Originally published on Conde Nast Traveler.

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Salt Lake City, Utah’s Ever-Evolving Urban-Outdoor Hub

A guide to Salt Lake City, from peak to plate in Utah’s mountain metropolis.

By Jessica Chapel

March 5, 2026

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Over the past decade, Salt Lake City has evolved into a destination worth more than a layover. After my recent return trip to Utah’s capital, it’s clear the city has entered a new chapter with dining, drinking, and entertainment experiences worth planning a vacation around. Once overlooked, this city is now brimming with new restaurants, craft bars, design-forward hotels, and access to nature. Locals and travelers alike are turning up for inventive dining—from speakeasy cocktails to picture-perfect omakase—while the mountains are never far for skiing or hiking—don’t miss out on the quirky annual events like Winter Roundup skijoring (skiers and snowboarders get towed by horses through the snowy streets) and the ultra-hip, indie-forward Kilby Block Party Music Festival. Boutique shopping and independent galleries are emerging alongside long-standing museums, lending downtown an even more vibrant, walkable energy.

With Michelin inspectors set to visit Utah for the first time this summer, the city’s culinary profile is officially rising. As for pop-culture lovers like me, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is returning for season four on March 12, 2026, and the upcoming season of The Bachelorette with newcomer lead Taylor Frankie Paul is set to premiere on March 22. Meaning Salt Lake is officially reality TV's hottest backdrop. Between all the buzz, postcard mountain views, swanky bars, and hotels that balance history, style, and service, Salt Lake City has genuinely become a place you’ll want to return to—not just pass through.

• Where to eat in Salt Lake City
• Where to stay in Salt Lake City
• Where to play in Salt Lake City
• Where to get your pop culture fill
• Frequently asked questions

Where to eat in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City's dining scene—long overlooked because of strict state liquor laws—is catching real momentum as talented chefs and new openings carve out flavorful menus. The region is also getting attention from the upcoming Michelin Guide Southwest edition since Utah restaurants are officially in the running for Michelin stars in 2026 for the first time ever. That said, Salt Lake City’s food scene is finally shedding its old lackluster reputation, and a few standout spots are worth indulging in a meal at. For Japanese cuisine with a fun, relaxed vibe, Sapa is a must—fresh fish, shareable plates, and a lively atmosphere make it perfect for a group dinner. For a dose of local pop culture, Swig, the city’s infamous “dirty soda” chain spot, is a playful stop for anyone who loves the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or Real Housewives of SLC. Eva’s Bakery is a quiet, picture-perfect French spot, ideal for reading a book over coffee and pastries while people-watching.

In Central Ninth, Cosmica—recently included on The New York Times’s 2025 Best Restaurants list—has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about tables. Billing itself as an “Italian diner,” it pairs local classics like clam pie and elk carpaccio with a playful, kitschy Spaghetti-Western aesthetic. For something more exclusive, Aker Restaurant and Lounge is home to the seasonal 10-course Tuna Fight Club omakase, a bluefin-focused tasting that explores the fish in multiple forms. The Japanese-inspired menu ranges from dry-aged nigiri to wagyu beef—one of the most sought-after reservations in the city right now.

Repeal is a speakeasy restaurant with live music (there was a wonderful pianist when I visited), inventive cocktails, and farm-fresh dishes that are equal parts daring and delicious—even the ant caviar appetizer just works. Felt, a 2026 James Beard nominee, is downtown on Main Street and perfect for anything from after-work drinks to a full meal that can stretch late into the night. Gourmandise shines across the board, from brunch to dessert, while Copper Onion, a downtown staple since 2010, boasts elevated New American dishes—burgers, pasta, salads—with reliably good results. For late-night bites, Red Iguana and Taqueria 27 are local favorites, serving generously seasoned burritos and nachos that satisfy whether you’re wrapping up a night out or refueling after a day on the mountain.

Where to stay in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has a surprising range of hotels that feel thoughtful, each suited to a different type of traveler. I stayed at Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, which is downtown’s design-forward centerpiece: a beautifully restored 1908 Union Pacific Depot with vaulted ceilings, carefully curated interiors, and two distinct bars—No. 119 features whiskey and classic cocktails in a low-lit setting, while The Bar at Asher Adams offers live music, innovative drinks, and bar bites in the romantically restored space.

