Great new restaurants and bars to hit the Salt Lake scene in the last three months

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 spring 2024.

Koyote - Your Neighborhood Shokudo

Koyote

It’s not often that a new restaurant reinvents part of the local dining scene overnight—but that’s exactly what the opening of Koyote has done, specifically in regards to their remarkable ramen.

The restaurant is the work of Hiro Tagai and Felipe Olivera, the duo managing the back and front of the house respectively. In the kitchen Tagai works wonders; his 60-hour brisket that appears throughout the menu beats most specialty BBQ shops in the state alone. The potato starch-coated chicken wings are handily the best in the city too. It goes without saying the ramen at Koyote is next level—broths made meticulously over myriad hours.

Given the exemplary cooking, the word is already out on this one, so plan accordingly with hungry queues in mind. That said, the restaurant’s streamlined app-ordering service means dining at Koyote can be as brisk as it is delicious.

551 W 400 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(385) 262-5559

koyoteslc.com

Kafe Mamai

Head to downtown SLC’s Gallivan Avenue and you’ll be rewarded by this eclectic mix of African and Caribbean flavors—a combination that’s completely unique in the state as far as I’m aware.

Grown out of the Spice Kitchen Incubator, a local program that helps would-be refugee entrepreneurs, Kafe Mamai offers up an experience like no other. Local oxtail over rice and beans, Kenyan-style lentil stew, a whole fried snapper plated with a mixed mash of yucca and plantain mash, and smokily seared greens—just three from a menu stacked with distinctive selections.

49 E Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 708-2452

spicekitchenincubator.org/chefs/kafe-mamai

Alhambra

Meanwhile in Taylorsville, this new brick-and-mortar is building on the prior successes of their food truck. Their stated goal? The best shawarma in the state. The Middle Eastern specialty is offered up in a variety of ways; proteins including chicken, beef, and falafel. The indecisive might want to quickly turn their attention to the Supreme Shawarma box—a massive collection that affords guests the opportunity to sample the majority of the menu in one sitting. Hint: bring friends for this one.

3965 W 5400 S, Taylorsville, UT 84129
(801) 645-6959

instagram.com/alhambrautah

Bistro Carbon

Serving up tacos, burgers, salads, and soups, Bistro Carbon is the latest outing from the folks behind La Casa Del Tamal; the terrifically well-regarded west-side Mexican restaurant that just so happened to recently scoop one of Salt Lake Magazine's coveted dining awards. That’s as good a recommendation as any that the birria, pastor, tamales, and more will be on point here.

3952 W 3500 S, West Valley City, UT 84120
(435) 243-2727

instagram.com/bistrocarbon

Happy Lamb Hot Pot

Winning plenty of acclaim and buzz in Murray is Happy Lamb, the latest business to join the ranks of the valley’s ever grown hot pot scene. Happy Lamb provides three different ways to order—all-you-can-eat experiences—each tier affording an increasingly deluxe variety of meats and seafood. Whichever you select, you’ll be the chef in charge, as you cook away in your own personal pot of bubbling broth.

6562 S State St, Murray, UT 84107
(801) 290-2803

Sol Agave

The new downtown Salt Lake location of Sol Agave makes it two for Utah, joining a much lauded American Fork location. Headed out of California, Sol Agave’s kitchen crafts an upscale take on familiar Mexican favorites. Amongst staples like tacos and rellenos you’ll find a number of unique chef specials such as the terracotta-hued chile colorado, or the New Zealand rack of lamb in rich mole sauce. Should you need a moment to take in the luxurious setting and menu - I can’t think of a better way to kick off a meal at Sol Agaze than their signature margarita sampler trio.

660 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 229-4464

solagave.com/salt-lake-city

STK

London, Miami, Dubai, Vegas… and now, Salt Lake City. This internationally recognized steak house name has now added the Beehive to their list of global outposts, the SLC location just seconds from a newly re-minted Delta Center. For the uninitiated, STK takes the classic steakhouse concept and infuses it with a dose of big city, high energy kineticism. The centerpiece of the menu is loaded with quintessential cuts like filet and rib eye, with mammoth tomahawks and imported Australian and Japanese wagyu joining the action too. If that’s not decadent enough, the restaurant encourages diners to embellish their streaks with a variety of top shelf toppings—add-ons like lobster tail, truffle butter, and king crab.

For those looking to sample STK without breaking the bank, checkout the restaurant’s daily happy hour which interleaves lunch and dinner—there are plenty of options under the $10 mark.

111 S 300 W #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 235-6376

stksteakhouse.com/venues/salt-lake-city

Scelto

Further afield south is this modernly bedecked Italian eatery in the suburbs of Sandy. Inside the chicly-appointed space you’ll discover a classically-appointed menu featuring pizza, pasta, and hearty entrees. Don’t forget to check out the restaurant’s cocktail menu either, infused with European inspiration and flair.

849 E 9400 S, Sandy, UT 84094
(385) 542-3030

sceltoslc.com

Violet

Now open in the former Stratford Proper space is this new name which smartly follows a similar template as their predecessors—which is to say, a relaxed and inviting neighborhood space, open for lunch, brunch, and dinner. The quaint neighborhood cafe is a comfort food haven, with sustaining stand-bys like meatloaf, grilled cheese, and French dips.

1588 E Stratford Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(385) 229-4276

violet-slc.com

Egg Break

Breakfast sandwiches are the star of the show over at this South Salt Lake spot. Open Monday through Sunday, from 7.00 a.m., Egg Break is the perfect spot to start the day, or ensure it keeps running smoothly over a protein-forward lunch.

Imaginative creations see rustic ciabatta, muffins, and breads topped with a variety of clever combos. Garlic steak, fennel and sage pork, prosciutto with arugula—just three to name. Oh, and what’s that? There’s also a nod to Utah’s iconic pastrami burger obsession with one particular sandwich coming stacked with thick cut, brined pastrami. How's that for a way to start a chilly Spring morning?

193 W 2100 S Expy, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(385) 500-2705

eggbreakbreakfast.com

Kimi’s Chop & Oyster House

Not a new restaurant per se, but a notable update for fans of this longtime Sugar House stalwart. Kimi’s have now completed their move Southward to all new digs in Holladay. Fans of the restaurant’s namesake Kimi Eklund needn't worry though—the restaurant continues where it left off. The luxurious blueprint remains focused on steak and seafood with Eklund’s signature Scandinavian dishes scattered throughout.

4699 S Highland Dr., Holladay, UT 84117
(385) 602-3177

kimishouse.com