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If you’re local to SLC, then you know which restaurants are the most hyped in town. Red Iguana, Takashi, and Pretty Bird Chicken (to name a few) are frequented, Instagrammed, and discussed by the ever rapidly growing foodie scene here in Salt Lake City– all deservedly so and many of which are on our guide to the 15 Best Restaurants in Salt Lake City for years.
But what about the lesser-known gems? The Salt Lake City restaurants that are also worth the hype, but for one reason or another aren’t as talked about. The popular spots are no doubt often popular for good reason but today we’re sharing a guide to the 10 most underrated Salt Lake City restaurants– some of our favorite lesser-known gems that are also worth your time and hard-earned money.
SEE ALSO: 15 BEST RESTAURANTS IN SALT LAKE CITY
10. SOMI Vietnamese Bistro
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If you’re like us and frequent Wilmington Avenue in Sugarhouse because you love Spitz, you’ve likely seen SOMI Vietnamese Bistro across the way and wondered if the food is good. The food is GREAT and once you’ll eat there it will forever be on your radar for good Asian cuisine in Salt Lake City. We love their crispy spring rolls and shaking beef, but the BEST menu item is an appetizer- the SOMI sliders! Served on a bao bun with crispy house BBQ pork belly, cilantro, scallions, and hoisin sauce. You will never be the same.
$$$$ Vietnamese, Chinese, Cocktail Bar
1215 E Wilmington Ave #100, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 • 385-322-1158
The Ultimate Guide to Eating in Salt Lake City
Eat your way across the Wasatch Front with restaurants recommendations you can trust. Because life’s too short to eat bad food.
9. Lazy Day Cafe
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Lazy Day Cafe deserves to be on this list more than any other breakfast or brunch spot in Salt Lake City because unless you live on the 3300 south area, it’s doubtful you’ve even heard of this hidden gem! Lazy Day is a family-owned business situated in an easy-to-miss strip mall just off of 3300 south and 2000 east in the Millcreek area. Although they typically have a long wait of loyal neighborhood goers (especially on the weekends), the food is worth the extra time. We absolutely love the pork chile verde burrito and the classic eggs benedict, but the best thing on the entire menu are thelemon pancakes. They have the perfect amount of lemony-ness (made up word) and are served with a homemade buttermilk syrup that is truly supernal.
$$$$ Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes, Vegan
2020 E 3300 S #23, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 • 801-953-0311
8. Desert Edge Brewery
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Known to many as “The Pub”, Desert Edge Brewery is one of our favorite underrated spots for a bite to eat in SLC. When you grab lunch or dinner at this microbrewery you’ll find a slew of locals sitting about enjoying one of their staple Salt Lake City meals. The Pub is located in Trolley Square just off of 500 south and 700 east. They have a moderately sized menu with, quite honestly, a random assortment of menu items, but the best thing you can order here is a deli sandwich with one of their homemade pasta salads or their incredible homemade French onion soup. It’s the best French onion soup in town and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
$$$$ Pubs, Breweries, American (New)
273 Trolley Square, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 • (801) 521-8917
RELATED: THE BEST SOUP IN SALT LAKE CITY
7. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
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We’re all familiar with some of the hottest sushi spots in Salt Lake City (we are big fans of Takashi, too), but often overlooked is Kyoto on 1300 south. They serve one of the best bento boxes in Salt Lake City and delicious, high-grade sushi rolls that will make your sushi-loving heart sing including the Geisha, the Pink Power roll, and the baked lobster roll. A great spot for a business lunch, date night, or an evening out with the family.
