Unearth The Voyage
Salt Lake City has transformed into a serious food destination, with chefs opening innovative restaurants that are earning national recognition. From natural wine bars landing on New York Times lists to James Beard Award finalists, the city is proving it can compete with major food cities across the country. Whether you are craving Italian, sushi, hot chicken, or modern American cooking, these 16 restaurants represent the best of what SLC has to offer right now.
1. Cosmica (Central 9th)
Making the New York Times’ national best restaurants list less than six months after opening is no small feat, yet Cosmica managed exactly that. This western-style Italian diner and natural wine bar brings playful energy to Central 9th, serving everything from Neapolitan pizza to elk carpaccio with serious skill behind the scenes.
The Times praised it as big, kitschy fun with a serious kitchen, capturing the restaurant’s ability to balance whimsy with technique. The natural wine selection draws enthusiasts from across the city, while the inventive menu keeps locals coming back to see what chef-driven surprises await.
Trend-watchers and anyone curious about where SLC’s food scene is headed next should make this their first stop.
2. Oquirrh (Downtown)
Husband-and-wife duo Angie and Drew Fuller have built one of downtown’s most respected chef-driven restaurants with Oquirrh. Their cozy New American spot focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful plating that turns each dish into a small work of art.
Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Awards placed Oquirrh among the state’s top restaurants, alongside heavy hitters like Table X and Manoli’s. The recognition reflects the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing Utah’s seasons through creative, approachable cooking that never feels pretentious.
Perfect for date nights and tasting-style dinners, Oquirrh delivers those moments when you realize SLC’s food scene is genuinely legit.
3. Urban Hill (Granary / Downtown edge)
Chef Nick Zocco, who honed his skills at Las Vegas’ SW Steakhouse, brings polished New American cooking with Southwestern influences to this striking dining room. Urban Hill has become one of the city’s go-to special-occasion spots, where the atmosphere feels as carefully crafted as the food.
Gastronomic Salt Lake City’s downtown guide calls it the best fine-dining restaurant in downtown SLC, highlighting both the impressive space and the chef-driven menu. The restaurant delivers that big city restaurant feel without requiring a plane ticket.
Celebrations, expense-account dinners, and anyone seeking an elevated experience will find exactly what they are looking for here.
4. Manoli’s (Central City / 9th & 9th area)
Modern Greek cooking has found its champion in SLC with Manoli’s, a restaurant that appears on multiple best-of lists and earned a spot among Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Award winners. The minimalist, bright space feels both sophisticated and welcoming, creating the perfect backdrop for leisurely Mediterranean meals.
Refined meze, beautifully composed mains, and a strong wine list define the experience here. The food is serious without any pretension, allowing the quality of ingredients and skillful preparation to speak for themselves.
Mediterranean small plate lovers, wine enthusiasts, and groups of friends looking for a memorable dinner will all feel at home at Manoli’s.
5. Matteo (Downtown)
Regional Italian cooking gets the spotlight at Matteo Ristorante Italiano, one of downtown’s most talked-about newer Italian restaurants. Listed among Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Award winners alongside top SLC destinations like Arlo, Oquirrh, and Table X, Matteo has quickly earned its place in the city’s dining conversation.
House-made pastas anchor the menu, served in a warm, trattoria-style setting that makes every visit feel special. A simple bowl of pasta paired with a glass of red wine becomes a complete night out when the execution is this thoughtful.
Classic Italian done with polish makes Matteo ideal for first-date dinners, pre-theater meals, and anyone craving comfort with refinement.
6. Table X (Millcreek – short drive from SLC)
Just outside city limits in Millcreek, Table X remains an essential part of the SLC dining conversation. Recognized in Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Awards list of top Utah restaurants, this spot has earned its reputation among serious food lovers who appreciate vegetables as much as proteins.
The garden-driven, modern American menu often takes the form of a tasting menu, with an emphasis on seasonal produce, fermentation techniques, and house-baked bread that arrives warm at the table. Every course tells a story about the season and the land.
Tasting-menu fans and people who geek out over seasonal produce will find this short drive from SLC absolutely worth the trip.
7. The Copper Onion (Downtown)
Years after opening, The Copper Onion continues to show up on best-of SLC lists, proving that staying power comes from consistency and quality. Cozymeal’s 2025 guide names it one of the best restaurants in Salt Lake City, describing it as a modern brasserie-style spot ideal for cozy get-togethers.
Gastronomic Salt Lake City singles out The Copper Onion as having the best burger in downtown, which is high praise in a city with plenty of burger competition. Beyond the burger, the menu offers elevated comfort food perfect for brunch or casual dinners.
Whether you come for that famous burger everyone keeps mentioning or explore the rest of the menu, you will understand why this place remains a downtown fixture.
8. Takashi (Downtown)
When locals debate the best sushi in SLC, Takashi inevitably enters the conversation. Cozymeal’s 2025 list names it one of the city’s top restaurants, highlighting creative specialty rolls and the lively, modern room that makes every visit feel like an event.
Gastronomic Salt Lake City’s downtown guide reinforces this reputation, calling Takashi the best sushi in downtown. The restaurant has maintained its standing over the years through consistent quality and a willingness to push creative boundaries with its rolls.
Sushi lovers, date-night planners, and anyone willing to wait for top-tier fish will find Takashi delivers on its reputation every single time.
