Enjoy some of our favorite places in Salt Lake City
Food Scene
The SLC food scene has exploded over the last 10 years. This makes it great but hard to keep on top of. Here are some of our favorites but it is changing all the time. While here you can eat just about any ethnicity food (and should!). Enjoy!
Top rated restaurant in SLC... the seasonal fish for two has always been superb. Also, great brunch.
107 locals recommend
Pago
878 S 900 ETop rated restaurant in SLC... the seasonal fish for two has always been superb. Also, great brunch.
Bustling coffee shop with newspaper readers, students and bikers stopping off after a ride - open almost all hours.
97 locals recommend
Coffee Garden
878 E 900 SBustling coffee shop with newspaper readers, students and bikers stopping off after a ride - open almost all hours.
Café Niche
779 E 300 SNice food and atmosphere.
Publik Kitchen
931 E 900 SDolcetti Gelato
902 E 900 SGreat, unique flavors of gelato... very close but a bit pricey.
Barbacoa Mexican Grill
859 E 900 SLocal chain serving great burritos... fast and well done.
Fantastic... arrive early or late or be prepared to wait for a table.
31 locals recommend
Tosh's Ramen
1963 E Murray Holladay RdFantastic... arrive early or late or be prepared to wait for a table.
Great Ethiopian food served on traditional Injera, reasonably priced. We always get the shared platters.
18 locals recommend
Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market
1465 State StGreat Ethiopian food served on traditional Injera, reasonably priced. We always get the shared platters.
Sapa
722 S State StNice large sushi restaurant and bar... avoid peak hours or plan to wait.
Pig & A Jelly Jar Salt Lake City
401 E 900 SDiner style brunch menu.
Hub and Spoke Diner
1291 S 1100 EUpscale diner breakfast and lunch.
Popular downtown eatery next to broadway theatre... very good burgers among other more sophisticated items on the menu.
152 locals recommend
The Copper Onion
111 E BroadwayPopular downtown eatery next to broadway theatre... very good burgers among other more sophisticated items on the menu.
Now with two locations... nice sweet pastries and some great brunch items. Mostly take away but a few tables inside and out.
93 locals recommend
Tulie Bakery
863 E 700 SNow with two locations... nice sweet pastries and some great brunch items. Mostly take away but a few tables inside and out.
Indochine Vietnamese Bistro
230 S 1300 EGreat local Vietnamese.
Taqueria 27 Downtown
149 E 200 SFun little modern styled taco restaurant.
Kathmandu Grill
212 S 700 ENepalese and Indian food.
Bombay House
2731 E Parleys WayGreat Indian food.
Not my favorite... but very popular runch restaurant up in the canyon with large portions.
156 locals recommend
Ruth's Diner
4160 Emigration Canyon RdNot my favorite... but very popular runch restaurant up in the canyon with large portions.
Great new place with unique individual pizzas and great broccollini (yes, really- cooked in the pizza oven). Also a smoothie bar behind.
43 locals recommend
Pizza Nono
925 900 SGreat new place with unique individual pizzas and great broccollini (yes, really- cooked in the pizza oven). Also a smoothie bar behind.
A brilliant middle eastern restaurant that has been featured in the NYT and on dinners, dives and drive in's (not sure why as it is not a dinner, dive or drive in).
44 locals recommend
Laziz Kitchen
912 Jefferson St WA brilliant middle eastern restaurant that has been featured in the NYT and on dinners, dives and drive in's (not sure why as it is not a dinner, dive or drive in).
Recently opened in a strip mall next to two of our favorites: Mahider Ethiopian and Tosh's Ramen. I have heard good things but have not made it over yet.
10 locals recommend
Afghan Kitchen
3142 S Main StRecently opened in a strip mall next to two of our favorites: Mahider Ethiopian and Tosh's Ramen. I have heard good things but have not made it over yet.
A nice restaurant with seasonal courtyard seating. Flavorful dishes with quite a few vegan options.
56 locals recommend
Oasis Cafe
151 S 500 EA nice restaurant with seasonal courtyard seating. Flavorful dishes with quite a few vegan options.
College pizza... thick dough, lots of cheese... good if that is what you are looking for. Also fun college scene for eating inside. They have this site on 200S and also a purely takeout/delivery location nearby.
79 locals recommend
The Pie Pizzeria - Underground
1320 E 200 SCollege pizza... thick dough, lots of cheese... good if that is what you are looking for. Also fun college scene for eating inside. They have this site on 200S and also a purely takeout/delivery location nearby.
