Skip to content

Three dozen new names coming to Utah’s food and drink scene

Asher Adams - rendering of the Grand Hall (Asher Adams)

Asher Adams

The lights are now on at this ambitious new hotel on the edge of downtown SLC’s The Gateway. Based around the historic Union Pacific Depot building, 200+ rooms are served by a collection of bars and restaurants. The launch team sent me the following quick notes on what to expect from the three core restaurants and bars:

  • Rouser – upscale American cuisine, Rouser will serve New American fare cooked in the kitchen’s Josper grill, oven, and rotisserie, which is run off charcoal and inspired by the coal-fueled train engines
  • The Bar –  Inspired by nostalgic cocktails from the golden era of train travel, this lavish bar will be the perfect place for locals and guests alike to grab a drink and linger longer
  • No. 119 – an upscale whiskey-forward bar on the second floor overlooking the Grand Hall (rendering pictured top, courtesy of Asher Adams). Guests can set the soundtrack for their experience at The Gandy Dancer, the stylish vinyl lounge located en route to No. 119

Beijing Chinese Restaurant

As Sugar House continues to transform, so does the roster of businesses along busy 2100 S. Head to 777 E and you’ll now find this Sichuan-informed Chinese restaurant. Cumin-flavored lamb, steamed fish head with diced hot red peppers, Chengdu rice crispy seafood stew – just some of the listed chef specials the menu.

Celeste Bite

Fans of Paolo Celeste’s cooking will be excited to hear he’s back in action, this time, via a new food truck. The popular Italian chef has been on the food scene in Utah for decades, first as part of the original Michelangelo’s restaurant setup. After closing his signature restaurant Celeste Ristorante Italiano last year, the new food truck represents Celeste’s return to the SLC food scene.

Deadpan Sandwich - breakfast sandwiches all day (Gastronomic SLC)
Deadpan Sandwich – breakfast sandwiches all day (Gastronomic SLC)

Deadpan Sandwich

In case you missed it, here’s the full story behind Deadpand Sandwich, and the opening of their latest location in Sugar House. The sophomore outing brings the same blueprint as their Woodbine Food Hall original and also adds in a little extra. New to the menu at this location is a range of breakfast sandwiches, available throughout the day. Top tip: the house-made merguez, egg, and cheese is wonderful stuff.

Eimi Sushi & Ramen

Provo (366 N University Ave) now has a new option for Japanese cuisine. Prices are notable, with rolls starting from just $5.99, and many others hovering under the magic ten-dollar mark. Alongside the extensive maki selection, a range of ramen.

Enrico's Deli - impeccable pastami (Gastronomic SLC)
Enrico’s Deli – impeccable pastrami (Gastronomic SLC)

Enrico’s Deli

Now officially open at Jordan Landing (opposite the movie theater) following a move from Murray. If you missed it, here’s our story on the NYC-inspired restaurant, and why you definitely need to try their impeccable pastrami.

Fower Child - exterior
Flower Child – exterior

Flower Child

Utah’s first-ever Flower Child also recently opened (we covered it in this story), unveiling their menu in the revamping Foothill Village (1414 Foothill Dr). The restaurant was created by highly-regarded restaurateur Sam Fox, with a focus on fresh, healthy eats. Fun fact: there’s nary a microwave, fryer, or freezer on site. Everything is made from scratch each day.

Halgatteok

Fans of tteokbokki will want to check this one out. Multiple versions of the Korean rice cake lead the menu, for this new addition to South Salt Lake’s Chinatown complex (3390 S State St). Halgatteok offers fans of the dense treat a build-it-your-way approach, allowing guests a multistage ordering process that involves selecting your type of tteok, saucing style, and spice level – before hitting up a toppings bar.

Handosake

When a new sushi spot opens, we’re usually mentioning maki. Not here. At Handosake, the focus is temaki sushi – aka hand rolls. These quickly composed cylindrical builds are served up from a very handsome-looking space in the heart of downtown SLC (222 S Main St). Fact fans will note this is the former site of The Daily and Bistro 222.

La Condesa

Named after a Mexico City neighborhood, this new Sandy spot (11078 S. State St) offers a unique twist on the increasingly common brunch-driven restaurants we’re seeing pop up more and more. Mexican flavor informs a menu (offered daily, 7.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.) that leads with more than a dozen varieties of chilaquiles.

Leavity Bread & Coffee

A new bakery (1000 S. Main St) from Todd Bradley. Here are some highlights from the bakery’s opening press release:

. . .

