1 – Feldman’s Deli
Over on the East side of town you’ll find Feldman’s Deli – a slice of NYC and Jersey right here in SLC. That’s because owner Michael Feldman hails from back East, and when moving to Utah, brought with him all his favorite lunch specials: over stuffed corned beef sandwiches, reuebens and yes, classic NYC cheese steak. Note: Feldman’s 1/2 sandwiches might just run you lunch and dinner all by themselves.
2005 E 2700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 906-0369
feldmansdeli.com
2 – Avenues Proper
This craft brewer is now part of the fabric of the Avenues, and with good reason. Their fun menu changes seasonally and always features great chef-driven dishes. The burger is a solid choice any time of the year and the outdoor patio makes for a beautiful al fresco lunch experience in Spring and Summer. Stop by Hatch Family Chocolates after you visit too for a sweet treat.
376 8th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(385) 227-8628
avenuesproper.com
3 – SOMI Vietnamese Bistro
Stunningly vibrant Vietnamese cuisine can be found right in the heart of Sugar House. SOMI is a modern restaurant with an upscale aesthetic and a menu replete with Vietnamese classics. Rice dishes, noodle dishes, fresh salads and a range of Chinese dishes like Peking Duck make for a mouth watering menu. Check out the cocktail wine and beer menu too. The restaurant has a special lunch menu featuring their Chinese dishes at cheaper prices.
1215 E. Wilmington Ave, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(385) 322-1158
somislc.com
4 – Woodbine Food Hall
This Granary District food hall was several years in the making, but following the repurposing of the former Rico Food’s warehouse space, it looks like a million bucks. Actually, quite a few more than that went into the stunning makeover. The food hall makes for the perfect quick and casual lunch – a variety of vendors, and a seat yourself approach at the long communal seating that runs North through South.
Options include Dead Pan Sandwich (pictured, sandwiches), Taco Lady (tacos), Yakuza Ramen (ramen), Taste of Louisiana (various Southern dishes), 3 Cups (coffee and pastries) and Mozz (pizza).
545 West 700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 669-9192
woodbineslc.com
5 – Garage On Beck
Head just a few minutes North of downtown to the Marmalade neighborhood and check out this local’s hangout. The 21+ only bar is a perfect spot for dinner offering sandwiches, burgers and their signature Mormon funeral potatoes – small fried cheesy potato bites.
199 Beck St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(801) 521-3904
garageonbeck.com
6 – Crack Shack
There are several locations of this San Diego outfit in Utah now – but the original can be found in the center of the trendy 9th and 9th area. The ‘Shack are known for their stellar fried chicken, relying as they do, on premium Californian raised Jidori chicken. You can enjoy that via a range of intelligent sandwiches or as simpler fried chicken plates. While a regional chain, the brand is now Utah owned and stocks a range of local craft beers too.
912 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(385) 715-0250
crackshack.com
7 – Whiskey Street
This downtown bar (21+ only) is a popular spot for evening drinks and dining – but stop by during the day and you skip the thronging crowds you’ll find at night. Open seven days a week for lunch, the vibe is much more calm and collected.
323 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 433-1371
whiskeystreet.com
8 -The Angry Korean
Looking for a fun lunch spot in the South or South West of the valley? Don’t look any further than this fun modern take on Korean flavors. The guys at The Angry Korean take dishes like cheesesteaks and tacos and fuse them with Korean ingredients. There’s killer fried chicken, house made sauces and soy plus more authentic dishes like rice bowls with japchae and mandoo dumplings.
11587 District Main Dr Suite 300, South Jordan, UT 84095
(801) 307-8300
facebook.com/theangrykorean/
9 – Freshies Lobster Co.
East coast imported lobster, mayo, lashings of butter and a soft roll – life doesn’t get much better right? Enjoy all of these together on Freshie’s award winning lobster rolls for a perfectly decadent lunch.
356 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 829-1032
freshieslobsterco.com
10 – Tacos Garay
When we see people ask, “who has the very best taco in Utah”, this Salt Lake City taco spot invariably gets mentioned. Indeed, it pops up with surprising frequency considering how under the radar this joint is. Head to this locals secret and enjoy asada, pastor, pollo, lengua, cabeza, buche, carnitas and more
909 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 532-2621
tacosgaray.com
11 – Bricks Corner
Bricks Corner offers Detroit-style pizza – think deep dish pan pizza like Chicago-style and you’re in the right ballpark. Bricks might be your next favorite neighborhood hangout spot too – offering a full bar, cool patio and fun space.