Great Thai food a short drive or longer walk away... if you order spicy it will be spicy.
48 locals recommend
Chanon Thai Cafe
278 E 900 SGreat Thai food a short drive or longer walk away... if you order spicy it will be spicy.
A really great place for dim sum... indoor seating does feature rolling carts. The chinese food outside of dim sum is good but not great. Still it is our go-to for chinese food in SLC.
8 locals recommend
Dim Sum House
1158 S State StA really great place for dim sum... indoor seating does feature rolling carts. The chinese food outside of dim sum is good but not great. Still it is our go-to for chinese food in SLC.
Fine dining restaurant about halfway up the beautiful Millcreek canyon. Usually features some 'game' meats such as Elk.
49 locals recommend
Log Haven
6451 Mill Creek Canyon RdFine dining restaurant about halfway up the beautiful Millcreek canyon. Usually features some 'game' meats such as Elk.
Lucky 13
135 W 1300 SBest burgers in SLC, a bar so it is 21+.
Great place for Sushi... I recommend for dinner as the lunch menu is the same and so always gives me some sticker shock at lunchtime.
14 locals recommend
Tsunami on 9th
1059 E 900 SGreat place for Sushi... I recommend for dinner as the lunch menu is the same and so always gives me some sticker shock at lunchtime.
Nice middle eastern food in a quaint restaurant at the "15th and 15th center" (kind of like 9th and 9th but smaller and not as cool, of course).
115 locals recommend
Mazza
912 900 SNice middle eastern food in a quaint restaurant at the "15th and 15th center" (kind of like 9th and 9th but smaller and not as cool, of course).
Best for gelato... really great and we go hear over Dolcetti (which has the benefit of being close) 100% of the time.
24 locals recommend
Sweetaly Gelato
1527 S 1500 EBest for gelato... really great and we go hear over Dolcetti (which has the benefit of being close) 100% of the time.
Fast food middle eastern that is actually very good.
8 locals recommend
O'Falafel Middle Eastern Cuisine
790 E 2100 SFast food middle eastern that is actually very good.
A must try - they serve an amazing fried chicken sandwich and nothing else. A couple locations now but the downtown one is the most fun.
66 locals recommend
Pretty Bird Chicken
146 Regent StA must try - they serve an amazing fried chicken sandwich and nothing else. A couple locations now but the downtown one is the most fun.
Hands down the best Vietnamese food in the valley. They have two locations but stick to this one in Murray as this is where the owners also cook themselves.
Pho Saigon Noodle House
4907 State StHands down the best Vietnamese food in the valley. They have two locations but stick to this one in Murray as this is where the owners also cook themselves.
You will doubtless take a walk to this restaurant. A great selection of hearty salads and light entrees. Easy food to eat there or bring home for an easy meal in.
98 locals recommend
Vessel Kitchen
1146 E Fort Union BlvdYou will doubtless take a walk to this restaurant. A great selection of hearty salads and light entrees. Easy food to eat there or bring home for an easy meal in.
Gorgeous! Getting to Sundance is a little ways away, we usually take the scenic drive (over Aspen Grove on route 92 from Provo over the mountains) there to first hike from , have a wonderful dinner and drive back the more direct way via the highway.
174 locals recommend
Sundance Mountain Resort
8841 Alpine Loop Scenic BywayGorgeous! Getting to Sundance is a little ways away, we usually take the scenic drive (over Aspen Grove on route 92 from Provo over the mountains) there to first hike from , have a wonderful dinner and drive back the more direct way via the highway.
Drinks & Nightlife
I only added East Liberty Taphouse as the bar/restaurant around the corner. The best place to go explore is main street downtown between about 100 south and 500 south. Quite a few bars open onto the street or have sidewalk seating.
The first 'bar' to be approved in the neighborhood! (this is kindof a big deal for SLC) Nice atmosphere with great deck... not the best for food even though owned by the same group as Pago.
97 locals recommend
East Liberty Tap House
850 E 900 SThe first 'bar' to be approved in the neighborhood! (this is kindof a big deal for SLC) Nice atmosphere with great deck... not the best for food even though owned by the same group as Pago.
Essentials
Smith's
876 E 800 S Standard grocery store (Kroger)... very easy walk.
Continental Cleaners
902 900 ETrader Joe's
634 E 400 SWhole Foods Market
544 S 700 EHarmons is a local chain of high quality (and pricey) grocery stores. This one is small but well stocked and is a very pleaant place to shop... great gelato as well.
