Guidebook for Salt Lake City
Food Scene
The Bagel Project
779 S 500 EThe salt bagel is better than any in NYC...yes, that good.
Scratch-made Mexican food that's incredible. Both locations are nearly always busy.
242 locals recommend
Red Iguana
736 W North TempleScratch-made Mexican food that's incredible. Both locations are nearly always busy.
Amazing sweets from Adalberto Diaz the 2012 American Culinary Federation Pastry Chef of the Year, and finalist of 2015 Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network. If you're incredibly lucky, he'll have made his Cuban meat pies!
11 locals recommend
Fillings & Emulsions
1475 Main StAmazing sweets from Adalberto Diaz the 2012 American Culinary Federation Pastry Chef of the Year, and finalist of 2015 Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network. If you're incredibly lucky, he'll have made his Cuban meat pies!
If it's a Saturday and you're in Salt Lake, STOP what you're doing and IMMEDIATELY go to Beltex for one of their Cubano sandwiches.
During all other days of the week please continue reading:
Whole animal butcher right around the corner. Amazing everything, but the beef bacon and chorizo are a good place to start. Get there early on Saturday for the best sandwich in the city, and if there happen to be pork rinds available...
6 locals recommend
Beltex Meats
511 E 900 SIf it's a Saturday and you're in Salt Lake, STOP what you're doing and IMMEDIATELY go to Beltex for one of their Cubano sandwiches.
During all other days of the week please continue reading:
Whole animal butcher right around the corner. Amazing everything, but the beef bacon and chorizo are a good place to start. Get there early on Saturday for the best sandwich in the city, and if there happen to be pork rinds available...
Brass Smoothies
925 E 900 SJust opened up near 9th and 9th - Get "The Boss" extra spicy.
Incredible sushi w/ omasake to rival any other. High end, and worth every penny.
156 locals recommend
Takashi
18 W Market StIncredible sushi w/ omasake to rival any other. High end, and worth every penny.
Best coffee in the city. Also, the avocado toast has no rival.
77 locals recommend
The Rose Establishment
235 400 WBest coffee in the city. Also, the avocado toast has no rival.
Some of my favorite ramen outside of Japan. Very casual, order all the apps; you won't be disappointed.
31 locals recommend
Tosh's Ramen
1963 E Murray Holladay RdSome of my favorite ramen outside of Japan. Very casual, order all the apps; you won't be disappointed.
My favorite coffee shop in town - great patio, next to other SLC gems.
54 locals recommend
Blue Copper Coffee Room
179 W 900 SMy favorite coffee shop in town - great patio, next to other SLC gems.
Great food and some good local history; Laziz is casual, and frequented by SLC's young who's who. Politicians, foodies, activists, and artists are always in attendance.
44 locals recommend
Laziz Kitchen
912 Jefferson St WGreat food and some good local history; Laziz is casual, and frequented by SLC's young who's who. Politicians, foodies, activists, and artists are always in attendance.
Pago
878 S 900 EBest burger in SLC, and my favorite wine menu.
Salt Lake's most famous chef recently opened a Nashville-style hot chicken shack. Order the sandwich "hot-behind" and you will not be disappointed. https://prettybirdchicken.com
66 locals recommend
Pretty Bird Chicken
146 Regent StSalt Lake's most famous chef recently opened a Nashville-style hot chicken shack. Order the sandwich "hot-behind" and you will not be disappointed. https://prettybirdchicken.com
Lightest roast in SLC serving up Heart Roaster's coffee. It's the perfect spot to grab a cup when downtown.
22 locals recommend
Three Pines Coffee
165 S Main StLightest roast in SLC serving up Heart Roaster's coffee. It's the perfect spot to grab a cup when downtown.
I hear all of their beef is Wagyu. Don't care; it's delicious!
20 locals recommend
Harbor Seafood & Steak Co.
E 2302 E Parleys WayI hear all of their beef is Wagyu. Don't care; it's delicious!
Drinks & Nightlife
Extensive cocktail menu; clubby, but not too clubby. Outdoor patio and DJs that don't disappoint.
16 locals recommend
Tinwell
837 S Main StExtensive cocktail menu; clubby, but not too clubby. Outdoor patio and DJs that don't disappoint.
Locals bar with the best cocktails in SLC (and no cocktail menu). Small and can get very crowded. Order a "Wray Daq".
63 locals recommend
Water Witch
163 W 900 SLocals bar with the best cocktails in SLC (and no cocktail menu). Small and can get very crowded. Order a "Wray Daq".
