-
What makes Salt Lake City a scenic destination?
- Salt Lake City offers visitors spectacular views of rugged snowcapped scenery year-round – many times from the window, balcony, or rooftop of a favorite restaurant.
-
What dining options are available in Salt Lake City?
- Salt Lake City offers a slew of restaurants that rival any city’s culinary cuisine.
Unique Restaurants
For Historic Elegance: Bambara Salt Lake City
Savor upscale American fare and admire stylish décor on a romantic weekend night.
Adjacent to Hotel Monaco and set inside the stunning former Continental Bank lobby, Bambara Salt Lake City brings together historic elegance and modern energy for a truly memorable dining experience.
Highlights:
- Located in a historic bank lobby next to Hotel Monaco
- Stunning interior with exhibition kitchen, marble details, and chandeliers
- Locally sourced ingredients from Utah farms and ranches
- Inventive New American menu with rich seasonal flavors
- Great for romantic dinners, business meals, or special events
Address: 202 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-363-5454
For a Cozy Meal: Pago
Enjoy farm-to-table dishes and explore seasonal flavors in this cozy, affordable gem.
Pago is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem, tucked inside the historic 1910 Woodman Building in Salt Lake City. With fewer than a dozen tables inside, it’s cozy, urban, and effortlessly cool—perfect for a low-key date night or a quiet dinner with friends.
Highlights:
- Chic, intimate setting with fewer than a dozen tables
- Located in the historic Woodman Building (est. 1910)
- Features open kitchen, exposed brick, and local artwork
- Farm-to-table menu with ingredients from 11 local sources
- Perfect for date nights or small-group dinners
Address: 878 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-532-0777
Family-Friendly Breakfast
For Great Sushi: Takashi
Savor fresh sushi and experience exciting flavors at this popular downtown spot.
Takashi is a must-visit for sushi lovers in Salt Lake City—widely considered the best spot in town for fresh, artfully prepared sushi and sashimi.
Highlights:
- Widely known as SLC’s top sushi spot
- Open raw kitchen with sushi bar seating
- Extensive menu with sushi, sashimi, and small plates
- Also offers cooked Japanese fare for non-sushi eaters
- Perfect for dates, business meetings, or family dinners
Address: 18 W. Market Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Phone: 801-519-9595
For Italian with floor-to-ceiling windows: VENETO Ristorante Italiano
Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine and enjoy a romantic dinner trip for couples.
Get a true taste of Northern Italy right in the heart of Salt Lake City at VENETO Ristorante Italiano, one of the city’s most talked-about dining destinations. The vibe is warm, stylish, and sophisticated—with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and carved furnishings that create an elegant but welcoming setting.
Highlights:
- Elegant, intimate setting with Venetian-inspired décor
- Locally sourced, seasonal menu with Northern Italian classics
- Great for romantic dinners, special celebrations, or food lovers
- Signature dishes include duck ragu, handmade gnocchi, and aged steak
- Refined service in a peaceful, upscale atmosphere
Address: 370 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-359-0708
For Nature Lovers: Log Haven
Dine in a forest setting and savor fine cuisine on a romantic evening escape.
Tucked away in the beautiful Wasatch National Forest, Log Haven offers one of the most romantic dining experiences in the country—literally. This historic log-cabin-style mansion feels like a hidden escape, with breathtaking views of lush forest, a nearby lake, and seasonal foliage that makes every visit feel magical.
Highlights:
- Located in a historic log mansion in the Wasatch National Forest
- Repeatedly named one of the most romantic restaurants in the U.S.
- Surrounded by forest views, a lake, and mountain serenity
- Fine-dining menu with standout meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes
- Perfect for anniversaries, proposals, or special occasion dinners
Address: Log Haven, 6451 E. Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, Phone: 801-272-8255
Romantic Breakfast
For downtown fun: Caffe Molise
Relax on the patio and enjoy flavorful Italian dishes during a spring trip.
Housed in the beautifully restored Historic Eagle Building in downtown Salt Lake City, Caffé Molise brings the flavors of Italy’s Molise region to life in a setting that’s both elegant and welcoming.
