On our 2-week tour of the Utah National Parks, this was our favorite restaurant and dining experience! We enjoyed it so much, we came back a second time. | Atmosphere | The lovely patio is charming and lovely. The outdoor tables are spacious too and even with 4 people we had plenty of room for everything. It's for sure where you want to sit, unless it is cold (as the heaters weren't that effective given the open space). | Food | Almost everything we tried during our two visits was exceptional. Our server informed us the owner is very hands-on in creating the menu and trying out dishes until they are perfected, and it showed. The meal comes with house-made bread and a trio of dipping pleasures: pats of herb-seasoned butter, tapenade (we asked for more, it was so good) and a pomegranate-infused vinegar & oil. The bacon-wrapped and chevre stuffed dates were a tasty starter. The bison empanadas were also good. The one miss was the mascarpone pumpkin ravioli; it was way too sweet. Both nights we enjoyed the Fall Salad. It is an amazing combination of ingredients that blend very well together, including pumpkin seeds, apples, cranberries, figs, pears, celery, and applewood smoked bacon. The simple yet perfect red wine and lemon vinaigrette was so good we asked if we could get the recipe. For mains the stuffed poblano pepper is in my top-rated vegan entrees I've tried anywhere. It is chock full of deliciousness (all sorts of veggies and a flavorful sun-dried tomato pesto) and the tomatillo-basil sauce added just the right amount of tanginess. The chicken breast was amazing too....it's not your ordinary standard fare. The marinated chicken was flavorful, juicy and tender, and the accompanying lingonberry "jam" made it delightful and reminiscent of a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. I also had a taste of my companion's gorgonzola-crusted beef tenderloin and it was tender and tasty. | Wine | They have a nicely curated selection of wines, with quite a few being from California and a couple offerings from Utah. A bottle comes chilled table-side. | Service | Both our servers (a different one each night) really made the dining experience phenomenal. Two completely different personalities (our first server was highly entertaining!) but what they had in common is a high-level of knowledge about their offerings and they provided flawless service. read more

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Visited Moab area for Arches. Found this gem. Food was amazing! Service was phenomenal. Scallops and the beet salad were some of my favorite items, but really everything was made very well, with lots of care. Small, intimate building, may have been a house in the past. Total 9-10 tables in the whole place. I would definitely eat at this place again. read more

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We have found it a challenge to find polished creative food in Moab as most food joints focus on pizza, burgers, and coffee. This place offers a delicious fun menu and pleasant staff. When I'm back in town, I will certainly revisit this wonderful place. One thing that I did notice was that the specials were the same every day that I came back. read more

Maybe one of the best restaurants I've been to in recent memory. Just lovely throughout, from the bread and the spreads, to the scallop appetizer and the main entrees, every bite is exciting. I rarely see a stuffed pepper on the menu, especially one with so many ingredients! But they all work so well together, deep flavors and great mouthfeel. Would order again and again, except the chicken and risotto was exceptional as well, so choosing between the two would be so tough. You get the sense that every entree is probably fantastic so you really can't go wrong. read more

Desert Bistro - Stuffed poblano pepper - New American Near Me - Moab, Utah

We visited for our 33rd wedding anniversary while staying in Moab on a national park adventure. This place is really great. Service was great. The atmosphere was nice. We sat on the back patio that was protected from wind and cold. The inside seating looked equally great. I ordered filleted bison that came with a berry sauce. Ordered medium rare. It came with twice baked mashed potatoes and asparagus. Before the main meal we were served homemade honey wheat bread accompanied by three different spreads. Excellent. The couple next to us ordered a half loaf to take home. For dessert we split a Bailey's cheesecake with strawberry sauce. It too was great. This place is worth a visit. read more

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Been to Moab many times, had no idea this gem was hiding just off the main drag. Will definitely be a must visit every time we return. The menu is eclectic, something for everyone, and the wine selection was outstanding! read more

Service was timely and very pleasant. We had salads which were good. The pork tenderloin was perfectly seasoned and cooked, the mashed potatoes and snap peas were also very good. The bison tenderloin was outstanding. They also made a very fine Old Fashioned, which not all bartenders can do. Highly recommended! read more

Food was amazing and unique. Great for anyone looking for a more fine dining experience in Moab. The bread and dessert were outstanding!

