Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Restaurant at Convict Lake

5.0

5 (1550)

$31 to $50

Continental

Mammoth

About the restaurant

The Restaurant at Convict Lake is widely recognized as the finest restaurant in the Eastern Sierra and a "locals" choice for special occasions. Dine in a romantic and casually elegant atmosphere located just 10 minutes from Mammoth Lakes across from the Mammoth/Yosemite Airport.

Our menu features continental cuisine and such sumptuous specialties as rack of lamb, beef wellington, grass fed beef steaks, fresh seafood and pastas. We have an award-winning wine list including some of the best vintages around the world and a martini bar. If you are not up for a four course meal, enjoy appetizers and drinks at the martini bar in The Lounge. The lounge offers a separate menu and HD TV's to watch your favorite sports.

Top review

Sue

Dined 6 days ago

This is such a great place to have a fantastic meal in one of most beautiful places on earth! Thanks for making it such a great experience for all of us!

The Elderberry House

4.8

4.8 (1042)

$50 and over

French American

Oakhurst

About the restaurant

For over 30 years, The Elderberry House has been recognized as the premier fine dining destination in the area. This European haven, nestled in the Sierra Mountains just minutes from Yosemite National Park, lends itself to an unforgettable evening for gourmands and wine enthusiasts.

Dinner at The Elderberry House is a thrill for the senses, showcasing seasonal ingredients from local farms that harvest exclusively for our culinary team. We are currently offering a seasonal petite pre-fixe or a pre-fixe tasting menu. Start the evening off with a hand-crafted cocktail at The Cellar, a craft cocktail bar.

In order to provide you with the best dining experience, we require 48-hour advance notice for any guests with dietary/allergy restrictions. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available, kindly let us know in advance.

Please know we have an age minimum of 8 years and older in the Restaurant to ensure an intimate environment.

Top review

RheaVIP

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

We had a lovely anniversary dinner here the service was impeccable along with the food. The wine pairing was also excellent I highly recommend this restaurant and would return if I was ever back in the area.

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Experience

Frog's Leap Wine Dinner

Experience

Burgers & Bordeaux

Mono Inn

5.0

5 (129)

$50 and over

Californian

Yosemite

About the restaurant

Experience a culinary journey of exquisite seasonal dishes crafted with the finest local ingredients.

Mono Inn offers impeccable service in a cozy atmosphere where Chef Jason Custer's modern multi-course
Summer Tasting Menu will take you on a gastronomic adventure.

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

Located close to Mammoth Lakes, easily accessible from the Bay Area and Southern California, and just a few miles from the back gate of Yosemite National Park, Mono Inn is a hidden gem that offers an unparalleled dining experience.

Top review

Susan

Dined 1 day ago

I treated my sister for her birthday and we both enjoyed the amazingly creative small plated food items. The chef called me before we arrived at the restaurant to discuss food preferences as my sister preferred certain types of meat. The service was great too and the view of Mono Lake looked so picture perfect that it seemed like an oil painting. This was a great experience and I would heartily recommend Mono Inn Restaurant!

The Branch

4.9

4.9 (87)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Twain Harte

About the restaurant

Small. Casual. Personable.

Good people with a good vibe in a laid back, fun atmosphere- no white table cloths here!

With over 20 years of cooking experience, Chef Matt Garcia brings a new dining experience to Tuolumne County. Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in San Francisco, Chef Matt has worked with some of the Bay Area's top chefs. As a young chef he was nominated as 7x7 Rising Star Chef, creating beautiful dishes that showcase the freshness of the ingredients and their bright, natural flavor and he continues to do so. The Branch is a place where we come together, to eat, enjoy and relax.

Located under the Twain Harte arch, our casual environment allows you to enjoy yourself with a glass of wine, beer or sparkling in hand. We welcome you to The Branch and we look forward to serving you.

Top review

Teri

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Wonderful food and great service….Very friendly people

Rush Creek Lodge

4.5

4.5 (141)

$31 to $50

Californian

Yosemite Valley

About the restaurant

The Restaurant at Rush Creek is the main place for you to relax and enjoy an authentic mountain lodge style breakfast or dinner in an atmosphere that is relaxed and friendly, vibrant and sophisticated. Lunch, Dinner and a Late Night Menu are also available in Rush Creek’s lively Tavern.
For more information, check out our website at:
https://www.rushcreeklodge.com/yosemite-dining/restaurant/

Top review

Josh

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

We celebrated Father’s Day at Rush Creek Lodge’s restaurant on a Saturday night and the food was stellar. Delicious, fresh with healthy options! So glad we decided to come here for dinner.

