Ask a Local: Downtown Dining
October 22, 2018We don’t want to brag, but Jackson Hole knows its food. Far from the slim pickings found in most rural mountain towns of this size, Jackson has a thriving culinary scene rife with celebrity chefs, big city transplants, and a constant influx of new ideas. The sheer breadth of choice means dining out in the area can sometimes feel like a daunting proposition. Luckily, there’s one surefire way to scope out the best a town has to offer: when in doubt, ask the locals.
Liz Gibbs ended up in the valley like many do: she visited and never left.
“I came to Jackson for a summer… 10 years ago.”
Liz’s first job in town was at the heart of the culinary scene as the Director of Communications for a local restaurant group. Now she’s the CEO of her own technology start-up, but still makes time to celebrate over food and wine through her SPACE Supper Club.
Her favorite downtown dining spots range from a romantic French bakery to log cabin sushi to fusion-style street food at a roadside bar (with the best house band this side of the Rockies). Follow her lead and take your tastebuds on a tour of the best the valley has to offer…
Persephone Bakery
“A quaint bakery that brings a taste of France to our small mountain town. Local’s secret: happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with a killer half-priced wine list and melt-in-your-mouth burrata.”
In a town that can lean heavy into the rustic, this charming cottage bakery adds delicate pastries and organic locally-roasted coffee to the breakfast landscape. Their morning menu offers dishes like bread pudding french toast and shakshuka alongside French-inspired baked goods. Lunch shifts over to savory sandwiches and salads like beet and burrata and smoked trout with grapefruit. Persephone has become so popular they’ve created their own pre-ordering app—so now you can grab your latte and croque madame on the go.
King Sushi
“Most people don't associate great sushi with a small mountain town, but having eaten my way through Japan, I can sincerely say this is some of the best sushi I've ever had - and you get to enjoy it in a cute cabin! Menu musts: the scallop shooters and kyuri blanco cocktail.”
It’s something new visitors to the valley are always surprised by: Jackson does great sushi. With a sustainably-sourced catch flown in daily, King Sushi offers a playful and creative menu, fabulous cocktails, and an adorably incongruous setting. Their evening happy hour offers a wallet-friendly version of favorite offerings, and their noodle bowls and hot sake are the perfect way to warm up on a winter evening. Reservations are recommended - the tiny cabin location fills up fast.
Healthy Being Café and Juicery
“My go-to spot for a healthy lunch and "high-vibe" atmosphere. Must try: the Skin Glow cold-pressed juice and the Argentinian toast. If it's nice out, grab a blanket from the basket on the porch, sit on the lawn and enjoy some downtown people watching.”
Another cute little cabin—it’s clearly a common theme around town. Healthy Being offers breakfast and lunch menus based around vibrant raw vegetables and sprouted grains, but this healthy food is anything but bland. Suffering from jet-lag, a touch of altitude sickness, or a late night out at the Cowboy Bar? Detox with one of their jewel-toned cold-pressed juices, nutrient-rich smoothies, or a flavorful organic salad bowl.
Bin 22 Wine Bar
“A tapas/wine bar with house-pulled mozzarella options. Make sure to choose a seat at the community table by the open kitchen to watch the chefs in action.”
Travel + Leisure named Bin 22 one of the top wine bars in the country, and it’s easy to see why - that’s if you can find the little gem tucked behind the eponymous wine shop. A few communal tables are set around a countered open kitchen which serves up tapas and small plates like pan-seared scallops with romanesco and charred octopus with grilled kale and white beans. The wine selection is heavy on new discoveries and smaller artisanal labels, and the setting means you get to sip and savor without the corkage fee. Intimate and inclusive: choosing and tasting wine here is all fun, no drama.
Streetfood at the Stagecoach
“Traditional/local dishes from all over the world. Locals secret: go on a Sunday for their ramen special and stay for some dancing at "church"—how the locals refer to a Sunday evening of swing dancing at "the Coach.”
The best kept secret in Jackson Hole is just over the river in Wilson. The Stagecoach has been a staple of the valley’s Sunday-night social scene since the 1940’s. With the addition of the fabulous StreetFood cantina within, its retained all the old west dive-bar character while keeping up with culinary trends. The kitchen serves up a menu inspired by the best street food around the globe, from fish tacos to fried chicken po’ boys and banh mi. The diverse cross-section of diners come for the food and stay for the music, with old-timer cowboys tapping toes beside trendy youngsters and a few savvy tourists.
Liz’s picks will get you started on your culinary tour of the town, but you’re unlikely to stop there: nothing works up an appetite quite like cold air, high altitude, and outdoor adventures. After you’ve sampled some foodie favorites, ask around, follow the locals, and set off on your own to discover even more of what the valley has to offer this winter. Second helpings highly encouraged!