Salt Lake City is never one to rest on its laurels when it comes to food and drink, and the last three months have been no exception. If it’s been a while since you’ve checked out the latest and greatest changes to our foodie scene, we’ve got just what you need—a recap of some of the very best new openings in town for winter 2023-2024.
Citizens Cocktails & Kitchen
The latest addition to downtown SLC’s bar scene is this cozy cocktail lounge on the east side of the city. Stepped up from the street—the bar affords solid views of the city’s skyline as the sun sets. Citizens is the work of serial bar-pretreneur David Morris; his past outings include the likes of high energy Irish pub Piper Down and Murray’s German-influenced Ice Haus.
Citizens plots a different course again, with Morris’ new venture seeking to join the ranks of Salt Lake City’s burgeoning craft cocktail scene. Alongside a full bar and a seasonal cocktail program, guests will also find a selection of small plates and flatbreads.
33 South 300 East, Salt Lake, UT 84111
(385) 832-6574
Mint Sushi
Chef Soy is back again with this fourth installation of his upscale Japanese concept. Located in the very heart of Sugar House, this latest outpost follows the blueprint of previous restaurants. Housed in the chic modern digs of the former Flatbread Pizza the menu at Mint focuses on a collection of small plates bolstered by maki rolls. The tapas-style format coupled with the central location in the buzzy neighborhood makes for a great destination for a night on the town with friends.
2121 South McClelland Street, Salt Lake, UT 84106
(385) 296-4502
El Cholo
If that name sounds familiar, you’d be right. This is the one and same El Cholo from California—famously known as Los Angeles’ oldest Mexican restaurant. The family-owned and operated group of restaurants recently celebrated more than a century in business, while also debuting their first location out-of-state here in Utah.
The menu offers up a range of classic dishes, each denoted by their debut year. Try the original nachos that launched in 1959, or maybe the chile con carne, a dish that stretches all the way back to 1923. Can’t decide? Go for the Taste Of History, a sampler that features four different items served with beans and rice.
2166 South 900 East, Salt Lake, UT 84106
(385) 426-2166
Xiao Bao Bao
While Romina Rasmussen’s grab and go spot in downtown SLC has operated as a sporadic popup for much of 2023—the store recently cemented their permanent opening hours. The Chinese bao spot has been embraced by locals since day one, lining up around the block during those initial ad hoc events.
There’s an extra sweet incentive for swinging by too. Just a couple of doors down from the newly minted dumpling destination is Rasmussen’s newest release—Chez Nibs. The shop reprises aspects of her award-winning baking past—gourmet chocolates, croissant, pain au chocolate, and lustrously layered kouign amann—just some of the treats on offer.
216 East 500 South, Salt Lake, UT 84111
(801) 835-2226
Loki Coffee
Salt Lake City’s impressive coffee scene barely pauses for breath these days; every month seemingly seeing a notable addition. The recent unveiling of Loki Coffee makes for yet another stellar coffee house in the mix. Founded by husband-and-wife team Jake He and Herminia Dela Cruz He, the duo have a stated aim of providing an “unforgettable farm-to-cup experience.”
In striving towards that goal, the couple have tapped two other Utah names. Idle Hands Roasting take care of the beans while Megan Walker’s (formerly of The Daily) Tomodachi Bake Shoppe provides high-end pastries Tuesday through Saturday.
325 East 900 South, Salt Lake, UT 84111
(213) 440-1507
Matteo Ristorante Italiano
Word on the street is that this might be the best new Italian restaurant to hit Utah in quite some time. The bustling tables you’ll spy on traditionally slow weekdays are testament to what’s cooking here. Word to the wise, make a reservation.
Matteo brings the flavors of Modena to the streets of the Beehive, which means you’re guaranteed world-class Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as a traditionally formatted Italian menu.
Serious wine buffs will no doubt instantly note the Riedel stemware the restaurant employs. It should come as no surprise then that owner Matteo Sogne doubles up as charming host and sommelier—be sure to pick his brain while you peruse the extensive Italian list.
439 East 900 South, Salt Lake, UT 84111
(385) 549-1992
Spice On 9th
Operated by Spice Kitchen, this casual cafe offers the incubator’s entrepreneurs—a mix of refugee and disadvantaged individuals—a space to showcase their culinary talents. Each week sees the cafe rotate through a different menu. Sudanese, Nepali, Korean, Iraqi—just some of the vibrant flavors you might see on display here.
The exact offering depends on that week’s selected operator, but many sell packaged food products, grab-and-go items, basic coffee drinks as well as produce offered by refugee farmers participating in the International Rescue Committee New Roots program, and artisan products from IRC’s small business clients.
422 West 900 South, Salt Lake, UT 84101
(385) 202-5207
spicekitchenincubator.org/spice-on-9th
Matcha Cafe Kyoto
Billed as SLC’s first matcha-focused cafe, this new Sugar House beverage spot is already drawing rave reviews for their unique to Utah offering. Located in the former Lil Lotus space along Highland Drive, the menu relies on premium ingredients direct from Japan. The signature flavors flow seamlessly from beverages to dessert—matcha ice cream and matcha parfait, just two interesting options to pair with your brew.
2223 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake, UT 84106
(801) 680-5990
Kona Grill
Kona is one of the latest businesses to join an increasingly strong roster of national names at Riverton’s Mountain View Village. Part of the One Group (also slated to debut STK Steak House in SLC any day now), Kona’s menu is an expansive one. It’s part steak house, part sushi restaurant, and part globe-trotting freewheeling.
Fish and chips, pad Thai, Australian wagyu picanha, lemon garlic penne—the eclecticism should mean there’s something for everyone here.
13253 Teal Ridge Way, Riverton, UT 84096
(385) 317-7744
2 Row Brewing
One of the more popular brewers on our local craft beer scene, is also one that has recently expanded to more spacious digs in Midvale. As well as significantly increasing their production capabilities, the new 21+ only brewpub offers a strong roster of the brewery's output. 5% drafts sit alongside higher point creations via bottle and can.
2 Row brew an eclectic lineup, everything from trendy sours through to creative concoctions like a smoked habanero porter. Inside the Midvale brewpub itself you’ll find pool, darts, and a selection of hot and cold sandwiches.
73 West 7200 South, Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 987-8663
The Vault
After months of extensive work, the Hotel Monaco recently took the wraps off a substantial top to bottom renovation. As well as a complete reimagining of their guest rooms, their signature restaurant Bambara has also been given a fresh new look and menu.
The Vault—the property’s onsite bar, has been given a significant makeover too, but don’t worry, the appeal of the former space remains. It’s still the chic and elegant room you remember, and one that offers up a solid list of craft cocktails, beer, and wine.
15 West 200 South, Salt Lake, UT 84101
(801) 595-0000
monaco-saltlakecity.com/bars-downtown-slc
Further reading
Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s something new and interesting happening every week on our food scene. For more up-to-the-minute news, check out the following local publications:
GastronomicSLC.com
CityWeekly.net
SaltLakeMagazine.com
SLTrib.com
Salt Lake City is never one to rest on its laurels when it comes to food and drink, and the last three months have been no exception. If it’s been a while since you’ve checked out the latest and greatest changes to our foodie scene, we’ve got just what you…
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