Guidebook for Salt Lake City
Food Scene
higher-end, quality food. It's a bit pricier but they have very good dishes with a casual atmosphere. And it's a 5-minute walk!
29 residents recomanen
Provisions
3364 S 2300 Ehigher-end, quality food. It's a bit pricier but they have very good dishes with a casual atmosphere. And it's a 5-minute walk!
Excellent food. They only do breakfast/brunch, but well worth it, especially when it's only a 5-minute walk from the house.
Expect a wait on weekends - it's a well-known brunch spot amongst the hipster crowd.
49 residents recomanen
Roots Cafe
3474 S 2300 EExcellent food. They only do breakfast/brunch, but well worth it, especially when it's only a 5-minute walk from the house.
Expect a wait on weekends - it's a well-known brunch spot amongst the hipster crowd.
Awesome little bakery, specializes in British pastries. I know the owner and she used to be a chef at a Michelin star restaurant in London and a pastry chef. Not a huge selection, but whatever you get there will be delicious.
The Baking Hive
3362 S 2300 EAwesome little bakery, specializes in British pastries. I know the owner and she used to be a chef at a Michelin star restaurant in London and a pastry chef. Not a huge selection, but whatever you get there will be delicious.
Best Indian food in Utah - hands down. There are other good places, but Bombay House is the best. Long wait times on weekends in the evening. Each plate will be around $12 - $18.
103 residents recomanen
Bombay House
2731 E Parleys WayBest Indian food in Utah - hands down. There are other good places, but Bombay House is the best. Long wait times on weekends in the evening. Each plate will be around $12 - $18.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Utah and most locals agree as well. Their moles are fantastic. If I had to recommend only one place to eat in Utah, this would be it.
It's been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and most locals know about this place - so it's a long wait most nights and especially weekends. I like to go late (around 8:30-9pm) so the wait is pretty short and they're open until 11pm.
It's a cool scene too. And reasonably priced. Totally worth it.
242 residents recomanen
Red Iguana
736 W North TempleMy favorite Mexican restaurant in Utah and most locals agree as well. Their moles are fantastic. If I had to recommend only one place to eat in Utah, this would be it.
It's been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and most locals know about this place - so it's a long wait most nights and especially weekends. I like to go late (around 8:30-9pm) so the wait is pretty short and they're open until 11pm.
It's a cool scene too. And reasonably priced. Totally worth it.
This isn't "authentic" Mexican food by any means but it is super tasty. It's a Utah-based franchise - when I lived outside of Utah, this was easily one of my top restaurants I missed.
Sweet pork smothered burrito or the sweet pork salad are the two staples to get here.
It's relatively cheap, and quick (fast-casual - so no waiter service, you just order at a counter). I recommend this place to almost everyone visiting. Be prepared for long lines around dinner-time. The nearby high-school kids love this place.
133 residents recomanen
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
6973 S 1300 EThis isn't "authentic" Mexican food by any means but it is super tasty. It's a Utah-based franchise - when I lived outside of Utah, this was easily one of my top restaurants I missed.
Sweet pork smothered burrito or the sweet pork salad are the two staples to get here.
It's relatively cheap, and quick (fast-casual - so no waiter service, you just order at a counter). I recommend this place to almost everyone visiting. Be prepared for long lines around dinner-time. The nearby high-school kids love this place.
So this place is not well-known at all but is as authentic Mexican/Central American food as you can get. And it's good and cheap. It's owned by a family that lives there and almost all of the customers are from Central America too. The restaurant is also part-store with imported goods.
They have black mole tamales (central american style wrapped in banana leaf) that are good and $5. They've also got some really interesting variations of horchata.
I'm not saying this is everyone's cup of tea - but if you're looking for authentic food at a great value off the beaten-path (in an ugly strip mall area of State Street), this is it.
La Oaxaqueña
1460 South State StreetSo this place is not well-known at all but is as authentic Mexican/Central American food as you can get. And it's good and cheap. It's owned by a family that lives there and almost all of the customers are from Central America too. The restaurant is also part-store with imported goods.
