BEST OF UTAH 2024

The art of origami—of turning a flat sheet of paper into imaginative sculptures using folding techniques—has been around since approximately the 7th century, following the introduction of paper to Japan from China. Ceremonial origami for religious purposes came first, with recreational origami developing by about the 16th century.

So the concept has been around for a while.

While City Weekly’s Best of Utah issue can hardly claim to have a comparable history, celebrating your favorites in Utah living has been an annual tradition since the issue’s inauguration on Jan. 16, 1990. (And for an independent paper in this national landscape, that’s nothing to sniff at!) Even so, the spirit of the issue’s overall mission is at least as old as the advent of paper, if not older.

To recognize the highlights (and lowlights) of our shared space is part of community living, something that gets lost when we live lives of self-involved detachment. Thankfully, each year that we do Best of Utah, the varied beauties and delights of our city and state come into greatest focus through you, the readers. With roughly 207,000 total votes cast for our 464 categories, you show us that each colorful variation, each bend and curve accomplished across our state creates an imaginative, ever-changing sculpture out of what could be a flat, featureless expanse.

Paper, that compacted web of fibers, is a remarkably flexible medium and can be used both to convey ideas of profound meaning as well as serve the most commonplace of functions.

Nevertheless, whether for recreation, ceremony or anything in between, it remains an organic whole—not unlike the healthiest communities.

The selections you have chosen this year illustrate all of the above uses, providing Utah the folds and dimensions it vitally needs to become a work of art.

—Wes Long,
Contributing Editor

Best Community Advocate
Troy Williams
Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams is a force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill, boasting a success record that most advocates for progressive causes can only dream of achieving in the bright-red Beehive State. His past experience as a young foot soldier for the ultra-conservative (and ultra-organized) Eagle Forum clearly taught Williams the dark arts of Utah politics, which he now employs expertly to make everyone's lives better, one victory at a time.
2. Tara Lipsyncki
3. Jennifer Plumb

Best Advocacy Organization
Planned Parenthood
Persistence can be a throwaway term at times, and it can be tricky to come by a person or organization who truly embodies the painstaking effort it takes to persist continually. Planned Parenthood Action Council Of Utah fits the bill wholeheartedly and without exaggeration. What's more: they don't just persist in the face of adversity, they lift others up and bring them along, providing protection, equity, resources and more to boot!
plannedparenthoodaction.org
2. Equality Utah
3. Encircle

Best Columnist
Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune
If you've ever been lucky enough to tip a pint with the Trib's Robert Gehrke, you know that he's a good conversationalist about topics hither and yon: sports, movies, etc. At the Tribune, of course, he's a go-to read for local and statewide politics, the beat that's built his reputation as a tough-but-fair reporter, adept at data-driven work and shoe-leather reportage. He's also a readable, relatable writer, a true multi-threat.
2. Eli McCann, The Salt Lake Tribune
3. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune

Best Conservative
Mitt Romney
It's tempting to see this award as a win by default, as Mitt Romney was one of the only Republicans smart enough to exit the MAGA bus before Donald Trump drove it off of a cliff. But let it be remembered that amid the performative chaos of modern politics, Romney kept busy doing the work—building coalitions, negotiating worthwhile legislation and avoiding the TV cameras. The Senate could do with a few more members like him.
2. Becky Edwards
3. John Dougall

Best Elected Official
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City
Sure, winning reelection to the mayor's office by a 24-point margin is pretty cool. But even more impressive is Erin Mendenhall's four consecutive years as City Weekly readers' favorite local politician. After a particularly turbulent first term, Mendenhall is wasting no time using her second spin in the mayoral chair to position Utah's capital city for a brighter future—one with more parks, vibrancy, neighbors and opportunity, plus a second date with the Olympic Winter Games.
2. Mitt Romney
3. Jenny Wilson

Best Former Utahn
John Stockton
A legendary, long-celebrated basketball player, John Stockton helped make the Utah Jazz what it is today with his incredible skills as a point guard. Largely regarded as one of the most skilled point guards the NBA has seen, Stockton holds the all-time record for steals and assists. He now resides in Spokane, Washington, but Utah will never forget the lasting impression he made here.
2. Nathan Chen
3. Lex Scott

Best Internet Troll
Gov. Spencer Cox
The Trump era of Republican politics has seen a number of former statesmen devolve into angry, petulant children online. But few have fallen as far as fast as Gov. Spencer Cox, who in a few short years morphed from a plucky, broadly-supported centrist into a divisive, tone-deaf regurgitator of hard-right culture war bile. Here's hoping Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson can hang on to her soul if she gets promoted to the big chair. X: @spencerjcox
2. Todd Weiler
3. Natalie Cline

Best Local Podcast
City Cast Salt Lake
While tied to an aural approach to storytelling, the folks behind this operation understand modern media consumption and the range of material listeners are prepared to tackle in a given sitting. Myriad stories abound, from breezy lifestyle features to local reporting to conversations with Utah's notable tastemakers. From bite-sized reads to longer listens, City Cast offers a range of topics as wide and varied as the people who call this community home.
saltlake.citycast.fm
2. Mormon Stories
3. Girls Camp Podcast

Best Local TV Lifestyle/Talk Show
Good Things Utah, ABC4
In a world often full of bad news, it's a pleasure to tune into Good Things Utah for feel-good Utah entertainment. From recipes to recommendations to inspiring stories, hosts Nicea DeGering, Surae Chinn and Deena Manzanares know how to create an engaging show full of warmth. You don't need to look further than Good Things Utah for a quick way to brighten your day.
abc4.com/gtu
2. Fox 13's The Place, KSTU
3. Studio 5, KSL-TV

Best Mixed-Use Space in Which to Live/Work/Play
Maven District
Owned and run by women, with 85% occupancy by women-owned businesses, the Maven District is the place where boss babes gather. There is so much to love about this area of town, from the walkable community to the short- and long-term housing rentals offered at Maven Stay; you can come for an hour or for days.
mavendistrict.com
2. The Junction
3. Sugar Space Arts Warehouse

Best Non-Profit Organization
Planned Parenthood Salt Lake Health Center
Opened in 1964—but not without challenges. In the 1990s and 2000s, varied legislative efforts sought to impose stricter regulations on clinics. The 2010s brought renewed scrutiny, and in 2015, a national push to defund the organization was spurred by misleading videos targeting them. Despite these challenges, Planned Parenthood fought back, mobilizing community support and advocating for reproductive rights. We thank you, for all you do for our community.
plannedparenthood.org
2. Best Friends Animal Society
3. Utah Food Bank

Best Piece of Legislation
HB560 (Abortion Licensing Modifications)
Some Utah lawmakers would sooner die than respect women's freedom and bodily autonomy. So it was poetic watching them frantically repeal a ban on abortion clinics in order to avoid a court entanglement that could have jeopardized their broader effort to impose a near-universal ban on abortion procedures. The courts are still sorting through the mess and the war is far from won, but at least the hardliners got a taste of humble pie.
2. HB130 (Animal Fighting Penalties)
3. SB272 (Downtown Revitalization Zone)

Best Political Controversy
Natalie Cline loses her seat on the Utah Board of Education
After four years of constant controversy and embarrassment, Natalie Cline finally learned that there is a limit to what Utahns will stomach from their elected state school board members when her virulently anti-transgender bigotry led her to erroneously bully a high school student. A tidal wave of criticism from everyone in the political food chain crashed down on Cline's head, and even the famously archconservative GOP delegates voted to show her the door.
2. LDS church not supporting mandatory reporting of child abuse
3. Gov. Spencer Cox endorses Donald Trump

Best Political Social-Media Influencer
Ben Winslow
Most of us can't attend the Legislature's every special session or the Utah Supreme Court's every hearing. Thankfully, Ben Winslow does it for us. His live reporting on platforms like Threads makes even the densest of political wars accessible to the public. He's the go-to for on-the-spot news. Or, if you're looking for something a little more lighthearted—like a local spotlight or relatable meme—he's got you there, too. Threads: @benwinslow
2. Rosie Card
3. Eli McCann

Best Politician: Over the Hill
Mitt Romney
Incumbents typically hold onto their seats until their lifeless corpses have to be pried off with a spatula. That was true of the man Mitt Romney replaced in the Senate, but won't be true of Romney, as the broadly popular and increasingly isolated moderate has decided six years is plenty to be stuck next to Mike Lee. For working across the aisle and getting out before he became the villain, we say "thank you."
2. Joel Briscoe
3. Burgess Owens

Best Politician: Up and Coming
Caroline Gleich
Caroline Gleich has summited Mount Everest with a torn ACL, but she recently faced her biggest challenge yet: running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Utah. Gleich has long been an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for environmental advocacy. Now, she's taking her advocacy to a new level as she heads into politics. Given her exceptional accomplishments in outdoor recreation, we can only anticipate what she'll accomplish on this new journey. IG: @carolinegleich
2. Nate Blouin
3. Natalie Pinkney

Best Progressive
Luz Escamilla
The goal of progressivism is to make everyone's life better. Seems simple enough, but it's a big job, made even more impressive by Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla's willingness to leave no stone unturned to solve Utahns' problems. Regardless of ideology, she works to solve issues like affordable healthcare, housing, quality education and speaking up for those of who do not always have a voice in Utah's overwhelmingly white, male political world.
facebook.com/Luzforutah
2. Jennifer Plumb
3. Grant Miller

Best Radical
Rae Duckworth, Black Lives Matter Utah
Since 2021, Rae Duckworth has headed up Black Lives Matter Utah, with her work fueled, in large part, by the 2019 police shooting of her cousin Bobby Duckworth in Carbon County. Since then, her voice has been heard in the digital space and newspaper pages, at protests and in courtrooms, in the ears of local media, the SLC Police Department and the office of Mayor Erin Mendenhall.
linktr.ee/RaeQuackk
2. Phil Lyman
3. Denise Weaver

Best Radio Show
Radio From Hell, X96-KXRK
What can we say about Radio From Hell? Dominant in this award category since Bill Allred, Gina Barberi and Kerry Jackson came into their own in the mid '90s, the reigning champions have practically owned our readership's vote ever since. They are one of the few local shows that doesn't feel like a pre-programmed morning zoo. Let's be honest, whenever the show comes to an end, we're probably renaming this award after them.
X96.com
2. Radio West, KUER 90.1
3. RadioACTive, KRCL 90.9