Leavity Bread & Coffee, a new and vibrant retail addition to the Salt Lake City community, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new cafe in the historic Ballpark District at 1000 S. Main Street. It is open daily from 8 am-2 pm.

The cafe’s opening is the latest step in Leavity’s impressive growth. Since February 2023, Leavity has provided fresh-baked artisan sourdough on a wholesale basis to local upscale grocers and fine restaurants. At the new retail location, customers can now savor Leavity’s offerings in the open and inviting dining space, plus take home a fresh loaf if they like.

Leavity’s thoughtfully curated menu prioritizes quality and sustainability. The new cafe offers a full espresso selection and a select tasting menu featuring King’s Peak espresso and drip coffees and a selection of Tea Zaanti teas. Initial fresh food selections include Baguette with butter and seasonal jam, Ciabatta with sweet butter, and a variety of Sourdough toast with ricotta mousse and seasonal jam.

Loaves available for takeout include Salt Lake Sourdough, Spelt Sourdough, Seed Crust Sourdough, Miche, and Herb Sourdough. Freshly baked each morning, loaves are available starting at 8 am until sold out.

All Leavity breads are nutritious and made with quality ingredients — primarily organic, heirloom, and whole grain. Leavity uses ancient grains such as spelt, khorsan, and bordeaux rouge, which were first domesticated at the dawn of agriculture and have not had their genetic structure further hybridized like current-day wheat. These whole grains provide critical fiber and minerals.

Further enhancing nutrition is the method of slow fermentation. Long fermentation times —12 hours, versus only about 4 for store-bought bread —increase bioavailability by breaking down fiber, starches, and proteins into smaller units, making them easier for the body to absorb. Leavity bread is well-tolerated by people with gluten sensitivities (but not celiac disease).

Owner/operator Todd Bradley is a native of Salt Lake City with 15 years of industry experience and deep knowledge of the local food scene. He began his career at the upscale seafood restaurant Market Street Grill, eventually moving to mom-and-pop coffee roasters in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Bradley was inspired to start Leavity after a trip to Europe, where he fell in love with traditional, long-fermented sourdough. After returning home to Salt Lake, he spent years honing the art of baking this classic style.

Melancholy Wine & Cocktail Lounge in Post District (Gastronomic SLC)
Melancholy Wine & Cocktail Lounge in Post District (Gastronomic SLC)

Melancholy Wine & Cocktail Lounge

The latest business to open up in the Post District. Here’s the full presser from the team on their debut:

. . .

Step into a space where moody sophistication meets artistic flair—Melancholy Wine & Cocktail Lounge is the newest addition to Post District in downtown Salt Lake City, offering a wholly unique take on the classic wine bar. From the powerhouse women-led team behind former Gallivan Avenue watering hole Good Grammar and the new coffee/bar fusion establishment Coterie, co-owners Fallan Keyser and Shaleen Bishop are bringing a fresh vision to the city’s dining and drinking scene.

Melancholy delivers a boldly curated menu guided by the inventive tastes of Bar Manager Morgan Michel (Good Grammar) and Sommelier Natalie Hamilton (The Lodge at Blue Sky). Michel’s cocktail creations include standouts like the “Dirty Work,” a punchy mix of locally-distilled Water Pocket gin and house-pickled peppers, and “Granny Panties” featuring a housemade green apple-and-fennel oleo, Brennivin, and Cocchi Americano. Hamilton’s wine list goes global, spotlighting biodynamic picks that showcase pure, unfiltered character from regions around the world. Pair-worthy food offerings include snackable bites that will rotate seasonally.

Styled with treasured antiques and lush greenery accents, the cozy lounge provides two-stories and 1,000 square feet of indoor seating, with a bar on both the upper- and lower-levels, as well as a stellar all-seasons patio in the works and set to open in the coming months. The experiential drinkery will offer a host of community-focused events, such as art shows, book clubs, and live music, starting this fall.

Oh Mai Out The Door-Mai’s Mart

Now open in Millcreek (2037 E 3300 S) the latest venture from the Oh Mai brand. Salads, banh mi, noodle dishes, rice dishes, and more can be found on the very affordably priced menu. Given the name, I believe the model is focused on pickup and delivery.

Mooyah

A new location for this Texas-borne burger brand is now open in Sandy (9710 South State St). QSR mag has a larger story on the opening of the location here.

