23rd Street Cafe
Meticulously made coffee in a space that’s more about music and poetry than laptops and cellphones.
25 N Main Street25 Main Cafe and Cake Parlor
With funky artwork, hip design and a cupcake following, this coffee/lunch place could be right at home in Silver Lake or Soho, but it's in the middle of St. George. We're so glad!
350 Main Street 350 Main
Chef Michael LeClerc infuses originality into classic French cuisine -at this ideal people-watching site. The Menu de Santé features vitamin and antioxidant-rich entrées alongside more traditional grilled steak with pommes frites and venison medallions with cranberry conserve.
1500 Kearns Blvd.Adolph's
Park City locals believe the steak sandwich is the best in town. You’ll also find classic continental dishes like wiener schnitzel, rack of lamb and steak Diane flambéed right at your table. More modern palates will enjoy the Ahi tuna sashimi.
Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird, UTThe Canyons
801-933-2160
http://www.snowbird.co...
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Aerie
Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, diners can marvel at nature’s magnificent handiwork while feasting from the sushi bar. The menu is global, and the scene is lively—with live music some nights.
22 E 100 South, SLCAhh Sushi! O'Shucks
Rice paper screens, private booths and rough rock walls create a cozy atmosphere. Chef Zu Horng's menu features all the classic sushi, plus a few trendy combos. Try the Asian "tapas" and, on Wednesdays, take advantage of $3 sushi rolls, sake and schooners. Then there's the beer bar side of things, which accounts for the peanuts.
Resort Village, Sundial Building, North of the CabrioletPark City
435-615-4828
http://www.thecanyons....
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Alpine House at Canyons
Alpine House has a lot of separate mini-ambiences for its size: ikat-covered wing chairs near a fireplace, a deluxe carved picnic table, an intimate banquette, and a bar, all lit by a bank of windows looking out over the plaza. The menu is short: a fantastic tomato soup, jazzed up with coconut and garnished with eggplant croutons. Caesar pizza was slicked with alfredo and plenty of parm, topped with white anchovies and roasted garlic cloves, with chopped romaine and croutons tossed on top. And for the big finish, a couple of brilliant desserts: deep dish blueberry cobbler with ice cream and baked apricots topped with meringue cream and lime zest, each served simply in a deep bowl. There’s nothing cozier than eating out of a bowl. Resort Village, Sundial Building, North of the Cabriolet, Park City, 435-615-4828
208 East 500 SouthAmore by Cannella's
A pizza-only off shoot of the neighborhood Italian spot; you can buy it by the slice.
535 W 400 NArella's
Chic pizza in Bountiful. Arella's pies appeal to pizza purists, traditionalists and adventurers, with wood-fired crusts and toppings that range from caramelized pear to jalapeno.
224 S. 1300 East, SLCAristo's
The best of local Greek eateries is also one of the city’s best restaurants, period. Fare ranges from Greek greatest hits like gyros and skordalia to Cretan dishes like the chicken braised with okra.
488 E. 100 SouthAsian Isle
This place probably does as much takeout as full-service business—traffic is heavy, but the dining room is tiny. The diner gets to mix and match proteins and sauces for the stir-fries; there is also a list of pan-Asian noodle dishes.
7588 S Union Park Avenue, MidvaleAsian Star
The (surprisingly brief) menu is not frighteningly authentic or disturbingly Americanized. Dishes tend to be chef-driven and Chef James seems most comfortable in the melting pot.
564 E. Third AvenueAvenues Bistro
In a tiny antique storefront, the place is a paeon to Utah, adorned with original tiles and Kathie Chadbourne's personal and impressive rock collection. The well-edited menu works for brunch, lunch and dinner. Try the Utah trout.
Park City Resort Center 1284 Lowell AvenuePark City
435-649-2252
http://www.bajaparkcit...
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Baja Cantina
The T.J. Taxi is a flour tortilla stuffed with chicken, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, cheddar-jack cheese and guacamole. Chimichangas and big burritos are also popular.
202 S. Main Street Salt Lake CityBambara
Bambara is hip urban chic, casual and comfortable upscale American bistro dining; bringing a sophisticated, yet approachable element to Salt Lake City’s dining scene. Chef Nathan Powers makes decisions about food based on sustainability and the belief that good food should be available to everybody. At his "Powers" lunch, soup or salad, entree and dessert costs $13.
255 South Main St.Beehive Grill
An indirect offshoot of Moab Brewery, the Grill focuses as much on house-brewed root beer as alcoholic suds, but the generally hefty food suits either.
128 S. Main Street, SLCBeerhive
A great downtown beer bar with great food as well. Don’t forget about it.
258 25th StreetBistro 258
Everything from burgers served on ciabatta bread to bargain-priced rice bowls at lunch, to the evening’s California Ahi Stack, a tall cylinder of tuna, crab, avocado, rice and mango salsa.
412 Main St.Bistro 412
The coziness and the low wine markups make you want to sit and sip. The menu features a lot of Thai-influenced flavors, but mainstays here are classic French favorites like beef bourguignon and steak au poivre.
1251 Kearns Blvd. Blind Dog Grill
The kitchen offers imaginative selections even though the dark wood and cozy ambience look like an old gentlemen’s club. Don’t miss the Dreamloaf, served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes.
1235 Warm Springs Road, MidwayBlue Boar Inn
The restaurant is reminiscent of the Alps. For dinner, try the mushroom tart in puff pastry with red wine sauce, and the lobster and corn ravioli in smoky tomato sauce. Don’t miss the award-winning brunch.
55 W. South TempleBlue Lemon
Downtown in City Creek, Blue lemon's roots are in Highland, but you'd never know it. The sleek interior and high-concept food have city style. Informal but chic, many-flavored but healthy, Blue lemon's unique take on food and service is a happy change from downtown's usual.
2041 South 2100 EastBlue Plate Diner
Formica tables, linoleum floors, Elvis kitsch and tunes on the jukebox make this an all-American fave in the neighborhood. Reasonably priced dishes including pancakes, patty melts and chicken-fried steak in sausage gravy over mashed potatoes and burgers are comfort food at its best.
94 E. Fort Union Blvd.Bohemian Brewery & Grill
Whether you're dining on the patio in summer or next to one of the stone fireplaces in winter, this place feels cozy. The beers brewed on the premises-especially the pilsner and wheat beer-are wonderfully tasty. Alongside wood-fired pizzas, nachos and garlic burgers, you'll find Old World dishes like roast pork with homemade bread dumplings and sauerkraut.
2731 E. Parley's Way, SLCBombay House
This biryani mainstay in Salt Lake is sublimely satisfying, from the wise-cracking Sikh host to our friendly server, from the vegetarian entrees to the tandoor's carnivore's delights. We always finish with kheer-rice pudding flavored with cardamom.
463 N. University AveBombay House
This biryani mainstay in Salt Lake is sublimely satisfying, from the wise-cracking Sikh host to our friendly server, from the vegetarian entrees to the tandoor's carnivore's delights. We always finish with kheer-rice pudding flavored with cardamom.
5927 S State StreetBraza Grill
Meat, meat and more meat is the order of the day at the Brazilian-style churrascaria buffet. On the lighter side are plated fish entrees, and a do-it-yourself salad bar stocked with green and prepared salads and hot items like rosemary potatoes, fried plantain and risotto.
336 W. Broadway, SLCBruges Waffle and Frites
The tiny shop turns out light Brussels waffles and dense Liege waffles topped with fruit, whipped cream or chocolate. Hot chocolate, frites, beef stew and a gargantuan sandwich called a mitraillette (or submachine gun) round out the small-but-powerful menu.
1980 W 3500 SBucket O' Crawfish
Choose your bug- besides crawfish, you can have shrimp ($9.95 a pound), clams, snow, blue or dungeness crab at market price(if you order two or more pounds, you can have corn in the same boil). At Bucket of Crawfish, you choose your seasoning (cajun, garlic butter, lemon pepper) and heat level, and better not forget the beer. For sides, there's corn, fries, rice and sausages. When the food arrives, get cracking. If you must be more civilized, you can order a fried basket. That's it. Brought to you by the brilliant folks who own Pho Green Papaya.
2115 S. State StreetBusy Bee
The buzz is back: Garlic burgers and sandwiches are still great, there’s sports on TV and a dartboard, but after a brief and unhappy hiatus, beer is again being served and all is right with the world.
751 MainButcher's Chop House & Bar
The dining room is bustling, and there’s a popular bar downstairs. The draws are top-drawer prime rib, New York strip and pork chops—and the ladies’ night specials.
599 W. Main St.Cafe Diablo
(Open seasonally) This café offers buzz-worthy dishes like rattlesnake cakes and fancy tamales. Save room for dessert made by the chef’s wife.
5244 South Highland DriveCafe Madrid
Authentic dishes like garlic soup share the menu with favorites like port-sauced lamb shank, tortilla espanola and sea bass with caramelized onions. Service is dependably courteous and friendly at this family-owned spot. Call ahead for paella.
420 E 3300 South, SLCCafe Med
The menu covers all kinds of Mid-East bases from Greece to Persia, from Morocco to Turkey. Get the mezzes platter-this is some of the best falafel in town-and both the hummus and baba ghanoush are good, too. Entrees range from pita sandwiches to gargantuan dinner platters of braised shortribs, roast chicken and pasta. A great place to have in your pocket.
984 Zion Park Blvd.Cafe Oscar
As exciting as new restaurants can be, it's equally satisfying to return to an old favorite year after year and find that it's just as good as you remembered it. Certainly, the latter is a rarer experience--anyone can open a restaurant, but keeping in business is an odds-against proposition. So walking into Cafe Oscar on rare snowy morning last winter and finding nothing changed was a rare experience Even our--waiter--I think his name is Grant and he is NOT grumpy, although some get that impression--wasa familiar face. The patio is great in summer but the dining room is cozy in a late-sixties kind of way, with copper-topped tables, a tile mosaic and soft cloth napkins. Gorgeous blueberry pancakes come with lots of real, fresh blueberries and real maple syrup of boysenberry syrup. Eggs are fresh and hot, Oscar's famous potatoes are crisp and brown, bacon is thick and not too salty. Coffee keeps coming. Three meals a day are served at Oscar's, but we love the mornings the best.
600 W. Center St.Cafe Sabor
The tacos al carbon feature flame-grilled skirt steak with pico de gallo, cheese and cilanro. Sabor's cheap eats and low-key service make a fun meal.
424 Main St.Cafe Terigo
This charming café is the spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner. Chicken and bacon tossed with mixed greens and grilled veggies on focaccia are café-goers’ favorites.
680 S. 900 East, SLC Cafe Trio
Pizzas from the wood-fired brick oven are wonderful, as are the clams in a white wine, basil, tomato and butter broth. The stylish downtown restaurant is one of the city's premier and perennial lunch spots; in Cottonwood, the brunch is especially popular.
6405 S. 3000 East, CottonwoodCafe Trio
Pizzas from the wood-fired brick oven are wonderful, as are the clams in a white wine, basil, tomato and butter broth. The stylish downtown restaurant is one of the city;s premier and eprennial lunch spots; in Cottonwood, the brunch is especially popular.
52 Federal AvenueCaffe Ibis
Exchange news, enjoy sandwiches and salads, and linger over a cuppa conscientiously grown coffee.
