Skip to content

New year, new restaurants, what’s opening next?

140B Cafe / Ellerbeck Walk Up Cafe (SLC Eats)

After rounding out the end of the year with this colossal collection last month – normal service now resumes; which is to say, saner bite sized recaps of the new and notable on the dining scene. Articles that you can read over a morning coffee, rather than say, need to take a lengthy sabbatical to digest. Onwards then…

140B Cafe / Ellerbeck Walk Up Cafe

Local blog SLC Eats was the first I saw to break news on this Avenues coffee shop. The new walk up is part of an existing B&B operation, as Ryan of SLC Eats writes:

“For those familiar with the Avenues neighborhood, you’re well aware of the beautiful pioneer-era Victorian at the corner of 3rd and B Street. The mansion now holds a bed and breakfast and was purchased two years ago by Tyler and Kara, who have been making serious efforts to rejuvenate this Avenues jewel.”

Check out the full write up here. Menu over on our sister site SLC Menu too. Picture above also courtesy of SLC Eats.

140 B St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(262) 888-7232

Casot

This new micro wine bar in the 15th and 15th neighborhood is now officially open and welcoming patrons. I’ve written about this one a few times, but a timely email from owner Scott Evans arrived in my inbox this week – pouring a little more detail into the cracks and crevices on the opening. I’ll let Scott’s own words do the talking on this one:

“While traveling through Piedmont in northern Italy over the past five years, I kept noticing structures in the center of vineyards that I hadn’t come across in visits to other regions. The structures were charming and picturesque stone buildings called a Ciabot or Casot. When I asked one of the winemakers we visited about the story of the stone buildings, they casually mentioned that these hundred plus year old structures are places where vineyard workers could rest, eat and drink, and take respite from the elements. The name and the intent of the structures stuck with me.

Inside the doors, expect to find a 100-year-old bar that Mark Eaton sourced from Italy and 110-year-old Grenache Gris Vines from Gibson Range (complements of Evan Lewandoski/Ruth Lewandowski Wines) proudly mounted at the entrance. The wine list features a rotating selection of 50 or so wines I hand selected for Casot. Over 50% of the wines are special orders and many have never been served in the state before. We celebrate small artisan producers, organic and biodynamic wines, natural wines, and indigenous grape varietals from around the world. With 11 rotating wines by the glass, there is always something new to offer and taste including – orange wines, pet-nats, and chilled reds (which happens to be the first wine program in Utah to feature all of these categories by glass).

Personally, I don’t like to go to many wine bars in the US. Most of them are stuffy, too formal and frankly not that fun. That’s all before you even open the wine list, which is likely filled with point scores and overpriced commercial wines “served” by pretentious staff. Yuk. The wine bars I do enjoy in the US and in Europe are lively, casual and offer unique and fairly priced wine lists with world class wines sitting next to micro producers you have never heard of. The best of them also carry a smart selection of beer, spirits and cider. That is my goal with Casot and for a neighborhood bar on 15th and 15th – casual, curated wine and beverage list, modest prices, friendly and knowledgeable staff.”

1508 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Jurassic Street Tacos

Jurassic Street Tacos
Jurassic Street Tacos

A third location for this expanding Sinaloan-style taco shop is now open in Orem. The location joins a previous brace of locations in Pleasant Grove and Eagle Mountain.

242 E University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
(801) 226-3398

Katrina’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

This Mexican eatery popped up recently in the old home of Cafe Silvestre in Millcreek. The menu shows a more restrained approach than many, featuring a concise line up with plenty of interesting items to check out. A quartet of moles anchors the entree list with trendy birria tacos heading up the whole thing. One to watch for sure.

3041 E 3300 S, Millcreek, UT 84109
(801) 867-2770

Los Tapatios Taco Grill

Building on the success of their 2020 North Salt Lake launch, Los Tapatios have now completed the opening of a second location in West Valley City. The house speciality is voguish birria formatted into a variety or dishes from taco to quesadilla to ramen.

3252 W 3500 S, West Valley City, UT 84119
(385) 281-2991
lostapatiostacogrill.com

Picnic

If you follow along with our Instagram account New In Utah you’d already know about this new Liberty Park cafe. You’d also know it’s open from 8-2 for coffee, pastries, sandwiches, gelato, and more. Fact fans will note that Picnic moves into the space vacated by former long term tenants Amour Cafe, that departed the spot in 2021.