This place seems popular. I think the food is pretty good, however, I do feel it is somewhat expensive and overrated. I suppose every town has to have at least one of those restaurants, so Desert Bistro is it for Moab. Some of the things we ordered were: * Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with chevre * Agnolotti pasta with truffled mushrooms * Gorgonzola crusted beef tenderloin * Espresso-chocolate mousse The food is basic, not too creative, American fare (1 star off). It was an enjoyable meal, but not one that I would think of returning. I just didn't get that "wow" feeling from this restaurant (1 star off). The patio is nice and spacious. The staff even offers blankets when the night gets cooler, which is really thoughtful. ...If the chefs put more thought into elevating the dishes, I would be more enthusiastic. read more

Expensive - yes. Entrees in the high $30's to $40's. That's high for even New York or Philly. Worth it - overall yes. The place, the staff, the atmosphere was right on. The four of us ate on the outside porch and liked it better than the dining room that we walked thru after dinner. The standout entree for me was the Venison special served that night as well as the other special - the Barramundi. Both had delicious accompanying sauces and looked as good as they tasted. The Chilean Sea-bass was also very good. So with a shared Tuna Tartar appetizer and 2 shared desserts and 4 drinks, the bill before tip came to around $125 per couple. Well Worth a visit. Be sure to make reservations because 2 people were turned away when we arrived at 7pm and this was a Wednesday night. read more

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Don't feel bad if you don't like Desert Bistro as much as you thought you would. We didn't like it as much as we wanted to, either...despite some of the raving reviews.... and we had high expectations! In fact, we made our reservations weeks in advance, from home, based on hotel "concierge" recommendations. The biggest problem wasn't the SUDDEN staffing shortage (one waiter walked out!), or the echoing main dining room, or the exclusivity of the reservation process....it was something more critical.... the food. You can even see it in the pictures posted here on Yelp.... most of the dishes are OVERdone. Too many ingredients, too many competing flavor profiles on each crowded plate, and a reliance on smothering sauces. The food here has no finesse. It seems like an attempt at being a meal memorable only for being filling. Nothing is simply stated, nothing light handed. Even the Iceberg Lettuce Wedge is smothered in all manner of "stuff". Everything we ordered became a a muddled melange of ingredients, heavy with earth flavors, awash in sauces; and the sauces were not subtle. My advice is two-fold; 1) Stick to the APPETIZER Menu. It's MUCH more affordable, dishes are created with a lighter hand, and they can more easily be customized (i.e.) "light on the dressing, please". We actually really enjoyed the Scallops appetizer, as is. And the Caesar Salad was also a nice execution, but we got it "light dressing". Also on the appetizer menu was a Ceviche on Corn Tortilla Chips, more veggies than fish, but hey...it was light. 2) If you feel like a heavy entrée... get it "SOS"; that is "Sauce On the Side", and components on separate side plates. It even makes for more sampling fun for your table-mate(s). I should say that (other than one tense waiter) the front-of-the-house staff works hard, and stays cordial. But the kitchen leadership seems to be trying way too hard to impress. Remember.... finesse. read more

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Fantastic gourmet dining in the heart of Moab. Truly creative cuisine artfully presented. The citrus salad is really refreshing. My bison tenderloin was tender and perfectly cooked. Extensive wine list. Friendly service. read more

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Excellent. Pricey, but worth it. We walked in and were lucky to get seats at their four seat bar. Definitely would recommend reservations. Impeccable service by Bridget. I could've listened to her relay the specials all night, her detailed descriptions were lyrical. Needless to say we both ordered a special. Husband got the Elk Chateaubriand and I got some sort of Hawaiian Sea Bass (flown in, their seafood is "never frozen.") Everything was delicious. Bread, salad, entrees, drinks. At our request, they hand stuffed olives with blue cheese for our martinis (up charge for that, also worth it!) Food presentation was gorgeous. If this sounds like your thing, I highly recommend a visit to Desert Bistro. read more

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Exceptional food experience every time I come! I stop here as a half way point to visit my sister in AZ from CO and it is a beautiful experience every single time. Great service too, tku Elisa! read more