Best Rally
Utah Pride Rally and March
You can't overstate the amazement a newbie to Utah feels when attending their first Utah Pride Rally and March. The state's cultural and political history might suggest a small, scrappy gathering, but what Salt Lake is treated to every June is a massive celebration of LGBTQ culture, with a parade that stretches for miles and thousands of folks gathered and bringing their cheerful, positive vibes to the already-amped participants. Truly a beautiful day.
utahpride.org
2. Rally To Save Great Salt Lake
3. Rally For Palestine

Best TV Anchor
Kerri Cronk, Fox 13 KSTU
It's a bittersweet send-off acknowledging Kerri Cronk as Utah's best TV anchor. After three decades at Fox 13—and two decades as a Good Morning Utah anchor—Cronk recently left Fox 13 to pursue new adventures in Australia. We'll all miss Cronk's humor, personality and radiant energy on our morning news, but we wish her the best in this new chapter.
2. Mary Nickles, KUTV 2
3. Heidi Hatch, KUTV 2

Best Radio Station
X96-KXRK
Serving as the longest-running alternative music station in the state, X96 has morphed over the years to where they are currently: a mix of classic hits and a defiant source of rock music, as well as newer tunes from those trying to redefine the genre. Few others have earned the loyalty of their listeners to blast Nirvana followed by Dexter and The Moonrocks out of their stereo daily.
X96.com
2. KUER 90.1
3. KRCL 90.9

Best Reporter: Print/Digital
Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune
Covering the LDS church is as tricky a media job as there can be in this market, and Peggy does it with a grace and kindness that is truly admirable. Her recent articles exploring strategies for bridging the gap between members and nonmembers stands as a testament to her ability to encourage both sides to evaluate where they stand and search for where new lines of communication could be established.
sltrib.com/staff/pstack
2. Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune
3. Jessica Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune

Best Reporter: Radio
Doug Fabrizio, KUER 90.1
Almost every NPR station across America has that one local reporter who has become a guiding voice for news you need to know about. For Utah, that voice is Doug Fabrizio, who has hosted RadioWest for decades covering all things politics, human interest and entertainment—not to mention interviews with iconic or controversial public figures. Regardless of the topic, when you hear him say "this is RadioWest," you know you're in for something special.
KUER.org
2. Lara Jones, KRCL 90.9
3. Lindsay Aerts, KSL News Radio

Best Reporter: Sports, all media
Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune
Andy Larsen has had his ear to the rail on all things Utah Jazz since he took over the beat in 2013. From drama-filled off-seasons regarding Gordon Hayward, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Andy has had Jazz fans covered from the jump. And with the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club, Andy has been providing coverage on the exciting new venture as the Beehive State adds another professional sport to the mix.
sltrib.com/staff/alarsen
2. Wesley Ruff, KTVX-ABC4
3. Andrea Urban, KSTU-Fox 13

Best Reporter: TV
Ben Winslow, Fox 13
In his fourth consecutive win (and several more non-consecutive ones), Ben Winslow has once again proven himself to be among Utah's most reliable and thorough reporters. From breaking down Utah's murky and confusing (perhaps frustrating) political landscape to giving his audience live, on-the-scene coverage of Utah events, this dedicated, knowledgeable, award-winning journalist is a force to be reckoned with.
fox13now.com/ben-winslow
2. Mary Nickles, KUTV 2
3. Lindsay Aerts, KSL-TV

Best Social Cause
Protecting Abortion Access in Utah
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we're still watching as overzealous lawmakers attempt to strip Utahns of abortion access. The Legislature's attempt at a near-total abortion ban is on hold, for now, thanks to the Utah Supreme Court. Maybe they'll use the new free time to help Utah's homeless population or help the Great Salt Lake ... probably not.
2. Save the Great Salt Lake
3. Free Palestine

Best TV News Station
Fox 13 KSTU
In a time when TV news stations seem to be turning their studios into a generic green screen for national headlines, Fox 13 remains a dedicated source of local coverage. The station offers 10 hours of news every weekday, including their 9 p.m. broadcast for those who would rather be somewhere else at 10. It's nice to have a station getting you local news instead of a PowerPoint presentation.
Fox13Now.com
2. KUTV 2
3. KSL-TV

Best Utah Athlete
Cameron Rising
It's hard to think about the Utah Utes' football success without thinking of Cameron Rising. His grit, leadership and commitment to the game have earned him a reputation as a stand-out athlete, not to mention a roaring fanbase. Though injuries have taken him out of the game in the last year, his unwavering commitment to his team has stood strong and earned him the title of Best Utah Athlete. IG: @crising7
2. Caroline Gleich
3. Tony Finau

Best Utah Swear Word
"Mike Lee"
It is correct that the ultimate swear word begins with "Mike" and ends with "Lee." It is not the actual word that is offensive, but the concepts it expresses. Concepts such as being on the wrong side of history, always. Many great swear words end with a "K," but lack a certain je ne sais quoi. "Mike Lee" is in a class by itself. Try it next time you stub your toe in polite company.
2. "Oh My Heck"
3. "Frick"

Best Utahn
Post Malone
Austin, aka "Posty," was born in New York but grew up in Texas. His versatile music is a wild mix of country, grunge, hip hop and R&B. We're totally vibing with his choice to call Utah home. His genuine heart is undeniable, and we're here for it with open arms. IG: @postmalone
2. Jeff, the bike speaker guy
3. Jennifer Plumb

Best Weathercaster
Chase Thomason, KUTV 2
Chase Thomason uses his love and knowledge of Utah and weather to provide up-to-date information on some of the scariest news. This social-media-savvy weathercaster is always willing to answer questions and interacts with Utahns with kindness. His passion and excitement for the way the world works is invigorating and his résumé as a storm chaser in the heart of tornado alley proves his value to his native state.
kutv.com/contact/people/chase-thomason
2. Allison Croghan, formerly Fox13-KSTU
3. Kevin Eubank, KSL-TV

Most Underreported Utah Story
Drag Story Hour Bomb Threats
Last fall, The King's English was evacuated after they received a bomb threat, canceling the day's all-ages drag storytime event. The following spring, a similar scene unfolded in Provo when Mosaics Community Bookstore & Venue canceled their monthly drag story hour after receiving bomb threats. The threats are unfortunately a reflection of a larger national trend. Apparently reading stories to kids has become too radical.
2. Utah Supreme Court case on political district gerrymandering
3. Redwood Swap Meet & Drive-In redevelopment

Worst Use of Public Funds
Transgender Bathroom Monitoring
Utah lawmakers were so committed to their bigotry that—on top of regulating which bathrooms folks can use—they created a forum for tattle-telling and forced the Utah State Auditor to devote time and resources to policing a deluge of complaints, many of which were from trolls intentionally gumming up the gears. For everyone not consumed by delusional paranoia: mind your own damn business and remember to wash your hands. Problem solved.
2. Paying Mike Lee's Senate salary
3. Diverting education funding to charter schools

Worst Utahn
Sen. Mike Lee
For someone who claims to be a constitutional lawyer, it's surprising how evidence mounts every day that Mike Lee—Utah's senior senator—was part of a coup against the government, attacking the sanctity of the Constitution and our elections. He would call that "based," though. Every six years we send him to Washington and every term he fails to do anything substantial for Utah. It's no wonder he's a perennial candidate for Worst Utahn; he's the worst.
2. Gov. Spencer Cox
3. Tim Ballard

Best Bridge Builders
Smith Entertainment Group
The modern Salt Palace is problematic, built upon the decimation of Japantown and exiling the Depot District from the rest of downtown. But while the problems are no secret, there was little effort to fix them until the Smith Entertainment Group pitched a comprehensive rebuild that would include the Delta Center by burying 300 West. Reasonable minds can disagree on the particulars of the deal, but there's no denying that current conditions require change.

Best Excuse to Stop Driving
Ebike Voucher Lottery
"Car culture" is heavily subsidized, charging taxpayers so individual drivers can speed down highways, park in oversized lots, pollute the environment and, of course, kill nearly 300 Utahns per year. With ebike vouchers effectively paying for themselves, it's a no-brainer to use incentives to get folks out of their gas-guzzlers and onto a safe, efficient and sustainable vehicle. SLC's first batch got snatched up immediately, proving we can afford to go even further next time.

Best Made-Up Controversy
Redevelopment of the Redwood Drive-In
Preservationists tipped into self-parody when they rallied the troops to fight a proposed redevelopment of the old drive-In theater on Redwood Road, which currently hosts a popular weekend swap meet on vast expanses of open, sunswept asphalt. The privately-owned site is pitch perfect for mixed-use housing and no amount of nostalgia will save the drive-in business model. If the swap meet can find another parking lot to occupy, it will be better off as well.

Best Monthly Potluck
The Wisdom Keepers
Meeting on the second Saturday of every month at Salt Lake City's Urban Indian Center, this group of American Indian/Alaska Native Elders has been providing a welcoming space for urban Natives for years now. Between the events they plan and the food they bring (plus no small amount of laughter along the way), there is genuine community to be enjoyed here, whatever your tribe.
uicsl.org/about-us/wisdom-keepers

Best NIMBY
The 15th and 15th backyard concert buster
For years, the good people of 15th and 15th have come together on summer evenings to nurture connection through food and song. But one neighborhood grinch brought the good vibes to a screeching halt by complaining to zoning enforcement. The city ultimately backed down and said the concerts can continue, but the ordeal makes clear that for some Salt Lakers, building community matters far less than always having a parking space on the public curb.

Best Online Social Conscience
Kenny Akers
In May 2020, hundreds of Utahns gathered in Salt Lake City after the death of George Floyd, later judged to be murder, at the hands of Minneapolis police. What began as a peaceful moment devolved into incendiary riots. It was Akers, a military veteran, who stood down looters, creating a moment that launched him into social media celebrity. He skillfully employs a calm and proactive voice to challenge misperceptions about modern Black activism.
poplme.co/kennyakers

Best Reality Check
Utah Supreme Court voids Amendment D
Utah lawmakers f--ked around and found out. Voters want independent redistricting, but the legislative supermajority was committed to partisan gerrymandering, leading the courts to enshrine the constitutional right of the citizenry to reform government. So lawmakers doubled down, inventing an "emergency" and sloppily placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot shrouded in deception and lies. Another lawsuit and another loss later, the Legislature is licking its wounds and plotting revenge against democracy.

