Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm

4.5 stars. We shared a dinner salad and the trout filet. Both were nicely prepared and delicious. We topped off the meal with a couple of deserts. One was a cold chocolate custard topped with whipped cream and the other a cherry almond bread pudding. The setting is lovely but I recommend making a reservation so that you can sit outside- especially during the warmer months. If I had one recommendation, it would be to improve speed of service. Thanks.

The food was exquisite, with each dish showcasing bold flavors and careful craftsmanship. The staff provided exceptional service, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth. The ambiance was inviting and elevated the entire dining experience. Every moment felt special, from the first bite to the final goodbye. It was a night to remember, and one we’re eager to pass along to others.

This spot came highly recommended and did not disappoint. Our server Jennifer was excellent and so was all the staff. Very attentive to our party of 6. The space is really beautiful. The food was divine and full of flavor. We got the Champagne Grape Chicken and Desert Rubbed Cauliflower. For dessert, our group shared the S'mores sundae and the staff sang happy birthday to our friend. It was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend this spot if you're visiting this area. Side note: if you make online reservations and want to be seated outdoors, make sure to mark that in your online reservation.

Wow! I had heard about Hell's Backbone Grill and Farm but hadn't had a chance to visit before. I can't believe such a high quality dining experience exists in this remote area, but its location and the obvious care they put in selecting each ingredient is likely why it's so spectacular. Our party of 8 had no reservation but hoped we could be accommodated on a Thursday night. We had a wait of just over 30 minutes, less than what they had estimated when we checked in. We enjoyed waiting at a picnic table on green grass near a tiny stream which just added to the ambiance and anticipation of a great meal. Between each member of our party, we ordered several of the dishes and each of our meals was exquisite in presentation and taste. The strawberries garnishing the drinks were picked from the farm that morning! Most of us sampled bites from the dishes of others in our group and each was heavenly. The Hellion's (staff's) service was impeccable for both the meal and with the server giving us a timely, helpful recommendation about the area. We'll be back!

We’ve been wanting to come back to Hell’s backbone for the last 2 years and finally got the chance! First time was a last minute surprise of delicious food, beautiful atmosphere and friendly staff! This time we were much more prepared, and so so excited! We were seated right away, staff was super friendly! We finished our dinner, and our delicious drinks. They offered the dessert menu, and we were so looking forward to the strawberry rhubarb bread pudding! Until a family of 8 showed up and seemed to take the attention from the entire restaurant! Stating they had been there a few times before, and probably spent over $1000 for food/drinks each visit, I understand why the staff was so attentive to them. Even the owner came out to say hello, gave them hugs, etc. made me think that maybe they were family? Idk. After waiting quite a while for our waiter to ask if we decided on dessert, we decided dinner and drinks were enough. Guessing our waiter sensed that he might’ve dropped the ball a bit because they gave us a cookie haha. So that was cool! Either way, I would love to come back next time we pass through Boulder!

Simply put, Top 5 meal since we moved to Utah. The Carrot Soup was the star of the show. Cocktails were sublime. Will be a go to trip every time we visit Capitol Reef moving forward. If in Capitol Reef don’t mind the drive, the trip through Dixie National Forest was beautiful and worth it. Can’t wait for our next trip!

We had the best time yesterday while dining at Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm. I had no idea what a special place this was and that I fell in love with it. From food to beauty, it sank into my soul. The atmosphere was as warm as it's hosts which gave the most comfortable vibe. I see why it's held in great regard by many. We had a large party and came with reservations made in advance. I highly encourage making advance reservations it is a must. Now, we were quickly seated on the patio served glasses of water, while menus were delivered. We had the Spring menu, which featured many amazing choices. We began with appetizers and tried the Biscuits, which were delicious. I had the Carrot Soup, and it was as beautiful as it was smooth and tasty. For our main entry, my husband went with the Bison Ribeye, and I had the chicken. Of course, we shared and were very happy with our selections. For desert, we tried the ginger bread with ice cream. It was amazing! Our friends all loved their choices, too. No one walked away hungry, and we were all highly satisfied. It was truly a special place that I hope to return to. Many thanks to all who served us. It was a totally delightful experience!

