When you visit Yellowstone National Park, you will need to eat. It is an unavoidable fact. Therefore, for your convenience, here is a list of eateries in Yellowstone, organized by level of formality and food type. Updated for 2010.

Restaurants

Old Faithful Inn Dining Room

This is one of the nicest restaurants in the park and one of the most atmospheric. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You are not required to dress formally, but it is always nice to dress respectfully (appropriate clothing, no hats). Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. The restaurant is open from May 7 to October 17 with varying hours:

• May 7 to June 9: Breakfast is from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (the buffet lasts until 10:30 a.m.). Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• June 10 to September 6: Breakfast is from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (the buffet lasts until 10:30 a.m.). Lunch lasts from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• September 7 to October 17: Breakfast lasts from 6:30 am to 10 a.m. (with the buffet open until 10:30 a.m.). Lunch lasts from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner lasts from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room

Also known as the Obsidian Dining Room, this restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. This has turned into the foodies' restaurant of choice, as there's a lot of variation within the daily specials and a greater emphasis on finer dining. It's also a little off the beaten path, so you usually don't need to wait long for a table even at peak times. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room

The Lake dining room is the most elegant restaurant in the park, reflecting the more upscale architecture of the Lake Yellowstone area. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Reservations are recommended.

Grant Village Restaurant

If you want to eat at a restaurant that is not as refined as Lake or as popular as Old Faithful, then the Grant Village restaurant is a perfect choice. The restaurant sits near Lake Yellowstone, offering visitors a nice view during their meal. The interior is a little unusual, resembling a building you would find in summer camp, but the food makes up for the cheesy design. The restaurant is open May 28-Oct. 3. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Reservations are recommended and theoretically required for dinner, but we've dropped by when the restaurant was ostensibly full and been seated with no issues.

Canyon Lodge Dining Room

This restaurant offers buffets for both breakfast and lunch in lieu of regular service. Dinner is normal. It is open June 4-Sept. 26. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mammoth Hotel Dining Room

This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In 2010 the Dining Room opens May 14 and closes Oct. 11. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room

This is one of the best restaurants to have lunch at in the park. The food is delicious, especially the barbeque ribs with baked beans. Best of all is the porch in front of the restaurant, where you can grab a drink and sit in a rocking chair. Sadly, the parking lot takes up most of the view. It is open June 11-Sept. 6. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is served from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are not accepted, so expect a wait, albeit a pleasant one.