion Canyon Campground, on Zion Park Boulevard a half-mile south of the park's south entrance (☎ 435/772-3237), is a store selling groceries, souvenirs, and RV supplies, plus a restaurant. In downtown Springdale,