They have black mole tamales (central american style wrapped in banana leaf) that are good and $5. They've also got some really interesting variations of horchata.
I'm not saying this is everyone's cup of tea - but if you're looking for authentic food at a great value off the beaten-path (in an ugly strip mall area of State Street), this is it.
It's hard to say but this could be in my top 3 overall restaurants in Utah. Everyone should visit this place when they come here - and I'm not just saying that :) Especially since it's so close to the house.
My favorite go-to place for pho (vietnamese beef/noodle soup - which is perfect for cold, winter days), the panang curry is great and spicy (the more heat, the more flavor!), the vermicelli noodles are always a solid choice, and the banh mi sandwiches are cheap and tasty.
The atmosphere is great, the food is delicious and the price is low. Stop reading this and just go here!
29 residents recomanen
Oh Mai South Salt Lake
3425 S State StIt's hard to say but this could be in my top 3 overall restaurants in Utah. Everyone should visit this place when they come here - and I'm not just saying that :) Especially since it's so close to the house.
My favorite go-to place for pho (vietnamese beef/noodle soup - which is perfect for cold, winter days), the panang curry is great and spicy (the more heat, the more flavor!), the vermicelli noodles are always a solid choice, and the banh mi sandwiches are cheap and tasty.
The atmosphere is great, the food is delicious and the price is low. Stop reading this and just go here!
This has become one of my favorite Thai restaurant in Salt Lake (and honestly, as good as any I've had anywhere else outside of Thailand).
Family-run out of their house - it's not the most impressive setting - but that's often a good sign for me.
They run their spiciness levels very high! so beware - but wow, it is tasty. I get the panang curry often because it's so good. But massaman curry is great and Pad Prikh King too. Whatever you order will be good and a very reasonable price.
17 residents recomanen
Tea Rose Diner
65 E 5th AveThis has become one of my favorite Thai restaurant in Salt Lake (and honestly, as good as any I've had anywhere else outside of Thailand).
Family-run out of their house - it's not the most impressive setting - but that's often a good sign for me.
They run their spiciness levels very high! so beware - but wow, it is tasty. I get the panang curry often because it's so good. But massaman curry is great and Pad Prikh King too. Whatever you order will be good and a very reasonable price.
Good Italian restaurant that is reasonably priced. I like their gnocchi.
13 residents recomanen
Per Noi Trattoria
3005 Highland DrGood Italian restaurant that is reasonably priced. I like their gnocchi.
Excellent quality Italian food, especially for the price. It's honestly just about as good as some of the higher-end Italian joints around town. Their signature dish is a carbonara pasta that they cook in a gigantic flaming cheese wheel done table-side - it's worth it just for the experience alone.
Also - their pastry desserts are super good. Sometimes I just go in to grab a pastry to go.
You will probably have to make reservations though
16 residents recomanen
Sicilia Mia
4536 Highland DrExcellent quality Italian food, especially for the price. It's honestly just about as good as some of the higher-end Italian joints around town. Their signature dish is a carbonara pasta that they cook in a gigantic flaming cheese wheel done table-side - it's worth it just for the experience alone.
Also - their pastry desserts are super good. Sometimes I just go in to grab a pastry to go.
You will probably have to make reservations though
This is a chocolate shop run by a family of dwarves. They have cool paintings of themselves being rained on by chocolate. It's a fun place to grab a rich hot chocolate on a cold night if you're near the downtown area. It's a fun place to check out.
28 residents recomanen
Hatch Family Chocolates
376 8th AveThis is a chocolate shop run by a family of dwarves. They have cool paintings of themselves being rained on by chocolate. It's a fun place to grab a rich hot chocolate on a cold night if you're near the downtown area. It's a fun place to check out.
