What to watch on the Utah food and drink scene in 2026
Brownstone 22 Top of your list for ’26 should be to keep an eye on this upcoming arrival in downtown SLC. Expect it in the… Read More »What to watch on the Utah food and drink scene in 2026
Stuart Melling
Hi, I'm Stuart, nice to meet you! I'm the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I'm a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years. I've worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that's me! I'm also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. 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.
Read more about this business...
Latest updates across SLC restaurant menus
Felt Bar & Eatery One of my favorite spots downtown, and with good reason, the menu is constantly evolving with creative updates. The latest specials… Read More »Latest updates across SLC restaurant menus
My favorite dishes I ate around Utah in 2025
If my last post (160+ new restaurants that opened in 2025) was a little extreme in the wordcount, here’s a simpler listing of bites, aimed… Read More »My favorite dishes I ate around Utah in 2025
Support Gastronomic SLC with a paid subscription
Thanks for reading along in 2025. This is an end-of-year reminder that the current ad-free experience needs your support to continue as is. Those persnickety… Read More »Support Gastronomic SLC with a paid subscription
More than 160 Utah restaurants opened this year – how many have you tried?
It’s that time of the year – my annual glance back over the shoulder of everything new and notable to open in Utah this year.… Read More »More than 160 Utah restaurants opened this year – how many have you tried?
A reminder that this new alcohol ID law comes into force January 1st 2026
In case you’ve been remiss in following liquor law tweaks this year, or perhaps forgot in a haze of egg nogs this holiday season, here’s… Read More »A reminder that this new alcohol ID law comes into force January 1st 2026
Squatters Pubs rebrand takes hold at popular brewpub locations
If you’ve seen the signs changing across a number of local brewpubs, you might have caught yourself wondering exactly what was happening. Before I dig… Read More »Squatters Pubs rebrand takes hold at popular brewpub locations
A look back at the Utah restaurants and bars that closed in 2025
As promised, it’s time to kick off those end-of-year round-up folks. Get ready for a slew. Let’s start by ripping the band-aid off – the… Read More »A look back at the Utah restaurants and bars that closed in 2025
Latest Utah restaurant openings as the year wraps up
Here’s the last one of the year from me on what’s opened over recent months in the state. You can look back over our archives… Read More »Latest Utah restaurant openings as the year wraps up
Christmas and NYE food and drink options in Utah 2025
Looking to dine out over the coming festive season? Maybe enjoy a seasonal tipple? These are all of the current special menus I know of… Read More »Christmas and NYE food and drink options in Utah 2025
MICHELIN guide confirms impending arrival in Utah
No, you didn’t read that wrong. Seemingly out of nowhere this morning, the following release dropped over on guide.michelin.com. As part of a regional expansion,… Read More »MICHELIN guide confirms impending arrival in Utah
Gumbo to gyros – a few new dishes for your dining explorations
You’ve probably noticed it’s been a smidge quieter than normal around these parts. This time of the year, menu releases slow to a crawl, events… Read More »Gumbo to gyros – a few new dishes for your dining explorations
Christmas-themed specials returning to Utah bars and restaurants
A Christmas Parlor – Back for ’25 and probably the most successful yuletide pop-up of recent years, at least based on the fact that the… Read More »Christmas-themed specials returning to Utah bars and restaurants
Three more names depart the Utah dining scene
Wriggles This Milcreek spot recently signed off, writing on Facebook, “A Heartfelt Goodbye from Wriggles. After 25 wonderful years, Wriggles will be open for its… Read More »Three more names depart the Utah dining scene
BBQ to biryani – a look at what local food writers have been showcasing
Ted Scheffler makes a trip to the excellent Kenny J’s BBQ (South Jordan), one of the better ‘Q spots to open in Utah over the… Read More »BBQ to biryani – a look at what local food writers have been showcasing
November’s DABS meeting mints 20+ new restaurant and bar licenses
Bar licenses At this month’s DABS meeting, commissioners heard from two business owners affected by the devastating Main Street fire of August. Frank Paulraj of… Read More »November’s DABS meeting mints 20+ new restaurant and bar licenses
The Pearl – grab these blue mussels before they vanish in two weeks
It’s satisfying to reflect on the nuanced evolution at The Pearl since I wrote this preview piece – somewhat mind-bogglingly three years ago now. Tempus… Read More »The Pearl – grab these blue mussels before they vanish in two weeks
More names to add to this year’s growing list of closures
Sal Y Limon Opening in Spring earlier this year, the Midvale taco spot was launched by the folks behind Sol Agave and Blind Rabbit. In… Read More »More names to add to this year’s growing list of closures
White Horse plans early 2026 return after devastating fire
It’s been three months now since an unprecedented inferno ripped through the heart of downtown Salt Lake’s food and drink core – but the green… Read More »White Horse plans early 2026 return after devastating fire