Dining

The Branch Restaurant & Bar

DiningOPERATIONAL★ 4
Buffet lineup at The Branch Restaurant & Bar inside Yellowstone National Park, with rustic wooden walls and warm hanging lamps.

Open Range Cuisine roars through The Branch, a casual haven with a wraparound bar and TVs. Wild Game Chili delivers a hot, chunky bite of bison and elk, cheddar tying the heat with a brine-kissed finish. The Flatiron Steak Salad brings a hot, charred crust over crisp greens, while the Huckleberry French Toast adds a sweet-sour jolt from a house-made topping.

Hearty American fare & a daily buffet offered in this spacious eatery with a wraparound bar & TVs.

Quick facts

Establishment Type
restaurant
Cuisine Type
  • sandwiches
  • breakfast
  • coffee
Meals Served
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Bar
Signature Dishes
Wild Game Chili; Huckleberry French Toast; Flatiron Steak Salad

What to order

Establishment Type
restaurant
Cuisine Type
  • sandwiches
  • breakfast
  • coffee
Meals Served
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Bar
Signature Dishes
Wild Game Chili; Huckleberry French Toast; Flatiron Steak Salad
Local Specialties
Bison, Elk, Huckleberries
Popular Items
Wild Game Chili; Flatiron Steak Salad; Huckleberry French Toast
Menu Recommendations
Wild Game Chili; Huckleberry French Toast; bison/elk handhelds; request gluten-free bun if needed
Dietary Options
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
  • Cross-contamination risk noted

Prices & reservations

Price Range Symbols
$$-$$$
Price Specifics
Breakfast entrees $13.99–$29.99; Soups/Salads $9.99–$29.99; Handhelds around $15.99; Desserts $8.99–$12.99
Reservations Policy
No reservations during the summer season.
Typical Wait Times
Not published; waits possible during peak breakfast and dinner due to no summer reservations.
Payment Methods
  • Credit cards
  • Cash
  • Mobile payment where accepted
Cash Only
0

Hours & seating

Operating Hours
  • Monday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Friday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Sunday: 6:30 – 10:00 AM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Seasonal Hours
Hours may vary seasonally.
Happy Hour Times
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Parking Details
Guest parking on site at Holiday Inn West Yellowstone; ample lot arrangements.
Accessibility
Handicapped accessible; entrances with ramps; accessible restrooms; note: kitchens are not gluten-free environments, cross-contamination possible.

Visit strategy

Best For
  • Families with kids
  • Casual groups
  • Hungry travelers after park activities
Not Ideal For
Quiet, upscale dining seekers; travelers seeking serene meals
Service Type
Table service
Service Speed
Varies; breakfast faster, dinner paced to crowd
Vibe
  • Casual
  • Lively bar area
  • Game room
  • TVs
Noise Level
Moderate to lively
View Type
  • West Yellowstone town area views
Busiest Times
Breakfast and dinner peak
Best Visit Times
Dine outside peak breakfast and dinner windows; mid-morning or mid-afternoon are calmer
Tips Advice
  • Hit Wild Game Chili for a meat-forward punch.
  • Try Huckleberry French Toast with the house-made topping.
  • Ask for gluten-free bun if needed; cross-contamination risk exists.
  • Box lunches are available for takeout.

More details

Park Area
West Yellowstone, Montana (Yellowstone vicinity)
Takeout Available
1
Delivery Available
0
Dress Code
Casual
Beverage Program
Full bar with regional microbrews and handcrafted premium cocktails
Local Beers
Regional microbrews
House Made
house-made huckleberry topping
Signature Cocktails
Craft cocktails with local ingredients
Tasting Flights
0
Tours Available
0
Bottle Sales
0
Parking Available
1
Dog Friendly Patio
0
Wi-Fi Available
0
Family Friendly
1
Family Friendly Notes
Extensive children's menu; game room atmosphere is kid-friendly
Bar Seating
1
Seasonal Rushes
Peak in summer
Live Music
0
Has Gift Shop
0
Unique Attractions
Game room with pool table, air hockey, Xbox, pinball; wraparound bar with TVs
Unique Factor
Open Range Cuisine with local bison/elk and huckleberries, in-hotel dining at Holiday Inn West Yellowstone
Nearby Facilities
Holiday Inn West Yellowstone; nearby West Yellowstone amenities
Best Time To Visit
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
The Order Strategy
Skip the generic breakfast; get Huckleberry French Toast. For savory, chase Wild Game Chili; for a beer, order a regional microbrew.
The Vibe Check
Post-park HQ: casual, energetic, family-friendly with multiple TVs and a game room.
The Crowd Factor
No summer reservations imply potential waits; dine mid-morning or mid-afternoon to dodge crowds.
Eat Here If Skip If
EAT HERE IF: you want hearty local-game fare in a casual hotel dining room with kids. SKIP IF: you crave a quiet, upscale dining room with intimate seating.
Distance From Park
approximately 28 miles from park entrance
Review Summary
Casual, family-friendly option inside Holiday Inn West Yellowstone with hearty local game dishes. The warmth of the chili and the crisp steak pair well with the lively bar and game-room vibe. Expect families, sports on TVs, and a solid, no-frills open-range menu with few complaints noted.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is there a gluten-free option and bun available for handhelds?

Yes, a gluten-free bun is available on request for handhelds, and a gluten-free option exists via the house salad; cross-contamination is possible as the kitchen isn’t gluten-free.

Is there takeout or box lunches?

Box lunches are available for takeout.

Do I need a reservation during summer?

No reservations are accepted for summer dining.

Is there a kid-friendly menu?

Yes, an extensive children's menu is offered.

Is there parking on site?

Yes, guest parking is on site at Holiday Inn West Yellowstone.

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Sources

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.