Located on the Utah–Idaho border is a turquoise-blue oasis waiting to be discovered. Sometimes called the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’, Garden City and other lake towns that litter the coast of Bear Lake are destinations that are perfectly suited to those who love the outdoors. With year-round activities on Bear Lake including fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even jet-skiing in warmer months, the lake stays busy all year round.
With so much to do, you can certainly build up quite an appetite. And you’re in luck because you’ll find plenty of tasty options here, from classic American fare and hearty Mexican food like burritos to Hawaiian-style eats and elegant fine dining.
Although our Bear Lake luxury rentals come with full kitchens for you to whip up your own meals, here are some of the best Bear Lake restaurant options that you’re going to want to pin on your map before your trip.
Bear Cave Drive In
554 Main St, St Charles, ID 83272 • (208) 945-0927 • https://bear-cave.business.site
On the western shores of Bear Lake in St. Charles, Idaho, Bear Cave Drive-In offers a classic drive-in dining experience, with an adjacent general store. This is a great pit stop to grab some grub before or after a visit to Bear Lake State Park and definitely one of the best restaurants in St. Charles.
For an extra hardy appetite, consider the Bear Cave Monster — two-quarter-pound, top sirloin beef patties with ham and cheese. Bear Cave Drive-In is open Monday – Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cafe Sabor
82 N. Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-3297 • https://www.cafesabor.com
With six locations in Utah and Idaho, including one in Garden City on North Bear Lake Boulevard, Cafe Sabor offers an array of bold flavors from Mexico, South America, and Asia. Guests rave about the innovative takes on traditional favorites like shrimp ceviche, Chino-Latino egg rolls, shrimp and artichoke pasta, tacos al carbon, and fajitas.
Take advantage of the full bar, featuring signature Latin-inspired cocktails. Hours vary by season so check the website before visiting.
Bear Lake Pizza Co. / Bear Trapper Steak House
240 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-3600 • http://www.beartrapperrestaurant.com
Located in Garden City, Utah, Bear Lake Pizza uses fresh dough and ingredients to create delicious traditional pizza by the slice or by the pie, plus hamburgers, ice cream, soups, and more. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Make sure to stop in next door at Chocolate Bear for homemade chocolate-dipped raspberries, Bear Lake Jam, and more. Bear Lake Pizza’s sister restaurant, Bear Trapper Steak House, is also a part of this tasty trifecta on South Bear Lake Boulevard. Here, you’ll find a smorgasbord of comfort foods from traditional breakfasts to dinner entrees including seafood steaks, chicken, and pasta, all served up in a rustic atmosphere. This hotspot is open year-round.
Campfire Grill Restaurant
427 N Paradise Parkway, Garden City, UT 84028 • (385) 626-7394 • https://www.campfiregrillrestaurant.com
This rustic, open-air restaurant is located at the Conestoga Ranch, providing an elevated-casual dining experience. Breakfast highlights include the breakfast hash scramble and the pulled pork biscuits with gravy, while dinner favorites such as Wagyu black and blue beef African sewers and wood-fired pizzas are perfectly suited to the earthy atmosphere at dusk.
A high-quality selection of wine and craft beers is on offer, too. Ample seating is available outdoors as well as indoors overlooking the exhibition kitchen. Make sure to save room for dessert! Campfire Grill is open seasonally. If you’re in town when it’s open, be sure to give it a try. It’s one of the local favorite restaurants in Garden City.
Crepes & Coffee
235 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2696 • https://www.facebook.com/crepesandcoffeebearlake
You simply can’t call your Bear Lake visit complete without a visit to Crepes & Coffee! Enjoy a clever assortment of more than 20 sweet and savory crepes (and more) alongside specialty coffees, ice teas, lemonades, and Italian sodas. If you’re in a hurry, visit the hot and ready station with grab-and-go food options. Proudly serving gelato from Sweetaly Gelato out of Salt Lake City!
Open seasonally, this is a great place to spend a weekend evening enjoying the Summer Music Series spotlighting local artists. There’s often a long line for service here, but consider that a good sign. Locals and visitors agree — it’s worth the wait!
Cody’s Gastro Garage
88 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-3644 • https://www.codysgastrogarage.com
This is an auto-themed eatery of epic proportions. The flagship location (of two) is located in Garden City in a converted auto garage. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Cody’s offers a cozy atmosphere with cool decor that petrolheads will love.
Standout favorites include burgers, quesadillas, fries, appetizers, wings, and salads. Make sure to keep an eye out for the iconic Cody’s hot rod during the spring and summer races at Bear Lake! Cody’s is open year-round.
Ephraim’s Restaurant
35 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2255 • https://www.ephraimsrestaurant.com
The whole family will appreciate this unique lakeview dining experience for breakfast, lunch, dinner, take-out, or dessert. Specializing in traditional American comfort food, Ephraim’s serves cooked-to-order burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, Dutch oven chicken and potatoes, fish and chips, and more.
