4 Best Restaurants in Moab and Southeastern Utah, Utah

Moab's finest dining experience is found in a small adobe house just off Main Street. Whether you eat inside or on either of the peaceful patios, anticipate thoughtful flavor combinations in artful salads, locally sourced beef, and delicious vegetables. The handmade agnolotti pasta stuffed with mushrooms and Italian cheeses, and the beef fillet crusted with gorgonzola are both impressive. Dylan, a longtime chef here, recently purchased the bistro with his wife, Leslie, and they've maintained all the charm and dishes that diners have been raving about for years. The menu changes seasonally, but you can count on creative pastas, sweet and savory salad combinations, and surprise ingredients from kiwi to quinoa any time of year.

Quick and reliable, this no-frills diner opens early and closes late, dishing up large portions of all-American fare at a decent price. People come for the all-day breakfast, the grass-fed beef burgers, and a great selection of soda-fountain favorites, including shakes and sundaes. If you're headed out into the desert for the day, grab one of their boxed to-go lunches, with a sandwich, chips, water, fresh fruit, and a candy bar.

A former drive-in for generations, this casual spot leans into its retro roots, with robin's-egg–blue booths and checkerboard floors—and the best burgers, shakes, and fries in town. This is also the perfect place to try Utah's famous fry sauce, made from ketchup, mayonnaise, and a few other ingredients too secret to name. While it can get very busy, the staff is always friendly, and there's a helpful sign on the wall that lights up with the estimated time your order should take. 

This casual burger joint connected to a gas station is probably the best-known stop between Lake Powell and Capitol Reef. Even if you're not hungry, it's worth a visit for the incredibly thick shakes that rise out of their cups, but just be ready for some long lines on busy days.