The best of 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 fall 2023.

Bar Nohm

The debut of this Central 9th hot spot is inarguably one of the most interesting on the Utah dining scene in 2023. After a Covid coerced closure of the much-loved Nohm, the newly minted partnership with neighboring Water Witch makes for a must visit.

The talents of chef David Chon can still be found in the kitchen, where the custom-built binchotan charcoal grill still powers the smokey engine of the restaurant. Joining Chon’s kitchen chops are the undeniable talents of some of Utah’s best mixologists. The fusion is more than metaphorical too—a new inside door allows patrons to now wander freely between both the ‘Witch and Bar Nohm.

At its heart Bar Nohm (a 21+ only bar) is modeled after a Japanese izakaya, a place to plop down, share a few plates, a few drinks, and a few tales from the day. The menu is built with this in mind, smaller preparations with lively and eclectic flavors.

While the menu can change almost daily, there are some standby staples that showcase the creativity of Chon. Case in point, the innocuously titled kimchi rice. Chinese sausage is made in-house using local Waterpocket liquor and smoked over the kitchen’s flame before being deployed alongside shrimp in caramelized, almost paella-like rice.

165 West 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 465-4488

barnohm.com

Matchstick Bar & Grill

Locals might remember this well-appointed West Valley City spot, which was once home to OMO Korean BBQ. You’ll now find an all-new Chinese BBQ eatery calling the location home, and it’s already winning rave reviews.

The menu leads with more than two dozen options of eclectic BBQ skewers. With selections running $3.59 through $5.99, you’ll be able to sample a wide variety of the some two dozen skewers without breaking the bank. Options include the likes of pork belly, lamb, chicken hearts, squid, conjac, and more.

2000 West 3500 South, West Valley City, UT 84119
(385) 227-8376

matchstickutah.com

Finca Pintxos Bar

Taking over the downtown Regent Street space of Fenice—and Fireside On Regent before that—this 21+ only bar is the latest from serial restaurateur Scott Evans. The cozy new hangout makes for a perfect pre- or post-game destination for the adjacent Eccles Theater, and with Evans’ renowned sommelier skills in the mix, the Spanish-forward wine list is as sure-fire as any in the city.

There’s food too—Spanish pintxos (smaller finger foods) form the crux of the menu, riffing on those glorious displays you might see in foodie destinations like San Sebastian. Alongside the strong wine list another standout feature at Finca Pintxos Bar is a deep dive into gin and gintonics.

126 Regent Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 441-2975

fincaslc.com

Seasons Plant Based Kitchen

After some time away from the dining scene, Seasons is back with a bang. Not only that but sporting a ritzy new location and menu to boot. Chefs James MacDonald and Omar Lebron create a European-informed menu, with one key driver, everything here is 100% vegan friendly.

The restaurant joins the dazzling constellation of stars in the trendy Central 9th neighborhood—must visit spots like Scion, Water Witch, Laziz, Bar Nohm, and The Pearl.

916 South Jefferson Street, Suite B, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 267-1922

seasonsslc.com

Sayonara

Downtown Salt Lake recently welcomed this new bar, one that’s unique within the city limits. The carefully curated theme at Sayonara is one of homage to Tokyo’s back alley bars. The space is dotted with imported decorations as well as skillful artwork from the owners.

The thread continues through to the creative drinks menu as well—an ume martini with shochu, gin and pickled plum, a wasabi mule— just a few of the crafty cocktails fizzing with South East Asian flair. Imported Japanese whiskeys, beer, and sake are offered too.

A limited menu of small bites completes the picture, grilled chicken meatballs, housemade gyoza, and shrimp skewers. Bonus points: don’t miss the hand-stocked vending machine near the entrance, a canny touch loaded with imported snacks.

324 South State Street, Suite 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

instagram.com/sayonaraslc

Level Crossing Brewing

As the rapidly finalizing Post District comes into sharper focus on the southwest edge of the downtown core, another name has joined the growing roster. With their recent opening, Level Crossing Brewing has doubled in size. The blueprint at the new Post District location follows the template laid down at Level Crossing’s wildly popular original, which is to say: award-winning craft beer, sandwiches, and house-fired pizza.

550 South 300 West, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 295-4090

levelcrossingbrewing.com

Tanabata Japanese Restaurant

South Salt Lake is the home for this brand-new Japanese eatery whose menu prices will leave you dizzy—in the best way of course. Cooked dishes at Tanabata are a time warp to a pre-inflation era—teriyaki, sukiyaki, katsu, tonkatsu, and more—priced at just $12. Hearty noodle bowls featuring udon and soba are even more keenly priced. Joining the extensive selection of hot dishes, you’ll also discover a full sushi menu at Tanabata—plating up nigiri, sashimi, and both classic and modern maki.

633 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 981-5354

tanabataus.com

85°C Bakery Cafe

South Salt Lake is the latest location of this Taiwanese concept, famed for their baked goods. Such is the reputation for this global brand that the opening week saw fans line up out of the door at the bustling Chinatown complex. Top sellers at 85°C run the gamut, everything from traditional tiramisu through marble taro—a sweet bread filled with taro filling.

Oh, the 85°C? According to the chain’s founder Wu Cheng-hsueh that’s the optimal temperature to serve coffee at. So grab a cup of another top seller while you’re at it—the Sea Salt Coffee.

3390 South State Street, #18, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(385) 355-9991

85cbakerycafe.com

Uncle Hot Pot

Over in the Marmalade neighborhood, this newcomer is the latest addition in what’s quickly becoming the buzziest trend in the state—hot pot, the table side cooking tradition where you take the reins of a bubbling broth and a variety of ingredients. Uncle Hot Pot’s menu is one with high end ambition too. As well as the more de rigueur veggies and meats, guests are encouraged to load on a seafood bounty—whole crab, lobster, prawn, octopus, scallops, fish, clams—the list goes on. Get cooking, chef!

569 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(385) 420-4130

unclehotpot.com