This was a surprise, despite reviews suggesting this was worth a stop. A valuable nugget stowed away in the fantastic scenic drive between Capitol reef and Bryce. The food was excellent and enough selections for the vegetarian I am. Very engaging staff. It was the best food of our National Park Loop in Utah.

We took the epic 12 road and stopped here because it was recommended so many times. We did not realize it was such a fancy place, we rolled in kind of hot. The food was absolutely amazing- I got the trout and lemon potatoes. What was really sweet is how they went above and beyond to keep my 16 month old entertained. He was in fits bc we had been on the road for so long, then I rushed out and left my purse... THEY MAILED IT TO ME! I have never met such sweet people, they were even willing to meet me in salt lake to get my purse back to me. The carrot puree and bison steak, also amazing! I wish I had gotten my food to go and eaten at those picnic tables while my kids run a muck. They really were in the car for so long! Worth the stop!!

What a memorable experience- the food was unforgettable and the setting was perfect. This was our first time and we're going to make a tradition to come here for our anniversary. It's so simple but my favorite items were the warm cabbage salad with goat cheese and the blue corn muffin. So flavorful... I wish I had extras right now. I cannot wait to come back. Bonus points- camping clothes are welcomed

Returned to our favorite restaurant in Utah -- scratch that, any where. The biscuits, deviled eggs and warm cabbage salad (new fav) were perfect starters. Cowgirl Meatloaf is delicious as ever, and thoroughly enjoyed the Jenchiladas. Dessert was the bread pudding, panna cotta and chocolate chili cream pot (ongoing fav). Service was excellent. Restaurant gets a little tight inside with all the happy customers but it makes it feel like a joyful place. We are so happy we made it down for Spring and hope to visit at least twice more before season ends.

From the ambience"outside", to the service, Thank you Izzy, to the food, OMG Beyond Incredible, to the desert, ugh amazing. We have traveled 3000 miles from Florida, in the past 3 weeks. This restaurant has outdone them all. Hidden Gem. Congrats to Hells Backbone who after over 20 years continues to outdo the concept of service and Incredible Food. Mwah.

So welcoming, unique, and tasty! I particularly loved the Desert spiced cauliflower w/ chickpeas. I would go back there just for that. The trout was a bit dry, but all its fixings were fabulous. They had run out of the jasmine rice, which was to our benefit as they replaced it with both the mashed potatoes and green rice, yum. The servers were friendly w/out being obsequious or intrusive. It was down home, but with style.

Day 3 of their 2025 season and everything was on point. From my initial call to make a reservation to the goodbye hug from the owner as we left. The restaurant is comfortable and beautifully decorated. The biscuits and pumpkin apple soup were amazing. Presented on fun plates and tea cups. Entrees we ordered were the Osso Bucco and Bison Ribeye. Beautifully plated. Finished with the pumpkin bread pudding. Best dining experience we have had in all of Utah. The service was extremely attentive. We felt like everyone who worked in the restaurant came to check on us...From the host to server Mallory to the chef and owner. Very welcoming! Highly recommend! Hope to make it back again one day.

Hell's Backbone Grill is the most special place to dine, every visit is memorable and nearly flawless! I have dined here 6 times across 3 visits over the past 5 years, most recently in early July 2024. Ive tried most of their staple dishes and drinks and many of their seasonal ones, and they have all been creative, delicious, and thoughtfully sourced. The two standouts from my most recent visit are the Smoked Chimayo Chicken Lollipops- perfectly cooked with a delicious seasoning at a warm level of spice- and the Wiinuuch Bean Charro- a perfectly executed dish of Fremont beans that is one of the best dishes I've ever had! The outdoor patio is so lovely I've actually never set foot inside the restaurant! The view of the Boulder Mountain Lodge grounds is so peaceful. Service is always friendly and knowledgeable too- impressive considering they have to recruit to this very rural area! I also appreciate their mission and philosophy around food and the land. They are knowledgeable and willing to handle food allergies such as celiac. Check out their little store on your way out, or their online store!

Wow. What a gem of a place. Excellent service. Food was so fresh and perfect. Can't wait to come back. BTW we made reservations two Months in advance!

