You're standing on a Salt Lake street corner, stomach growling, wondering where locals actually eat? Not those tourist-trap spots that dominate every search result, but the true hidden gems—where baristas grab quick bites between shifts, where families crowd tables after Little League games, and where in-the-know night owls feast on legendary tacos at midnight. From cozy neighborhood haunts to bustling counter-service gems, this is your inside guide to the most crave-worthy local eats that Salt Lakers actually line up for. Pastrami Burgers? Drive-through soda shops? From the revered city classics to the buzziest newcomers transforming our culinary landscape, it's time to eat like you live here.
New and Notable
While these newcomers might claim they're "here for a good time, not a long time," we're secretly hoping they stick around for decades. Here's what's sending shock waves through Salt Lake's food scene right now.

Cosmica
945 S 300 West | Open Weds-Sat 5 PM - 10 PM, Sun 12 - 5 PM
Tucked inside the sleek Maven West building, Cosmica isn't your nonna's Italian joint—and that's precisely the point. Their "Puffy Bread" (order it immediately, thank us later) has become the talk of the town, while the rotating pizza menu showcases creations from a chef who brought legitimate New York pizza credentials across the country. The space seamlessly flows from indoor to outdoor, making it perfect for those "let's have one more drink" summer evenings with friends or that third date when you're ready to show off your insider food knowledge.

Repeal
19 E 200 S B-200 | Open Tues-Thurs 5 PM - 12 AM, Fri-Sat 5 PM - 1 AM
When you want to feel like you're breaking Prohibition laws without actually committing any crimes, slip into Repeal's moody jazz-soaked atmosphere. The rhythmic bass lines and tinkling cocktail ice create a soundtrack for savoring their truffle fries and bourbon-glazed pork belly that somehow taste even better when consumed in a space that feels delightfully illicit.

Skillets
282 E 900 S | Open Mon-Fri 7 AM - 2 PM, Sat-Sun 7 AM - 3 PM
Early risers, rejoice! Skillets has transformed breakfast from mere sustenance into a sizzling event with cast iron pans that arrive at your table still popping and crackling. Their stuffed French toast is essentially dessert masquerading as breakfast, while the savory skillets come laden with everything from green chile pork to garden-fresh veggies. Post-hike reward or hangover cure? Either way, they've got you covered.

Junah
916 Jefferson Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101, United States | Open Mon-Thurs 5 - 9 PM, Fri-Sat 5 - 10 PM
In Salt Lake's buzzing Central Ninth neighborhood, Junah is boldly rewriting culinary rules by fusing Italian and Japanese techniques with the confidence of a restaurant twice its age. From the minds behind local favorite Koyote, expect house-made pastas elevated with unexpected ingredients like maitake mushrooms, delicate slices of tagliata (grilled steak), and subtle touches of matcha. Their tightly curated wine, beer, and sake list perfectly complements the intimate space where reservations are already the hottest ticket in town.

Hearth and Hill
2188 S Highland Dr | Open Mon-Fri 11 AM - 9 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 9 PM
After conquering Park City's dining scene, Hearth and Hill has planted its flag in Sugar House, bringing mountain-town hospitality to city dwellers. Their crispy Brussels sprouts (caramelized to the edge of burnt, as they should be) have developed a devoted following, while their burgers and hearty pastas deliver that perfect balance of familiar-yet-refined that works equally well for family dinners, date nights, or "I'm not ready to take off my ski boots yet" après-ski gatherings.
Salt Lake’s Signature Flavors
When exploring Salt Lake's food scene, sampling our most iconic dishes isn't just recommended—it's practically required. Utah cuisine delivers delightfully quirky comfort with unexpected twists that leave visitors wondering, "Why doesn't everywhere do it this way?"
Fry Sauce: This isn't just ketchup mixed with mayo—it's our culinary handshake, our edible state flag. This peachy-pink ambrosia graces every respectable burger joint in the state, each establishment guarding their special ratio and secret spice blend like classified documents. Consider yourself officially initiated once you're dunking fries like a native.
Funeral Potatoes: Don't let the morbid name fool you—these are party potatoes that just happen to show up at wakes. This bubbling, cheesy potato casserole crowned with crispy cornflakes delivers a one-two punch of creamy and crunchy that's pure Utah soul food. The debate over whose grandma makes them best has sparked more local controversy than politics.
Pastrami Burgers: When a regular cheeseburger just won't cut it, we pile on hot, peppery pastrami until the bun practically surrenders. This gloriously messy marriage of beef and beef (with a squirt of mustard for good measure) requires both hands, multiple napkins, and absolutely zero regrets.
Scones: Forget those dense British triangles—Utah scones are cloud-like pillows of deep-fried dough that puff up dramatically before getting drenched in honey butter. They're what would happen if a donut and a dinner roll had a delicious love child.
Honey Lavender Ice Cream: Embracing Utah's beehive heritage and mountain botanicals, this sophisticated scoop balances floral notes with sweet honey in a way that somehow tastes exactly like a summer afternoon in the Wasatch Mountains.
Dirty Sodas: Utah's answer to craft cocktails, dirty sodas have transformed drive-through windows into destinations. These customized concoctions start with fountain soda, then get "dirtied up" with flavored syrups, fruit purees, and a splash of half-and-half that creates a creamy, frothy magic. Local chains like Swig and Sodalicious inspire near-religious devotion, with regulars who'll passionately defend their exact coconut-lime-Diet Coke order combinations. Don't be intimidated by the specialized lingo—just ask what's popular or invent your own signature mix.
Must-Try Iconic Restaurants in Salt Lake

