Spanish tapas$$$fifteenth-and-fifteenthDaily 17:00-21:00
Finca on 1500 East at 15th and 15th, Scott Evans' Spanish tapas room reopened in its new home, runs scratch tapas and a Spanish wine list on the ivy patio.
Signature: Tapas, Paella
Order: A spread of tapas plus the paella for the table; pair with sherry by the glass.
Tip: The ivy-covered patio is the seat to ask for in summer. Reserve well ahead; the room is small.
New American gastropub$$ninth-and-ninthMon-Tue 12:00-22:00; Wed-Fri 12:00-24:00; Sat 11:00-24:00; Sun 11:00-22:00
East Liberty Tap House on 900 South, Scott Evans' Pago Group neighborhood tavern since 2014, runs an updated bar menu with curated Utah craft beer.
Signature: Burger, Craft beer pours
Order: The house burger plus whichever Utah craft beer is leading the rotating tap list.
Tip: Patio in summer; Sunday and Saturday brunch starts at 11:00. Reserve via the operator's site.
Burgers$downtownMon-Sat 10:00-21:00; closed Sun
Crown Burgers on East 200 South, the Katsanevas family's burger institution since 1978, popularized Salt Lake's pastrami burger at its Greek-American counter.
Signature: Crown burger pastrami burger, Gyros
Order: The Crown burger with pastrami plus fry sauce and a gyro on the side.
Tip: Lunch turns the counter fast; the original downtown location is the canonical seat among the seven Utah branches.
Hot chicken$downtownMon-Tue 11:00-21:00; Wed-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-16:00
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken on Regent Street, chef Viet Pham's Nashville-style downtown fast-casual since 2018, anchors Utah's chef-driven hot chicken movement.
Signature: Hot chicken sandwich, Tenders
Order: Hot chicken sandwich at the heat level of your choice plus a side of slaw.
Tip: Order ahead via the operator's site for pickup; the counter line stretches at lunch. Park City, Sugar House and Midvale branches are siblings.
American BBQ$$granary-districtMon-Sat 10:30-21:00; closed Sun
Pat's Barbecue on Commonwealth Avenue south of downtown, the Texas-style smokehouse founded by pitmaster Pat Barber and serving Salt Lake since 2004, runs Utah's defining brisket Fridays.
Signature: Brisket, Burnt ends
Order: A brisket plate with burnt ends if it's a Friday plus a side of pit beans.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The counter sells out of brisket by early evening on weekends; arrive before 18:00 to be sure.
Wine bar$$$avenuesMon-Fri 7:00-21:00; Sat 8:00-21:00; Sun 8:00-16:00
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 from 17:00.
Signature: Seasonal small plates, Wine flights
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. The deli sandwiches travel well to picnics at Memory Grove.