55 W. 100 South, SLCCaffe Molise
Our penne al caprino tasted as if it had been tossed on the way to our table-its flavors were that vivid. The menu is limited; instead of dozens of pasta dishes, there are less than 10, all so good you'll slurp the last noodle. Check out the specials, but don't neglect the inventive regular offerings.
779 E. 300 SouthCaffe Niche
A new menu of small plates means that anytime is the best time to eat here—the house smoked salmon is good three times a day. Chef Ethan Lappe sources food all over northern Utah. In the morning, try homemade English muffins. End your evening with the brilliant grapefruit brulee.
566 W. 1350 South, 900 Woods CrossCakewalk
Opting for a vegan lifestyle, though increasingly popular, is a feat of tenacity that few people can remain committed to, despite their morals. Some people can commit to live without meat, fewer without milk, probably even fewer without butter or eggs, and once they realize they can't have 90 percent of baked goodies, the numbers get really sad. After years of hard work and experimentation, vegan bakery owner Kelly Colobella of Cakewalk bakery in Woods Cross has found a way to reconcile her commitment to animal welfare with her love for baked goods. The pastries sold at Cakewalk aren't the crunchy sprouted wheat and oat bran bars you might expect of a vegan bakery, either. Cakewalk specializes in gourmet cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, pies, muffins, and occasion cakes. They've even created something called a "dillo"-kind of a vegan version of a Twinkie, that you can eat plain, chocolate dipped, or coated in raspberry and coconut. There are also vegan eclairs, marshmallows, candy bars, honey substitutes, and a special vegan cheese substitue from Scotland. Vegans: Run, don't walk, to Cakewalk.
360 W Main StreetCapitol Reef Inn & Cafe
The roadside fossils beat a neon at getting you to stop. This family spot strives for a natural and tasty menu—and dishes like fresh trout and cornmeal pancakes achieve it.
314 W. 300 South, SLCCaputo's By Night
Well, the Caputos have gone from one extreme to the other. Tipica, the late restaurant brainchild of chef Adam Kreisel and Caputo's next-generation entrepreneur Matt Caputo, wanted Utahns to eat beef heart tartare, a leap of faith most Beehivers are not up to, at least when it comes to food. But Tipica's replacement, Caputo's By Night fulfills every American expectation of Italian food, which means it's an awful lot like other Italian restaurants. Different pastas, your choice of several sauces, pasta dishes like ravioli and lasagna, main dishes that are the usual roast beef-familiar fish-boneless chicken choices. Servings are gi-normous.
314 W. 300 South, SLCCaputo's Market and Deli
One of Salt Lake’s culinary treasures, with a great selection of olive oils, imported pastas, salamis and house-aged cheeses, including one of the largest selections of fine chocolate in the country. Now with a second location.
314 W. 300 SouthCarlucci's Bakery
Carlucci’s Bakery Scones, sticky buns and a few hot dishes make this a perfect early morning stop, but desserts and cookies are showstoppers. Stop by for lunch, too—try the herbed goat cheese on a chewy baguette.
7815 Royal St.Cena Ristorante
Affordable, family-friendly, full-scale Italian in Deer Valley, Cena is run by Stein Eriksen, but aims at a wider audience. Pizzas and flatbreads from a wood-fired oven suit simple tastes while pork porterhouse and calamari crostine satisfy the more adventurous.
278 E 900 South, SLCChanon Thai Cafe
A meal at Chanon Thai Cafe is like a casual, comfortable dinner at a friend's place. Loyalists love the tender calamari, curried fish cakes and red-curry prawns with coconut milk and pineapple.
2005 S. State St.Chef's Table
Besides a view of Mt. Timpanogos from the dining room, Chef/Owners, R. Troy Wilson, CEC and Peter B. Sproul, CEC offer new classics, like macadamia nut-crusted halibut and mushroom and walnut ravioli.
1637 Shortline Road, Copperbottom InnChez Betty
The Chef's Tasting Menu gives you an overview of the kitchen's genius, relieves you of the agony of choosing and, if you add the wine option, assures you the best wine possible.
368 Main St.Chimayo
This restaurant is reminiscent of Santa Fe, but the food is pure Park City. Margaritas are good, and the avocado and shrimp appetizer combines guacamole and ceviche flavors in a genius dish.
134 W Pierpont Ave.Christopher's
The new space is a step up in style. The menu is straightforward Sinatra-era chilled shellfish and rare steaks, with all the trimmings and a few seafood and poultry entrees thrown in for the non-beefeaters.
180 S 900 WChunga's
These tacos al pastor are the real deal. Carved from a big pineapple-marinated hunk, the meat is folded in delicate masa tortillas with chopped pineapple, onion and cilantro.
306 Main StreetCisero's
High altitude exercise calls for calories to match. Ever-popular eggplant parmesan features thin slices of eggplant, topped with marinara and mozzarella. The private club features live music and DJs.
2991 East 3300 SouthCitris Grill
Most dishes come in either "hearty" or "petite" portion sizes; even the petite is generous. This means you can enjoy a smoked salmon pizzetta or fried rock shrimp appetizer and then a petite order of fire-roasted pork chops with adobo rub and black bean-corn salsa. The neighborhood loves this place: expect crowds.
100 N. University Ave.Communal
Food is focused on familiar dishes with chef's flair—like braised pork shoulder crusted in Panko. Attention to detail makes this one of Utah's best.
111 East 300 SouthCopper Onion
Native Utahn Ryan Louder and his wife Colleen worked in NYC restaurants for years before decidding to open up back in the Beehive. Their Copper Onion, strategically located next to the Broadway Theatre, was a hit from the get-go. Wonderful food, based on high-quality ingredients prepared with enthusiasm, is offered in courses that can suit the most casual post-popcorn nosh or serve as a celebratory special occasion dinner. Don't miss the mussels
748 W. Heritage Park Blvd.Corbin's Grille
The space is hip and the food stands apart, too. We liked the Certified Angus beef, medium rare, with thick spears of aspargus.
2620 E. 6200 SouthCotton Bottom Inn
A remnant from the days when this was truly a ski-bum's town, the Cotton Bottom is most fun if you're a regular. A proud dive, beer is the only beverage to order (no one under 21 admitted) and a garlic burger is the main menu item.
1026 E Second Avenue, SLCCucina
An oasis of fine pastries, breads and dishes to go, Cucina is a cafe, bakery and deli. For the neighborhood, it's a convenient way to procure a hearty dinner after a long day, whether it's lasagna, meatloaf or a chicken pesto salad.
307 W. Pierpont Avenue, SLCCucina Toscana
Cucina Toscana provides all the convivial pleasure dining can bring. An energetic, not an elegant, environment, it’s white-tablecloth in its intentions and in its hand-kissing service from host Valter Nassi. Tuscan at heart, the menu spills into other geography
1844 Fort Union Blvd.Cucina Vanina
Named for native Neapolitan Vanina, this is a marinara-tinged taste of Southern Italian foods Vanina likes—pasta alla matriciana, pasta e polpette, chicken cacciatore—reminding you what a perfect delight long-simmered marinara and correctly cooked pasta can be.
2020 S. State Street, SLCCurry In A Hurry
What the Nisar family's restaurant lacks in space and seating, it makes up for in its sumptuous Pakistani curries and kabobs. Fast service and fair prices make this a perfect take-out spot, but if you opt to dine in there's always a Bollywood film wailing on the telly.
423 W 300 SouthDojo
In our sushi-saturated city, this lounge-like restaurant offers a range of Japanese cuisine—tempura, wagyu, sashimi and rolls—in a chic atmosphere. But the ramen is the go-to.
2030 S. 900 East, SLCDolcetti Gelato
Gelato is the new fro-yo, and everyone knows that although its texture is creamier, it's actually lower in fat and sugar than ice cream. Because it's denser, it's also more flavorful. But most gelato in this country is made from some kind of mix imported from Italy. In Salt Lake City, Mike England's Dolcetti Gelato in Sugar House is the only place I know of that makes it from scratch, and it's gorgeous, both in the tub and in the mouth. Swirls of dark chocolate marble the white base of stracciatella; the glossy chocolate is irresistible. Go have some and feel good about it.
1400 S Foothill Drive, 270, SLCEast-West Connection
Pork and shrimp rolls, numerous soups, curry shrimp, five-spice chicken and the "Look Luck" beef (tender morsels of beef stir-fried in a caramel sauce) are popular. Count on gracious service and reasonable prices.
201 Heber Avenue, Sky LodgeEasy Street
Home-style elegance is the vibe here. The rooms are cozy and gracious, the service is good and the outdoor patio is one of the best in Park City. Easy Street specializes in substantial, American dishes. That doesn't mean the food is heavy. Mac-and-cheese is spiffed up with lobster meat, and there's always a special from the rotisserie.
201 Heber Avenue, The Sky LodgeEasy Street Bakery
A longtime tradition, Easy Street Bakery highlights are the handmade morning pastries, some sweet and some savory, and on nice days ,this is the best people-watching perch in town. But Easy Street also has Peet's coffee and espresso drinks.
317 Main StreetEating Establishment
Claiming to be the oldest, this restaurant is one of Park City’s most versatile. On weekend mornings, locals line up for breakfasts. Lunches and dinners include barbecue and burgers.
57 S. Main St.Eddie McStiff's
It serves 13 different beers, but pizzas are the best thing from the kitchen. The beer is cold and that's the point when you've been playing in Moab.
1675 E. 1300 SouthEggs in the City
On the weekends, this feels like a New York spot, packed with hipsters whose large dogs wait pantingly outside. The window bar seating makes it a good place to solo, and the menu runs the gamut from healthy wraps to fancy schmancy eggs florentine.
336 W BroadwayEkamai Thai
The tiniest Thai restaurant in town has big flavor. Tucked into the foodie epicenter on Broadway, Ekamai is owned by Woot Pangsawan, who used to work at Thai Siam. In his own place, he not only provides great curries, to-go, eat there or have delivered, but friendly personal service.
352 N Main StreetEklectic Cafe
This is what you hope Moab will be like, vestigially idealistic, eccentric and unique. So, linger on the funky patio, with your banana pancakes, feeding bits to the hungry (aren't they always?) sparrows, then take time to shop the bric-a-brac inside.
1890 Bonanza DriveEl Chubasco
Regulars storm this restaurant for south-of-the-border eats. Burritos fly through the kitchen like chiles too hot to handle—proving consistently good food is what matters.
439 East 900 SouthElizabeth's English Bakery
In a new location, serving the same oh-so-British pastries, scones, sausage rolls and tea, along with a selection of imported shelf goods for those in exile from the isles.
271 N. Center StreetEm's Restuarant
The informal service can seem charming or lax, but Em's is committed to the highest quality ingredients and preparation.For lunch, try the hot ham and Swiss cheese sandwich on ciabatta. At dinner, the kitchen moves up the food chain and presents a seasonally imaginative chef's menu of bistro food.
707 E. Fort Union Blvd.Epic
Chef/owner Ken Rose's American food borrow from other cuisines. The portions are generous, but save room for pineapple sorbet with stewed fresh pineapple.