An old SLC staple recently brought back to life in this great tasting room with a rotating list of food trucks out back.
77 locals recommend
Fisher Brewing Company
320 W 800 SAn old SLC staple recently brought back to life in this great tasting room with a rotating list of food trucks out back.
Under Current
270 S 300 EAmy's take on classic cocktails are second to none.
Parks & Nature
1.5 mile loop is great for a walk, bike, or run. Don't be afraid of the spring-fed water fountains on the SE side!
353 locals recommend
Liberty Park
600 Harvey Milk Boulevard1.5 mile loop is great for a walk, bike, or run. Don't be afraid of the spring-fed water fountains on the SE side!
Connect up anywhere along the BST for great hiking and MTB trails.
64 locals recommend
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Connect up anywhere along the BST for great hiking and MTB trails.
Connect up anywhere along the BST for great hiking and MTB trails.
Bonneville Shoreline Trail Connection
Bonneville Shoreline Trail ConnectionConnect up anywhere along the BST for great hiking and MTB trails.
City Creek
Close, and beautiful.
Uinta Mountains
Favorite place to get lost.
Arts & Culture
A beautiful building with incredible exhibits, and amazing views of the city. It will keep the whole family entertained and educated.
281 locals recommend
Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara WayA beautiful building with incredible exhibits, and amazing views of the city. It will keep the whole family entertained and educated.
If you happen to be in town for a Ballet West performance, do yourself a favor and go. They are world-renowned for good reason.
78 locals recommend
Capitol Theatre
50 W 200 S If you happen to be in town for a Ballet West performance, do yourself a favor and go. They are world-renowned for good reason.
From classics to contemporary, the Utah Symphony plays it all incredibly.
69 locals recommend
Abravanel Hall
123 W S TempleFrom classics to contemporary, the Utah Symphony plays it all incredibly.
Always great exhibits, you won't even realize you're in Utah.
62 locals recommend
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
20 S W TempleAlways great exhibits, you won't even realize you're in Utah.
The permanent exhibit "Flight" is a must for anyone who has even the slightest interest in aviation.
157 locals recommend
Leonardo Museum
209 E 500 SThe permanent exhibit "Flight" is a must for anyone who has even the slightest interest in aviation.
Shopping
If you've ever ordered from Backcountry.com, take a trip to their retail storefront attached to the West Coast warehouse. It's a unique shopping experience where you have literally their entire stock available to check out.
7 locals recommend
Backcountry Retail Store Open for Curbside Pickup Only!
2607 3200 WIf you've ever ordered from Backcountry.com, take a trip to their retail storefront attached to the West Coast warehouse. It's a unique shopping experience where you have literally their entire stock available to check out.
Thyme and Place
362 E 900 SNext to Art Haus, with more great gift shopping, and unique finds.
Great selection. Helen (the owner) is a delight, and there's always something worth getting on the sale rack. Excellent hipstery-outdoorsy vibe with great gifts.
22 locals recommend
The Stockist
875 E 900 SGreat selection. Helen (the owner) is a delight, and there's always something worth getting on the sale rack. Excellent hipstery-outdoorsy vibe with great gifts.
Essentials
Continental Cleaners
902 900 EGreat service, great prices, and walkable!
Whole Foods Market
544 S 700 ETrader Joe's
634 E 400 SIt's like a regular Trader Joe's...but without wine!
Phenomenal climbing gym with extensive yoga classes, and a semi-traditional crossfit-like setup upstairs.
28 locals recommend
The Front Climbing Club
1470 400 WPhenomenal climbing gym with extensive yoga classes, and a semi-traditional crossfit-like setup upstairs.
Entertainment & Activities
6-screen cinema featuring 1st-run foreign & indie films along with unique concessions & pizza.
86 locals recommend
Broadway Centre Cinemas, operated by Salt Lake Film Society
300 South6-screen cinema featuring 1st-run foreign & indie films along with unique concessions & pizza.
Right in Liberty Park, incredible for kids and adults alike - go say hi to Andy the Andean Condor. "America's oldest and largest bird park, founded with a private bird collection. 400 birds representing 135 species on 7.5 acres."
136 locals recommend
Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens
589 E 1300 SRight in Liberty Park, incredible for kids and adults alike - go say hi to Andy the Andean Condor. "America's oldest and largest bird park, founded with a private bird collection. 400 birds representing 135 species on 7.5 acres."