Authentic Italian cafe / lunch spot / store. They import a lot of cool/unique foods - some of the best selection of imported chocolate in Utah. Great place to grab lunch. It's in a newly built part of town too
23 residents recomanen
Caputo's Market & Deli Holladay
4670 S 2300 EAuthentic Italian cafe / lunch spot / store. They import a lot of cool/unique foods - some of the best selection of imported chocolate in Utah. Great place to grab lunch. It's in a newly built part of town too
Excellent wood-fired pizza and great pasta. If you're looking for a nicer pizza place that's a 3-minute drive, this is a great option.
8 residents recomanen
Nuch's Pizzeria and Restaurant
2819 S 2300 EExcellent wood-fired pizza and great pasta. If you're looking for a nicer pizza place that's a 3-minute drive, this is a great option.
Cool. Hip. Trendy. $5-overpriced tacos.
It's got a cool, fun environment - which means you're going to pay a bit more for it. But it's still a nice place that sells fancier tacos and good cocktails.
60 residents recomanen
Taqueria 27
4670 Holladay Blvd ECool. Hip. Trendy. $5-overpriced tacos.
It's got a cool, fun environment - which means you're going to pay a bit more for it. But it's still a nice place that sells fancier tacos and good cocktails.
This is as fun, dive-bar, college atmosphere as you get. It's been a local-favorite on the University of Utah campus for decades. Live music on weekends too.
Really good (but heavy!) pizza for good price. And cheap beer! ($1 PBRs - it is a college joint after all) as well as draft.
There's a closer location to the house - but it's worth the atmosphere to drive a small bit farther to eat here.
79 residents recomanen
The Pie Pizzeria - Underground
1320 E 200 SThis is as fun, dive-bar, college atmosphere as you get. It's been a local-favorite on the University of Utah campus for decades. Live music on weekends too.
Really good (but heavy!) pizza for good price. And cheap beer! ($1 PBRs - it is a college joint after all) as well as draft.
There's a closer location to the house - but it's worth the atmosphere to drive a small bit farther to eat here.
it's a chain bakery close by - they have daily baked bread, good pumpkin chocolate chip bread, cinnamon rolls/bread, and some of my favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Nice little cafe area to hang out in too
11 residents recomanen
Great Harvest Bread Co. - Holladay
4655 S 2300 Eit's a chain bakery close by - they have daily baked bread, good pumpkin chocolate chip bread, cinnamon rolls/bread, and some of my favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Nice little cafe area to hang out in too
Ekamai Thai
1405 E 2100 SReally good Thai food, one of my favorites in the Salt Lake area.
Fantastic and authentic Mexican tacos at good prices in an unfortunately ugly strip mall area. The birria is amazing.
Gordo's Tacos and Beer
Fantastic and authentic Mexican tacos at good prices in an unfortunately ugly strip mall area. The birria is amazing.
Really good American/Contemporary restaurant, a little bit on the higher-end of Utah food scene. It's downtown and next door to Broadway Theatre Cinemas (which is a cool, indie-film theater).
Definitely worth eating here - you might need reservations on a weekend.
152 residents recomanen
The Copper Onion
111 E BroadwayReally good American/Contemporary restaurant, a little bit on the higher-end of Utah food scene. It's downtown and next door to Broadway Theatre Cinemas (which is a cool, indie-film theater).
Definitely worth eating here - you might need reservations on a weekend.
One of chef Viet Pham's (Iron Chef winner and winner of tons of awards) specialty restaurants that serves one dish and serves it awesome at a great price: Nashville style hot chicken!
So good - I eat here (or takeout) a few times a month.
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken, Sugarhouse
One of chef Viet Pham's (Iron Chef winner and winner of tons of awards) specialty restaurants that serves one dish and serves it awesome at a great price: Nashville style hot chicken!
So good - I eat here (or takeout) a few times a month.
Arguably the best burger in Salt Lake. Dive-bar setting right next to the Smith's Ballpark, if you're in the mood for a good, giant burger, this place is worth it.
106 residents recomanen
Lucky 13
135 W 1300 SArguably the best burger in Salt Lake. Dive-bar setting right next to the Smith's Ballpark, if you're in the mood for a good, giant burger, this place is worth it.