Also downtown, Hyatt Regency SLC is the city’s workhorse: spacious, modern rooms, consistent service, and direct access to the convention center and buzzy streets. It’s perfect for business travelers or anyone valuing convenience and reliable amenities. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City is smaller, bolder, and highly personable, with playful service touches and a walkable location near restaurants and nightlife—great for couples or solo visitors seeking character with easy city access. The Grand America Hotel is classic luxury: grand public spaces, refined rooms, white-glove service, and a sense of occasion, making it the go-to for celebrations, special stays, or anyone seeking a traditional yet spruced-up spot.

As for Airbnbs and vacation homes, generally speaking, Salt Lake City is one of the most restrictive markets in the country for short-term rentals. The city prioritizes long-term housing over vacation rentals by effectively banning stays under 30 days in almost all residential areas. If you still wish to book an Airbnb, look for legal alternatives in nearby Cottonwood Heights or Sandy, which are best for all-season mountain access.

Book a stay at Asher AdamsBook a stay at Hyatt RegencyBook a stay at Kimpton HotelBook a stay at The Grand American Hotel

Where to play in Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, you can ski, hike, shop, and drink your way through town without ever feeling rushed. The mountains are never far: Alta is about 45 minutes from downtown and perfect for skiers chasing deep powder and challenging terrain, while Brighton is similar in distance but more relaxed, with runs suited to families and intermediates. Snowbird, under 40 minutes out, offers steep runs and long lift rides for serious skiers, and Solitude is around the same distance, but its quieter and less crowded atmosphere is great for cruising and taking in the views. Iconic ski resort Deer Valley, one of our best places to go in 2026, is less than 45 minutes away, as well as its renowned neighbor, Park City Mountain. When the snow melts, the same mountains open onto trails like White Pine, Lake Blanche, Desolation, and Cecret Lake with classic Wasatch hikes featuring big views and easy access.

For a curated local shopping experience, start in 9th and 9th, one of Salt Lake’s most walkable, independent-minded neighborhoods. The Stockist specializes in well-made, small-batch clothing, ceramics, and design objects; Vantage Thrift is known for its meticulously-sourced secondhand—from vintage denim and broken-in tees to leather jackets that never go out of style. Around the corner, Atelier focuses on independent designers and art-forward goods in a gallery-like space.

For another strong shopping corridor, head to the Maven District, a colorful stretch built around women-owned businesses: Lovebound Library stocks exclusively romance novels across every subgenre, and Pantry Products carries refillable home and body goods with an emphasis on sustainability. Get a little culture at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, which houses more than 20,000 works spanning global antiquities to contemporary art; the Natural History Museum of Utah, known for its striking foothills architecture and exhibits on the region’s dinosaur fossils and Indigenous history; and Red Butte Garden, a 100-acre botanical garden and concert venue with sweet mountain views.

t’s true that evenings in Salt Lake City are shaped by Utah’s liquor laws—drinks are measured precisely and last call is consistent—but the city’s best bars work creatively within those lines: Varley focuses on seasonal cocktails and a steady lineup of ticketed tastings, DJs, and themed events. Lake Effect is a moody space, home to Latin-inspired small plates with live bands and DJs across multiple rooms, making it one of downtown’s most reliable late-night options. Bodega is compact and conversation-friendly, known for balanced cocktails and a sociable crowd. Beer drinkers gravitate to Epic Brewing Company for high-point, hop-forward brews and Uinta Brewing Company for long-running local staples. Beer Bar stocks an extensive bottle list and dozens of drafts, and shares a courtyard with cocktail-focused sister Bar X. For something more high-energy, Why Kiki hosts burlesque shows, themed dance parties, and regular silent discos, and has become a gathering place for the city’s queer community and allies.

Where to chase pop culture

Provo, Utah—where production films The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—is roughly a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City. This makes it a fun and easy day trip for reality-TV-show-loving travelers.

If you haven’t heard, season four returns to air this month; not to mention, MomTok star and Utah native Taylor Frankie Paul is the lead on the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, and parts of the production filmed all over this pocket of the state, including late‑season dates back home. (The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City also films regularly around SLC and Park City), giving travelers familiar names and places to snap a pic while visiting, including cafés, bars, murals, and downtown streets—in between grabbing a signature dirty soda at Swig, of course.