Red Iguana
736 W North Temple | Open daily 11 AM - 9 PM and until 10 PM Fri-Sun
If there's a Mole Holy Grail, Red Iguana is its keeper. This vibrant family-run institution serves up richly complex moles that have developed cult-like devotion among locals. The perpetual line outside isn't a tourist trap mirage—it's a gathering of devoted Salt Lakers willing to wait for that first heavenly bite of Mole Negro.
Pro tip: Put your name in, then snag a spot at the bar where the full menu is served without the wait.

Crown Burgers
Multiple locations | Open Mon-Sat 10 AM - 9 PM
The undisputed royal family of Utah's pastrami burger kingdom, Crown Burgers elevates fast food to an art form. Their signature creation—a juicy quarter-pound patty crowned with a generous mound of thin-sliced pastrami—has sustained hungry Salt Lakers through ski trips, study sessions, and post-concert munchies for generations. Order it with extra fry sauce and prepare for a religious experience.

Ruth’s Diner
4160 Emigration Canyon Rd | Open Sun-Mon and Thurs 8 AM - 9 PM, Fri-Sat 8 AM to 10 PM.
Housed in a repurposed trolley car tucked into the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Ruth’s Diner feels like your eccentric great-aunt's mountain hideaway. Their Mile-High Biscuits—which actually require altitude adjustments to bake properly at sea level—emerge steaming from the kitchen, begging to be smothered in country gravy. Grab a spot on the sprawling patio, where the mountain air somehow makes everything taste better.

Hires Big H
835 E. Fort Union, Midvale | Open Mon-Thurs 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri-Sat 10:30 a.m. 9 p.m.
Walking into Hires Big H is like stepping into a '50s time capsule, complete with carhops and frosty mugs of house-made root beer. Their Big H burger is a Utah classic, but the real move is ordering those hand-cut fries with a side of—you guessed it—fry sauce and a frosted mug of their signature root beer that's still made from the original recipe.

The Pie Pizzeria
1320 E 200 S | Open Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hidden in a basement near the University of Utah, The Pie is where generations of college students have huddled over massive, cheese-laden pizzas that require serious upper-body strength to lift. The graffiti-covered walls tell stories of late-night study sessions and post-game celebrations, while the Cheese Pull Challenge (an unofficial local sport) continues to claim countless shirt victims.

Feldman’s Deli
2005 East 2700 S | Open Tues-Sat 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Step through Feldman’s Deli door and you're suddenly transported from the mountain west to an authentic corner of New York City—minus the attitude but with all the flavor. This humble temple to Jewish deli tradition serves up sandwiches so massive they should come with their own ZIP code—piled-high pastrami and corned beef that would make a Manhattan native weep with joy. Their knishes and house-made latkes deserve their own fan club, but it's the bagels that have Salt Lakers setting early weekend alarms to snag them before they're gone. Locals know to come hungry and stick around for live music that transforms this unassuming deli into a neighborhood living room where everyone's treated like family, even if you can't pronounce "gefilte fish" correctly.
Best Breakfast & Brunch in Salt Lake
Slow, leisurely mornings deserve memorable meals, and Salt Lake's breakfast spots deliver everything from syrup-drenched indulgences to chef-driven creations worth setting alarms for.

The Park Café
604 E 1300 S | Open daily 7 AM - 3 PM
Directly facing Liberty Park, the Park Café is a perpetually packed breakfast institution that serves plates so massive they practically require their own zip code. The Michigan Hash—a mountain of crispy potatoes topped with melted cheese, eggs, and green chile—fuels morning joggers, hungover twenty-somethings, and multi-generational families with equal enthusiasm. The wait can stretch up to an hour on weekends, but locals know it's just part of the experience.

