Thank you to Visit Ogden for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for writing this post, but was not hosted by any of the restaurants on this list.
Hello!
Do you know Ogden, Utah? If not, you're missing something good.
Ogden is practically my hometown. I've lived about 15 minutes from downtown Ogden most of my life and it's a city I genuinely love. Ogden is home to world-class ski resorts, fun family activities and some of the best local restaurants anywhere.
I believe that Ogden's Historic 25th Street neighborhood has the best concentration of local restaurants anywhere in Utah. All the restaurants on this list are on or near 25th Street. Unlike many urban centers, parking on and around Historic 25th Street is free and not very difficult to find.
Part of what makes a restaurant really good are the memories you make there. Mixing friends and family with good food, good service and a cheerful atmosphere results in an experience that you'll want to repeat often. These are the Ogden restaurants that keep me coming back for more.
Related: What to Expect at Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park
Union Grill
315 24th Street
Union Grill is our go-to restaurant for date night in Ogden. One of my favorite memories is taking my husband to this restaurant for lunch on one of our first dates. It has been housed for decades in beautiful Union Station at the end of Historic 25th Street, but recently moved to a new address a few blocks away because of construction.
When I'm not sure what kind of food I'm in the mood for, the answer is always Union Grill. I bring my picky kids here because they have no trouble finding something they will eat. The menu features sandwiches and salads, burgers, pasta, meaty entrees and more. Whatever I order is always accompanied by Union Grill's french onion soup. Bread pudding is my favorite dessert on the menu, even though I would order something chocolatey anywhere else.
Roosters
253 Historic 25th Street
Roosters is a 25th Street staple. When I worked in Ogden years ago, this was a favorite business lunch hangout. I still enjoy dining at Roosters with family and friends for dinner, lunch or brunch. Even though Roosters is a microbrewery, I do not hesitate to bring my children. The atmosphere is casual, fun and family-friendly. We enjoy dining on the patio when the weather is nice. It's easy to find entrees that my kids enjoy on the diverse menu.
I usually order Kym's Capellini. This light and fresh pasta has been on the menu for more than 15 years, and it still hits my taste buds in all the right ways. The Naughty Fries is an indulgent appetizer, but the rich and spicy dipping sauces are so good. Roosters' menu features a broad selection of salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, burgers and specialty entrees.
Sonora Grill
2310 S Kiesel Avenue
We have been fans of Sonora Grill since it opened several years ago. I love Mexican food, and I appreciate that Sonora Grill brings more flavor and sophistication to the table than its local competitors. This restaurant is located in The Junction, across from Megaplex Theatres. Sonora Grill is our favorite restaurant to pair with a movie date or visit to the Ogden LDS Temple.
Sonora Grill serves the usual enchiladas, burritos, and tacos that you'll find at other Mexican restaurants, but with authentic cheeses and other ingredients. You'll find a lot of unique flavors on the menu as well. Try the Carnitas Nortenas, Cochinita Pibil or something from the seasonal menu when you're looking for something new. We recommend the guacamole, prepared tableside. I love the fresh flavor!
La Ferrovia Ristorante
234 Historic 25th Street
Way back when, this was my boss' favorite restaurant, so I ate a lot of lunches here. Now it is one of our favorite family restaurants in Ogden. We like La Ferrovia so much, we haven't yet tried either of the other Italian restaurant on Historic 25th Street.
La Ferrovia is owned by a family from Naples, Italy. It has the beautiful brick walls of Historic 25th Street, covered with old posters and other memorabilia from Italy. The food at La Ferrovia isn't fancy or fussy. The pasta combo or calzone are my favorites. Every meal is served with bread and a small salad.
La Ferrovia is good restaurant for families with young children. When my kids were little, the fish tank was a great distraction while we waited for our food. The simple Italian entrees – pasta and pizza – hit the spot for my kids.
Tona Sushi
210 Historic 25th Street
I've saved the best for last. You can't talk about the top restaurants in Ogden without bringing up Tona Sushi. This sushi restaurant is arguably Utah's best. It's perfect for a casual, but special night out. My husband and I celebrated his birthday at Tona not too long ago.
It's really fun to choose from all the gorgeous sushi and traditional Japanese items on the menu. Order the Green Globe. It's the undisputed local favorite.
I know that landlocked Utah isn't known for its seafood or sushi, but Tona is the exception. You don't have to take my word for it. Head over to TripAdvisor or Yelp later and scan through all the five-star reviews from out-of-state visitors that begin, “I was skeptical…”
Reservations are limited, but do make one if you can. Tona Sushi is popular for lunch and dinner most nights of the week, so expect a wait.
These aren't all of Ogden's great local restaurants. Do you live in Ogden? Have you visited Ogden? If so, tell us where you find great food and make great memories in the comments!
Claudia Laroye
I’m hungry just looking at these delicious photos! I’ve enjoyed some fine food in Park City but will have to return to Utah to taste some of these tasty foods, especially the sushi.
Sarah Ebner
So many great choices here! Sushi sounds especially good!