2021 S. Windsor Street, SLC Este Pizza
The tiny pizzeria with the great big soul, Este serves New York-style pizza-thin-crusted and easily foldable to edible size-with a style of its own: Try the "pink" pizza, topped with ricotta and marinara. Vegan cheese is available; there's microbrew on tap and music on the patio at both locations.
156E. 200 South, SLCEste Pizza
The tiny pizzeria with the great big soul, Este serves New York-style pizza-thin-crusted and easily foldable to edible size-with a style of its own: Try the "pink" pizza, topped with ricotta and marinara. Vegan cheese is available; there's microbrew on tap and music on the pation at both locations.
317 S. Main Street, SLCEva
It's a wine bar! It's a restaurant! It's a cocktail lounge! It's the hottest thing in downtown SLC. Those famous Brussels sprouts with the hazelnuts are still a marvel, and the menu is evolving into something broader and more adventurous--artichoke ravioli, carbonara mac and cheese, sweet pea and potato gnocchi, for example.
2182 Highland Drive, SLCFats Grill & Pool
Everyone shops Sugar House, and shopping is thirsty work. So, keep Fats Grill in your brain's Rolodex. It's a family friendly pool hall where you can take a break for a brew or get a home-style meal of grilled chicken and hearty soup.
454 E. 300 SouthFaustina
New executive chef Billy Sotelo is tweaking the menu here according to his award winning sensibilities so keep an eye on the specials. Lobster pot pie still makes an appearance as an appetizer and blueberry souffle is still the restaurant's grandest finale, but other dishes are gaining the spotlight.
1291 S 100 E Finca
The spirit of Spain is alive and well on the plate at this modern tapateria. Scott Evans, owner of Pago, and chef Phelix Gardner translate their love of Spain into food that ranges from authentically to impressionistic-ally Spanish, using as many local ingredients as possible.
1624 S. 1100 EastFinn's
The Scandinavian vibe comes from the heritage of owner Finn Gurholt. The lunch menu features Nordic sandwiches, but Finn's is famous for breakfast, served until the doors close at 2 p.m. Pyttipanna, a fry of potatoes, onions and beef, topped with an egg, is a specialty.
20 S 400 West (The Gateway), SLCFleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Steaks are the attraction here at Paul Fleming's (PF as in PF Chang) local branch of a national chain. A famously impressive wine list, with more than 100 available by the glass, has selections that pair well with anything you order.
370 East 900 South Salt Lake CityForage
A dazzingly modern restaurant in a zen-like quiet setting. Forage is unique in Salt Lake City. Young chef/owners Viet Pham and Bowman Brown are serving up cutting-edge cuisine, some of the most exciting food in the state, with every dish presented like a small, scrupulously composed sculpture. Dining here is a commitment and an event. Prepare for surprise and delight.
6263 S Holladay Blvd.Franck's
Chef Franck Peissel struts his own stuff here—personal interpretations of continental classics. Some—like the meatloaf—are perennials, but mostly the menu changes according to season and the chef’s whim. The dining room is lovely; the patio even lovelier.
1513 S 1500 East, SLCFresco
Fresco's kitchen continues the trend of excellence. You're more likely to attain perfection when you're concentrating on just a few things. So, bucatini was simply tossed with romanesco sprigs, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, grana padano and olive oil. Desserts made by Melissa Phillips are extraordinary.
545 W. 700 South, SLC Frida Bistro
Frida is one of the finest things to happen to Salt Lake Mexican food since Red Iguana. This is not your typical tacos/tamales menu—it represents the apex of still too little-known Mexican cuisine, complex and sophisticated.
2001 Sidewinder Dr. Fuego
Off the beaten Main Street track, this pizzeria and bistro (can’t help but wonder, why not trattoria?) is a family-friendly and filling solution to a ski-hungry evening. Big pastas, paninis and wood-fired pizzas aren’t cutting edge, but they’re not boring. There’s something for everyone.
1199 N Beck St. Garage
The place is right at home beside a refinery on Beck Street. It has an authentic vibe—plank floors, a big patio, room for a band and good fried chicken coming out of the kitchen, along with fried funeral-potato balls (you read right), hot-as-hell jalapeno burgers and shrimp poboys. The wine list is growing, so it’s not just about beer anymore, service is friendly, and altogether, the Garage brings a little piece of Austin to the City of Salt.
215 S. Main Street, KamasGateway Grille
Folks love the breakfasts, but you’re missing out if you don’t try the pork chop, roasted until pale pink, its rich pigginess set off by a port and apple sauce.
6030 N. Market StreetGhidotti's
Even our waiter seemed to have the New York accent called for by the opulent American Italian interior. Plaster busts, bullion cording, gigantic menus—Ghidotti’s evokes Little Italy more than Italy, and the food follows suit—think spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and rigatoni Bolognese. Clams casino were fine, and we liked the roast chicken and parmesan mash, but the pasta under the meatballs was overcooked, and the Caesar salad was wimpy, even when we mashed the anchovy garnish in. Best was the deep flavored chicken soup with a parmesan dumpling.
188 South Main St. Ginger's Garden Cafe
Tucked inside Dr. Christopher’s Herb Shop, Ginger’s serves truly garden-fresh, bright-flavored dishes. Mostly conceived with vegans in mind, there are a few chicken dishes.
801-322-2224Ginza
Friendly sushi chefs serve favorites, such as the Mars Twist, fresh nigiri and seasonal soft-shell crab rolls. Vegetable tempura and udon noodles are also good.
7700 Stein Way, Deer ValleyGlitretind
The service is professional and polished, and the menu can be as fun or as refined as inventive chef Zane Holmquist is in the mood for. Ranging from a traditional Colorado filet to a play on a backyard barbeque, the appeal resonates with the luxury-seeking jet set and intrepid local diners, who can take pride in the spotlight on Utah lamb and buffalo. Desserts surprise and inspire in presentation and delicious contrasts.
7570 Royal St. EastGoldener Hirsch
Michael Showers has jazzed up the Alpine theme—spicing up elk carpaccio with pickled shallots, siding foie gras with cherry-prune compote and wiener schnitzel with caraway-spiked carrot strings.
133 E. 12300 SouthGoodwood Barbecue Company
The pitmasters turn out excellent smoked prime rib, smoked turkey breast kissed with flavor courtesy of applewood, and barbecued chicken, brisket and sausage.
250 S. 300 EastGourmandise
This downtown mainstay features cheesecakes, cannoli, cream-filled napoleons, butter cookies, creme brulee, pies, muffins, brownies and flaky croissants. And don't forget hot-from-the-oven breads and rolls to take home.
326 S. West Temple, SLCGracie's
Play pool, throw darts, listen to live music, and kill beers and time on the patio and upstairs deck. But the menu wants Gracie’s to be something more, a gastropub. And, face it, you don’t see truffled ravioli in a vodka-pesto sauce on most bar menus.
1391 S. 300 West, SLCGranato's
Always bustling on Saturdays with patrons stocking up on sauces, stuffed pastas and olive oil. Professionals pack the downtown store at lunch for some of the best sandwiches in the West.
4044 S. 2700 East, SLCGranato's
Always bustling on Saturdays with patrons stocking up on sauces, stuffed pastas and olive oil. Professionals pack the downtown store at lunch for some of the best sandwiches in the West.
1632 S. Redwood Road, SLCGranato's
Always bustling on Saturdays with patrons stocking up on sauces, stuffed pastas and olive oil. Professionals pack the downtown store at lunch for some of the best sandwiches in the West.
555 South Main StreetGrand America
Executive Chef Phillip Yates brings a culinary twist to The Grand America Garden Cafe; with chic-comfort food inspired by his Texas roots. Local favorites are the Grilled Cheese with Short Rib, made with Local Beehive Cheddar and the Pan Seared Idaho Red Trout. The Sunday Brunch is a staple among Utah Locals serving up fresh seafood, roasts, sushi and more with a delightful dessert display of bread pudding, assorted pastries, chocolate fondue fountains and many other treats to please the palate.
151 Main StreetGrappa
Dishes like osso buco and grape salad with gorgonzola, roasted walnuts and Champagne vinaigrette are sensational, and the wine list features hard-to-find Italian wines as well as flights, including sparkling.
31 E. 400 South, SLCGreen Pig Pub
Green Pig is a pub of a different color. The owners are making an effort to be as green as possible, using eco-friendly building materials and sustainable kitchen practices. The star on the menu is the chili verde nachos, with big pork chunks under the cheese.
2200 Sidewinder Drive, Prospector SquareGrub Steak
Live country music, fresh salmon, lamb and chicken, and a mammoth salad bar. Order bread pudding whether you think you want it or not. You will.
180 E 800 SGuzzi's Vintage Burgers and Fries
This is a real burger joint-there's a griddle, a fryer, a few tables and a soft drink dispenser. Guzzi's offers no frills. No gimmicks. No interesting beverages. I admire the chutzpah it takes in opening such an honestly low-key place. It's not fast food. Your burger isn't plopped on the griddle until it's ordered, so you have to wait. But it's worth it- a quarter or a third of a pound of ground beef, hand-formed into a patty, cooked with chopped garlic if that's your preference, and served on a super-crisped bun with terrific skin-on fries. You wouldn't think SLC needed another burger joint. But we needed Guzzi burger.
2427 N. Main St.Hamilton's Steak and Seafood
Classic steakhouse with inventive touches like potato spring rolls and candied apple salad. Beef is aged, hand cut and cooked at 1600 degrees; seafood includes standards like salmon and ahi, as well as barramundi and bouillabaisse. The wine list is notable; the special wine dinners, remarkable.
1571 W. Redstone Center Drive, Suite 140Hapa Grill
Japanese, Thai, Korean and Hawaiian all work together in this streamlined cafe. Try the Maui Wowi, Royal Hawaiian and the Haole sushi.
20 N. Highway 12Hell's Backbone Grill
Owners Blake Spalding and Jen Castle set the original bar for local, sustainable and organic food in Utah. Now the cafe has gained national fame. They garden, forage, raise chickens and bees, and offer breakfasts, dinners and even picnic lunches.
703 Park AvenueHigh West Distillery
As the whiskey made in this historic livery stable gets better and more diverse, so does the food. Chef James Dumas gleefully carries the amber current throughout his dining menu, even making a kind of Krackerjack with bacon and whiskey. Order a flight of whiskey and taste the difference aging makes, but be sure to order plenty of food to see how magically the whiskey matches the fare.
360 South State Street, SLCHimalayan Kitchen
Start the meal with momos, fat little dumplings like Chinese pot-stickers. All the tandoor dishes, meat and breads are good here, but Himalayan specialties are rare, so go for the quanty masala, a stew made of nine different beans that sticks to your ribs like Mama's pot roast.
565 W 200 South, SLCHong Kong Tea House & Restaurant
There is an atmosphere of serenity, here. Jade-green walls and high ceilings make the small room seem spacious and creates a visual quiet. Authentic, pristine and slightly weird is what we look for in Chinese food-Hong Kong Tea House does honorable renditions of Chinese favorites, but it is a rewarding place to go exploring.
336 S 400 East, SLCIchiban Sushi
Housed in a converted church, sushi with a twist-like the spicy Funky Charlie Roll, tuna and wasabi-filled, then fried tempura-style, and the Mikey's Mega Roll with soft shell crab and tempura shrimp-is the main draw.