Arlo
271 N Center St | Open for brunch Sun 10 AM - 1:30 PM
In a charming converted house, Arlo delivers Sunday brunch with worldly flair that makes you feel like you're dining at a friend's place—if your friend happened to be a culinary genius. Their Lobster Avocado Toast elevates the millennial cliché to art form status, while the Steak & Eggs feature locally-raised beef that reminds you why Utah's ranching tradition runs deep.

Penny Ann’s Café
1810 S Main St | Open daily 7 AM - 2:30 PM
The name "heavenly hotcakes" isn't marketing hyperbole—these sour cream pancakes achieve a cloud-like texture that seems to defy the laws of breakfast physics. Penny Ann’s is an unassuming, family-run spot that feels like it was teleported straight from America's heartland, complete with no-nonsense servers who'll call you "hon" and keep your coffee cup filled without asking.

Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
54 W 1700 S | Open Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 3 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM - 4 PM
What happens when Southern comfort food meets Utah innovation? You get towers of buttery biscuits supporting fried chicken, local honey, and over-easy eggs alongside glasses of fresh-squeezed limeade in flavors that change with the seasons. Sweet Lake’s signature "Hoss" sandwich requires a strategic approach and possibly a knife and fork for the faint of heart.
Where to Eat on a Budget
Salt Lake's most satisfying eats don't require emptying your wallet. These spots deliver outsized flavors at insider prices.

Food Truck Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Gallivan Center
239 S Main St | Thursdays 11 AM - 2 PM (summer months)
Downtown workers pour into this urban plaza to hunt down everything from sizzling Korean BBQ tacos to mac-and-cheese stuffed grilled sandwiches. The rotating lineup ensures you'll discover something new each week, all at prices that leave room in the budget for that spontaneous weekend road trip to Moab.

Yoko Ramen
473 E 300 S | Open for lunch Tues-Sun 12 - 3 PM and dinner Tues-Thurs 4 - 9 PM, Fri 4 - 10 PM, Sat 4 - 9:30 PM, Sun 4 - 8 PM
This isn't your dorm room ramen—Yoko's steaming bowls feature broths that have simmered for days, house-made noodles with perfect chew, and toppings that transform each bowl into a complete meal for around $15. The tiny space fills quickly on cold evenings when the windows steam up and the scent of pork belly and miso envelops the entire block.

Buds Sandwiches
509 E 300 S | Open Mon-Sat 11 AM - 5 PM
Even dedicated carnivores find themselves seduced by Buds' plant-based sandwiches that somehow nail the satisfying heft and umami punch of traditional subs. Their Buffalo sandwich delivers that wing-night experience without the bones (or the price tag), while the Cheesesteak has converted many a skeptic with its savory, messy glory—all for under $10.
Freshies Lobster Co.
356 E 900 S | Open daily 11 AM - 8 PM
Maine-to-Mountain lobster rolls that won't require a second mortgage? Yes, please. Freshies serves up buttery, overflowing rolls that taste like New England summer, using sustainable lobster and just enough mayo to let the seafood shine. For the full experience, pair with their salt and vinegar chips and a local beer.
Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen
Multiple locations | Open Mon-Sat 11 AM - 9 PM
When a bánh mì craving strikes (and in Salt Lake, they strike often), Oh Mai delivers Vietnamese sandwiches so stuffed with pickled veggies, fragrant herbs, and your protein of choice that they barely stay contained in their crackling baguettes. Their rich, aromatic pho could cure everything from homesickness to the common cold—all at prices that leave plenty of room for dessert.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Salt Lake
Because "family-friendly" shouldn't translate to "adults eat sadly while staring at their phones."
Old Spaghetti Factory
189 Trolley Square | Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM, Fri 11:30 AM - 10 PM, Sat 10 AM - 12 PM, Sun 12 - 9 PM
Housed in the historic Trolley Square, this family favorite lets kids dine inside actual vintage trolley cars—a novelty that somehow never gets old. The all-inclusive meals (soup/salad, entrée, ice cream, and drink) eliminate the need for complicated math when the check arrives, while the kid-sized spaghetti portions ensure you won't be lugging around leftovers all day.

Caputo’s Market and Deli
314 W 300 S | Open Mon-Sat 9 AM - 7 PM, Sun 10 AM - 5 PM
For families raising budding food enthusiasts, Caputo's offers an Italian market adventure where kids can discover exotic cheeses, chocolate tasting bars, and sandwiches piled high with house-cured meats. The relaxed market setting means nobody minds when little ones need to stretch their legs between bites of handmade meatballs.

