14 Best Restaurants in Ogden, Utah

Ogden, Utah, continues to grow as a great place to live due to its nearby ski resorts and proximity to Hill Air Force Base. You can be on the slopes in only 20 – 30 minutes, and it tends to be less crowded compared to the resorts closer to Utah’s capital. Ogden is only 30 – 40 minutes north of Salt Lake City, and you can visit by taking the FrontRunner transit for a quick day trip. 

Thanks to the Transcontinental Railroad, Ogden became a central hub for those making their way out West in the 1800s. You can still see the Union Station where the trains would come through that area.

It now functions as a museum and event space for things like the Winter Market, a smaller version of the popular Farmer’s Market held in the summer. I recommend booking a history tour or exploring the 25th Street restaurants in Ogden, as many of the buildings are still standing from that era.

The historic 25th Street is where you will find many bars and restaurants. Try to make it for Ogden’s Restaurant Week Ogden where diners can try specialized menu items or a Prix Fix menu. In recent years, Ogden Restaurant Week was in the spring but now occurs in November.  

Luckily parking around downtown Ogden is easier for visitors than in most cities. For the most part, you can find free street or garage parking at anytime. 

Tips for Utah Dining

I experienced some culture shocks when I moved from Georgia to Utah. The Beehive State does things differently here, so let me fill you in on some of the nuances of Utah’s restaurants. 

• The alcohol laws are stringent, and I’m still figuring out all the rules. The main one you need to know is that places are designated as either a restaurant or a bar. A sign is placed in the window to classify if a place is a bar, and I.D.s are scanned upon entry. Only those 21 and over can enter a bar, but most places will still serve a full food menu. If a place is classified as a restaurant, you must order food with your alcoholic beverage. I recommend calling ahead or checking out the website if you will have anyone under 21 with you.
• Fries and tater tots come with fry sauce (a sweet mayo and ketchup dipping sauce) instead of ketchup. Restaurants will provide ketchup if you need it (like me), but give the fry sauce a chance too! 
• Dirty soda shops like Swig and Fiz are everywhere. A dirty soda includes flavored syrups and cream mixed in with Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, etc. My favorite is…