130 N. Main St. Indian Oven
Dryness is the pitfall of the tandoor, but lamb and chicken here are succulent. The vividness of the tikkas, biryanis and kormas makes other Indian food seem like an echo.
230 S 1300 East, SLCIndochine
Vietnamese cuisine is underrepresented in Salt Lake's Thai-ed up dining scene, so a restaurant like Indochine, that offers more than the Chinese-influenced noodles we're used, is welcome. Not that you can't get Chinese noodles and stir-fries here. But you can also try broken rice dishes, clay pots and pho. The menu is large, and theirs lots to explore at a price that encourages it.
122. W. Pierpont Ave.Inferno Cantina
It's hard to know what to expect when your first sight of the dining venue is of young girls in boots and bikinis dancing on tables. Being an intrepid diner, I was unfazed by Inferno's (previously the Sandbar) welcoming committee and reputation as a late-night bar rather than suppertime destination. I was rewarded with a satisfying plate of Mexican food; not authentic, but totally comforting cheese enchiladas with chili, chicken flautas with gobs of guacamole, and tacos accompanied by margaritas- the Tequila Bar has over 60 kinds of tequila. It's a club, but before 9:30 pm, kids are welcome if they are with an adult. Big plus: open seven days a week.
2300 Deer Valley Drive, St. Regis Deer Crest ResortPark City
435-940-5760
http://www.jggrilldeer...
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J&G Grill
Jean-Georges Vongerichten himself lends his name to this top-of-the-mountain and top-of-the-heap restaurant up the funicular at the St. Regis. The food is terrific, the wine cellar's inventory is deep and wide, and the whole experience is top-notch. Surprisingly, it's not as expensive as you might expect.
163 W 200 South, SLCJ. Wong's Asian Bistro
You’ll have a graciously served, serene and delicious meal, whether you opt for the Thai or Chinese selections—the owners understand both cuisines. This is one of the only elegant Chinese restaurants in town. Try the specials—our glisteningly moist sea bass was as good as we’ve eaten it anywhere—and order ahead for authentic Peking duck.
256 N MainJack's Wood-fired Oven
Wood-fired ovens are taking over=. This low-key place looks like any mom & pop pizzeria, except for the oven dominating one end of the room.
4810 S. Highland Circle, HolladayJasmine China Bistro & Sushi Bar
At lunch, take advantage of the $5.95 bento box lunch-your choice of teriyaki, complete with rice, soup, salad, California roll, fruit and gyoza.
195 25th Street Jasoh!
Part pub, part fine dining, pure Ogden. Lamb two ways was a standout—braised shank risotto and rosy-rare loin. White bean succotash with vanilla reduction was brilliant.
1090 Center DriveJupiter Bowl
Upscale for a bowling alley, but still with something for everyone in the family to love. Besides pins, there are video games and The Lift Grill & Lounge. In Newpark.
3142 S. Highland Drive,SLCKathmandu
Try the Nepalese specialties, including spicy pickles to set off the tandoor-roasted meats. Both goat and sami, a kibbeh-like mixture of ground lamb and lentils, are available in several styles.
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon Kimi's Mountainside Bistro
Too much sun? Hoist the umbrellas. Too chilly? Light the fires. traditional fondue is fantastic, but chef Matt Anderson puts his consdierable imagination to practical application: one of his best tricks is matchign meat with a nut and berry-rich salad or siding with greens instead of starch. This totally allows you to justify ordering dessert.
1080 E 1300 South Kyoto
The service is friendly, the sushi is fresh, the tempura is amazingly light, and the prices are reasonable. Servings are occidentally large. Outdoor seating in summer months.
555 South Main StreetLa Bonne Vie
Sweeter than a cupcake, Grand America's new pastry shop has all the charm of Paris and all the talent of Jeffrey de Leon,lately of Bouchon. The pretty windows alone are worth a visit.
169 S Main StreetLamb's Grille Cafe
Hang your hat on one of the racks and enjoy the oldest continually operating restaurant in Utah. Breakfasts include hot oatmeal, grilled troat and nearly extinct dishes like finnan haddie. Select from spaghetti, barbecued lamb shank or grilled liver for dinner.
4751 S. Holladay Blvd.Layla
Like all the best Middle Eastern cooking, Layla relies on family recipes. The resulting standards, like hummus and kebabs, are great, but explore some of the more unusual dishes, too.
129 N. 100 EastLe Nonne
Chef Pier Antonio Micheli introduced Tuscan cuisine to Logan--bruchetta with fresh mozarella and basil, carpaccio, pasta Bolognese and crab-stuffed ravioli.
68 W. 3900 SouthLeft Fork Grill
Jeff Masten's mother's pie crust made him famous, but his own feel for home-style food-meat loaf, liver and onions-makes this diner a whole meal destination. Just be sure to leave room for pie. Even at breakfast.
216 E. 500 SouthLes Madeleines
The kouing aman still reigns supreme among Salt Lake City pastries, but with a hot breakfast menu, expanded lunch options and a brand new patio, Les Madeleines is so much more than a great bakery.
500 S. Main StreetLittle America
Little America Hotel houses two local's favorite restaurants. The Coffee Shop is known for its consistent comfort food and service, hot turkey dinner, and Friday night special of halibut and prime rib. The Dining Room lunch buffet is a favorite of business men and women downtown with a 15-item fruit display, carving station and rotating menu of entrees created by Chef Bernad Gotz.
1356 S. State Street, SLCLittle World
It’s a definite dive, but its followers are faithful. So try the spareribs, tangy hot pot with eggplant and shredded pork and jumbo shrimp in a black bean sauce. If you don’t like the ambience, drive through.
2148 highland Drive, SLCLiving Cuisine
Living food is anything that has not been heated over 116 degrees. It's also called raw cuisine, and it's a way of eating that is gaining popularity. Yes, mainly in California and, yes, it's quite a challenge to the conventional cook, but the culinary imaginations behind Living Cuisine pull it off with great flair.
6451 Millcreek Canyon RoadLog Haven
Salt Lake's most picturesque restaurant is complex and layered. Chef Dave Jones has a sure hand with American vernacular and is not afraid of frying. He also has a way with healthy, low-calorie, high energy food.
2265 E Fort Union Blvd, SLCLone Star Taqueria
Cheerfully lit with beer signs and Christmas lights, Lone Star serves a burrito that's a meal in itself. The basic is bean and cheese, but you can select additional fillings or choose from the specialty burritos. But do not leave without trying a fish taco.
3364 S 2300 East, SLCLugano
Chef Neville never stops researching regional Italian cuisine, and he travels and tastes his way to ever better food. He knows and is scrupulous about his ingredients, and that is the basic of Italian food. The braised dishes, like the famous killer shortribs and the lamb shank, have always been stars, but pastas are now at the same superlative level and Wednesday's special is whole fish. The budge-blowing selection of Italian wines is worth whatever you spend. Ask about the schedule of special wine dinners.
1400 S. Foothill Drive, Suite 166MacCool's Public House
An American gastropub, MacCool’s emphasizes its kitchen, buying local and artisanal such as organic Niman Ranch meat and Beehive Cheese. But Guinness is still front and center.
1900 S. Highway 89, Perry Maddox Ranch House
Angus beef steaks, bison chicken fried steak, fried chicken and burgers have made this a Utah institution for more than 50 years. Eat in, drive up or take home.
1133 W 10600 South, South JordanMadeline's Steakhouse
Although this is a steakhouse, it's the double-breasted chicken, smothered in cheese, tomatoes and onion, that is one of those dishes that inspires everyone else at the table to exclaim, "I wish I'd ordered that."
348 E. 900 North, BountifulMandarin
The rooms are filled with red and gold dragons. Chefs recruited from San Francisco crank out a huge menu; desserts are noteworthy. Call ahead.
375 North MainMarcello's Ristorante Italiano
Eat spaghetti and meatballs without wine—this is truly Utah-style Italian food.
7600 Royal St. Mariposa at Deer Valley
(Open seasonally) Try the tasting menu for an overview of the kitchen’s talent. It’s white tablecloth, but nothing is formal.
48 W Market StreetMarket Street Grill
Salt Lake's favorite for seafood, and with good reason: Fish is flown in daily, then perfectly prepared. The clam chowder is famous citywide and the classic cocktails are a treat in latter-day Cosmo-land. Don't overlook the exceptional and reasonably priced breakfasts-they're a city institution.
2985 E 6580 South, SLCMarket Street Grill
Salt Lake's favorite for seafood, and with good reason: Fish is flown in daily, then perfectly prepared. The clam chowder is famous citywide and the classic cocktails are a treat in latter-day Cosmo-land. Don't overlook the exceptional and reasonably priced breakfasts-they're a city institution.
10702 River Front Pkwy, South JordanSouth Salt Lake
801-302-2262
http://www.marketstree...
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Market Street Grill
Salt Lake's favorite for seafood, and with good reason: Fish is flown in daily, then perfectly prepared. The clam chowder is famous citywide and the classic cocktails are a treat in latter-day Cosmo-land. Don't overlook the exceptional and reasonably priced-breakfasts-they're a city institution.
22 E. 100 SouthMartine
One of downtown's most charming spaces, the atmosphere here trumps City Creek's new eateries. Eat at your own pace, the full meal deal or the tapas—Moroccan shredded beef on gingered couscous, smoked Utah trout with caperberry sauce. For dessert, the caramel sauced gingerbread, or the dessert wine tasting.
9 Exchange Place (350 S)Maxwell's East Coast Eatery
After a ridiculously mighty struggle to obtain a license, Maxwell's succeeded in opening in Exchange Place downtown, a location that's been screaming for a good bar for at least 10 years. Perfect for business lunch, after-work drinks and snacks, pre or post theater noshing, Maxwell's is the kind of place you see on every Manhattan block. But there's been nothing like it in downtown SLC. The thin-crust pizza and old-fashioned pastas aren't breaking any culinary ground, but talk about filling a niche. Thanks for persevering, Maxwell, whoever you are.
1515 S. 1500 East, SLCMazza
The mezzes are vibrant and fresh, with the bright flavor that is the hallmark of Middle Eastern food. Tabouleh is mostly parsley, one of the most underrated herbs on the planet, gentled with oil bulked with bulgur wheat. All is consistently excellent and authentic.
1394 S. West TempleMeditrina
Meditrina has secured its place as a great spot for wine and apps, wine and supper or wine and a late-night snack. It is what you want it to be whether your order of a series of small plates is dinner, or just noshes. Try the Oreo's in red wine.
961 S State St, SLCMi La-Cai Noodle House
Salt Lake City has a wealth of good Southeastern Asian restaurants, but Mi La-Cai's noodles rise above the rest, and their pho is fantastic-every bowl a work of art. It's a pleasure to linger in their beautiful redecorated setting and-remarkably-it's even a pleasure to get the bill here. So much for so little.
3005 S Highland Drive, SLCMichelangelo's Ristorante
Pastas are the way to go here. Chicken breast was drowned in a pizzaiola sauce; braised shortribs were sided with rosemary roasted potatoes and French green beans.
51 N. Main St. Miguel 's Baja Grill
Never mind the incongruous focus on seafood in the middle of the desert-enjoy the Southwest flavors, with ceviche, clams and fish tacos.