Squatters Pub Brewery
147 W Broadway | Open Mon-Fri 11:30 AM - 11 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM - 11 PM
This downtown brewpub proves that taking kids out doesn't mean sacrificing good food or good beer. The lively atmosphere absorbs kid energy without judgment, while the extensive menu ensures there's something for every family member—from adventurous eaters to those going through that mysterious "only white foods" phase that puzzles parents everywhere.
Want even more family-friendly eats? Check out our full guide to kid-friendly restaurants in Salt Lake City.
Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
Salt Lake's plant-based and gluten-free scene doesn't just accommodate dietary restrictions—it celebrates them with creativity and flavor that makes everyone at the table jealous.

Zest Kitchen & Bar
275 S 200 W | Open Mon 4 - 9 PM, Tues-Thurs 11 AM - 9 PM, Fri 11 AM - 10 PM, Sat 10 AM - 10 PM, Sun 10 AM - 8 PM
Proving that "plant-based" and "cocktail bar" belong in the same sentence, Zest serves up vibrant, globally-inspired vegan dishes that pair perfectly with their impressive drink menu. The stylish downtown space feels more like a cosmopolitan hotspot than a health-food haven, making it ideal for mixed groups where some eat plants and others...well, don't.

Vegan Daddy Meats
569 N 300 W | Open Tues 2:30 - 8 PM, Weds-Sat 11 AM - 8 PM, Sun 11 AM - 7 PM
With a name that's both a contradiction and a conversation starter, Vegan Daddy Meats doesn't just serve plant-based comfort food—it delivers a full-on vegan fever dream. Their stacked sandwiches, loaded fries, and over-the-top burgers arrive at your table looking like they just broke every vegan rule in the book, yet are crafted entirely from plants. The lines can stretch out the door on weekends as carnivores and vegans alike wait for their turn at plant-based decadence.
Veggie House
52 E 1700 S | Open Mon-Sat 11 AM - 9 PM
This unassuming South Salt Lake gem serves up plant-based Asian cuisine with such convincing textures and flavors that many customers don't even realize they're eating vegan food. From richly satisfying pho to crispy "fish" tacos and colorful sushi rolls, their entirely vegan menu proves that plant-based dining can be familiar, comforting, and utterly delicious.
Looking for even more vegan and vegetarian options? Explore our full vegan and vegetarian Salt Lake dining guide.
Seasonal & Scenic Eating
When a city is surrounded by such stunning natural beauty, sometimes the view deserves equal billing with the food. These mountain and canyon favorites deliver memorable meals with a side of breathtaking scenery.

The Aerie at Snowbird
9320 Cliff Lodge Dr #88, Snowbird | Open daily 5 to 11 PM
Perched 8,500 feet above sea level in the Cliff Lodge, The Aerie offers elegant mountain dining with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Little Cottonwood Canyon like living artwork. As the light changes through sunset and into twinkling darkness, the seasonal menu showcases the finest local ingredients, transformed by altitude-aware cooking techniques that account for the thin mountain air.

Log Haven
6451 E Millcreek Canyon Rd | Open daily 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Tucked into a historic log mansion surrounded by aspens and pines, Log Haven feels like the sophisticated mountain retreat you'd build if you struck gold. The romantic setting—complete with a waterfall and wildflower meadow—pairs perfectly with their seasonal menu that balances refined techniques with hearty mountain flavors. In winter, arriving through snow-laden forests feels like stepping into a fairy tale; in summer, the outdoor patio captures the essence of alpine dining.

La Caille
9565 Wasatch Blvd, Sandy | Open Weds-Sat 5 PM - 9 PM, Sun 10 AM - 2 PM
This French-inspired château at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon delivers romance with a capital R. The sprawling estate, complete with peacocks strolling manicured gardens and vineyard views, creates an atmosphere that feels delightfully removed from everyday life. The traditional French cuisine offers classic indulgences like duck à l'orange and beef Wellington, perfectly paired with mountain vistas that remind you of Utah's surprising versatility.

Honeycomb Grill at Solitude
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Solitude | Open Mon-Fri 4 - 9 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM - 9 PM
Whether you're refueling after a day of mountain biking or warming up after skiing, Honeycomb Grill delivers approachable mountain comfort with Big Cottonwood Canyon views. Their wood-fired specialties carry subtle hints of smoke that echo the surrounding forests, while the beer list features local brews perfect for toasting another day in Utah's legendary mountains.
From slopeside elegance to underground pizza joints, Salt Lake's dining scene reflects the city itself—surprisingly diverse, deeply authentic, and refreshingly unpretentious. Whether you're fueling up for powder days, celebrating special occasions, or simply exploring neighborhoods bite by bite, these local favorites offer a genuine taste of what makes Salt Lake such a fascinating place to eat right now. Just remember to save room for that honey butter scone—and don't be afraid to ask for extra fry sauce. We won't judge. In fact, we'll know you're practically a local already.
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