Communal
AUTHOR BIO: Mei Chen has worked for nearly a dozen start-ups in as many years, taking her to several West Coast cities. While she’s sure her current day job is permanent, she also has her eye on Carmel.
There was a time when eating in Provo meant choosing between Café Rio or Café Rio. But over the past few years, something happened. Maybe it was the influx of BYU grads who studied abroad and came home with actual opinions about food. Maybe it was the internet finally convincing Provo that sushi could, in fact, be eaten in a landlocked state. Either way, the restaurants got better. And in some cases, much, much better. Here then are the 12 best restaurants in Provo right now.
Bianca's
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Provo now has a French bakery that truly feels like a French bakery. At Bianca’s La Petite French Bakery, the croissants are impossibly flaky, the éclairs filled with exactly the right amount of cream, and the tarts just sweet enough to remind you that life is good.
Best for: Croissants and pastries on Center Street
Black Sheep Café
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Yes, it’s been around for a while. But when a restaurant makes you rethink what a Navajo taco can be, it deserves a permanent spot on this list. Black Sheep Café fuses Native American and Southwestern flavors in ways that make good sense. The green chile pork posole is deeply rich, the fry bread is absurdly light, and the bison burger has no business being this good.
Best for: Southwestern cooking with Native American roots
Block Restaurant
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Block is sleek but not stuffy, upscale but not annoying. The menu leans into farm-to-table without making a whole thing about it. The wagyu skirt steak, paired with whatever local vegetable is in season, is always a good bet. And unlike some places, they won’t blink if you order a second drink.
Best for: A polished dinner built around Utah ingredients
Bombay House
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It’s been around forever, since 1993 to be exact, but it’s still the best place for Indian food in the area. The chicken tikka masala is the thing to order if you have commitment issues, but the lamb vindaloo is what you get when you’re ready to level up. It’s cozy, comforting, and the naan is always fresh.
Best for: Indian comfort food and fresh naan
Communal
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Before Provo’s restaurant scene blew up, Communal was the one place locals whispered about in hushed tones, the lone holdout against a sea of fast-casual sameness. It still holds up. The seasonal menu is built for sharing, which means you can argue over who gets the last bite of charred carrots or perfectly seared salmon. The space is bright and modern, and if you squint, you could almost convince yourself you’re in Portland or Brooklyn.
Best for: Seasonal plates made for sharing
Cubby’s
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Some people say Utah doesn’t do sandwiches well. Those people have never been to Cubby’s. The tri-tip steak sandwich is a thing of beauty—juicy, perfectly seasoned, and piled onto bread that actually holds up. The menu also has salads, but let’s be honest, you’re not here for the greens.
Best for: Tri-tip sandwiches and a quick lunch
Guru’s Café
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A place that appeals to both the yoga moms and the college students looking for cheap eats, Guru’s Café has something for everyone. The Maui Wowie chicken wrap is a longtime favorite, and the sweet potato fries are objectively some of the best in town. There’s also live music on certain nights, so you can eat while pretending to be cultured.
Best for: Casual meals with something for everyone
K’s Japanese Kitchen
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Kazuyo Stevenson grew up in Hokkaido and spent years cooking for her large family before opening this casual Center Street restaurant with her husband, Phil. The specialty is donburi, Japanese comfort food built around rice and toppings such as thinly sliced beef and onions, pork cutlets, or chicken and egg, with karaage, gyoza, and croquettes available on the side. The dining room is simple and relaxed, with much of the warmth coming from the Stevenson family and Kazuyo’s home-style cooking.
Best for: Traditional Japanese comfort food
La Jolla Groves
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If you’re trying to impress a date, or just want to eat somewhere with actual tablecloths, La Jolla Groves is your best bet. The lemon chicken is light yet indulgent, the butternut squash ravioli is comfort food done right, and the space—complete with a fake lemon grove ceiling—at least makes you feel like you’re on vacation.
Best for: Date night beneath the lemon trees
Nicolitalia Pizzeria
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Boston-style pizza in Provo? Sure, why not. Nicolitalia’s pies are heftier than the usual Neapolitan fare, with a crisp yet doughy crust that can actually support the toppings. It’s casual, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of place you want to hit up after a long day.
Best for: Hearty, Boston-style pizza
Pizzeria 712
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One of the best pizzas in Utah can be found just north of Provo in Orem. Pizzeria 712 has been quietly perfecting wood-fired pies for years, sticking to high-quality ingredients and the simple idea that dough should actually taste good. The margherita is a classic, but the mushroom pizza, with just the right amount of funk and char, is where it’s at.
Best for: Wood-fired pizza with a serious crust
Rockwell Ice Cream Co.
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Provo’s answer to “What if ice cream, but well made?” Rockwell does small-batch flavors better than just about anyone in the state. The honeycomb is a local legend, the mint chip doesn’t taste like toothpaste, and if you don’t get a double scoop, you’ve made a mistake.
Best for: Small-batch scoops
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