2 Best Restaurants in Zion National Park, Utah

Ask to be seated on the patio—with dramatic views of the area's red rock monoliths—when dining at this casually stylish bistro at the popular Driftwood Lodge. The artfully presented cuisine tends toward creative American with Mediterranean influences—think king salmon with saffron couscous, roast chicken with artichoke-olive tapenade, and charred Spanish octopus with chorizo and baba ghanoush.

Folks have been known to drive for an hour or more to partake of the outstanding modern American and Asian fare served in this charmingly intimate dining room just off the lobby of the romantic Canyons Boutique Hotel in Kanab. The small-plates–focused menu here changes often according to what's fresh, but recent standouts have included a pork belly and watermelon salad, foraged mushrooms with artichokes and goat cheese, and seared duck-breast lo mein with sambal and jalapeño cream.