Best Video Production by Youth Media
Spy Hop's Phase 2
Phase 2's unique video services harness the experience of talented Spy Hop alumni, who bring their advanced skills and fresh perspectives to every project. With a commitment to producing high-quality, impactful videos through mentorship and community stewardship, this dynamic team ensures that each project is delivered with exceptional artistry.
phase2productions.com

Best Voice for Downwinders
Mary Dickson
We've known Mary since our Private Eye days, but it's in the cause of justice for the victims of nuclear testing ("downwinders") that Dickson's works hit closest to home. A downwinder and cancer survivor, Dickson has been a consistent voice for the rights of those affected by the spread of radiation—a category encompassing every last one of us. Now that Congress has allowed downwinder compensation efforts to lapse, we need her now more than ever.

Best Vote of Confidence
Salt Lake County Council endorses the Rio Grande Plan
There's no time machine to undo Utah's transportation mistakes, but that doesn't mean we have to live with them forever. Salt Lake City's leaders have flirted with the citizen-led idea of burying the railroad and restoring the Rio Grande Depot, but it took the County Council to give it formal backing. With that endorsement vote, entities like the Wasatch Front Regional Council and Utah Department of Transportation are compelled to give the plan a closer look.

Best Art Gallery
Urban Arts Gallery
Year after year, Utah Arts Alliance's Urban Arts Gallery presents themed shows with unique, engaging work that might not fit within your typical gallery framework. Whether it's the fan art of the Star Wars Heroes & Villains show, the SLC Queer show celebrating Pride Month or the annual Skate Deck show, the gallery makes the act of viewing art both fun and fascinating as it showcases a wide range of local creators.
urbanartsgallery.org
2. Springville Museum of Art
3. Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Best Arts & Crafts Studio
Art Haus
"We believe that everybody has artistic talent" reads Art Haus's mission statement, and they certainly put that principle into action as a space with daily classes for every age and creative interest. Bring in children to learn about pottery, painting, drawing or cartooning, or as an adult, take those on yourself. Themed workshop classes also offer a chance to fine-tune those skills in unique ways. It's time to unlock your inner artist.
arthaus-slc.com
2. Salt Lake Pottery Studio
3. Workshop SLC

Best Arts Nonprofit
Salt Lake Film Society
Locals know the Salt Lake Film Society best from its film programming at the Broadway Centre Cinemas, from first-run theatrical releases to themed programming like the annual "Tower of Terror" and "Summer Showdown" series. But it's also a resource supporting filmmakers, as was demonstrated by the Oscar-nominated Ninety-Five Senses, an offshoot of the Media Accelerator Studio (MAST) program's "Voices Seen" animation contest. SLFS doesn't just show great filmmaking; it helps to create it.
slfs.org
2. Utah Arts Alliance
3. Salt Lake Acting Company

Best Classical Music/Opera Performance
Utah Symphony, Danny Elfman's Percussion Concerto
Composer Danny Elfman's career has been fascinatingly diverse, from his years as Oingo Boingo frontman to his film scores for Batman, Spider-man, Beetlejuice and more. He continued to expand his horizons with the 2022 premiere of his Percussion Concerto, incorporating what he described as his "lifelong obsession" with percussion. And local audiences responded enthusiastically to the premiere of the work with Utah Symphony in 2024 with percussionist Colin Currie, for whom the work was written.
utahsymphony.org
2. Utah Symphony, Appalachian Spring
3. Utah Symphony, How to Train Your Dragon

Best Concert Venue: All Ages
Red Butte Garden
It's no surprise that readers voted Red Butte Garden as this year's best all-ages venue. The stunning backdrop of Utah's gorgeous landscape never gets old, and it's even better when you have music from your favorite bands going at the same time. Even better, you can bring your whole family to enjoy the fresh air and fun times, so no one has to miss out because they're a young'un.
redbuttegarden.org
2. Kilby Court
3. Sandy Amphitheater

Best Concert Venue: Indoor Over 500 Capacity
Abravanel Hall
Going to Abravanel Hall is always a special treat. The building is fascinating to look at inside and out, and once you're seated, there's always the promise of top-notch performances. You'll be singing praises for everything from the acoustics to the cozy seats, right down to the lighting. There's a great variety of shows here as well; you can catch the symphony one night and then a comedy act another.
saltlakecountyarts.org
2. The Depot
3. Eccles Theater

Best Concert Venue: Indoor Under 500 Capacity 
The State Room
The State Room bills itself as "Salt Lake's favorite live music venue," and that's obviously not far from the truth, because here it is in our very own list! Those who visit rave about the great staff, excellent seating, superb sound mixing and intimate setting. There's nothing quite like seeing a performer you love up close, and getting to have an experience you'll never forget.
thestateroompresents.com
2. Soundwell
3. Metro Music Hall

Best Concert Venue: Outdoor
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
Red Butte is back again in another category, because it sure is hard to beat. There are few places where you can experience the good weather, great music and gorgeous plant life with friends and family, but that's why we're lucky to have the Red Butte Amphitheatre and its annual summer lineup of some of the best touring acts in the world.
redbuttegarden.org
2. Sandy Amphitheater
3. Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Best Concert of the Past Year 
Noah Kahan @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Back in July, singer/songwriter Noah Kahan sold out the Utah First Credit Union amphitheater, bringing his vulnerable lyrics and unfiltered yet relatable honesty to the stage. His blend of folk, Americana and rock has continued to blow listeners away, especially at this show. Kahan's summer tour was unforgettable, and those who went to this show are still buzzing about it as we close out 2024. 
2. Depeche Mode @ The Delta Center
3. ISOxo @ Boxpac

Best Friend of the Arts
Bruce Bastian
The Utah arts community—and the community at large—lost a giant in June 2024 with the passing of Bruce Bastian. The WordPerfect co-founder and philanthropist's B.W. Bastian Foundation supported dozens of local arts organizations including Ballet West, Utah Symphony, Plan-B Theatre Company and many more, contributing to the vitality and diversity of creative voices in Utah. His work continues through the foundation, but he'll be truly missed.
2. Jonathan King
3. Kate Ruefner

Best Cultural Event
SLC Pride
The community has spoken: This event had a wonderful community vibe, with volunteers, performers, artisans and patrons all showcasing their independence and queerness. It had that laid-back, farmers' market atmosphere—local and authentic—allowing grassroots entities to shine. The indoor, air-conditioned spaces for neuro-spicy youth were absolutely on fire! The overall vibe and affordability were fantastic. People loved getting to see all the local performers and the all-ages drag show. High five to SLC Pride. 
SLC-Pride.org 
2. Utah Arts Festival
3. Living Traditions

Best Dance Company
Ballet West
In every possible way, the 60th anniversary 2023-2024 season of Ballet West was a triumph. From the record-breaking, season-opening production of Dracula through the highest-grossing-ever run of The Nutcracker and the magical The Firebird, the company kept delivering productions that audiences loved. The result has been a growing subscriber base and operating budget, matching the creative highs that Adam Sklute and the company dancers keep delivering year after year.
balletwest.org
2. Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
3. University of Utah Tanner Dance

Best Drag Performer
Sequoia
Drag is an art—don't let anyone tell you any different. And thus, drag is most enjoyable when presented not just by a performer, but by an artist. Sequoia understands that, and then some. With enviable makeup, hair and costuming, it's easy to understand why Sequoia is a star. Yet, what truly sets her apart is her outstanding vocal range and inimitable charisma and stage presence. There's a reason her Instagram handle is theonlysequoia, after all. 
2. Tara Lipsyncki
3. Hoe Shi Minh

Best Haunted House
Fear Factory
Standing like a beacon of all things horror as you drive downtown on I-15, Fear Factory has become the iconic hub for Halloween attractions in Utah. The former cement factory-turned-fright festival spans six buildings with a variety of jump-scares and costumed freaks ready to scare you for a night or, if you're so inclined, with a season pass. Thirteen years since opening, they thrive as a pillar of terror for those looking for a thrill.
fearfactoryslc.com
2. Nightmare on 13th 3. Asylum 49

Best Local Author
Brandon Sanderson
Over nearly 20 years, Brandon Sanderson has built the kind of career that most writers would kill for. His skills at creating fantasy universes have been evident through his Cosmere sagas in Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, even as he has continued universes created by others, like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. It's no wonder he's built the kind of fan base that would support a Kickstarter campaign to the tune of $41 million.
brandonsanderson.com
2. Terry Tempest Williams
3. Shannon Hale

Best Local Band
The Backseat Lovers
The Backseat Lovers encapsulate everything there is to love about indie music: songs dripping with charm and local references; endearing performances; and an unwavering love for their fanbase. Songs like "Kilby Girl" and "Maple Syrup" put them on the map, and hopefully there's more on the horizon from the delightful Backseat Lovers.
thebackseatlovers.com
2. Pixie & The Partygrass Boys
3. Royal Bliss

Best Local Comedian
Craig Sorensen
It's back-to-back victories in this category for Craig Sorensen, the multi-talented comedian who plies his trade both as a stand-up performer and co-producer of the Crowdsourced Comedy improv troupe. His work finds a distinctively funny sweet spot in addressing topics like being a gay Mormon missionary ("We've been together for two transfers, so it's getting serious") or having a "slight disability" in one hand ("I have 52 right-handed gloves I don't know what to do with").
IG: @kcraigsorensen
2. Shayne Smith
3. Rodney Norman

Best Local Poet
Wynter Storm
The range of Wynter Storm's artistic interests is wide, most notably including serving as Executive Director of the Utah Black Artists Collective. But her skills as a poet and spoken-word performer—dating back, her bio attests, to having a poem published when she was in second grade—are constantly on local display, including time with the Salt Lake City Slam team and multiple competition award wins. IG: @wynter_storm1
2. RJ Walker
3. Angelika Brewer

Best Local Stage Actor
Ren Cottam, West Valley Performing Arts
It's been a tumultuous year for West Valley Performing Arts, after facing the prospect of the city closing their venue. But they've bounced back with successful productions like The Lightning Thief, with BYU alum Cottam lending great youthful energy and a terrific voice to the lead role of Percy Jackson, showing great range after his Riff in last summer's West Side Story.
wvcarts.org
2. Steven Pond, Grassroots Shakespeare
3. Bradley Barker, Draper Historic Theatre

