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25 best restaurants in Salt Lake County, according to a Utah foodie

Discover 25 of the best restaurants in Salt Lake County, Utah, with a local food writer’s favorite places to eat, must-try dishes, and picks for date nights, casual dining, and family-friendly meals.

A plate of machaca con huevos from Utah’s Red Iguana, enjoyed by a local food writer exploring the best restaurants in Salt Lake County.
From casual bites to date-night destinations, explore 25 of Salt Lake County’s best restaurants, handpicked by a local food writer who’s tried them all. (Alex Springer/Utah Junction)

I’ve been lucky enough to cover Utah’s food and dining scene for nearly a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Salt Lake County has no shortage of incredible places to eat.

So, as a little thank-you to our Utah Junction subscribers, I’ve rounded up 25 of my favorite places to eat in Salt Lake County, from neighborhood favorites to restaurants worth making a special trip for.

Related: Bagel boom: Utah’s major bagel players

How I chose the best restaurants in Salt Lake County

And this isn’t a list pulled together from online reviews. I’ve personally eaten at every restaurant featured, and I’m sharing my favorite dish at each one. I’ve also organized the guide by dining experience, whether you’re craving a quick bowl of ramen, planning a fancy date night, or looking for somewhere to bring the whole family.

As someone raising a few future foodies myself, I made sure to include kid-friendly spots where you can enjoy a great meal while supporting local businesses.

Where to eat: 25 of the best restaurants in Salt Lake County

A map of Salt Lake County highlighting 25 recommended local restaurants, their locations, dining categories, and featured dishes.
A map of Salt Lake County, Utah, highlighting locations in a local food writer’s guide to the 25 best restaurants in Salt Lake County.

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From the casual neighborhood vibes of Central 9th Market to the upscale dining at Junah and the comforting bowls of ramen at Koyote, this list has something for every craving and occasion. I’ve mapped out all 25 restaurants to help you find your next favorite spot, whether you’re planning a special night out or just looking for a quick bite.

Related: 8 Black-owned restaurants in Utah with swoon-worthy food

If you find a new favorite from this list of 25 best restaurants in Salt Lake County, share this guide with a friend and invite them to subscribe to Utah Junction! Newsletter readers are the first to find out where I’m eating next in our Friday Beehive Bites roundup (like this one featuring my branching out at

Don’t see your favorite restaurant on the map? I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email with your go-to places to eat in Salt Lake County and what you love to order there. I’m always looking for new places to try, and your recommendation might just make it into the next newsletter.


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Authors

  • Alex Springer is the newsletter editor of Utah Junction. He’s been covering local dining, business, and entertainment news in Utah for over 10 years. Born and raised in Utah, Alex is a longtime admirer of Utah’s special quirks, beautiful landscapes, and its rapidly evolving restaurant scene. He’s received multiple local journalism awards and his work has appeared in SLUG Magazine, Salt Lake City Weekly, Utah Business Magazine, and The Park Record. 

    If you’ve got a story tip, you can reach Alex at alexspringer@couriernewsroom.com. Make sure to subscribe to Utah Junction here for all your local news needs.