1465 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(801) 953-0636
brickscornerslc.com
12 – Central 9th Market
This corner market in the heart of the trendy Central 9th area is beloved for their carefully crafted sandwiches. The house baked bread is always the star of the show.
161 W 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 332-3240
central9th.com
13 – Best Chicken And Ribs
Sporting a menu strikingly familiar to nearby Chicken Express, this completely separate location on 27th South is our favorite of the two. The restaurant is the epitome of humble mom and pop and their chicken is some of the very best in town.
111 E 2700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 466-8311
14 – Filling’s And Emulsions
The Cuban hand pies at Fillings and Emulsions are the perfect grab and go food 0 and equally delicious enjoyed hot or cold. Bonus points for swinging by for lunch – you can also nab an excellent sweet treat to hit the road with as well.
1980 W 3500 S Unit 101, West Valley City, UT 84119
(385) 549-1167
fillingsandemulsions-mainstreet.square.site
Best lunch in the city
Lets hit the streets and look around the valley. For more ideas for great lunches in Salt Lake City, check out our recommendation around the various cities.
Best lunch in Millcreek – Gurkha’s
From some of the team behind Highland Drive’s Kathmandu, which itself was from some of the team behind downtown SLC’s Himalayan Kitchen way back when. Gurkhas offers a strong Indian and Nepalese menu that always executed reliably.
3025 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 755-3499
gurkhas.pizzamico.com
Best lunch in South Salt Lake – Grid City Beerworks
Grid City is a 21+ space, and as well as some of the best brews in town, also offers an accessible food menu. Build around pub classics like fish and chips and burgers, Grid City is also well known for a stellar vegan line up too.
333 2100 S, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 906-8390
gridcitybeerworks.com
Best lunch in Holladay – Caputo’s
Located in the heart of Holladay, Caputo’s offers their range of handsomely crafted sandwiches. The restaurant offers a counter ordering setup, and you simply seat yourself, indoors or out.
4673 S 2300 E, Holladay, UT 84117
(801) 272-0821
caputos.com
Best lunch in Sandy and Draper
Best lunch in West Valley City
This Iranian market and restaurant offers our favorite food in West Valley City. If you find it hard to pick just one dish from the vibrant menu – don’t. Grab a couple of heaving platters like that pictured above; a trio of kebobs on one and a vegetarian appetizer sampler on the other. Enough to share with the whole family.
1615 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84119
(801) 975-9977
shahrazadslc.com
Lunch in a rush – IndieGo
This South Salt Lake coffee shop makes an ideal spot to snag a drink and a grab and go treat. As well as the usual array of coffee and teas, you’ll also find some fun savory puff pastries stuffed with Indian flavors. Chicken tikka, paneer, samosa-like potato – they’re all fabulous.
3310 S 500 E, South Salt Lake, UT 84106
(801) 819-4911
Best business lunch – Pago On Main
Located on lively Main Street in the heart of downtown SLC, Pago On Main makes for an excellent choice for a business lunch. A well trained staff, approachable yet impressive menu and chic interior tick all the boxes. The restaurant also doesn’t close between lunch and dinner, should that important meeting run over.
41 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 441-2955
pagoslc.com
Best cheap lunch – Taqueria Los Lee
While the prices are low, the quality is anything but this mom and pop taqueria. The gorditas are the real headline grabber here, try the unassuming meat and potato stuffed shell and thank me later. Read our full review here.
2646 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(385) 259-0764
Who did we miss?
If you think we’re missing a really great addition to this list, please email us at stuart@gastronomicslc.com – we’d love to hear from you. Let us know who you think should be on this list and why. If you have a really great picture of one of more dishes, please send that too! We’re always excited to check our more businesses!
Maybe also check out
Maybe we can tempt you to something else delicious while you’re here? Check out these other detailed guides, some of the most popular pages on our website:
- Salt Lake City restaurant guide
- Park City dining guide
- Downtown Salt Lake City dining guide
- Best Sugar House restaurants
- Breakfast in Salt Lake City
- Sushi in Salt Lake City – the best choices
- Best pizza places in Salt Lake City
- Where to find the best Mexican food in Salt Lake City
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows.
I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”. Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.