Fine dining – a term that’s used a lot – but means different things to different folks. Maybe you’re looking for the best chef in the city? Perhaps you’re looking to impress your special other or maybe you’re looking for a stylish spot for a business lunch or dinner.
One thing is for certain, if you’re looking for fine dining – you’re looking for exemplary cuisine, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. From white tablecloth to chef driven seasonal cooking, we’re certain our this of fine dining establishments will delight.
Urban Hill
Chef Nick Zocco is the name above the door at this upscale downtown SLC spot. His resume lists both SW Steakhouse (Las Vegas) and the boutique Tupelo (Park City) – and the menu shows it; replete with an robust selection of proteins and artful appetizers like teh pictured lobster salad. The beverage team is led by sommelier – Bijan Ghiai – one of the brightest lights in the city; while the entire service staff are excellently drilled, and obvious foodies themselves. See my full first look at Urban Hill here.
10 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(385) 295-4200
urban-hill.com
Log Haven
Top of our fine dining list is one of the very best restaurants in all of Utah, perhaps even the greater mountain West. Located just four scenic miles up idyllic Millcreek canyon you’ll find the spectacular Log Haven restaurant. Chef Dave Jones’ menu embraces the rustic mountain setting with a dash of Southwestern spice and flair. Keep an eye out for sublime dishes like Achiote Grilled Calamari with salsa verde, fresno peppers and onions, crisp tortillas, lime aioli; or Tea Brined Duroc Pork Tenderloin with hazelnut – apricot quiona pilaf, roast winter squash, huckleberry gastrique.
The wine list is hand curated by wine impresario Ian Campbell and offers a robust selection for any occasion; indeed the restaurant also crafts its own in house wine label with the help of Santa Barbara based Longoria Wines. The wow factor at Log Haven isn’t just on the plate though, the restaurant traces its root back to 1920, built by Salt Lake steel magnate L.F. Rains. Rains’ eye popping creation sits amongst flowing waterfalls, wildlife and soaring trees. We can’t think of any other Utah restaurant that can compete on the scenery alone.
The Log Haven main dining room floods with natural light and mountain vistas before switching to flickering candlelight as the sun sets. In warmer months, dine al fresco on the secluded patio space and take in the wonderful mountain atmosphere: gently swaying trees and trickling waterfalls your backdrop to dinner.
6451 E Millcreek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 272-8255
www.log-haven.com
SLC Eatery
SLC Eatery is the work of chefs Paul Chamberlain (also owner) and Logen Crew. Both chefs have a rich award winning career on the SLC dining scene; most notably scooping many a plaudit for the much missed Fresco.
SLC Eatery is the duo’s first solo project and it’s an eye popping endeavor at that. The menu riffs on various International flavors, but most fun is the restaurants dim sum style cart that wanders the floor during service. While you’re waiting for your app or entree just grab a small plate or two and sample the creative cooking that changes daily.
1017 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 355-7952
slceatery.com
RIME
This fine dining must in Deer Valley has it all: expertly drilled staff, a great wine list, sublime mountain views – and yes – exceptional steaks and seafood – cooked impeccably. Start with something from the raw cru menu, before moving onto simple, but perfectly executed entrees. The whole affair is overseen by exec chef Matthew Harris, a stalwart of the Utah fine dining scene. Here’s a writeup of a visit I made in 2022.
2300 Deer Valley Dr E, Park City, UT 84060
(435) 940-5700
srdvdining.com/dining/rime
Copper Common
The cozy Copper Common offers a big city feel in a snug spot, just next door to sister restaurant Copper Onion. Some of the best mixologists in town work here, meaning your visit should definitely start with a look over their current cocktail menu. If the weather is amenable, absolutely get a seat on the covered patio along Broadway. The food is a mix of Euro-inspired plates perfect for sharing. I wrote this story about the most recent reboot of this excellent spot in 2022.
11 E Broadway Suite 190, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 355-0543
coppercommon.com
Oquirrh
Oquirrh is the work of wife and husband duo Angelena and Drew Fuller. Drew works the back of hose and Angela is the beaming smile and service up front. Along with a stellar supporting crew this is one of the best chef-driven and seasonal menus in the state of Utah. Bar none. The menu evolves on an almost weekly basis and often features kai dropping specials like the picture scallop dish.
