Dining at Tenaya at Yosemite—on-site restaurants and what to expect
Tenaya at Yosemite offers five on-site dining venues ranging from casual (Parkside Deli, Timberloft Pizzeria, Gold Rush Barbecue, Bearfoot Bar) to a more formal evening option (Embers) plus Jackalope's Bar & Grill for breakfast through dinner. Expect seasonal hours, a fully cashless policy, recommended reservations for dinner, and kid- and pet-friendly outdoor seating in designated areas.
In this guide
- Overview — what dining looks like on property
- Jackalope's Bar & Grill — breakfast to dinner
- Evening & special-occasion dining — Embers
- Casual, family-friendly options — Timberloft Pizzeria and Gold Rush Barbecue
- Bearfoot Bar & Parkside Deli — poolside drinks and grab-and-go
- Room service, special requests, and dietary needs
Overview — what dining looks like on property
Tenaya at Yosemite has five on-site dining venues: Jackalope's Bar & Grill, Embers, Timberloft Pizzeria, Gold Rush Barbecue, Bearfoot Bar, plus Parkside Deli for quick bites. These range from full breakfast/lunch/dinner service at Jackalope's to seasonal and outdoor-only options.
The resort is fully cashless — all on-property purchases require a credit or debit card. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and around the 7 p.m. dinner rush.
- Full-service: Jackalope's Bar & Grill (open daily 6:30 AM–10 PM)
- Upscale/seasonal: Embers (dinner, hours vary; status can be seasonal or closed)
- Casual/seasonal: Timberloft Pizzeria (brick-oven pizzas)
- Outdoor BBQ: Gold Rush Barbecue (seasonal; sample hours were 5–8 PM)
- Poolside drinks/food: Bearfoot Bar (seasonal, 12 PM–8 PM)
- Quick grab-and-go: Parkside Deli (hours vary)
| Venue | Style | Typical Service |
|---|---|---|
| Jackalope's Bar & Grill | American / Grill | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (year-round) |
| Embers | American / Seafood (Casual Elegant) | Dinner (seasonal; hours vary) |
| Bearfoot Bar | Poolside Bar | Cocktails, beer, poolside food (seasonal 12–8 PM) |
Jackalope's Bar & Grill — breakfast to dinner
Jackalope's Bar & Grill is the on-site all-day option open year-round from 6:30 AM to 10 PM, serving made-to-order burgers, sandwiches, specialty salads and a selection of heart-healthy, gluten-free and vegan items. Dinner entrées become available after 5 PM.
It’s the most reliable choice for families and for guests in Lodge Rooms who prefer room service delivery of Jackalope's menu. Reservations are recommended for busy times.
- Hours: daily 6:30 AM–10 PM
- Menu: breakfast, lunch, dinner; gluten-free and vegan options available
- Room service: available to guests in Lodge Rooms
| Practical tip | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Parking/arrival | Located at the main lodge (1122 Highway 41); concierge can help with seating |
| Payment | Only card payments accepted on property |
| Reservations | Call resort reservations or front desk to book during peak times |
Evening & special-occasion dining — Embers
Embers is Tenaya’s more refined American/seafood restaurant intended for a casual elegant evening meal and fireside drinks. Its schedule and service style are seasonal; the venue has been listed as open only certain nights or 'Currently Closed' on official pages at times.
Because Embers’ hours and format can change by season, check with the concierge or the resort dining page before arrival for current availability and whether tasting menus, prix-fixe dinners, or wine pairings are being offered.
- Cuisine focus: American/Seafood with seasonal, local ingredients
- Atmosphere: quieter, fireside dining suited to a more elegant evening
- Hours/status: variable — contact the concierge for current schedule
| If you want to dine at Embers | Do this |
|---|---|
| Check availability | Ask the concierge/front desk — hours can be seasonal or limited to select nights |
| Dress and pace | Casual elegant; good for quieter dinners and celebrations |
| Reservations | Recommended when the restaurant is open (call front desk or reservations line) |
Casual, family-friendly options — Timberloft Pizzeria and Gold Rush Barbecue
Timberloft Pizzeria (seasonal) serves brick-oven artisan pizzas and Italian-style dishes at the Cottages adjacent to the main lodge — it’s aimed at informal family meals after a day outdoors. Hours are seasonal; check with the concierge.
Gold Rush Barbecue is an outdoor barbecue beneath the pines with classic barbecue mains, sides and lawn games. It operates seasonally in the early evening (example hours shown as 5–8 PM on sample dates); expect a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere.
- Timberloft Pizzeria: seasonal, located at the Cottages, good for families
- Gold Rush Barbecue: outdoor, family-friendly, lawn games and casual seating
- Both are seasonal — verify hours before planning your evening
| Venue | Best for |
|---|---|
| Timberloft Pizzeria | Families and casual pizza nights |
| Gold Rush Barbecue | Outdoor BBQ meals and group-friendly dining |
Bearfoot Bar & Parkside Deli — poolside drinks and grab-and-go
Bearfoot Bar is the seasonal poolside bar (12 PM–8 PM) serving cocktails, craft draft beers, local wine and casual poolside food; it also offers a kids' menu. It’s a good spot to combine a swim with a simple meal and drinks.
Parkside Deli is the resort’s grab-and-go cafe for sandwiches and snacks; hours vary so check the concierge if you need an early takeaway or picnic lunch for the park.
- Bearfoot Bar: poolside, seasonal; shoes-optional policy applies in the pool area
- Parkside Deli: quick sandwiches and snacks, good for to-go items
- Outdoor dining may allow dogs at designated tables under California law — ask staff
| Need-to-know | Tip |
|---|---|
| Cash policy | The resort is cashless — bring card for purchases |
| Pets | Dogs allowed at designated outdoor dining tables; waits may be longer |
| Kids | Bearfoot Bar offers a kids' menu suitable for poolside dining |
Room service, special requests, and dietary needs
Guests in Lodge Rooms can order breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered to the room; guests in the Cottages and Waybound Yosemite accommodations may order takeout from Jackalope's for pickup. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, inform the server or concierge — the on-site culinary team lists gluten-free and vegan options at Jackalope's.
For group or event catering, the resort provides in-house catering services (contact the events or catering team for details). Advance notice is best for special dietary needs or larger party orders.
- Room service: available for Lodge Rooms (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Cottages: takeout pickup available from Jackalope's
- Dietary options: gluten-free and vegan choices noted at Jackalope's; always reconfirm with staff
| Service | Who it serves |
|---|---|
| In-room delivery | Lodge Rooms |
| Takeout pickup | Cottages and Waybound Yosemite accommodations |
| Event catering | Groups — contact catering team |
