Utah Food & Drink Guide
Utah's culinary options draw travelers seeking authentic food tourism experiences—from high-altitude ranching and desert apiaries to après-ski drinks and farm-to-table dining. Here, Michelin- and James Beard-recognized restaurants work alongside multi-generational ranchers and bakers. Chefs source beef from local ranches and trout from mountain streams across the state. The result is distinctly Western, built on what grows here.
Our gathering ethos, farm roots and outdoor lifestyle also feed into our bars, clubs and breweries. Bartenders craft farm-to-glass cocktails made with locally distilled spirits and in-season fruits and herbs. Dedicated brewers concoct fresh-from-the-tap brews with playful names: Golden Spike, Cutthroat Pale Ale and Life Elevated. Busy bars, not-so-secret speakeasies and patios with sensational views welcome all to gather after an urban hike, a ski day or a national park adventure.
Urban Hill, Salt Lake City
High West Saloon, Park City
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Dining in Utah
Want the inside scoop on the best Utah restaurants? This dining guide covers the state’s top culinary scenes–check it out and get hungry!
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Distilleries
On Utah’s whiskey distillery tours visitors have the option to sniff, sample and buy. Find out what other spirits are distilled (or blended) in Utah!
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Utah Craft Brewing
From award-winning pioneers like Squatter's and Epic Brewing to beloved favorites like Rooster's and Proper, Utah's top breweries pair well with its diverse landscape.
Famous Foods: Quirky Comforts for Group Gatherings
Looking for only-in-Utah signature dishes? Utah’s culinary history is Mountain West-inspired and community-driven, tracing back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Made for potluck culture and church dinners, our signature dishes emphasize hospitality with a side of quirky comfort — think cheesy funeral potatoes, ubiquitous fry sauce and Jell-O salads.
The social-rooted, comfort-food heritage of pioneer and Mormon traditions influences contemporary cuisine today, reimagined by local chefs through regional flavors that reflect our Mountain West traditions.
Michelin Winners
Calling all foodies traveling to Utah! Looking for quality ingredients, flavor mastery, and a front-row seat to chef precision and personality? The long-awaited inaugural Michelin Guide Southwest celebrates these Utah restaurants, including the first-ever Utah eatery to earn a Michelin star.
One Michelin Star: Drum roll, please. Monte (South Salt Lake) wins the state's first Michelin star. Discover a chef-driven lineup of hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired meats, and locally-sourced ingredients hidden inside a chic, yet soulful industrial space. The not-so-hidden-now gem bills itself as an “intimate, underground fine dining experience rooted in Utah’s natural landscape. Each menu is shaped by the season, guided by local foraging, organic sourcing, and a deep respect for the ingredients of the day.”
Bib Gourmand Award: Michelin honors these Utah restaurants for high-quality and affordability. Check out Feldman's Deli (Salt Lake City), One More Noodle House (South Salt Lake) and Phở 777 (West Valley City).
Michelin Recommended: These Utah eateries are worth watching. They may not have the official star yet, but experts and locals are salivating for more. Book a reservation and come hungry to Handle (Park City), Koyote (Salt Lake City), Matilda (Park City), The Nelson Cottage by High West (Park City), or Star of India (Salt Lake City).
Hell’s Backbone Grill has its own “no-harm organic farm,” where they grow their own vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, and greens, as well as Boulder-raised, grass-fed local lamb and beef.
James Beard-nominated Table X creates modern American cuisine with ingredients from its onsite garden.
The offerings at Handle are always evolving around the local produce in season and special dishes from the chef.
Beer Bar, Salt Lake City
Photo: David Newkirk
Iconic Bars, Breweries, Clubs and Aprés Ski
Utah's nightlife offers a diverse mix of sophisticated city bars, classic roadside taverns, vibrant breweries, sprawling entertainment venues and mountainside après ski spots (listed from north to south).
Bar X & Beer Bar (Salt Lake City) is co-owned by actor Ty Burrell and revered for its juxtaposition of two adjacent concepts—a modern speakeasy next to a German-inspired beer hall offering over 140 beers.
Mar Muntanya (Salt Lake City) offers Spanish cuisine and cocktails with sensational mountain and city views.
The Westerner, a legendary high-energy mega-club in Salt Lake City, is known for its massive dance floor, frequent live country music acts, two-step dancing and a mechanical bull.
High West Saloon (Park City) is a mountainside hot spot for tastings, tours and upscale American bar food, designed to pair with their extensive selection of whiskeys and cocktails.
