Wide-open spaces, Western traditions and prime hunting real estate greatly influence Wyoming’s food scene. From mouthwatering Angus beef and flavor-bursting buffalo to Rocky Mountain trout and crisp seasonal vegetables, the state’s culinary experts have executed farm-to-table practices for decades.
You won’t have trouble finding tasty restaurants in Wyoming, but here are just a few not-to-miss food experiences to look for on your travels.
1. The Gun Barrel Steak and Game House
The Gun Barrel Steak and Game House in Jackson offers a wide option menu full of Wyoming-inspired dishes from bison to trout. The restaurant itself is a refurbished museum still featuring mounts from around the Jackson Hole area. If you’re looking to try out some cuisine from the west don’t miss out on the Bison Carpaccio, Elk Loin or Steelhead Trout.
2. Meeteetse Chocolatier
Meeteetse bronc rider Tim Kellogg initially started selling homemade chocolates to fund a new saddle, but his sweet concoctions were so popular that Meeteetse Chocolatier became a full-time endeavor. Take home champagne truffles, ancho-chili and lime Belgian chocolates or a Bronc Bar Tablette, a dark-chocolate bar loaded with candied ginger, dried cranberries and cherries and salted pumpkin seeds.
3. Buffalo Jump Saloon & Steakhouse
The Buffalo Jump Saloon & Steakhouse in Beulah has legendary buffalo steaks and an interior inspired by the Old West. Housed in a general store that dates back to the 1890s, a stone fireplace and wooden bar help to recreate a rustic saloon atmosphere.
4. The Front Porch
Burger connoisseurs will find comfort at The Front Porch in Thermopolis. Try the peanut-butter-and-bacon burger, tandoori chicken salad or the Just a Little Brie panini, featuring ham, brie cheese, apple slices and mayo.
5. Luxury Diner
The Luxury Diner is a trolley-turned-diner in Cheyenne that has delivered hearty breakfasts and lunch fare with a side of smiles since 1926. Favorites on the spirited joint’s menu include green chili, country-fried steak, corned-beef hash and strong cups of joe, a staple for any prized diner.
6. Pizza Carrello
Gillette’s Pizza Carrello has earned quite the reputation for their wood-fired pies, which feature a hand-tossed crust that’s made in small batches. Try one of their specialty pizzas, build your own with super-fresh toppings or try a Bohemian wrap (their pita bread is uniquely made-to-order). End your meal with a fabulous Nutella calzone.
7. The Dining Room at Jenny Lake Lodge
Enjoy award-winning cuisine inside a 1930s-era log cabin at this unforgettable dining experience in Grand Teton National Park. The Dining Room at Jenny Lake Lodge uses local ingredients to craft a delectable five-course dinner menu, which rotates nightly. Open June through October, you’ll need to make reservations if you want to score a seat at this elegant restaurant with a Teton view.
8. Get Real Coffee
Whether you’re in the mood for a cup of espresso, a serving of savory quiche or classic breakfast dishes, Get Real Coffee is a worthy stop in Green River. The small-town hidden gem is a lauded for its selection of caffeinated drinks (try the flavorful Mexican coffee or iced coffee made with coffee ice cubes) and small menu of light breakfast and lunch favorites.
9. Cottage Cafe
Cottage Cafe in Casper dishes up breakfast and lunch favorites in a homey blue-trimmed abode. Locals love the healthy menu options, generous portions and shady patio. Order the taste-bud-tingling tequila-lime chicken soup.
10. Cavalryman Steakhouse
Laramie’s Cavalryman Steakhouse is located at Fort Sanders, a post built in 1866 to protect the Overland and Lodgepole Creek trails, the Denver-Salt Lake City stagecoach route and Union Pacific Railroad construction crews. The restaurant highlights the site’s history and serves regional specialties made with meat and poultry from sustainable Wyoming ranches. Don’t miss the authentic Wyoming soda bread, slow-roasted prime rib and bison London broil.
Want to Take Home a Taste of Wyoming?
At Wyoming farmers’ markets, you can chitchat with farmers and select your own produce for a delicious Wyoming-inspired meal. Visit the Wyoming Farmers Marketing Association website for locations and dates.