Everyone needs to go at least once!! My favorite dining experience in Utah. The food and atmosphere are incredible. 100% worth the drive! Go hungry because you'll want a little bit of everything. I believe the menu changes slightly throughout the summer depending on what's in season. We went a few summers back (July 2021) and dream of going again! We tried the biscuits, pickle platter, pozole, jenchiladas, trout, and brownie and it was all delicious. Can't wait to see what's on the menu next time we visit!

This is by far the best restaurant for miles and miles around. You can check out my full guide to the Capitol Reef Area at www.wanderin2wonder.com/capitol-reef, but suffice to say, there are not a lot of food options and most of them are bad. Although Hell's Backbone is kind of far from Torrey and Capitol Reef, Scenic Byway 12 is a great drive as a day trip or you can hit Hell's Backbone for dinner as you finish "looping the fold". Same goes with day trippers out of Escalante area. The menu here is inventive, fresh, and well executed. They also have some good wines, which is even rarer in this part of Utah than good food! Service is attentive, friendly and quite competent. I can't say enough good things about this place and you should definitely make it a stop!

I have nothing but good things to say about Hell's Backbone. This restaurant brings the ideal ambiance to an exceptional meal. The staff is extremely friendly and they really made the experience memorable. I am itching to get back to enjoy another meal at Hell's Backbone. If you're in Southern Utah I highly recommend enjoying a meal there!

Impressive - but the food offerings were not as great as the offerings at the Sweetwater Kitchen 11 miles away on Hells Backbone Road. The service was all that was expected; and the ambiance was crowded & noisy.

This is the most magical place - this is our 10th year visiting and the food and the staff continue to make this an amazing experience! All the food was fabulous - had the special both nights and was not disappointed. Will be back tomorrow for night number 3

Made the journey over from Torrey while visiting capital reef, and so glad we did! We had a pretty large group, and had Nick as our server. He was great at helping us all. He made wonderful recommendations on what drinks to get with each dish. Overall he really added to the experience. We ordered a variety of starters, and they were all great. The star for me was the biscuits. They were great on their own, but even better with the sage butter. Everyone loved their main dishes. I personally had the wagyu flat iron steak and wish I could go back and have it again right now. You could tell they really think about every thing they put on the plate and it all went together perfectly. Few things to note - if you drive over from Torrey be prepared to go slow over the mountain pass, especially once it's dark. There was a lot of wild life and cows. If you are seated out side there were a lot of mosquitoes once it got dark. It wasn't bad through most of the dinner. But the last 10-15 minutes we all got a lot of bites. They also have a cute little stand out front where you can purchase some cookbooks, mixes for a lot of their popular dishes, and a variety of jams. Definitely worth checking out!

The food was very delicious and fresh from their local garden, service was on point and the area was just scenic and out of the way and a breath of fresh air high in the boulder mountain range Very comfortable and inviting atmosphere

* Disclaimer: I visited in Oct 2023 * Hands-down the best meal of my life. Best dining experience I've had. The type of place that you leave and wonder, did I dream that? Hell's Backbone is the perfect stop mid-way through the Rt 12 drive. It's a cute little restaurant nestled on farmland, with both indoor and outdoor seating. I sat outdoors and would recommend the same, weather-permitting. The food is farm to table and tastes SO fresh. I went three-course: biscuits with jam, champagne grape chicken, and chocolate bread pudding. Every bite was amazing, but I have a feeling you can't go wrong with any of the entrees or the desserts. But definitely don't skip the biscuits! Service was amazing. The staff were some of the friendliest and most attentive people I've met. One of the owners was also checking in on tables, and I get the sense this happens frequently! You can tell they care about this place and want to make it a full community experience. As I was traveling alone at the time, it was wonderful to feel "at home" for a couple of hours. I can't say enough good things about this place and recommend it constantly! It's a bit on the pricey side but worth every penny. And keep in mind you'll likely need a reservation in advance, so build in some buffer to your drive if you're coming from far away as cell reception in the area is spotty.