The Ahwahnee Hotel

3.9

3.9 (9190)

$50 and over

Californian

Yosemite

About the restaurant

The Ahwahnee Dining Room is now serving both a la carte and breakfast buffet from 7am-10am. Join us every Sunday for our Grand Brunch Buffet from 7am to 2pm, different rates apply. Lunch is served from 11:30am-2pm. Enjoy our Dinner Buffet from 5pm to 9pm featuring a carving station, dinner favorites and much more. If you experience difficulty making a reservation here, please call us directly at (209) 372-1490.

The Ahwahnee is near completion of a seismic retrofit renovation project in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve this iconic hotel. During the last phase of the project, the impacted areas will be isolated to the West Terrace and areas near the Dining Room. This work will result in some obstructed views, and we expect construction noise between 10AM–4PM, Monday–Friday. We have done our best to mitigate any negative guest experiences, though we recognize it may cause inconveniences and conditions. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Top review

Tori

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Great ambience! Beautiful dining room. Waiters very attentive. Food was delicious.

Mammoth Rock Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (951)

$31 to $50

Continental

Mammoth

About the restaurant

Come enjoy a modern dining experience planned around a creative, eclectic menu and the spectacular views of the Sherwin Range and Mammoth Mountain. Our restaurant features the fine cuisine of Mammoth Chef Gaby Hernandez and is a dramatic departure from the standard fare found in traditional bowling centers.

Starting December 16th The Brasserie restaurant will be open daily at 5:00pm. Holiday hours may be different. Our cuisine is continentally inspired, and daily specials are added with fresh, seasonally available ingredients.. We also host “special” dinners honoring specific holidays. Please check our website for more menu information. Call us directly to reserve for parties of 7 or more.

Top review

Gosia

Dined 1 day ago

Had a fabulous meal and experience here last night with a childhood friend I haven't seen in years. The food, service, and beautiful view combined for an unparalleled evening showcasing the best of Mammoth. Thanks for a great dinner service!

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Black Angus Filet Mignon

Ducey's on the Lake at The Pines Resort

4.4

4.4 (205)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Oakhurst

About the restaurant

Perched above Bass Lake, Ducey's on the Lake offers upscale lakeside dining and scratch-made California cuisine. Executive Chef, Sarah Trampert, cooks with a farm to table approach using locally grown and organic produce and beef from Harris Ranch. The menu offers steaks, seafood, pastas, seasonal dishes and house-made soups.
Please call for same day reservations
For Groups of 6 or more please call (559)642-3131 for reservations

Top review

JonathanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and service. Wonderful staff and views of the lake.

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Experience

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... Happy Hour

4.5

4.5 (749)

$31 to $50

Italian

Mammoth

About the restaurant

Italian-American fare in the heart of The Village. Crafted by Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, the menu at Vulcania Mammoth features organic, local and seasonal ingredients and is known for its Neapolitan pizzas, handmade pastas, handcrafted salumi, and perfect pairings of wine, beer and craft cocktails. A favorite locale for family dinner, date nights, drinks al fresco or a game of bocce ball on the terrace.

Please note that we are a modern cashless facility!

Top review

Julie

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent, especially the blanco pizza and salmon picatta! Oh, and the alpine negroni .

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Yosemite Valley Lodge Mountain Room

4.4

4.4 (1747)

$50 and over

Steak

Yosemite

About the restaurant

Located at Yosemite Valley Lodge, the Mountain Room Restaurant boasts striking views of the 2,424 foot high Yosemite Falls. The menu is equally impressive, featuring sizzling steaks and fresh seafood. The chef’s specialties include local, organic & seasonal preparations including sustainable fish and seafood in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch List. The Mountain Room Restaurant is open year-round.

Please contact us if you have any questions, or for more information on Holidays and Special Events.

Reservations are highly recommended.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Beautiful restaurant. Plain, simple, tasteful, with spectacular views of the upper falls. Limited menu but good food and well prepared.

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