Southwestern Utah Restaurants

In the southwestern corner of the state, reflecting the pioneer heritage of the region, traditional and contemporary American cuisines are most common, followed closely by those with Mexican and Southwestern influences. St. George and Springdale have the greatest number and diversity of dining options. Around St. George there are a number of restaurants that serve seafood; keep in mind that at nicer restaurants the fish is flown in daily from the West Coast; at the less expensive locales the fish is usually frozen. Because this is conservative Utah, don't presume a restaurant serves beer, much less wine or cocktails, especially in the smaller towns, and don’t be surprised if you are carded no matter what your age. Most restaurants are family-friendly, and dress tends to be casual.

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  • 1. Hell's Backbone Grill

    $$$

    On the stunning grounds of the Boulder Mountain Lodge and a frequent James Beard Award semifinalist, this remote eatery—its creative, oft-changing menu is inspired by indigenous, Western range, Southwestern, and Mormon pioneer recipes—is worth the 40-mile drive from Torrey or 25-mile drive from Escalante along scenic Highway 12. The amiable chef-owners (and cookbook authors) source many ingredients they use—in dishes like braised beef with kale, tomatoes, and green-chile polenta; and pappardelle with smoked trout and farm veggies—come directly from their own organic farm or one of the area's sustainable purveyors.

    20 N. Hwy. 12, Utah, 84716, USA
    435-335–7464

    Known For

    • Some of the tastiest, freshest food in Utah
    • Enchanting covered patio
    • Innovative farm-to-bar cocktails

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed late Nov.–mid-Mar.
  • 2. Rylu's Bistro

    $$$

    In a handsomely restored little house in the tree-lined, historic village of Santa Clara—about 15 minutes west of downtown St. George—this sweet, cozy neighborhood restaurant with seating in a colorful front garden serves extraordinarily tasty, locally sourced contemporary American–Mediterranean fare. It's worth the trip to this slightly off-the-beaten-path locale to savor coconut labneh with spicy harissa, charred heirloom tomatoes, and hazelnut dukkah and seared skirt steak with jalapeño-parsley chermoula. The desserts change nightly and are also tantalizing.

    2862 Santa Clara Dr., Utah, 84765, USA
    435-412–5120

    Known For

    • Exceptional farm-to-table cuisine
    • Charming, historic setting
    • Thoughtful wine list (and inexpensive corkage fee if you bring your own bottle)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 3. Vermillion 45

    $$$

    The sophisticated contemporary Mediterranean fare served in this snazzy bistro with a cathedral ceiling and an open kitchen would hold its own in any big city. Start off your evening with escargot with herbed garlic butter or French onion soup, before graduating to gnocchi with sautéed lobster tail or pan-seared duck breast with a cherry reduction and truffle-dusted potatoes.

    210 S. 100 E, Utah, 84741, USA
    435-644–3300

    Known For

    • Charcuterie and cheese boards
    • Outstanding wine and cocktail selection
    • House-made gelato

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 4. Cordwood

    $$$

    Edison bulbs, timber walls, local landscape photos, and actual stacked cords of wood impart a rustic-elegant ambience at this casually upscale restaurant just 4 miles beyond Zion National Park's eastern entrance, at Zion Mountain Ranch. Bison, beef, and lamb raised on Utah and Colorado ranches form the backbone of a contemporary American menu that also always features at least one vegetarian option and usually trout or salmon as well. It's a 15-minute drive from Orderville itself but a convenient and inviting stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner when traveling to or from the park.

    9065 W. Hwy. 9, Utah, 84755, USA
    435-648–2555

    Known For

    • Great wine list
    • Beef and bison steaks and burgers
    • Close to Zion
  • 5. Milt's Stage Stop

    $$$

    Cabin decor, friendly service, and canyon views are the hallmarks of this dinner spot 10 minutes southeast of downtown Cedar City by car. Expect traditional, hearty steak house cuisine: teriyaki beef kebabs, prime rib, and shrimp scampi, accompanied by loaded baked potatoes, deep-fried zucchini, and similar sides. Save room for the warm apple crisp à la mode or another of the delicious desserts. Hunting trophies decorate the log cabin--style interior, and in winter deer feed outside while logs blaze away in the big stone fireplace inside.

    3560 E. Hwy. 14, Utah, 84720, USA
    435-586–9344

    Known For

    • Scenic alpine setting
    • Hefty steaks and seafood
    • Apple crisp à la mode

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Rocking V Cafe

    $$$

    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. 

    97 W. Center St., Utah, 84741, USA
    435-644–8001

    Known For

    • Excellent margaritas
    • Attractive patio
    • Bread pudding with rotating preparations

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
  • 7. Rusty's Ranch House

    $$$

    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.

    2275 E. Hwy. 14, Utah, 84721, USA
    435-586–3839

    Known For

    • Extensive cocktail selection
    • Quirky Western vibe
    • Granny's hot-caramel apple cobbler

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
  • 8. Wild Thyme Cafe

    $$$

    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.

    198 S. 100 E, Utah, 84741, USA
    435-644–2848

    Known For

    • Pretty deck with red-rock views
    • Outstanding list of creative cocktails
    • Flourless dark chocolate cake
  • 9. Wood Ash Rye

    $$$

    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.

    25 W. St. George Blvd., Utah, 84770, USA
    435-522–5020

    Known For

    • Innovative cocktails and mocktails
    • Urbane, stylish ambience
    • Rotating selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets

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