St. George is near the Arizona border in the southwestern corner of Utah. It is known for its stunning red rock landscapes, outdoor activities, and vibrant culture. With so much to explore, it’s no wonder that St. George is a popular destination for travelers. But what makes St. George even more remarkable is its fantastic selection of restaurants. From classic American diners to unique cafes, there’s something for everyone in St. George. Here are some of the best restaurants in St. George, Utah.
Explore the Unique Cuisine of St. George
Bear Paw Cafe
Downtown St. George is where it’s for breakfast, especially when served all day. According to TripAdvisor, Bear Paw Cafe is always in the top 3 places to eat in St. George. The food is terrific, the service is noteworthy, and the restaurant efficiently handles the crowds. Serving world-famous breakfast since 1995, this is one place you’ll want to pencil in when you are hungry.
My husband was impressed with the breakfast burrito, and I can’t say enough about how tasty their signature French Toast is. You can stuff the pocket in these 1 1/2″ thick pieces with homemade spiced apples, vanilla, or chocolate brûlée cream. Yummy!
Bear Paw Cafe has a nice coffee and smoothie list and original dishes like Muesli and Huevos Rancheros.
Check out our Dining Guide to Albuquerque for some other incredible breakfast burritos.
Black Bear Diner
Black Bear Diner is a family-friendly restaurant chain extending across the Pacific Coast and through Texas in 14 states. They serve classic American comfort food, including burgers, fries, and breakfast all day. Come hungry, as Black Bear Diner’s portions are enormous, yet the prices are less than their competitors.
For a unique breakfast dish, try the breakfast sliders on brioche buns with your choice of hot or mild Italian sausage patties. On the lunch and dinner menu, Black Bear’s burgers look off the charts and have various things to offer as your side dish. The house-made bowl of chili, shown below, was super tasty and filling and came with a cornbread muffin for under $8.
Cafe Feellove
If I had to narrow down my favorite eatery in St. George, it would easily be Cafe Feellove, an artisan coffee shop with decadent pastries and Parisian favorites. The menu also includes plenty of vegan, gluten-free, and organic options. It is easily one of the best restaurants in St. George, and has multiple locations in Utah and Colorado.
This cozy spot, in the heart of historic downtown St. George and another a few minutes away, has a powerhouse menu with French scones, creative quiche combinations, and yogurt parfaits. I’d also put their coffee and non-caffeinated lattes menu up against any in the country. If you need something filling, the chicken salad croissant and Croque Madame are 10/10 excellent!
Cafe Zupas
Cafe Zupas is a counter-serve local chain eatery throughout eight states, serving “slow food served fast,” hearty soups, cool salads, and heaping big sandwiches. The St. George, Utah, location has a drive-thru, but know they are closed on Sundays.
I love their signature Wisconsin Cauliflower soup (also keto and vegetarian), but the Southwest Potato & Green Chili and Mushroom Bisque are close contenders. The Nuts About Berries salad is always a treat, plus Cafe Zupas has seasonal items. Try the Belgian-dipped chocolate strawberries for dessert, or enjoy the complimentary one that comes in the Try2 Combo.
Don Pedro’s Family Mexican
Don Pedro’s Mexican is a local favorite for Mexican cuisine in the Green Valley Market strip mall. They serve classic Mexican dishes with a twist, like their signature moles and tacos, and many yummy margarita choices and tequila-based drinks. I’m also a fan of their horchata.
My husband and I found Don Pedro’s queso dip the best in St. George (not the almost empty dish), and the Mole Poblano is off the charts good. Have you eaten mole? It’s a sweet and spicy sauce made from sesame seeds, cinnamon, chocolate, nuts, spices, and Chile pods. It’s absolutely delicious when done well, and this one is pretty darned good.
Farmstead Bakery
Farmstead Bakery is a farm-to-table restaurant and local European-style bakery in downtown St. George. It has a stylish decor with white and black fixtures, plus a few pops of color throughout the interior. Farmstead also has outdoor seating.