1329 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(801) 467-2947

Rivas Real Mexican Grill

This Millcreek building has been home to a spate of fast-casual Mexican restaurants over the years. Gringos and Willbertos are two that come to immediate mind – and now Rivas – an operator that recently landed in town via Vegas.

Night owls will love to learn that the spot operates daily until 2 a.m. and features an extensive menu for whatever cravings hit in the wee hours. Rivas are also the latest Vegas-import to head our way; Chicken Shack, Baek Ri Hyang, Carson Kitchen, Graffiti Bao are just a few other names to make the journey from the Silver State of late.

919 E 4500 S, Millcreek, UT 84117
(801) 261-6057

Thani Bowl Noodle House

This one might’ve slightly slipped my gaze last year, so by way of completionism – here it is now. Thani is a Thai restaurant (that serves up more than noodles as the name alludes to) that moves into the building formerly home to Kin Sen Asian Noodle Bar, just across from Pioneer Park.

365 W 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 528-3939
thanibowl.com

The RUIN

The migration of the Sugar House cocktail bar to downtown SLC is now complete; the original McClelland spot now sits empty I believe. The bar shifts the center of nightlife-gravity a little further North along Main with it’s opening.

159 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 869-3730

Shinobi Sushi

Now open in the Marmalade neighborhood, this sushi-focused restaurant. An extensive menu features a wide range of maki and sashimi not least udon, hibachi and yakitori on the cooked side of things.

555 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(801) 859-2251
shinobislc.com

The Vintage Room @ Deer Valley

Vintage Room (St Regis)
Vintage Room (St Regis)

Here’s the full presser on this luxe new opening up at Deer Valley’s St. Regis:

“The St. Regis Deer Valley, one of the world’s most luxurious mountain resorts, just opened a stunning and unique new Après and Lunch lounge, The Vintage Room at The St. Regis Deer Valley.  The Vintage Room adds to the Resort’s already robust dining scene.

The Vintage Room at The St. Regis Deer Valley is a clear and heated 1,600 SF structure with vaulted ceilings located slopeside along one of Deer Valley Resort’s beautifully groomed ski runs. Rack your skis and enter The Vintage Room directly from Deer Hollow Ski Run through one of three sets of double French doors or via the walkway from the Resort’s main building.  The Vintage Room features a 30-foot wooden bar behind which a St. Regis mixologist creates signature cocktails and where a Chef prepares all raw bar orders and shucks oysters.  A glass case displays the fresh seafood, which is flown in daily, and features clams, oysters, snow crab legs and rock crab claws.  A raised VIP area provides a bird’s-eye view of all activities and offers wine and champagne service in addition to cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic beverages.  Grab a spot at one of the lounge seating areas or at a table. Modern chandeliers shimmer and reflect the pristine powder outside.  

Or, relax and enjoy Après on the spacious outdoor deck with heated seats surrounding a roaring fire pit from which views of Deer Hollow Run and the Wasatch Range can be enjoyed while listening to the daily live music.  The Vintage Room beckons skiers and non-skiers alike with food and libations available both inside and out underneath the cornflower blue skies so frequent in Deer Valley. 

The Vintage Room menu, which highlights the best in seafood, is under the direction of local star Chef Mathew Harris and includes East and West Coast Oysters, Calamari and Octopus Ceviche, Maine Rock Crab Claws, RIME Clam Chowder and Maine Lobster Roll along with Spicy Shrimp Pan Roast, Turkey Chili and Creamy Tomato Soup, served with Cheddar Popcorn and Sourdough Croutons. 

All manner of libations will be served at The Vintage Room, including St. Regis signature cocktails such as the Almond Espresso Martini, the pumpkin-infused The Poe, SRDV’s take on the Hot Toddy, and the extraordinarily popular Bloody Mary 7452, named for the elevation of the Resort.  Wines by a premier New Zealand vintner are featured along with a curated selection from the Resort’s 10,000 bottle Wine Vault.  The extensive beer menu also includes the new St. Regis Signature Beers: Cousin Jack, Tipsy Trolley, Main Street Mexican Lager and Skeleton Saison, made with black currant and tart cherries. 

