Salt Lake City’s food scene has improved substantially since the early 2010s, driven by a combination of population growth, a culinary talent base that developed partly through ski resort hospitality, and a local agricultural landscape that supports genuine farm-to-table cooking. The liquor laws are idiosyncratic - Utah’s control state system means spirits are purchased through state liquor stores, and cocktail menus can feel constrained compared to other major cities - but the restaurant quality across the mid-range and upper tiers is genuinely good.
Fine Dining
Handle - 136 Heber Ave, Park City (35 miles east, approximately 40 minutes by car). The most decorated restaurant in Utah, with a menu that changes seasonally and leans heavily on foraged, farmed, and locally sourced ingredients. Executive chef Briar Handly has built a following that extends beyond Park City - diners regularly make the trip specifically for the restaurant. Mains approximately $32–52. Dinner only; closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations are essential - book two to three weeks ahead for weekend dinner.
HSL (Handle Salt Lake) - 418 E. 200 South, downtown SLC. The city version of Handle, with a comparable farm-driven philosophy and a slightly more accessible menu. Mains approximately $28–44. Dinner only; closed Sundays. Reservations needed, particularly on weekends.
Pago - 878 S. 900 East, 9th and 9th neighborhood. A compact neighborhood bistro with a menu built around Utah-sourced produce and protein. The menu changes weekly depending on what’s available from partner farms. Mains approximately $24–38. One of the most reliably satisfying dinner experiences in the city for the price. Dinner only Tuesday–Sunday. Reservations advised.
Current Fish & Oyster - 279 E. 300 South, downtown. The best seafood restaurant in the inter-mountain west, with a raw bar sourcing Pacific oysters and a market-driven main menu of whole fish, crab, and chowders. Oysters approximately $3–4 each; mains approximately $26–42. The most elegant dining room in downtown Salt Lake City. Dinner only; closed Sundays.
Valter’s Osteria - 173 W. Broadway. A traditional Italian osteria with handmade pasta and a menu focused on the Italian regional canon. Pasta approximately $24–32; mains approximately $30–48. One of the warmest dining rooms in the city, with attentive old-school service. Dinner only; reservations required.
Casual and Mid-Range
Red Iguana - 736 W. North Temple, downtown. The most beloved restaurant in Salt Lake City, serving Oaxacan and regional Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on mole sauces. The seven-mole tasting (approximately $16) is the best way to understand the menu; the negro mole with chicken (approximately $17) is the standout dish. Lunch and dinner Monday–Saturday; breakfast and lunch Sunday. Waits of 30–45 minutes are common at peak times - arrive at opening or accept the wait. Red Iguana 2 (866 W. South Temple) is the sibling location with lower waits.
Copper Common - 111 E. 300 South, downtown. A gastropub with a seasonal menu, craft cocktails, and a neighborhood-bar atmosphere that belies the quality of the cooking. The burger (approximately $16) and the seasonal vegetable dishes (approximately $14–20) are consistent standouts. Dinner only daily; lunch on weekends.
Feldman’s Deli - 2005 E. 2700 South, Millcreek. The best Jewish-style delicatessen between Denver and San Francisco. Housemade pastrami and corned beef, bagels baked in-house, matzo ball soup, and all-day breakfast. The Reuben sandwich (approximately $16) and the chicken liver toast (approximately $12) are excellent. Opens at 7am daily. Expect queues on weekend mornings.
Laziz Kitchen - 912 N. 900 W., Westside. The most authentic Lebanese and Middle Eastern cooking in the city, with housemade pita, mezze plates, and shawarma. Mezze plates approximately $8–14; platters approximately $18–26. Lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday. The hummus with lamb (approximately $14) is reliably outstanding.
Este Pizzeria - Multiple locations (East Side, Sugarhouse, Millcreek). New York-style pizza by the slice (approximately $4–5) or pie (approximately $18–26), with a reputation as the best pizza in Utah outside of Handle’s wood-fired version in Park City. The East Side location (2148 Highland Drive) is the original.
The Garage on Beck - 1199 Beck St, North Salt Lake. A food hall and taproom in a former mechanic’s garage, with rotating local food vendors and house-brewed beers. An informal and convivial option for a casual weekday dinner. Vendors change - check the website before visiting.
