Things to do / Travel Guide
The southern Utah region embraces diversity in its cuisine. If you are dining in the region's major cities of St. George and Cedar City, you will have plenty of ethnic cuisine options to satisfy your palate (and agree with your wallet), from fast food Chinese and Mexican taco stands to more high-end Asian fusion grills, sushi restaurants, and Italian-style bistros. Cedar City is a college town, so expect the standard late-night fast food joints and mid-range American and Italian restaurant chains, always a familiar and reliable choice. In addition to the more health-conscious, organic options embraced by the city's active community, Moab boasts plenty of country-style cuisine, with BBQs and grill houses that will keep you finger lickin' throughout the meal. Most restaurants are located in Cedar City, St. George, Springdale, Kanab, Page, Spring City, and Moab. Hotels, ranch resorts, and cottage complexes offer their own restaurants and dining options, some of which can be considered quite good.
Southern Utah Local Specialties
Steakhouses and locally-owned southwestern-style BBQ grills are the dining norm in most of the region, but bigger towns like Page, Moab, and Springdale also have a few Asian- and Mexican-style options sprinkled in. The Western-style establishments are a treat for those interested in staying true to local culinary styles, with savory roast beef, baked potatoes, biscuits, and practically anything capable of being barbecued.
For a special treat, visitors can liven up their southwestern-style meal with a true taste of the old West - a live western show served with their cowboy-style supper, like at the Bar-M Chuckwagon in Moab.
For fine dining and some southwestern-style class in the southern Utah region, the Painted Pony Restaurant in St. George comes highly recommended, boosting the “best” superlative from several critics. It serves contemporary southwestern cuisine with a twist, amidst southwestern art, fresh flowers, and a romantic atmosphere.
Other Dining Options in Southern Utah
Country-style kitchens and grill houses are scattered throughout the region near the entrances to main attractions or off major highways, but other than snack bars, cafeterias, or kiosks, dining options are generally rather limited or pricey in the National Park and forest districts. There are restaurants at Zion Lodge, located in Zion National Park; Bryce Canyon Lodge has a restaurant as well, offering moderate prices and a varied American menu. Picnic lunches can also be ordered in advance at certain sites. Notably, there are no restaurants located in Canyonlands or Arches, near Moab, so be sure to pack some perishables to stave off hunger pangs while exploring the great outdoors.
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