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Mono Inn, Lee Vining, CA

Mono Inn

4.9
4.9
37 Reviews
$50 and over
Farm-to-table
Built on the shores of Mono Lake in 1921 and originally used as a bunkhouse, Mono Inn has a long history as one of the best gathering places for miles around. 

Offering weary travelers a welcome respite from the road, the famed bar and dining room afford breathtakingly unparalleled and ever-changing views of Mono Lake.

Chef Jason Custer takes our modern farm-to-table cuisine concept to another level with his Fall Tasting Menu and emphasis on local sourcing.

Located at the back gate of Yosemite National Park, close to Mammoth Lakes, and easily accessible from the Bay Area and Southern California, the new Mono Inn offers one of the most extraordinary dining experiences in all of California. 

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Californian, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Fri–Sun 5:00 pm–7:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 647-6581
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jason Custer
  • Neighborhood
    Yosemite
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Loire Valley Wine Dinner

    $95.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 17, 2023 only
    Bonjour! Chef Jay is excited to showcase four wines from the Loire Valley brought to us by Breakthru Beverage with this 5-course wine dinner. Each course will highlight a dish inspired by the wines from the Loire, many with origins from the Valley. We look forward to serving you! Merci!
    Loire Valley Wine Dinner Photo

What 37 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Best Overall

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Best Food

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Best Service

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Best Ambiance

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Best Value

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Healthy

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Great for scenic views

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Good for special occasions

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Lively

  • Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

    Most Booked

37 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful meal! Excellent service, seasonal and creative pairings with a personal touch! A hidden gem, we will be back.

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  2. MammothLover

    Los Angeles

    42 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another AMAZING dinner at Mono Inn! It's a beautiful venue, great views of Mono Lake and the sunset, really tasty cocktails, and the food is just amazing. Creative, beautiful to look at, always a new menu every week with seasonal, often local or home grown ingredients and just so dang yummy. Can't wait to get up here again to dine here. It's a bit out of the way but so worth the effort!

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  3. CKnSB

    Hawaii

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Chef Jason is totally invested in providing a creative and exquisite dining experience. He sources local ingredients when possible and travels far and wide when they are not. The Mono Inn is a hidden gastronomic gem, graced with a beautiful location in the Eastern Sierras.

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  4. LynnM

    Boise

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding meal and service. Chef Jason is so creative and everything was delicious! We'll be back!!

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  5. CharleneM

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    With enough advance notice Chef was willing to prepare a vegetarian option.

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  6. CBOak

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a wonderful evening looking out over Mono Lake as the sun set. The atmosphere was welcoming, the service was excellent the food was fantastic both in presentation, creativity and taste. Very nice bar and wine selection as well. Loved it and will return.

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  7. DanielZ

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Mono Inn is a fantastic place to take your partner for a romantic date over delectable, unique cuisine. Ambiance is understated, yet elegant.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing! Real hidden gem. High quality ingredients and creative menu.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and food. Great experience with a wonderful view

    Is this helpful?

  10. Susan

    Yosemite

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    always exceptional food and service...our favorite place

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  11. PeterT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous restaurant! We had the best time we could have asked for!

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  12. ChrisS

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Truly one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Each dish on the tasting menu was playful, thoughtful, and so delicious! The wines my husband had from the wine pairing menu were amazing on their own and went up a level when we tried them with the food.

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  13. cmschuster

    Los Angeles

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The setting overlooking Mono Lake is priceless. I loved talking to the bartender who wanted to get my Black Manhattan cocktail just right. (He did and it was delicious). I really enjoyed how The appetizer and dessert courses mirrored each other in structure. The salad was excellent, though I'm not a huge fan of micro greens. I chose the lamb for the main course which was very good. Very friendly, attentive but not stuffy service. Most importantly, my reservation was for a week later--my fault in the reservation app--but they graciously seated me anyway.

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  14. MarcA

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food! The whole experience from start to finish is great. The staff is always so friendly and kind. If you call ahead the Chef will prepare a vegan course that will knock your socks off!

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  15. BZgal

    San Diego

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Seasonal tasting menu was fantastic, each item was not only delicious but had an element of surprise! Service was impeccable and we hope to return soon.

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  16. AlissaG

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I loved the playfulness of the menu! Everything was about fresh combinations of foods that we thought we knew.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great tasting food and great experience. Enjoyed the view.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Unexpected highlight on 395. Tasting menu well thought out, adventurous and delightful. Would recommend highly to any foodie. Great value. Wonderful attentive service. Chef visit to explain his creations at each course. A must stop.

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  19. SuzanneS

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were first timers to the small plate concept. We dined there last year and had an excellent menu then. The three of will do this again. We have appreciated the historical Mono Inn for many years. The chef, the bartender and the wait staff added to this wonderful dining experience. Can’t leave out beautiful Mono Lake at sundown, one of the great views in the Eastern Sierra. If you haven’t done it, you should try it.

