Dining in Torrey
From a drive-through coffee shop to expansive views
Torrey, with a population of just 260, is a tiny town that spans a few blocks along State Route 24. Thanks to its location eight miles from Capitol Reef National Park, this enclave is a great place to stop on your way in or out of the park for coffee, ice cream or dinner. Residing at an elevation of 6,800 feet, it's also a town that's often a bit cooler than its Southern Utah counterparts. (Read: Dining Between the Mighty Five)
In Torrey, options for breakfast and lunch will range from homey, sit-down eateries to a quick and easy drive-through coffee shop. Wild Rabbit Cafe is the go-to for many. Specializing in house-baked buttermilk biscuits and using farm fresh local eggs, you'll find some great classic dishes in this rustic cafe. The cafe also proudly serves Shooke Coffee, an artisan coffee roasted right in town. Another option is Dark Sky Coffee, a walk- or drive-up cafe that occupies an adorable, red-roofed tiny house on the east end of Main Street, named in honor of Torrey’s designation as Utah’s first International Dark Sky Community. Or grab a breakfast biscuit, a loaf of homemade banana bread, bottled juice and drip coffee from the Chuckwagon General Store, Deli & Bakery. Made-to-order sandwiches, perfect for stashing in your pack for a day in the park, can be found at both the Wild Rabbit and the Chuckwagon.
Looking for an afternoon snack? How about something sweet? Color Ridge Farm & Creamery offers artisanal, homemade ice cream, with creative flavors like Juniper Berry and Lavender Honey.
The Rock Garden Eatery and Bar located in the Red Sands Hotel and Spa
Color Ridge Farm & Creamery
Hunt & Gather in Torrey features slow-cooked meals from local ingredients.
Nothing caps off a day exploring the Torrey area’s ruggedly beautiful landscape like sitting down in the evening to a delicious dinner.
Photo: More Than Just Parks
Nothing caps off a day exploring the Torrey area’s ruggedly beautiful landscape like sitting down in the evening to a delicious dinner. The Rim Rock Inn, just outside the park, offers expansive views and two dining options to take in the scenery over a meal — the Rim Rock Restaurant for fine dining, and the more casual Rim Rock Patio. The Rim Rock Restaurant has locally sourced entrees such as pan-seared trout and fruitwood-smoked ribs, while the Rim Rock Patio offers pizza and BBQ. Hunt & Gather is another fine dining eatery with a casual space, featuring “slow-cooked meals from local ingredients," including wild game, fish, stone fruits and organic vegetables. The Rock Garden Eatery & Bar, located inside the Red Sands Hotel, offers a full menu of familiar, satisfying fare including fish tacos, ribs, burgers and steaks. If pizza is what you’re craving, the creative pies (and flavorful Indian food and wings) at Curry Pizza in nearby Bicknell (8 miles northwest of Torrey on State Route 24) are worth the drive.
Torrey Grill & BBQ is another local favorite. Serving up slow smoked, char-grilled, scratch made BBQ dinners. Its casual Chuck-wagon style dining and outdoor fire pit are sure to leave you feeling comfortable and satiated.
And if you're looking for drinks and snacks on the lighter side, Etta Place Cidery — Utah’s only orchard-based cidery — has a taproom with a rotating menu of bar snacks.
Torrey in Winter
It’s worth noting that while Torrey is hardly a thriving metropolis in the summer, in winter the town gets quiet. If you find yourself traveling through during the offseason (roughly December to February). It's always a good idea to call ahead to see which businesses might be open for service.
An Insider’s Guide to Torrey
Look no further than Capitol Reef National Park and nearby Torrey for lesser-traveled red-rock hikes, plenty of lodging options, satisfying dining and night sky as our ancestors knew it.
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Torrey
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