Phenomenal food in an incredible setting. The beef is sourced from the surrounding ranch lands, which are farmed using regenerative agriculture. The steak was one of the best of my life, and the side dishes were just as delicious and memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeanne Stallman
Oh I really wanted to love this place! And it started off with great promise: we were surprised by a fabulous little amuse bouche, and the salad was terrific. But the entrees were clumsy, as were the staff. My chicken pot pie was overspiced (and I like spice - it just took away from enjoying the dish); my partner's cheeseburger came with a thick wad of grocery-store tomato, undercooked ancho pepper, and again grocery store pickles. Would have been fine if it was an ordinary burger place, but based on the start (and the inn itself) we thought it would be a step up. And then there was the music - kitchen staff was enjoying it anyway! Overall, it was fine... but not fine dining. PS - why was the staff wearing nametags that were not their name? Some kind of inside joke among themselves that they didn't want to explain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
L B
We came down in the end of July and I had heard about this place through the grapevine and wanted to give it a shot. It’s in a pretty obscure location which added to its charm and although a long ways away from any other business which was a nice change.
The food was okay but the selection for meat was odd. Once you chose a weight of meat, the next person could not get the same weight. It was kind of like “we only have one 8oz ribeye today, so if someone else wants one they can get a 10oz or a 6oz” which was unusual
The service was kind of frustrating which is why I am eating a 3/5 stars. My wife and kids all ordered steaks, and I wanted to try the adobo pot pie. The steaks were finished before the pot pie and I watched them sit under a heat lamp for several minutes until I finally flagged down a server and asked if they were our steaks and if so, we’d like to have them and that I’d wait on the pot pie. The server seemed really confused why I’d ask for such a thing and took a couple more minutes to walk 20’ and bring us the food that was ready. I finally received the pot pie and it was okay albeit a little homogenous in flavor (normally you can taste the ingredients with the seasonings but in this case every bite tasted uniform and lacked variance in flavor). My family was happy either way their steaks though.
Overall, the atmosphere was fun. The service needs some work, and the food was so-so (not gross, but not memorable).
Dell Brown
4.5 stars. It’s worth the short detour off hwy 12 to visit Sweetwater Kitchen— and if you’re looking for a place to stay and want to tap in to your inner hippie, check out the rooms at the resort. While you’re at it, drive up Hell’s Backbone to the top and check out the 5 star views.
We enjoyed the food that was served at Sweetwater. The portions were abundantly sized. We began with a smoked trout dip the moved on to two different salads— the wedge being particularly excellent and then split a chicken pot pie. It was rich! No room left for desert. The service and setting were top notch. This is a fine establishment and my only recommendation would be to cut the serving sizes by a third. We plan on returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joshua Blinder
Great experience. Service was a little slow but the food was amazing. We were there over Memorial Day weekend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Eric Sondermann
With Hell's Backbone Grill just down the road, the gold medal is gone and other restaurants are just in competition for second place. That said, Sweetwater Kitchen is a fine place and a worthy contender. I went there twice for dinner during recent time in the area. Once, I have the NY strip steak; the other time, I went for the sumptuous chicken pot pie. Both were very tasty and well prepared. To go along with excellent salads. Sweetwater Kitchen is a very good restaurant, even as they were having some early-season staffing issues.
Clark Hanson
I've had dinner here several years in a row. I don't know what changed but our dinner here this time was a step up and quite good. I recommend it to anyone staying in the area.
Senna Catenacci
The meal I had here was one of the best I’ve ever had! It’s so cozy inside, and we ended up last minute booking a stay at the attached lodge which was the best time! Highly recommend both!
Alessandra
Adorable hidden gem. Off the beaten path but worth the side quest! We had burgers after a long hike and they were perfect. Great craft beers, cute decor and incredible service. Our kids devoured the dessert pie, including the homemade ice cream.
Andrew Potterfield (Andy)
Our dinner at Sweetwater Kitchen, on a weekday evening in November 2024, was fabulous -- by far the best of the three foodie meals of our trip across southern Utah to visit the national parks.
GF and I enjoyed perfectly cooked steaks with included sides of veggies. Server Ellie was attentive, engaging, and professional. In spite of Utah's crazy wine rules, a bottle of a delicious Cotes du Rhone from the menu paired perfectly with our food. Ellie's cocktails were delicious, too. The atmosphere was relaxed and unpretentious in keeping with the property's guest ranch vibe.
I highly recommend Sweetwater Kitchen! It's probably best to call ahead to verify the restaurant is open and, if so, to make a resy, as Boulder is a very small place.
By far the best tasting meal I’ve ever had. The food was super fresh and flavorful. Beautiful scenery and dinner presentation as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
brent s
Great experience in a Western ranch setting! The drive to get there from nearby Escalante will take your breath away when you cross the ridge on Route 12 known as “The Hogs back”. We had Tenderloin and Ribeye from Cows raised on the ranch. (Not listed in survey below)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger, Cheese Board with Salami
Brent Sebesy
Great experience in a Western ranch setting! The drive to get there from nearby Escalante will take your breath away when you cross the ridge on Route 12 known as “The Hogs back”. We had Tenderloin and Ribeye from Cows raised on the ranch. (Not listed in survey below)
Michelle Mehta
Highly recommend this restaurant for their high quality and lovingly prepared cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful setting. All of our needs were anticipated by wait staff including the marvelous E. Our dinner for nine (both vegetarians and meat eaters) will be remembered by our family as the very best on our weeklong trek visiting Utah's national parks. Dessert (cheesecake and bread pudding for us) is not to be missed! Sweetwater Kitchen is about an hour leisurely drive from Capitol Reef National Park, through the Dixie National Forest (Aspen trees) with roadside pullouts for expansive vistas.
