Kendra’s guidebook
Food scene
Best brunch spot in the city! You'll get recommendations for other spots that are tasty...but no place has biscuits as fluffy, flakey, and scrumptious as Sweet Lake. If you're trying to dine-in on a weekend, getting on the virtual waiting list on Yelp is highly recommended.
52 locals recommend
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
519 E 12300 SBest brunch spot in the city! You'll get recommendations for other spots that are tasty...but no place has biscuits as fluffy, flakey, and scrumptious as Sweet Lake. If you're trying to dine-in on a weekend, getting on the virtual waiting list on Yelp is highly recommended.
As texpats (Texan expatriots lol), we love a good kolache. This is the only kolache place we've found west of Texas that tastes like home. So delicous!
24 locals recommend
Hruska's Kolaches
2030 S 900 EAs texpats (Texan expatriots lol), we love a good kolache. This is the only kolache place we've found west of Texas that tastes like home. So delicous!
Underground pizza? Yes please! This is a SLC favorite. There’s another location that’s easier to get to on 1300 S as well.
79 locals recommend
The Pie Pizzeria - Underground
1320 E 200 SUnderground pizza? Yes please! This is a SLC favorite. There’s another location that’s easier to get to on 1300 S as well.
This place will warm your belly and heart when there is a chill in the air. Super close to our space. The Curry Ramen is not to be missed. If you like hotpot, the other side of this restaurant is a tasty shabu shabu place.
Tonkotsu Ramen Bar
1898 W 3500 SThis place will warm your belly and heart when there is a chill in the air. Super close to our space. The Curry Ramen is not to be missed. If you like hotpot, the other side of this restaurant is a tasty shabu shabu place.
This is a great farm to table, local fare spot for a nice dinner. We did a prix fixie Thanksgiving here last year and LOVED it.
29 locals recommend
Provisions
3364 S 2300 EThis is a great farm to table, local fare spot for a nice dinner. We did a prix fixie Thanksgiving here last year and LOVED it.
The staff at Stun Cube are so friendly! They are always willing to substitute extra kimchi for salad. Yummy and quick take-out option after a day out and about.
Stun Cube
2732 S State StThe staff at Stun Cube are so friendly! They are always willing to substitute extra kimchi for salad. Yummy and quick take-out option after a day out and about.
Helllllo, date night! The food plus ambiance plus memories keep Caffe Molise at the top of my list.
46 locals recommend
Caffé Molise
404 S W TempleHelllllo, date night! The food plus ambiance plus memories keep Caffe Molise at the top of my list.
Great little diner in a historic trolley car founded by Ruth Evans, an extremely independent woman and former cabaret singer (1912-1916). Its changed hands a couple times since her passing in 1989 but her spirit is clearly still there. I'm particularly fond of the patio they added a few years back and the location right at the mouth of Emigration Canyon.
156 locals recommend
Ruth's Diner
4160 Emigration Canyon RdGreat little diner in a historic trolley car founded by Ruth Evans, an extremely independent woman and former cabaret singer (1912-1916). Its changed hands a couple times since her passing in 1989 but her spirit is clearly still there. I'm particularly fond of the patio they added a few years back and the location right at the mouth of Emigration Canyon.
Kendra is obsessed with The Bagel Project's lox. Great for on-the-go food on your way for a day of enjoying Utah's great outdoors.
30 locals recommend
The Bagel Project
779 S 500 EKendra is obsessed with The Bagel Project's lox. Great for on-the-go food on your way for a day of enjoying Utah's great outdoors.
I love this spot for healthy, local food. They also have cute SLC merchandise that isn’t too touristy.
20 locals recommend
Root'd Cafe
2577 Bengal BlvdI love this spot for healthy, local food. They also have cute SLC merchandise that isn’t too touristy.
Laziz Kitchen
912 Jefferson St WBest Mediterranean food in town, hands down.
Elements at 35th
3524 Market StreetDelicious food and super close to our space
If you love crepes, this place is hidden gem. Sweet or savory, its entirely up to you.
12 locals recommend
Greenhouse Effect
3231 S 900 EIf you love crepes, this place is hidden gem. Sweet or savory, its entirely up to you.
Best sushi in SLC, no question. If you’re hoping to avoid the price tag or downtown, Sapa or Fat Fish are close seconds.
156 locals recommend
Takashi
18 W Market StBest sushi in SLC, no question. If you’re hoping to avoid the price tag or downtown, Sapa or Fat Fish are close seconds.
Just as tasty as the downtown original with WAY better parking and access.
66 locals recommend
Pretty Bird Chicken
146 Regent StJust as tasty as the downtown original with WAY better parking and access.
As Texan, I consider myself a taco connoisseur. The birria tacos here are A M A Z I N G!
6 locals recommend
La Casa Del Tamal
2843 South 5600 WestAs Texan, I consider myself a taco connoisseur. The birria tacos here are A M A Z I N G!
Everything Else
This is part farmers market, part local artisan market. If you're here early on a Saturday morning, you just might run into us =). Outdoor April-Oct, Indoor Nov-March.