3084 E. 3300 SouthMillcreek Cafe & Egg Works
This spiffy little neighborhood place is open for lunch, but the menu's strongest suit is suggested by the name. Items like a chile verde-smothered breakfast wrap and the pancakes offer serious sustenance until 2 p.m.
14 E. 800 SouthMini's Cupcakes
Cupcakes include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” vanilla with Tiffany-blue icing, and “PB Fix,” chocolate with organic peanut butter icing. Or order a box lunch: your choice of sandwich comes with a salad, fruit and—natch—a cupcake.
686 S. Main St. Moab Brewery
A fave of campers, river-runners, slick-rock bikers, red-rock hikers and anyone who needs a beer. Many are brewed on the premises in partnership with Park City Brewery.
10 E. Main St.Mom's Cafe
Mom’s has fed travelers on blue plate standards since 1928. This is the place to try a Utah “scone” with “honey butter.”
232 E. 800 SouthMoochie's
This itty-bitty eatery/take-out joint is where Philly native and shop owner Joanna Rendi whips up authentic cheesesteaks made with thinly sliced steak, onions and good ol' processed American cheese wrapped in a big soft French roll.
255 Main StreetMorning Ray Cafe
The breakfast burrito is stuffed with eggs or tofu with black beans, tomatoes, peppers and guacamole; the heaping pile of home fries with mushrooms, peppers and cheese is smothered in guacamole.
Mountain West Burrito
A humble burrito place with high-flown belief in sustainability raised meats, locally sourced vegetables and community support. Result: everything you'd ever want in a burrito joint, except a beer.
890 Main StreetMustang
A duck chile relleno arrives in a maelstrom of queso and ranchero sauce. Crispy on the outside, the interior falls away in a landslide of rich confit. Braised lamb shank and lobster with cheese enchiladas share the menu with seasonal entrées.
1425 S 300 West, SLCMy Thai
My Thai is a mom-and-pop operation. Mostly, she's in the kitchen and he's waiting tables, but when there's a lull, she darts out from her stove to ask diners if they like the food. Yes, we do. It's a limited menu, but all ingredients are fresh, portions are generous and ya gotta love the earnestness.
67 W 100 South, SLCNaked Fish
Gorgeous, artful and absolutely fresh fish is the basic of Chef Toshio Sekikawa's winning Japanese cuisine, but the superlatives don't stop there.The richest Kobe beef around, so fat you have to treat it like foie gras, is another highlight, and so is the terrific sake menu. Chef Tosh bends tradition gently without breaking into California rolls or disturbing the spirit of this so-ritualized cuisine. Dining areas are serenely lovely, but of course, the sushi bar is the most fun place to be.
60 West Market Street Salt Lake CityNew Yorker
Will Pliler has been in the New Yorker's kitchen since the get-go; fortunately for diners, he still seems as excited about food as a newly toqued culinary grad. His cookign is a mix of traditional falvors and modern twists, a good example is the BLT salad which had us scraping the plate most inelegantly. Cafe at the New Yorker offers smaller plates perfect for pre-theater dining.
2819 S 2300 East, SLCNuch's Pizzeria
A New York-sized eatery, meaning tiny, offers big flavor via specialty pastas, stuffed vegetables and wonderful bubbly-crusted pizzas. Ricotta is made in-house, and service is friendly.
151 S 500 East, SLCOasis Cafe
Whether you dine in the courtyard or inside, the atmosphere is comforting and casual. Vegetarian entrees predominate, but chicken and seafood are also available. Both the portobello mushroom-stuffed ravioli and the stir-fried spicy peanut udon with tofu, tempeh or shrimp are standouts. But brunch is stellar-fresh, wholesome and served at the table.
Oh Mai
The french-vietnamese hybrid sandwich known as banh mi is one of the great sandwiches in the world, right up there with the hamburger, the hoagie and the Reuben. Oh Mai—in its original location on State Street and now in Holladay—serves the best banh mi in Utah. Key is the lightweight bread; the fluffy insides are torn out, leaving a crisp and easily bitable crust hollow to hold the fillings. From there, the balance of hefty meat with tangy hot vegetables and pickles makes the most exciting bite you can buy for the amazingly low price. You can order several of the sandwich fillings over jasmine rice or try Oh Mai's pho and bun. But you must order the banh mi.
Oh Mai
The french-vietnamese hybrid sandwich known as banh mi is one of the great sandwiches in the world, right up there with the hamburger, the hoagie and the Reuben. Oh Mai—in its original location on State Street and now in Holladay—serves the best banh mi in Utah. Key is the lightweight bread; the fluffy insides are torn out, leaving a crisp and easily bitable crust hollow to hold the fillings. From there, the balance of hefty meat with tangy hot vegetables and pickles makes the most exciting bite you can buy for the amazingly low price. You can order several of the sandwich fillings over jasmine rice or try Oh Mai's pho and bun. But you must order the banh mi.
57 W. 200 South, SLC Olive Bistro
This downtown cafe offers light salads and panini, some tapas, a list of wines and beers. Nothing fancy, but a gently sophisticated place to drop in for a nosh and a glass.
41 S 300 East, SLCOne World Cafe
Surely this is the oddest business plan in Utah—no prices and no menu. Choose from a buffet of salads, soups, entrées and desserts, decide what the meal is worth, and pay just that.
948 Zion Park Blvd. Oscar's Cafe
Blueberry pancakes, fresh eggs, crisp potatoes and thick bacon. We love breakfast, though Oscar's serves equally satisfying meals a other times of day.
878 South 900 East Salt Lake CityPago
No question: owner Scott Evans has a hit on his hands. Tiny, dynamic and food-driven, Pago's ingredients are locally sourced and re-imagined regularly, standouts are the beet salad with cinnamon Greek yogurt, the luscious beef cheeks, the gnocchi with butter-poached crawfish... well, it's all good. That's why it often so crowded. The list of wines by the glass is great because of the Cruvinet system, but the artisanal cocktails are also a treat.
2 W. St. George Blvd. #22Painted Pony
The kitchen mixes cutting edge with standards-like sage-smoked quail on mushroom risotto. Even "surf and turf" has a twsit-tenderloin tataki with chile-dustedd scallops.
37 S. 400 W. Pallet
As Portlandia as SLC gets, this warehouse-chic bistro provides the perfect setting for lingering over cocktails or wine and seasonally inventive food at, lunch, dinner or in-between.
1515 Zion Park Blvd.Parallel Eighty-Eight
Chef Jeff Crosland heads the kitchen—try red pepper soup with shrimp or the plate of scallops with a genius goat cheese-yam mousse. Comfort food coziness with the panache of haute cuisine and one of the most gorgeous views of the Watchman.
1500 S. 1500 East, SLCParis Bistro
Welcome the return of true French cuisine via escargots, confit, duck, daube and baked oysters, steak and moules frites. The zinc bar remains the prime place to dine, we think, unless the streetside patio is open.
1680 West Ute BoulevardPark City Coffee Roasters
The town’s fave house-roasted coffee and housemade pastries make this one of the best energy stops in town.
15 S. Main St., Suite APasillas Restaurant
The cooks here are proud of their Pecos-style spicy ahi tacos. Desserts include roasted bananas and chocolate cake. Stop in for a very low-key Sunday brunch.
155 Commonwealth AvenuePat's Barbecue
Recognized nationally as one of Salt Lake City’s best, Pat’s brisket, pork and ribs deserve the spotlight. Don’t miss “Burnt End Fridays,” when you can order what the Cajuns call “debris.” And live music adds to the genuine Southern feel.
1968 E Murray-Holladay Road, SLCPawit's Royale Thai Cuisine
Pawit's gives Holladay diners a reason to stay in the neighborhood. Curries are fragrant with coconut milk, ginger duck is lip-smacking good. The charming dining room conveys warmth via tasteful decor using Thai silks and traditional arts.
4546 South Atherton Pazzo! Deli & Market
Italian panini are a specialty. The market offers an assortment: fresh bread, Italian meats, cheeses, sauces and pastas.
1588 E. Stratford Ave.Per Noi
A little chef-owned, red sauce Italian spot catering to its neighborhood. Expect casual, you-hand-on service, hope they have enough glasses to accomodate the win you bring and order the spinach ravioli.
401 E 900 S, Ste. APig And A Jelly Jar
Breakfast and lunch only, except for Sunday supper. Great chicken waffles, local eggs, and other breakfasts are served all day, with home-style additions at lunch and a single menu supper on Sunday evenings. Beer only.
2095 E. 1300 SouthPinon Market and Cafe
Try the spinach quiche or any of the well-seasoned meat or vegetable salads. With so many choices - iced sugar cookies, blondies and peanut butter bars, lemon-cranberry bread, cakes, pies and fruit tarts-it's hard to pass on dessert. Saturday brunch features scones, muffins, biscuits and breads to accompany entrees made to order.
118 N 900 WestPipa Asian Tapas & Sake Bar
Another Pan-Asian fusion menu-this time, in a westside strip mall, with the list of small plates fortified by a list of sake cocktails.
320 S. State St.Pizzeria 712
The pizza menu reaches heights of quality that fancier restaurants only fantasize about. Not only are the blister-crusted pizzas the epitome of their genre, but braised short ribs, oven-roasted corn, local mushrooms and arugula on ciabatta, and soups and salads round out the menu. The food is so good you can ignore the view.
613 E. 400 S.Pizzeria Limone
The signature pie at this new local chain features thinly sliced lemons, which are a terrific addition. Service is cafeteria-style, meaning fast, and the pizza, salads and gelato are remarkably good.
11 East 300 SouthPlum Alley
A pan-Asian delight, low-key but high-style, chic but funky, with chef's invention laid over Asian classics. Kimchi stew is a wonder and don't miss the steamed buns.
3698 E. Fort Union Blvd.Porcupine Pub and Grill
With 24 beers on tap available for only $2 every Tuesday, Porcupine has practically created its own holiday. Count on a variety of dishes like chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles and lots of chicken, good burgers and the chile verde burrito. Also, along with the usual pub pizza and appetizer selections, the Porcupine excels in its Mexican food offerings-the hearty bowl of chili will keep you coming back.
445 Park Blvd.Prairie Schooner
Tables are covered wagons around a diorama featuring coyotes, cougars and cowboys—corny, but fun. The menu is standard—but kids love it.
804 Main St.Prime Steak House and Piano Bar
Prime’s recipe for success is simple: Buy quality ingredients, hire a superb cook and insist on impeccable service. Enjoy the piano bar, and save room for terrific molten chocolate cake.
3951 W. 5400 SouthQ4U
The owner's known as "T," and his award-winning barbecue is why you come here. Try the sweet and tender baby back ribs with hot barbecue sauce or a dinner of deep-fried catfish with sides of spicy beans and slightly sweet coleslaw. There's no beer, but lemonade's a refreshing substitute. Don't skip the sweet potato pie.
1414 S. Foothill Blvd.Red Butte Cafe
This popular neighborhood gathering place puts the emphasis on casual food with Southwestern flavors, premium beers and a limited selection of wines. Grilled portobello mushroom with fresh mozzarella and caramelized onions and hot roast beef with ancho au jus are among the favorites.
