Guidebook for Salt Lake City
Food Scene
Finca is my go-to spot if I want to treat myself. It's fine dining and I get to dress up, but the space is not stuffy and the food is creative and delicious.
45 locals recommend
Finca
327 W 200 SFinca is my go-to spot if I want to treat myself. It's fine dining and I get to dress up, but the space is not stuffy and the food is creative and delicious.
The food here is superb - I would recommend going in the evening when the lights of the place are spectacular. It has an energizing vibe that will get a great night out started.
67 locals recommend
Sawadee
754 E S TempleThe food here is superb - I would recommend going in the evening when the lights of the place are spectacular. It has an energizing vibe that will get a great night out started.
La-Cai Noodle House
961 S State StGreat pho and low-key environment.
Oh Mai South Salt Lake
3425 S State StLow key - love their bahn mi
Pago
878 S 900 EHip and fresh - a great spot for a nice lunch
Takashi
18 W Market StDecent sushi for a land-locked state! And fun environment.
Arguably the best coffee in the west. They roast in house and source their coffee beans from a different place about every week and a half, so there is always something new to try that you know will be excellent. Their coffee has won national awards, and the owner and the wife are the ones that run the shop, so you can glean coffee knowledge from the best as they make your espresso! I love grabbing a to-go cup then wandering across the street to the Salt Lake Public library to wander the grounds or sit down to a book inside and bask in light-filled, floor to ceiling windows.
caffe d'bolla
299 E 400 SArguably the best coffee in the west. They roast in house and source their coffee beans from a different place about every week and a half, so there is always something new to try that you know will be excellent. Their coffee has won national awards, and the owner and the wife are the ones that run the shop, so you can glean coffee knowledge from the best as they make your espresso! I love grabbing a to-go cup then wandering across the street to the Salt Lake Public library to wander the grounds or sit down to a book inside and bask in light-filled, floor to ceiling windows.
This is my go-to cafe if I am south of I80. It's a great place to nestle in and sip on an excellent cappucino. Love it for rainy days. It's in the heart of Holladay's sweet little downtown, and I love watching the evening light play with the brick of the buildings and pinks and reds of the walkways. A short walk south along will get you to my favorite food cart collection, if it's in season (Soho Food Court -
30 locals recommend
3 Cups
4670 S Holladay Village PlazaThis is my go-to cafe if I am south of I80. It's a great place to nestle in and sip on an excellent cappucino. Love it for rainy days. It's in the heart of Holladay's sweet little downtown, and I love watching the evening light play with the brick of the buildings and pinks and reds of the walkways. A short walk south along will get you to my favorite food cart collection, if it's in season (Soho Food Court -
A perfect breakfast spot just a few blocks from the house. They have decent coffee as well! I'm a fan of the chorizo burrito.
42 locals recommend
Red Moose Coffee Company
1693 S 900 EA perfect breakfast spot just a few blocks from the house. They have decent coffee as well! I'm a fan of the chorizo burrito.
This place seems to always be filled, but it's the sort of coffee shop that is better with for all the buzz around you. A great place to start up a random conversation with a local, most likely a student at Westminster college :0)
135 locals recommend
Sugar House Coffee
2011 1100 EThis place seems to always be filled, but it's the sort of coffee shop that is better with for all the buzz around you. A great place to start up a random conversation with a local, most likely a student at Westminster college :0)
This place is a bit out of the way, in West Valley City. But if you are into hearty, delicious, extremely cheap and classic diner fare, then head here for breakfast. The place will be probably be packed, but it's part of the appeal for me and somehow the service is still pretty fast and friendly. Their hashbrowns are perfection and they have great drip coffee!
Ogie's Cafe
3515 S Redwood RdThis place is a bit out of the way, in West Valley City. But if you are into hearty, delicious, extremely cheap and classic diner fare, then head here for breakfast. The place will be probably be packed, but it's part of the appeal for me and somehow the service is still pretty fast and friendly. Their hashbrowns are perfection and they have great drip coffee!
In Utah it's not as simple as heading to the grocery story or local convenience store to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner. This state liquor store is in Sugar House area, about a 5 minute drive. Open Mon- Sat from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. Closed Sundays.
