I am from the Salt Lake City area of Utah. I have grown up in Utah, and seen the restaurant scene change from mostly chain restaurants to a place with some great local restaurants. I thought it would be fun to list out my favorite places to visit for each meal of the day. Whether you are headed out for breakfast/brunch or are going out for a date night. These are the restaurants I’m eating at now, with a few at the end that I’m excited to try out for the first time. If you have any good local restaurants that you love, shoot me a message. I love finding new local places to try out.
This list includes all budget ranges, from cheap to expensive and everything in between. I have linked each restaurants website so that you can check out the menus, except for a couple of places that don’t have an official website. I will also mention vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options where applicable. As a nurse I know that going out to eat can be tricky with allergies and dietary restrictions.
Breakfast
- Ruth’s Diner: Ruth’s diner is the most adorable restaurant with the cutest outdoor patio that’s open in the warmer months. My favorite place to sit is on the tree covered patio. Ruth’s has been around for 95 years! Ruth was a sassy lady who was a cabaret singer in early 1900’s before opening this restaurant in 1930. Ruth’s is known locally for their delicious and HUGE biscuits. They have a morning menu with killer biscuits and gravy, egg benedicts, breakfast burritos and a varitey of hash’s. Ruth’s menu lists out the vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options for my friends with dietary restrictions. They are located at 4160 Emigration Canyon, up Emigration canyon on the right hand side of the road.
- Finns Cafe: This adorable Scandanavian cafe in Sugarhouse is my favorite place to get breakfast in Sugarhouse. I always stop here before getting my hair done nearby at the Reflections Salon. The Scandanavian breakfast with poached red trout, eggs and hashbrowns is divine for a european style breakfast. If fish in the morning is not your thing, I get it. Try out their sourdough pancakes or norweigan waffles. They also have a decent variety of omlettes. There are vegetarian options with the option to make some vegan. If you hold the toast options could be gluten free, however nothing is specifically listed on the menu as gluten free.
- Over the Counter Cafe– This is a cute and busy little cafe in Millcreek ( a neighborhood of Salt Lake City). The secret is out and this place can get busy in the mornings and they don’t take reservations. Open until 2:00pm, visiting a bit later may get you sat faster. They have Kombucha on tap and Nitro cold coffee, as well a regular coffee and beverages. They have a large variety of omeletes, hash’s , pancakes and such. There is also a lunch menu with sandwiches and salads for those late risers. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available.
Lunch
- Feldmans Deli: This is an authentic Jewish deli. Their specialty is ruben sandwiches. Located in Sugarhouse, next to my favorite plant nursery Cactus and Tropicals. I always stop here for lunch when I’m plant shopping or visiting my daughter who lives nearby. Sandwiches here are huge and can be served with fries and their killer coleslaw. My step daughter reports that this is her favorite coleslaw in the valley. My favorite here is the Trisha which is a turkey ruben with swiss cheese on toasted rye bread. MMMM delish! If a sandwich is a little heavy, I also really like the matzo ball soup. Which comes with a huge matzo ball swimming a a bowl of chicken soup.
- Philadelphian: This place may be a bit controversial. Located in a strip mall in Sandy they serve Philly style sandwiches. This is definitely a hole in the wall place with bare bones tables and chairs. My favorite is to get a turkey sandwich with an order of fried english chips to go. Not much for ambience inside the sandwiches are freshly made and huge. Delicious food , great for a picnic in a local park. This is not a place for vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. Just a good old sandwich shop.
- Oh Mai: Want some good vietnamese pho or bahn mi sandwich in Salt Lake? Look no further. Visited by Guy Fieri on Diner’s Drive in’s and Dives. There are other places for pho but I come here for the bahn mi sandwiches. They have several locations, one downtown, one in South Salt Lake, and the one I have linked located in Holladay (another neighborhood in the Salt Lake Valley). My personal favorite is the honey glazed pork bahn mi. It comes with all the veggie fixin’s and cilantro with delicous pork. Other options to try include the cold cuts, a more traditional style bahn mi with pork head cheese, jamon, and pork pate.
Dinner
- Localz Bistro: Located in Sandy this Southern food restaurant is fun and delicious. My partner, and I love to go here for a casual date night that’s close to home. Salt Lake doesn’t have a huge selection of southern food to choose from so we take what we can get. I love the low country shrimp and grits here, while my partner, Kole, gets the jambalaya. For starters try the truffle frites or the poutine. for a lighter option try the house salad that is topped with a handful of fried onion crisps on top. They also have a po’ boy sandwich that is good. They do serve beer, wines and spirits for those who like to indulge a little on date night. Vegetarian and gluten free options available.
- Finca Tapas : Last year Kole and I went to Spain. This spanish tapas restaurant is our local go to place for a tapas date night, when we want a taste of Spain. There are 2 locations of this local restaurant. One downtown on Regent St. and one in the 15th and 15th neighborhood. Tapas include jamon serrano (no iberico jamon sadly) crab salad, croquetas, our favorite datiles. Datiles are dates wrapped in bacon, stuffed with blue cheese and drizzled with honey, perfection! Reservations are recommended as it is hard to get seated without one.
