As a result of its isolated location and mid-May through November season, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon makes up just 10 percent of park visitation numbers. Situated at 8,297 feet and offering unparalleled views of the canyon, the Grand Canyon Lodge, which is the only hotel on the North Rim, is the site of the Main Lodge Dining Room. The menu can change seasonally, but there’s always a focus on regionally inspired cuisine — venison meatloaf, bison short ribs, smoked brisket, and salads made with local produce.

Whether you get there by mule, by raft, or by foot, there’s nowhere on earth like Phantom Ranch. Nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch is the toughest dinner reservation to land in the park. You can make the effort by entering the online lottery, scoring an overnight stay, and hiking or riding a mule down the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail or 7.7-mile South Kaibab Trail. (Due to trail conditions, availability is more limited than usual. Check online before making your plans.) Once you arrive at Phantom Ranch, you’ll be greeted with a dinner of steak, cornbread, and potatoes; beef stew; or vegetable chili. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, hotcakes, cherrywood-smoked bacon, and enough coffee to motivate you to hike back to civilization.

Perched on the South Rim inside the historic El Tovar, which opened in 1905 and boasts a balcony suite with Zane Grey-inspired decor, this restaurant is the only true fine dining experience in the national park. Here, diners can enjoy Southwestern fare, including chorizo omelets for breakfast and tacos with local Arizona beef and house-made fry bread for lunch. The dinner menu features a must-try roasted duck entree with plum demi-glace, an impressive wine list with a focus on Arizona vineyards, and an old-fashioned dessert cart.

The Grand Canyon is referred to as the Inverted Mountain for a reason. It requires hikers to do the easy downhill part first and the uphill part last, which can make for a confusing and exhausting day. A rewarding end to a challenging hike can be found at Harvey House House Cafe. Located inside the Bright Angel Lodge, this casual restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Look for local beers from nearby Flagstaff, Williams, and Chandler and one-third pound burgers topped with unique ingredients such as peach bourbon chutney, poutine, hoisin ketchup, and fried avocado.

The words “dog-friendly” and “national parks” don’t usually go together (dogs are not permitted on trails in the national parks and are not allowed below the rim of the Grand Canyon), but if you’re into traveling with a four-legged companion, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find the dog-friendly patio at Yavapai Tavern. Outfitted with fire pits so that it can be enjoyed year-round, the restaurant serves elk burgers with roasted poblano, vegan chili, create-your-own pizza, and rotating gelato selections. Live music and Arizona craft beer make for a lively experience with unbeatable scenery.

Unlike the south and north rims of the Grand Canyon, the West Rim is located on tribal land and is operated by the Hualapai Indians. It’s also the site of the alluring (or terrifying, depending on your opinion of glass walkways above canyons) Skywalk. The Sky View Restaurant satisfies road trip cravings with wings, burgers, hot dogs, and beer. The most notable feature here, however, is the view. The Grand Canyon and the Skywalk can be seen through floor-to-ceiling windows within the expansive dining room.

A day outdoors is certain to work up an appetite — and sometimes the only thing that will satisfy is breakfast food. This casual spot serves all-day breakfast, with omelets and French toast on the menu. But ravenous diners can also find sky-high salads, sandwiches, and pasta bowls. And, with its location near the rim, the views are not bad either.

Southwestern fare isn’t just about prickly pear margaritas and Hatch chiles; it’s also about Navajo cuisine. Travelers entering the Grand Canyon from the east will find just that at Cameron Trading Post. The restaurant, motel, and gift shop is a great lunchtime stop that serves massive versions of the delicious (if controversial) Navajo tacos — fry bread loaded with ground beef, beans, and green chile — plus other specialties including Yah-Ahtay chile made with sirloin and pinto beans and fry bread topped with roast beef, gravy, and onions.

Employees who work at the Grand Canyon are willing to make the hour-and-a-half drive for good sushi. If your need for spicy tuna can’t be measured in miles either, do as the locals do and head to Karma in Flagstaff for happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The restaurant serves specialty rolls, sashimi, ramen tempura, and other classic Japanese dishes. Happy hour specials include sake and martini specials plus discounted spring rolls, salmon nigiri, and gyoza.