44 locals recommend
Downtown Farmers Market
300 W 300 SThis is part farmers market, part local artisan market. If you're here early on a Saturday morning, you just might run into us =). Outdoor April-Oct, Indoor Nov-March.
How often do you find drive-in movie theatre?!? New-ish releases with a vintage feel. Opens mid-spring and closes late fall.
15 locals recommend
Redwood Drive-in Theatre and Swap Meet
3688 S Redwood RdHow often do you find drive-in movie theatre?!? New-ish releases with a vintage feel. Opens mid-spring and closes late fall.
Salt & Honey Market
926 East 900 SouthThis is a great place to find local makers and artisans work.
I’d never been to a nicklecade place until I moved to SLC. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out!
9 locals recommend
Nickel Mania
6051 State StI’d never been to a nicklecade place until I moved to SLC. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out!
Tinker's Cat Café
302 E 900 SThis is a great spot to get a furry friend fix and a snack in SLC!
This is our favorite live music spot...unique bands and an intimate feel.
28 locals recommend
The State Room
638 S State StThis is our favorite live music spot...unique bands and an intimate feel.
If you have an event or just feel like treating yourself to a straight-razor shave, this is the spot. Make your appointment early, they are usually booked for same-day and even sometimes, same-week appointments.
The Salt Lake Barber Company
10 E 800 SIf you have an event or just feel like treating yourself to a straight-razor shave, this is the spot. Make your appointment early, they are usually booked for same-day and even sometimes, same-week appointments.
Trolley Square has pop-up holiday markets, quirky SLC shops, a Whole Foods Market, a book store, Pottery Barn and several nearby places to eat.
113 locals recommend
Trolley Square
602 E 500 STrolley Square has pop-up holiday markets, quirky SLC shops, a Whole Foods Market, a book store, Pottery Barn and several nearby places to eat.
The Gateway is home to the weekend Urban Flea Market, Dreamscapes, seasonal pop up shops, the Discovery Children’s Museum, and tons of tasty places to eat.
158 locals recommend
The Gateway
400 W 200 SThe Gateway is home to the weekend Urban Flea Market, Dreamscapes, seasonal pop up shops, the Discovery Children’s Museum, and tons of tasty places to eat.
If you are interested in genealogy, this place is for you! It is a near endless repository of genealogy resources, both historic and human!
29 locals recommend
Family History Library
35 N West TempleIf you are interested in genealogy, this place is for you! It is a near endless repository of genealogy resources, both historic and human!
Sightseeing
Regardless of your spiritual practice, Temple Square is a unique local site...especially if you're visiting during the winter holidays for their lighting display (day after Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve).
621 locals recommend
Temple Square
50 N West TempleRegardless of your spiritual practice, Temple Square is a unique local site...especially if you're visiting during the winter holidays for their lighting display (day after Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve).
UPDATE WINTER 2021: Dreamscapes at the Gateway has closed but a little birdie says it will re-open in a larger space in 2022. Stay tuned!
This immersive art experience is AMAZING. If you don't think you like art, try this. Dreamscapes never disappoints.
Dreamscapes SLC - Utah Arts Alliance
10450 S Rio Grande StUPDATE WINTER 2021: Dreamscapes at the Gateway has closed but a little birdie says it will re-open in a larger space in 2022. Stay tuned!
This immersive art experience is AMAZING. If you don't think you like art, try this. Dreamscapes never disappoints.
This is a great hike for non-hikers - quick, easy to find, and relatively kid-friendly. Great view of the Salt Lake valley for not too much effort.
125 locals recommend
Ensign Peak
This is a great hike for non-hikers - quick, easy to find, and relatively kid-friendly. Great view of the Salt Lake valley for not too much effort.
This spot is a geological and archaeological phenomenon. Their website says it better than me..."the Crater is a geothermal spring, hidden within a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock located on the Homestead property." Reservations are required but you can often find discounted admission in the usual places.
125 locals recommend
Homestead Crater
This spot is a geological and archaeological phenomenon. Their website says it better than me..."the Crater is a geothermal spring, hidden within a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock located on the Homestead property." Reservations are required but you can often find discounted admission in the usual places.
We love this botanical garden so much we are members! Gorgeous and educational =) All of their events are great but if you get a chance to catch their summer concerts, do it!
229 locals recommend
Red Butte Garden
300 Wakara WayWe love this botanical garden so much we are members! Gorgeous and educational =) All of their events are great but if you get a chance to catch their summer concerts, do it!
This is our favorite local hiking spot. Whenever our social media savvy family come to visit, they post plenty of shots from these hikes. Pretty wide variety of hikes with some more/less appropriate for young children. No dogs due to watershed restrictions.
114 locals recommend
Little Cottonwood Canyon
This is our favorite local hiking spot. Whenever our social media savvy family come to visit, they post plenty of shots from these hikes. Pretty wide variety of hikes with some more/less appropriate for young children. No dogs due to watershed restrictions.
This is a funky garden with a unique history, maintained by the local neighborhood. If you go to check it out, you might miss it because it's just through the gate.