25 locals recommend
State Liquor Store
1154 S Ashton AveIn Utah it's not as simple as heading to the grocery story or local convenience store to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner. This state liquor store is in Sugar House area, about a 5 minute drive. Open Mon- Sat from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. Closed Sundays.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cocktails and locally sourced dishes are their specialty. New spot in town with a great vibe. Great for fast service at lunch as well!
63 locals recommend
White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
325 S Main StCocktails and locally sourced dishes are their specialty. New spot in town with a great vibe. Great for fast service at lunch as well!
Friendly sports bar with live music most nights as well as trivia nights. I go for the Blues Jam and dancing on Monday nights.
52 locals recommend
The Green Pig Pub
31 E 400 SFriendly sports bar with live music most nights as well as trivia nights. I go for the Blues Jam and dancing on Monday nights.
Parks & Nature
Schedule an evening here to catch some breath-taking views of the city, the scent of roses at the gardens, and lay in the grass to the sounds of eclectic mix of musicians who perform at the outdoor theater.
229 locals recommend
Red Butte Garden
300 Wakara WaySchedule an evening here to catch some breath-taking views of the city, the scent of roses at the gardens, and lay in the grass to the sounds of eclectic mix of musicians who perform at the outdoor theater.
Aviary, paddleboats, running trail, plenty of shady spots for a cookout. Love this park, and it is a five minute walk from the house!
353 locals recommend
Liberty Park
600 Harvey Milk BoulevardAviary, paddleboats, running trail, plenty of shady spots for a cookout. Love this park, and it is a five minute walk from the house!
This is an hour's drive North of Salt Lake City. It is out in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. Hiking the short or long trail on the island MAY reward with the sight of grazing buffalo, and WILL stun you with the nearly 360 degree views of mountains reflected in the lake. My favorite time to go is in the early spring or late fall when the mountains are snow-capped and the complete lack of shade on the island isn't so daunting in the sun.
55 locals recommend
Antelope Island State Park
4528 W 1700 SThis is an hour's drive North of Salt Lake City. It is out in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. Hiking the short or long trail on the island MAY reward with the sight of grazing buffalo, and WILL stun you with the nearly 360 degree views of mountains reflected in the lake. My favorite time to go is in the early spring or late fall when the mountains are snow-capped and the complete lack of shade on the island isn't so daunting in the sun.
This is by far one of my favorite easy hiking trails along the Wasatch front. It starts out with views of a gorgeous reservoir, provides enough of a climb to get the heart rate going, and ends with a waterfall. Enough said.
14 locals recommend
Bell Canyon Trail
Bell Canyon TrailThis is by far one of my favorite easy hiking trails along the Wasatch front. It starts out with views of a gorgeous reservoir, provides enough of a climb to get the heart rate going, and ends with a waterfall. Enough said.
There are loads of hiking trails up this canyon - that you can tackle all year round (if you rent snow-shoes for Nov-March). Generally you can drive up the canyon and find parking areas along the road close to trail heads.
A couple of websites to provide good trail info:
https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/us/utah
https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures/hiking
176 locals recommend
Big Cottonwood Canyon
There are loads of hiking trails up this canyon - that you can tackle all year round (if you rent snow-shoes for Nov-March). Generally you can drive up the canyon and find parking areas along the road close to trail heads.
A couple of websites to provide good trail info:
https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/us/utah
https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures/hiking
Arts & Culture
This arts college is nearly at your door step! It's a lovely little campus to wander, especially in the fall. And you can go support local talent by catching a play, filming, concert of art exhibition.
15 locals recommend
Westminster College
1840 S 1300 EThis arts college is nearly at your door step! It's a lovely little campus to wander, especially in the fall. And you can go support local talent by catching a play, filming, concert of art exhibition.
Essentials
This market can provide all your grocery needs and is in close-by Trolley Square
251 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
544 S 700 EThis market can provide all your grocery needs and is in close-by Trolley Square
Close to the house - a small market, with fresh local produce and products.
26 locals recommend
Liberty Heights Fresh
1290 S 1100 EClose to the house - a small market, with fresh local produce and products.
Sightseeing
Come here for the views and if you have the time, wander the City Creek Trail or into the houses of the Avenue off to the east.
34 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Come here for the views and if you have the time, wander the City Creek Trail or into the houses of the Avenue off to the east.