The Best Restaurants in Utah!

Utah doesn't have a crazy amount of gems for food here but the few that we have found are awesome. I love eating at new restaurants and trying new foods. We have our favorites we go to a lot but we do sneak in some new restaurants too. Most of these options are sit down restaurants with a few where they just bring the food to your table after you order up front. Here are my favorites we tend to go to the most.

Timbermine Steakhouse: (Ogden, UT) This is a cute restaurant and very unique. When you walk in you feel like you are in a cabin. They have some bathtubs full of collectors' items like Pez dispensers, train sets and along the walls are animals and more décor. The seating is in your own little booths that are enclosed so it feels like you're the only one in the dining room. They have a stream running down the middle of the tables and it has a dark ambiance. Most of the menu are steak options but there are some fish and burgers too. We like to get the Shirley temple sodas that they have there! The fries are awesome and the steak has been great every time. 

Cheesecake Factory: (Various locations) This is our go-to dine in restaurant and I know they aren't just in Utah but it's too good to not include. The food, the atmosphere and the cheesecake are always just perfect. We even went here on our wedding night for dinner. I honestly have tried a lot of the menu while my husband gets the chicken and biscuits or the fish plates. I love their salads, Tex Mex egg rolls, orange chicken and their tacos. I did just try their pasta carbonara which was yummy! We love their strawberry and raspberry lemonades. Their cheesecake is divine. I love the raspberry or the peanut butter chocolate cake and Greg gets the turtle cheesecake. Over the past year we have found that they do a good job at their to-go food too!   

Francesco's: (Taylorsville, UT) Italian for the win!  This is an older looking restaurant but the food is delicious. The garlic cheese breadsticks they serve for the appetizer is my all-time favorite. We get the option of pick two plates so a pizza and a pasta are what we like to do. It is big enough of a meal that it feeds us for lunch the next day. Greg gets the lasagna and I get their fettuccine. All of the pizza options are great and you can make your own. Mhmm my mouth is watering just writing about it!  

Ruth's Diner: (Salt Lake City, UT) This is a cute diner up in the canyon. They have a little train car that you can dine in or there is outside seating as well. We have done both and each are so fun. They have yummy rolls here! I usually just get the burgers which are good. My husband likes the country fried steak with eggs or mashed potatoes depending on the time of day we go! I remember asking to go here for one of my birthdays when I was young so it's been a favorite for a long time for me.   

Angie's: (Logan, UT) Angie's is a classic up in Logan. We go there every single time we are in town. It is off of main street and is always busy. I love their fries, club sandwich and just the feel of the restaurant. In college a few friends and I cleaned the sink. It is a small kitchen sink full of vanilla ice cream with all the sundae toppings like chocolate, bananas, caramel and whip cream. If you eat the whole sink then you get a bumper sticker saying you cleaned the sink at Angie's. It is a fun thing to do but don’t go alone! This last time we went we had my mom and siblings with us so there are pictures of a variety of options you can get here. They even have homemade rolls and scones which are so good!   

The Pie Pizzeria: (various locations) Yummiest Pizza ever. My husband and I have very different tastes when it comes to pizza so we each get our own! Then we have pizza left overs for the weekend and we love it! I like mine with a garlic white sauce, mushrooms, olives and pepperoni and Greg gets chicken and tomatoes. They warm up good the next day as well! It is a bit pricey here so be prepared but know that it is totally worth it. There is a location called the "Underground" because it is in a basement of another building. It was the coolest restaurant we have been to. We have been to a few different locations and they all have the cool dark vibe and the same styles but the Underground one is our favorite.  

Red Iguana: (Salt Lake City, UT) Red Iguana serves all types of authentic Mexican food but my favorite is the red sauce enchiladas with the rice and beans. Yum. Their sauces are so good! Their chips and salsa aren't the best I've had but still good. The feel at this restaurant is a hustle and bustle but the waiters are always so good even being busy. There has been a wait every time we have gone but it is worth it! They have a couple of locations but are called the Green or Blue Iguana in Utah but the Red one is the best! 

Huhots: (various locations) This is a Mongolian grill set up kind of like a buffet. You get to pick your noodles or rice and then all of the toppings. There are all sorts of meats, veggies, and sauces. And it is all you can eat! We at least make two trips back to the grill and usually leave stuffed full. For my birthday one year we did an at home version of a Mongolian grill and it turned out great!

Twenty-Five on Main: (St. George, UT-permanently closed) This is another cute little diner type restaurant. They have salads, paninis, pasta and pizza. We love their Caesar salads and acai bowls. The best part is that they also have cupcakes too! We love the style of the restaurant and the food is so good. You do order at the front desk and then they bring it out to your table so it's not fully a restaurant but its too good not to share! 

