Looking for the Best Restaurants in Provo?
Welcome to Happy Valley! That’s how residents refer to Utah Valley, which is another way of referring to Utah County, which is just south of Salt Lake County in the northern part of Utah. There! Now that we’ve got the location down pat, let’s take a look at some of the best restaurants in the greater-Provo area. There is a good mix here of different tastes and cultures.
You’ll remember your visit here after trying some of these places. The stomach never forgets! Along with Provo, home of the Brigham Young University Cougars, we’ll take a brief tour of some of the other communities that make up Happy Valley.
Sister city Orem is a great little municipality that will surprise you. Some of the smaller outlying communities, aside from their culinary treats, have some activities available that will feed your mind and your imagination, so your stomach won’t have all the fun. But it will have the lion’s share of fun. I mean, that’s the whole point. Trust me, you’re going to love it here in Happy Valley. So sit back and enjoy!
One of the great things about Utah County is that it is a child-friendly place. Most of the restaurants here cater to those who have children. So if your young ones are tagging along on this trip, you are in luck. They will enjoy the vacation as much as you will. And happy children make happy parents! And well-fed children are happy children!
Be sure to remember that many places are closed on Sunday. This is normal in Utah, especially in the smaller cities and towns. Be sure to check first before making up your itinerary.
14 Best Restaurants in Provo You Must Try
Bombay House
The Bombay House is a culinary vacation to the mysterious land of India. The aroma hits you the moment you enter, as it wafts throughout the restaurant, and pretty soon you forget that you are in Provo.
You find yourself transported to the phenomenal wonders of India! Each bite takes you deeper and deeper into the mystical jungles and nirvana of flavor.
I’m a huge fan of Indian food, and I have never had it as good as I get it here. People have been coming here to feast for nearly 30 years. There’s a good reason people keep returning. It’s the taste of India and its rich cultural heritage, which of course includes cuisine. This place has it all.
I would recommend that you try everything on the menu. Not all at once!You’ll have to come back several times to accomplish this task.
And you won’t regret one single second you spend here. I guarantee it. Here’s a tip for those who haven’t tried it yet. Order the Chai Tea. It is fantastically flavorful. And for something colder, try the Mango Lassi. It’s like a Mango shake, only healthier.
- See more: Best things to do in Provo Utah
Tucanos Brazilian Grill
If you have yet to try Brazilian food, give Tucanos a try. Or even if you’ve tried it before, come here anyway. Located in Orem, it’s like a trip to the Amazon, if the Amazon was as tasty as it is big and green. Brazilian cuisine is similar to southwestern barbecue, but much more South and Western than you’ve had before, with some European flavor thrown into the mix.
Mouth watering to say the least. Of course, the atmosphere at Tucanos is a special kind of festive. Are you familiar with Carnaval? Every day is a flavor Carnaval at this establishment. It’s a celebration of life, as only the Brazilian culture can do it.
Your taste buds will be doing the celebrating when you try this place. It’s quite a party. So take a break during your visit and come enjoy the food here.
It is astoundingly good and plentiful. A perfect way to stock up on the energy you’ll need to have a great visit to Utah County. If your appetite has room, try any of their unique and delicious appetizers. You’ll be amazed. Welcome to the Amaze-zone!
See more: Best hotels to stay in Provo Utah
Tucanos Brazilian Grill/ Facebook
Communal
If you’re in the mood for some fine dining during your stay in the Provo area, one of the tastiest options is Communal. You’ll find some savory selections here that you won’t find anywhere else. And you might develop an addiction to them! Hey, it happens.
Don’t worry too much about it. You can always return to satiate your food fix. Communal is a high-end restaurant, so just prepare your budget accordingly. If fresh and sustainable dishes such as Duck Confit Ravioli and Steak Frites with Bearnaise Sauce whet your appetite, you are certain to adore this restaurant.
And many other unique dishes and interpretations of classic favorites will have you returning again and again. The Chorizo and Corn Bread Stuffing is calling to me right now as I write this. I’m literally shaking while typing. But in a good way.
Come here and find your new favorite fancy dish. I describe Communal as big-city dining in a small-city setting. You’ll understand what I mean as soon as you step in the door. You’re going to love it.
Communal/ Facebook
Station 22
Here’s another great choice right in the heart of Provo. Station 22 serves brunch and dinner to happy, hungry diners and gives them their money’s worth. This is a fantastic place to grub on some breakfast fare. If you aren’t careful, you may end up too full to eat dinner later.
But there’s always tomorrow! So go ahead and splurge. Splurgers live for the here and now. And more of us should follow their example. This is the place for splurgers. And what better way to start your day than with a hearty meal?