Another sensational dinner at Hell's Backbone Grill. Our waitress, Kat, recommended the Farm Crisp for dessert and it was DELICIOUS. It was an apricot crisp that is not to be missed. I'm going backwards here, so now the dinner. I had the Frisky Trout for the second time this year because it is THAT good. "Frisky" for the creek it comes from presumably, and not its frolicsome or playful taste. Dinner pal had the Jennchilada. It never disappoints. And now for appetizers. We tried the radishes, smooth and yummy, and the dinner biscuits, because we have to have them. Every time. Always. Everything went well with a bottle of Willamette Valley whole cluster Pinot Noir. An excellent dinner in a lovely environment.

I have anticipated eating here for over a year but because it's almost 4 hrs away I needed to make it an overnighter. This highly rated restaurant is located in the sticks by the Escalante National Moment vicinity so got in some hiking beforehand and was hungry ready to eat. Started out with a bottle of Pinot that was delicious, nice whisper of fruit and soft finish. The fella who presented the wine told us how they choose their wine list which only comes from wineries that create their wine in the old tradition. Opened up the feast with a excellent crisp organic salad that cleaned the palate and prepared us for the main course. My meal was the Bison Ribeye special, cooked medium and served with the most amazing vegetables and sauces, check out my picture to appreciate the dish. Have to say the sauces and veggies are the best I ever had in any restaurant and I've been to hundreds of high-end restaurants all over the globe. The ribeye was was tender with very little fat. The other meal was the Beef Brisket, delicate and tender with a thick gravy and veggies that was as good as the ribeye. Finished it off with peach apple cobbler and ice cream. Was looking to enjoy a nice espresso but had to settle for coffee and a port from Australia that was not as good as my Graham 20 year Tawny port back home. Took too long to write this review so plenty of finer details are missing but the service and the food was the best I have experienced in Utah. Also their seating allowed me to bring my dog and have him Sit outside the wall and in reach of tidbits we shared from our meal. There were two other parties that had dogs but you have to give them a heads up when the reservation is made. The pricing was similar to what you would pay at a fine NYC restaurant. If the change presents itself will go back again.

One of the best meals I've ever had. The space is so peaceful and quaint. We had the hollandaise asparagus, biscuits,, jenchiladas, lemony cluck, and three different desserts. Everything was so obviously fresh and absolutely delicious. I wish this place was easier to access, but I think that's part of what makes this place so special.

I am giving 4.5 stars but rounding up- we went twice and felt it was great but maybe could have been better. The atmosphere is elevated casual- My boyfriend and I were dressed up because it was my birthday dinner the first time we went, and we were visiting from SLC for a road trip. A lot of other patrons were dressed casually. Tables were a little cramped together so you definitely end up hearing other people's conversations. Service was good, but don't expect the kind that you get at high end fine dining places. It was more small-town friendly which was perfectly fine, but definitely have the right expectations. I felt like they should have maybe asked if we were celebrating anything, but it's not a huge deal. Biscuits with butter and their homemade jam were amazing-- the peach jam and the crabapple jam were both so yummy. I highly recommend those. Award-winning Salad-- it was good but I am not sure I would order it again. The best part about it was the fresh peaches but it otherwise seemed less "Award-winning" than it was hyped up to be. Bison pot pie special-- sadly, the meat was dry and it seemed like it really needed some kind of gravy or sauce on the inside. The portion and presentation were great, though. Beef pot roast special-- Also a bit dry. I felt it was high quality meat that they used, but maybe something about the preparation made the beef dry. Jenchiladas-- definitely quite spicy, but SO delicious. Calabacitas and beef were both tried and they were both amazing. Cocktail-- I had a peach-and-gin cocktail and it was scrumptious. I would order that again and again but it was a drink of the night so they might not have it all the time. Drip coffee-- MUST TRY. We got it after our dinner meal and it was honestly some of the BEST drip coffee either of us ever had.

Not what it used to be. Came down for our anniversary dinner last night. Ordered drinks, 3 apps, and 2 mains. Food was just okay and not worth the price. Probably won't be back again which is a shame because it was a favorite destination for years. The one highlight was our nice server.

We have consistent experience here. The food is good, especially given where they are--quite middle of a dessert. Great ambiance. I feel like the spring/summer menu has better main dishes while fall menu has the best dessert.

