The Broken Oar is known for having a line before the 4:30 open. We pulled in around 4:20, a few cars already waiting, then a line of old Jeeps rolled in and parked, drivers out and in line without hesitation. That was enough signal for us.

The menu reads like the rest of Moab’s pub menus. The service is what stands out: staff and kitchen handling families and large parties without slowing down. Our waitress steered us towards the shrimp alfredo and the salmon, excellent recommendations. The alfredo was creamy and garlicky without being heavy or overly portioned. Allison ranks it among the best she’s had. The salmon balanced sweet and heat nicely and the child demolished his cheeseburger in two minutes flat, a silent seal of approval. The sweet potato fries get a lot of hype but leaned too sweet with the honey drizzle.

Recommendation: Get there before 4:30 or be fine with a wait. Shrimp Alfredo or the Burger.

A takeout-only sandwich shop on the north end of downtown that opens early and gets busy fast. With no food options inside Arches or Canyonlands, it’s worth building your morning around a stop here. Order online and pick it up on the way out of town and you’ve got lunch sorted.

Reader, with our busy travel day looming, we did exactly that while sipping on an iced mocha from snake oil coffee. The club and the italian are two of the best versions of either we’ve had. The club with a near-perfect ratio of turkey, bacon, and avocado on bread that held together, the italian on a sturdy roll, expertly balancing salt, fat, acid, and heat.

Recommendation: The club or the italian. Order online and at least 15 minutes before you want to pick it up.

Part third wave coffee, part garage bar, this is a fast casual spot in a restored 1920s garage. The back room provides additional seating and is decorated with vintage motorcycles hanging alongside chandeliers and eclectic art.

The menu is larger than expected and the line moves fast so it helps to decide early. The meatball sandwich on sourdough, the house salad, and the street tacos were all excellent. The salad is a must: large, loaded with vegetables, plenty of pickled elements and a bright, acidic dressing. Coffee is solid and on the darker side.

Recommendation: The meatball sandwich and the house salad. Check the back for additional seating.

An open-air food truck court with a wide variety of quality options just off Main Street with covered seating, misters, and enough going on to keep kids occupied. It’s one of the easier and cheaper meals in Moab, especially if everyone wants something different. All the food coming out of the trucks looked great (especially the Mexican food!) and worth a return trip for something more than ice cream.

Recommendation: Go hungry and split between trucks. The Mexican and Mediterranean trucks get the most consistent praise and the ice cream (or gelato!) is great on a hot afternoon.

A long-running Italian spot right on Main Street with a big menu of pastas, baked dishes, and pizza. Walk-ins only, open all day, and one of the more obvious sit-down options after a day in the parks.

Pasta Jay’s is big portions and a red-sauce-forward menu that leans classic rather than trying anything new. Baked rigatoni, stuffed shells, and ravioli are the consistent mentions.

Vietnamese-leaning fusion from chefs with a sushi background who looked at Moab’s burger-and-pasta landscape and went a different direction. The menu runs pho, banh mi, salads, and cheesesteaks, with a daytime café feel that shifts into a cocktail and small plates spot at night.

This one was on our list and didn’t make it this trip, but it consistently comes up as one of the more interesting meals in town. The banh mi salad shows up everywhere; pickled vegetables, herbs, and protein over a brighter, lighter base than most Moab menus.

Authentic Thai spot a block off Main Street with dinner-only hours and no reservations that consistently ranks as one of the better meals in Moab. Thai Bella provides a nice change of pace from pub centered options. The outdoor patio has shade and misters, great if the weather cooperates.

Khao soi shows up in reviews frequently as a standout, with curries and pad see ew not far behind. Fresh spring rolls are a common starting point. Arrive early or expect a bit of a wait.

Open since 1954, Milt’s is Moab’s oldest restaurant. Located a few blocks off Main, it provides counter service, outdoor seating under a big tree, and one of the more affordable menus in town.

Burgers and milkshakes are the reason to go with the Santa Fe burger being a favorite. Don’t be deterred by the line, it gets busy but moves quickly.

Wine bar right on Main Street with a focus on curated pours and small plates. More of an evening or date spot, often with live music and frequent events. Better as a last stop than a place to start the night.

A drive-thru only espresso stand in a grocery store parking lot on the west side of downtown: easy in, easy out, and exactly what you need on the way to your daily adventure. The line moved fast and the iced mocha was the standout. The espresso runs dark, which works well in iced drinks. The cappuccino was solid. Both came with a chocolate-covered espresso bean, a small jolt of extra crunchy caffeine.

Recommendation: Get the iced mocha; the slightly darker espresso packs a punch

A donut and coffee shop on the north end of downtown, a sister concept to Moab Garage Co. We got there just as they were putting out the specialty donuts and a line was already forming behind us.

The donuts are visually impressive and run very sweet. Most were a bit much for us in one sitting, though they held up well the next day. The exception was the apple fritter: loaded with apples and cinnamon, with just enough frosting, and the one we kept coming back to.

Recommendation: The apple fritter. Get there when they open; the specialty selection goes fast.