The Roof or The Garden Restaurant: (Salt Lake City, UT) I went to the Roof when I got straight a's in junior high school with my parents. It was the sweetest dinner experience and one I will never forget. It is a buffet style restaurant and you get to dress up super fancy and they have a live piano player playing. We tried to go on our reception day but they were closing, so we crossed the hallway to The Garden restaurant and that was a fun experience too. The roof is opened up so you can see the sky while you eat.  I don't remember the menu having a huge variety but the food was good and we enjoyed our time there. Both restaurants hold a special place in my heart! 

Leatherby's: (Taylorsville, Salt Lake, Draper, UT) This is a two in one type of restaurant. They have diner type food that is really good and then they have a large menu of  yummy ice cream options. We usually go for ice cream but we do like their food too. This one is a busy spot so be prepared to wait. I really like their burgers and my husband likes their cheesesteak sandwich. The fries are the best and they have a really good fry sauce. Ice cream after is a must!

Italian Village: (Murray, UT) This is an old restaurant for my family. We have gone many a times for birthdays and celebrations. We all get the Pizza Benders which are like Calzones. You can pick any fillings and then there are pizzas, pastas and salads. We like their alfredo sauce and the garlic bread too! 

Bear Claw: (Sundance, UT) This is a unique, fun and yummy restaurant that sits on top of a mountain at the Sundance resort. You get to ride the ski lift up to the little log cabin looking restaurant that sits with 360 degree views of the mountains and valleys. We got the nachos while we were there and they were delicious. The meat was super juicy and flavorful. We got all the toppings on the side since my husband and I shared. The views were beautiful and the food was yummy. You can also dine at the Tree Room or Foundry Grill which I have heard are really good restaurants. 

Bam Bam's BBQ: (Provo, UT) This is our favorite BBQ place. It is a cute little shop with a little bit of seating. We love their brisket, pulled pork and the ribs. The seasoning is really good. They sometimes have Big Red Soda which is my husbands favorite. They have a few options of BBQ sauces to choose from but the original is my favorite. We don't love their sides so we always just grab meat and then pair it with something else for the sides. If you are from the South and know your BBQ then you may be disappointed with Bam Bam's but it is the best we have found here in Utah. 

Pig & a Jelly Jar: (Salt Lake City, UT) This is an awesome breakfast place. It has a lot of options and has a really fun vibe in the restaurant. My husband really likes their chicken and a waffle. I got an egg sandwich which was really good. We talk about this place all the time. You won't be disappointed with this for a breakfast option here in Utah. 

Moab Diner: (Moab, UT) This is a cute old time diner. They have cute décor and a fun vibe.  We went two days in a row, we liked it so much.  We liked the breakfast the best but they have good fries and sandwiches too. We tried the scrambled egg mix of veggies and potatoes which was so good. My husband had their biscuits and gravy and said he liked them. We both got different types of sandwiches for lunch but nothing was too special about those. If you have to choose I'd go for breakfast since that was our favorite. There is also Blue Bunny ice cream that is served there. 

Penny Anne's Café: (Salt Lake, Taylorsville, Draper, UT) This is one of our favorite breakfast spot. They have a good menu of options. I always go for the waffles with bananas, caramel drizzle and whipped cream. My husband has tried a few different things from there but does really like the Chicken in a waffle. This last time we went I tried the "Heavenly Pancakes" which is their whole slogan and they really were heavenly. You can buy a bag of pancake mix to take home as well. They do always have a wait to get a table so be prepared for that when you go. 

Garage Grill: (Draper & Herriman, UT) We went here for my little brothers birthday. It was perfect since he loves cars and that is the whole theme of the restaurant. They have life size cars inside and lots of cool décor. They have a big menu to pick from. My husband and I both tried the Cheesesteak sandwiches. My family all got different food items and all enjoyed what they got. It's a really neat atmosphere and is kid friendly. 

Rodizio Grill: (Salt Lake City, UT) This is a Brazilian Grill where they bring around meats to your table as well as pineapple and there's a salad bar. It is a bit fancier of a restaurant and is a bit pricey. We only ever went for birthdays or to celebrate something big. I love the atmosphere and the food is delicious. The bacon wrapped chicken is my favorite meat they bring around but they are all good! The salad bar is well done as well. The Utah location is in a little shop called Trolley Square which is a fun place to go explore. 

The Park Café: (Salt Lake City, UT) This is a hit breakfast spot in down town Salt Lake City. It has the best morning vibe to get your day going good. The potatoes have onions and good seasoning which make them delicious which is saying something because onions aren't my favorite. The bacon is thick and yummy. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. 

P.F. Chang's: (Salt Lake City, Farmington, Orem, UT) This is our favorite Chinese cuisine restaurant in Utah. There are lots of meats to choose from and you can get rice or noodles to go along with it. It's a family style type of way to eat so you can get a few different options and try all of them. The Sesame chicken or the Mongolian Beef are my favorite meats with the noodles. 

What are your favorite Utah restaurants?