77 locals recommend
Gilgal Gardens
749 E 500 SThis is a funky garden with a unique history, maintained by the local neighborhood. If you go to check it out, you might miss it because it's just through the gate.
Neighborhoods
9th and 9th is a fun area full of tasty food and unique shops...definitely a local spot. If you are in town for their festival (2nd Saturday after Labor Day), plan to check it out.
9th Avenue
9th Avenue9th and 9th is a fun area full of tasty food and unique shops...definitely a local spot. If you are in town for their festival (2nd Saturday after Labor Day), plan to check it out.
Sugar House is likely the neighborhood your friends told you to check out while you're visiting our fair city. Trendy and fun with tons to do. Street parking is easy compared to major metropolitan areas but can be tricky for Salt Lake. Find a spot and venture out on foot, its worth it.
120 locals recommend
Sugar House
Sugar House is likely the neighborhood your friends told you to check out while you're visiting our fair city. Trendy and fun with tons to do. Street parking is easy compared to major metropolitan areas but can be tricky for Salt Lake. Find a spot and venture out on foot, its worth it.
This is a great neighborhood that feels far less “city” but is just over 15 minutes away.
13 locals recommend
Cottonwood Heights
This is a great neighborhood that feels far less “city” but is just over 15 minutes away.
21+
1920's theme restaurant and bar with some serious ambiance. Solid brunch spot, unique cocktails, and local draft beer. Evening entertainment including live music and burlesque.
33 locals recommend
Prohibition
151 6100 S1920's theme restaurant and bar with some serious ambiance. Solid brunch spot, unique cocktails, and local draft beer. Evening entertainment including live music and burlesque.
While the shop is not 21+, this is a funky store that specializes in booze accessories including vintage glassware, artisanal mixers, and specialty tools.
Boozetique & E3 Modern
315 E BroadwayWhile the shop is not 21+, this is a funky store that specializes in booze accessories including vintage glassware, artisanal mixers, and specialty tools.
Purgatory Bar
62 E 700 SGreat selection of local craft beer and above average food.
This is my favorite burger place in town! Dive bar, roadhouse kinda feel Make sure you have a valid government issued ID.
106 locals recommend
Lucky 13
135 W 1300 SThis is my favorite burger place in town! Dive bar, roadhouse kinda feel Make sure you have a valid government issued ID.
This is another awesome drinks and food establishment. The “shotgun” style of the space reminds me of NYC or Baltimore.
150 locals recommend
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
323 S Main StThis is another awesome drinks and food establishment. The “shotgun” style of the space reminds me of NYC or Baltimore.
If you're a fan of country music, dancing (line or partnered), or maybe a mechanical bull, check out this spot. Free line dancing lessons 7-9 Wednesdays and Fridays. Swing dancing lessons after that. Cheap cover. Friendly staff.
10 locals recommend
Westerner Club
3360 S Redwood RdIf you're a fan of country music, dancing (line or partnered), or maybe a mechanical bull, check out this spot. Free line dancing lessons 7-9 Wednesdays and Fridays. Swing dancing lessons after that. Cheap cover. Friendly staff.
City/town information
If you're coming to SLC, you are probably already familiar with Park City =) World-class skiing, Sundance Film Festival, and my favorite vinegar/oil shop (Mountain Towne Olive Oil)...what's not to love?
559 locals recommend
Park City
If you're coming to SLC, you are probably already familiar with Park City =) World-class skiing, Sundance Film Festival, and my favorite vinegar/oil shop (Mountain Towne Olive Oil)...what's not to love?
Provo has a rich history and one of my favorite used book stores, Pioneer Books!
19 locals recommend
Provo
Provo has a rich history and one of my favorite used book stores, Pioneer Books!
Day Trips (about a hour drive)
This is all my favorite things outside of SLC but within an hour drive
Fun and family friendly waterfalls under an hour away. Grab an ice cream cone or pack a picnic lunch for the Upper Falls picnic area.
164 locals recommend
Bridal Veil Falls
Fun and family friendly waterfalls under an hour away. Grab an ice cream cone or pack a picnic lunch for the Upper Falls picnic area.
I could spend all day at Good Move Cafe. They have 1200+ games that are helpfully organized by things like number of players and how long to complete the game.
8 locals recommend
Good Move Cafe
1 E Center StI could spend all day at Good Move Cafe. They have 1200+ games that are helpfully organized by things like number of players and how long to complete the game.
This is my favorite used bookstore in the state. Large selection of rare and Utahn books.
Pioneer Book
450 W Center StThis is my favorite used bookstore in the state. Large selection of rare and Utahn books.
How many places can you find Navajo food? However many, this one is my favorite. Reservations encouraged.
50 locals recommend
Black Sheep Cafe
19 N University AveHow many places can you find Navajo food? However many, this one is my favorite. Reservations encouraged.
Very cool caves. Attendance is limited for preservation so secure your passes early.
116 locals recommend
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
2038 Alpine Loop RdVery cool caves. Attendance is limited for preservation so secure your passes early.