Phenomenal food in an incredible setting. The beef is sourced from the surrounding ranch lands, which are farmed using regenerative agriculture. The steak was one of the best of my life, and the side dishes were just as delicious and memorable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oh I really wanted to love this place! And it started off with great promise: we were surprised by a fabulous little amuse bouche, and the salad was terrific. But the entrees were clumsy, as were the staff. My chicken pot pie was overspiced (and I like spice - it just took away from enjoying the dish); my partner's cheeseburger came with a thick wad of grocery-store tomato, undercooked ancho pepper, and again grocery store pickles. Would have been fine if it was an ordinary burger place, but based on the start (and the inn itself) we thought it would be a step up. And then there was the music - kitchen staff was enjoying it anyway! Overall, it was fine... but not fine dining.
PS - why was the staff wearing nametags that were not their name? Some kind of inside joke among themselves that they didn't want to explain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
We came down in the end of July and I had heard about this place through the grapevine and wanted to give it a shot. It’s in a pretty obscure location which added to its charm and although a long ways away from any other business which was a nice change.
The food was okay but the selection for meat was odd. Once you chose a weight of meat, the next person could not get the same weight. It was kind of like “we only have one 8oz ribeye today, so if someone else wants one they can get a 10oz or a 6oz” which was unusual
The service was kind of frustrating which is why I am eating a 3/5 stars. My wife and kids all ordered steaks, and I wanted to try the adobo pot pie. The steaks were finished before the pot pie and I watched them sit under a heat lamp for several minutes until I finally flagged down a server and asked if they were our steaks and if so, we’d like to have them and that I’d wait on the pot pie. The server seemed really confused why I’d ask for such a thing and took a couple more minutes to walk 20’ and bring us the food that was ready. I finally received the pot pie and it was okay albeit a little homogenous in flavor (normally you can taste the ingredients with the seasonings but in this case every bite tasted uniform and lacked variance in flavor). My family was happy either way their steaks though.
Overall, the atmosphere was fun. The service needs some work, and the food was so-so (not gross, but not memorable).
4.5 stars. It’s worth the short detour off hwy 12 to visit Sweetwater Kitchen— and if you’re looking for a place to stay and want to tap in to your inner hippie, check out the rooms at the resort. While you’re at it, drive up Hell’s Backbone to the top and check out the 5 star views.
We enjoyed the food that was served at Sweetwater. The portions were abundantly sized. We began with a smoked trout dip the moved on to two different salads— the wedge being particularly excellent and then split a chicken pot pie. It was rich! No room left for desert. The service and setting were top notch. This is a fine establishment and my only recommendation would be to cut the serving sizes by a third. We plan on returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great experience. Service was a little slow but the food was amazing. We were there over Memorial Day weekend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
With Hell's Backbone Grill just down the road, the gold medal is gone and other restaurants are just in competition for second place. That said, Sweetwater Kitchen is a fine place and a worthy contender. I went there twice for dinner during recent time in the area. Once, I have the NY strip steak; the other time, I went for the sumptuous chicken pot pie. Both were very tasty and well prepared. To go along with excellent salads. Sweetwater Kitchen is a very good restaurant, even as they were having some early-season staffing issues.
I've had dinner here several years in a row. I don't know what changed but our dinner here this time was a step up and quite good. I recommend it to anyone staying in the area.
The meal I had here was one of the best I’ve ever had! It’s so cozy inside, and we ended up last minute booking a stay at the attached lodge which was the best time! Highly recommend both!
Adorable hidden gem. Off the beaten path but worth the side quest! We had burgers after a long hike and they were perfect. Great craft beers, cute decor and incredible service. Our kids devoured the dessert pie, including the homemade ice cream.
Our dinner at Sweetwater Kitchen, on a weekday evening in November 2024, was fabulous -- by far the best of the three foodie meals of our trip across southern Utah to visit the national parks.
GF and I enjoyed perfectly cooked steaks with included sides of veggies. Server Ellie was attentive, engaging, and professional. In spite of Utah's crazy wine rules, a bottle of a delicious Cotes du Rhone from the menu paired perfectly with our food. Ellie's cocktails were delicious, too. The atmosphere was relaxed and unpretentious in keeping with the property's guest ranch vibe.
I highly recommend Sweetwater Kitchen! It's probably best to call ahead to verify the restaurant is open and, if so, to make a resy, as Boulder is a very small place.
Restaurantji Recommends
By far the best tasting meal I’ve ever had. The food was super fresh and flavorful. Beautiful scenery and dinner presentation as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience in a Western ranch setting! The drive to get there from nearby Escalante will take your breath away when you cross the ridge on Route 12 known as “The Hogs back”. We had Tenderloin and Ribeye from Cows raised on the ranch. (Not listed in survey below)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger, Cheese Board with Salami
Great experience in a Western ranch setting! The drive to get there from nearby Escalante will take your breath away when you cross the ridge on Route 12 known as “The Hogs back”. We had Tenderloin and Ribeye from Cows raised on the ranch. (Not listed in survey below)
Highly recommend this restaurant for their high quality and lovingly prepared cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful setting. All of our needs were anticipated by wait staff including the marvelous E. Our dinner for nine (both vegetarians and meat eaters) will be remembered by our family as the very best on our weeklong trek visiting Utah's national parks. Dessert (cheesecake and bread pudding for us) is not to be missed! Sweetwater Kitchen is about an hour leisurely drive from Capitol Reef National Park, through the Dixie National Forest (Aspen trees) with roadside pullouts for expansive vistas.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger, Cheese and Olives
Love this place! Amazing food and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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