This spot is the home for hearty. The Chicken and Waffles are amazing, as well as a tried and true fan favorite. Your choices are as plenty as the serving sizes here. It all depends on your level of adventure. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy it thoroughly.
Brick Oven
Of course, pizza is going to make it onto most, if not all, best restaurant lists, no matter what part of the country we’re referring to. And here is the first of two pizza joints on this list. Brick Oven in North Provo is a favorite spot for many natives of Utah County, as well as for many visitors. You and your family will love the pizza here, as well as the atmosphere.
It’s fun, exciting, and very appetizing, with all those flavorful aromas coming from the kitchen ovens. Your anticipation builds slowly as you enjoy the tempting wait for your pizza. When it’s finally delivered to your table, you are ready to pounce on it. But control yourself. The wait is part of the dance. It enhances your enjoyment of a meal.
And you’ll love all the options Brick Oven offers to diners. Including all-you-can-eat options! Utahns love to eat. And you know the old saying. When in Utah, eat as Utahns do. You don’t want to find yourself with an empty stomach at high altitudes. Or at any altitude, for that matter. So come and have fun and eat your fill of great pizza or whatever else you like. It’s yummy!
Yamato
Yes, my friends, you can find sushi in Utah Valley. Good sushi. Real good sushi. Right here at Yamato in Orem, slightly north of Provo.
Yamato is an authentic Japanese restaurant that delivers great fresh fish items, including sushi, but is not limited to sushi. It has a full complement of Japanese cuisine available for your enjoyment. If you’re in the mood for something different, there are many choices for your dining pleasure. I often try Ramen or Udon noodles, which are both my favorite kinds of soup.
Authentic Ramen is not like the little packaged facsimile you buy at the grocery store ten for a dollar. Real Ramen is a taste sensation and totally satisfying to the soul. Udon is similar to Ramen but with a much thicker noodle. I recommend either one if you haven’t tried them yet.
You can thank me later. I do have some final words of advice if this is your first foray into a Japanese eatery. Wasabi is like horseradish on steroids. It adds a lot to the enjoyment of a meal, but just be careful how you ingest it. Careful and precise are the keywords here.
Black Sheep
Now, this is the most unique restaurant I’ve ever heard of. Black Sheep in Provo is a fresh new way of doing things in restaurants and cuisine. According to their website, they are a Native American southwestern fusion restaurant. I would come here just for that description alone. But the food is what will keep you coming back again and again.
The concept as well as the menu is full of innovation. They are a “From Scratch” kitchen, meaning that the vast majority of what they offer is made right here at the restaurant. So the chefs spend a lot of time and effort in the preparation of your food. You can actually taste the difference.
The food is delicious and one of a kind. Quite a combo. If you have never tried Navajo Tacos before, do so immediately upon arrival! A tasty variation of the classic Southwestern, Tex-Mex classic. Black Sheep is a gem that you should try and remember forever.
The menu is a work of art in itself. I wanted one of everything when I first saw it. But I’ll settle for trying everything one at a time, enjoying every single savory bite. You should join me. We can have an eating contest.
Sol Agave
Sol Agave is a Mexican restaurant in American Fork that you should definitely visit. The food is fresh, the dishes are unique, and the offerings are healthier than what you find in most Mexican restaurants. Hey, I love Mexican food for its taste, and I accept the calories as an acceptable price to pay. But Sol Agave has invented a menu that is not as loaded with calories as you might expect. And although their dishes are well thought out from a health perspective, they do not sacrifice taste. Oh no.
The fare offered by this amazing eatery is delicious beyond reason. During their relatively short time in Utah, they have built a reputation for creating top-notch Mexican cuisine that won’t load you up with too much cholesterol or too many calories.
So sit back and have whatever looks good. Which is everything they have. The good news is that American Fork is just 20 minutes north of Provo, so you won’t have to wait to try this great food. And here’s a special treat you’ll find there. Chorizo mashed potatoes.
If you’re a Chorizo freak like me, you’ll want to try it. But whatever your favorite type of Mexican food, you’ll find something on the menu that lifts your appetite over the top.
TRU Religion Pancake and Steakhouse
Utah Valley will continue to wow you with this next stop on the itinerary, TRU Religion. Open for breakfast and brunch seven days a week, they are very popular.
Seating is first come, first served, so you may want to get there early. You’ll love it here
. The inside of their restaurant is decorated in Art Deco style. The atmosphere is old-fashioned and comfy, the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Especially the first meal of the day. It’s like dining in a museum or being part of a painting. And wait until you try the food.If heaven were a restaurant, this place would be it. Everything on the menu looks mouthwatering and scrumptious.