40 locals recommend
Harmons Emigration Market
1706 E 1300 SHarmons is a local chain of high quality (and pricey) grocery stores. This one is small but well stocked and is a very pleaant place to shop... great gelato as well.
The locals choice for acupuncture. Call as early as possible to get a spot as they fill up.
SLC Qi Community Acupuncture
242 South 400 EastThe locals choice for acupuncture. Call as early as possible to get a spot as they fill up.
Harmons downtown is fantastic. A large grocery store with it's own parking garage and a second floor area with gelato, sushi, other foods and also a kitchen made for cooking lessons. High quality everything here just as with their smaller Emigration market but this has a full meat/seafood/salad bar/ext.. as with any large full service grocery.
162 locals recommend
Harmons Grocery Store
135 E 100 SHarmons downtown is fantastic. A large grocery store with it's own parking garage and a second floor area with gelato, sushi, other foods and also a kitchen made for cooking lessons. High quality everything here just as with their smaller Emigration market but this has a full meat/seafood/salad bar/ext.. as with any large full service grocery.
Entertainment & Activities
Hogle Zoo
2600 Sunnyside Ave SLocal zoo.... very close to the city.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
12033 Lone Peak PkwyNew complete aquarium, quite good.
Snowbird Resort
9385 Snowbird Center DrAlta Ski Area
10010 Little Cottonwood Canyon Rd Some great summer hiking trails as well.
Salt Lake City Sports Complex
Guardsman WayPool, ice rinks, gym.
Fairmont Aquatic Center
1044 Sugarmont DrPool, including shallow kids pool with a lazy river and slide.
In addition to skiing, the 'lakes trail' is one of my favorite hikes in the area.
363 locals recommend
Brighton Resort
8302 S Brighton Loop Rd In addition to skiing, the 'lakes trail' is one of my favorite hikes in the area.
Solitude Mountain Resort
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon RdDeer Valley Resort
2250 Deer Valley Dr SPristine snow and luxury amenities.
Jump Around Utah
1519 S 700 WA warehouse full of bounce houses... kids absolutely love it.
Speed skating oval that often has world class long and short track competitions. Also runs curling and skating classes and lots of free skate.
31 locals recommend
Utah Olympic Oval
5662 Cougar LnSpeed skating oval that often has world class long and short track competitions. Also runs curling and skating classes and lots of free skate.
Check out the training and/or competition schedule for ski jumping. The competitions can be busy so be prepared for crowds.
211 locals recommend
Utah Olympic Park
3419 Olympic PkwyCheck out the training and/or competition schedule for ski jumping. The competitions can be busy so be prepared for crowds.
World class nordic skiing (were the olympics were held) that also has biathlon introduction classes and a large tubing hill.
51 locals recommend
Soldier Hollow Nordic Center
2002 Soldier Hollow LnWorld class nordic skiing (were the olympics were held) that also has biathlon introduction classes and a large tubing hill.
My choice for alpine skiing in the last few years... it is farther away but avoids the traffic of park city or big/little cottonwood canyons.
297 locals recommend
Snowbasin Resort
3925 Snow Basin RdMy choice for alpine skiing in the last few years... it is farther away but avoids the traffic of park city or big/little cottonwood canyons.
A nordic center just outside of downtown park city with nice trails winding through the summertime golf course.
22 locals recommend
White Pine Touring
1790 Bonanza DrA nordic center just outside of downtown park city with nice trails winding through the summertime golf course.
A large city park nearby! This has a farmers market some nights in the summer, large fields with drum circles, a sledding hill, a pond, tennis courts, public pool, the tracy aviary and the chase museum of Utah folk arts. Also a great place to run (~1.5miles around I think) where in the morning you may run into the national guard.
353 locals recommend
Liberty Park
600 Harvey Milk BoulevardA large city park nearby! This has a farmers market some nights in the summer, large fields with drum circles, a sledding hill, a pond, tennis courts, public pool, the tracy aviary and the chase museum of Utah folk arts. Also a great place to run (~1.5miles around I think) where in the morning you may run into the national guard.
Beautiful place to go out for a ski with lessons offered. Be careful of canyon traffic.
9 locals recommend
Solitude Nordic Center
8073 Big Cottonwood Canyon RdBeautiful place to go out for a ski with lessons offered. Be careful of canyon traffic.
Getting Around
Bus stop on route 209 that goes downtown. Visit utah transit authority (UTA) for more information.