Parea - pork gyro spit (Gastronomic SLC)
Parea – pork gyro spit (Gastronomic SLC)

Parea

The latest outing for Katrina and Manoli Katsanevas (Manoli’s) recently welcomed the neighborhood to see what they’ve been working on. Alongside several take and heat dishes, the star of the dine-in kitchen is the pictured pork spit – a more traditional Grecian approach to the familiar gyro. Here’s a larger story on the business and a peek inside.

Ramen Hero

New to Eagle Mountain (4095 E. Pony Express Parkway) this ramen shop, As well as the titular dish you can also find sushi, sashimi, and more.

Red Beryl Kitchen & Bar

A new restaurant for DoubleTree Suites in SLC. Here’s the full press release on the update at the property:

. . .

Red Beryl Kitchen & Bar, a new dining experience where culinary craftsmanship meets locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Located in the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, Red Beryl Kitchen & Bar is a lively restaurant and bar that provides guests with innovative American and Southwest cuisine.

The dinner menu includes a variety of dishes including Seared Wild Salmon served with risotto and garlic butter broccolini; Grilled Hanger Steak plated with chimichurri sauce and fries; Baja Fish tacos featuring harissa grilled mahi mahi topped with avocado crema, slaw, pickled red onion, salsa verde, cilantro and finished with cotija. Also featured on the lunch and dinner menu is a variety of fresh sandwiches and flatbreads including a Crispy Chicken Sandwich and a White Bean & Steak Flatbread.

Red Beryl Kitchen & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is also available to host gatherings and events with their private dining rooms. Whether looking for an intimate dinner, a family gathering or a place to unwind with friends, Red Beryl Kitchen & Bar delivers a warm, inviting atmosphere and exceptional food and beverages every time.

Red Fuego

Another newcomer Sugar House’s main drag (759 E 2100 S). The menu at this Peruvian restaurant includes all of the comforting classics that make the cuisine irresistible – arroz chaufa, pollo a la brasa, lomo saltado, and more. The opening builds on the success of existing locations in Orem, Lehi, Provo, and Saratoga Springs.

Thieves Guild Cidery

Cider continues to make a bigger mark on the local bar scene, with this opening (117 W 900 S). The business offers, “a full-service microcidery and brewpub with an extensive list of rotating hard ciders on draft that we make in-house. Our primary style will be modern ciders focusing on local ingredients.” Light snacks should be available over the bar, with food trucks expected to play a bigger role on the food front.

7 Brew

Provo recently welcomed this national drive-thru coffee chain (2342 N. University Parkway).

Wayback Burgers

Another national name, this one coming to Pleasant Grove (863 S. North County Blvd)

Ve La Thai - creamy chili jam soft shell crab (Heather L King)
Ve La Thai – creamy chili jam soft shell crab (Heather L King)

Ve La Thai

This new Cottonwood Heights restaurant offers a familiar menu of Thai dishes, alongside the less so. Creamy chili jam soft shell crab? BBQ grilled lamb cutlet anyone? The menu is presented with aplomb too, in a fine dining setting replete with what looks like a strong focus on accompanying wines.

What’s next

Salt Lake Brewing Company

The next outing for this iconic Utah name will be West Valley City. The company is planning on opening a new location at Valley Fair – with the final name to be decided. Expect all the elements you love from their existing locations (such as the downtown Squatters brewpub) to be available here.

Atomic Biscuit

This one looks likely to be coming soon to the former Pig & A Jelly Jar at 401 E. 900 S. There’s no official word on a menu or hours yet, but a safe bet would be on a breakfast/brunch/lunch operation.

B.BQ Chicken

A new Korean Fried Chicken concept coming to South Salt Lake (3490 S State St). A variety of the fried stuff packs the menu: whole chicken (wings, breasts, and thighs), boneless, and traditional wings. I believe this is the first Beehive location for a chain that operates stores from East to West coasts.

Big Dipper - She's Shrimp-ly Irresistible
Big Dipper – She’s Shrimp-ly Irresistible

Big Dipper

It looks like this fabulous Summit County sandwich shop will be headed down Parley’s, landing in the former Taco Taco space. The following IG post teases the impending arrival.

Big Mango

Coming to Riverton next year, the owners of this soon-to-be Thai eatery tell me:

“The Big Mango” Bangkok Kitchen & Bar is currently under construction in Riverton and will open in June 2025. We’re still working to complete our menu, but we’re really excited to bring real & authentic Bangkok style streetfood to Utah and specifically to the southwest part of the valley… It’s gonna be tasty! Big Mango will be a full-service, fast casual-style restaurant with a small bar”.