736 W North Temple, SLCRed Iguana
Both locations are a blessing in this city of Salt, which still has mysteriously few good Mexican restaurants. Mole is what you want.
1693 S. 900 East, SLCRed Moose Roasting Company
Generally, Utah cinnamon rolls suffer from a superfluity of icing-I've been served rolls with so much icing ladled over them that the pastry ended up drowned in a soft sugar-shortening soup. Yecch. So I was happy to find that the cinnamon rolls at Red Moose Coffee had soft dough, crusty edges, lots of cinnamon and almost not too much icing. Fresh strawberry scones, housemade "Oreos" and sandwiches are some other goodies offered. Oh, coffee's good, too, and the service is friendly. Check it out.
Zion National ParkRed Rock Grill at Zion Lodge
National park lodges can be dismal dining places, but lunch here offers melting-pot American dishes liked smoked trout salad with prickly pear vinaigrette.
1640 W. Redstone Center Drive, Suite 105Red Rock Junction
The house-brewed beers—honey wheat, amber ale or oatmeal stout, to name a few—complement a menu of burgers, brick-oven pizzas and rotisserie chicken
710 Main St.Reef's
Lamb chops are tender, falafel is crunchy, and the prices fall between fast food and fine dining. It’s a den of heady fragrance and home cooking, if your home is east of the Mediterranean.
15 E. South TempleRestaurants at Temple Square
There are four restaurants here: Little Nauvoo Cafe (801-539-3346) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; Lion House Pantry (801-539-3257) serves lunch and dinner buffet-style (it's famous for the hot rolls, a Thanksgiving tradition in many Salt Lake households); The Garden (801-539-3170) serves lunch and dinner (don't miss the fried pickles); and The Roof (801-539-1911), a finer dining option eye-to-eye with Moroni on top of the temple, is open for dinner, with a mammoth dessert buffet.
1158 S State StRice
Whether to list this restaurant as Japanese (there's a sushi bar), Thai (there are several kinds of curry on the menu or Chinese (potstickers are good) is a nice question, but we're not going to worry to much about it. Just enjoy the fact that miso soup, potstickers and curry can all arrive on the same lunch special.
30 E. Broadway, SLCRich's
The first interesting thing about Rich's is its location-downtown, filling a niche the size of an abyss. It's a tiny place, designed mostly for pick-up and go, but with a few cafe tables for those who want to hang. The second thing I noticed at Rich's were the fried green beans, which are becoming a thing on burger stand menus, I suspect because someone has come up with a pre-battered food service version. Still, they're a nice change from French fries. You could say mighty fine.
2523 E Highway 24Rim Rock Restaurant
Find breathtaking views and good food at this spot near Capitol Reef. The locally smoked trout is a fine start, then move on to the mixed grill of local meats. Bring your own wine—corkage is $5.
2302 E Parley's Way, SLCRino's
The sedate pink walls, dark wood paneling and knick-knacks remind you of decors gone by, and the Italian fare is from the same long-gone era. Drop in without a reservation on weeknights and pretend the world hasn't changed in 30-plus years. The kitchen makes a mean bolognese, and the pasta is NOT overcooked.
270 S Rio Grande St, SLCRio Grande Cafe
As big and bustling now as it was when it was still a train station, this is a favorite place for pre-Jazz suppers and family outings; this is a great place for kids, too, with lots of visual stimulation to keep them occupied. This is a cheese-centric variation of Mexican food, but don't hesitate to add a side of guacamole.
981 W. Weber Canyon Road, OakleyRoad Island Diner
An authentic 1930s diner has been completely, dazzlingly restored - down to the matchbooks - and refitted to serve 21st-century customers. The menu, too, is a re-creation of old-fashioned favorites - pancakes, burgers and meatloaf - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
600 S 700 East, SLCRodizio Grill
The salad bar offers more than enough to eat, the best bang for the buck is the Full Rodizio, a smorgasbord selection of grilled, mostly carnivorous, treats-turkey, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, vegetables and pineapple-brought to your table until you cry "uncle."
5468 South 900 EastRoma Ristorante
Don't be deterred by the strip mall exterior. Inside, you'll find dishes like prosciutto-warped pork tenderloin and chocolate cake with pomegranate syrup.
253 25th StreetRoosters
Specialty pizzas, baked sea scallops and herb-crusted lamb are among the attractive choices here, along with the daily specials. Tucked in downtown Ogden, not too far from I-15, this eatery is a pleasant surprise.
3474 S. 2300 E. Roots Cafe
A charming little daytime cafe in Millcreek with a wholesome granola vibe three meals a day.
10263 S. 1300 East, SandyRoyal India
Northern Indian tikka masalas and Southern Indian doses allow diners to enjoy the full range of Indian cuisine, while casual surroundings and helpful servers create a pleasant atmosphere.
55 N. Main Street, BountifulRoyal India
Northern Indian tikka masalas and Southern Indian dosas allow diners to enjoy the full range of Indian cuisine, while casual surroundings and helpful servers create a pleasant atmosphere.
7600 Royal St. , Silver Lake VillageRoyal Street Cafe
(Open seasonally) Don’t miss the lobster chowder, but note the novelties, too: In a new take on the classic lettuce wedge salad, Royal Street’s version adds baby beets, glazed walnuts and pear tomatoes.
275 S West TempleRuth's Chris Steakhouse
Just close your eyes until you get inside; this Ugly Betty building has some true inner beauty. Beautifully designed with chic sophistication, the new Ruth's Chris forgoes the usual beef-eating ambiance in favor of cool colors and sleek surfaces. But the beef, thank goodness, remains the same, and your server will convince you of its quality (only 2 percent of beef is prime.) Stick with classics like crab cocktail, but skip the wimpy Caesar, order the wedge instead, and your butter-sizzled steak no more than medium, please. Finish with the outrageous banana brulee cream pie.
2100 Emigration CanyonRuth's Diner
At peak hours, "intimate seating" becomes a euphemism, but the establishment has been a favorite since it opened in Emigration Canyon in 1949. Retro decor, generous portions and diner favorites pack the house at all three meals. The menu includes standbys such as bacon burgers, club sandwiches and meat loaf. On weekends, the line is long for mile-high biscuits. The malted chocolate pudding is a dessert-lover's dream.
1098 W. South Jordan ParkwaySaffron Valley
Highlighting South Indian street food, one of the glories of subcontinental cuisine, Lavanya Mahala’s restaurant serves as cultural as well as culinary center, offering cooking classes, specialty groceries and celebrations of Indian festivals.
473 E 300 South, SLCSage's Cafe
This refurbished cafe, with the patio under the vines, serves totally vegan and mostly organic food, with an emphasis on fresh vegetables, herbs and soy. Macadamia-creamed carrot butter crostini is a tempting starter; follow with a made-to-order wok dish with cashew-coconut curry or fresh ginger sauce.
1061 E 2100 South, SLCSalt Lake Pizza & Pasta
And burgers and steak and fish...the menu here has expanded far beyond its name. It's a good bet for Saturday lunch; P&P offers a quiet, highbacked booth, a glass of beer and a new sandwich called "Tuscan Chicken."
320 E. 400 SouthSalt Lake Roasting Company
At SLC’s original coffee shop, owner John Bolton buys and roasts the better-than-fair-trade beans. Baker Dave Wheeler turns out terrific baked goods, and lunch here is your secret weapon.
1890 Bonanza DriveSammy's Bistro
Down-to-earth food in a comfortable setting—sounds simple, but if so, why aren’t there more Sammy’s in our world? Try the bacon-grilled shrimp or a chicken bowl with your brew.
722 S State St, SLCSapa Sushi Bar and Asian Grill
Mai Nguyen and Sean Dang, owners of Green Papaya, have built their dream space. The tile roofs of the Vietnamese stilt houses are just visible over the tall fence surrounding the courtyard, which is charming in nice weather. Sapa's menu is vast, ranging from sushi to Thai-style curries to fusion dishes and hot pots, but the artistically presented sushi is the best bet.
754 E South Temple, SLCSawadee Thai
Your eyes and palate are both pleased here, and the service is up to fine dining standards. The menu is extensive-50-odd dishes are listed, going far outside the usual pad thai and curry core. Thai food's appeal lies in the exquisite subtleties of difference achieved with a fairly limited palette of ingredients, a quality easily lost or blurred. At Sawadee, the distinctions shine.
1700 E. 1300 SouthSea Salt
When we arrived, owner Eric Debonis was lugging in flats of the season’s last tomatoes, fired up to turn them into sauce that would last the winter. That’s how serious Sea Salt is about sourcing, and that’s how enthusiastic it is about its mission to serve food as fresh as the Italians do. Dishes like pappardelle with duck ragu and spaghetti with bottarga (Sardinian mullet roe) show pure Italian soul. Order the bufala mozzarella and grilled Treviso salad, radicchio cooked to caramelization. Even the wine list is all-Italian—be sure to go exploring.
260 S 200 West, SLCSettebello Pizzeria
Every pie here is handshaped by an actual pizza artisan and baked in a wood-fired oven. And each is a work of art, topped with pork products from Fra Mani and Salumi, roasted peppers or savery anchovies. Build your own, or look to Settebello's house creations.
442 Main StreetShabu
Cool new digs, friendly service and fun food make Shabu one of PC’s most popular spots: Make reservations. A stylish bar with prize-winning mixologists adds to the freestyle feel.
1612 W. Ute Blvd. #106Shabu Shabu House
The second shabu-style eatery in PC is less grand than the first but offers max flavor from quality ingredients in its cozily unassuming setting.
10199 E hwy 210, AltaShallow Shaft
Sauces are supreme: try a kiwi-tomato salsa on marinated chicken breast or anch-chili sauce on Utah rack of lamb. Desserts inclue tarte tatin and the wine list offers thoughtful pariings.
321 S Main Street, SLCShogun
Kick off your shoes and relax on the floor of your own private room, while you sample the soft-shelled crab roll. Enjoy finely presented teriyaki, tempura, sukiyaki or something grilled by a chef before your eyes.
20 W 200 South, SLCSiegfried's Delicatessen
The only German cafe in town is packed at lunchtime with customers ordering bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, sauerkraut, red cabbage and spaetzle. Shelves are crowded with Bahlsen cookies, marzipan and other delicacies.
508 Main St. Silver
Silver is genuinely stunning. The blue mohair walls. The silvery floors. The silver alligator-covered chairs, the wall jewelry of linked silver esses, the see-through wine cellar and the glowing blue sinks. And the food measures up; steakhouse-style a la carte big meat with separate sides or complete entrees: Try gorgeous short ribs, Utah trout on risotto, ruby-rare duck breast on chunks of caramelized fennel and endive with a ginger confit. Enjoy a dose of starstruck Sundance glamour available year-round. 508 Main St., Park City, 435-940-1000
11332 E. Big Cottonwood CanyonSilver Fork Lodge
An authentic old log cabin with a gorgeous view from the deck, Silver Fork's kitchen handles three daily meals beautifully. Try pancakes made with a 50-year old sourdough starter. Don't miss the smoked trout and brie appetizer. No more corkage fees, so bring your own.
