Fine dining – a term that’s used a lot, but means different things to different folks. Some might be on the hunt for the best chef in the city, while for others it might mean an intimate counter setup, watching the kitchen at work. Perhaps you’re looking to impress your special other with a dining room that oozes luxurious style? 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 – this is my own pick for the best in town:
Urban Hill
Neighborhood: Post District
Address: 10 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
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 a robust selection of proteins and artful appetizers like the pictured lobster salad. In recent years, Zocco has been an ever-present name on the semifinalist and finalist list of the regional James Beard awards. See my full first look at Urban Hill here.
‘Mina
Neighborhood: SLC
Address: 439 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
‘mina brings the tastes and traditions of Sicily to the heart of Salt Lake City. The menu runs from classic staples like arancini through tableside specialties and an array of pasta, all made entirely in-house. That through line continues into a wine list of rare imports and pours from the volcanic soils of Etna. And as you’d expect, the hospitality is some of the warmest in the city. Read the feature on all the glorious details of ‘mina.
Brownstone 22
Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 22 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
The latest efforts from the team behind the James Beard-nominated Felt. The restaurant calls an historic 1890s building home, with a menu that links past and present neatly. Top picks include Loatian chili sauce-laced salmon belly, Japanese milk toast dipped in tallow and covered in nduja and uni(!), and fabulous lamb chops. For a deeper dive, check out this profile story I wrote on Brownstone.
Arlo
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill / Avenues
Address: 271 N Center St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Chef Milo Carrier’s seasonal menu wasn’t exactly a tight-lipped secret amongst local foodies, but the chef’s James Beard semifinalist nod in 2026 put them squarely on the map. The menu is clever, concise, and changes routinely, relying on an in-house butchery program. The charming neighborhood digs and knowledgeable service are added bonuses.
Rouser
Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 2 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
The fine-dining restaurant at the Asher Adams hotel in downtown SLC has a secret ace up its sleeve. The restaurant’s signature wood-fired Josper grill adds flame, fury, smoke, and detail to many of the dishes that leave the New American kitchen. Their locally caught Utah trout (served whole) is a great example. You can read about that dish in this story.
RIME
Neighborhood: Deer Valley
Address: 2300 Deer Valley Dr E, Park City, UT 84060
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 crudo menu, before moving on to 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.
Oquirrh
Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 368 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Oquirrh is the work of the wife and husband duo Angelena and Drew Fuller. Drew works the back of the house, 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. In 2026, Drew was recognised, not for the first time, as a semi-finalist on the James Beard Best Chef Mountain region list.
Caffe Molise
Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 55 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
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. A standout is the huge wine list overseen by sommelier Louis Koppel (one of the most knowledgeable in Utah) and an impeccable upscale dining room.
About this list
These are all restaurants that I (Stuart) have eaten at and enjoyed, or that one of the writers has spoken highly of. I try to update these lists as often as I can, but sometimes one might slip through the net and be left unattended for a while. Do keep that in mind. For reference, this list was last reviewed and refreshed on July 7th, 2026. The list might contain some of our sponsors – these are some of the best businesses in town – we don’t accept anyone and everyone. If you think I’ve missed someone who deserves attention, just drop me a line to contactus@gastronomicslc.com
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.
Our sponsors and this page
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: Brownstone 22, BTG, Caffe Molise, Downtown Alliance, Feldman’s Deli, Felt Bar & Eatery, Hearth And Hill, Hill’s Kitchen, Kin Sen Asian Noodle Bar, Kyoto, Oasis Cafe, Repeal, Rouser, Squatter’s Downtown Salt Lake City, Stoneground Italian Kitchen, Urban Hill, Wasatch Brew Pub Sugar House, Vessel Kitchen.
I encourage you to Google any of our sponsors and see the stellar reviews on multiple sites that they enjoy. For a list of all our current and past relationships see our partnership history page.