Utah’s not especially well-known for its culinary scene, but if you’re looking for five-star cuisine with fancy chefs and pricey menu items, you’ll certainly find several restaurants to choose from in our bigger cities like Salt Lake and Park City. Of course, there are lesser-known hidden gems all over the Beehive State, and these 11 rural restaurants around Utah are well worth the drive.
- Sego Restaurant, Kanab
Annabelle Dizon/Google
Sego Restaurant/Facebook This surprisingly upscale restaurant tucked away in the Canyons Hotel offers creative, gourmet food at reasonable prices. The menu is made up of small plates that are meant to be shared at your table, giving everyone the opportunity to try several different dishes. 190 N. 300 W., Kanab, Utah.
- Road Island Diner, Oakley
Road Island Diner/Facebook
Road Island Diner/Facebook This diner classic has been around since 1939, and it’s still serving up some of the best comfort food in the state. You’ll love the classic dining car atmosphere, too. 981 W. Weber Canyon Rd., Oakley, UT 84055.
- Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Co., Price
SidSidow/Tripadvisor
Zomato/Google A gourmet burger in Price? Yes, indeed. Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Co. has some of the best burgers in the Beehive State, and the service is super friendly, too. You’ll find it at 1653 N. Carbonville Rd., Helper, UT 84526.
- Hells Backbone Grill, Boulder
Greg Nichols/Google
Phillip Yee/Google Blake Spaulding and Jennifer Castle created a culinary masterpiece in the tiny, remote town of Boulder. Their restaurant sources everything locally, and the menu changes with the season. It’s received multiple awards and has been a James Beard Award semi-finalist. You’ll understand why when you visit. 20 UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716.
- Hi-Mountain Drug, Kamas
Linda M/Tripadvisor
Fantasmaniac/Tripadvisor Visit Hi-Mountain Drug for the atmosphere. No, it’s not a white-tablecloth kind of place…it’s exactly the opposite. This little gem is hidden away in a drugstore, and it serves delicious burgers, fries, and shakes. It’s been named Utah’s Best Burger for multiple years. 40 N. Main St., Kamas, UT 84036.
- Vernal Brewing Co., Vernal
Sally T./Tripadvisor
Alan Gould/Google You might be surprised to find such a modern restaurant in this town that’s better-known for its dinosaur bones and mining history, but this little brewery and restaurant is serving up some incredible, fresh menu items. You’ll also find a host of innovative craft beers here. 55 S. 500 E., Vernal, UT 84078.
- Taggart’s Grill, Morgan
Kevin Townsend/Google
momonine/Tripadvisor Visit Taggart’s Grill for the delicious seafood, steaks, and burgers, but fall in love with the dessert case that’s stuffed with all kinds of decadent. homemade treats. Say hello to the peacocks while you’re there. 1105 Taggart Ln., Morgan, UT 84050.
- Oscar’s Cafe, Springdale
Vincent Irwin/Google
Steven Garman/Google When you’re visiting Zion National Park, and you can’t decide whether you want Mexican food, burgers, BBQ, or pizza, you might want to find yourself a table at Oscar’s Cafe. It has a little bit of everything, and it’s all delicious. 948 Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy., Springdale, UT 84767.
- Idle Isle Cafe, Brigham City
Julie Jensen/Google
Idle Isle Cafe/Google Idle Isle Cafe opened up in 1921, making it one of Utah’s oldest continuously operating restaurants. The home-cooked comfort food is tasty, but the charming history of this place is reason alone to make the drive. 24 S. Main St., Brigham City, UT 84302.
- Sagebrush Grill, Richfield
Karenk518/Tripadvisor
Audra S./Tripadvisor Don’t let the exterior of Sagebrush Grill fool you - this place has some of the juiciest prime rib in the Beehive State. Steak, salmon, and grilled chicken round out the menu, and you’ll enjoy the upscale interior, too. 1345 S. 350 W., Richfield, UT 84701
- Dairy Keen - Home of the Train, Heber
Management/Tripadvisor
Dairy Keen - Home of the Train/Google You won’t want to miss this icon located in Heber. You’ll love the model train that travels around the ceiling, and the burgers, fries, and shakes are tasty, too. Get the Train Burger, topped with ham, Swiss and American cheeses, and plenty of fry sauce. 199 S. Main Street, Heber, UT 84032.
