Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
The best places to eat at Arches National Park are in Moab. This town is right outside the entrance and is full of places to eat and stay. Below you can see some of my favorites options for the best dining in Arches National Park.
While I update this guide regularly – restaurants are constantly changing. It’s best to double check the restarants online prior to planning a visit. In the busy months, you should call to make a reservation for dinner if the restaurant takes reservations as many fill up.
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The Best Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks before and after the trails
Moab has a surprisingly vibrant food scene for a town of 5,000. From hearty trail-ready breakfasts to fine desert dining, craft beer to wine bars, there’s something for every appetite and budget. There are no restaurants inside Arches National Park, pack snacks and water for the trail, but Moab, just minutes from the entrance, is well stocked. Here are our top picks.
Best Breakfast & Brunch in Moab
A solid breakfast before an early trail start can make or break your day. These are our favorite morning spots.
Cactus Jacks
Breakfast & Brunch · Downtown Moab · $$
Consistently rated one of the best breakfast spots in the American Southwest, Cactus Jacks is a non-negotiable Moab stop. The Big Biscuit — fried chicken, thick-cut bacon, and country gravy — is the stuff of legend. Mexican-inspired plates, excellent lattes, and genuinely warm service round out the experience. Expect a wait on weekends, so arrive early or be prepared to queue.
✦ The Big Biscuit ✦ Green chili dishes ✦ Great coffee ✦ Early opening
Love Muffin Cafe
Cafe & Bakery · Downtown Moab · $$
A beloved local cafe with exceptional muffins (the Pecan Pineapple is iconic), creative specialty lattes, and excellent made-to-order sandwiches that are perfect for packing on the trail. Love Muffin is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, so plan your visit accordingly — and if you’re hitting the trails early, call ahead to pre-order your to-go lunch.
✦ To-go trail sandwiches ✦ Specialty lattes ✦ Iconic muffins ✦ Closed Wed & Thu
Moab Diner
Classic American Diner · Downtown Moab · $
A Moab institution since the 1950s and one of the most visited restaurants in the region — and for good reason. Breakfast is served all day, portions are generous, service is fast, and prices won’t make you wince after paying the park entrance fee. The Sweetwater Potatoes are a local signature worth ordering. If you need to be on trail early, this is your spot.
✦ Breakfast all day ✦ Generous portions ✦ Budget-friendly ✦ Early opening
Gloria’s
Cafe & Brunch · Downtown Moab · $$
A versatile all-day spot with a lovely dog-friendly outdoor patio that’s perfect on a warm Moab morning. Great for breakfast, lunch, or a casual dinner. Fresh juices, healthy bowls, and a wide-ranging menu make it one of the better options in town for vegetarians and anyone who wants something lighter after a big hiking day.
✦ Dog-friendly patio ✦ Fresh juices ✦ All-day menu ✦ Vegetarian-friendly
Want the complete Arches plan in one place? The Arches National Park Itinerary Bundle includes a 25-page guidebook, 1-day, 2-day, and half-day itineraries, 4 planning videos, and bonus guides for where to stay, eat, and what to pack. Every decision is already made — you just show up and experience it.
Learn more about the Itinerary.
Lunch & Casual Dining in Moab
Quick, satisfying options for between hikes, or pack a to-go order for the trail.
The Spoke on Center
Burgers & American · Downtown Moab · $$
Possibly the best burgers in Moab. The Hawaiian burger and the Hot Bird chicken sandwich are standouts, but the menu goes well beyond burgers — excellent salads, solid vegetarian options, and outdoor patio seating make this a great choice for groups with different tastes. The relaxed vibe works equally well for a quick lunch between stops or a lazy dinner after the trails.
✦ Best burgers in Moab ✦ Outdoor patio ✦ Vegetarian options ✦ Great salads
Trailhead Public House
American & Bar · Downtown Moab · $$
Named for the trails you’ve been hiking all day, Trailhead is a beloved local pub with food that punches well above typical bar fare. The Arches Reuben with sweet potato waffle fries is a crowd favorite and genuinely worth ordering. Rooftop outdoor seating, a good rotating draft beer selection, and a lively post-hike atmosphere make it one of the most popular spots in town.
✦ Arches Reuben ✦ Rooftop seating ✦ Craft beer on draft ✦ Lively atmosphere
Dewey’s Restaurant and Bar
American · Downtown Moab · $$
A spacious, open-air dining room with garage-door walls that roll up on nice days, Dewey’s is one of the best options in Moab for larger groups. The menu covers a lot of ground — teriyaki bowls, Poblano burgers, nachos, meatloaf — and the full bar means everyone’s covered. Fast, attentive service and a convivial atmosphere make it easy to linger.
✦ Great for large groups ✦ Full bar ✦ Open-air dining ✦ Big varied menu
Moab Food Truck Park
Food Trucks · Downtown Moab · $
For a fun, low-key meal that the whole group can agree on, the Moab Food Truck Park is a local favorite. A rotating lineup of vendors means there’s something for everyone — from street tacos and BBQ to vegetarian bowls and loaded fries — all in one laid-back outdoor gathering spot. It’s the perfect post-hike stop when your crew can’t agree on one restaurant, or when you just want to grab something quick, eat outside, and soak up the Moab vibe. Check their current vendor lineup on social media before heading over as offerings vary by season.
