Dining options inside the park are limited, so plan accordingly -- especially if you are heading below the rim.
El Tovar Dining Room is the most upscale option on the South Rim, set inside the historic El Tovar Hotel. The menu leans toward Southwestern-influenced American cuisine, and the dining room itself, with its dark wood and canyon views, is worth the visit. Reservations are essential, especially for dinner.
Arizona Room sits right on the rim near Bright Angel Lodge and serves steaks, ribs, and fish with views into the canyon. No reservations -- arrive early or expect a wait during peak season.
Phantom Ranch Canteen, at the bottom of the canyon along the Kaibab Trail, is the most unusual dining experience in any national park. Dinner (stew or steak) must be reserved months in advance and sells out fast. Breakfast and lunch are walk-in, and the canteen sells basic supplies -- bagels, fruit, chocolate bars, and cold beer. After a long hike down, that beer tastes better than any you have ever had.
Yavapai Lodge Restaurant near Market Plaza offers casual meals -- burgers, sandwiches, salads -- and is the most convenient option for visitors staying at the central campgrounds and lodges.