AMERICAN FINE DINING
Painted Pony The kitchen blends culinary trends with standards like sage-smoked quail on mushroom risotto. Even “surf and turf” has a twist—tenderloin tataki with chile-dusted scallops. 2 W. St. George Blvd., Ste. 22, St. George, 435-634-1700. $$$
Spotted Dog Café Relax, have some vino and enjoy your achiote-braised lamb shank with mint mashed potatoes on top of rosemary spaghetti squash. 428 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-0700. $$$
AMERICAN CASUAL
Oscar’s Café Blueberry pancakes, fresh eggs, crisp potatoes and thick bacon. We love breakfast, though Oscar’s serves equally satisfying meals at other times of day. 948 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-3232. $
Mom’s Café Mom’s has fed travelers on blue plate standards since 1928. This is the place to try a Utah “scone” with “honey butter.” 10 E. Main St., Salina, 435-529-3921. $
Red Rock Grill at Zion Lodge Try eating here on the terrace. Enjoy melting-pot American dishes like smoked trout salad with prickly pear vinaigrette. And you can’t beat the red rock ambience. Zion National Park, 435-772-7700. $ – $$
Whiptail Grill Tucked into an erstwhile gas station, the kitchen is little, but the flavors are big—a goat cheese-stuffed chile relleno crusted in Panko and the chocolate-chile creme brulee. 445 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-0283. $ – $$
Xetava Gardens Café Blue corn pancakes for breakfast and lunch are good bets. But to truly experience Xetava, dine under the stars in eco-conscious Kayenta. 815 Coyote Gulch Court, Ivins, 435-656-0165. $$
BAKERIES & CAFES
25 Main Café and Cake Parlor With its hip graphic design, ever-so-cool servers and a loyal cupcake following, this simple sandwich spot could be at home in Soho, but it’s in St. George. 25 N. Main St., St. George, 435-628-7110. $
MEXICAN
The Bit and Spur The menu stars Southwestern cuisine—ribs, beef and chicken—as well as chili verde. A longtime Zion favorite, there’s almost always a wait here, but it’s almost always a pleasant one with a view and a brew in hand. 1212 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-3498. $$