Empanada Co

This Reddit thread announces the upcoming arrival of a new empanada option, coming to the former Even Stevens location in Sugar House.

Settie’s Gelato / Bambino Pizzeria

Midvalians appear to have these two new names coming their way soon.

Slice House

Expected in December, here’s the full press release on what to expect from this new pizza spot:

. . .

Slice House by Tony Gemignani, the highly successful fast-casual pizza franchise by world renowned pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani, is proud to announce the December 2024 opening of its new Salt Lake City location and its first in Utah. Located at 1332 Foothill Drive along the East Bench’s Foothill Village shopping center, the pizzeria will welcome guests to experience award-winning pizza by the 13-time world champion in a fast casual setting. The new restaurant is currently hiring across all positions and is expected to bring more than 40 new full- and part-time jobs to the Salt Lake City community.

“We look forward to introducing Slice House to Salt Lake City, which will be home to our very first restaurant in Utah,” said Founder Tony Gemignani. “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our dedicated partners, Bob Baker and Don Lewandowski, to bring memorable pizza experiences to such a bustling metropolitan area and continue to expand the Slice House footprint across the US.”

Franchised and operated by industry veterans, Bob Baker and Don Lewandowski, Slice House Salt Lake City will feature an expansive menu of Gemignani’s famous New York, Sicilian, Grandma, and Detroit style pizzas – available by the slice or whole pizza. Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options will also be available, as well as fresh pasta, wings, and salads. The drink menu will include craft beers and premium wines, in addition to non-alcoholic sodas and juices. The new pizza spot will have indoor seating for 42 people and outdoor seating for 12 people on the covered patio and will offer takeout, online ordering, and delivery. It will be open seven days a week – from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“It is an honor to partner with celebrity pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani and be the first to bring his world-famous pizzas and artisanal offerings to Utah and the Salt Lake City community,” said Lewandowski. “We are confident that Slice House will quickly become a local favorite in the area thanks to the expansive pizza menu and vibrant energy, making it the perfect spot for locals to grab a bite after sports games or a day of skiing, meet for lunch with friends, or enjoy in the comfort of home. Stay tuned for more on the opening – we can’t wait to join the Foothill Village community and share a slice with guests soon.”

Slice House Salt Lake City will open in Foothill Village, the historic shopping center located off Foothill Drive in the heart of the East Bench neighborhood. It will join the complex’s diverse array of other shopping, dining and professional businesses including the forthcoming Shake Shack; local restaurants Flower Child, Honest Eatery, and Costa Vida; and sporting goods stores Sports Den and Salt Lake Running Company, among others. With its central location off the main thoroughfare and minutes away from The University of Utah, the VA Medical Center, Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, Bonneville Golf Course, and Wasatch Hills Tennis Center, Slice House will serve as a go-to for nearby athletes, students, faculty, families, professionals and other residents. Aside from select locations within entertainment venues in Nevada, this marks the first individual location outside of California, where Slice House originated.

Star Of India - keema and biryani
Star Of India – keema and biryani

Star Of India

After a tumultuous recent few months, it looks like one of the most venerable names in town, is on the verge of returning. Posting to Facebook, the fabulous restaurant has confirmed an imminent opening at 1000 South Main St.

Sweethoney

Hat tip to PhoKing for spotting that this Hong Kong-style dessert spot is coming to South Salt Lake’s Chinatown complex.

Permit watch

A few brief snippets pulled from the Salt Lake County planning permission data:

Buendia’s Bakery, 1232 S Redwood.

Buzzed Cafe, 265 S State.

Coffee Shop, 1826 E 2700 S.

Crispy Roast, 1670 W 700 N.

Hugo Coffee Shop, 210 E 400 S.

Manka, 220 S 5600 W.

La Casa Del Tamal, 346 W 600 S.

Soo Good Deli, 451 E 300 S.

Tastees Cafe & Truck Catering, 720 S Redwood.

Previously mentioned with no further update

We’ve previously written about the following restaurants in posts tracking new restaurants around Utah. We’ve heard no further news on these at this time – but that’s not to say they didn’t open! If you know of any business opening that eluded our gaze, please do get in touch.

Opening a new restaurant in Utah? Be sure to read our restaurant resource section which includes info on everything from marketing to POS systems.



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.
Tags:

2 thoughts on “Three dozen new names coming to Utah’s food and drink scene”

Leave a Reply

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