Black Sheep Café
19 N University Ave
(801) 607-2485
Yelp: 4 stars, 158 reviews This black sheep definitely stands out against the crowd, but in the best way possible. The café puts a unique Native American spin on everyone’s favorite contemporary Southern foods, including goat burgers and Navajo and hog jowl tacos to name a few. The beans and rice side goes great with the tacos, but if you find yourself ordering the goat burger, make sure you pair it with a side of their amazing sweet potato fries. The spicy aioli dip that comes with it is a surprisingly good accent to an already awesome side dish. And everything’s made from scratch.
Communal Restaurant
102 N University Ave
(801) 373-8000
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 53 reviews Communal is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a restaurant in which you dine communal style, and the idea is to encourage conversation and strengthen a sense of kinship and community through everyone’s favorite pastime: good food. Definitely fill your table up with the charcuterie board, wagyu skirt steak, salmon, and the mashed potatoes. But try not to fill up too much, because dessert will be the best part of your meal. Order off the extensive wine menu for a glass of red to help you get the communal conversation rolling.
Cubby’s Chicago Beef
1258 N State St
(801) 919-3023
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 200 reviews Cubby’s Chicago Beef is a Provo institution, serving up everything from savory comfort foods like tri tip sandwiches and grilled cheese to lighter, more upscale fare salads. The dragonslayer burger with rosemary pepper fries is one of the most beloved meals here at Cubby’s. But don’t miss out on the macaroni and cheese, super cheese and creamy just the way your grandmother used to make it and nothing like the box stuff. If you’re not interested in going so heavy, try the beet salad to which you can add steak if you prefer.
Nicolitalia Pizza
2295 N University Pkwy
(801) 356-7900
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 120 reviews Most people like to argue where to find the best pizza in their town. But the jury is out on the best pizza in Provo. It’s at Nicolitalia, hands down. So, there’s no reason to waste your time taste testing your way through the area. You’ll get a basket full of breadsticks and dipping sauce that put the Olive Garden to shame. You can also find things like calzones and sandwiches here. But the pizza is, as it should be, the star at this pizza joint. Oh, and don’t forget to pick yourself up one or two of their real cannolis at the end of your pie.
Guru’s Café
45 E Center St
(801) 375-4878
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 111 reviews You’ll find a lunch worth coming out for at Guru’s Café, with options including the Maui Wowie Chicken Wrap, southwest chipotle wrap, or cilantro and lime quesadilla. This café with a southwestern flare might easily become your favorite lunch spot, but also worth coming out for it their breakfast and brunch menu. The breakfast mess is a perfect way to enjoy Guru’s vegetarian breakfast delights and will make this place perfect for a bite no matter what time of day it is.
Kneader’s Bakery & Café
295 W 1230 N
(801) 812-2200
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 65 reviews Discovering Kneader’s can get dangerous pretty quickly. Because as soon as you’ve had the French toast, you’ll find that you’re craving it for breakfast nearly every day. And the fact that they offer unlimited French toast and pancakes every morning makes it that much harder to show any will power. But there are plenty of other options to love about Kneader’s Bakery. For starters, the bread. It’s soft and chewy yet firm, perfectly baked fresh every day just as its supposed to be. You can also drive through to pick up some awesome paninis, bread bowls, desserts and much more. What’s not to love?
Pantruca’s Chilean Restaurant
3161 N Canyon Rd
(801) 373-9712
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 58 reviews Pantrucca’s is a delightful way to mix up the same old, same old with something completely new. This Chilean restaurant packs a mean and unique punch, with a menu full of enticing gems like churraso palto, empanadas, lomito palto, fried fish plates, and some incredible soups. Definitely give the churrasco palto a try – it’s a steak sandwich made with tender, well-seasoned beef with a creamy avocado topping on some of the best bread you’ll have all day. One meal here and you’ll wonder why you don’t eat Chilean more often.
DP Cheesesteaks
1774 N University Pkwy
(801) 709-2996
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 32 reviews Most of the people who come to DP’s have probably never experienced a real Philly cheesesteak from the heart of Philly and can only imagine that this is what one tastes like. Those who have had the honor of tasting a true Philly cheesesteak first hand, however, will be the first to tell you that this thing is pretty darn close to the original. And that’s really saying something. So yes, to state the obvious, get yourself a cheesesteak. Also make sure not to leave without washing it down with DP’s popular Pennsylvania Dutch birch beer to wash it all down with even more PA goodness.