1825 Three Kings Dr. Silver Star Cafe
Chef David Bible serves comfort food with an upscale sensibility and original touches, like shrimp and grits with chipotle or Niman Ranch pork cutlets with spaetzle. Morning meals are also tops, and the location is spectacular.
700 N. Homestead Drive, Midway Simon's Grill at the Homestead
The décor is formal, the fare is hearty but refined—salmon in a morel cream, or pearl onion fritters dusted with coarse salt.
4115 Redwood Rd. Siragusa's
Another strip mall mom and pop find, the two dishes to look out for are sweet potato gnocchi and osso buco made with pork.
1895 Washington Blvd.Slackwater Pizza
Right on the Ogden Riverside part of the parkway, this cool new pizza pub has lots to recommend it besides its waterside patio. The case is loaded with over 100 different beers, and there is more on tap, plus a nice wine list. Live music and a well-designed interior make this a place to linger, not a grab-and-go pie joint. Most of all, it's the pizza, with an original crust recipe that has the immediate crispiness of regulation Neapolitan and the sturdiness of American-style crusts, that lingers in the memory. The kitchen is not afraid to play melting pot with the toppings, either, coming up with some surprisingly inauthentic and fabulous combinations, like the amazing Taste of Thai, topped with shredded chicken, Thai coleslaw and peanut sauce. Of course, you can always invent your own, and there is lots of other stuff on the menu.
650 W. 100 South, HeberSnake Creek Grill
The setting is straight out of a Dodge City; the menu is a blend of home cooking, Southwestern and old-school continental. Corn bisque with grilled shrimp was a creamy golden wonder. Yes, to everyone's question: the black-bottom banana cream pie is still on the menu and you'll want it, no matter what you ordered for dinner.
3939 S. Highland DriveSo Cupcake
Choose a mini or a full cake, mix and match cakes and icings, or try a house creation, like Hanky Panky Red Velvet.
33. East 11400 SouthSonny Bryan's
Sonny Bryan was one of the legends of Texas-style barbecue. His tiny smokehouse right off a Dallas freeway, furnished with smoke-soaked school desks, was a mecca for decades. Before Sonny died in 1989, he sold the name and recipes, and the original was replicated around the rest of Texas and the country. Now, soulful Sonny's is in soulless Sandy, but the brisket is pretty much the same. Ribs are good, but beef is what Texas barbecue is all about, and a chopped brisket sandwich with a Shiner bock is as true a taste of Texas as you'll find outside the Lone Star state.
2310 Kiesel AvenueSonora Grill
A big city restaurant in small-town Ogden, Sonora Grill is a surprise from the second you step in the door. The chic decor is straight outta Mexico City or Vegas and though the food sounds familiar–tacos, burritos, guacamole–the Mexican usuals are elevated to another level, more sophisticated than your corner burrito joint. There's a great list of tequilas and a creative list of margaritas.
29 N Main StreetSostanza
A chef-driven restaurant in small-town Utah. Unusual, but the menu bridges familiar dishes (fried everything) with innovative cusine (fennel oil). There's a dance floor in the adjoining bar, and everyone, including chef Steven Berzansky, is having fun.
255 S West Temple, SLCSpencer's
The quality of the meat and the accuracy of the cooking are what makes a steakhouse great. Spencer's in the Hilton provides all that in the clubby English atmosphere we associate with beef-eating. Beef is aged on the bone and many cuts are served on the bone; this is as good as beef gets.
6121 South Highland Dr.Spice Bistro
India meets the Rat Pack in this restaurant, but the food is all sub-continental soul-spicy curries, Nepalese momos, chicken chicken chili, goat and lots of vegetarian options. A number of American dishes are on the menu, too.
220 N. Main Street, HeberSpin Cafe
House-made gelato is the big star at this family-owned café, but the food is worth your time. Try the pulled pork, the salmon BLT or the sirloin.
428 Zion Park Blvd.Spotted Dog Cafe'
White-clad tables make are a perfect foil to red rock. have some vino, and enjoy your achiote-braised lamb shank with mint mashed potatoes on rosemary spaghetti squash.
147 W. BroadwaySquatters Pub Brewery
One of the “greenest” restaurants in town, Squatters brews award-winning beers and pairs them with everything from wings to ahi tacos.
1900 Park AvenueSquatters Roadhouse
The house-brewed beers—honey wheat, amber ale or oatmeal stout, to name a few—complement a menu of burgers, brick-oven pizzas and rotisserie chicken.
22 W. Center St.Station 22
Ever-hipper Provo is home to some cutting edge food now that the cutting edge has a folksy, musical saw kind of style. Station 22 is a perfect example of the Utah roots trend-a charming, funky interior, a great soundtrack and a menu with a slight Southern twang. Try the fried chicken sandwich with red cabbage on ciabatta.
4291 S. 900 EastStella Grill
A cool little Arts and Crafts-style cafe owned by the Pub Group (who brought you Martine and Desert Edge), Stella is a good balance between trend and tried-and-true. Thought is given to ingredients (lamb comes from Morgan Valley) and cooking is careful (our pork was pretty and pink), but prices are moderate, and though the kitchen is creative, the food is still comforting. The potato roulade is a case in point.
91 E. Main St. Sunglow Family Restaurant
This pit stop is famous for its pinto bean and pickle pies. Yes, we said pickle.
1571 W. Redstone Ctr. Dr., Suite 140Sushi Blue
Find the yin and yang of Asian-American flavors in Bill White's sushi, excellent Korean tacos, crab sliders and other Amer-Asian food fusions, including the best hot dog in the state, topped with bacon and house-made kimchi.
18 W Market Street, SLCTakashi
Takashi Gibo earned his deserved acclaim by purchasing the freshest fish and serving it in eye-popping presentations. Check the chalkboard for daily specials like Thai mackerel, fatty tuna or spot prawns, and expect the best sushi in the city, because that’s what you’ll get.
900 Main StreetTalisker on Main
Talisker the luxury real estate company is now Talisker the restaurant with Chef John Murcko, a Park City pioneer, back in charge of a kitchen. The beautiful but comfortably Old World white dining room features a show kitchen with a chandelier and some intimate dining nooks. Murcko delights in customizing to your taste; for the most part, the food is locally sourced and classically wonderful, with only a little moderno foam spritz to prove we are in the 21st century.
733 E 3300 STandoor Indian Grill
A quiet room with riotous flavors. Delicious salmon tandoori, sizzling on a plate with onions and peppers like fajitas, is mysteriously not overcooked. And you won’t find friendlier service.
1615 S. Foothill DriveTaqueria 27
Taqueria 27 guacamole may be made with tomato, onion, cilantro and lime, like you're used to, but it might come with mango, jicama, serrano peppers and green onions. At T27, there's more than one way to mash an avocado. Chef/owner Todd Gardiner cooked at Z'Tejas for years and developed a lot of ideas in that time, like queso funded with house-made turkey chorizo. And tacos stuffed with duck confit. And a whole slew of tequilas.
380 E. Main Str., Tarahumara
The new cantina side of this favored status Mexican restaurant feels just right-wood walls, nice bar, lots of glowing beer signs. And the aroma of chilies and fried corn makes you hungry. But the best thing about it is the table service. I'm sorry, but I just don't like ordering at a counter, like you've always had to do at this family-run eatery in Midway. I need a little more time to ponder than standing in line gives you. I want a drink and chips while i decide between chile rellenos and mole. That said, after eating the barbacoa taco, I may never need to make up my mind again. The mound of slow-cooked lamb on a double corn tortilla is halfway to heaven-all you need to do is pick up a variety of salsas from the famous salsa bar and start experimenting.
1241 E 8600 South, Sandy Taste Of Punjab
Fuchsia-colored walls and black decor accents give the restaurant a unique, contemporary feel. The food, though, is tried-and-true Indian, with a focus on tandoori dishes and specialties like butter chicken.
580 Main StreetTaste of Saigon
Flavor is the focus here, with the degree of heat in your control. Try the specials such as lemongrass beef and rice noodle soup. Plan to share if this is a first course; the portion is huge.
1302 S 500 East, SLCTasty Thai
Tasty is a family-run spot right by Liberty Park, one of the few areas in town that still needs more restaurants. It's absolutely plain, in and out, but it's spotless and friendly, too, the food is fresh and plentiful. And it's so close to a walk in the park.
430 W. 800 NorthThai Chili Gardens
Start with a chili salad of chicken, cucumbers, onion and tomato. Go on to galangal coconut soup. Served in a Mongolian hotpot, one bowl can feed two or three.
6271 S 3655 West, Suite 3 West JordanThai Delight Cafe
Find this West Jordan cafe in a strip mall just off the Bangerter Highway. Whatever is lacking in ambience is made up for in the seven-page menu's low prices and expert preparation-most dishes range from a mere $5.25 to $6.95.
4410 S 900 East, SLCThai Garden
Paprika-infused pad Thai, deep-fried boneless duck and gang gra ree-all are excellent choices from the 50-plus items on the menu. Be tempted by batter-fried bananas with coconut ice cream or sweet sticky rice with sliced mangoes.
212 E 500 South, SLCThai Lotus
The charming little restaurant across from Library Square features curries and noodle dishes that hit a precise procession on the palate-sweet, then sour, savory and hot-plus there are dishes you've never tried before and should: bacon and collard greens, red curry with duck, salmon with chili and coconut sauce.
6219 S Highland Dr, SLCThai Orchid
The fresh, expertly prepared Thai food here backs up the stellar service. Lunch specials are a steal at just under seven bucks, and include two entrees (the vegetarian and tofu dishes are noteworthy), rice and house salad.
1435 S State Street, SLCThai Siam
This restaurant is diminutive, but the flavors are fresh, big and bold and the service is proficient and gracious. Never expensive, this place is even more of a bargain during lunchtime, when adventurous customers enjoy the $6.95 combination plates, a triple Thai tasting that's one of the best deals in town.
7 N 400 West, The Gateway, SLCThaifoon
The soothing ambiance is enhanced by the white noise of a water wall. The sauce for the lettuce wraps is made tableside. Don't miss the generous filet of lemongrass-crusted halibut or the heavenly cloud dessert. This is one of the most popular destinations for dining after shopping in The Gateway.
645 S. State StreetThe Bayou
The Bayou’s subtitle says it all: This is Beervana, with 260 bottled beers and 32 on draft. The kitchen is an overachiever for a beer bar, turning out artichoke heart pizza and Cornish game hens deep-fried whole.
1212 Zion Park Blvd.The Bit and Spur
The menu stars Southerwestern baby-back ribs, beef and smokey chicken and Meixcan favorites like chili verde and enchiladas.
The Blue Boar Inn
The restaurant is reminiscent of the Alps, but serves fine American cuisine. Don't miss the award-winning brunch.
19 N. Main St.The Bluebird
The ornate soda fountain, tile floors and mahogany tables are the setting for daily specials and soups, traditional milkshakes and sundaes.
1355 E. 2100 SouthThe Dodo
The venerable bistro is now open in Sugar House--the latest in a series of lcoations. The menu features many of the same list of '70s/'80s standards that it always has. some of it seems retro, but it's nice to know where to get quiche when you want it.
Resort Village, Sundial Building, North of the CabrioletThe Canyons
435-615-4828
http://www.canyonsreso...