Highlights:
- Located in the historic Eagle Building in downtown SLC
- Charming interior with brick walls, wood beams, and warm lighting
- Locally sourced Italian cuisine inspired by the Molise region
- Menu favorites include Scampi alla Diavola, Pollo Marsala, and more
- Ideal for romantic dinners, small gatherings, or special occasions
Address: 404 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-364-8833
For History Buffs: Christopher's Prime Tavern & Grill
Savor juicy steaks and admire classic elegance on a weekend date night.
A long-time favorite in the Salt Lake dining scene, Christopher’s Prime Tavern & Grill has been serving up classic steakhouse vibes and top-tier meals since 1995. Located in the heart of the city, it’s the kind of spot that feels both timeless and upscale—perfect for a date night, celebration, or client dinner.
Highlights:
- A Salt Lake City staple since 1995
- Refined steakhouse setting with white linens and classic design
- Fresh, daily seafood and locally sourced ingredients
- Signature dishes include USDA Prime Sirloin, filet mignon, and lobster
- Perfect for romantic dinners, business meals, and special events
Address: 110 West Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-890-6616
For authentic Italian cuisine: Cucina Toscana
Enjoy traditional Tuscan dishes and experience romantic charm in this fine dining spot.
A beloved go-to for Italian cuisine in Salt Lake City for nearly 20 years, Cucina Toscana blends old-world charm with a fresh, modern feel. Located in a historic brick building, the space has been reimagined with contemporary touches like exposed ceilings, concrete floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light.
Highlights:
- A Salt Lake City favorite for nearly two decades
- Modern Italian setting in a restored brick building
- Romantic atmosphere with banquette seating and colorful interiors
- Authentic Italian cuisine using the highest quality ingredients
- Signature dish: Costato Di Manzo with Chianti demi-glace
Address: 282 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Phone: 801-328-3463
For Mexican Flavors: Red Iguana
Taste bold Mexican flavors and explore unusual mole varieties in this exciting local favorite.
The Red Iguana has been a Salt Lake City icon since it first opened in 1985—and it’s still going strong. Founded by food-loving duo Ramon and Maria Cardenas, this family-run spot quickly earned a reputation for serving some of the most flavorful, authentic Mexican cuisine in the city. Decades later, the Cardenas family is still at the helm, and the food is just as legendary.
Highlights:
- A local favorite since 1985, still family owned and operated
- Known for authentic, flavor-packed Mexican dishes
- Huge menu with appetizers, salads, tacos, and house specialties
- Must-try dishes: Cochinita Pibil and Ramon’s Fish Tacos
- Perfect for casual lunches, family dinners, and foodies on the hunt for real Mexican flavor
Address: 736 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, Phone: 801-322-1489
For the Artsy Couple: Eva
Share small plates and enjoy a lively, affordable evening in downtown Salt Lake.
Eva may be small in size, but it delivers big on flavor and personality. This charming spot in downtown Salt Lake City is all about small plates, eclectic eats, and good vibes. The space feels welcoming and casual, with hardwood floors, picnic-style tables, soft lighting, and a fun wall of decorative plates that makes it feel like home.
Highlights:
- Cozy, eclectic small-plates restaurant in downtown SLC
- Interior features picnic tables, banquettes, and homey charm
- Locally sourced ingredients and a menu that rotates seasonally
- Fan favorites include chicken lollipops, lamb T-bone, and sautéed clams
- Perfect for casual dates, group dinners, or foodies who love to share
Address: 317 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT, Phone: 801-359-8447
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. For Historic Elegance: Bambara Salt Lake City
- 2. For a Cozy Meal: Pago
- 3. For Great Sushi: Takashi
- 4. For Italian with floor-to-ceiling windows: VENETO Ristorante Italiano
- 5. For Nature Lovers: Log Haven
- 6. For downtown fun: Caffe Molise
- 7. For History Buffs: Christopher's Prime Tavern & Grill
- 8. For authentic Italian cuisine: Cucina Toscana
- 9. For Mexican Flavors: Red Iguana
- 10. For the Artsy Couple: Eva