The food menu features pizza, sandwiches, and salads, while the baked goods include cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, croissants, cookies, danishes, and dozens more. Farmstead desserts and pastries are some of the best I’ve ever eaten, namely the pistachio-layered cake pictured below.
Farmstead Bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
George’s Corner Restaurant
One of the best restaurants in St. George, UT, easily goes to George’s Corner Restaurant. This indoor/outdoor dining option serves upscale pub grub (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and a great selection of local beer.
The short rib hash is my top pick for breakfast, or the pancake sampler, where you pick three of your choice. My favorite George’s Corner lunch item is the Short Rib Ragout with Bowtie Pasta (I see a trend here). It is a hearty and flavorful portion cooked with roasted peppers, onions, and Parmesan cheese.
Strawberry rhubarb pie and seasonal bread pudding are on the dessert menu. How delicious do they sound?
Hash House a Go Go
I was surprised to learn that Hash House a Go Go, a place we ate frequently in the greater Orlando area, is a chain founded and headquartered in San Diego since 2000. It’s typically on the top of the list of best restaurants, regardless of the city it is in. Their tagline is “Twisted Farm Food,” putting a spin on Midwest meals.
My family loves having breakfast at Hash House a Go Go. The Farmhouse Egg Scrambles and Hashes are our go-to items. The breakfast hash is served in a cast iron skillet over a bed of fried potatoes, with two eggs of your choice topping the delicious creation. The hash comes with a homemade biscuit, fruit, and the Hash House signature rosemary garnish.
The chorizo and jalapeño is my favorite one.
Irmita’s Casita Mexican Restaurant
Irmita’s Casita Mexican is a superb place to eat locally-prepared Mexican cuisine. It is a darling little house and has a homey, comfortable feel. Irmita’s serves up classic Mexican dishes with a twist, like their signature chile relleno burrito and the delicious tacos.
I had a chicken mole dish that was rich and full-bodied, with a hint of cinnamon. My daughter scored the best meal at the table with this perfectly prepared cheese enchiladas platter. Pair your Mexican meal with a horchata or tamarind aquas frescas. Irmita’s is closed on Sundays.
Kneader’s Bakery & Cafe
Kneaders Bakery is a local favorite for those with a sweet tooth, even those who need vegetarian or gluten-free items. They offer a variety of unique and delicious baked goods, from classic cookies to creative cakes and pastries. For breakfast, French toast, croissant sandwiches, and omelets are some of the choices, and for lunch, select from a bounty of sandwiches, soups, and salads.
It’s impossible to mention how many amazing things Kneaders has, including various coffees, teas, and smoothies, but the sugar cookies, tarts, and eclairs are excellent.
Kneaders also has a beautiful selection of gift baskets inside the store or online for easy shipping.
Nick the Greek
We just discovered Nick The Greek on our last trip to St. George. This friendly, quick-serve restaurant does a great job on Greek favorites and also has a Greek frozen yogurt soft-serve machine, which can be dressed up with baklava. They also have scrumptious Loukoumades, Greek beignets with honey and syrup.
Gyro bowls are just as popular as rotisserie chicken, pork belly, or lamb gyros. Soups, salads, and souvlaki make up most of the remaining menu. On my next visit, Nick’s Fries, with gyro meat, feta, garlic, and spicy yogurt, are as good as mine.
Painted Pony
The Painted Pony restaurant is always a special treat and one of St. George’s higher-end dining choices with seasonal contemporary dishes. Our friend, Kris E, raves about the tea-infused duck breast, which is consistently delicious. She boasts that the service is always first class and the dining experience is memorable. It is she and her husband’s top pick when they are visiting St. George.
Painted Pony has lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly. Reservations are accepted through Open Table.