Waffle Love
1796 N 950 W St
(801) 923-3588
Yelp: 4 stars, 45 reviews Not a restaurant, per se, the Waffle Love food truck is here to remind you exactly why the food truck craze has picked up so heavily over the past few years. As if the best waffles in town wasn’t reason enough to give them your heart, having them mobile on wheels definitely seals the deal. It’s like having breakfast and dessert wrapped up onto one Styrofoam container. And since everyone knows those are the two most important meals of the day, it won’t take long before you realize that a jumbo order from Waffle Love is really all you ever need to be happy.
Bombay House
463 N University Ave
(801) 373-6677
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 147 reviews Provo has a few Indian places that all hold their own, but Bombay is the place to go when you want the freshest and best quality food consistently. And the star of the Bombay show is the chicken tikka masala. Once you order the dish here, you’ll understand that everywhere else just offers up substitutes. The atmosphere is welcoming and the servers are friendly, always making you feel comfortable and at home, even if it’s your first time and you’re not quite sure how or what to order.
J Dawgs
858 N 700 E
(801) 373-3294
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 149 reviews If you’re a lover of quality hot dogs, J Dawgs will be like paradise to you. If you’re not a lover of hot dogs, then you probably just haven’t had the right one. That’s about to change. J Dawgs offers up perfectly sliced and grilled wieners, creating a savory and bold flavor and then topped with a variety of goodies. Consider it the In-N-Out burger of hot dogs in Provo. You get to pick your type of dog – beef or Polish are popular choices, along with your toppings, including sauerkraut, pickle slices, diced onions, banana peppers and much more.
Joe’s Gourmet Grill
490 N Freedom Blvd
(801) 377-5637
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 26 reviews When you have the best burgers in town, you don’t really need to make people remember you, they just do. But, the burgers here are so good, sometimes you won’t be able to contain your excitement anyway. If you’re feeling super ambitious, go for the Skeletor Burger challenge. If you eat this enormous two-pound steak, you get your meal for free. But beware – many attempt it, but few come out on the other side. At least, not with their same waistline and sanity, that is.
Mountain West Burrito
1796 N 950 W
(801) 805-1870
Yelp: 4 stars, 148 reviews Don’t judge a book by its cover. Mountain West might be a converted, old gas station that is now located right next door to a smoke shop. But it is no dump at all. You’ll get western cuisine full of fresh ingredients. And when they say fresh, you can believe the hype, as they are committed to using meats and produce from the most local vendors in the area. Order the rancheritos or enjoy something off of the vegan/vegetarian menu, making authentic Mexican available in Provo for anyone.
Station 22 Café
22 W Center St
(801) 607-1803
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 126 reviews The Italian Stallion, the Memphis Chicken, the French Dip, he Golden State Burger, the 22 Club Sandwich… They’re just a drop in the bucket of the sandwiches that you can order at Station 22 Café. And although sandwiches are definitely the star here, there are some other notable dishes that you should absolutely make a trip for. The fried salmon and chips melt in your mouth and the chicken and waffles are definitely one of the most popular items on the menu, and with good reason. Order up a plate of sweet potato fries on the side or enjoy a plate full of all of the appetizer highlights to make the perfect lunch even better, if that’s possible.
Four Seasons Hot Pots and Dumplings
236 N University Ave
(801) 375-6888
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 72 reviews When you’re craving Chinese food, don’t waste your time with the strip mall buffets or the places that put more MSG in their food than they do actual food. At Four Seasons Hot Pots and Dumplings you’ll find authentic Chinese food, the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. You will fall in love with the many varieties of soups, with broths that are full of flavor and perfect for a chilly or rainy day. The best part is that you pick the ingredients and put it together yourself. Definitely opt for the spicy broth on a day when you’re feeling a little stuffy for an instant cure. Feature Image Source: Cubby’s Chicago Beef Facebook What’s your go-to for great grub in Provo? Tell us in the comments below!
