Dining in Idyllwild includes a surprising array of choices from Mexican, Chinese, steak, seafood, and continental, to specialty sandwich and pie shops. Here are a few of our favorites (in order of distance from the Inn):

Mountain Restaurant — (951) 659-1974. As part of the 'Slow Food' movement, this restaurant souces its ingredients from sustainable, local, organic farms and purveyors, and serves meats from farms that allow animals to graze naturally on grass, and that do not use growth hormones.  All of their offerings are made from scratch daily, and you won't find a can opener, microwave, or deep fryer in their kitchen.  Paris Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Brian Ayers has cooked in fine dining establishments in some of the world's culinary capitals for twenty years, and now continues the tradition by nightly delighting mesmerized diners with creative salads, appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts.  Located a couple of doors down from the Bed & Breakfast.

Nature's Wisdom — (951) 659-4300. Owned by a certified clinical nutritionist and practitioner of Quantum Reflex Analysis, this juice bar and lunch bistro also features a reading room full of books on natural health and diet, nutritional consultations and supplements, and world famous raw foods chef and cookbook author Jordan Maerin.

Higher Grounds Coffeehouse — (951) 659-1379. The perfect mountain hideaway to curl up with a good book and a hot cider. Specialty coffees, warm cookies, fruit, and fresh pastries are also available to keep you company. Much like the Strawberry Creek Inn, all of the coffee at Higher Grounds is certified organic and fair trade. We guarantee you won't miss Starbucks while you're in Idyllwild!

The Gastrognome — (951) 659-5055. The local favorite, "special occasion" restaurant. Although all the restaurants in Idyllwild are pretty casual, The Gastrognome has a more upscale, "dining room" ambiance with a large fireplace. Relatively adventurous menu that is well executed.

The Bread Basket — (951) 659-3506. A great bakery as well as restaurant. Great lunch spot with a charming, cozy, country feel.

Cafe Aroma — (951) 659-5212. A little more casual, with lots of outdoor seating and (usually) live music. Very interesting menu featuring LOTS of garlic. Doubles as an art gallery with regularly rotating work from local artists . Free wireless internet access.

The Creek House — (951) 659-0686. Another "special occasion" restaurant. Lots of weddings are hosted here, which should tell you a little about the ambiance. Under the same ownership as The Gastrognome. The menu is pretty classic (i.e., nothing out of the ordinary), but everything is fresh, high-quality, and very well executed.