960 900 E
960 900 EastBus stop on route 209 that goes downtown. Visit utah transit authority (UTA) for more information.
Arts & Culture
Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara WayBrand new with amazing dinosaur collection.
Outdoor heritage village that showcases the earliest Mormon pioneers. Popular for families with children... avoid Pioneer day weekend (July 25th).
136 locals recommend
This Is The Place Heritage Park
2601 Sunnyside Ave SOutdoor heritage village that showcases the earliest Mormon pioneers. Popular for families with children... avoid Pioneer day weekend (July 25th).
Check it out! This was opened in 2016 and was the first large enough theater to bring Hamilton, Lion King and all the other great broadway shows.
91 locals recommend
Eccles Theater
131 S Main StCheck it out! This was opened in 2016 and was the first large enough theater to bring Hamilton, Lion King and all the other great broadway shows.
A theatre on the University of Utah campus. Very nice performances.
15 locals recommend
Pioneer Theatre Company at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
300 1400 EA theatre on the University of Utah campus. Very nice performances.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
410 Campus Center DrBeautiful museum on the U of U campus.
Museum with a rare book shop next to the Salt Lake City public library.
157 locals recommend
Leonardo Museum
209 E 500 SMuseum with a rare book shop next to the Salt Lake City public library.
A beautiful library with an outdoor staircase that wraps up to a rooftop deck with a view of the city and the Wasatch front. Worth a visit.
90 locals recommend
Salt Lake City Public Library
210 E 400 SA beautiful library with an outdoor staircase that wraps up to a rooftop deck with a view of the city and the Wasatch front. Worth a visit.
Parks & Nature
Amazing gardens with views of the city, summer concerts, children's concerts. Great children's garden as well.
229 locals recommend
Red Butte Garden
300 Wakara WayAmazing gardens with views of the city, summer concerts, children's concerts. Great children's garden as well.
Ensign Peak Trailhead
Ensign Peak TrailShort hiking trail with great view of the city and valley.
Great hiking (varied, but mostly 3+ miles round trip) and picnic areas.
123 locals recommend
Millcreek Canyon
3800 Mill Creek Canyon RdGreat hiking (varied, but mostly 3+ miles round trip) and picnic areas.
Busy, stunning city park with playgrounds, picnic areas, pond, tennis, pool, local history museum, concerts and gatherings.
353 locals recommend
Liberty Park
600 Harvey Milk BoulevardBusy, stunning city park with playgrounds, picnic areas, pond, tennis, pool, local history museum, concerts and gatherings.
Fantastic aviary to walk around in and see birds, unique plants, bird shows, ext.. Also a wedding venue.
136 locals recommend
Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens
589 E 1300 SFantastic aviary to walk around in and see birds, unique plants, bird shows, ext.. Also a wedding venue.
Beautiful aviary inside Liberty park. Great for adults and kids alike.
136 locals recommend
Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens
589 E 1300 SBeautiful aviary inside Liberty park. Great for adults and kids alike.
A large park with lots of pavilions for rent for large group activities. Also has a few playgrounds, a few great sledding hills, a river that runs through it, amazing views of the Wasatch front and fields filled with ultimate frisbee and outdoor athletes lifting, running, biking, ext..
197 locals recommend
Sugar House Park
1330 2100 SA large park with lots of pavilions for rent for large group activities. Also has a few playgrounds, a few great sledding hills, a river that runs through it, amazing views of the Wasatch front and fields filled with ultimate frisbee and outdoor athletes lifting, running, biking, ext..
Biking, walking or running this trail is very accessible from multiple parking areas along the north and east side of the city. The name refers to the the shoreline from when the entire valley was filled by an enormous lake Bonneville and winds just uphill from the University.
64 locals recommend
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Biking, walking or running this trail is very accessible from multiple parking areas along the north and east side of the city. The name refers to the the shoreline from when the entire valley was filled by an enormous lake Bonneville and winds just uphill from the University.
Perhaps the most beautiful hike in Utah... an out and back that gets steep but you can manage how far you go as views start early. There is a parking fee at this trailhead that is monitored so bring some cash. Combine with a dinner at Sundance resort that is only a mile or two away.
7 locals recommend
Aspen Grove Trailhead
Perhaps the most beautiful hike in Utah... an out and back that gets steep but you can manage how far you go as views start early. There is a parking fee at this trailhead that is monitored so bring some cash. Combine with a dinner at Sundance resort that is only a mile or two away.