Wow is an understatement. Everything had such beautiful complexity that encompassed the season. I've been wanting to try this divine spot for years. It was worth the wait and drivr. Definitely best restaurant in Utah.

A diamond in an unexpected place. We were driving from Bryce Canyon to Richfield through Utah 12 Scenic Byway. AMAZING. From the setup to the decor, the drinks, the food, the service. We loved every part of our visit!

Don't miss this unique restaurant offering in the heart of escalante/Boulder area- I would never have known this gorgeous restaurant existed in such a remote destination without the recommendation from seasoned locals. The food is hearty, farm to table, locally sourced (farms listed on the menu). You won't leave hungry! The entrees are dense and filling. We got the bison pie, pork tenderloin, braised beef & trout and all were fine dishes. The pork tenderloin had the most delicious, finger-licking barbecue sauce I have ever tried- more chutney like in texture. Some parts of the chop were a touch dry however. The bison pie had big juicy chunks of decadent bison- yum! The braised beef was tender and well executed- but the polenta was so bland and boring as a companion. Every carrot I ate was the most delicious carrot I have ever tried! Veggies on point. The cocktails were also delicious from presentation to taste, balanced and my whiskey sour was perfect foam to drink ratio. For appetizers, the goat cheese fondue was a unique take on a classic fondue super flavorful beautiful presentation & the biscuits and butter were amazing and fluffy! Tamale was quality with a juicy brisket interior but the edges were a little over cooked/too baked. I do wish the service had been better for a place with such high accolades. We had to wait twenty minutes for a table despite having a reservation and shuffled awkwardly around different parts of the restaurant. The bottle of wine we ordered was brought out only once we were halfway done with dinner (how long could it possibly take to bring out a wine bottle?)! We asked for some extra butter and waited for that for 10 minutes as well. And then they don't replace the silverware so your dirty fork and knife you reuse for the main course. So if you're not in a rush or too into supreme service ultimately quite minor and forgivable- but should be noted! Definitely a sweet spot in the dessert for quality food I would recommend to others to try!

This is a great place in the middle of nowhere. The food is phenomenal. The location is superb.

The pairing of blue sky, brilliant yellow sandstone and spectacular food means you're experiencing a memorable meal at Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah. Our waiter on our first night from Kent, OH is our spirit animal and idle. Wonderful service. Cozy ambience with perfect music. Dinner and dessert to die for. We love HBG and all its peeps!

I had a quesadilla here and it was really good. All right I don't deserve to write a review for this place because I just stopped by because my baby boy needed to eat something and it was really late. I didn't know I just stumbled into one of the best restaurants in Utah. I thought it was a typical burger place with a lot of fried food. I literally walked in here with no prior knowledge. But I am a foodie and it just made my shoulders drop knowing that I did not have time to sit down and eat because I had to keep going to my next hotel. So I picked up a quesadilla from the kids menu and left. Ha ha ha

Starting off the hostess and service from all staff was warm and absolutely stellar. The food is amazing, great flavor and texture all around. We got the zucchini guacamole to start which was served with tortilla chips and carrots. For our mains we got the bison steak as well as the beef pie. And we finished off with the fruit crisp. We're from out of state but we'll definitely be back with more friends or family on another road trip!

We camped in Kodachrome and decided to take a little trip to this remote but oh so worthy hidden gem for an excellent sit down meal. We were smart enough to secure some reservations early because the restaurant was packed! I loved the concept and I loved the food. Everything was excellent, well-prepared and full of flavor. How do they do it?! I got the fish and my favorite part of the dish was the lemongrass rice. AMAZING! And I say that with such enthusiasm because I love rice and this was a taste of heaven for me! But aside from the rice, I loved the attention to nature and preservation in all aspects of their business. Even down to not wasting anything such as the leftover water in diners' cups which they poured into the plants and flowers around the restaurant. So simple! So easy! So impactful. We hope to return again when in the area.

This hidden gem is not to be missed. Whether you are staying at the Lodge or elsewhere, it is worth taking time for dinner here. I have been multiple times, before and after Covid. The staff is amazing, the food creative and delicious, and the atmosphere unbeatable.

