The Carson Peak Inn is a throwback to a bygone era, in the most incredible way—dark green vinyl booths, wood paneling, mounted trout and game birds on the walls, mood lighting, and an old, dark bar. 

Black Sheep Coffee Roasters is a local, hole-in-the-wall java joint with good WiFi and plenty of tables. There’s a couch, magazines, chess boards and a little stage for big music next to the window.

The Warming Hut, which opened in the fall of 2018, is seriously what Mammoth has been waiting for. Especially locals like me, who freaking love breakfast.

Ramenya is a real crowd-pleaser tucked away on a side street in a quaint a-frame building.

Oh, John’s Pizza Works, how thou hast saved me many a drunk evening where, in the one-horse town of Mammoth Lakes where no restaurants seem to stay open past 8 p.m., you offer pizza, wings, beer and liquor until midnight (or 11 p.m. on weekdays). 

Holy Smoke on Main Street/Highway 395 is relatively new to the Bishop area but has established itself as the barbecue scene.Meats are smoked on site, but without the telltale plume of smoke.

Roberto’s claims that it’s been “Mammoth’s favorite Mexican restaurant since 1985,” and, though that sounds like just a phrase you’d slap on a t-shirt, it’s honestly true. 

Walk into Owens Valley Distilling Company, and you may feel you’ve been transplanted suddenly to a much hipper town than little old Bishop, California—Portland, Oregon comes to mind.

The Whoa Nellie Deli, a four-star restaurant located inside a gas station—yes, you heard that right—is an Eastern Sierra institution.

Some people say it’s the weather, or a vacation or some date on a calendar, but summertime for me is holding a chocolate-dipped soft-serve ice cream cone.

Getting a coffee or drink at Looney Bean Coffee Roasting is like having coffee at your friend’s place. The music isn’t too dry, the couches are comfy and the WiFi connection is solid. The coffee’s rich, the tea is spicy.

Ah, Nevados. It’s the place you go to get strong gin & tonics, even stronger shots of whiskey, and generally an all-around festive atmosphere. Show up during any happy hour (5:00-6:00 p.m.) and you’ll find the bar full of Mammoth locals, most of whom are already tipsy, shooting the breeze with the long time bartenders. 

Campo is great, if you hit it right. If you decide to saunter in on a Saturday night during Christmas or the Fourth of July, you’re probably not going to have a great time. 

To get to the door of Astorga’s Restaurant, you have to walk past the shaded patio filled with flowers in the summer. Stepping inside, every employee says hello and smiles. Most of the workers are family members. 

Mountain Rambler Brewing Company is the brainchild of perfectionist Joe Lane, and it shows. Lane’s little touches are everywhere, from the sweet logo on the growlers (an imprint of a hiking boot) to the sound-absorbing panels he’s installed in the building to make the acoustics better for visiting bands (he brings some real talent to little old Bishop). 

The Mammoth Brewing Company, located at the corner of Main Street and Minaret Roads, has really taken off in the last couple of years.

Get a buzz and some local color at Rusty’s Saloon  First opened in the 1940s, Rusty’s used to be a classic cowboy and Indian bar, with plenty of brawls and country music, courtesy of the local patrons and plenty of cattle in need of punching at nearby ranches.

The smell of broiled steaks and barbecue ribs hits your nose the minute you pull open the door at Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse. Chickens turn slowly in the roaster just behind the cashier next to shelves of cold beer.

Stellar Brew, located in the distinctive blue building on Main Street of Mammoth Lakes (next to the Chevron station), has a delightful bohemian vibe and one of the best sundecks in town.

Mammoth Tavern, located upstairs in a little strip mall which also houses a Thai restaurant and a few law offices, doesn’t look that impressive from the parking lot. But take a walk upstairs and you’ve got huge views of the Sherwins—the alpenglow show from Mammoth Tavern can’t be beat.