Breakfast and Brunch
Eva’s Bakery - 155 S. Main St, downtown. A French-influenced bakery and café serving croissants, quiche, croque monsieurs, and excellent coffee from 7:30am Monday–Saturday. Pastries approximately $3–6; brunch plates approximately $12–16. The downtown location makes it the most practical pre-sightseeing stop. Long queues on Saturday mornings.
Even Stevens Sandwiches - Multiple locations. A local chain with better ingredients than the price suggests - the breakfast sandwich (approximately $8–10) and lunch sandwiches (approximately $10–13) are consistently reliable. One dollar from every sandwich sold goes to fund a meal for a food bank recipient.
Soleil - 151 E. 900 South, downtown. A brunch-focused restaurant with French and North African influences, serving eggs shakshuka (approximately $16), French onion soup (approximately $14), and strong coffee. Open Friday–Sunday for brunch, Wednesday–Sunday for dinner.
Eggs in the City - 1675 E. 1300 South. A long-standing brunch spot in a converted house with a menu of egg-based dishes and a genuinely good bloody mary. Most dishes approximately $12–16. Waits on weekend mornings.
Craft Beer and Cocktails
Utah’s liquor laws mean beer sold in bars and restaurants is limited to 5.0% ABV (as of 2019, raised from the previous 3.2% limit), and full-strength spirits are available through state liquor stores (DABC). Most restaurants and bars have liquor licenses but the selection of spirits can be more limited than in non-control states.
Proper Brewing - 857 S. Main St. The most widely distributed Utah craft brewer, with a taproom and food menu in the Granary District. Hazy IPAs and session beers approximately $6–8 per pint. A reliable stop on the way to or from 9th and 9th.
Bewilder Brewing - 445 S. 400 West, downtown. A newer taproom in a large warehouse space, with a rotating tap list covering lagers, sours, and IPAs. Open daily from noon.
Bar X - 155 E. 200 South, downtown. The most respected cocktail bar in the city, with well-executed classics and a short food menu. Cocktails approximately $12–16. The back patio (Beer Bar) operates as a separate beer garden. Opens at 4pm Monday–Saturday.
White Horse - 325 S. Main St. A large, Victorian-style bar in the heart of downtown with an extensive spirits list for a Utah establishment, multiple rooms, and a kitchen serving burgers and bar snacks (approximately $12–18). Open from 5pm daily.
Sugarhouse Neighborhood
The Sugarhouse neighborhood (approximately 2100 South and 1100 East) is Salt Lake City’s most walkable restaurant and café district. Key stops:
Manoli’s - 402 E. Harvey Milk Blvd. Greek-inspired small plates and a strong natural wine list. Dishes approximately $10–22. One of the most interesting menus in the city. Dinner only; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Lone Star Taqueria - 2265 E. Fort Union Blvd, Cottonwood Heights (adjacent suburb). Widely considered the best taco spot in Salt Lake City. Tacos approximately $4–6 each; cash preferred. No frills, consistent quality.
Take a Guided Food Tour of Salt Lake City
SLC’s dining scene developed substantially post-prohibition and has a strong international food community - Takashi on Broadway is among the best Japanese restaurants in the Mountain West, and Laziz Kitchen produces some of the most authentic Lebanese food between Denver and Los Angeles. The 9th and 9th neighborhood (9th Avenue and 9th East) is the most concentrated independent restaurant district in the city, with Pago, Manoli’s, and Este Pizzeria all walkable from each other. A guide covers the gap between the state liquor law constraints visitors worry about and the genuinely good craft cocktail and dining scene that has developed within them.
Browse food tours and walking experiences in Salt Lake City to find options that match your interests.
Plan Your Trip
- Travel insurance: Cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage with travel insurance for the USA.
- eSIM: Stay connected from arrival with a USA eSIM - activate before you fly and have data on your phone the moment you land.
- Where to stay: Browse hotels in Salt Lake City - a base to explore the city’s growing restaurant scene.
More Salt Lake City Guides
SLC is the base for day trips to Arches and Bryce Canyon - hire a car for these excursions and pack provisions for the road as dining options are limited near the parks.