Spanish tapasChef Scott Evans$$$fifteenth-and-fifteenthDaily 17:00-21:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead
Finca on 1500 East at 15th and 15th, Scott Evans' Spanish tapas room reopened in its new home, runs scratch tapas and a Spanish wine list on the ivy patio.
Order: A spread of tapas plus the paella for the table; pair with sherry by the glass.
Tip: The ivy-covered patio is the seat to ask for in summer. Reserve well ahead; the room is small.
Wine barChef Dean Pierose$$$avenuesMon-Fri 7:00-21:00; Sat 8:00-21:00; Sun 8:00-16:00Book 1 week ahead
Cucina Wine Bar on 2nd Avenue in the Avenues, Dean Pierose's upscale deli turned New American wine bar, runs gourmet deli by day and small plates after 17:00.
Order: A wine flight off the curated list plus rotating small plates from the seasonal evening menu.
Tip: Daytime deli 7:00-17:00; dinner from 17:00. Reserve via Tock for dinner.
Japanese sushiChef Takashi Gibo$$$downtownMon-Fri 11:30-14:00, 17:30-22:00; Sat 17:00-22:00; closed SunBook Walk-in only ahead
Takashi on Market Street, chef-owner Takashi Gibo's downtown sushi room since 2004, anchors Salt Lake's defining omakase at the bar with creative nigiri.
Order: Omakase at the sushi bar; rotating specials list on the chalkboard.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at opening or after 21:00. The omakase at the bar is the seat.
New AmericanChef Briar Handly$$$downtownTue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-MonBook 1-2 weeks ahead
HSL on East 200 South, chef-owner Briar Handly's downtown room, runs wood-fire-driven New American cooking and a strong cocktail program.
Order: Whichever wood-fired vegetable preparation the kitchen leads with plus a shared family-style entree.
Tip: Open Tue-Sat 17:00 onward; closed Sunday and Monday. Reserve via the operator's site.
Farm-to-table new AmericanChef Scott Evans$$$ninth-and-ninthDaily 17:00-21:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead
Pago on 900 East, Scott Evans' 45-seat farm-to-table flagship in 9th and 9th since 2009, codified Salt Lake's seasonal local-ingredient tier.
Order: Whatever the kitchen is featuring from local farms plus a glass off the by-the-glass wine program.
Tip: Reservations on the operator's site open weeks out; the small room turns fast on weeknights.
New American gastropubChef Ryan Lowder$$$downtownMon-Fri 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 10:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00Book 1 week ahead
The Copper Onion on East Broadway, chef-owner Ryan Lowder's New American room since 2010, anchors downtown's gastropub tier with seasonal scratch cooking.
Order: The Copper Onion burger plus a house-made pasta dish from the rotating menu.
Tip: Reserve via OpenTable. Sister room Copper Common next door for cocktails after dinner.