You don't need a coat/tie or dress, but Desert Bistro is a fine dining experience. Although there really isn't much competition in Moab, the Desert Bistro team focuses on delivering a memorable experience. There is a reason that you need to make reservations! About half of the tables are inside, and the other half are outside on a porch that is open or enclosed with roll-down plastic/heated depending on the weather. We selected porch seating, and are glad we did. Mitch, our server, was excellent. He reviewed ingredients and preparation for the specials and other menu items we considered. His recommendations were spot on. He also checked in with us regularly without hovering. My partner and I selected the beet terrine as an appetizer. This was a light, fresh start that complimented the fresh bread/toppings that come with your meal. We each selected flown in, fresh (not frozen) seafood for our entrees. I selected Mero (sea bass) / $46, and my partner selected Monchong (Hawaiian) / $38. Mitch and the chef happily accommodated my request to substitute the vegetable on my dish. Both of our dishes were presented beautifully and perfectly prepared. Desert Bistro has a nice selection of wine by the glass, half bottle, and bottle. My partner accompanied his meal with a glass of the Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon, and I selected the Hess Select Chardonnay. Both were exactly what we wanted. We asked our server for a 'light' dessert, and he suggested the Napoleon. The puff pastry layers with fresh fruit finished our meal beautifully. Desert Bistro was a great find, and we were ok with the price given our experience. It was a wonderful reward after hiking all day, and we will go back again when we're in the area. read more

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Absolutely delicious and incredible service . A must for fine dining in Moab . The dishes were all so creative and beautifully presented. Homemade bread is over the top! read more

What an awesome surprise in the middle of Moab! Ask for the wine cellar dining table for and even more special evening. It fits up to six people! The food was awesome ... read more

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Loved the whole experience. Extraordinary service, impeccable manners in serving, extremely clean and amazing food. We had a fantastic experience and the only downside was the waiting time. Considering that she just showed up without a reservation and knowing this is the best restaurant in Moab it was the perfect scenario for a re-encounter. We choose the dishes of the day and everything was perfect, from presentation to flavor. We had the barramundi and Hawaiian seabass, all fresh brought from somewhere not surely not frozen (they insist in remark that and the palate did not lie!). The appetizer was to die for and same with the dessert. The restaurant decor is super pleasant, elegant and classy, big patio for larger groups very quaint too. Loved everything. read more

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Everything was as advertised. My fish was amazing. The beef tenderloin was mid. The homemade bread was amazing.

Cozy place great service and staff no complaints there... The bison was excellent. The duck confit was excellent as well. But on the downside we had crabcakes that were missing the crab. Caesar salad, that was shredded and not much dressing. The dessert described as a vanilla Pot de cream was more of a flan. The French 75 cocktail was fantastic. Should've gone with the bacon wrapped dates that everybody else had suggested in town. Main courses were really good though. read more

We had very high hopes for this place but ended up feeling disappointed. Appetizers: We were given three scallops on a pretty plate that we had to send back - they were translucent in the center which means they weren't completely cooked. They should be opaque. Since we were traveling, we didn't want to risk getting some sort of foodborne illness. Mains: My partner got the duck confit which was the best dish of the night. Well-cooked and delicious - the only part of our visit that was two thumbs up. I ordered the stuffed and roasted poblano pepper as I aim to stick to a vegetarian diet most of the time. Unfortunately, it was just a mishmash of vegetables clashing with an acidic slaw. Typically, I'll eat pikliz straight out of the jar, but this was just a waste of plants. Dessert: The dessert menu wasn't printed or available online, so our waitress verbally rushed through a list 5-6 dessert options, most of which we forgot as we deliberated. This was unfortunate, as we were celebrating a birthday and would have liked to splurge on a sweet treat had we been able to review our options. Drinks: We ordered a bottle of the featured orange wine. It was OK, but there are better bottles you can grab at the liquor store down the street. The ambiance was fine, however, as a mixed-race couple, it didn't feel as welcoming for my partner who is a POC. read more

We recently had the opportunity to have a surprise birthday dinner at Desert Bistro. Miceala worked with my husband on planning the surprise and even recommended that we sit outside stating at that time of year and that time of night, it would be lovely sitting outside. The surprise went off without a hitch and it truly was lovely to sit outside. The food was incredibly delicious! Most of us had the special which was a Chilean Sea Bass that was phenomenaL. My husband had the venison with a pear reduction- he couldn't stop talking about it!! It is a little pricey but WELL worth it. We plan to go back every time we are in Moab. read more

