Restaurants in Murray

Mike and Erica had always wanted to open their own restaurant. The husband and wife team—both of whom had experience opening restaurants for others—would frequently discuss their dream of making something for their family during fishing trips, but it wasn't until a vacant space caught their eye in February 2004 that the duo bought a two-person chef's hat, and brought Citris Grill to life.

Today, the couple's efforts are written across the pages of their sprawling menus, with many items available in petite or hearty portions, which span from breakfast to dinner and bring together culinary influences from across the globe. Their chefs turn ingredients, many of which come from local suppliers and food conjurers, into wood-fired pizzas, house-made soups, Asian cuisine, and a grilled cheese of the day. The scents of this eclectic mix of eats waft through the casual dining space, where visitors sip local beers.

Jars of Korean kimchi and delicate spheres of salmon roe dot Dahn Sushi’s kitchen, adding artful flourishes to a menu of classic Japanese cuisine. Sushi, the restaurant’s specialty, ranges from dainty duos of eel nigiri to hand rolls packed with tuna, octopus, or red snapper. Diners can belly up to the sushi bar and take notes as they watch the chefs chop, slice, and roll their creations into vibrant spreads, some of which look like friendly caterpillars. In addition to serving small groups within the scarlet dining room, Dahn's staff delivers giant platters of sushi to parties, meetings, and mermaids’ swim meets.

For the Bryan family, barbecue sauce is in their blood. Their tradition of award-winning barbecue began over a century ago, in 1910, when Elias Bryan's family faithfully followed him from Cincinnati to Dallas, where he opened the original Bryan's Barbeque. The restaurant established a firm following, which led Elias’ son, William, to open his own restaurant. It was there that the third-generation Bryan, William "Sonny" Jennings Bryan Jr., learned how to properly smoke brisket and concoct tangy, spicy sauces. In 1958, on February 13—the exact same date on which Elias and William opened their eateries—Sonny served the first rack of ribs in his newly opened Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse.

The small chain now shares its spin on traditional Texas barbecue across Utah and Dallas. Sonny Bryan's original barbecue sauce spices up its savory pulled meats and ribs, which have been devoured by U.S. presidents, famous entertainers, sports legends, and A-list animated Disney characters alike. Sonny's seasoned chefs also cater heaps of fresh brisket and smoked chicken to parties and events.

Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse has been on the culinary radar since 1989, snapping up awards and publicity from People magazine, Food Network, the Travel Channel, and The Barbecue Bible. The modest barbecue joints have also earned some highbrow epicurean chops through a 2006 Zagat rating and a 2000 James Beard Foundation award for Culinary Excellence and Achievement.

Crispy-charred cuts of beef, pork, and chicken come out of Hot Lake City BBQ’s slow cooker ready to be slathered in their last saucy layers of barbecue sauce. The piles of barbecue glory are then layered atop grilled buns and surrounded by their suitably royal attendants of baked beans, fries, onion rings, potato salad, or coleslaw. Chefs lovingly prepare each barbecue dish from scratch, using fresh ingredients and homemade meat patties to fashion à la carte or combo meals that diners can dig into in the restaurant’s dining room or take to-go to serve as bait for lonely grills.

Named for the revered ancient river whose life-giving waters cascade through Ethiopia, Blue Nile brings vibrantly hued, flavorful tastes of Ethiopian cuisine stateside. The kitchen buzzes as chefs concoct traditional Ethiopian dishes using fresh ingredients such as red beets, whole brown lentils, and homemade sauces. Along with dishes featuring flavorful cuts of beef, chicken, and lamb, the menu also boasts many popular vegan and vegetarian dishes, each voted as such in their high-school yearbooks. Further proof of Blue Nile’s dedication to upholding Ethiopian culture is evidenced in the dining room, where the staff welcomes guests to chow down in the traditional manner of sharing meals table-wide and eating with their hands or scooping up bites with injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread.

Traditional Indian dishes co-mingle with modern American fare inside Spice Bistro’s kitchen, where chefs dedicate themselves to preparing scratch-made cuisine from fresh ingredients to ensure that each morsel bursts with maximum flavor. Their extensive menu showcases more than 50 items, ranging from lamb or shrimp sizzled in a tandoor oven to vegetarian curries to thick-cut steaks and chops dressed with elegant glazes. Guests can pair each savory selection with more than 25 red and white wines, which are served by the bottle, the glass, or the repurposed birdbath.