Find the best food in Kanab at Rocking V Café (97 W. Center St., 435/644-8001, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Thurs.-Mon., $16-38 dinner). The setting is casual and the food has a modern Southwest flair. Rocking V, which caters to both vegans and steak-lovers, pays homage to the "slow food" movement and makes everything from scratch. Be sure to check out the art gallery upstairs.

Drop by Laid-Back Larry's (98 South 100 East, 435/644-3636, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Thurs.-Mon.) for espresso or a smoothie ($3-5). True to its name, this place has a tropical beach-hut ambience. Linda Lea's Coffeeshop (4 E. Center St., 435/644-8191, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-noon Sat.) is another good place for espresso drinks, homemade pastries, and deli sandwiches.

If you're hankering for a good spinach enchilada or other Mexican food, settle into the friendly Nedra's Too (300 South 100 East, 435/644-2030, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Tues.-Thurs. and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $6-10 full dinner). A long-time southern Utah favorite, Grandma Tina's (198 South 100 East, 435/644-8295, www.grandmatinas.com, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, $13-19) is locally famous for Italian-American pasta dishes, and also offers steaks, chicken, sandwiches, and several vegan and vegetarian options.

Travelers setting out into the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from Kanab should note that this is the best place for many miles around to stock up on groceries. Honey's Food Jubilee (260 East 300 South, 435/644-5877) is a good grocery store on the way out of town to the east.