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  20. BikerinLA

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mono Inn is one of the hidden gems in the High Sierra, right by Mono Lake and a short mile north of Lee Vining. I had been to this place many years ago when it was run by the granddaughter of Ansel Adams. Long story short, decades went by and ownerships changed, but the place still has its charm and is waiting to be discovered by travelers up and down the 395. This summer they changed the format and offered tasting menu for a set price $85 pp. IMHO, the chef has crafted the dishes to the Michelin star level. With the panoramic views of the lake and the mountain ranges (best right before the sunset), and meals that challenge your senses (dishes are also very Instagrammable), this place is certainly worth the drive if you are in the Mammoth Lakes area.

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  21. Bird

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Server seem inexperienced but trying hard. Food was uneven. Prices somewhat high for the region.

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  22. CarolynL

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great time last night at the Mono Inn. Start to finish the food, service, ambiance was wonderful.

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  23. SusanC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The food and service was excellent; the mixologist was very knowledgeable and had great suggestions for inventive cocktails. We look forward to returning!

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  24. JohnR

    Dallas

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It's lost nothing since my last review. The European-style 5 course prix fixe has everything. Start with the starters- you get four small tasty ones, arranged in distinct presentations which are creatively matched by the four bite-sized desserts (but with dessert ingredients.) In between are a perfect salad, rich and moist salmon, and either lamb ravioli or a surf and turf combo that included A5 wagyu. You will not find a more reasonably priced wine list for top grade CA wines.

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had Chef Jason Custer’s 5-course summer tasting menu. Wow! The food was creative - with the desserts mimicking the starters - and everything was absolutely delicious. We also had thoughtfully crafted cocktails from the bar. Service was friendly and well paced. It’s so nice to find such a culinary experience in a casual setting. We definitely will be back to this special place - and next time before the sun goes down so we can enjoy the view of Mono Lake. Thanks for a memorable evening!

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  26. Lucia

    Sacramento

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a wonderful meal and a magical setting. What a special memory!

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  27. JD123

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Superb menu, especially the lamb. great location. Thanks!

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  28. BrentW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Thanks Tom and Hilary. We had a wonderful evening.

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  29. PatriciaR

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We would tell people to drive out to Mono Lake just for this tasting menu - outrageous flavors and incredibly friendly staff. Bartender makes a serious Manhattan. The chef called me to check on my non-red meat food preference moments after I made the reservation and the waiter had those preference notes. I was amazed

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  30. Susan

    Yosemite

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very creative tasteful menu with a view that cannot be beat

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  31. RenoLocal

    Tahoe

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I’ve eaten at some of the best restaurants in SF, Napa, and Sonoma counties and the Mono Inn would give any one of them a run for the money. Amazing and unique flavor combinations, everything about the food is so well thought out. The ambiance and mellow, nice, clean, warm and comforting without feeling stuffy. And the view of Mono Lake is one in a million. The beer, wine, and liquor selection is solid with a few tasty drink creations as well. Owners and staff are super cool… All told, Mono Inn is pretty close to perfection. You will not be disappointed.

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  32. JohnR

    Dallas

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Go here and get the prix fixe at a price that is more than fair. This is gourmet stuff, from the four small appetizers to the mains, which for us included perfect duck breast and A5 wagyu. The excellent wine likewise is underpriced. The value is exceptional. Overlooking Mono Lake with the moon casting a bright beam right at you across the water tops it all. This is a rare find. Also, a small but cozy bar with a superb mixologist gives you a reason to arrive early.

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  33. elizabethm

    Orange County

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Mono Inn is an incredible gem in Lee Vining. The 6 course tasting menu soars with great flavor, creativity and varied delights. The food , the outstanding service and the magnificent view of Mono Lake make for an over the top dining experience which we will talk about to everyone we know!

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  34. FoothillsFoodLovers

    Sacramento

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We celebrated our anniversary with Mono Inn. From the moment we came thru the door, we felt special. We had drinks at the bar and the owner/bartender told us about the Inn and we had a great conversation. Our food was fantastic, with lots of unique flavors. The chef did an outstanding job with the creation and presentation of the food. The wait staff was very friendly yet professional. All in all, it was a beautiful experience for us, and we highly recommend Mono Inn!

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  35. HelenV

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    6-course tasting menu, expensive, but completely worth it. Slow paced, so able to savor everything. A cascade of flavors, the best I have ever tasted. I feel my review is not even doing it justice, it was that good. Incidentally, I have celiac disease, was treated so courteously, and the chef kept me completely safe. (Those who share this issue will understand what a treat this wasz0.

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  36. Susan

    Yosemite

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    this is one of our favorite restaurants. Can't beat the view at Mono Lake, the chef is super creative, the staff very attentive. Love it!

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  37. Foodigem

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a wonderful experience. Your loss if you miss out.

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FAQs

Mono Inn is rated 4.9 stars by 37 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Mono Inn

55620 US-395, Lee Vining, CA 93541-8016

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Yosemite
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Fri–Sun 5:00 pm–7:30 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Farm-to-table, Californian, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jason Custer
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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