6. Tradition
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If you’re looking for fantastic comfort food in Salt Lake City, make sure your first stop is Tradition. Located just across the street from Liberty Park, Tradition serves incredible home cooked food featuring dishes reminiscent of the south including collard greens, cauliflower korma (must try!), braised short rib, and chicken and dumplings. And whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert- homemade by the chef himself every single day.
$$$$ Comfort Food, Southern
501 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 • (385) 202-7167
5. Chanon Thai Cafe
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Most true Thai food lovers in Salt Lake City have sniffed this spot out, but Chanon Thai Cafe is one of the best Salt Lake City restaurants that a lot of SLC foodies are unaware of! There’s something we love about this inconspicuous family-owned Thai establishment that you can’t find anywhere else. Maybe it’s the open view of the kitchen at first sight. Maybe it’s the wafting scent of fresh cooked curry concoctions. Maybe it’s the mismatched decorations and the orientalaesthetic. Regardless it’s one of the best spots for authentic Thai food in the SLC valley. Try the combo appetizer (a little bit of everything: satay, por pia tod, crispy wontons, and tempura shrimp) and ANY of their curries- we especially love the yellow curry. The pad thai and the pad seiware some of my top recommendations aside from appetizers and curry.
$$$$ Thai
278 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 • 801-532-1177
4. From Scratch
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So many people miss From Scratch among other downtown Salt Lake City restaurants even though it’s in the heart of Salt Lake City! Maybe we can attribute that to its somewhat hidden location on Gallivan Avenue- a street situatedbehind the corner of Broadway and State Street. But regardless the food here is delicious and totally worth a lunch or dinner date. Our absolute top recommendations here are the risotto cake, the egg burger, and the salami pizza.
$$$$ Pizza, Burgers, Sandwiches
62 E Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 • 801-961-9000
3. Bocata Artisan Sandwiches
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Every time we mention Bocata Artisan Sandwiches (including our list oftop 10 sandwiches in Salt Lake City) there are always a handful of people that have never seemed to have heard of them! Well friends, the secret is out. Bocata is one of our favorite places to go for a homemade, freshly prepared sandwich with incredible signature menu creations including the Turkey Havarti, Meatball, and Roasted Tomato Bocatas. Our number one recommendation here, however, is the Cuban Pork. Sandwiched between freshly baked bread is citrus braised pork shoulder, pickled red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and aioli. You’re seriously going to love these sandwiches.
$$$$ Sandwiches, Soup
28 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 • 801-521-2012
2. Yoko Ramen
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While ramen certainly isn’t Salt Lake City’s biggest stronghold, we are thrilled to have Yoko Ramen in the food scene and it definitely deserves more attention. Situated on 4th east and 3rd south, this cozy restaurant is a fantastic fast-casual option near downtown with reasonable price points and absolutely delicious ramen. We recommend the pork or fried chicken (totally surprised me) ramen if you want to try the best menu offerings.
1. Chunga’s
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We have a deep and undying love for Chunga’s over other Salt Lake City restaurants because it’s one of the best spots for delicious, authentic Mexican food in town! Chunga’s serves the best homemade guacamole, killer quesadillas, and a bomb burrito, but the absolute shining star IMHO are the tacos al pastor. And if you aren’t familiar with al pastor, picture slow cooked rotisserie pork infused with chile and pineapple flavor. Absolutely incredible. You can get the al pastor with any of their menu items but the most popular way to enjoy it is on tacos with cilantro, onion, and pineapple for garnishing.
$$$$ Mexican
180 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 • 801-953-1840
SEE ALSO: 10 BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS IN SALT LAKE CITY
FAQs
What food is Salt Lake City famous for? ›
Fry Sauce. Fry sauce might as well be Utah's mascot. This signature condiment was the brainchild of Salt Lake City chef Don Carlos Edwards, who transformed his popular barbeque eatery to establish the first Arctic Circle restaurant in the 1950s.
Is Salt Lake City a foodie city? ›UTAH (ABC4) – Following a study of more than 180 American cities that analyzed 29 key metrics of “foodie-friendliness,” ranging from restaurant meal cost to the number of food festivals per capita, WalletHub determined that Salt Lake City is the No. 30 best foodie city in the U.S. in 2022.
What fast food is Utah known for? ›According to World Population Review, the most popular fast food chain in Utah is In-N-Out. Utah isn't the only state that loves In-N-Out. It was also the favorite of Nevada, California, and Arizona.