I've been wanting to go here for YEARS!! I finally got the chance when I invited myself to a rendezvous in Escalante. After a very soggy hike I was ready. I started with a delicious fruity cocktail and the pozole. It was thick, warm and hearty which caused my clouds to lift right away. A cat was napping on a railing between patrons. This cat did some greetings earlier but had perfect restaurant cat behavior, friendly but restrained. I had the steelhead trout for my entree which was cooked perfectly with skin!! Crispy and perfect! I finished with a plum bread pudding, which is my dessert weakness. I loved everything about the whole experience! Can't wait to find an excuse to go back. I hope the cats will still be around (outside, of course) now that they have opened the dining room.

The food starting with the biscuits was very tasty. I ordered the smoked trout pasta and my husband ordered the meatloaf. Both were excellent. Their wine list is well thought out. We were seated at our reservation time indoors and it was a very e notable experience. I nice unexpected surprise in Boulder Utah

I came here with much anticipation as a fan of the two co-owners and the advocacy they have been pursuing in their remote town of Boulder, UT - both in the food and environmental movements (read their article on the New Yorker if you're curious). And as a foodie, very much looked forward to trying their award winning cuisine after a hard day of hiking. If I could give half stars, this would actually be a 3.5 star review. I didn't have the solid five star experience I was so sure I would have because of the way we started our dining experience. They open at 4 pm for dinner and I've read that there is often a line even at that time. We arrived closer to five and had to wait about forty minutes. The system was that the host would text you when your table is ready and we were asked to sit in a nearby field with picnic tables instead of lurking around the waiting area (still being pandemic times, ya know). We did as we were asked but as we approached the forty min mark, my partner thought we should stand closer since we hadn't received a text yet. Then we noticed that the three parties after us were all getting seated/helped before us. A couple that was one party after us received a text message about ten minutes before us (but I think they might gotten take out?). An elderly couple that was two parties behind us was already seated and placing orders. And the party of 8 (the party immediately after us) was getting seated as we approached the host. Flustered, I asked the host why all these people after us were getting seated. She said that a table with eight seats opened up and so she was seating them first and that she was about to get to us. I pointed out that the party of two that was two parties after us were already seated but she did not have a response for that. What I haven't yet mentioned is that everyone is white or white passing and we are Asian. I asked if there was some bias happening here and if we were receiving this treatment because we aren't white and the host denied this was the case. Both of us in a huff, she led us to the table. She was not apologetic. I wanted to leave at this point but by then it was getting late and there weren't too many food options. My partner and I were both visibly ruffled by this experience and we were both feeling embarrassed and angry. We quickly ordered and wanted to eat as fast as possible and leave. The owner, Blake, was making her rounds as I think she usually does and she stopped by our table and asked how we were. I told her honestly about our experience and she quickly denied that there was any racism taking place because they are an anti-racist establishment. She said it was just the way things happened with larger parties. She ignored my point about the elderly couple like the host. She asked us to understand because they recently opened up and things were still rough around the edges. It was a non apology and it honestly left me feeling worse. After a few moments, she came back and then actually apologized and then asked us our names and tried to connect with us. I appreciated that additional gesture. The host later came by and also apologized. So yea. It was an unnerving start to our dinner but I'm glad I spoke up and I hope it might have sparked conversations about bias/unconscious bias among their team. In terms of food, we got the juniper lamb posole and the handmade pappardelle with smoked trout. Blake also gave us black powder biscuits on the house. We ordered the dark magic pear gingerbread for dessert. The food tasted fresh and it was nice to eat a hearty meal after a long hike and days of camping. The dessert was very decadent and too heavy for our liking. Wish they served it with more icecream to cut the heaviness of the gingerbread. Would I ever go back? Not sure but it was a character building experience to say the least.

Delicious food with interesting combinations. Excellent service. Ambience warm and welcoming. Casual western.

HBG continues to be my favorite restaurant west of the Mississippi. Incredible food, prepared with care. The staff is amazing. We have eaten here for at least 10 years, and every visit is worth the 4 hour drive. Thanks to the pandemic, the addition of a new porch, and comfortable outdoor dining makes eating here even more of a treat. This is a place one MUST visit at least once in your life.

