47 Best Restaurants in Southwestern Utah, Utah

Prepare for an active day with a filling breakfast, or reward yourself after a long hike with lunch or dinner at this welcoming Southwestern café with a big, inviting patio offering stunning mountain views. The pork verde breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros are hearty and delicious, and excellent lunch and dinner options include flame-broiled garlic burgers topped with provolone cheese and shrimp tacos with a creamy lime sauce.

Notable for its big patio with fantastic views into the park and for one of the better selections of vegan and vegetarian dishes in town, this funky little café decorated with colorful artwork serves plenty of tasty meat and egg dishes, too. The grilled ham Benedict has plenty of fans, as do buffalo burgers with Havarti cheese and apple-pear-berry salads with organic greens, feta, and walnuts.

This inviting, art-filled restaurant at The Flagstone inn has one of the only all-vegetarian menus in southern Utah, but even avowed carnivores have been known to rave about the green chile–and–Swiss cheese Impossible burgers and the inventive pizzas—including the "hot mess," with vegan Italian sausage, chèvre, shishito and serrano peppers, and a bourbon sauce. There's an impressive selection of craft beers and ciders.

What you could easily mistake for a classic diner with its black-and-white-checkered floor and green-vinyl seats is actually one of the few restaurants in the state specializing in boldly flavored cuisine of the Andes. At this friendly café across from the downtown Hurricane's civic park, enjoy classics like grilled rotisserie chicken with Peruvian spices and chilies, Venezuelan arepas stuffed with shredded beef, and fried rice with seasoned ham, eggs, and vegetables. Alcohol isn't served, but there is a selection of seasonal fruit juices.

As the name suggests, this airy contemporary restaurant is a meat-lover's paradise. Starting with tri-tip eggs Benedict and chicken and waffles at breakfast, pulled-pork sandwiches, carne asada nachos, and bacon-mushroom-cheddar burgers follow. You'll find a few shrimp options, including a po'boy sandwich, and some veggie dishes like spicy cauliflower tacos. No alcohol is served. There's a branch in St. George, too.

On the east side of town, enjoy authentic Indian cuisine in this attractive high-ceilinged space with trompe l'oeil murals, palm leaf–ceiling fans, and comfy booths. Well-seasoned lamb coconut korma, Assam pineapple shrimp, and baygan bharta (roasted eggplant) are standouts, and there's an extensive selection of chutneys and breads.

This upbeat, art-filled eatery inside the town's former post office focuses on slow-cooked meals made from scratch, such as the Kanab-A-Dabba-A-Doo burger, a half-pound patty topped with Hatch chilies, bacon, cheddar, and avocado, and a chargrilled bison tenderloin with a fig demi-glace. Several excellent vegan options are available, too, such as yellow coconut curry with miso-marinated tofu. 

Locals have long considered the meals at this fun, if a bit touristy, Old West–style roadhouse some of the best in the region. They serve steaks, barbecue brisket and baby back ribs, towering burgers, sweet coconut shrimp, and other classics. Nestled beneath the cliffs of Cedar Canyon, 2 miles east of downtown Cedar City, Rusty's has a pretty setting, too. Save room for the caramel apple cobbler and bread pudding.

At this upscale, light-filled restaurant with an eclectic menu that's rich on fresh pastas and creative meat and seafood dishes, the staff makes you feel right at home even if you saunter in wearing hiking shoes. The exposed wood beams and large windows that frame the surrounding trees and rock cliffs set a Western mood, with tablecloths and original artwork supplying a dash of refinement. Note that October through May, the restaurant isn't usually open for breakfast—check first.

This laid-back Springdale institution has been delighting locals and tourists since the late 1980s, offering a well-rounded menu that includes fresh fish and pasta dishes, but the emphasis is on creative Southwestern fare, such as roasted-sweet-potato-and-pork tamales and chili-rubbed rib-eye steak. Craft beers and the popular house-made sangria complement the zesty cuisine.

Don't be fooled by the name—coffee and tea are the only brews here, but pastries aren't the only thing on the menu. Build a sandwich of meat, egg, cheese, and more on a freshly baked bagel, croissant, artisan bread, or one of four flavors of wraps. For dinner, chicken, steak, quesadilla, and tostada are added to the menu. Enjoy your meal in the spacious dining room or people-watch from the outdoor patio.

Festival-goers, take note: This is the best bet for a late-night bite after the show.

One of the closest dining options to Capitol Reef National Park, this casual and lively pizza and barbecue place is located at The Rim Rock Inn, which has its own respectable but more expensive restaurant, but The Patio is perfect for tasty, reasonably priced food and beer after a long hike. Save room for the chunky homemade brownie with ice cream.

With bird's-egg-blue cuckoo clocks and light-hearted Victorian-theme prints on the walls, this café in St. George's historic downtown is all about whimsy and fun, right down to the to-die-for homemade cupcakes, such as orange blossom and chocolate espresso. Lunch offerings include pastas, panini, deli sandwiches, and salads. You can also order a panino for breakfast, which is served until noon, though most people opt for buttermilk pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, or a frittata or other egg dish.

Torrey's best little source of fair-trade organic coffee and fresh-baked pastries is a terrific go-to for breakfast or lunch before you head to the Capitol Reef. Consider pancakes with fresh fruit, buttermilk biscuits with black-peppered gravy, and bagels with smoked trout and capers. Don't overlook the feathery-light orange–honey blossom and blueberry scones.

Using herbs and produce from the on-site organic garden and sourcing meat and seafood from top-quality purveyors, the kitchen at this contemporary neighborhood bistro serves up delicious Southwestern fare. Fire-grilled Idaho trout and slow-braised, chargrilled cowboy pork ribs with barbecue sauce and an agave-mustard vinaigrette are a couple of house specialties, and there's also a nice selection of bowls featuring sesame tofu, falafel cakes, Jamaican-spiced pork, and other tasty proteins.

With a white-tile open kitchen, marble tables, and a wood-beam ceiling, this scene-y farm-to-table restaurant and bar in the swanky Advenire Hotel is St. George's destination for people-watching and deftly crafted seasonal cuisine. The sharing-friendly menu changes regularly but always features a selection of cheeses and charcuterie, and typical offerings include grilled octopus with preserved lemon and bone-in prime rib-eye.

Creative pizzas and a kickback atmosphere in a former church make this a great place to replenish after a trek through the canyon. Meat lovers appreciate the Cholesterol Hiker pizza, topped with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and Italian sausage, but the Thai chicken and rosemary-garlic pies are also delicious. You can also get good pastas, salads, and craft beers.