Absolutely delicious and excellent service . Beautiful presentation and great menu choices . Our server really explained everything beautifully. read more

The appetizers and main courses were very good. However, the dessert did not live up to what it should have. A nice outdoor, heated, covered patio. Our waiter was a little snappy at the start of the meal, but slowly got nicer as we approached the paying of the bill. read more

What a hidden gem! The food is not only delicious, it's a work of art. We took my boyfriend here for his birthday and he LOVED it! And he is a very hard man to please The service was excellent as well. read more

Excellent service, well above average. Food was all over the board, Buffalo Empanadas are excellent. Chicken was very tender, but been better if over Risotto or Rice. Elk special was phenomenal, Fresh fish was just ok. Would eat here again in was in town. read more

I'm taking off an entire star because we almost didn't get the chance to dine here based on the restaurant potentially seeming more busy than they were. We called on July 3, a Saturday, and wanted a table for 2...we were told the first reservation was at 9:15 and were basically talked out of trying to walk in prior...long story short we ended up taking the reservation but going around 7:45/8 to see about being seated before our allotted time, the entire restaurant seemed pretty empty, the parking lot certainly was, and all 3 tables were empty outside, thankfully we were seated right away! We ordered a bottle of wine, Malbec (lovely and delicious) and were given bread with 3 different spreadable options all were delicious (the butter especially I could've used a tub of it!) Next we ordered the bacon wrapped goat cheese dates and they were to die for! So delicious. I ordered a pistachio- crusted Sea Bass special of the night that came on a jicama and watermelon bed of arugula with asparagus that I will think about for a long time and my husband ordered the bacon wrapped bison filet with twice baked potato that was served beautifully and tasted even better (I previously have had bison and did not enjoy it and I'm glad that didn't stop me from trying this dish!) it was melt in your mouth awesome. I will say none of the desserts were up my ally which was a bummer but they did have a few options just would normally like a normal cheesecake/creme brûlée option personally. This was actually my husbands and I'd first official dinner as Mr & Mrs and it was phenomenal! Such a great gem in Moab we'll be sure to come again when we are in town next read more

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Fantastic food!! Amazing service and wonderful ambiance! Best food in Moab in my opinion!! read more

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I can't say enough good things about our experience at the Desert Bistro. It was such a pleasant evening with superb service. Our server was a doll. So attentive, polite, personable, and informative. All the menu choices look divine so I had a particularly difficult time making up my mind for my entree and cocktail, our server took the time to explain the options I asked about in further detail. She even offered to swap out my drink if I didn't like it. However, this wasn't necessary because I loved it. It was so unique and had such great flavor. The dinner was perfectly timed, dishes came out right when they should so you weren't still eating the appetizer when the entree came etc. The restaurant was quite and well socially distanced/spaced out which made us feel more comfortable and added a nice relaxing element to the meal after a full day in the park. I highly recommend an advanced reservation. We were lucky and booked a 5:30 PM reservation a few weeks before our trip (all other times were booked or late in the evening such as 8:30 PM). Many people walked in trying to get seated that night and it just wasn't possible especially with the tables being distanced and some removed. Do yourself a favor and get a reservation as soon as possible. Plan your trip around this reservation. Prices are higher than other places in town but it's absolutely worth the price for the experience, service, and food/drink. I've made it a requirement to fit the Desert Bistro into any Moab trip from now on. You should as well! read more

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It's a challenge to get a reservation and you will wait a bit because it's smallish but quaintly intimate. Best food experience in Moab for the 4 days we were there. read more

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We sat outdoors in 90° weather. The outdoor covered patio has fans and mist-makers- my whole table was comfortable. We ordered bacon-wrapped dates, SO good! Also they make the bread in-house, 10/10. I ordered the grilled chicken, the side salad dish that came with it was amazing. Our server was Lauren: she was so friendly, attentive, spoke clearly, and was knowledgeable about the menu. Totally recommend! Love this place. read more

Desert Bistro - Amazing dessert. BlackBerry and peach crisp with ice cream. - New American Near Me - Moab, Utah

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Finally got a reservation to try this place. Food, service and ambiance were all excellent. Tables are really spaced far apart making dinner space more intimate. The flavors were unique and great pairings, but my opinion is that perhaps it might just be a little too heavy on flavor of spices and sauces that it overpowered the underlying food. Definitely the best in Moab, I'll make advance reservations and will be back. read more