Best Muralist
Lizzie Wenger
No one captures Utah's striking landscapes quite like Lizzie Wenger does. The Salt Lake City-based artist beautifully evokes Utah's colors, shapes and designs through a "psychedelic cubist" style, fusing the artist's love of the outdoors with her creative ingenuity. Wenger's work is featured on the side of Sugar House's Patagonia Outlet, and combines some of Utah's diverse geography and wildlife to celebrate the Utah land we all know and love. IG: @zielizg;
lizziewenger.com
2. Trent Call
3. Josh Scheuerman

Best Movie Theater
Broadway Centre Cinemas
Operated by the Salt Lake Film Society, this six-screen downtown cinema hotspot has carried on the work of Salt Lake specialty theaters of yesteryear with great panache. Whether you're after arthouse, indie or foreign flicks, chances are you'll find them here (and so much more) along with some appealingly unique screening events through the year.
slfs.org
2. Brewvies Cinema Pub
3. Redwood Drive-in Theatre And Swap Meet

Best Museum
Natural History Museum of Utah
Though its history spans more than 60 years, the Natural History Museum of Utah truly found its ideal home with the opening of the Rio Tinto Center in 2011. Since that time, the shining copper façade of the building has invited visitors to celebrate the land and peoples of Utah through fascinating permanent exhibits as well as experiencing great touring ones. No matter your age, it's an opportunity to be awed by the natural world.
nhmu.utah.edu
2. The Leonardo
3. Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Best Music Festival
Kilby Block Party
Since its first show in 2019, Kilby Block Party has grown exponentially and has become the place to be during the month of May. Folks who head out to KBP each year are hardcore fans—never being deterred by the weather and showing up in droves each day for the epic lineups. It's become SLC's largest indie music festival, and fans are waiting with bated breath to see 2025's lineup.
kilbyblockparty.com 
2. Das Energi Festival
3. Ogden Music Festival

Best Musical Instrument Store 
Summerhays Music Center
For musicians, it's important to have a place to take your instruments and know they're going to be treated with professionalism and care. Similarly, if you have questions about gear or want to get into music, you need a beginner-friendly zone with a knowledgeable staff. Luckily, Summerhays has that in spades. There are few you can trust more than Summerhays with your music needs.
summerhaysmusic.com 
2. Acoustic Music
3. Guitar Czar

Best Neighborhood Concerts 
Tiny Porch
Some ache for the large crowds and loud speakers, but many love a cozy, intimate setting where you can relax and enjoy a more personal show with your favorite local musicians. Coming to a Tiny Porch show means fun, food, great people and even better music. Helped along by the Utah Arts Alliance, Tiny Porch continues to thrive and be a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
utaharts.org
2. Heart & Soul Music Stroll (Sugar House)
3. Mondays In The Park

Best Neighborhood Gathering
Utah Film Center Summer Outdoor Film Series
Summer in Utah can be an amazing time to enjoy arts experiences in the great outdoors, including the Utah Film Center's free summer film programming. At Liberty Park in July and August, the organization shows a range of films, from animated features to documentaries. It was even more useful in 2024, as the program highlighted selections from many of UFC's year-round programming, like the Utah Queer Film Festival and Tumbleweeds Festival for Kids.
utahfilmcenter.org
2. 999 Ride
3. 15th and 15th Backyard Concerts

Best Pottery Classes
Art Haus
Suitable for all levels, this is a great place to try out a pottery class. Students learn at their own pace and classes are a mix of beginners, intermediates, and experts in a nonjudgmental space. There are many types of pottery classes to choose from for clay artists, from wheel throwing classes, decorating, hand building and figure sculpting. Art Haus can quickly become a safe haven for creativity.
arthaus-slc.com
2. Salt Lake Pottery Studio
3. Workshop SLC

Best Paint Night
Color Me Mine
If you want a fun and creative way to celebrate a birthday, have a girls' night, date night or just take your kids for a relatively cheap group activity, this is the perfect place. A skilled and patient teacher will guide you step-by-step and you will leave with a finished painting for your home. They are open daily with varying hours. Check out their website and book your next outing.
saltlakecity.colormemine.com
2. The Local Artisan Collective
3. Sip & Paint By Salt Lake Pottery Studio

Best Singer-Songwriter 
Josaleigh Pollett
If one has to be chosen from such a large pool of incredible local talent, Josaleigh Pollett is an excellent selection. Pollett continuously blows listeners away with their soft and longing voice and intensely emotional lyrics. Their latest album In the Garden, By the Weeds is a must-listen, and a prime reason Pollett not only made it onto this year's ballot, but one of the main reasons they won.
josaleighpollett.bandcamp.com
2. Addison Grace
3. Post Malone

Best Theatre Company
Salt Lake Acting Company
Since its origins more than 50 years ago, Salt Lake Acting Company has been all about pushing the envelope of what theater-goers in Utah would be willing to watch. In the ensuing decades, it has become an institution built on daring creative work, helping in the development of new plays, offering local premieres of award-winning stories and goosing local sensibilities with its satirical annual summer show.
saltlakeactingcompany.org
2. Hale Center Theatre
3. Pioneer Theatre Company

Best Urban Public Art
The Whale
Shove this out your blowhole, haters! Our readers love the at-times-controversial sculpture in the roundabout at 900 South and 1100 East. Stephen Kesler's Out of the Blue—the actual name of the 23-foot-tall, steel-and-fiberglass humpback whale breaching through the street surface—is a bold and bright delight, bringing a Beatles-in-Yellow Submarine aesthetic to the 9th & 9th neighborhood. And it speaks perfectly to the quirky qualities of the area it calls home.
2. 25th Street, Ogden
3. Mural Fest South Salt Lake

Best Visual Artist
Squid Vishuss
It's bold, quirky and a little bit risqué, so it's no wonder the work of Squid Vishuss resonates with City Weekly readers. Her trademark voluptuous women—in the forms of witches, vampires, angels, sasquatches and more—find their homes on prints, enamel pins, stickers and other formats, representing a vibe that's a little bit vintage comic-book and a little bit dorm-room poster, yet 100 percent her own body-positive thing.
IG: @squidvishuss
2. Lizzie Wenger
3. Lilach Keren

Best Neighborhood Creative Space
Lost Acorn Gallery
Tucked up in the Avenues of Salt Lake City, this multi-functional spot includes terrarium classes, glass-making, and event rentals. Mitchell Harned and Parker Thompson have spent three years supporting community events with their local gallery and studio. Check out their Instagram account @lostacorngallery for info as well as their online gallery and monthly Moon Market vendor sign-ups.

Best Community Center
Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts
While the Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts has been around for almost 21 years, they opened their current gallery space just last year in Oct. 2023. Begun as a west side organization in Salt Lake City, this grassroots art space mentors new talent, hosts community events and showcases thought-provoking art exhibits. IG: @mestizoarts_slc

Best Resource for Preserving Cultural History
The Peoples of Utah Revisited Project
Modeled after a pioneering project led by historian Helen Papanikolas in the 1970s, the Utah Historical Society is looking to add to our state's collective knowledge of local and cultural memory with a truly ambitious undertaking. Working with Utahns of any and every background, they are recording oral histories, conducting new research and scanning keepsakes so that our shared past may indeed be preserved. Contact them today to take part!
history.utah.gov/peoples-of-utah-revisited

Most Promising New Festival
Cauldron International Film & Video Fest
You'd be forgiven if you missed the debut of this brand new event in late May. Held at the Salt Lake City Public Library's huge, well-appointed cinema room, Cauldron was curated by one Tyrone Davies Codecxs, who brought to life a diverse array of narrative and experimental works. Hundreds of shorts and features were screened, many by Utah artists. We shall see if this event catches on with future attendees. IG: codecxs_projects

Best Repertory Film Night
Hump Night
Hump Night at Brewvies Cinema Pub gets into the weeds to showcase programming that is entirely out of the mainstream. Every Wednesday night you'll be introduced to films one might never have heard of before, and would probably never have access to even if they had. Kung Fu Theatre, Hard Boiled, Salt Lake Movie Massacre and Beer GoGGles show a variety of films that are unmatched. Above all, it's unpretentious and FREE.
brewvies.com

Best Antique Store
Capital City Antique Mall
Filled with terrific treasures, interesting oddities and amazing antiquities, it's no wonder Capital City Antique Mall was named Utah's best once again. This mall has more than 65 vendor booths, all showcasing troves full of finds. You'll never run out of things to spy in here. This mall covers all your collecting needs and more. Plus, they're open on Sundays.
capitalcityantiquemall.com
2. The Green Ant
3. Vintage Drift SLC

Best Alterations, Apparel
Sue's Alteration
With its windows facing Sugar House Park, blonde wood, mirrored walls, well-tended plants and jazz music, Sue's Alteration feels more like a health studio than a workspace. The pampering continues with a staff that's helpful and friendly. Walk-ins are welcome but an appointment is recommended for more detailed jobs. You will exit Sue's with a desire to go through your closet in search of items that need tailoring. 
suesalteration.com
2. Tailor Cooperative
3. Leone's Custom-Made, Tailor & Dry Cleaning

Best Animal Hospital
VCA Cottonwood Animal Hospital
When your fur baby is a true member of the family, you don't want to leave veterinary care to chance. VCA Cottonwood Animal Hospital provides both regular appointments and emergency after-hours services to account for any health contingency and fills pet prescriptions. And if you're a first-time client, your initial exam is free of charge. They know how much your pet means to you.
vcahospitals.com/cottonwood
2. MedVet Salt Lake City
3. University Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center

Best Animal Shelter/Rescue
Best Friends Animal Society
Inaugurated under humble circumstances in 1984, Best Friends continues its work in providing shelter for homeless animals unabated. From their flagship sanctuary in Kanab, this nonprofit spearheads collaborative efforts with shelters from around the country, with the hope that "no-kill" may indeed become a widespread reality. "Who rescued whom?" queries a common bumper sticker. Thanks to the facilitation of Best Friends, the homeless animals of today may yet become our rescuers tomorrow.
bestfriends.org
2. Humane Society of Utah
3. Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering

Best Asian Market
Chinatown Supermarket
As the largest Asian market in Utah, the Chinatown Supermarket is a must if you're looking for authentic Asian ingredients and cuisine. This market has it all, from live seafood to roasted duck to a variety of fruits and vegetables. Located in the heart of South Salt Lake's Chinatown, this supermarket is more than just a stop on your errands list; it's a whole experience.
chinatown-supermarket.com
2. H Mart
3. Ocean Mart 

