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Food & Nightlife

The Beehive State's dynamic food and nightlife scene draws inspiration from Utah's rich agricultural heritage, active outdoor culture and pioneer roots.

Our culinary options draw travelers seeking authentic food tourism experiences — from high-altitude ranching and desert apiaries to aprés-ski drinks and farm-to-table dining. Here, James Beard Award semifinalists 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: Polygamy Porter, Golden Spike and Moab Pilsner. 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.

Utah Restaurants Food Festivals

Dining & Culture Hubs

Northern Utah

Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Park City and Provo are all urban hubs of great dining, cultural events and live music on the edge of mountain adventures in the northern part of the state. Discover award-winning restaurants and vibrant mountain town nightlife throughout the Wasatch Front, from après-ski to downtown dives.   

Southern Utah

Away from the urban centers, in more remote parts of Utah, pleasant surprises can be found in Utah's dining scene. Moab, Kanab, Springdale, Torrey, Bluff, St. George and Cedar City cater to adventure's sophisticated side with dining and cultural hotspots. Aside from these popular foodie basecamps, all Utah towns have their own flavors to try, but be mindful to check closing times and for Sunday dining availability.

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.

Urban Hill, Salt Lake City

Urban Hill, Salt Lake City

High West Saloon, Park City

High West Saloon, Park City

Award-Winning Dining

James Beard Award Nods

While Utah lies outside the Michelin Star rating system, our cities continue to shine on the national dining stage as James Beard Award semifinalists.

  • Hell's Backbone Grill and Farm (Boulder) has received numerous nominations and semifinalist placements for its unique farm-to-table seasonal dishes and destination dining. 

  • Manoli's (Salt Lake City), which has been repeatedly named a semifinalist for Best Restaurant, is known for its fresh take on Greek cuisine.  

  • Water Witch (Salt Lake City), semifinalist for Best Bar, is celebrated for its elevated craft cocktails and bar bites. 

  • Additionally, Table X, Oquirrh, Mazza and Urban Hill have all been multiple-time semifinalists for Best Chef.

More Utah Restaurants

Local Dining Awards Winners

Utah restaurants' most enduring accolades belong to the establishments that defined their genres for decades, winning fierce local loyalty. 

  • Matteo, The Foundry, Casot and Arlo hold top honors as best restaurants for the annual Salt Lake Dining Awards.

  • Riverhorse on Main (Park City) holds the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award for nearly 20 consecutive years and remains Utah's first DiRōNA Award recipient. 

  • Valter's Osteria (Salt Lake City) consistently wins Utah Classic recognition for authentic Italian fine dining. 

  • Red Iguana (2 locations in Salt Lake City) and its signature moles have dominated as the Best Mexican Restaurant for over 25 years. 

  • Gourmandise (Salt Lake City) claims perennial Best of State honors for European pastries.

  • Bona Vita Italian Bistro (Lehi) boasts over 60 Best of State Awards across categories. 

  • Dairy Keen (Midway) has won Best Fast Food Restaurant and Best Shakes every year since 2003.

  • Sego Restaurant (Kanab) has been earning the OpenTable Diners' Choice Award consistently since 2017.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Station II (St. George) touts a lively, indoor beer garden with pool tables, shuffleboard, cornhole and a full selection of beer, wine and liquor.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

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4 Days

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!

Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Arts, Events, Urban Experiences

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4 Days

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.

History and Heritage, Ski and Snowboard, Arts, Urban Experiences

Highlights

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4 Days

#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.

Hiking, Adventure, Community, Arts, Support local, Events, Urban Experiences

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6 Days

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.

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Wellness, Community, Support local, Food and Drink, Urban Experiences

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