7 Best Restaurants in Moab and Southeastern Utah, Utah

A local institution for decades, this downtown spot only does breakfast from 7 to noon—and does it famously well. Expect all your morning favorites, plus a few surprises, served out of a pink 1880s-era home that also once served as the county courthouse (the kitchen was a jail cell). You can read all about the place's history as you dine inside or on its pleasant patio. Especially during busy times of year and weekends, it helps to get here early, as it can draw quite the crowd.

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. 

Moab's bright-yellow gourmet food truck is permanently parked in the heart of town, where it offers a shaded spot under water-misters to dig into its extremely thick and tasty meat and veggie quesadillas. Not strictly Mexican or Southwestern, the food here is more of an inventive fusion with nontraditional ingredients, and the menu even includes a vegan option or two. The line can be long, and once you take your first bite, you'll know why. Truck closes at 5 pm, so it's perfect for lunch, a heavy snack, or early dinner. 

Authentic Thai food may not be what you expect to find in the middle of the desert, and that's exactly why this cozy, central place so highly recommended by locals. Some of the tastiest dishes here are the noodle options, such as the tangy pad Thai or the spicy, pan-fried drunken noodles. The curry dishes are also very popular. Being a hot spot in town, staff here can get overwhelmed at times. If it looks crowded and you're short on time or patience, you might want to eat elsewhere and come back when they are less packed. It's worth it.

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.

Views of the Green River make this a restorative stop after a long drive. Though the interior has gotten hipper in recent years, the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are filled with the same classic diner favorites the spot has been serving up for decades. The Navajo tacos and green chili burgers are especially decadent and delicious, and there's a long list of beer, wine, and cider to choose from, as well.