What restaurants do Gen Z like? ›Generation Z's are attracted to restaurants that use organic, sustainable, and locally sourced produce throughout their menu. On top of this, Generation Z's also prefer restaurants that are transparent with their ingredients as they prefer to know what exactly they are going to consume.
What is the #1 rated restaurant in the world? ›Year | 1st | 2nd |
---|---|---|
2016 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
2017 | Eleven Madison Park | Osteria Francescana |
2018 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
2019 | Mirazur | Noma |
- Bonneville Salt Flats. ...
- Eccles Theater. ...
- Great Salt Lake. ...
- Hale Center Theatre. ...
- Hogle Zoo. ...
- Natural History Museum of Utah. ...
- Red Butte Garden. ...
- Temple Square.
With a wide variety of restaurants and recipes, it may be hard to think of one. But, Stacker figured it out. According to the the website's list, Utah's signature food is funeral potatoes. Despite the sad name, funeral potatoes are actually quite the crowd pleaser.
What is the most eaten food in Utah? ›In Utah, the most famous food is Jell-O. Here's what Mashed said to back up its decision: Utah, says History, is home to more than two million Mormons, and it's their love of the famous food Jell-O that pushes this wiggly, jiggly dessert to the top of Utah's favorites list.
What is a good salary in Salt Lake City? ›A good salary in Salt Lake City, UT is anything over $43,000.
Is Salt Lake City majority a Mormon? ›Not everyone in Salt Lake City is Mormon.
But Salt Lake proper's population is actually less than 50% LDS. People of all religious and non-religious groups call Salt Lake home.
What is Utah's oldest restaurant? ›
Bluebird Restaurant is a historic restaurant in Logan in the state of Utah. It was established in 1914 and it claims to be the oldest restaurant in the state.
What candy is Utah known for? ›The study also showed that Candy Corn was a fan-favorite candy, coming in as Utah's second favorite candy behind Tootsie Pops and ahead of M&M's, which ranked third. But even though Tootsie Pops proved to be Utah's favorite candy, the rest of the nation doesn't seem to agree.
What is the official snack of Utah? ›How about the fact that Utah's state food is the sugar beet? The world of official state foods is an intriguing one, full of obvious choices (orange juice is Florida's state beverage) and some real puzzlers (Jell-O is Utah's state snack). Choosing symbols to represent a state is by no means a new development.
What is Gen Z age? ›Generations | Born | Current Ages |
---|---|---|
Gen Z | 1997 – 2012 | 10 – 25 |
Millennials | 1981 – 1996 | 26 – 41 |
Gen X | 1965 – 1980 | 42 – 57 |
Boomers II (a/k/a Generation Jones)* | 1955 – 1964 | 58 – 67 |
Their healthy self-perception supports Gen Zers' definition of healthy food: when asked to select the top attributes that define a healthy food, the most popular definitions among Gen Z included food that was a “good source of nutrients” (35%), food that was “fresh” (34%), and food that contained fruits or vegetables ( ...
What does Gen Z buy most? ›Spends more on sustainable products
Gen Z consumers are more likely to buy sustainable, high-quality, products.
Bill Gates' favorite restaurant - Ivar's Salmon House.
What is the #1 restaurant in the US? ›The French Laundry in Yountville, California, made its debut in this year's awards as the #1 Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S. With over 1,100 “excellent” Tripadvisor reviews, this 20-year-old French restaurant is called “bucket list” or “life changing” by diners who visit.
What is the least rated restaurant? ›Colony Cafe - Miami
This Miami eatery regularly finds itself atop "worst restaurant in the country" lists and is the lowest-rated restaurant on all of Yelp. Why is it so bad, and how does it stay in business?
1. Zion National Park. Zion National Park, less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, features some of Utah's most outstanding scenery. Red rock cliffs, waterfalls, and stunning vistas are some of the key attractions.
