Maya Silver

For years, chefs in Salt Lake have been painstakingly building a thriving food scene. Forged by transplants lured by epic snow, an agricultural heritage that spans seasons, and a willingness to take creative risks as big as Utah’s western spirit, talented restaurateurs and their teams are making a name for the City of Salt—host of the 2002 and 2034 Winter Olympic Games—and America is beginning to take notice. Each year, Salt Lake City restaurants earn national and global accolades thanks to a growing list of Utah chefs who showcase the state’s talent and tenacity. That regular recognition among the country’s best reflects the city’s hard-earned culinary excellence. From authentic representations of worldwide cuisine to neighborhood dining destinations, the city’s food-centric identity has matured into something to remember—and then to savor repeatedly. Salt Lake chefs draw inspiration from international flavors while honoring the region’s agricultural heritage with menus that transition through the seasons with delicious results. Here are the Salt Lake City spots you shouldn’t miss. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Salt Lake City🏨 The best hotels in Salt Lake City🏜 The essential guide to Utah This guide was last updated by Heather King, a writer based in Utah. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Salt Lake City is absolutely packed full o’ fab stuff to do. From Temple Square to its buzzy LGBTQ community, from its rows of world-class restaurants to its actually, genuinely trademarked snow (yep, the powder is just that good), the capital of the Beehive State has no shortage of things to see and visit. Appropriately, SLC also has a wonderful range of lodging options for every kind of traveler, with historic inns, five-star resorts, boutique abodes, and quirky B&Bs aplenty. But wherever you book, know this: being endearing, characterful, and affordable is Salt Lake 101. Expect warm customer service, distinctive décor, and remarkably reasonable prices – here are our top 12 hotels in Salt Lake City. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.  

World-class dining in a small town? You shouldn’t expect anything less from Park City, which may be the most cosmopolitan ski town there ever was. Former host of the 2002 Olympics, home of the largest U.S. ski resort, and annual stop of celebrities for the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is indeed an international destination—and it shows on local menus, from top-notch lobster rolls to a Uruguayan sandwich. If you visit Park City for Sundance or during busy ski weekends, some restaurants may be crowded or closed for private events, while others surge their prices. Meanwhile, in fall and spring, some restaurants close down temporarily. A little research before you dine pays off, and sometimes avoiding Main Street will be your best bet, but checking out our pick of the best restaurants in Park City is the best place to start.