Moab is known for Arches and Canyonlands, but don’t skip its downtown. Main Street may be small, but it’s packed with quirky shops, great food, and even a few murals if you know where to look. After days of hiking in the desert, a day spent exploring downtown is the perfect way to slow down, eat something delicious, and do a little shopping for souvenirs you’ll actually want to keep.

Here’s how I’d spend a day in downtown Moab.

Breakfast to Start the Day

Cactus Jacks

This was my favorite breakfast spot in Moab. The space is hip and modern, but the food is where it shines. The biscuits and gravy were hearty and flavorful, and the French toast was a total surprise. Normally I wouldn’t order French toast—it sounds basic—but theirs is made with thick-cut bread from a local bakery, crusted in cornflakes for crunch, and topped with fresh berries and real maple syrup. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you wish you had a second stomach.

Love Muffin Cafe

If you’re looking for something more casual or to-go, Love Muffin is a great pick. Their pastries are baked fresh daily (and they do sell out), so get there early. I tried the caramel apple pastry and the bacon sunrise panini with apricot aji amarillo jam—it had the perfect salty-sweet balance with a little kick. Pair it with their fresh-squeezed orange juice, and you’re set for a day of exploring.

Shopping Downtown

Downtown Moab is short enough to wander in and out of every shop, but to make it easier, I’ve broken it down into categories. Whether you’re hunting for a new outfit, a local piece of art, or that quirky “only in Moab” souvenir, Main Street has you covered.

Boutiques & Clothing

Desert Wild – Trendy desert-chic finds: clothing, jewelry, and accessories you’ll actually wear again after vacation.
Indigo Alley Clothing – Modern and stylish, with pieces that feel more curated than touristy.
The Sundry – My personal favorite. I walked out with three necklaces and could have easily bought more. They carry high-quality jewelry, paintings, and unique designs that don’t feel mass-produced.
The Find – A small boutique with carefully chosen pieces, great for gifts or a wardrobe refresh.

Souvenirs & Local Art

Moab Made – The best shop in town for authentic souvenirs. Everything is made by local artists—pottery, jewelry, prints, and home goods that actually feel special.
Tumbleweed – Great for postcards, prints, and small local art pieces.
Desert Sol – A modern-western style shop with a rustic yet stylish vibe. Perfect if you want something with a little cowboy flair.

T-Shirts & Fun Finds

Redstone T-Shirt Co – More than just a tourist tee shop. The staff are incredibly friendly, and they offer custom designs along with a huge selection. If you want a Moab shirt that isn’t cookie-cutter, this is the spot.

Rocks, Fossils & Quirky Treasures

Moab Rock Shop – This one deserves its own category. The outside looks rough, and the inside feels like part museum, part souvenir shop, and part “Grandpa’s garage”—but in the best way. Fossils, geodes, petrified wood, and locally crafted treasures line the shelves. It’s a little chaotic, but I left with one of my favorite souvenirs from the entire trip. If you want something different than a t-shirt or magnet, this is the place.

Would you like me to do the same for the downtown food section (breakfast, lunch, dinner, treats) so the blog has a consistent structure from start to finish?

Murals & Street Art

Moab has a surprisingly fun mural scene scattered through town.

Bowen Motel (169 N Main St): The famous “Greetings from Moab” mural.
Moab Brewery: A bold ram’s head mural at the entrance.
McStiff’s Plaza: A mural of Delicate Arch splashed across the wall (yes, it’s really called McStiff’s Plaza).
Moab Garage (back alley): A tucked-away mural for those willing to wander off Main.

Pro tip: If you want to see them all in a loop, start at Bowen Motel and just work your way down Main Street.

Lunch in Downtown

Moab Food Truck Park

The Food Truck Park is the perfect lunch spot. It’s shaded, has misting fans (a blessing in summer), and offers a rotating lineup of options. I went for sushi and had chicken spring rolls and a Japanese house salad with sesame dressing that was so good I considered ordering a second. My friend got the Supreme Crunchy Roll and loved it.

And because one meal at the food truck park isn’t enough, we finished with gelato from Miss Gelato. The white chocolate raspberry was incredible, and the salted caramel sealed the deal.

Afternoon Wandering

Take your time strolling downtown. Duck into boutiques, grab a coffee, and enjoy the slower pace after hiking in the national parks. If you want to stretch your legs more, make the short drive to the Green River Bridge, where you can walk out and enjoy the view.

Dinner in Moab

Thai Bella

Thai Bella is a hidden gem in a cute little cottage. I started with their seasonal cucumber salad made with organic cucumbers from Moab Homegrown Farm—it was crisp, fresh, and simple in the best way. For mains, I ordered their best-seller Khao Soi (curry noodle soup) and the Massaman Curry. Both were deeply flavorful and perfectly balanced.

Pasta Jay’s

For hearty Italian, Pasta Jay’s is a staple. Every entrée comes with garlic bread, and I highly recommend springing for the dip trio of marinara, pesto, and Alfredo (the pesto mixed with Alfredo is the winner). My favorite dish was the Tortellone Alfredo, stuffed with cheese and baked to perfection. The Green Chili Ravioli is a local favorite and worth trying too.

Desert Bistro

If you want a high-end dinner, Desert Bistro is the place. The garden courtyard is charming, and the food is seasonal and fresh. The bread service includes rosemary honey butter florets that I could have eaten like candy, plus an olive tapenade. I ordered the gorgonzola and piñon crusted beef tenderloin and the agnolotti pasta stuffed with truffled mushrooms. We ended with their dessert trio—because why settle for one when you can taste them all.

Final Thoughts

Downtown Moab is small, but it’s packed with character. Between the boutiques, local art, murals, and restaurants, you can easily spend a day exploring without ever stepping foot on a trail. My advice? Pair it with a rest day between Arches and Canyonlands. That way, you get to recharge, shop, and eat your way through town before heading back out into the desert.

Spend a Day in Downtown Moab: Shops, Food, and Local Flavor