The nostalgic ice cream shop offers an exceptional selection of flavors, and the famous Ephraim’s raspberry shake is made from berries grown on-site. This shake will hold you over until next year’s Raspberry Days!
Cooper’s at Bear Lake West Restaurant and Sports Bar
554 Lewis Loop #100, Fish Haven, ID 83287 • (208) 945-2222 • https://www.coopersbearlakewest.com
Cooper’s Restaurant & Sports Bar is located on the beautifully scenic Bear Lake West golf course. The diverse menu offers something for everyone, from fresh fish and lobster to raspberry-stuffed French toast, as well as thick-cut steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and complete $5 kids meals.
Enjoy seating in the dining room, sunroom, sports bar, or on the outdoor deck — all of which offer expansive views of Bear Lake. Cooper’s is open year-round, but hours vary by season.
Firehouse Pizzeria
50 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2600 • https://www.orderfirehousepizzeria.com
This unassuming pizzeria offers stone-fired specialty pizzas and calzones, baked sandwiches, pastas, desserts, and more. Specialty pies include the Down South Cajun Pizza, Texas BBQ Chicken Pizza, and the specialty Montana Pizza.
You can also design your own pizza, or if you’re looking to indulge with your crew, try the legendary Firehouse Monster Challenge — a 36” pizza with up to four flavors added. This is the largest pizza in Utah so bring your appetite!
Hometown Drive Inn
105 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2727 • http://ht.cookstudiosid.com
Family-owned and operated, this low-key, homestyle diner is an iconic place for hearty home-cooked meals. This spot is known for out-of-this-world raspberry shakes served alongside old-fashioned burgers and sandwiches. This classic fast food stop is open seasonally.
Ruca’s
284 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-3691 • https://rucasbearlake.com
Enjoy your meal outdoors while basking in the majestic views of Bear Lake and enjoying lawn games with the family! Most items at Ruca’s are made from scratch daily. Featured items include their famous Danish Aebleskivers, gourmet sandwiches, and original coffee blends. Ruca’s is open seasonally.
LaBeau’s Drive Inn & LaBeau’s Too
69 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 / 75 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • https://www.labeaus.com
LeBeau’s is a family-owned restaurant and a Bear Lake institution. With a menu that boasts more than 40 sandwiches and over 45 varieties of shakes, there’s a flavor anyone can savor! Must-haves include raspberry shakes and the LaBeau’s Special — a hamburger patty served with ham slices.
LaBeau’s is known for generous portions and long lines of loyal devotees who never mind the wait for the original classic tastes served up in this laid-back gem. Hours vary seasonally.
Merlins Drive In
149 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-8411
This is a quaint and beloved hole-in-the-wall burger joint. There are no frills to be found, but you can count on heaping helpings of tasty grub and luscious, flavorful milkshakes. The outdoor seating area sits alongside a children’s playground and is an ideal stop for a budget-friendly, casual afternoon out!
Summit Inn Pizza
70 W Logan Rd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2870 • https://summitinnpizza.com
When you spend ten years perfecting your signature dish, it’s bound to be something special, and that’s just what the locals say you can expect from Summit Inn. These guys serve pizza made from scratch daily using only the freshest ingredients and have been voted “Best of State” and “Best Family Pizza” from 2010 to 2016. There are locations in Lehi and Kamas, as well as Garden City.
Waffle Den and Bakery
70 W Logan Rd Suite B, Garden City, UT 84028 • (801) 360-2730 • https://www.waffledengardencityut.com
How many ways can you enjoy a waffle? Stop in for a bite at the Waffle Den and find out! This fun and creative eatery offers waffle trees, waffle bowls, waffle sticks, waffle animals, and the original Belgian waffle — perfectly topped or filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade raspberry jam, raspberry butter, and more. You can also opt to keep it purely sweet with a selection from the batch of fresh pastries.
Moose Buns
220 West 10 South, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 241-7773 • https://moosebuns.com
Moose Buns is a quick-service drive-thru/walk-up coffee shop and juice bar known for its exquisite cinnamon rolls, hot-cold-blended beverages, and flavorful fruit smoothies. Enjoy seasonal breakfast and lunch menus, daily specials, and new Red Bull or apple cider-infused drink options!
This is the place to be when you’re seeking something fun, different, and oh-so-tasty in Bear Lake. Make sure you pop into the on-site gift shop to commemorate your visit with a Moose Buns memento!
Zipz
75 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028 • (435) 946-2810 • http://www.zipzbearlake.com
For a zippy drive-thru experience that will leave you scrambling back for more, pop into Zipz! It’s the perfect, nothin’ fancy stop for a classic, all-American meal… with a few twists here and there, for the sake of culinary innovation. Enjoy hot dawgs, corn dawgs, “saucewiches”, Dole Whips, and of course — raspberry shakes! This cozy location is right on Bear Lake and offers stunning views.
Bring a Big Appetite to this Small Town Destination
There are some fabulous dining options at Bear Lake, and whatever you’re in the mood for, you are certain to find a spot that perfectly fits the bill.