Best Attorney
Jacob Jensen, Jacob Jensen & Associates
While the lion's share of the client work done by Jacob Jensen & Associates involves traffic incidents, it's possible that if you were bitten by an actual lion, they'd be your go-to as well, as suits involving animal bites are part of their wide-ranging portfolio of specialties. But they also handle an assortment of other tough personal injury cases, from slip-and-falls to bicycle collisions to injuries sustained on the ski slopes.
jacobjensenlaw.com 
2. Jonathan Jemming, Jemming Law, LLC
3. Orlando Luna, Oluna Law PLLC

Best ATV/OTR Store
Young Powersports XL
With new and pre-owned inventory, a state-of-the-art parts 'n' service department, plus a wide range of brands, price points and after-market accessories, Young Powersports is your one-stop shop for snowmobiles, on- and off-road vehicles, even motorcycles (built for both speed or 'round-the-town rides). Find them online, or just look for that looming Centerville water tower in front of their bustling complex. 
youngpowersportsxl.com
2. Steadman's Recreation Inc
3. Weller Recreation

Best Auto Dealership
Mark Miller Subaru
It's well-known that when you move to Utah, you surrender any non-Subaru vehicle you own at the state border, immediately envisioning yourself behind the wheel of a sensible Outback. Mark Miller Subaru is a perfect place to make your transition to the Subaruhive State, with a large selection of new and pre-owned vehicles and a parts 'n' service department that'll keep your sled running for the obligatory decade or 200k miles. Whichever comes first.
markmillersubaru.com
2. Nate Wade Subaru
3. Young Subaru

Best Barber Shop
Jed's Barber Shop
Jed's Barber Shop is all about inclusiveness and has been rocking it as one of the first barber shops in SLC to join Strands for Trans. They're trendsetters for all ages, and kept their staff strong through the pandemic. Here, hair and talent know no gender—just good feelings all around! People flock to Jed's for the friendly atmosphere and the unbeatable free games and soda, which you won't find anywhere else. 
jedsbarbershop.com
2. The Salt Lake Barber Company
3. Savant Barbershop

Best Bicycle Repair Shop
Saturday Cycles
Whether you're tuning up your ride for the season or building out the components on a Franken-bike, Saturday Cycles has what you need and, better yet, at the prices you want to pay. Trust this handy crew to get your gear in working order and you'll be back to cranking the gears in no time.
saturdaycycles.com
2. Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
3. Wasatch Touring

Best Bicycle Store
Saturday Cycles
Salt Lakers love Saturday Cycles, with its friendly, knowledgeable staff and a broad range of services and gear at affordable prices. But it wasn't always the easiest place to get to on a bike, perched between a highway and a freeway ramp. Now, in its new biking- and transit-friendly location in the Depot District (and on the future Green Loop!), there are more reasons than ever to love this charming local bike shop. saturdaycycles.com
2. Contender Bicycles
3. Guthrie Bicycle Co.

Best Bookstore
The King's English
Established in 1977, this bookstore has become a beloved staple in Salt Lake City. Its intimate and welcoming atmosphere, combined with a team of friendly and knowledgeable book-lovers, makes shopping in The King's English a one-of-a-kind experience. This locally-owned store not only sells a carefully curated selection of books, but also connects with the community by hosting events, local authors and book groups.
kingsenglish.com
2. Under the Umbrella Bookstore
3. Lovebound Library

Best Camping Gear
REI
Go into REI and just try to leave without spending at least $50. You won't! Slick little foldable camping tables, sleeping bags and blankets galore—what's not to like? They've got a generous return policy, epic deals on used equipment and a ton of rentals available to members. You can trust that what you buy at REI will last.
rei.com/stores/salt-lake-city
2. Recreation Outlet
3. Smith & Edwards

Best Cannabis Budtender
Mia Hicken, Dragonfly Wellness
Mia's sweet soul, depth of knowledge and patience with cannabis newbies has been a massive help to Salt Lakers navigating the over-complicated world of medical marijuana. Patients applauded her great smile and overall attitude. Not only is she a cool as heck budtender, but she's also the lead singer of local garage band Drusky! IG: @miahickenmusic
2. Dennis Magana, WholesomeCo Cannabis
3. Michael Johnson, Bloc Pharmacy South Jordan

Best Cannabis Concentrates
WholesomeCo Cannabis
WholesomeCo Cannabis has employees who will spend time answering all your questions. They have great knowledge of the products and can give helpful advice depending on whatever stage of the cannabis journey you find yourself. They have a wide selection of concentrates with flavors ranging from Trop Cookies x Strawberry Guava to White Truffle to Menthol, and many more!
wholesome.co
2. Dragonfly Wellness
3. Pure Plan Medical

Best Cannabis Edibles
Dragonfly Wellness
Dragonfly's selection of gummies and tablets is truly astounding. The piña colada and strawberry-flavored tablets are standouts for their sweet, weed-less flavor. The DragonBites sleep gummies are heavenly, with the perfect balance of CBD, CBN and THC to knock you out at bedtime. Looking for more of a pick-me-up? The DragonBites active gummies are great for helping you feel alert and focused. You won't find a better variety of options in Utah.
dragonflywellness.com
2. Cannabist Dispensary
3. Bloc Pharmacy (South Jordan)

Best Cannabis Edibles (CBD)
Kush Kube
The high CBD content can help reduce anxiety without the paranoia that comes with THC, reviewers have noted, making Kush Kube a good option for people looking for help sleeping. They pack a punch and are widely available at gas stations and smoke shops around the Salt Lake Valley.
kingbdistribution.com
2. Koodegras
3. Hemplucid

Best Cannabis Flower
Beehive Farmacy
One reviewer said that everything they've sampled from Beehive has been "riptastic". What else can one really say? The variety of strains available is delightful, with SLC Scoops, Red Velvet and Chem Cake standing out as favorites among customers. Beehive always seems to have something good on hand, even when other pharmacies in the valley are sold out.
beehivefarmacy.com
2. Bloc Pharmacy (South Jordan)
3. Curaleaf UT (Lehi)

Best Cannabis: Medical Card Provider 
KindlyMD, Utah Medical Card & Medication Management Services
With warm and knowledgeable providers, easy scheduling and digestible learning materials, it's easy to see why KindlyMD stands above the rest around these parts. They help take the stress out of qualifying for your medical card and will have you in and out in less than an hour.
kindlymd.com
2. Empathetix
3. Mountain West Medical Clinic

Best Cannabis Pharmacy
WholesomeCo Cannabis
WholesomeCo Cannabis is known for being clean, simple, informative and easy to navigate. They have a wide selection of products at fair prices, and even offer free delivery for purchases over $50. The friendly staff are welcoming and ready to share their wealth of knowledge about the products. Visit the brick-and-mortar location in Bountiful, or check out the online store, with guaranteed discreet delivery.
wholesome.co
2. Dragonfly Wellness
3. The Flower Shop (Ogden)

Best Cannabis Topical
Dragonfly Wellness
The Dragonbalm is the star of the show here, offering relief from headaches and colds, arthritic pains, and muscle strains. The 2:1 THC to CBD ratio offers a nice balance between the heady and bodily effects. It's like they combined Vick's Vapor Rub and Icy Hot!
dragonflywellness.com/products/topicals
2. WholesomeCo Cannabis
3. The Flower Shop (Ogden)

Best Cannabis Topical (CBD) 
Muscle MX
There's a nice variety of uses at Muscle MX with a special focus on athletic performance and recovery. The Activate CBD Balm loosens stiff muscles, while Recovery lessens joint pain and reduces inflammation. The balm comes in a deodorant-like stick, which makes it easy to pack for long trips or tournament days.
musclemx.com
2. Koodegras No. 9
3. Farmer & Chemist: Problem Salved

Best CBD Products
HempLucid
The wide range of options is what makes HempLucid shine. Reviews of their tinctures, sleep gummies and lotions are nothing but glowing; prices are affordable and online orders are simple. Whether you're looking for something to soothe an aging pet or help you drift off to sleep without using THC, HempLucid has you covered. hemplucid.com
2. Acrely Farms CBD
3. Beehive Buds

Best Company That Gives Back 
Under the Umbrella Bookstore
Under the Umbrella is a queer bookstore built on celebrating queer authors and books. Not only is this bookstore dedicated to creating a safe and accessible space for LBGTQIA+ people, but they're constantly finding ways to give back to local organizations and charities. From donating proceeds to hosting events to encouraging the community to curate their selections, this business knows how to give back in as many ways as they can.
undertheumbrellabookstore.com
3. The Other Side Thrift Boutique 
3. Mark Miller Subaru

Best CBD Retailer
Koodegras
Founded in 2015, Koodegras was the first CBD specialty store in Utah. They sell small-batch, artisanal 100% THC-free CBD, and also offer "full spectrum" products. Among their 200 products are oils, tinctures, lotions, edibles, gel caps, tablets, topicals, bath bombs, patches, vaporizer cartridges and even products for dogs. Reviews cite the wide variety of products, excellent quality, and friendly, helpful staff well-versed on CBD's available products and health benefits.
koodegras.com
2. Acrely Farms CBD
3. Farmer & Chemist

Best Clothing Boutique
IconoCLAD
IconoCLAD is a favorite because they emphasize community. Their staff are helpful and there is always a wide variety of clothing, whether you are looking for fun festival outfits, last-minute rave accessories or just everyday attire. Their second-hand clothing is high quality, which makes for a fun thrifting experience.
IG: @IconoCLAD
2. Pib's Exchange
3. Retro Betty

Best Comic Book Store
Black Cat Comics
Sugar House has gone through a ton of changes over the past two decades, but Black Cat is one of the few shops that has become a local staple. Greg Gage has done an amazing job of providing a bounty of options, both old and new, as well as collectibles you can't find elsewhere. Not even a car coming through the front door a few years ago shook them from their spot!
blackcat-comics.com
2. The Nerd Store
3. Dr. Volt's Comic Connection

Best Consignment Store
IconoCLAD
If you haven't gone through your closet lately, then consider this to be your own personal sign! IconoCLAD is open to buying your gently worn clothing, shoes, and accessories at a good price. They offer in-store credit, which can make shopping a more eco-friendly experience without breaking the bank. IG: @IconoCLAD
2. Pib's Exchange
3. The Other Side Thrift Boutique

Best Culinary School
Salt Lake Culinary Education 
This facility isn't dedicated to a single track of education. Instead, it offers a variety of programming for chefs of all ages. You can be well on your way to calling yourself "chef" before long, if that's your choice, or you can simply become a better weekend baker. With kitchen culture having a moment like never before, Salt Lake Culinary Education can take anyone to the next level.
sliceutah.com
2. Park City Culinary Institute
3. Salt Lake Community College Culinary Miller Campus

