Wonderland Cafe Lodge - Gardiner

It’s the most popular restaurant in town so the wait was over an hour for us. But we can track how many groups are in front of us and walk around or grab some drinks while we wait. We ordered the elk wonderland burger with bison chillie and the trout. The elk patty was hefty and truthfully we were underwhelmed by the flavor. It’s a huge blend burger. The chillie was okay. The trout seasoning was too sweet for our taste and I wish there’s a little more coleslaw than the spoonful on my fish to help cut through the sweetness of the fish coating. It’s a cute place with good vibe but I didn’t enjoy the food. I’d skip the wait and try another place next time.

If you're visiting Gardiner, MT—right at the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park—you cannot miss Wonderland Cafe and Lodge. This charming restaurant is a must-visit, offering an incredible dining experience in an equally incredible location. Parking: There's free street parking available, making it easy to access even during busy tourist seasons. Ambiance: Wonderland Cafe boasts a spacious interior with plenty of seating, including spots at the bar. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, featuring artwork and photos of bison and Yellowstone landscapes, giving the space a local and rustic charm that perfectly complements its surroundings. Food: The food is fantastic and a standout for the area. I started with two appetizers: 1. Totchos – These were, without a doubt, the best tater tots I've ever had. Crispy, flavorful, and just the right amount of indulgence. 2. Jalapeno Cornbread – A truly unique dish. The sweetness of the cornbread perfectly balanced with the spicy kick of jalapeno. I've never had anything like it! For the main course, I tried their special veggie burger, which was an absolute show-stopper. It’s a perfect choice for vegetarians, though the menu does have somewhat limited veggie options overall (the salad is another option). Despite that, the quality of the dishes more than makes up for it. Overall: Wonderland Cafe and Lodge is an amazing spot nestled in a quaint, picturesque town surrounded by mountains. Whether you’re stopping by before or after your Yellowstone adventure, the food and atmosphere here will not disappoint. Highly recommend!

The food here was so freaking good. Would definitely come back any day of the week over the food in Yellowstone. This ain't your average Sysco slop, this is a delicacy of the highest caliber.

Didn’t stay at the lodge but went to the cafe twice during our trip. Great food at reasonable price. The chicken salad sandwich and beer was to die for! Highly recommend making reservations early if going for dinner; the place fills up quick.

PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR BANKING WHEN USING A CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD AT THIS RESTAURANT!! Over a month ago my husband and I went to the Wonderland Cafe for breakfast. Our experience there was fine except that we were overcharged! On our receipt was the cost of our food, the resort tax, and the credit card fee. We left a generous 20% tip and signed our receipt. Two days later I noticed that the Wonderland Cafe charged our credit card an additional 16% on top of the food, resort fee, credit card fee, and the 20% tip. We did not authorize this amount! This is literally called stealing! What is the point of signing a receipt anyway. I messaged Wonderland Cafe at [hidden email] telling them that they overcharged us. Stacey Orsted responded by saying My apologies (same comment as the other bad reviews and that this is not right and she would look into it. She also said that someone must have pushed in the wrong amount. If it was an accident....fine, fix it! It 's been 5 weeks now and she has NOT fixed it. She said she would send a check weeks ago and I have not received one. I emailed her about this and asked her to verify my address and I have not heard from her. I am documenting all communication that I have attempted and her responses (when she does respond . I have emailed her multiple times and I called and left a message but no one will call back. I have left my phone number many times in the emails and still she does not respond. I understand that people are busy....I am busy...but when someone takes money from you they need to return it. I have read quite a few reviews on this restaurant and Stacey seems to always respond with My apologies like she did me, but she does not fix it. I also noticed that she tells customers who have posted a review that they should have called her or emailed. She is terrible at communication! Believe me, I have proof. She does seem to respond promptly to these reviews though. All I want is my money back! Weeks ago I did tell her that I was going to post a review to warn other tourists to just look at the bank charges to be sure they are not being overcharged. I have purposely been waiting to post to give her time to correct this problem, but she has not. If she does send me my money back then I will add to this post an update stating so. Stacey....I know you will be reading this and I know you 're busy like the rest of us, but please give me my money back. As I 've stated in previous emails, out of respect for you and your business, I have waited to write this review, but with no response from you, I feel the need to warn other tourist. Have a blessed evening! : 9/15/24 9:14pm Response back: 9-16-24 Thank you for this response Stacey. I did not receive an email from when I stated that I did not receive a check. If the check was returned that would have been nice to know. I sent you a picture of my receipts within the first 3 days. I surely do not feel I have been overly aggressive . Lol. I just want this taken care of and it has not. The amount does not matter. What matters is that people are not overcharged for something they should not have been. Venmo was not an option in previous emails. I 'm sorry you are tired. I get it. :