One of the very best meals we have ever had, if not the best. We started with peach and lime margaritas ... very tasty. I had the bison rib eye and my lady friend had pork tenderloin. We finished it off with chocolate chilli pudding (?). Service was perfect. Everything was delivered quickly and the staff were very friendly and attentive.

you can tell the food is made with love! the lemony cluck was life changing as was the ambiance and every other dish we ate. I only wish I could eat there every day.

I had the privilege of eating here twice in one weekend. On Saturday it was remarkably busy but we were still happy to enjoy the beautiful scenery and eat a gorgeous meal, which you could tell was made with farm fresh ingredients. You could taste the care that went into every dish. On Sunday we were so pleased to have a more attentive server and just felt more relaxed overall. We got some bison tenderloin which made a fantastic Sunday evening meal. The night before I got a farmhouse pasta which was lovely but nothing spectacular. The biscuits are incredible though, so that's one to get for sure. I went home with a signed cookbook, a bag of biscuit mix, and their signature coffee. I will never forget this first visit to Boulder and how incredibly beautiful our experience was here.

HBG has it all. Incredible food, fabulous service and amazing atmosphere. After how much i enjoyed this restaurant, the amazing landscape and hikes were merely a bonus in comparison. They had plenty to accommodate a Celiac. Went 2 nights in a row and wish I could have done 4 to try the things I didn't get to have yet. The chicken lollipops were so incredible I had to order them both nights. The gingerbread with butterscotch sauce was over the moon. Lemony Cluck, Jenchiladas and the trout were phenomenal. Jen, Blake and all of the staff were so gracious and attentive. A total celebration of the senses!!

Unbelievable place in the middle of nowhere in between Capitol Reef and Grand Escalante! The owners and their staff are very nice and accomodating. Food is good. Definitely better than some of the restaurants in LA. They are a farm to table restaurant. Ingredients are fresh. It's a little pricey but it's justified considering how they source the food and the location. It's just wonderful to see this kind of restaurant in this place. Make sure to stay in the lodge too to get the full experience of what this place has to offer. Our server Nick was really nice and funny. The owners Jen and Blake are very thoughtful. Must stop if you happen to drive by in this area.

Great Atmosphere, food is Amazing, reasonable prices & this restaurant is a farm to fork. Fabulous experience, make a reservation so you don't miss out on the experience.

I love everything about this place! I prefer experiences and making memories over things... so this special night out was my birthday present while we were in town. If you haven't heard of the wonderful, award-winning @hellsbackbonegrill, please read about it! The owners, chefs and staff are hard-working and wonderful! You can taste the freshness of the food (which was probably picked that morning!) The flavors are vibrant and complimentary. An extraordinary birthday date!

We had a reservation for 4 people and still waited 45 minutes to be sat. I feel like everything we checked if our table was ready, the host had forgotten. When we asked our waiter if it was normal to wait 45 minutes even if you have a reservation, she said "oh yes, we have a slow turnaround time." Interesting response.... Food was alright - the biscuits were a bit dry, the squash salad was underwhelming (and way overpriced) and the meatballs were so over cooked and dry. Our cocktails were pretty good, but they came after we had our appetizers. The jenchilada was beautiful and tasty, but nothing you couldn't get elsewhere. The meat pie we ordered was good, but had too much potato to meat ratio. Overall, they do pretty presentation on the plates but the taste is underwhelming / nothing to rave about, especially for the price and the service is awkward Spent $408 and don't think it's worth it.

After a long day of hiking we stopped in for a beer and some appetizers. The Fremont Beans and toast were delicious. The server was super friendly and told us all about the origin of the food and how it was made. Very fun!

If you are in the Capitol Reef area and looking for a beautiful dining experience, you have got to check out Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm in Boulder Utah! Not only is it an absolute hidden gem - the views surrounding this place are really unlike any other! It's such a scenic and breathtaking drive to get out there. But let's talk about the ambiance and food! The restaurant is stunning with its cozy cabin aesthetic and a little creek running right out front - they also have some of the cutest patio dining that we saw down there. Just beautiful! The food is farm fresh and everything is seasonal, so the dishes rotate often. We got the "award winning salad", biscuits, pasta and strawberry rhubarb bread pudding. Everything we ate was phenomenal and I am honestly kind of sad to live so far away! It is on the pricier side - but you are paying for quality and ambiance and I think it is definitely worth it!

