Bishop eats better than you expect for a small desert town, partly because it caters to hikers and climbers who have been in the mountains for days and arrive with large appetites and limited requirements. The unquestioned institution is Erick Schat's Bakkery on Main Street, open from early morning, producing the sheepherder's sourdough bread that sustained generations of Owens Valley workers and still fuels Sierra backpackers today.
For a sit-down meal, Bishop has a handful of solid options: the Upper Crust Pizza on Warren Street is popular with climbers; natural-food-oriented places have opened in recent years catering to the outdoor recreation crowd. The Jack's Restaurant and Lounge on Main Street is the old-school local standard — open early, serves the full range of American diner food, reliable. Several Mexican restaurants provide cheap, filling meals for those heading into the backcountry.