What’s your favorite small town restaurant in Utah? Tell us in the comments!
Annabelle Dizon/Google
Sego Restaurant/Facebook
This surprisingly upscale restaurant tucked away in the Canyons Hotel offers creative, gourmet food at reasonable prices. The menu is made up of small plates that are meant to be shared at your table, giving everyone the opportunity to try several different dishes. 190 N. 300 W., Kanab, Utah.
Road Island Diner/Facebook
This diner classic has been around since 1939, and it’s still serving up some of the best comfort food in the state. You’ll love the classic dining car atmosphere, too. 981 W. Weber Canyon Rd., Oakley, UT 84055.
SidSidow/Tripadvisor
Zomato/Google
A gourmet burger in Price? Yes, indeed. Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Co. has some of the best burgers in the Beehive State, and the service is super friendly, too. You’ll find it at 1653 N. Carbonville Rd., Helper, UT 84526.
Greg Nichols/Google
Phillip Yee/Google
Blake Spaulding and Jennifer Castle created a culinary masterpiece in the tiny, remote town of Boulder. Their restaurant sources everything locally, and the menu changes with the season. It’s received multiple awards and has been a James Beard Award semi-finalist. You’ll understand why when you visit. 20 UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716.
Linda M/Tripadvisor
Fantasmaniac/Tripadvisor
Visit Hi-Mountain Drug for the atmosphere. No, it’s not a white-tablecloth kind of place…it’s exactly the opposite. This little gem is hidden away in a drugstore, and it serves delicious burgers, fries, and shakes. It’s been named Utah’s Best Burger for multiple years. 40 N. Main St., Kamas, UT 84036.
Sally T./Tripadvisor
Alan Gould/Google
You might be surprised to find such a modern restaurant in this town that’s better-known for its dinosaur bones and mining history, but this little brewery and restaurant is serving up some incredible, fresh menu items. You’ll also find a host of innovative craft beers here. 55 S. 500 E., Vernal, UT 84078.
Kevin Townsend/Google
momonine/Tripadvisor
Visit Taggart’s Grill for the delicious seafood, steaks, and burgers, but fall in love with the dessert case that’s stuffed with all kinds of decadent. homemade treats. Say hello to the peacocks while you’re there. 1105 Taggart Ln., Morgan, UT 84050.
Vincent Irwin/Google
Steven Garman/Google
When you’re visiting Zion National Park, and you can’t decide whether you want Mexican food, burgers, BBQ, or pizza, you might want to find yourself a table at Oscar’s Cafe. It has a little bit of everything, and it’s all delicious. 948 Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy., Springdale, UT 84767.
Julie Jensen/Google
Idle Isle Cafe/Google
Idle Isle Cafe opened up in 1921, making it one of Utah’s oldest continuously operating restaurants. The home-cooked comfort food is tasty, but the charming history of this place is reason alone to make the drive. 24 S. Main St., Brigham City, UT 84302.
Karenk518/Tripadvisor
Audra S./Tripadvisor
Don’t let the exterior of Sagebrush Grill fool you - this place has some of the juiciest prime rib in the Beehive State. Steak, salmon, and grilled chicken round out the menu, and you’ll enjoy the upscale interior, too. 1345 S. 350 W., Richfield, UT 84701
Management/Tripadvisor
Dairy Keen - Home of the Train/Google
You won’t want to miss this icon located in Heber. You’ll love the model train that travels around the ceiling, and the burgers, fries, and shakes are tasty, too. Get the Train Burger, topped with ham, Swiss and American cheeses, and plenty of fry sauce. 199 S. Main Street, Heber, UT 84032.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