Unique, Africa/Mediterranean style, health-food restaurant (they do serve buffalo and fish, despite their name) with very high quality food. It's a bit pricier ($20 - $40 per plate), but totally worth going to. The owner is usually there chatting with people and it's in a great location looking over the valley away from downtown crowds.
39 residents recomanen
Rawtopia Living Cuisine and Beyond
3961 S Wasatch DrUnique, Africa/Mediterranean style, health-food restaurant (they do serve buffalo and fish, despite their name) with very high quality food. It's a bit pricier ($20 - $40 per plate), but totally worth going to. The owner is usually there chatting with people and it's in a great location looking over the valley away from downtown crowds.
Awesome, "locals only" style authentic breakfast/brunch diner a block away from the house. Exactly what you'd expect from a diner and great prices. It's really crowded on weekends (usually local high school kids are there), but if you can go on a weekday, it's worth it.
16 residents recomanen
Over the Counter Cafe
2343 E 3300 SAwesome, "locals only" style authentic breakfast/brunch diner a block away from the house. Exactly what you'd expect from a diner and great prices. It's really crowded on weekends (usually local high school kids are there), but if you can go on a weekday, it's worth it.
This is totally worth eating at if you're visiting to get a nice Canyon setting. Good food, great venue up Emigration Canyon (also next to a brewing company and coffee shop). You may want to check for reservations since it's smaller and can fill up quick.
156 residents recomanen
Ruth's Diner
4160 Emigration Canyon RdThis is totally worth eating at if you're visiting to get a nice Canyon setting. Good food, great venue up Emigration Canyon (also next to a brewing company and coffee shop). You may want to check for reservations since it's smaller and can fill up quick.
Michelin-caliber without the actual star, higher-end restaurant that stands out in Salt Lake's food scene. Salt Lake isn't at the top of the world's food chain, but this place feels more like it, if that's what you're looking for and willing to pay.
Cool atmosphere with a great view of downtown, going around sunset is always good, if possible.
Mar Muntanya
Michelin-caliber without the actual star, higher-end restaurant that stands out in Salt Lake's food scene. Salt Lake isn't at the top of the world's food chain, but this place feels more like it, if that's what you're looking for and willing to pay.
Cool atmosphere with a great view of downtown, going around sunset is always good, if possible.
Parks & Nature
This is one of my favorite go-to hiking spots. It's an easy out-and-back hike, super close and accessible, and you can go as long as you want. Within minutes of the parking lot you're walking in trees and feel like you're out of the city. Once you do a short climb you can also get some good views of Salt Lake City. If you stay towards the western-side of the trails you can find a little cave that you can walk into for about 100 feet too.
35 residents recomanen
Neffs Canyon
4326 White WayThis is one of my favorite go-to hiking spots. It's an easy out-and-back hike, super close and accessible, and you can go as long as you want. Within minutes of the parking lot you're walking in trees and feel like you're out of the city. Once you do a short climb you can also get some good views of Salt Lake City. If you stay towards the western-side of the trails you can find a little cave that you can walk into for about 100 feet too.
Millcreek Canyon is a beautiful canyon that is a 5 minute drive from the house. One of my favorite canyons in Utah for all seasons:
https://slco.org/parks/millcreek-canyon/
Winter: snowshoe desolation trail or dog lake. Cross country ski on the closed road (super easy access).
Spring/Summer: mountain bike pipeline trail (great valley views), great hikes
Fall: some of the best hikes to see Fall colors!
Millcreek Canyon Road
Mill Creek Canyon RoadMillcreek Canyon is a beautiful canyon that is a 5 minute drive from the house. One of my favorite canyons in Utah for all seasons:
https://slco.org/parks/millcreek-canyon/
Winter: snowshoe desolation trail or dog lake. Cross country ski on the closed road (super easy access).
Spring/Summer: mountain bike pipeline trail (great valley views), great hikes
Fall: some of the best hikes to see Fall colors!
