My Favorite Things in Moab (Beyond the Parks & Trails)
The everyday spots I kept going back to — coffee, groceries, small stops, and the places in between.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele
Welcome to Moab, Utah — where the desert landscape starts to take over
There were a handful of places I discovered early on that I kept going back to. I’m a creature of habit once I find what I like. The spots below are the ones I visited daily or a few times a week — places that fit how I live and travel.
But the places that quietly shape a trip aren’t always the big-name stops. They’re the coffee shops you return to every morning. The grocery store that keeps you stocked. The random stop you didn’t expect to like but did.
This list covers the everyday places in Moab — the best coffee shops, grocery stores, and local stops that quietly shape your time here.
Coffee: Snake Oil Coffee Co.
Snake Oil Coffee Co. in Moab — a small drive-up spot that became my daily coffee stop
Let’s start here, because I don’t start my day without coffee.
There are a few coffee shops in Moab, but I did my research before settling in. Snake Oil quickly became my spot.
It’s a tiny, hole‑in‑the‑wall setup tucked into the parking lot of what looks like a quick-stop convenience store. In my experience, those are usually the places that get it right.
Snake Oil is owned by two local guys who split time behind the window. The hours are lean — 7 a.m. to noon — and that’s part of the charm. You pull up to one of the side windows, order, and that’s it.
I like the beans they use a lot — whether it’s a black coffee or a latte.
Why I kept going back:
It’s a quick stop with no fuss
The coffee is solid
The backstory and local ownership
You can grab a treat for your dog, too — not a low-end brand, but something from the local pet shop that sells the good stuff.
What I ordered:
Black coffee
Latte
Location: 495 West 400 North, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: www.snakeoilcoffee.com
Grocery: Moonflower Cooperative
Moonflower Cooperative in Moab — a small local grocery with bulk goods and organic options
Inside Moonflower Cooperative — bulk foods and everyday staples
For my whole-foods experience in town, this was it.
Don’t get me wrong — I still had to go to the traditional grocery store, City Market (Kroger). But Moonflower is where I could get fewer processed options and the kinds of ingredients I prefer.
It’s a small grocery. It feels like the kind of old-school market small towns used to have before big-box chains took over. There’s definitely a bit of a hippie vibe — fair-trade items, bulk goods, local products — but they also carry staples that City Market doesn’t.
They have a deli in the back that I liked. I would grab single-serving items. They even have a clear ingredient policy, and I respect that.
Why I went here:
I got hooked on their vegan tapioca with three blueberries (from the deli)
Their deli made chicken salad and tuna salad.
Deli with quality ingredients
I can grab all my organic eats here
Location: 39 East 100 North, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: moonflower.coop
Back of Beyond Book Store
Back of Beyond Book Store on Main Street in Moab, known for Southwest books and local authors
This ended up being one of those places I kept stopping into without planning to.
It’s a small independent bookstore right in town with a strong focus on the Southwest — hiking guides, natural history, desert writing, and maps. It feels local in the best way. Not overdone, not curated for tourists, just a good, quiet place to browse.
I found myself going in to look at trail books and maps, but also just to slow down for a minute.
I heard from a few sources about authors and books tied to this area, and that’s what pulled me in. I love bookstores and don’t go into them as much as I used to. This one is small and very local. You’ll find books from local authors, books about the region, and even rare books in the back for collectors — some priced up to around $800.
I kept going back to pick up titles I kept hearing about. I’ve read one and started a few others. These books give you a deeper look into the area — the people, the history, and the connection locals have to this landscape. It’s a different kind of insight from just driving around and taking in the views.
Below is a list of the books I picked up here. If you can’t get to the store, I’ve included links where you can find them online.
Why I kept going back:
Good selection of Moab and Southwest guidebooks
Maps and trail resources
Quiet, local feel
Location: 83 North Main Street, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: backofbeyondbooks.com
Bike Shop: Moab Cyclery
This is where I went anytime I needed something for my bike.
I had stopped in as they are a Specialized dealer, and both of my bikes are that. But I ended up using them to replace the brake levers on my new bike with a set that felt less potent and sharp. While I was there, I also got my second bike tuned up.
They seemed to know what they were doing. They’ve been in Moab since 1993, which says a lot in a town like this.
Additionally, my friend Mike uses them all the time for shuttle service to Porcupine Rim Trail and other trails in the area, but mainly Porcupine Rim — he’s pretty much addicted to that trail.
Why I kept going back:
Specialized dealer, which made it easy for my setup
Quick fixes and more involved work in one stop
Reliable for both service and local trail support
Location: 391 South Main Street, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: moabcyclery.com
Food: Moab Garage Co.
McLovin’ breakfast sandwich at Moab Garage Co. — bacon, egg, and cheese on a pretzel bun
I heard from my friend Mike that Moab Garage Co. had a breakfast sandwich called the McLovin’ that was so good. I decided to give it a try. When I walked into the place, it was really cool. Their branding is very vintage-garage, and I think the building was a garage they converted. But that sandwich is the best thing ever. It is not the healthiest, but it is damn good.
The McLovin’ is made with egg, ham, cheese, and tater tots on a pretzel bun.
It’s right on Main Street, and it works whether you’re grabbing something quick or sitting down for a bit. I ended up here once because it was simple, reliable, and good.
Why I kept going back:
Easy stop right in town
Good food without overthinking it
Worked for quick meals or sitting down
Location: 1122 South Main Street, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: moabgarageco.com
Pet Store: Moab Barkery
This is where I got Chloe everything she needed while we were in Moab.
I heard about Barkery from the owner of Snake Oil Coffee Co.. I had also seen it on my drive through town once or twice. It ended up being my spot for Chloe.
I think it’s the only setup in town like this, but it has all the good bougie treats that Chloe likes and the dog food we used to get when we lived in the West Loop of Chicago.
She had a few baths there, too, to get the desert off of her. She’s white, and she was often red while in Moab. In the back of the store, you can wash your dog for a fee in an old grooming area. They have everything you need to get it done.
It’s just off Main Street, easy to get to when you’re in town.
Why I kept going back:
Higher-quality treats
Easy stop in town
Dog wash setup in the back
Location: 95 North Main Street, Moab, Utah 84532
Website: moabbarkery.com
Final Thoughts
Moab can feel intense — traffic, Jeeps, bikes, park reservations.
But when you stay a little longer, you get a feel for the area.
You find your coffee spot. You figure out where to shop. You start going back to the same places without thinking.
That’s what this list is about — the places I liked that made Moab feel like a place you could actually settle into.
That’s the Moab I ended up liking most.
More in the Moab Series
This article is part of an ongoing Moab series exploring the landscape from multiple angles — history, geology, riding, and national parks.
The Moab You Didn’t Know About: Dinosaurs, Petroglyphs & the Desert Before the Bikes
Dinosaurs Near Moab: Track Sites, Fossils & Where to See Them
Petroglyphs Near Moab: Where to See Rock Art & What It Means
Moab’s Uranium Boom: How the Atomic Age Reshaped the Desert Town
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares firsthand travel experiences across the American West — from desert landscapes and national parks to small towns layered with history. Her work blends movement, place, and the stories that shape them.Some posts may include affiliate links to products or services she uses on the road. If you choose to purchase through those links, she may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support continued travel and storytelling. She only links to items she personally uses or would use herself.