What is Mormon food? ›
It says to consume fruit seasonally, eat meat sparingly, and to eat grain, especially wheat, which is referred to as "the staff of life." The scripture prohibits consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and "hot drinks" (coffee and tea).
What is the most popular snack in Utah? ›Utah: Jell-O
In 2001, Utah state senator Leonard Blackham made the case for Jell-O to become the state's official snack food. “Whereas, Jell-O is representative of good family fun, which Utah is known for throughout the world,” he said. It's no surprise either.
Utah: Jell-O shot.
What meat is Utah known for? ›In addition to traditional offerings like pork bratwurst, you'll find on rotation lamb merguez, savory elk, and pasture-raised chicken or duck sausages.
What's the most popular breakfast food in Utah? ›According to the website, the most popular breakfast food in Utah is crepes. Other popular breakfast foods that made the list are sticky buns, doughnuts, french toast, tofu scramble, yogurt parfaits, biscuits and gravy, toast, omelettes, english muffins, breakfast burritos, and granola.
Where do millionaires live in Utah? ›In Utah, the richest town is Highland, located in Utah County about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Whats the nicest city in Utah? ›- Foothill/Sunnyside.
- East Central/East Liberty Park.
- Liberty Wells.
- Salt Lake City.
- Millcreek.
- Cottonwood Heights.
- Holladay.
- Snyderville.
Salt Lake City
It may be surprising, but the best place to live in Utah for non-Mormon retirees is the one best known for its Mormon roots. Salt Lake City has a Mormon population of less than half, but you'll also get breathtaking views and all the perks of big-city living.
1 ADULT | 2 ADULTS (BOTH WORKING) | |
---|---|---|
0 Children | 2 Children | |
Living Wage | $17.59 | $23.69 |
Poverty Wage | $6.19 | $6.37 |
Minimum Wage | $7.25 | $7.25 |
State | Single | Couple |
---|---|---|
Texas | $25,284 – $75,853 | $35,758 – $107,273 |
Utah | $25,389 – $76,167 | $35,905 – $107,716 |
Vermont | $26,511 – $79,533 | $37,492 – $112,476 |
Virginia | $26,694 – $80,081 | $37,750 – $113,251 |
What is the highest paying job in Utah? ›
Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
1 | Owner/operator | $179,484 |
2 | Consultant And Sales Representative | $164,289 |
3 | Vice President Of Operations And Engineering | $152,366 |
4 | Vice President, Product Management | $145,763 |
Salt Lake City has developed a strong tourist industry based primarily on skiing and outdoor recreation. It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is known for its politically progressive and diverse culture, which stands at contrast with the rest of the state's conservative leanings.
How black is Salt Lake City? ›Salt Lake City Demographics
White: 73.27% Other race: 11.18% Asian: 5.31%
The Mormons, as they were commonly known, had moved west to escape religious discrimination. After the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith, they knew they had to leave their old settlement in Illinois. Many Mormons died in the cold, harsh winter months as they made their way over the Rocky Mountains to Utah.
What was Elvis Presley's favorite restaurant? ›- Marlowe's Ribs & Restaurant.
Does Utah have any Michelin star restaurants? ›Utah Has Three Michelin Stars — but Not for Its Restaurants.
What is the oldest bar in Utah? ›The Shooting Star Saloon, in Huntsville, is also the oldest bar in the state still open. The Weber County saloon first opened in 1879 and was named Holken's Saloon, named after the saloon's original owner, Holken Olsen.
What are 2 things Utah is famous for? ›The state is known for its skiing, with the mountains near Salt Lake City collecting an average of 500 inches of snow per year, as well as for the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world's premiere independent film festivals, staged each January in Park City.
What candy was invented in Utah? ›Utahns love candy and not just during the holidays. They eat more per capita than any other state — and some of that candy is made here.
What is unique to Salt Lake City? ›You can't visit Salt Lake City and not visit the lake that gave this fascinating city its name. It's one of the best things to see while visiting the USA. The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake west of the Mississippi River, measuring a gigantic 1700 square miles.
