Salt Lake City: Food Guide

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.