This is a great hike in any season. Snowshoeing in winter is fun (the first half is a bit of a climb and will wear you if you're not used to elevation).
Really pretty hike in the summer.
Willow Lake
This is a great hike in any season. Snowshoeing in winter is fun (the first half is a bit of a climb and will wear you if you're not used to elevation).
Really pretty hike in the summer.
Nice, easy hike. Good views of aspens. It's at the junction between SLC and Park City. Closed in winter
11 residents recomanen
Bloods Lake
Nice, easy hike. Good views of aspens. It's at the junction between SLC and Park City. Closed in winter
really nice hike to do in the Summer located at Alta resort. It can be pretty crowded on weekends - lots of people go with families.
6 residents recomanen
Cecret Lake from Albion Base Trailhead
really nice hike to do in the Summer located at Alta resort. It can be pretty crowded on weekends - lots of people go with families.
One of the best hikes in the Salt Lake area. Easy hike for all ages and payout is a cool waterfall that you can hike under. This draws large crowds on weekends for obvious reasons, but it's worth going to.
73 residents recomanen
Donut Falls Trailhead
One of the best hikes in the Salt Lake area. Easy hike for all ages and payout is a cool waterfall that you can hike under. This draws large crowds on weekends for obvious reasons, but it's worth going to.
Really nice park nestled up between downtown and the Capitol building. Dog walkers/joggers/bikers all frequent this year round. Really pretty in Fall when the colors turn but it's pretty anytime (I've gone for very small/easy hikes there in Winter,Summer,Fall, Spring)
152 residents recomanen
Parc Memory Grove
300 N Canyon RdReally nice park nestled up between downtown and the Capitol building. Dog walkers/joggers/bikers all frequent this year round. Really pretty in Fall when the colors turn but it's pretty anytime (I've gone for very small/easy hikes there in Winter,Summer,Fall, Spring)
great park if you want to spend time there. Close to a bunch of restaurants and shops as well.
197 residents recomanen
Sugar House Park
1330 2100 Sgreat park if you want to spend time there. Close to a bunch of restaurants and shops as well.
One of the more popular destinations for people visiting Utah. It's worth a good day trip. There are some cool hikes and a farm you can visit.
Antelope Island State Park, Utah, Estats Units d'Amèrica
One of the more popular destinations for people visiting Utah. It's worth a good day trip. There are some cool hikes and a farm you can visit.
an interesting art installation in the middle of nowhere by the great salt lake. It's kind of far to get to and depending on the water level of the lake it can be covered or totally dry.
39 residents recomanen
Espiral Jetty
an interesting art installation in the middle of nowhere by the great salt lake. It's kind of far to get to and depending on the water level of the lake it can be covered or totally dry.
Super easy drive (or walk) to a view of the Salt Lake Valley over the Capitol building. Nice place for a sunset.
125 residents recomanen
Ensign Peak
Super easy drive (or walk) to a view of the Salt Lake Valley over the Capitol building. Nice place for a sunset.
Essentials
solid grocery store. i prefer this to most others due to convenience and quality
47 residents recomanen
Smith's Marketplace
3215 S Valley Stsolid grocery store. i prefer this to most others due to convenience and quality
super close grocery store for basics. It's not my favorite (i prefer smith's), it's kind of older and doesn't have as much - but it will have your basics.
Fresh Market
3865 S 2300 Esuper close grocery store for basics. It's not my favorite (i prefer smith's), it's kind of older and doesn't have as much - but it will have your basics.
Whole Foods Market
544 S 700 EIt's your local Whole Foods. Hooray
Mexican market that has the best produce (after Whole Foods) at by far the cheapest prices.
Rancho Markets #7
Mexican market that has the best produce (after Whole Foods) at by far the cheapest prices.
Hands down best meats in Salt Lake, if you're into cooking yourself. It's a butcher that specializes in lamb cuts. They have a daily lunch special that are all great. Only open Thursday - Sunday.