Ray's Tavern (Green River, near Moab) is renowned as a "river rat Mecca," attracting rafters, bikers and travelers who stop for its legendary charbroiled burger and a pitcher of local on-tap beer.
Moab Brewery (Moab) is the only full-service microbrewery in town, making it a must-stop for a fresh beer after hiking and exploring the national parks.
Station II (St. George) touts a lively, indoor beer garden with pool tables, shuffleboard, cornhole and a full selection of beer, wine and liquor.
The menu at Ray's Tavern is simple, and the charbroiled burger, in and of itself, is worth the pull-off from I-70.
The Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville, radiates rustic Western character. Locals and travelers gather for legendary burgers, cold beer and a taste of true frontier history.
Local Favorites: Diners, Saloons & Drive-Thrus
Ruth's Diner: Try the Homemade Biscuits
Tucked in Emigration Canyon, Ruth’s Diner blends mountain charm and timeless flavors. Enjoy hearty comfort food, homemade biscuits and scenic canyon views that capture Salt Lake City’s relaxed outdoor spirit.
Shooting Star Saloon: Oldest Bar in Utah
Utah’s oldest continuously operating bar, The Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville, radiates rustic Western character. Locals and travelers gather for legendary burgers, cold beer and a taste of true frontier history.
Crown Burger: Get the Pastrami-Topped Burger
Family-founded in 1978, best known for the pastrami-topped burger and Thousand Island-style dressing. Crown Burgers is often cited in local roundups of Salt Lake burger icons, as one of the first and one of the best.
Arctic Circle: Fry Sauce Pioneer
Arctic Circle started from a family refreshment stand at Pioneer Day (a day dedicated to celebrating the first Mormon Pioneers) and opened its first building in 1950. It’s widely credited with inventing and popularizing “fry sauce.” Today, Arctic Circle is a regional fast-food chain with deep local roots.
Swig: Drive-Thru Dirty Sodas
Founded in 2010 in St. George, Swig is credited with launching the dirty soda craze in Utah by mixing classic sodas with creams, flavored syrups and fruit add-ons. These local beverage shops have become rituals for many Utahns (Read: Utah: Home of the Dirty Soda), much like coffee shops elsewhere.
Foodie Journey
In a place that’s known for its red rock landscape, it’s incredible that local chefs can coax such a feast of fresh food from the desert.
Highlights
- Moab
- Capitol Reef
- Torrey
- Boulder
- Bryce Canyon
- Cedar City
- St. George
- Salt Lake City
#Utahisrad: The Cool Kids’ Guide to Salt Lake City
Meet the locals, see the weird stuff, try the local beer, see the bands and discover why #utahisrad.
Highlights
- Farmers Market and GREENbike Tour
- Local Brews and a Show
- Natural History
- Otherworldly Utah
Join "The Riot" for Major League Soccer
Watch a Major League Soccer match in Salt Lake City, Utah, at America First Field. Start planning your trip today to cheer on the Real Salt Lake!
Highlights
- Salt Lake Pub Crawl
- America First Field
- Utah Olympic Park
- Real Salt Lake
- Salt Lake City's Food Scene
Traveling Fandom
It's no secret Salt Lake City is a basketball town, but the game is just the beginning. Ski like a local at renowned ski areas Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude by day, and make the easy game night run back down the mountain for award-winning dining, gold medal breweries and world-class arts, culture and nightlife.
Highlights
- Game Day in Ski City
- Fine Dining at 11,000 Feet
- Après-ski at Utah's Vintage Bars
- Musical Tour of SLC
Read the Stories
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Cozy Salt Lake Dining Spots
Find you perfect après-ski spots to fill up.
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Curry, Fine Wine, Dining at 11,000'
Fred Barbier is Director of Resort Dining at Snowbird Resort restaurants. Find out what goes on in the kitchen and why you need to eat a meal here.
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Eat Your Way Through Utah
Utah is filled with festivals that highlight the state’s agricultural products, local brewers, winemakers and other creators of delicious dishes. You’ll find festivals and events featuring all kinds of agricultural products all over Utah, but here are 10 of the best to sample what the state has to offer.
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Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five
Whether you’re visiting a single Utah national park or all five, take time to explore and enjoy the local food on the spectacular routes between the parks.
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Short List: Local Salt Lake City Nightlife Picks
Make the most of winter's shortened daylight by extending your Utah ski trip into the night. Sure, some resorts offer incredible night skiing — so, okay, after that — but then the night really gets going in downtown Ski City.
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Torrey Dining
Thanks to it’s location eight miles from Capitol Reef National Park, this remote enclave is a great place to stop for some coffee, ice cream or dinner on your way in or out of the park.