I hope it’s not a sin to enjoy your meal as much as I did here. Forgive me, I couldn’t help myself. Drive the short distance to Orem and worship breakfast like it should be worshiped. The Chef will be conducting services at his usual time, so don’t be late. Next stop, culinary paradise!
Spicy Thai
Are you in the mood for some spicy Thai food? I’ve got just the place for you. Spicy Thai is a nice change to your usual Provo fare. The food here is exotic and extra tasty. And of course, spicy. It’s Thai food, after all.
Having said this, they give diners an option to choose the spicy level they want. It has always been my belief that when in a Thai restaurant, do as the Thais would do. But that’s just me. You do you. This delectable destination opened up in 2008 and ever since they have been popping up on best restaurant lists. There’s nothing more soothing to a soul than eating Thai food with jasmine rice and a flavorful curry. And there is a lot of soul-soothing going on here.
You’ll have delicious curry options to have with your meal. They even have a pumpkin curry for those of you who have avant-garde tastes. That one’s on my to-do list. I have a recommendation for you if you’d like to try it. Get the Yellow Curry Chicken. One of the tastiest meals you will ever have. And for dessert go with the Mango Sticky Rice. Enjoy your meal and thank me later.
Foundry Grill
If you plan on going up the mountain to the Sundance Ski Resort, you can’t go wrong with visiting Foundry Grill for a tasty vacation break.
The famous resort, owned by famous actor Robert Redford until recently, is a great place for skiing, relaxing, and eating. The food here is fresh and delicious and will satisfy any hearty appetite. If you come up here, you’ll want to spend the whole day. If you plan to visit in the winter, make sure you have a vehicle that can handle winter roads. Or let someone else do the driving.
The good news is that when you arrive, you won’t have to search far and wide for sustenance. The Foundry Grill is one of many options the resort offers to hungry visitors. The name of this wonderful place is an homage to the original settlers of the area. It has a wonderful, cozy ambiance that goes perfectly with every meal. They have a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.
Each menu offers a handful of excellent culinary choices. So the menu is small but absolutely perfect. When you finish eating, you won’t be in a hurry to leave. Stretch your visit out as long as you want. You can go shopping at some wonderful venues and take advantage of many different activities, depending on what time of year you visit.
Chom
Sometimes you just need to bite into a delicious, mouthwatering burger. If you get that uncontrollable urge here in Utah Valley, here is the place to get your burger fix. Located in Provo and American Fork, you are covered no matter what side of Happy Valley you happen to be on.
The burgers are astoundingly delicious, as are the chicken sandwiches. The condiments for your sandwich are not what you usually find at a burger joint. But Chom is no ordinary burger joint. Their add-ons are a whole new dimension to the burger universe. For example, you can add fresh avocado to anything you want. Bring it! The fry selection is my favorite.
You can have regular French fries or sweet potato French fries. You can have onion rings, or you can have a Utah staple, tater tots. Yummy! And for those of us who have some trouble making up our minds, you can get a half and half, which is a half serving of any two choices. Get two half and halfs and you’ll have a little bit of everything! You’re welcome!
Pizzeria 712
There’s a good reason that this place winds up on so many best restaurant lists. It’s really good. It’s a fusion of fine dining and pizza parlor. And the atmosphere is welcoming and fun. The food is the main attraction, of course. There are a lot of tasty options for your pizza enjoyment, and some of the best appetizers you’ve ever seen. How many places have a beet dish as an appetizer? Or a charcuterie board? This place does.
I don’t even like beets, but I’m ready to dive in right now! And wait until you see the pizza choices. Wow. You are going to fall in love with Pizzeria 712 at first taste. And be sure to save some room for dessert. I know, I know. A practical impossibility.
But you’re going to want to try these delicious desserts. Calling them unique would be an understatement. You will absolutely need a doggy bag after you come here. And don’t let me forget to tell you about the drink selection. Beer and wine are available, as is a wide selection of unique soft drinks. Have you ever had Lemon-grass Ginger Ale? See you soon!
Ruby River Steakhouse
We’ll wrap up our tasty list with the superb Ruby River Steakhouse. This steakhouse is an opulent and elegant choice when you come to Provo. This place puts the happy in Happy Valley! You will be astounded by the quality and taste of everything on the menu.
Since its inception thirty years ago, the experts at Ruby River Steakhouse have earned an exemplary reputation throughout Utah. They have even expanded to Reno, Nevada. When you visit here you’ll see why. Every meal is a special occasion. Your taste buds will be dancing to the beat of high-quality food and an enjoyable ambiance. Think old western with modern amenities.
You and your crew will walk in like a bunch of hungry strangers and then leave as friends afterward. Happy and full friends, that is. An enjoyable dining experience is guaranteed. So are the good memories. A piece of this wonderful restaurant will stay with you wherever you return to.
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