- Trio Cafe: Kole and I went on our first date to this local restaurant. There are 2 locations, one on 9th east and 700 south and one in the Cottonwood area. The cottonwood location is nice for an after ski day, date night dinner. My absolute favorite thing to get here is the Rosemary Flatbread. Which comes with goat cheese, roasted red pepper, tomatoes and onions. Pair this with the house salad and house dressing for a well rounded meal. Also try their pizzas and pastas. Carbonara pasta is creamy and delicous. There is vegetarian and vegan options, as well as mary’s chicken with polenta or salads that are gluten free.
- Slackwater Pizza: This pizza place was started in Ogden ( a city about 45 minutes north of Salt Lake city) it now has locations in downtown SLC and in Draper near the southtown mall. They have the most creative pizza topping combonations. There are vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free pizza crust options for my friends with dietary restrictions. Try the grape and gorg pizza, that comes topped with grapes bursting with juiciness, dotted with gorgonzola cheese and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. They also have a hot honey pepperoni pizza and a Greek gyro pizza. Seriously creative and delicious. If you aren’t in the mood for pizza they also have a large selection of sandwiches and salads. They do serve a wide variety of beers as well.
- Manolis: Owned by a local greek family, this date night Greek tapas restaurant is divine. Service is always great and the food is on point. Try the scallops with citrus ouzo vinegrette or the dolmades ( stuffed grape leaves) Gluten free, vegetarian options are available.
- Porcupine Pub and Grill: This one is for you skiers and snowboarders visiting the area for our greatest snow on earth. Located at the bottom of Big Cottonwood canyon, this is a popular spot to eat after a long day on the slopes. I love their roasted veggie flatbread with goat cheese, their ceasar salad with blackened chicken and their calamari appetizer. They have a decent selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and entrees. They also have beer on tap for apres drinks.
- Mint Tapas and Sushi: This next place is a fun place for asian style tapas and sushi rolls. Located in Sandy and in Sugarhouse. Prices are reasonable and the food is delicious. Reservations available however you dont’ usually need them for the Sandy location. I always get the shishito peppers, pork belly and lamb lollipops for starters. Followed by sushi of course. Sushi rolls are creative include rolls like the Earth roll, for vegetarians/vegans with green apple, avocado and lemon slices. The Luna roll with tempura shrimp and strawberries is fresh and crisp. Try them out!
Special Occasion Spots
- Log Haven: Kole and I went here for a Christmas work party and it was divine. This is not your everyday date night restaurant, but one for special occasions. Proposals, anniversaries and birthdays are popular reasons to dine in here. Located up Millcreek canyon, there is an onsite waterfall and outdoor patio. This is a popular spot for weddings in the warmer months as well. Such a gorgeous restaurant with an elevated log cabin look. The steak here cuts like a hot knife through butter! Consistently rated the most romantic restaurant in Salt Lake. The menu changes seasonally so check out the link for the latest menu options. Reservations are a must
- Francks: Francks is another great special occasion restaurant. The menu changes seasonally but they do have some options that are always available. The Francks Meatloaf is delish! It is an elevated meatloaf with confit blueberries on top (sounds weird but it totally works). Seasonal fish options are always a good bet. Wine and beer available. Reservations are highly reccomended. Vegetarian/Pescatarian options available. This restaurant has also won local awards.
- Cafe Madrid: This is another great special occasion restaurant in Holladay. Spanish tapas reign supreme here. They also serve lunch for a less expensive option and a weekend brunch that I haven’t tried out yet. For dinner try the paella, with a handful of tapas. The croquetas taste authentic, compared to the croquetas we had in actual Spain. I love love love their roasted brussel sprouts finished with parmesan cheese and a balsamic reduction. They also have a jamon serrano and spanish cheese plate. Reservations highly recommended for dinner.
If you find yourself in Boulder, Utah this is a must eat! Seriously, if you are within 50 miles of this place, you have to take a detour to eat here. Boulder, Utah is about 250 miles south of Salt Lake City. Near the popular Lower Calf creek falls hike.
- Hell’s Backbone Grill: This restaurant is women owned, and uses local produce and meat. They own their own farm and grow the produce used at the restaurant. Seriously so cool. Open seasonally during the Spring-Fall season only. Closed in Winter. This restaurant has won all kinds of awards. Foods here divine. Try the award winning house salad, the biscuits or the popular Jenchiladas. A version of enchiladas created by one of the owners Jen, can be prepared vegetarian or with locally procured beef. The owners have supported local ranchers and farmers from their inception. I own 2 of the cookbooks written by the owners/chefs and love them.
I hope this gives you some ideas of places to eat. I am a self proclaimed foodie and love to plan my vacations around great local restaurants. I hope if you are visiting Salt Lake City that you will try out some of these spots. All of them are tried and true locations and most of them have a local following, or have won some kind of recognition or award.
Happy Eating!
Love Becky
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