Best Flower Nursery
Millcreek Gardens
When you're looking for beautiful adornment to your landscaping, you want to make choices that are as smart as they are aesthetically pleasing. Millcreek Gardens has spent decades providing Utahns with fantastic flora, as well as helpful guidelines for where, when and how to plant your new additions. And they're terrific at guiding those who are interested in showcasing native plants.
millcreekgardens.com
2. Glover Nursery
3. J&J Nursery and Garden Center

Best Doggie Biscuit Take Out
Bjorn's Brew
What's a better pick-me-up than a fresh coffee and snack from a beloved, locally-owned coffee shop? Knowing you can share the wealth with your dog, too! Bjorn's Brew is built to serve you and your pets. Not only are their dog bones a hit for your canine companions, but Bjorn's celebrates our local pet population by featuring "Pets of the Week" and donating to animal charities.
bjornsbrew.com 
2. Rebel Paw
3. Ma & Paws Bakery 

Best European Food Imports Market
Caputo's Market & Deli
This Italian food market has a fantastic meat and cheese department, shelves of sauces and condiments, a wine section and a variety of other items like beverages and chocolates. The deli area has a menu of entrees with a great selection of salads and appetizers. Stop in, grab a sandwich and pick out some deli for dinner.
caputos.com
2. Pirate O's
3. Siegfried's Delicatessen

Best Family-Owned Business
The People's Coffee 
Despite having to move buildings during the pandemic, owner Omar Jamhour has brought the shop to life while adding to the heart of downtown. With giant windows, it's a great place to study solo or to chat with friends. It's also a mix of old and new—a historical building with charm as well as modern touches like the iconic LED sign. Stop in for caffeine or a variety of foods. IG: @thepeoplescoffeeutah
2. Black Cat Comics
3. Sauced Up Salsa LLC

Best Fishing Gear Store
Western Rivers Flyfisher
If you'd like to look someone in the eye who knows their stuff about fishing before you buy your next lure, pole or tackle, go no further than Western Rivers. The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable, and the selection of products makes this the perfect one-stop shop before your next fishing trip.
westernriversflyfishing.com
2. Fish Tech Outfitters
3. Sportsman's Warehouse

Best Florist
Cactus & Tropicals
There are a few things you want from a florist: high quality, diverse stock and a helpful staff to point you in the right direction. Cactus & Tropicals has provided all of the above and more during nearly 50 years serving the Utah community, with cut flowers, wreaths, blooming arrangements and more for every possible occasion.
cactusandtropicals.com
2. Native Flower Company
3. Hillside Floral

Best Hobby Shop Store
Game Night Games
Decrease that screen time at Game Night Games and get back to the old-fashioned ways of mingling with like-minded table top fans, card game aficionados and board game addicts. The staff is friendly and will have no problem introducing you to something new. Check the event calendar and engage with the vibrant community of meet-ups every single night of the week. The Game Room is boss.
gamenightgames.com
2. The Nerd Store
3. The Legendarium

Best Gaming Store
Game Night Games
With Utah being one of the biggest states for board-gaming, it should come as no surprise that Game Night Games has found its niche in the community as a one-stop-shop for whatever game you may be looking to play. They have managed to keep their finger on the gaming pulse for everything ranging from family nights all the way to die-hard TTRPG players. 
gamenightgames.com
2. Hastur Games & Hobbies
3. Oasis Games

Best Grocery Store Bakery
Harmons Grocery 
Harmon's pastry chefs craft an ever-changing selection of delicious desserts to satisfy any sweet craving. They make everything fresh, from elegant cakes to fruit tarts, cannoli, classic crème brulee, maple bars and kouign-amann. It's always cookie season, ranging from gingersnaps to snickerdoodles. Harmon's meets every bakery need with an endless procession of crusty artisan loaves of bread to accompany soup, create a sandwich or eat with bread and jam.
harmonsgrocery.com
2. Dick's Market (Bountiful)
3. Soelberg's Market

Best Hair Salon
Lucero Hair And Wellness
What sets Lucero apart is their commitment to inclusivity and their approach to giving each client an individual, customized hair experience. Their goal is to allow each person to see themselves authentically and perfectly as they are when they are done—that is what "wellness" means. Lucero does not take their careers or professionals lightly, only bringing on folks who have the truest sense of their inclusive mission. IG: @lucerohair_andwellness 
2. Landis Lifestyle Salon
3. Lunatic Fringe 

Best Healing Spa
The Kura Door
If you're dreaming of a whimsical afternoon of pampering, look no further than Kura Door! Their Ofuro Bath is a must-try experience (words will not do this experience justice), and the facials are nothing short of magical transformations. Stepping through the door of the location nestled in The Avenues feels like entering a fantastical realm of relaxation and rejuvenation, all genders welcome.
thekuradoor.com 
2. Sego Lily Spa
3. CoCo Art & Spa

Best Jewelry Store
9th & 9th Jewelers 
In business since 1989, this family-run operation works in the realm of the expected, selling engagement and wedding rings and the like through an ethical, sustainable model. Specializing in custom-made pieces, the shop's also your only stop in the event that a piece of jewelry has become damaged, with the craftsfolk of this storefront often seen hard at work through the shop's big front windows.
9thand9thjewelers.com
2. Tresor Jewelers
3. Mineral and Matter

Best Locally Made Salsa
Salsa Queen
Salsa Queen is a household name. What started as a delicious local salsa offering has grown into a dip empire, with varieties spanning pico to tomatillo to creamy chipotle to fancy freeze dried packs. Fit for every occasion and sensibility, Salsa Queen unabashedly stuffs her salsas with fresh flavors impossible to find in store-bought varieties. And, without fillers and preservatives, each mouthful will have you chanting "all hail the queen!"
salsaqueen.com
2. Salsa Del Diablo
3. Sauced Up Salsa LLC

Best Library Branch
Salt Lake City Public Library (Main)
For years, if not decades, the modern library has expanded in function from the simple exchange of books between local readers to becoming a valuable social space—one of the last places in contemporary society in which all citizens move about in a single, civic venue. Modernized into the quarter-million square-foot, five-story structure that it occupies today, SLC's main library is a handsome building serving a noble purpose. slcpl.org
2. Marmalade Branch
3. Sprague Branch

Best Local Ad Agency
Love Communications
Love Communications is a business that brands organizations, re-brands organizations and rejuvenates the brands of organizations. They do well at creating an emotional connection by making the message of your business stick with great brand development and creative production, media planning and buying, management and implementation, as well as PR and community outreach to help customers take notice.
lovecomm.net
2. FUEL Marketing
3. Sky Digital Media

Best Local Bank for Small Businesses
Mountain America Credit Union 
When you walk into the office of any MACU, the thing that strikes you is the calm of the place, the staff moving through their list of customer needs with a steady ease. Need a $10,000 loan to help you through the slow season? Or are you simply struggling to remember PIN numbers? The good folks at MACU will help you negotiate the big and small vexations of your business banking life.
macu.com
2. America First Credit Union
3. UFirst Credit Union

Best Local Company to Work For
UFirst Credit Union 
UFirst Credit Union is known for its kind management and co-workers, with room to grow and excellent benefits. People who work there praise that the goals set by the Credit Union are achievable and allow for growth in the company and that there are always opportunities to try something new. The HR department is also made up of helpful staff who are easy to talk to.
ufirstcu.com
2. Young Automotive Group
3. HK Brewing Collective Taproom & Bar

Best Local Gear Brand
Cotopaxi
Utah is known for its outdoors, and the best place to get high quality gear while also supporting a local business is Cotopaxi. They pride themselves at providing well-thought-out options for travelers who want both organization and comfort. Their durable and lightweight bags are especially praised and they have great customer service.
cotopaxi.com
2. Skullcandy
3. Black Diamond Equipment

Best Local Grocer
The Store Fine Foods
Big things come in small packages—and The Store proves this is true. While carrying national brands, The Store is truly big if you are searching for Utah-sourced products. Offering a plethora of delicious and unique local items, it also has an in-house bakery, butcher and self-serve food buffets. Add to this the curated gift packages, gourmet pre-prepared meals, wood-fired pizzas and catering, and you wonder how such a small package can hold so much. 
thestorefinefoods.com
2. Liberty Heights Fresh
3. Hello! Bulk Markets    

Best Looking Utah Liquor Bottle 
Cerulea Gin, Holystone Distilling
This elegant bottle not only calls your eye with its beauty, but also serves as a tribute to survivors of breast cancer. A portion of Cerulea sales is donated to support breast cancer research. And get this, the lavender colored gin changes color when mixed with ingredients of other pH levels. Simply remarkable.
holystonedistilling.com
2. Vintage Distillery, Vintage Spirits Distillery
3. Salt City Vodka

Best Market: Middle Eastern
Black Cherry Mediterranean Market 
With an increasingly-cosmopolitan residential base, Salt Lake City doesn't lack for great international markets, be they global or hyper-regional. Since 2011, Black Cherry's carved out a great niche, carrying products of all sorts in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, kosher and specialty varieties. For a fun and educational look at the products, check out the shop's Facebook page, which gives a glimpse at the myriad options available, from hookahs to seasonings to fresh produce.
blackcherrymarket.com
2. Specialty Market
3. Shahrazad Market and Restaurant

Best Pet CBD
Roxy's CBD & Wellness
Along any major thoroughfare, stores selling hemp-related products have gained a mainstream acceptance in recent years, with products now apart from the exclusively-human. Pet CBD products are a staple at Roxy's, with the brands HempLucid and Pet Releaf among their offerings. As with products geared to the two-legged set, these CBD products offer everything from stress relief to the minimization of joint pain, with flavors that'll speak to the animals in your household.
roxyscbdandwellness.com
2. HempLucid
3. Koodegras

Best Private Bar Service
Your Favorite Bartender
For those new to Utah or uninitiated in the complications of alcohol services for public or private events, Your Favorite Bartender is the go-to for education, understanding and damn good drinks. Fully equipped with their own craft syrups, the local owners/operators/bartenders create traditional and nontraditional drinks for the pickiest or most experimental palettes.
yourfavoritebartender.org
2. Premier Event Services
3. Lux Catering

