Ready to shed that image (thanks to the dialing-down of some dated liquor laws) are a host of new drinking dens and dining establishments primed for visitors to explore. From a celebrity-owned beer-and-brat bar to an urban wine-tasting room, SLC is becoming an unlikely destination for food and drinks lovers. Here's where travelers can get a taste.

Slow Food

Chef Bowman Brown forages—literally—for ingredients to serve at Forage, an upscale, multicourse dining destination that demonstrates Zen-like precision in its plating. Sourcing from small farms and ranches near Salt Lake City for components, Brown whips together artistic dishes like asparagus with roe and coastal shoots from the Great Salt Lake, or duck egg with local spring garlic. You'll want to budget at least three hours for dinner here (and $152 per person, if you opt for the wine pairings), as the 14-course meal unfolds at a luxuriously slow pace.

Wine in the City

An urban winery in Salt Lake City? It's not a myth: Kiler Grove in South Salt Lake is an out-of-the-way venue in an unlikely industrial stretch, but inside, visitors will find a comfortable tasting room open to the public Wednesday through Saturday (sips that cover the full lineup are free; most bottles cost under $20). Pulling fruit from the winery's vineyard in Paso Robles, California, the wines are crafted on-site: Standouts include a 2013 Grenache- and Mourvédre-based rosé and a rich 2010 Grenache.

Beer & Cocktail Spots

Opened in March, the convivial and aptly named Beer Bar (161 E. 200 S) draws inspiration from German-inspired watering holes, with long, communal tables, a walk-up bratwurst bar, more than 140 brews, and several beer cocktails. Next door (and connected by a walkway) is Bar X. This dimly lit, 1,600-square-foot space highlights classic cocktails, like the Sazerac and Moscow Mule. Both are co-owned by Ty Burrell of the hit TV show Modern Family. (Fans can sometimes catch glimpses of the star with an IPA in hand.)