The Broken Oar Restaurant — Restaurant in Moab

On a beautiful Spring afternoon, my best friend and I, along with our three energetic children, found ourselves adventuring through Moab Giants. Our journey took an unexpected and delightful turn when we stumbled upon The Broken Oar. Intrigued by its charm and novelty, neither of us having visited before, we decided to explore what culinary treasures awaited us.

Upon arrival, parking was a breeze, adding to our anticipation. The children’s excitement peaked at the sight of "Mater" from the beloved movie 'Cars,' proudly displayed in front of the restaurant, which made for an irresistible photo opportunity. With memories captured, we ventured inside, where, despite the bustling atmosphere, the welcoming staff swiftly escorted us to our seats. Our little enclave in the loft, complete with a long ample table, was perfect for our energetic kiddos.

The restaurant’s ambiance was immediately engaging and comfortable for us all, especially the kids. They were thrilled with their raspberry lemonades, coloring pages, and the warm interactions from every staff member who visited our table. Among them, our server Dakota stood out with her remarkable blend of friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodation, making our dining experience exceptional. Even I couldn’t resist sampling the raspberry lemonade, which struck a perfect chord between tart and sweet.

As for the meal, it was served with impressive timeliness, featuring flavors that seemed tailor-made for our post-adventure appetites. My burger was a savory delight, seasoned to perfection, while the sweet potato fries, a renowned specialty of The Broken Oar, offered a unique taste adventure with their zest seasoning and drizzle of maple syrup. The portion was so generous that I couldn’t manage to finish it. Remarkably, all three children relished their meals, a rare occurrence that spoke volumes about the quality of the food.

In conclusion, our impromptu visit to The Broken Oar transformed into a memorable outing, filling our afternoon with joy, delicious food, and the pleasure of excellent service, marking a perfect end to our day’s adventures in Moab.

Update May 2024: Once again, I found myself back at this remarkable establishment this month, at the request of my little one, during another delightful day trip to Moab. We were fortunate to have Shay as our server this time around. Her attentiveness and kind demeanor added an extra touch of warmth to our experience.

I decided to treat myself and indulge in a steak this time, and it surpassed all expectations! Expertly cooked to a succulent medium, I could only savor half before my 9-year-old polished off the rest, along with her kid's burger. A fun and memorable touch I forgot to mention in my previous review is that the kids' meals are served on frisbees, which the children can take home as keepsakes. Additionally, the kids' menu doubles as a coloring sheet, uniquely hand-drawn by the owner each year, showcasing a fresh theme.

We instantly remembered how much we enjoyed their lemonade and couldn't resist partaking in a Strawberry Lemonade (or two!) to hydrate after our Saturday adventure!

We were impressed by these thoughtful details, and learning about the creative effort behind them made the experience even more special. Another five-star visit, and we will undoubtedly return on our next...

Atmosphere & Setting The restaurant’s two-level, all-wood interior immediately evokes a nautical theme, with kayak paddles and inflatable dinghies adorning the walls. Outside, vintage cars create a stylish backdrop for photos, while a children’s play area ensures a family-friendly atmosphere.

Food & Menu A straightforward American menu of grilled meats, burgers, and classic sides. However, availability issues arose: the steak I ordered was reportedly sold out—yet other tables were served the same dish. I settled on a burger with fries: • Burger: Well-constructed, featuring juicy meat and balanced toppings—quite satisfying. • Fries: Over-salted to the point of near inedibility.

Service Service was hampered by poor coordination: • A 30-minute wait with no option to pre-order drinks. • Order mix-ups: a dish intended for my friend was delivered elsewhere, with no offer to correct it. • A convoluted, unintuitive payment process.

Value for Money Prices align with a themed American eatery, but service lapses and kitchen oversights detract from the overall value.

Strengths • Distinctive, “Instagram-worthy” décor • High-quality burger assembly

Areas for Improvement • Staff training and order management • Inventory control to ensure menu reliability • Attention to side dishes (reduce excessive salt) • Streamline waiting and payment procedures

Overall Rating: 3/5 A venue brimming with character and potential—thanks to its immersive setting and a standout burger—but in need of targeted operational and culinary refinements to deliver a truly seamless...

I spent a couple great days in the Moab area hiking and enjoying the national parks around the area. I had a craving for a steak so after reviewing local restaurants on the web I went to the Broken Oar for an early dinner. I arrived at 4:30 right when they opened and there was a line waiting to enter already. When I left a little over an hour later the place was packed. From the outside the wooden building looks more like a lodge than a restaurant. The interior is a big open space with log walls and ceilings. It has a small second floor seating area as well as a patio. The menu is listed as “Casual American” with steaks, seafood, pasta, barbecue, burgers and sandwiches. It doesn’t have a full bar and only offers beers and wines. My server was Vinnie and he did a great job of recommending beers and coming around enough to make sure I had all I needed. I am hard of hearing so because of the open space design I had trouble understanding Vinnie and he was very patient in repeating his answers. I ordered a glass of “Last One Down” beer which was not too hoppy and very good. I ordered the Surf and Turf which was an 8oz sirloin steak paired with three white shrimp. The meal was delicious and not over filling but left no room for dessert. The meals are a bit on the pricier side, my meal was $39.00 but well worth it. If you are in Moab and looking for a very nice restaurant with lots of food options I can highly recommend...