9. Caffé Molise (Downtown)
Decades of awards and a recent move into the historic Eagle Building have given Caffé Molise one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in Salt Lake City. Gastronomic SLC calls it one of the biggest names in downtown SLC, a testament to its long-standing reputation for quality Italian cooking.
Cozymeal’s 2025 guide recommends signature dishes like gnocchi di patate and notes the restaurant’s lovely patio and occasional live jazz performances. The combination of classic Italian comfort food and a beautiful setting creates memorable evenings.
Romantic dinners, al fresco evenings, and anyone who loves classic Italian in a pretty space will appreciate what Caffé Molise brings to the table.
10. Stoneground Italian Kitchen (Downtown)
Rustic Italian cooking meets cool, loft-style architecture at Stoneground Italian Kitchen, a spot that has earned recognition from Gastronomic SLC as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. The much-loved patio frequently lands the restaurant on local best patio dining lists, especially during warmer months.
Award-winning Neapolitan-style pizzas, fresh pastas, and rustic Italian recipes dominate the menu, with most items made in-house. The restaurant describes itself as serving rustic Italian recipes that honor tradition while embracing local ingredients.
Pizza and pasta with a view, relaxed date nights, and pre-show dinners all work beautifully at Stoneground, where the food and setting complement each other perfectly.
11. Red Iguana (Fairpark)
Every city has that one restaurant everyone tells visitors to try, and in SLC, Red Iguana holds that honor. Cozymeal’s 2025 list highlights it as one of the most spirited old-school Mexican spots in the city, known for generous combination plates and Tex-Mex favorites done right.
The restaurant is especially famous for its moles, which regularly earn mentions in both national and local food coverage. The line out the door during peak times speaks to its enduring popularity and the loyalty of its fan base.
Big flavors, casual vibes, and the chance to check a true SLC institution off your list make Red Iguana a must-visit for both newcomers and longtime residents.
12. Pretty Bird Hot Chicken (Downtown & other locations)
Chef Viet Pham helped kick off the hot-chicken wave locally with Pretty Bird, his Nashville-style hot chicken shop that has expanded to multiple locations. Gastronomic SLC calls the original downtown location the best fried chicken in downtown SLC, with the hot chicken sandwich earning standout status.
Cozymeal also features Pretty Bird as one of the top restaurants in the city for crispy fried chicken sandwiches and nuggets. The fast-casual format makes it easy to grab lunch or a quick dinner without sacrificing quality or flavor.
Spice lovers, downtown workers seeking lunch, and anyone craving fast-casual comfort food done exceptionally well will find Pretty Bird hits the spot every time.
13. Valter’s Osteria (Downtown)
Valter’s Osteria represents old-school Italian fine dining at its best in Salt Lake City. Cozymeal calls it one of the more surprising restaurants Salt Lake City holds for true gourmets, emphasizing the Tuscan dining-room feel and the personal hospitality of founder Valter Nassi.
Wanderlog’s curated list of Michelin-level restaurants in SLC (noting Utah has no official Michelin guide) also highlights Valter’s as one of the city’s top fine-dining experiences. The white-tablecloth service and attention to detail create an atmosphere perfect for lingering over multiple courses.
Special occasions, long Italian dinners, and anyone seeking old-school hospitality paired with exceptional cooking will treasure an evening at Valter’s Osteria.
14. The Pearl (Central 9th)
Vietnamese-inspired small plates meet creative cocktails at The Pearl, a modern bar-restaurant in the Central 9th neighborhood. Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Awards winner list includes The Pearl alongside heavy hitters like Oquirrh and Table X, recognizing its contribution to the city’s dining scene.
Gastronomic SLC’s downtown guide points to Edison Street and the surrounding area as a hotspot, noting The Pearl among a cluster of standout venues that have helped transform the neighborhood. Sharing plates and inventive drinks make it ideal for groups.
A night out in one of SLC’s trendiest pockets calls for creative cocktails and shareable plates, making The Pearl the perfect choice for exploring Central 9th’s vibrant food scene.
15. Arlo (Capitol Hill)
Perched on Capitol Hill, Arlo frequently appears in conversations about chef-driven dining in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Magazine’s 2025 Dining Awards winners list opens with Arlo, grouping it with the best restaurants in Utah and recognizing its commitment to excellence.
Contemporary American cooking with global accents defines the menu, which local critics especially praise for thoughtful, seasonal approach. The focus remains squarely on what appears on the plate rather than creating a scene or chasing trends.
Intimate dinners, food-centric date nights, and diners who prioritize exceptional cooking above all else will find Arlo delivers exactly what they seek without unnecessary flourishes or distractions.
16. Water Witch (Central 9th – Bar, with great bites)
Though technically a bar rather than a full restaurant, Water Witch absolutely belongs on any SLC food-and-drink hit list. In 2025, it became one of five national finalists for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar, marking the first time a Utah establishment received that level of Beard recognition in at least 15 years.
Local coverage notes that Water Witch helped anchor the revitalization of Central 9th, with its team earning multiple previous James Beard nods. The bar snacks complement the top-tier cocktails perfectly, making it ideal for starting or ending an evening.
Anyone exploring Central 9th should include Water Witch on their restaurant crawl, perhaps paired with visits to nearby Cosmica and The Pearl.