What is the most popular fast food chain in Utah? ›
- #8. Taco Bell. ...
- #7. Burger King. ...
- #6. Arby's. ...
- #4 (tie). Domino's Pizza. ...
- #4 (tie). Pizza Hut. ...
- #3. Wendy's. Updated Oct 27, 2022. ...
- #2. McDonald's. Updated Oct 27, 2022. ...
- #1. Subway. Updated Oct 27, 2022.
Utah is famously known for its per capita consumption of Jell-O—so much so that two decades ago, in 2001, the Utah State Legislature voted to name Jell-O its official state snack. But apart from Utahns' hearty consumption of Jell-O, the roots of the connection are shrouded.
What is the saltiest snack in the world? ›A new report into savoury snacks released by The George Institute for Global Health, VicHealth and the Heart Foundation revealed the saltiest product was a veg-based kale chip containing a whopping 7.8 grams of salt per 100g.
What is the most underrated food? ›- Cauliflower Rice.
- Oatmeal.
- Salmon.
- IZZE Sparkling Juice.
- Dulce de Leche.
- Castelvetrano Olives.
- Sauerkraut.
- Cashews.
- 8 Brussel Sprouts.
- 7 Okra.
- 6 Turnips.
- 5 Raisins.
- 4 Blue Cheese.
- 3 Anchovies.
- 2 Olives.
- 1 Candy Corn.
Consumer Reports (CR) just dished on which ones are the worst. Of these, the Cheesecake Factory is the unhealthiest chain restaurant. It lacks whole grains, has large portions, and one dish with twice as much sodium as the daily recommendation.
What is the #1 reason that restaurants fail? ›1. Lack of vision. According to the Cornell University study “Why Restaurants Fail,” restaurants close because their leadership lacks a clear vision for the restaurant. A restaurant's mission statement and vision and are more than just its concept and menu—they should be at the center of every business decision.
What is the #1 chain restaurant in the United States? ›The most hated food in the US is Olives, being named the worst by 13 states. Anchovies are also unpopular, with 12 states saying it's the worst food. There are only 10 foods collectively despised by different states: olives, anchovies, eggplant, beets, turkey bacon, bologna, sushi, well-done steak, carrots and pickles.
Is there a food that never spoils? ›HoneyHoney is the only food that actually lasts forever and never spoils. We can thank nature for the whole process of making and procuring honey. It is made using the nectar of the flowers which mixes with the enzymes extracted by the bees.
What is the blandest food? ›
- Milk and other dairy products, low-fat only.
- Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables.
- Fruit and vegetable juices.
- Cooked or canned fruit with the skin and seeds removed, such as applesauce or canned peaches.
- Breads, crackers and pasta made with refined white flour.
- Two high protein foods. Eggs and bacon are popular breakfast food items but it is advisable to avoid this combination. ...
- Citrus fruit and milk. Orange juice and milk. ...
- Milk and banana. ...
- Fruit with your meal. ...
- Cheesy food with cold drink.
What are forgotten foods? Generally speaking, forgotten foods refer to foods that come from one of the thousands of plant species that are edible, but are not produced at a commercial scale. Of these forgotten species, most are local variants of traditionally consumed fruits and vegetable species. ( FAO)
What food can you only survive on? ›However, there is no known food that supplies all the needs of human adults on a long-term basis. Since Taylor is determined to follow a one-food diet, then potatoes are probably as good as anything, as they contain a wider range of amino acids, vitamins and minerals than other starchy foods, such as pasta or rice.
What is the most food ever eaten in one sitting? ›Eaten by a 23-year-old woman, the meal was made up of one pound of liver, two pounds of kidneys, eight ounces of steak, two eggs, one pound of cheese, two large slices of bread, one pound of mushrooms, two pounds of carrots, one cauliflower, 10 peaches, four pears, two apples, four bananas, two pounds of plums, two ...