Best Recreation Sports Store
Recreation Outlet
You know that thing you forgot (or lost) on your last climb, backpacking trip, trail run or other adventure? There's a good shot you can find it here for a fair price. They've got a fantastic selection of outdoor goods and run a ton of sales to help you get back outside without breaking the bank. The location is very convenient as well.
recreationoutlet.com
2. Backcountry Retail Store
3. Level Nine Sports

Best Pet Groomer
Arnie's Dog Spa
Dog moms and dads rave about the gentle and thoughtful treatment that Isabel, McKenna and the other groomers provide. The spa has earned a reputation for working with larger breeds like German Shepherds and huskies. Looking at the before and after pictures of their clientele is definitely worth at least 15 minutes of your time.
arniesdogspa.com
2. A Cut Above Pet Salon
3. Kibbles & Cuts

Best Pet Supply Store
The Dog's Meow
If all you want is a 50-pound bag of mass-produced kibble, you've got grocery stores and chain pet emporia. But if you want options for the healthiest specialty pet food, you need a place like The Dog's Meow, with its impressive stock of wholesome options for dogs and cats. And if you're visiting select locations, you can also take advantage of dog-washing stations to keep your pooch their fresh-and-friskiest.
dogsmeow.com
2. Healthy Pets (Salt Lake City)
3. Ma & Paws Bakery

Best Piercer
Dustin Robbins, ENSO Piercing + Adornment
It takes a good piercer to relax a newbie offering up their precious flesh for its first puncture, and a great one to get the person facing the needle to openly laugh. Dustin is a piercer whose proficiency, professionalism and artistry is evenly met with his disarming communication. Appointments by text are greatly appreciated by those of us who are phone call averse. Go get yourself a little more hole-y today. 
ensopiercing.com
2. Courtney Marriott, Abyss Body Piercing
3. Kristina Butterfield, The Piercing Place

Best Piercing Studio
KOI Piercing Studio
Getting a piercing can bring on some anxiety, which is why going somewhere that feels clean and safe is always important. KOI Piercing Studio has staff who will provide you with as much information as possible about your piercing and help you feel comfortable during the process. They also have a wide selection of high-quality jewelry in the store, so you can shop while you are there.
koipiercingslc.com
2. Abyss Body Piercing
3. ENSO Piercing + Adornment

Best Private Event Venue
Red Butte Garden 
Red Butte Garden spans 100 acres at the University of Utah and is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West. The stunning Orangerie and Fragrance Garden, filled with aromatic plants, provide a picturesque setting for weddings, celebrations, engagements and work retreats, featuring breathtaking views and a magical ambiance. It is a beautiful space for every occasion, and their staff facilitate memorable experiences—both of which keep folks coming back long after their event.
redbuttegarden.org
2. Cactus & Tropicals
3. Church & State

Best Remote Workspace
Kiln 
Since COVID's rude introduction into our consciousness, the concept of remote working's only become more pronounced. But at Kiln, you can sip a coffee and not feel the guilt of tying up a public table for the afternoon. With pretty much every amenity, Kiln gives you the best of all worlds: privacy when needed, community and comradeship and all the bells and whistles you could ask for.
kiln.com
2. Red Butte Garden Courtyard
3. Church & State

Best Residential Complex
The Royce On 9th Apartments, Murray
When a decades-old K-Mart up and died, a giant parcel of land in Murray suddenly opened once again for development. Enter visionary apartment community builder ICO, (an arm of Ivory Homes) and The Royce on 9th was born. Combining a premier mid-valley location, easy transit and thoroughfare access and nearby dining and nightlife with high-level living amenities and comfortable apartments, it's no wonder The Royce is already getting raves.
liveattheroyce.com
2. Avia
3. Sterling Pointe Apartments

Best Runners' Store
Salt Lake Running Company
Whether you're an ultra-marathoner or just getting started with jogs around your block, having the proper gear makes all the difference in the world. From the latest in footwear design to performance clothing that keeps you looking and feeling your best, Salt Lake Running Company has everything you need and the helpful, knowledgeable staff to get you laced up and ready to pound the pavement.
saltlakerunning.com
2. Runner's Corner
3. RunGr8 Running Center

Best Snowboard Shop
Milosport
Celebrating 40 years of serving SLC's snowboard scene, MILO has been our go-to shop before most resorts even allowed the sport. Inside you'll find a curated mix of local apparel brands alongside hard-to-find boards like Gentemstick. And the sales team knows their stuff—you'll likely spot them slashing at Snowbird or Brighton on their days off.
milosport.com
2. Salty Peaks Snowboard Shop
3. Ski 'N See Ft. Union

Best Shooting Range
TNT Guns & Range
Whether you are a first-time shooter or a pro, TNT Guns & Range is safe respite from the fears of open-air ranges or trips to the tops of mountains with empty cans and a few pistols. Offering all types of gun rentals, their professionals assist in setup, instruction and operation. Utilize their clear pricing for a one-off, a membership, or corporate events.
tntgunrange.com
2. Lee Kay Public Shooting Range
3. Bountiful Lions Club Rifle Range

Best Skate Shop
Milosport
Let's make a bet to see if you can go to any Utah skatepark without spotting at least one Milosport logo. From decks to apparel, sunnies and stickers, MILO has been outfitting Utah's skate scene since 1984. MILO's roster is so impressive, it reads like a who's who of the biggest names in pro skateboarding and snowboarding. If Milosport is good enough for these folks, it's damn sure good enough for you too. 
milosport.com
2. Raunch Records & Skate
3. Beehive Skate Shop

Best Ski Shop
Sports Den
If there was ever a doubt that Salt Lake's a destination for the skiing-inclined, check out the arrivals at the airport sometime. If those travelers were ever to mispack something, locals might send them to the Sports Den, where their ski shop's got customers covered. The Sports Den has what you need: boots, poles, gear, all sold by experienced staffers. Plus, they've got athleisure wear that'll look great for bumming around the resort. sportsden.com
2. Lone Pine Gear Exchange
3. Wasatch Touring

Best Smoke/Vape Shop
Blackhouse Vapor Company 
Coming up on a decade in business, Blackhouse Vapor has something figured out. With a facility that looks more like a lounge than their competitors' brightly-lit shops, the staff at Blackhouse familiarize customers with the latest in vape and smoke products. Bringing back a regular client base by supplying them with the best products around ought to allow Blackhouse a solid chance to remain in this game for another decade, or more. blackhousevapor.com
2. Murray Vapes
3. Robertsons Smoke & Coffee Shop

Best Specialty Nursery
Cactus & Tropicals
With a pleasingly diverse selection of plants and unique gift offerings that can be found throughout the entire year, Cactus & Tropicals is not just a plant paradise but also a stunning venue for special events. The temperature-controlled interiors give off a welcoming hue of humidity and fresh flowers.
cactusandtropicals.com
2. Glover Nursery
3. Orchid Dynasty

Best Tattoo Shop 
Studio Elev8
This traditional shop is giving way to strategies that make the tattoo experience better for the artist and client alike. It's a nice blend of modern and traditional, starting with a required consultation to make sure that the client is on the same page with the artist. There's a truly distinct feel between the different artists' styles as well, with darker, more horror-inspired work at home alongside brighter, sillier designs. studioelev8.com
2. Only Forever Tattoo
3. Salty Kitten Tattoo Co.

Best Thrift Store
Pib's Exchange
Curated collections of eccentric oddities await beyond the walls of this local vintage-lover's haven, filled to the brim with some sort of sweater or smock for even the pickiest of fashionistas. With clothing for every gender, enticing bits and bobs as accessories, and hard-to-find rarities mixed with newly minted band merchandise, Pib's has long been taken up by the community as a treasure trove of stone-cold style.
pibsexchange.com
2. IconoCLAD
3. The Other Side Thrift Boutique

Best Tattoo Artist
Mike Johnson, Studio Elev8
Mike's art stands on its own for its dynamism and boldness. He creates bright, expansive designs and has a great instinct for how to design a piece using the contours of the subject's bodies. He also specializes in dermagraphics and is one of the best in the nation at areola restorations for survivors of breast cancer.
studioelev8.com/mike-johnson
2. Ashley Love, Only Forever Tattoo
3. Danny Madsen, The Garden Electric

Best Tree and Shrub Nursery
Glover Nursery
Looking to turn your yard into a leafy paradise? Glover Nursery has you covered. This family-owned garden store stocks foliage that thrives in Utah's desert climate, and their friendly plant pros will guide you to the best trees and shrubs for your space. Glover even offers landscape consulting if you're looking for a full redesign of your outdoor oasis. 
glovernursery.com
2. J&J Nursery and Garden Center
3. Arbor Day Nursery

Best Tree Services
Diamond Tree Experts
With over 56 years of experience in the tree care service, Diamond has perfected its business model. With four certified arborists on staff and service across the Wasatch Front, Diamond will meet the needs of any job large or small. They offer free estimates, tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, work area clean-up and will recycle waste into a sustainable mulch.
diamondtreeexperts.com
2. SuperTrees Utah
3. Amen Trees

Best Vegetable Nursery
Kuwahara Wholesale
Growing up, every kid dreams of a Narnia-like passageway—a door or wall that opens up to a fantasy-filled world. Kuwahara Wholesale is a small, familiar bungalow-style home converted back and back and back into magically well-maintained greenhouses of flowering plants. Their offerings change seasonally, and they support other local businesses through their farmer's market. They even have positive reviews on Nextdoor, where all good things die a fiery death.
kuwaharawholesale.com
2. Glover Nursery
3. Millcreek Gardens

Best Veterinary Care
Hillside Veterinary Hospital 
There are times in every pet guardian's life in which outside aid is needed—sometimes urgently. Be it a complicated surgery or an annual check-up, Hillside Veterinary Hospital is able to help most small animals, with half-hour diagnoses and consultations offered before varied options are offered. Inside a state-of-the-art facility, Hillside's large roster of veterinarians, nurses and support staff are there to make the experience the best possible, for both pet and owner.
hillsidevet.com
2. University Veterinary Hospital Diagnostic Center
3. VCA Cottonwood Animal Hospital

Best Vinyl Record Shop
Randy's Records
Since 1978, Randy's Records has been a one-stop shop for any Utah vinyl lover. Their wide collection of records and their knowledgeable staff make this record shop Utah's best. Not only do they sell both new and used vinyl records (yes, you can sell your records at Randy's, too!), but they also sell new and used CDs, turntables, amplifiers and speakers. Randy's really has it all.
randysrecords.com
2. Graywhale Entertainment
3. Daybreak Records

Best City Street Makeover
Open Streets Granary
The Open Streets program started on Main Street, swapping congestion for sidewalk dining, street performers and foot traffic. But 2024 saw the party shift to the Granary District, with a beautiful mural reclaiming excess roadway and a temporary roundabout calming traffic. Throughout September, a neglected industrial zone became a vibrant community hub, showing how every neighborhood can benefit from prioritizing people over cars, and how doing so requires little more than a bucket of paint.
thegranarydistrict.com

Best Bugs and Bones
Natür Showroom
Looking for a unique gift for the person who has everything? Look no further than a Chinese Golden Scorpion, Ibex skull or Prognathodon tooth. Feeling more romantic? Perhaps a Tiger's eye mineral bracelet or a set of meteorite stud earrings instead. From insects to minerals, from land or sea, Natür Showroom in Midvale has everything and anything you're looking for when it comes to the absolutely not mundane.
naturshowroom.com

Best Bus Route
200 South
It's well established that Salt Lake City's streets are unusually wide. That means a lot of space to work with, but lazy leaders were long content to phone it in on street design, pouring asphalt wall to wall and drawing in as many car lanes as possible. Finally, someone had the good sense to claim a piece of one road for the humble bus—improving transit, safety and walkability while leaving plenty of room for drivers.