✦ Something for everyone ✦ Budget-friendly ✦ Casual outdoor seating ✦ Great for groups
Trail Packing Reminder
There are no food or water sources anywhere inside Arches National Park: pack everything before you enter. Most downtown delis and cafes (including Love Muffin) will make custom to-go sandwiches — call ahead on busy days.
Bring at least 2–3 liters of water per person for any hike, and keep food sealed in your car at the trailhead. Ravens are notorious for raiding open bags and unlocked windows.
Dinner & Fine Dining in Moab
After a day in one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, you’ve earned a proper meal.
Desert Bistro
Fine Dining · Downtown Moab · $$$–$$$$
The premier fine dining experience in Moab, and one you should book well before your trip. Set in a beautifully restored Victorian home with a covered patio, Desert Bistro serves creative Southwestern-inspired cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Standout dishes include bacon-wrapped figs, bison empanadas, and the Chilean seabass. This is the place for a special occasion dinner, an anniversary, or simply a reward for two big days of hiking.
✦ Reservations essential ✦ Beautiful covered patio ✦ Bison & game entrees ✦ Perfect for date night
Birdy’s Finer Diner
Modern American · $$$ · Friday–Sunday Only
A lovingly reimagined former Denny’s that has become one of Moab’s most exciting dining destinations. The hip, modern decor surprises first-timers, and the food backs it up — prime rib over mashed potatoes, braised short rib, chocolate ganache dessert, and killer craft cocktails. The only catch is that Birdy’s is open Friday through Sunday only, so plan your stay around it if you can.
✦ Fri–Sun only ✦ Creative cocktails ✦ Prime rib & short rib ✦ Instagram-worthy plates
The Broken Oar
Steaks, Seafood & American · $$–$$$ · Closed Sunday
A warm, lodge-style restaurant with a wood-burning fireplace and rustic ambiance that feels exactly right after a day in the canyon country. The Broken Oar is a go-to for celebration dinners — anniversaries, elopements, and birthday trips are regulars here. The honey-glazed salmon, buffalo burger, and chicken fettuccine alfredo are all consistent crowd-pleasers.
✦ Cozy fireplace ambiance ✦ Great for celebrations ✦ Steaks & fresh salmon ✦ Intimate atmosphere
River Grill at Red Cliffs Lodge
Scenic Fine Dining · 14 miles from Moab · $$$–$$$$
The most dramatic restaurant setting in the entire Moab area. Perched right on the banks of the Colorado River with canyon walls rising on both sides, the River Grill is worth the scenic 20-minute drive along Route 128 even before you look at the menu. The butternut squash bisque and ribeye specials are outstanding. After dinner, stay for s’mores by the fire pit and some of the best stargazing you’ll find anywhere near the park.
✦ Stunning Colorado River views ✦ S’mores by the fire ✦ Ideal for special occasions ✦ Incredible stargazing
Bars, Breweries & Wine in Moab
Moab has a surprisingly good drinks scene — perfect for unwinding after the trails.
Rooted Vine Wine Bar
Wine Bar · Downtown Moab · $$–$$$
A genuine gem run by a passionate husband-and-wife team right on Main Street. With around 40 wines available by the glass or bottle, beautiful handmade charcuterie boards, and a warm, intimate atmosphere, Rooted Vine is simply the best place in Moab to enjoy quality wine. A natural choice for date night or a quiet end to a big hiking day.
✦ 40+ wines by the glass ✦ Handmade charcuterie boards ✦ Intimate date night vibe ✦ Locally owned & run
Proper Brewing & Burger Co.
Brewpub · North Moab · $$
A solid craft brewery with excellent house-brewed beers, great burgers, and an outdoor patio with red rock views that’s hard to beat for a relaxed afternoon session. The Moab burger and the Fiery Furnace chicken sandwich are both worth ordering. A reliable go-to after a long day on the trails when you want good beer and no fuss.
✦ House-brewed craft beer ✦ Red rock patio views ✦ Great burgers ✦ Relaxed outdoor seating
Moab Brewery
Brewery & Restaurant · South Main Street · $$
The original Moab brewery and a local landmark since the 1990s. A large, lively space with a full food menu, a wide rotating selection of house beers, and the kind of easy, unpretentious atmosphere that works for everyone from solo hikers to big family groups. The green chili blackened burger is a standout and the sours on draft are worth trying.
✦ A Moab landmark since 1996 ✦ Wide beer selection ✦ Great for large groups ✦ Full food menu
🍺 Utah Liquor Laws — What You Need to Know
Utah has unique alcohol laws that can catch visitors off guard. Beer sold in grocery and convenience stores is capped at 5% ABV, for full-strength options, head to a state liquor store. Some restaurants operate as private clubs and may ask for your zip code or a nominal membership. Don’t let it throw you off it’s a quick formality and all the restaurants listed here are visitor-friendly.
Hungry for more Moab planning tips? Check out our full 2-Day Arches Itinerary and complete packing list for everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
