American Restaurants near El Portal

“Friendly staff!“

“The food, scenery, and people are all wonderful!“

“We were pleasantly surprised by the service, hospitality, menu and delicious food. We were returning after a long day in Yosemite that ended with a hike to the top of Vernal Falls that took longer than we expected during a heat wave, 102 degrees. We wanted to get back before the 8:30 PM closing, but a very slow driver in front of us slowed our progress back. We were a couple minutes late and pleaded and the restaurant kindly let us in. Our party included 3 generations. Everyone was happy with their dinner, which included 2 orders of spareribs, chicken Marsala and Ahi on a bed of seaweed. Desserts we ordered were NY raspberry cheesecake, chocolate cake, and boysenberry tart a la mode. Many other choices. Experience exceeded our expectations!“

“Our experience at Rush Creek Lodge was truly phenomenal. Both my wife and I work in hospitality, so we recognize what great service looks like—and Rush Creek absolutely delivers. The team clearly loves what they do, and it shows in every interaction across the resort. This was our family’s first visit to Yosemite, and the resort felt like a true haven for both our son and us. There were so many thoughtful touches—from daily activities to easy access to beautiful trails. Our son especially loved the programming, from bingo to making clay animal handprints, and it was amazing to see how much he learned and enjoyed himself. The spa experience was a highlight. Alyssa provided the best facial I’ve ever had—her warmth, expertise, and attention to detail were truly exceptional. The spa facilities themselves were also fantastic and added to the overall sense of relaxation. The food was excellent, and we loved starting our mornings with coffee and fresh bakery items from the gift shop (which also had great finds for friends and family). Another standout was Mary Jane from the room service team—her service was best-in-class, always thoughtful, with extra touches like additional towels and personalized notes that made a real difference. We also appreciated the welcome gift for our son—it was such a meaningful and memorable touch. Rush Creek Lodge exceeded our expectations in every way. We can’t wait to return.“