If you ’re convinced that Salt Lake City culinary art is all about green Jell - O and Mormon funeral potatoes , mean again : a waving of multicultural eatery , cutting - edge chefs , and inventive restaurateurs are turn the urban center by the Great Salt Lake into a first - rate dining destination . Here are a dozen can’t - miss SLC eateries worth pass over an LDS potluck for .
< h2 > Best Greek : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / manolis-84111" ; target="_blank”>Manoli’s
< em>402 E 900 SouthGreeks immigrated to Utah in the former 1900s with the development of the railroad and mining industries , and they make for their sunlight - kissed Mediterranean culinary art with them . Instead of basic gyroscope and souvlaki , you ’ll find fresh , modern rendition of Grecian culinary art in dishes like grill lamb riblets with play chimichurri ; braised beets with horseradish skordalia ; and loukoumathes : pleasant-tasting Greek donuts with spiced honey syrup .
Manoli’s
< h2 > good Nipponese : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / takashi-84101" ; target="_blank”>Takashi
< em>19 W. Market StWhen Chef / Owner Takashi Gibo spread out his namesake restaurant , he seriously raised the stakes for Nipponese culinary art in Utah . A easy and genial perfectionist , Gibo is known for swear out up the brisk and most innovational sushi , sashimi , and nigiri around , but be on the lookout for his often - omit cooked dish as well , like shiitake lamb shank and sensational < em > Saikyo miso sablefish . For a particular goody , try the < em > ankimo ( monkfish liver ) manus pealing ; it sample like foie gras , without the moral dilemma of real foie gras .
< h2 > good pizza pie : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / from - scratch-84111" ; target="_blank”>From Scratch
From Scratch
< em>62 E Gallivan AveThe capably named From Scratch pick out its mission literally , making everything ( from doughs and pizza pie tall mallow to ketchup and mustard ) whole from boodle . The margherita pizza is a beautifully blistered , Ellen Price Wood - fired wonder that begin with a base of flour ( milled in - theater ) , topped with Bianco diNapoli tomatoes , household - made mozzarella , and fresh basil . This is pizza pie , hone .
< h2 > Best hamburger : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / hsl - restaurant-84102" ; target="_blank”>HSL
< em>418 due east 200 SouthHSL executive chef / proprietor Briar Handly is one of Utah ’s most gifted and forward-looking cooks , as evidenced by creations such as his General Tso’s - style cauliflower with turnip cabbage , or his bread European olive tree with smoked quail , pine nut vinaigrette , and Meyer lemon . That said , the actual stunner here is HSL ’s bodacious burger : a 7 oz patty made with gripe cheeks , go past with household - made American cheese on a fresh brioche bun , with effete duck’s egg - fat fried spuds served alongside .
Bambara
< h2 > good ability tiffin : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / bambara - restaurant-84101" ; target="_blank”>Bambara
< em>202 S Main StThe hustle Bambara eating place in the Hotel Monaco is the place in Downtown SLC for a power luncheon . Or , more specifically , a Powers Lunch – as in the day-by-day tiffin menu make by executive chef Nathan Powers . Each prix - fixe option include soup or green salad , as well as a delicious chocolate chip turtleneck cookie , while main play the gamut from mussels & amp ; frites to a legit Cubano sandwich . The only losing move here is not to spiel / eat .
< h2 > better Ethiopian : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / blue - nile-84111" ; target="_blank”>Blue Nile
Log Haven
< em>755 S State StThe best way to live the broad ambit of Ethiopian flavors here is to range the Blue Nile Special : a table - sized ( literally ) serving of < em > injera < /em > kale with an miscellanea of items such as < em > doro wot , yesiga alicha , gomen , yemisir wot , tegabino shiro , and much more – all eat with fingers at an hourglass - shaped straw table called a < em > messob . The ultra - favorable and helpful help does n’t hurt , either .
< h2 > Best ambiance : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locus / log - haven-84109" ; target="_blank”>Log Haven
< em>6451 E Millcreek Canyon RdSituated in a historic logarithm sign of the zodiac in the Wasatch National Forest ( just a seven mile movement from town ) , Log Haven is smother by falls , wildflowers , and some of the most breathless natural view you ’ll find anywhere . Even so , it ’s chef David Jones ’ present-day cooking that keeps people number back to this honor - winning restaurant for occasions both particular and simple . Combining a public - class scenic setting with culinary art to match , it ’s no surprisal the Log Haven slogan is “ Nature is delicious here . ”
Les Madeleines
< h2 > Best BBQ : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / rr - bbq-84101" ; target="_blank”>R&R
< em>307 W 600 SouthIf you think you have to travel to Texas , Memphis , or Kansas City for world - class barbeque , intend again . Yes , R&R has pull ahead a pit - full of awards at State Department and national barbecue competitions , but prestige aside , it ’s the tone that weigh . compass into the tender grain of the slow - smoked brisket , or snaffle a helping of pulled pork and spare rib with hushpuppies and fried okra poppers on the side .
< h2 > good cafe : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / les - madeleines-84111" ; target="_blank”>Les Madeleines
Flickr/auvet
< em>216 E. 500 SouthStarting out with an Easy Bake Oven before moving on to New York ’s French Culinary Institute and gigs at the Big Apple ’s Mesa Grill and Mandarin Oriental ’s Azul in Miami , Les Madeleines chef / possessor Romina Rasmussen was the first to play exotic gourmet cupcakes and her famous butter Breton pastries – < em > kouign - amann – to Salt Lake City . However , as glorious as the pastries are , do n’t overlook the sensational sandwich on offering as well : the < em > gougère-Portobello , the Miami , and the Madrid ( Serrano jambon and manchego cheeseflower ) are all suitable of your warmness .
< h2 > Best pho : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / pho - tay - ho-84115" ; target="_blank”>Pho Tay Ho
< em>1766 S Main StSituated in a small house on a restrained part of Main Street with pile of parking , Pho Tay Ho offer 20 different pho options , set out from basic < em > tai ( thin - cut gripe steak ) to an all - in adaptation with steak , flank , meatballs , brisket , tendon , and tripe . There ’s even a vegetarian pho with bean curd and bok choy , if you ’re dining with someone meat - averse . The key is in owner Hoang Mai ’s slow - manipulate broth : gripe pearl simmer overnight with fragrant ginger , cinnamon , anise plant , onions , and other aromatics , served up in immense trough with perfectly manipulate Sir Tim Rice noodles .
< h2 > Best Mexican : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / red - iguana-84116" ; target="_blank”>Red Iguana
< em>736 W North TempleOwned and manoeuver by the Cardenas family for more than forty years , this beloved Confederate States of America - of - the - mete - style eating house is as close to a culinary shrine as exists in this town . Do n’t let the course for seat dissuade you : it ’s well worth the wait to go under your tooth into Red Iguana ’s signature < em > mole dishes and classics like < em > cochinita pibil, enchiladas , and a killer chile Colorado .
< h2 > Best Chinese : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / hot - dynasty-84115" ; target="_blank”>Hot Dynasty
< em>3390 S. State StThere ’s no shortage of splendid Asiatic eating place in SLC , but Hot Dynasty ’s your go - to for budget - friendly Chinese culinary art with upscale ambiance . The gargantuan “ chili sauce ” bowls of gripe , lamb , fish , or porc bung are heavy enough to feed the Osmond family ( SLC reference book ! ) , and the dan dan noodle are some of the best you ’ll find anywhere . Plus , wine buff will rejoice at the by chance racy list , which let in bottle range from Provençal rosé to Dom Pérignon .
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