Set beneath the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City beckons travelers come winter or summer. Whether you’re visiting SLC for the first time or practically living there, you won’t be disappointed. And once you’re done exploring this door to Utah, it’s time to whet your palate with some local flavors.
From trendy bars to upscale restaurants, SLC has become the ultimate food lover’s destination. With microbreweries serving locally produced beers and minimalist cafés and eateries focusing on hearty meals, you’re sure to find your perfect plate.
For seafood lovers, bistros serve innovative and classic preparations. For friends and families, there are many restaurants to suit every appetite and taste. Here is a list of the best restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1. Current Fish & Oyster
With an exterior that’s plain and simple, it might be easy to miss the Current Fish & Oyster restaurant. Go inside and you’ll be greeted with an old-feel ambiance that you’ll soon grow to love. Chef Zach Wojdula has tuned his menu to highlight the best seafood from regional America.
Whether it’s Cleo Cakes or Shrimp and Grits, Seafood Cobbs or Clam Chowder, the preparation is both healthy and focuses on sustainability. Wines on tap, craft beers and cider alongside signature cocktails complement the meals.
Utahns who love seafood say Current is a must-visit.
Location: 279 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
2. SLC Eatery
Opened in 2019, the SLC Eatery has the perfect scrumptious brunch menu. Some of the most popular oneats are the Utah Scones, Marketfish rice bowl, Okonomiyaki Benedict, and the popular Eatery Burger.
Don’t forget to try something from the cart service at SLC Eatery. Changing quite often it offers diners small plate specials from the chefs.
Location: 1017 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
3. Ruth’s Diner
“In A Perfect World, Every Town Would Have A Diner Just Like Ruth’s” said Ted Scheffler of CityWeekly.
Opened in 1930 as Ruth’s Hamburgers, Ruth’s is the second oldest diner in Utah. After Ruth passed away, the diner changed a few hands and finally landed with Erik and Tracy Nelson.
Take a drive out in the hills to visit and try the breakfast burrito, braised chicken, deep-fried mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy. Everything here reminds you of grandma’s cooking with a modern touch. The menu is outstanding.
Location: 4160 E Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
4. Caffe Molise
Located in downtown SLC, this Italian eatery is on a lot of favorite lists. Caffe Molise is an upscale restaurant, so be prepared to shell out a pretty penny here.
But every dish is absolutely worth it! From the scallop appetizer to the amazing antipasto spread to the pappardelle al sugo to the classic lasagna to polenta con salsiccia, and spaghettini pomodori, Chef Fred Moesinger’s recipes are something you’ll dream of quite often.
Location: 404 S W Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
5. White Horse
Featuring the best oysters in SLC and creative craft cocktails, the White Horse Spirits & Kitchen is a great spot to enjoy drinks with friends. As local says, everything on the menu is ‘to die for’.
Set up by the same people who own Whiskey Street, this restaurant serves some amazing plates. Try the cheeseburger, the steak tartare, and the fresh shellfish.
Since opening this branch in late 2017, the White Horse has been every Utahns favorite.
Location: 325 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
6. Stanza Italian Bistro & Wine Bar
Another Downtown SLC favorite, this bar is stunning and eye catching. Almost going down in ranks a few years ago, the new chef turned it into Salt Lake’s premier for fine dining Italian cuisine.
After you’re done shopping or touring the heart of SLC with family, head over here to taste Executive Chef Paul Cafaro’s amazing menu that provides a contemporary take on traditional Italian cuisine.
Location: 454 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
7. La Casa Del Tamal
If Mexican cuisine is what you’re craving, head to the suburb of SLC – West Valley City. You’ll find La Casa Del Tamal, a taco paradise is better than most of the taco spots in SLC.
Run by a family and serving authentic Mexican cuisine, you’ll find a melange of Mexican flavors in every bite. Must-try’s include the Tacos de Birria, Barbacoa de Borrego, Tamales Dulce, Chiles Rellenos, Pozole, Mole, Consome de Borrego, Champurrado and so many more. You’ll have to come back again to La Casa Del Tamal to try that amazing dish that you see your neighboring table gorging on.
Location: 2843 S 5600 W #140, West Valley City, UT 84120
8. Oquirrh
Awarded Outstanding Restaurant of the Year 2023 by Salt Lake Magazine, this restaurant was started by Chef Andrew Fuller and his wife Angie in 2019.
Food at Oquirrh is artisanal and intimate in nature, using locally sourced ingredients and serving traditional dishes with an innovative flair.
Make sure you try the Oquirrh Burger, Hangover Pasta, Wagyu Bavette Steak, Housemade Anelli Pasta, and some of the house cocktails.
Location: 368 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
9. Roots Cafe
This Mill Creek area cafe may well be everyone’s favorite spot for brunch. Started by life partners Wendy Phelps and Bill Peterson, Roots Cafe focuses on local foods and conscious eating.
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM, you’ll enjoy plates of farm-fresh food piled high. Make sure you try the Roots Huevos Rancheros, GF Buckwheat Pancakes, The Gardener, The Benni, and the House-made Apple-Pecan Cranberry Bread Pudding French Toast.
Location: 3474 S 2300 E, Millcreek, UT 84109
10. Avenues Proper
Crafting its own beer and serving platefuls of classic pub food, this brew pub is open throughout the week with shorter hours on Monday. You’ll find the rather large dining room always full of patrons enjoying local and seasonal flavors.
Make sure you try Proper’s chicken and waffles topped with a cute quail egg.
Location: 376 8th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
There are many more SLC restaurants that could go on this list. Saffron Valley for Indian food, Freshies Lobster Co. for mouth-watering seafood, BTG for the best wines, Caffe Niche for its scrumptious breakfast, Log Haven for their rustic cuisine, Courchevel Bistro for its European-inspired dishes, Punch Bowl Social for their pork rinds, biscuits and beer, and so many more.
What’s your favorite SLC restaurant? Comment and let us know!