Seating at The Vintage Room, which is open daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm is available on a first-come first-served basis, with the exception of the VIP area, for which reservations can be made and which can seat up to ten people.  There is a minimum for the VIP area reservations. 

Coming soon

Apex Brewing

Not much to go off just yet, but this post over on IG indicates the imminent arrival of Apex Brewing to South Salt Lake, as best I can tell at least. Apex would join a roster of fine brewers making the receptive city their home.

Banbury Cross 2

Fans of popular sugar-slingers Banbury Cross should note their second location is landing soon. After more than thirty decades in the business, the business is set to open a second location over on Parrish Lane in Centerville.

Bistro by Butler

No concrete info on this one yet, other than a request for a full service restaurant license at this months DABC meetup.

Bourbon House Group

Downtown SLC teased this one recently, but expect a new opening from the Bourbon House Group in 2022. Opening on Edison street opposite Brick & Mortar – the business will join existing local favorites Bourbon House, Whiskey Street and White Horse. I’ll be hassling exec chef Matt Crandall for all the details as soon as he’s ready to give ’em up.

IndieGo Coffee

More info on this one shortly, suffices to say I just got a heads up about a new coffee shop coming to 3310 S 500 E in South Salt Lake. A soft opening is projected for the end of January, more info as I receive it.

Las Botellas

Las Botellas Riverton render
Las Botellas Riverton render

Rivertonians might want to keep an eye on this one headed their way – currently slated for May this year. The new Mexican spot will be unfurling in Mountain View Village, by way of Wags Capital – the same deep pockets that purchased Michael McHenry’s Dirty Bird for a cool 20 mill back in 2021. According to an initial brief email from the business expect a “first-of-its-kind chain will serve craft cocktails, Mexican food, and other cantina specialties.”

Maize Taco

A second location of this taco restaurant will be opening in Draper sometime this year. Here’s a little more info.

Pretty Bird Park City

We’ve been tracking the third coming of Pretty Bird, up in Park City, for a while now. The Park Record recently interviewed Viet Pham, who confirmed the new spot is just weeks away from opening at 1775 Prospector Ave. You can read the full interview here replete with other factoids and insight into the now three year old chicken shop.

Quarters Sugar House

An optimistic filing for a bar license was filed for this one back in December. I’ve gone on and on about Utah’s dearth of bar licenses, but suffices to say, it’s going to be a bleak 2022 as things stand. The legislature have so far given no indication they take the matter seriously. Anyway, depending on miracles (aka population and license increases) downtown SLC’s Quarters Arcade Bar hope to open a Sugar House offshoot sometime in 2022.

Recharge Bar & Grill

Also on the docket for the January 2022 DABC meeting – a new South Jordan bar and grill concept.

651 S Jordan Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095
(801) 206-9203

Previously mentioned with no further update

We’ve written about the following new restaurants in recent posts tracking new restaurants around SLC. We’ve heard no further news on these at this time: 

Want to stay on top of the SLC food scene, minute by minute, dish by dish? Here are a few other places you should follow along:

  • FREE newsletter – never miss a story and signup for our weekly Utah food news
  • PAID subscription – support the website, the ads and popups go bye bye!
  • Instagram – follow us here for a dish by dish look at what’s hot
  • Food talk group – chew the fat with other likeminded Utah foodies
  • Best of SLC 2024 – our ever updating list of what’s best in the Beehive



This article may contain content provided by one of our paid partners. These are some of the best businesses in Utah. For a list of all our current and past relationships see our partnership history page.

5 thoughts on “New year, new restaurants, what’s opening next?”

  1. Hi,
    Tim with Apex Brewing here! Thanks for the shout out. Ya, we are coming the SSLC later this year. We are hammering out building permits right now and should be under construction this spring. We are a small, community driven brewery that will focus on modern American style beers such as hazy ipas, fruited sours, and interesting and super drinkable sessions.

    We will have a small (40seat) tasting room and a patio.

  2. Hey Stuart, thanks for this list, can’t wait to try some of the new places. Have you heard any rumblings about the status of Copper Kitchen in Holladay? They never reopened after Covid and it appears that the restaurant is cleared out of tables and kitchen supplies. Really sorry to see them leave but maybe someone else can take over?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *