10 Best St George Restaurants

St. George is known for American comfort food, steakhouse fare, and a local specialty called the "Utah Scone." The city’s food identity comes from its Southwestern high-desert location and a blend of Mormon pioneer food traditions with modern American cuisine. The food tourism appeal is enhanced by unique dining settings, such as restaurants built on cliffsides or located within desert art communities. The Utah Scone is a deep-fried, puffy bread served with honey butter, distinguishing it from a traditional baked scone.

The average cost for a meal at a fast-casual or budget restaurant in St. George is between $11 and $20 per person. A mid-range restaurant meal for two people generally costs between $50 and $80. A three-course meal for two at a high-end or fine dining restaurant starts at $100 and can exceed $150, depending on the establishment and menu selections.

The fast-food offerings in St. George are a mix of national chains and regional favorites that are popular throughout Utah. Culver's is a go-to for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, while the Utah-based Arctic Circle is known for its Black Angus burgers and signature "fry sauce." These establishments are part of a larger group of popular quick-service spots in the city. The most popular fast-food restaurants in St. George are listed below.

• Culver's: A Midwestern chain known for ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and fresh frozen custard.
• Arctic Circle: A Utah-based chain famous for its Black Angus burgers, onion rings, and for popularizing fry sauce.
• In-N-Out Burger: The California chain is a popular choice for its simple menu of burgers, fries, and shakes.
• Swig: A Utah-born specialty drink shop famous for its customized soda concoctions, like the "Dirty Soda," and sugar cookies.
• Viva Chicken: A fast-casual restaurant specializing in Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken.
• Mad Pita Express: A local fast-casual spot serving Greek and Mediterranean food, known for gyros and homemade pita bread.
• Chick-fil-A: The national chain is a favorite for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
• Cafe Rio Mexican Grill: A Utah-based chain serving made-to-order burritos, salads, and tacos, known for its sweet pork barbacoa.

St. George's dining selection has grown with several new openings like Durango’s and Zao Asian Cafe. The newest restaurants in St. George are listed below:

• Durango's Mexican Grill: A fast-casual spot offering build-your-own burritos, tacos, and bowls with a focus on fresh ingredients. Located at 245 Red Cliffs Dr Unit 8, St. George, UT 84770.
• Zao Asian Cafe: A fast-casual chain serving customizable bowls, tacos, and salads with Vietnamese and other Asian flavors. Located at 621 S Mall Dr Suite J-1-1, St. George, UT 84790.

The best restaurants in downtown St. George are concentrated around the historic Ancestor Square and along St. George Boulevard and Tabernacle Street. This walkable area features a mix of fine dining establishments, lively pubs, and family-owned eateries, many housed in historic buildings. The best restaurants in downtown St. George are listed below.

• Painted Pony: A fine dining restaurant in Ancestor Square known for its contemporary American food with Southwestern influences.
• Wood Ash Rye: A hearth-based New American restaurant located inside The Advenire hotel.
• George's Corner Restaurant and Pub: A casual pub in a historic building offering American comfort food and live music.
• Cappeletti’s: A family-owned restaurant serving Italian food with Argentinian influences.
• Angelica’s Mexican Grill: A casual spot for authentic, street-style Mexican food.

Yes, St. George has many spots well-suited for a midday meal, such as Viva Chicken, Xetava Gardens Cafe, and Even Stevens Sandwiches. These restaurants range from quick-service cafes to casual sit-down establishments. Viva Chicken is a popular choice for a quick and healthy lunch, specializing in Peruvian rotisserie chicken bowls and salads. Xetava Gardens Cafe offers a destination lunch experience in an art village setting, with a menu of fresh salads, sandwiches, and bruschetta. For a classic sandwich shop experience, Even Stevens Sandwiches serves creative sandwiches and donates a sandwich to a local non-profit for every one sold.

Yes, the city offers excellent places for an evening meal, with options suitable for special occasions and casual nights out, including Cliffside Restaurant, The Painted Pony, and Red Fort Cuisine of India. Cliffside Restaurant provides a fine dining experience with panoramic views of the city, making it a top choice for a scenic dinner. The Painted Pony offers an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere in a historic downtown courtyard, with a menu of upscale American cuisine. For a more casual but quality dinner, Red Fort Cuisine of India serves authentic Indian dishes in a traditional setting.

St. George has several restaurants that serve vegan food, such as Gaia's Garden Cafe, Twisted Noodle Cafe, Red Fort Cuisine of India, and Viva Chicken. Gaia's Garden Cafe is a vegetarian and vegan-focused restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat buffet with salads, hot entrees, and soups. Twisted Noodle Cafe is a fast-casual spot where customers can build their own bowls with tofu and a choice of vegetables and sauces. Red Fort Cuisine of India has a dedicated vegetarian section, and many dishes, like chana masala and aloo gobi, can be prepared vegan upon request. Viva Chicken also offers vegan options, including their Quinoa Stuffed Avocado when ordered without cheese.

Many restaurants in St. George serve gluten-free food, including Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen, Viva Chicken, and Red Fort Cuisine of India. Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen has a dedicated gluten-free menu that includes pizza, pasta, and entrees. The entire menu at Viva Chicken is gluten-free, with the exception of a few specific desserts and sides. Red Fort Cuisine of India offers many naturally gluten-free dishes, including tandoori meats and most of its curries. Fine dining establishments like Cliffside Restaurant and The Painted Pony can also accommodate gluten-free requests.

St. George's most famous cuisines are American and Mexican. The city's food offerings are shaped by its location in the American Southwest, with a strong presence of restaurants serving these popular styles of food. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in St. George.

• American: This is the most prevalent cuisine, ranging from casual burgers and pub fare at places like George's Corner to upscale, contemporary American dishes at fine dining restaurants like Cliffside Restaurant and Wood Ash Rye.
• Mexican: Given its proximity to the border, St. George has a large number of Mexican restaurants. These range from authentic, street-style taco shops like Angelica's Mexican Grill to fast-casual chains like Cafe Rio.
• Italian: Italian food is another popular choice, with family-owned restaurants like Cappeletti’s serving homemade pasta and other traditional dishes.
• Mediterranean: Fast-casual Greek and Mediterranean spots like Mad Pita Express are popular for quick and healthy meals like gyros and souvlaki.
• Peruvian: The presence of Viva Chicken has made Peruvian food, particularly Pollo a la Brasa, a well-known and popular option in the city.