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The Farm at Canyons
Food is at the forefront of the re-imagined Canyons, and the Farm is the flagship featuring sustainably raised and produced handmade food.
Sundance ResortThe Foundry Grill
The low-key café in Sundance Resort serves comfort food with fine western style—pizzas and sandwiches, spit-roasted chickens, and -steaks. The Sunday brunch offers a mammoth buffet.
3925 E. Snowbasin RoadThe Huntington Room at Earl's Lodge
Breakfast and lunch offer ski-day sustenance, while fireside dinner is the main event for the après-ski set. In summer, dine at the top of the mountain.
48 Federal Ave.The Italian Place
A great sandwich is about proportion, not quantity, and these balance filling and bread, toasted until the meld is complete.
54 W Market Street, SLCThe Oyster Bar
Living up to its name, this place offers the largest selection of fresh oysters in the state: Belon, Olympia, Malpeque and Snow Creek plus the standard Bluepoints for indulgent oyster tasting. Crab and shrimp are also stellar and conscientiously procured.
2985 E Cottonwood Parkway (6590 South)Cottonwood Heights
801-942-8870
http://www.marketstree...
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The Oyster Bar
Living up to its name, this place offers the largest selection of fresh oysters in the state: Belon, Olympia, Malpeque and Snow Creek plus the standard Bluepoints for indulgent oyster tasting. Crab and shrimp are also stellar and conscientiously procured.
1320 E 200 South, SLCThe Pie Pizzeria
College students can live, and apparently even think, on a diet of pizza, beer and soft drinks, and the original Pie is the quintessential college pizzeria.(There are other locations.) Whether you get the meatlover's special or the veggie pie, the toppings are piled higher than the average middle-aged person can imagine. How do they do it?
100 W. 600 SouthThe Plum
For starters, try the jumbo coconut shrimp served with a piquant Jalapeño-orange marmalade sauce. The selection of entrées includes filet mignon with a rosemary-burgundy reduction sauce of macademia-crusted halibut.
273 Trolley SquareThe Pub's Desert Edge Brewery
Good pub fare and freshly brewed beer make this a hot spot for shoppers, the business crowd and ski bums. Take note of the beer classes run by brewmaster Chris Haas.
1640 W. Redstone Center Drive, Suite 105The Red Rock Brewery
The extensive selection of award-winning house-brewed beers—honey wheat, hefeweizen, black bier or oatmeal stout, to name a few (root beers for the tykes)—complement a menu of grilled burgers in pita, thin-crust brick-oven pizzas, golden rotisserie herbed chicken and creative salads.
254 S. 200 WestThe Red Rock Brewing Company
Red Rock proves the pleasure of beer as a complement to pizzas, rotisserie chicken and chile polenta. Not to mention brunch. Now also open in Fashion Place Mall.
235 S 400 W The Rose Establishment
Part of the Starbucks backlash, The Rose is a place for conversation as much as coffee. It's more about play than work; instead of Wi-Fi, there's Scrabble. Coffee is from Four Barrel Coffee Roasters, and the cinnamon toast is killer. 235 S. 400 West, SLC, 801-990-6270.
7350 E. 200 SouthThe Shooting Star
More than a century old, with walls adorned with moose trophies, as well as a stuffed St. Bernard. The Starburger is two beef patties with knackwurst. You must be 21 to eat here.
Level 1, Snowbird Center, Snowbird ResortThe Steak Pit
Sauteed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail and bacon-wrapped scallops are classics, as are the steamed vegetables, rice pilaf and the filled-to-the-brim stainless salad bowl large enough to feed a family of 10. And then there's the beef.
2207 S. 700 EastThe Sugarhouse Barbecue Company
This place is a winner for pulled pork, Texas brisket or Memphis ribs. Add killer sides, like potato salad or barbecued beans, and you’ve got authentic Southern taste with upscale touches. Great for takeout meals when you’re entertaining a crowd.
Highway 92, Sundance ResortThe Tree Room
The resort’s flagship is known for its seasonal, straightforward menu and memorable decor. Try the wild game—spice-rubbed quail and buffalo tenderloin.
481 E. South TempleThe Wild Grape
This new restaurant opened to an enthusiastic and hungry neighborhood; evidently we'd all been waiting for a place like this. The simple menu relies on bold flavors and there are lots of good wines by the glass. The rotisserie turns out prime rib, Cornish game hen and cider-brined pork. Big pluses: Wild Grape is open on Sundays and until 10 p.m. on weeknights, with a special noshing menu.
8256 S. 700 EastTiburon
Tiburon exudes warmth and class. Whether you choose the house specialty of grilled New Zealand elk tenderloin served with green peppercorn demi-glace or one of the specials like dry-packed scallops in light chipotle cream sauce, the tastes are exquisite.
365 W. 400 SouthTin Angel
From boho bistro, Tin Angel has grown into one of Salt Lake’s premier dining destinations, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your tie on. Chef Jerry Liedtke can make magic with anything from a snack to a full meal, vegetarian or omnivore. Not to mention dessert.
210 Historic 25th StreetTona Sushi Bar and Grill
The sleek digs—exposed brick walls, minimal décor and gallery lighting—set off the food’s aesthetic. There’s novice-friendly fare like the California roll, but there are also whimsical creations like the Sunburn roll and some of the best tempura this side of the Pacific.
613 E 400 STonyburgers
This home-grown burger house serves fresh-ground beef, toasted buns, twice-fried potatoes and milkshakes made with real scoops of ice cream. No pastrami in sight.
17 E 11400 SouthToscano Italian Bistro
The specialty is wood-fired pizza, but there are salads, soups and sandwiches too. Check out the "Ubriaco" pie-three cheeses, pancetta and an egg on top.
2223 S. Highland Drive, SLCTsunami Sugar House
Yes, you can find plush sea bream, tangy ceviche and refreshing octopus salad. But the menu also offers crispy-light tempura for the raw-fearing. Sip and sample the numerous house cocktails and sake.
7628 S Union Park Avenue, SandyTsunami Union Heights
Yes, you can find plush sea bream, tangy ceviche and refreshing octopus salad. But the menu also offers crispy-light tempura for the raw-fearing. Sip and sample the numerous house cocktails and sake.
869 E. 700 SouthTulie
You can get a little spiritual about pastries this good on a Sunday morning, but at Tulie you can be just as uplifted by a Wednesday lunch. And a cake from Tulie makes a celebration.
2832 E 6200 South, SLCTuscany
A mainstay of Salt Lake dining, this restaurant's faux-Tuscan Kitsch is mellowing into a retro charm, appealing in contrast to today's slick, noisy trattorias. The signature double-cut pork chop has been a favorite for over a decade, as has the enormous, multilayerd chocolate cake. The patio is perfect in the summer months.
Union Station 2501 Wall AvenueUnion Grill
The cross-over cooking offers soups, sandwiches, seafood and pastas with American, Greek, Italian or Mexican spices.
2290 S. West TempleVertical Diner
Chef Ian Brandt, of Sage’s Café and Cali’s Grocery fame, cooked up Vertical Diner’s animal-free menu of burgers, sandwiches and breakfasts, as well as organic wines and coffees.
2065 Mahre DriveViking Yurt
(Open seasonally) Arrive by sleigh and settle in for a luxurious five-course meal. Reservations and timeliness a must. Park City Mountain Resort.
418 E 200 South, SLCVinto
This spiffy, no-fuss, easy-to-use trattoria features American-style personal-size wood oven-fired pizza, great special pastas and salads on a lovely limited menu. Service is built around a nifty handheld computer system, so you set your own dining pace here. Desserts, made by Amber Billingsley-apple croustade, molten chocolate and gelato-are also simple, but perfect.
300 S. 300 W.Vivace
From the full cena to the carpaccio bar, Cucina Toscana's new casual sister restaurant is like no other Italian Restaurant else Utah-modern, stylish and very Italian.
577 Main St.Wahso
Restaurateur Bill White is known for his eye-popping eateries. Wahso is his crown jewel, done up with lanterns and silks like a 1930s noir set. Try the “new style” sashimi, but don’t miss the jasmine tea-smoked duck. This is what “fusion” promised.
1300 Snow Creek Drive Wasatch Bagel Cafe
Not just the bagels, but bagels as buns, enfolding a sustaining layering of sandwhich fillings like egg and bacon or sausage. One of these and a cup of Park City Roasters coffee and you are more than good to go.
250 Main StreetWasatch Brewpub
Some of the best meals in Park City are served from this bustling brewpub at the top of Main Street. Racks of New Zealand lamb, fresh seafood and a great burger come without a hefty price tag. Locals and savvy travelers congregate over pints of Polygamy Porter and zippy hefeweizen to watch the latest game on the many TVs or play billiards on the second floor.
445 Zion Park Blvd.Whiptail Grill
Whiptail Grill Tucked into an erstwhile gas station, the kitchen and everything else about this quirky place is little. Except the flavors, which are big and soulful. A goat cheese-stuffed chile relleno crusted in Panko, chipotle chicken enchiladas and fantastic fish tacos made more than a meal. Add in the chocolate-chile creme brulee, and the red rocks just got even more beautiful. 445 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-0283.
Iron Blosam LodgeWildflower Ristorante
The indoor/outdoor setting provides an opportunity to enjoy an understated evening inhaling nature's beauty. Pastas are stick-to-the-ribs mountain food, served with carbonara, prawns or veggies.
1250 Iron Horse DriveWindy Ridge Bakery & Cafe
Not just bagels, but bagels as buns, enfolding a sustaining layering of sandwich fillings like egg and bacon.
815 Coyote Gulch CourtXetava Cafe
The kiva-like dining room is a magical place to feast on an organic blue corn waffle for breakfast, a steak gyro for lunch or a barista-made cup of coffee for a midday jolt, but to truly experience the magic of Xetava, we suggest you dine on gourmet burgers, pizzas and tapas under the stars on the patio with a view of the red cliffs that tower over eco-conscious Kayenta. .
6055 S 900 East, SLCYamasaki
Yamasaki is a little oasis of calm in suburban madness and its invitation to serenity is welcome. Try the bento ($12)-tempura shrimp and onion rings, gyoza, California rolls and teriyaki-or a plate of grilled salmon in miso sauce with rice and tempura carrot slivers and onion rings for about $6.
191 S. Rio GrandeZ'Tejas
A link that has loosened its chain and developed its own personality, Z’Tejas serves faithful versions of Tex-Mex, probably as good as you can get it outside the Lone Star state. Forget that it’s in a soulless mall; the enchiladas have plenty of soul.
784 W. Resort DriveZermatt Resort
The charming, Swiss-themed resort is big on buffets—seafood, Italian and brunch.
1479 E. 5600 SouthZucca Trattoria
Chef-owner Elio Scanu's menu changes with the seasons, featuring regional Italian dishes. The pizza is excellent, but be adventurous and check out the specials. You'll be happy with the lasagna, too -perfectly proportioned, with a complex bolognese with lots more than tomato. Desserts rule: Molten chocolate cake was good, and the semifreddo with amarena cherries was excellent.
268 S StateZY
Chef Matthew Lake and owner Sean Slatter have planted a new flag downtown. The modern interior is defined by streetside windows, its location makes it a fave lunch spot, and the cheese and by-the-glass wine selection make it an appealing after-work stop.