6 residents recomanen
Beltex Meats
511 E 900 SHands down best meats in Salt Lake, if you're into cooking yourself. It's a butcher that specializes in lamb cuts. They have a daily lunch special that are all great. Only open Thursday - Sunday.
Shopping
cool little second-hand/vintage shop - it's connected to Roots Cafe - so you can browse around while you wait to be seated for breakfast/brunch.
Old Flamingo
3474 S 2300 Ecool little second-hand/vintage shop - it's connected to Roots Cafe - so you can browse around while you wait to be seated for breakfast/brunch.
Newest (higher-end) mall in the heart of downtown and part of Temple Square. Pretty touristy with a bunch of retail shops.
621 residents recomanen
City Creek Center
50 S Main StNewest (higher-end) mall in the heart of downtown and part of Temple Square. Pretty touristy with a bunch of retail shops.
Kind of a local's secret type of place - but some people from out of town seek this place out for it's cool, unique vintage/used clothes that aren't totally picked over.
If you're a hipster, this is worth a visit.
7 residents recomanen
Decades Vintage Clothing
627 State StKind of a local's secret type of place - but some people from out of town seek this place out for it's cool, unique vintage/used clothes that aren't totally picked over.
If you're a hipster, this is worth a visit.
Arts & Culture
Good natural history museum with focus on Native American Southwest
281 residents recomanen
Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara WayGood natural history museum with focus on Native American Southwest
smaller museum with specialized exhibits that change every few months.
157 residents recomanen
Museu Leonardo
209 E 500 Ssmaller museum with specialized exhibits that change every few months.
Sightseeing
You're in Utah - the mecca of Mormonism. Go check out the temple and headquarters of the American religion to get a little more cultured. The whole area has been done up nicely to cater to tourists - and in the heart of downtown. There's actually a world-renowned genealogy center there too.
Talk to some lovely sister missionaries and pick up a free Book of Mormon, then walk 5 minutes to the Eccles Theatre and watch the Book of Mormon musical too!
621 residents recomanen
Plaça del Temple
50 N West TempleYou're in Utah - the mecca of Mormonism. Go check out the temple and headquarters of the American religion to get a little more cultured. The whole area has been done up nicely to cater to tourists - and in the heart of downtown. There's actually a world-renowned genealogy center there too.
Talk to some lovely sister missionaries and pick up a free Book of Mormon, then walk 5 minutes to the Eccles Theatre and watch the Book of Mormon musical too!
Not sure what to say really but this random (free) sculpture garden is fun if you want to see some odd sculptures, like a sphynx with the head of Joseph Smith. It's only worth spending 20-30 minutes but if you've got time to kill and want to get some very unique/local photos, stop on by!
(even many locals don't know about this)
77 residents recomanen
Jardins de Gilgal
749 E 500 SNot sure what to say really but this random (free) sculpture garden is fun if you want to see some odd sculptures, like a sphynx with the head of Joseph Smith. It's only worth spending 20-30 minutes but if you've got time to kill and want to get some very unique/local photos, stop on by!
(even many locals don't know about this)
Drinks & Nightlife
cool, eclectic bar that is a locals-only bar in an up-and-coming part of town (shares kitchen with Laziz Kitchen)
63 residents recomanen
Water Witch
163 W 900 Scool, eclectic bar that is a locals-only bar in an up-and-coming part of town (shares kitchen with Laziz Kitchen)
Purgatory Bar
62 E 700 SFreshly made drinks and cocktails.
Great place for drinks and food. The owners also own White Horse next door so they share their kitchen. Both have great food.
150 residents recomanen
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
323 S Main StGreat place for drinks and food. The owners also own White Horse next door so they share their kitchen. Both have great food.
Good, local bar. I'm not a huge bar scene person, but in my opinion - they have the best food for a bar - and it's a good location downtown
52 residents recomanen
The Green Pig Pub
31 E 400 SGood, local bar. I'm not a huge bar scene person, but in my opinion - they have the best food for a bar - and it's a good location downtown