Salt Lake City offers more than outdoor adventure and scenic drives. It also delivers an impressive food scene filled with restaurants that use local ingredients and reflect the city’s welcoming energy. If you're in town for business, skiing, or family fun, this guide covers some of the best restaurants in Salt Lake City that locals love and visitors always remember.
Fine Dining in Salt Lake City
If you're staying in one of our vacation rentals near downtown Salt Lake City, you’re just minutes away from top-tier dining experiences. The Grand America Hotel area, for example, is home to some of the most elegant restaurants in the city.
Log Haven
Set in the scenic Wasatch forest near Millcreek Canyon, Log Haven offers a peaceful setting and exceptional food. This award-winning restaurant focuses on fresh dishes using quality ingredients. Guests often enjoy meals such as crusted salmon, bison steak, and seared elk while taking in the views of the surrounding mountains. The ambiance makes it popular for romantic dinners and special celebrations.
The Copper Onion
Located just south of downtown Salt Lake, The Copper Onion is a long-standing favorite for locals who appreciate bold flavors and a warm, lively dining room. Dishes like rainbow trout, house meatloaf, and The Copper Onion Burger keep people coming back. It’s an ideal place for a casual yet refined meal.
Valter’s Osteria
Valter's Osteria, founded by the late Valter Nassi, remains a staple in Salt Lake City's fine dining scene. While Valter passed away in 2021, his legacy lives on through the passionate team and authentic Italian cuisine he championed. The menu continues to highlight handmade pastas, rich sauces, and refined service. Guests often return for the lemon gelato with honey and sea salt, making it a memorable treat.
Neighborhood Favorites and Local Gems
Not every memorable meal requires a white tablecloth. Salt Lake is full of casual restaurants that serve up good food with great service and character.
Red Iguana
Known for its colorful murals and signature moles, Red Iguana is a go-to for Mexican food. The portions are generous, and the flavors are bold. Their mole poblano, served over tender chicken or pork, stands out as a local favorite. It's often packed, so plan ahead or visit Red Iguana 2 nearby.
Pretty Bird
This fried chicken spot made waves when it opened, thanks to its flavorful heat and simple menu. Founded by an Iron Chef America winner, Pretty Bird specializes in spicy chicken sandwiches and crispy wings served hot with pickles and creamy slaw. It's casual, quick, and satisfying after a day exploring Salt Lake.
Brunch Spots Worth the Wait
When weekends roll around, locals flock to their favorite brunch spots for eggs, pancakes, and everything in between.
The Park Café
Near Liberty Park, The Park Café serves hearty breakfast plates with a side of friendly service. Their Michigan Hash, loaded with bacon, eggs, and crispy potatoes, is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. Seating fills fast, but the wait is part of the charm.
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
Located on the south end of town, this cheerful spot serves scratch-made biscuits and vibrant limeades in unique flavors. The Hoss, a fried chicken biscuit sandwich topped with egg and sausage gravy, is a customer favorite.
Sushi, Pizza, and Burgers to Satisfy Any Craving
Salt Lake City restaurants cover every craving, including some standout places for pizza, sushi, and burgers.
Takashi
If you're craving sushi, Takashi remains one of the most mentioned spots in town. The fish is flown in fresh, and the rolls are inventive yet balanced. The flank steak melts in your mouth, and the hot starters like calamari and miso soup round out the menu.
Settebello Pizzeria
This pizzeria brings authentic Neapolitan pizza to downtown Salt Lake. Each pizza is cooked in a wood-fired oven imported from Naples. The margherita pizza and prosciutto arugula pizza are both served on perfectly blistered crust. The room feels rustic yet modern.
Crown Burgers
Crown Burgers helped popularize pastrami burgers in Salt Lake City. Their house sauce, thick-cut fries, and piled-high patties make it a must-try for first-time visitors. It’s not fancy, but it is delicious.
Local Drinks and Dessert
Utah’s craft beverage and dessert scene keeps growing, with new bakeries and breweries joining the mix regularly.
Avenues Proper
This neighborhood brewpub offers small-batch beers and chef-prepared meals in a relaxed environment. The Proper Burger pairs well with their artisan brews. Locals often stop in for lunch or drinks with friends after work.
Normal Ice Cream
Don’t let the name fool you. Normal Ice Cream delivers extraordinary flavors. You can find their signature cones at their downtown storefront or from their roaming truck. Options like lemon berry or tropical vacay make it easy to see why they have a loyal following.
Dining Near Your Salt Lake Vacation Rental
Many of our Salt Lake City vacation homes are close to downtown or Cottonwood Heights, placing you near some of the best restaurants in the area. After a day spent hiking, skiing, or sightseeing, having access to great food nearby makes your stay even better. Several restaurants listed above also offer takeout, perfect for enjoying a meal at your rental around the dining table with family or friends.
Why Vacation Rentals Make Dining Even Better
When you stay with Utah's Best Vacation Rentals, you have the luxury of space, comfort, and flexibility. Many of our homes come with gourmet kitchens, private hot tubs, outdoor dining areas, and cozy living rooms where you can relax after a long day out. Having a kitchen lets you enjoy leftovers from your favorite Salt Lake City restaurants or prepare breakfast before heading out to explore.
Our guests also receive exclusive local dining discounts and personalized recommendations from our guest services team. If you're planning a romantic weekend or family getaway, your experience dining in Salt Lake will be one to remember.
Start planning your trip today and discover why so many guests fall in love with both the food and the feel of Salt Lake City. With the right home base, every meal, every dish, and every gathering becomes more memorable.
