There are a lot of things to love about Salt Lake City—especially its food scene. From award-winning restaurants to funky food trucks and everything in between, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat here. Whether you’re looking for something casual or upscale, spicy or sweet, somewhere with a view or a hidden gem tucked away, SLC has it all. And with so many restaurants packed into such a small downtown area, the competition is fierce — meaning you’ll never be at risk of getting bored with the options.With so many excellent dining establishments to choose from and more opening seemingly every day, it can be difficult knowing which ones are worth your time. To help make things a little easier on you and assist you in coming up with new ideas for future meals out, we’ve compiled this list of The 10 Best Places to Eat in Salt Lake City (In No Particular Order).
Dining By Neighborhood
Downtown & City Creek – A great place to start your dining journey in SLC is in the heart of downtown. With so many options to choose from, you’ll have your work cut out for you deciding where to go first. For some upscale dining, try SALT, Copper common, or The Firehouse. If you’re looking for a steakhouse, try Fogo De Chao or Granite Steakhouse. For Asian fusion, Sam sounds or Yamo is a great choice. For delicious burgers and a great view of the city, try the rooftop at Burgers and Bourbon.For dessert, don’t miss out on the world famous macarons at the SLC location of Macaroon Boutique. And for a fun, casual meal with a side of shopping, check out City Creek Center for some great restaurants with a view, including Shake Shack, R&R’s Car Wash & Diner, and Crepes Bonaparte.
Central City – With a handful of authentic Chinese restaurants, you can’t go wrong with Chinatown. For Szechuan egg rolls and lo mein, try Spices Asian Eatery. If you’re feeling in the mood for some authentic spicy dumplings, head to Great Wall. For something a little milder, try Hunan. And for a unique take on Chinese food, try the Hot Pot at House of Hot Pot.East SLC – If you’re in the mood for some Southern goodness, head to East SLC. Two popular spots worth checking out are The Red Rabbit and Down South, both of which are sure to satisfy any comfort food cravings. foothills – If you’re in the mood for some Asian fusion, head to the foothills and check out Pan Asian Kitchen. For Asian-inspired tacos and burritos, try Asian Fusion Food Truck. For Hawaiian-inspired seafood, try Sushi Axiom. For some Asian and Hawaiian fusion, try Kata Robata. University District – If you’re near the university, you’ll find a variety of different restaurants, including Jethro’s. For a taste of Italy, try Caffe Torino. For some delicious Asian fusion, go to Izakaya. And for some really good tacos, try Lucha Libre.
Baked Goods & Breakfast
Sugar House Bakery & Café – If you’re craving all things sweet, head to Sugar House Bakery & Café. This cozy cafe is known for their delicious pastries and baked goods, including twists, tarts, eclairs, and macarons.Butterfly Café – For a great breakfast or brunch, try the Butterfly Café. The menu here is big, with all sorts of breakfast and brunch classics like omelettes, pancakes, and French toast, as well as more exotic items like huevos rancheros and French crepes.Cafe Impossible – For a fresh and healthy breakfast or brunch, try Cafe Impossible. This restaurant sources its ingredients locally, meaning everything is super fresh. You can create your own dish, or go with one of their popular menu items.
Citizens
Little Sugar SLC – If you’re craving something sweet and you’re in Sugar House, check out Little Sugar SLC. As the name suggests, this is an adorable little bakery specializing in (you guessed it) sweets — think cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods.City Cakes – Want something a little more unique? Then head to City Cakes. This funky and colorful bakery is known for its creative and colorful cakes and other baked goods, like the Unicorn Doughnut and the Pink Flamingo.The Pie Peddler – If you’re a pie lover, you’ll want to check out The Pie Peddler. This funky and colorful cafe is famous for its deliciously creative (and often quirky) pies, as well as its other baked goods like cookies and brownies.
Cozy Bowls & Bowl Food
Silk Road Café – Craving Asian comfort food? Then you’ll want to check out Silk Road Café, a popular Asian-inspired noodle joint. Here, you’ll find a wide range of noodles, like the classic Pad Thai and spicy Singapore Noodles, as well as a variety of rice bowls, including the Hawaiian Volcano Bowl, which is topped with teriyaki chicken, avocado, onions, and pineapple.Chow Urban Bowl – For even more Asian-inspired rice bowls, try Chow Urban Bowl. This popular joint offers dishes like the Spicy Fish Bowl, made with fried fish, spicy sauce, avocado, edamame, and cilantro, and the Vegetable Buddha Bowl, made with brown rice, roasted vegetables, tofu, and peanut sauce.
Ethnic Fare
Hoppers Haus – If you’re craving some authentic German food, head to Hoppers Haus. This restaurant is known for its sausages, German-style beers, and German potato salad.The Pie Hole – Craving Italian? Then head to The Pie Hole, a popular Italian-inspired pizza and pasta joint, where everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients.The Red Iguana – Craving Mexican? Then you’ll want to check out The Red Iguana. This restaurant offers traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, tortas, and casseroles.
Fine Dining
Farmhaus – For a casual yet elegant meal, try Farmhaus, a Western-themed casual fine dining restaurant serving American dishes with a Southern flair. If you’re in the mood for a steak, you won’t be disappointed — their steaks are some of the best in the city.Spice Kitchen – Looking for some Indian cuisine? Then head to Spice Kitchen. This popular Indian restaurant serves authentic Indian dishes like tandoori chicken and vegetarian curries, as well as vegetarian-friendly items like naan and samosas.Zameen – Zameen is a popular Indian restaurant located in the city’s historic Sugar House neighborhood. This Indian restaurant serves up traditional Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and palak paneer, as well as vegetarian dishes, like chana masala, aloo gobi, and saag paneer.
Pizza Goodness
Fratelli’s – Craving Italian? Then you’ll want to try Fratelli’s, an Italian-inspired pizza, pasta, and sandwich restaurant. Here, you’ll find a variety of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads.Pizzelelli – For some New York-style pizza, try Pizzelelli, a New York-style pizza joint. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of pizzas, calzones, and other Italian dishes.
Wrapping Up
There are many reasons to visit Salt Lake City, but one that often gets overlooked is the city’s food scene. While there are many excellent dining establishments in any city, the ones in SLC have something extra special about them — a unique charm that makes them stand out from the rest. It’s this charm that makes eating out in SLC so enjoyable and memorable.Whether you’re craving Southern comfort food, Asian-inspired noodles and rice bowls, Italian-inspired pizza and pasta, or traditional Indian fare, SLC has something for everyone. So, when you’re next in SLC, don’t forget to explore the city’s diverse food scene.