"Where the good is heavenly..." SO TRUE! When we arrived at Hell's Backbone for lunch in early April, we were weary, tired, and hungry campers/hikers. We have been camping at Zions for a few nights and hiked through the Peek-a-boo Gulch. We loved exploring southern Utah. So much natural beauty to take in, so much to do! We drive like mad to get here on time before they closed up for lunch. We made it with a few minutes to spare! We were seated quickly, water & drinks brought out right away. I think our server was Kyra. She was very welcoming and helpful. Didn't rush us at all even though we arrived on the later lunch side. This restaurant is one-of-a-kind, especially in this area where you're smack dab in the middle of small towns with limited resources. They make up for that by growing their own veggies, chickens, flowers, baking their own bread, etc. They had fresh daffodils in the bathrooms and at the tables. They must have clipped them from their garden as the ones out front were blooming. They are farm to table in every sense! We shared the trout pate which was good. Served with crostini - yum! My breakfast was delicious. Eggs were perfectly poached and the yolk was bright orange, a sign of backyard chicken, definitely not from the store. My food was served hot and the cinnamon infused (maple flavored?) home churned butter was delicious. My son ate almost all of it. The cranberry-something jam was perfectly tart and sweet. My daughter ate most of that. The sage potatoes were good. My daughter loved her veggie quinoa burger. My son loved his patty melt. The highlight of the meal was my husbands calabacitas/farmy enchiladas served in an iron skillet. I don't remember what was in it other than godly bites of yumminess. I think it was actually vegetarian which is a plus in my book. We shared the brownie sundae and the pear gingerbread. Both were great but the gingerbread - I need to track down this recipe. It was so perfectly moist, sweet but not too much so, with delicate pear essence peaking through each bite! Just order the farmy enchiladas and the pear gingerbread! Will plan another trip to southern Utah and come back to Hell's Backbone. Oh, as we were leaving, I saw them unloading their groceries and they had many bags of King Arthur Flour. That is the flour I buy - it's the best there is that I can buy from my local grocery stores in SF Bay Area. Seeing this made me smile - the 2 ladies that run Hell's Backbone are committed to quality. Thank you for a memorable meal!

It's apparent that the food here is made with love - you can taste it in every bite. Located in a beautiful and peaceful setting in one of my favorite places in Utah - and on Earth - I'd say this ranked in my top 10 or even top 5 dining experiences in life. It's the whole package: thoughtfully grown ingredients and lovingly prepared dishes in a location that is like heaven on earth, shared with my favorite people. I have worked in gourmet food & wine sales and as a chef for the better part of a decade, so I like to think those proclamations are at least worth some salt. Hell's Backbone has been on my dining bucket list for well over a decade and it did not disappoint. What I loved so much is that it's all so thoughtfully prepared but it does not feel the least bit fussy. The ingredients are good, and they simply shine. We arrived grubby from a hike as did so many of our neighbors, and we were greeted with the same warm hospitality as everyone. The relaxed come-as-you-are vibe makes the experience that much more enjoyable and down to earth. Portions are generous and they don't skimp on spices, so flavors are delightfully abundant. The first night, my friend and I split the nettle pasta dish and each had dessert and were pleasantly full. The second night, we brought another friend and tried the Jenchilladas, both the beef and vegetarian versions. We also ordered the biscuits (delish!) and a cup of posole. Everything about the Jenchilladas was dreamy - though be warned that if you have a gringo level tolerance for spice, proceed with caution as they aren't exactly mild. We had to order the Dark Magic gingerbread (again) because it was heavenly the first time around. Bummer that because of Covid they are not serving breakfast these days, as I've heard such great things. Maybe in the future this option will return. I'll certainly be back, either way.

We loved the entire experience of eating here. The ambiance, the food, the service, it was amazing! The lemony mashed potatoes and the rice were so delicious. We all loved our main courses: the meatloaf, the enchiladas, and the ribeye. We also loved the biscuits with rosemary butter.