My wife and I went here on our anniversary and had some of the fish they overnight daily. Amazing to find fish in the desert, but even more amazing was the quality of the food. The waiter was able to provide a great recommendation for the wine we had and had an extensive knowledge of the source, preparation, and flavors of the food. The restaurant has a fancy and almost rustic atmosphere that felt perfect for the anniversary. Every thing I could want of the staff was provided without request and with courtesy. If I lived in this town I'd be here every week. Excellent excellent excellent. read more

Desert Bistro - [Upper] Pistachio Crusted Barramundi in Chipotle-Tequila-Lime reduction [Lower] Cashew Crusted Chilean Sea Bass in Citrus Miso - New American Near Me - Moab, Utah

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My husband ordered the scallop, I ordered the sea bass, my mother in law ordered the tenderloin and my son ordered the hand made pasta that's vegetarian. It's excellent food, service and nice ambiance. Becca, our waitress was superb. Love it. Excellent. read more

Delicious food, great wine. Amazing service from Bailey! Lovely ambiance! The bacon wrapper dates were incredible! Best restaurant in Moab! read more

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We were passing through Moab three years ago. The wonderful front desk person at our hotel recommended the Desert Bistro. I have had the opportunity to dine in world famous restaurants and was blown away by the amazing food, service and atmosphere. Fast forward to our next trip to Moab last week. Made reservations well in advance to be able to enjoy to indoor dining room. Again, blown away by the quality of the food, the preparation and the presentation! And the service was outstanding! Dailey (?) was great! I would highly recommend dining at the Desert Bistro! We will be back! read more

The staff here was so friendly! We were running late from watching sunset nearby and they were still waiting happily for us to get our table! Coming from New York (where they can and will give up your table if you are five minutes late) it was so refreshing for them to welcome my party and let us know we are now on Utah time! The waitress went out of her way to make us feel comfortable and taken care of, and also shared some information about Moab and Utah with us. The ambiance in the restaurant was also amazing and warm! Such a beautiful spot. The food was what really made this place though! Everything was so fresh and delicious! I had the chicken cous cous dish and you absolutely must try the bacon wrapped dates. I know that good food can be super hard to come by in Moab, with so many tourist spots serving absolute junk. GO TO DESERT BISTRO for the amazing meal you deserve after a long day of hiking and adventuring :) read more

Desert Bistro - Food - New American Near Me - Moab, Utah

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Meh. Scallops were good, not great. Salad was ok but was expecting some great dressing, instead could barely taste it. Fish special with wasabi was pretty bland. I was expecting something yummy and flavorful. My wife got tenderloin medium. The waitress recommended medium rare but that's too rare for my wife. It came medium rare. My wife can't have much garlic and they couldn't substitute so they put the garlic mashed potatoes on the side and she got a side of crispy potatoes. The mashed potatoes came cold so I only had a small bit. The crispy potatoes were great. Best part of meal with the sauce on the tenderloin. read more

We enjoyed this place so much! My husband said it was the best meal he's had out in a long time! Apps were great, drinks, and main dishes were ahhmazing! Best sea bass I've ever had. Cute patio and great service too read more

Desert Bistro - Beet appetizer - New American Near Me - Moab, Utah

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This place is more about the show and less about the food and service. We had a reservation and show up right on time. We were told to sit off to the side and someone would get to us. No niceties, just told to wait. We waited 20 minutes with people walking by and no one said a word, not a smile, not even a nod. Finally we were seated on the front patio, not a very nice atmosphere. The people seated next to us were obviously regulars and they brought their dog. Well, the dog got loose and the next 20 minutes were about the husband finding the dog and the wife sitting next to us crying in worry. I don't mind having a dog in a restaurant, especially on a patio, but no, I'm not leaving my $200 romantic meal to get cold while I hunt for your barking, badly behaved dog. Poor pooch, not it's fault. Onto the meal, service was so so, they changed our server in the middle of the meal because a large party was seated in the main restaurant. We had salads, the agnolotti, beef tenderloin and cheesecake. Our wines were the Elk Cove Pinot and Rancho Zabaco. Everything was good, nothing was memorable, except the dog. read more