368 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 359-0426
oquirrhslc.com
HSL
There’s a reason Briar Handly’s HSL routinely tops best of lists, both critics and readers alike. His cuisine, perfected first at Park City’s Handle, is some of the very finest in SLC, heck Utah.
Signature items such as Handly’s General Tso’s deep fried cauliflower are ever present, but with the hyper seasonal, locally sourced when possible menu – precise offerings are always in flux. Worthy of note is the restaurant’s wood fired oven, left behind by a former pizza place, that Handly’s team uses to great aplomb with many of the menu itemss.
418 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 539-9999
hslrestaurant.com
Caffe Molise
A stalwart of the downtown dining scene and one of the best independent restaurants in Salt Lake City. Chef and owner Fred Moessinger focuses on fresh ingredients to power the seasonal and regional Italian cuisine Caffe Molise is known for. Dishes to keep an eye out for include the spectacular Pappardelle Al Sugo with house-made fresh pappardelle tossed with a slow-cooked sauce of pork and beef with tomatoes and topped with Asiago, or for something sweeter, the classic and elegant Tiramisu – one of the best in town.
55 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 364-8833
www.caffemolise.com
Arlo
A short walk from downtown SLC will find you at this neighborhood restaurant. The chef-driven menu by owner Milo Carrier is even more enjoyable enjoyed under the dappled light of the patios canopy. Seasonal and chef driven are watch words. The modest size means reservations are a must.
271 N, Center St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
(385) 266-8845
arlorestaurant.com
Franklin Ave
The latest effort from the Bourbon Group is more buzzy bar than white tablecloth space – but the cooking is some of the best around. The menu is a globe trotting affair taking in South East Asian inspiration, while executing fab European classics. Case in point, check out their gemelli pasta loaded with Dungeness crab, the plate is brought to life with a hit of Japanese togarashi.
231 S Edison St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(385) 831-7560
franklinaveslc.com
Utah Fine dining FAQ
Are there any Michelin starred restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah?
There are no restaurants in Utah recognized by Michelin at this time. Indeed no Utah restaurant has ever been recognized by the European organization. The U.S. based James Beard Awards have recognized several great businesses with nominations though. These include:
- Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm, Boulder
- Water Witch, SLC
- Table X, SLC
- Handle, Park City
- Kyoto, SLC
- Laziz Kitchen, SLC
As well as that there are plenty of chefs working in Utah that have received prior recognition from both Michelin and James Bear while working out of state.
What about dress codes in Salt Lake City?
For the most part, restaurants in Utah do not require a dress code. Even the fanciest places generally advise ‘business casual’ when it comes to attire. None of the restaurants on this page have a dress code.
How much does a high end restaurant cost in Salt Lake City?
As of 2022, for a high end restaurant expect to pay $30-$50 for an entree at the best restaurants; appetizers will generally cost $10-$20. Prices naturally skew higher still for specialty ingredients such as aged beef, caviar and truffles.
Are there any multi-course tasting menus in Salt Lake City?
Table X in the Millcreek neighborhood of Utah offers a tasting-menu only menu. The restaurant does not offer ala carte dining. Also worthy of note is that Table X offer a vegetarian friendly tasting menu.
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
- 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 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.
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This page may contain information about one of our sponsors. We only work with the very best businesses in the state, and routinely turn down offers to work with businesses we don't enjoy. If we can't hand on heart recommend them - they can't be a sponsor.
At this time we have the following sponosrs: BTG, Caffe Molise, Downtown Alliance, Feldman’s Deli, Felt Bar & Eatery, Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club, Hearth And Hill, Hill’s Kitchen, Kin Sen Asian Noodle Bar, Kyoto, Log Haven, Oasis Cafe, Squatter’s Downtown Salt Lake City, Stoneground Italian Kitchen, Urban Hill, Wasatch Brew Pub Sugar House, Vessel Kitchen, Whiskey Street, White Horse.
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