Pancho & Lefty’s
Pancho & Leftys is another worthwhile choice for made-from-scratch Mexican food in St. George. The restaurant is festive, and the staff is super friendly. Our waiter was also helpful in helping us decide what to order. We started with Whammers, deep-fried cream cheese stuffed jalapeños, and queso and chips.
My daughter and I shared Combination Fajitas (chicken and steak), which were flavorful and filling. One order was enough to share. Something unique on this menu was crab enchiladas and crab flautas. I hardly ever see crab on a Mexican restaurant menu, and it sounded so good. Save room for homemade caramel flan or fried ice cream.
Pinkbox Doughnuts
Pinkbox Doughnuts is a local favorite for those with a sweet tooth. They offer a variety of unique and delicious doughnuts, from classic glazed to creative flavors like maple bacon and s’mores. I consider myself a doughnut expert; it is my sweet treat of choice and one of the only things I seek out on my travels. Pinkbox is at the top of the food chain; they are exceptionally delicious and the best doughnuts I’ve ever eaten.
Pinkbox doughnut menu features OG Classics (Suga Daddy, Chocolate Rainbow Ring, Maple Bar), holiday, Good Fellas (Buttermilk Bar, Purple Rain), Fancy Pancy (Pretty in Pink, Love My PB&J, Vegas Cream, Mama’s Tres Leches), and Doughcro (Blue Face, Nutella Face, Pork Face), and Show Offs (Pinky, Baby Got Razz, Sweetie Pie), and Vegan (Snow White, Chocoholic), plus many more.
I love that Pinkbox is the official doughnut partner of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Golden Knights. That means I can get specialty football and hockey doughnuts. Pinkbox is also open 24/7, even on holidays. They also offer pick-up or delivery services.
Red Fort Cuisine of India
Red Fort Cuisine is an Indian restaurant that is a great testament to how good Indian food is in Utah. They set the bar high for Indian eateries in other states. Red Fort is a gorgeous restaurant serving lunch and dinner.
Vegetable Samosas are a tasty, sharable appetizer if you need suggestions for what to order. I’m a Chicken Tikka Masala girl, myself, while my husband mixes things up and generally chooses between Chicken Coconut Korma or Vindaloo, extra spicy.
Have you tried a mango lassi? I always have one at Indian restaurants, which pairs well with the flavorful meals. It’s also worth mentioning that Indian food is not always hot, contrary to popular belief, and they also have many choices for vegans and vegetarians.
Red Fort is closed on Tuesdays and has a two-hour window between lunch and dinner.
Super Chix
Super Chix is a popular, trendy fast food counter-serve establishment serving fresh, never frozen chicken sandwiches, jumbo chicken tenders, salads, and the best fresh-cut fries in St. George, which you can add seasoning to at no additional cost.
Super Chix often pulls us in, even when we attempt to go elsewhere, because we know it will be so darned good.
Plus, they have an in-store sauce bar, which is like, you know the saying, best thing since sliced bread for me. Also on the Super Chix menu is premium frozen custard, with a changing weekly flavor, like strawberry swirl, Butterfinger, or blueberry pie. You can also buy pints to take home with you.
Kudos to Super Chix for having an accessibility menu on their website, with text readers, magnifiers, and more.
Xetava Café
Xetava Cafe is a cozy cafe in the Kayenta Art Village and Center for the Arts in nearby Ivins, Utah. They serve classic American dishes with a twist and have a darling outdoor patio with the most scenic red cliffs background you can imagine.
Xetava (Zay–Tah–Vah) has two properties: a garden cafe and a bar/kitchen. The cafe’s delicious lunch or dinner choices include the Steak & Avocado Salad, Cajun Brussels, or Pulled Pork Quesadilla. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 9 to noon, with burritos, frittatas, waffles, and more. Think small bites at the bar/kitchen, such as olives, street corn quesadillas, and little bacon jam burger.
I find the cocktail and mocktail list at Xetava to be exquisite, and the presentation of everything is carefully curated and beautiful.
Read more of our Best Restaurant posts here:
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