The small cafe and the gift shop run by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. stays open year round. For those who venture into the park in the winter to snowshoe, sky or just view this fantastic park covered with several meters of snow, the cafe/gift shop provides warm shelter, hot food and drink. If your timing is such that you can't get back ot Becky's Cafe in Union Creek for lunch (and PIE!!!!), then eat at the rim cafe--it is okay. Â The gift shop has some superior offerings; it is worth visiting while you warm up or rest from engaging the snowy slopes outside.
If you visit the park when it is covered with snow, generally November into June, at least wear closed shoes if not boots. Â You wouldn't believe how many people not only drive up wearing sandals, flip flops or other summer wear burt attempt to climb the snow bank from the parking lot to view the rim. Â Of course, the exercise is worth the discomfort, but really city folk, do you think every place has swept sidewalks and heat?
Some reviewers complained about high prices. Well high prices for hot dogs are normal for businesses that are some 90 miles from the nearest city, have a monopoly and stay open despite roof-deep snow (see April photo).
The Cafe here at Rim Village is a bit basic and I wish they would add a space for grocery items such as wine, cheese, crackers, etc. to go. It's also a bit pricey and for that kind of money, I would recommend going over to the Crater Lake Lodge (when it's seasonally open), sit in the Lounge or outside on the Deck and order off the bar menu. For the view and the comfort, it's a superior value.
The Gift Shop is fairly large and has a decent selection of souvenirs including various versions of stunning Crater Lake pictures, clothing, and a surprisingly impressive selection of local crafts. Gayle and I picked up a panoramic puzzle for a future evening of mutual brain exercise and recalling fond memories of this amazing natural wonder.
OMG. Â The sandwiches here suck. Â They are pricey and they suck. Â They didn't even make an attempt to make it better. Â The sandwiches didn't make us sick - that's the only thing it has going for it.
Breakfast croissant = croissant + ham + cheese + sliced hard boiled egg. Â Wait, hardboiled egg?!?! Â Yes, that's my first encounter with a hard boiled egg sandwich too. Â $6.50 for this crap.
My fiance had the Italian. Â It had peppercinis, one step up! Â The sandwich was dry, and you basically had to wash it down with a drink afterwards. Â $9.50.
My advice: bring your own picnic with you and avoid this place unless you have no other choice.
As the name implies, this is a gift shop and cafe within Crater Lake National Park. The cafe is actually a small cafeteria tucked away into one corner of the shop. The food is OK, nothing fancy, but more than edible. Serves typical cafeteria fare, like sandwiches, soup, salads, etc. But all in all, this is a good place for a quick bite to eat. Only problem is that there are not too many seats; so go early or late if you want to do lunch here and sit down at a table.
The gift shop is fairly large and has a lot of touristy type things you can buy. There are some exhibits about the park to see upstairs. If you want fancier fare, there is the restaurant at the lodge down the road. Â I don't know how good the food is at that place; but I suspect you can find out on Yelp.