Best Garden Co-op
Wasatch Community Gardens
Making land productive is a satisfying endeavor, made even more satisfying when the effort is shared. Wasatch Community Gardens is a popular enough space for that work that there's usually a waiting list, but it's worth that wait. And if you have no previous experience with gardening, never fear! They also offer education courses to help you with the basics you need to get started. wasatchgardens.org

Best Gluten Free Bakery
Good Food
For those of you who do have Celiac, Good Food Gluten Free Bakery wants you to know they have your back. Bakery items don't have to taste like cardboard, and that's why owner Maren K. hires some who eat gluten: "We want to feed our community and fulfill a need." Good Food has expanded from cupcakes and cookies to a weekly fry fest of donuts, and their specialty item, eclairs. IG: @goodfoodglutenfreebakery

Best Local Printmaker
Saltgrass Printmakers
This non-profit open access print shop offers classes and workshops that appeal to a wide range of individuals. Their events are geared so that beginners and the more skilled among us can work alongside each other. They work with local schools and businesses as well as with artists from both near and far. saltgrassprintmakers.org

Best Providers of Shade — The Good Kind
TreeUtah
Since its founding in 1989, TreeUtah has been dogged in its efforts with tree-planting and stewardship education around the state. Among its varied verdant initiatives is its commendable work in addressing urban heat zones and air pollution along Salt Lake City's west side. With as many historically underserved urban areas as we have, and with temperature extremes likely to increase due to climate change, the work that TreeUtah is doing is indeed evergreen. treeutah.org

Extra Special Amenable Award
The Staff at the Whitmore Branch
For our 40th Anniversary Rewind project, we at City Weekly were obliged to make extensive use of scanners. Without infinite resources at our disposal and with boxes to work through, we thought it best to turn to our local libraries. In the end we were glad we did, for the staff at Salt Lake County's Whitmore Branch was supportive and accommodating. And for a community paper, what's more community-oriented than the local library? slcolibrary.org

Best Adventure Outfitter
Western River Expeditions
It's been said that Utah has too many options for adventure seekers—like having so many buffet options that it causes one to pile up on just a few items and never sample everything. That's not really a bad thing, especially when, among the centerpieces of Utah's adventure buffet, is world-class river-running. And there, Western River Expeditions dresses the entire table, focusing on Moab but also extending into Oregon, Idaho and Arizona.
westernriver.com
2. Brighton Mountain Sports
3. Women's Wine Hiking Society

Best Bike-Friendly Neighborhood
9th and 9th
The 9th and 9th neighborhood has long been the unofficial cycling capital of Salt Lake, with smaller-scale blocks and narrow, tree-lined streets helping to keep cars at bay, a charming variety of shops and restaurants, and the weekly 999 bike ride. But the new 9-Line Trail has taken things to another level, making 900 South the one corridor in the city where two-wheeled travelers are treated with the respect that drivers take for granted elsewhere.
2. Park City
3. Sugar House

Best Bowling Alley
Bonwood Bowl
Bonwood Bowl is, has been, and always will be a staple attraction for family fun, office holiday parties and tentative first dates. Lanes galore entice the senses upon entry, and laughter of all ages beckons near and far across the large building. With finger-licking good salty snacks always on hand, a bar area for 21+ bowl aficionados, and affordable prices, Bonwood is the pinnacle of fun and games in Utah.
bonwoodbowl.com
2. Olympus Hills Bowling Lanes
3. Pins & Ales (Draper)

Best Camping
Spruces Campground
While many of us dream of owning a cabin up Big Cottonwood Canyon to cool off and unplug, a more budget-friendly option is camping at Spruces. Nestled among towering spruce, aspen and pine trees, this scenic getaway offers dozens of spacious campsites, including group sites, and access to hiking trails, mountain biking and fishing. Enjoy cool mountain air, babbling streams and stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains. Open May-September, no dogs allowed.
gocamputah.com
2. Bear Lake
3. Cecret Lake

Best Dark Sky Park
Capitol Reef National Park
A designated International Dark Sky Park since 2015, Capitol Reef offers pristine night sky vistas and unparalleled stargazing. The park hosts four Night Sky Data Collection Sites and seven recommended stargazing areas including three campgrounds, Panorama Point, Danish Hill, Slickrock Divide and more. Pick up a night sky chart at the visitors center to help pinpoint constellations visible at various times of the year.
nps.gov
2. Goblin Valley State Park
3. Dinosaur National Monument

Best Disc Golf Course
Roots Disc Golf Course
The Roots course was one of the first-ever Utah disc courses in the 1980s before being converted to a par-3 ball golf course, then back to a disc course in 2014. But it's not just nostalgia that makes it a favorite, as the location boasts plenty of mature trees near the Jordan River Parkway and offers both a great course for beginners and the challenge of obstacles like the river.
pdga.com/course-directory/course/roots-disc-golf-course
2. Brighton Resort
3. Goblin Valley State Park

Best Family Fun: Indoor Attraction
Natural History Museum of Utah
Learning rocks! Whether it's freezing cold or blazing hot outside, gather the kids together and let them explore the great outdoors from the comfort of an HVAC system. With new events and exhibitions opening all the time, hands-on fun and games and extensive knowledge of the wonderful world around us, don't miss out on the knowledge that lies outside your backdoor, and those that cultivate it.
nhmu.utah.edu
2. Clark Planetarium
3. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Best Family Fun: Outdoor
Hogle Zoo
If you were to draw up a list of patently all-American ways for a family to enjoy an afternoon together, a trip to the zoo would be high up on said list. Hogle Zoo, with its rolling hills and multi-sectioned exhibits, begs for a several-hour visit. Not to be missed is the three-acre Wild Utah exhibit, which features animals with close ties to the region. Various discounts and seasonal promotions are available.
hoglezoo.org
2. Red Butte Garden
3. Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens

Best Fishing Guide Services
Western Rivers Flyfisher
Over the years, there's surely been a would-be outdoors-person whose ambition to explore outstripped their knowledge of a given area. Western Rivers Flyfisher offers the types of services that'll keep you from winding up on the evening news, lost in the great western expanse. With a combination of services including retail sales, guided tours and classes, this operation has been around since 1986.
westernriversflyfishing.com
2. Trout Bum 2 Fly Shop
3. Swiss Mountain Outfitters

Best Family Friendly Festival
BOOtanical At Red Butte Garden
Every October, Red Butte Garden transforms into a bewitched wonderland where you'll discover spooky surprises around every hedgerow. While the Halloween theme changes annually (previous years included Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter), you can expect family-friendly scavenger hunts by day and slightly scarier sights by night, along with costumed characters, storytelling, live music and hot chocolate.
redbuttegarden.org
2. Living Traditions Festival
3. Salt Lake City Greek Festival

Best Getaway: Bordering State
Lava Hot Springs
Need to soak away your stress? World-renowned Lava Hot Springs is just a hop, skip and a jump across the Idaho border. Summer sees families floating the Portneuf River and surging down water slides at the Hot Springs' Olympic Swimming Complex. Come winter, head four blocks upriver for a warming dip in the famous hot pools. There are five to choose between, and the swimming complex is open 365 days a year.
lavahotsprings.com
2. Jackson Hole
3. Maple Grove Hot Springs

Best Utah Getaway
High Uintas
Need to get away? How does more than 450,000 acres of off-grid wilderness in Utah's highest mountain peaks sound? It's no wonder the High Uintas are our favorite remote retreat, legally designated in 1984 by the Utah Wilderness Act. Dispersed camping can be found nearly anywhere (stay at least 200 feet from water sources), and with a high-clearance ride, you can venture as far off the beaten path as your adventurous side will allow.
2. The Cliff Spa
3. Crystal Hot Springs

Best Glamping
Conestoga Ranch, Bear Lake
The most luxurious way to enjoy Bear Lake is Conestoga Ranch. Its well-appointed tents and charming wagons blend rustic charm with modern comfort, providing cozy beds, private bathrooms and hotel-level amenities, but with the open air and starry sky views that make camping so appealing. On-site dining at the Campfire Grill offers delicious farm-to-table fare, because who wants burnt hot dogs when you can enjoy local wagyu burgers and Idaho trout?
conestogaranch.com
2. East Zion Resort
3. Under Canvas Moab

Best Golf Course beyond the Wasatch Front
Moab Golf Course
Southern Utah is fast becoming the idyllic destination for golf enthusiasts. In 2024, the PGA Tour returned to the Beehive State for the first time since 1963, a testament to the growing popularity and pride Utahns have for the sport. Surrounded by a serene backdrop of red rock and well-maintained greens and fairways, Moab Golf Course is an out-of-this-world golf experience. Rates are affordable too, coming in at $52 a round.
moabgolfcourse.com
2. Palisade Golf Course
3. Carbon Country Club Golf Course

Best Hiking Trail: Wasatch Front
Bells Canyon Trail
Bells offers a moderately challenging 4.8 mile hike that is beloved as much for its stunning scenery as it is for a good workout. Beginning near Little Cottonwood Canyon, it traverses a series of short switchbacks before leading to the reservoir. For a shorter hike, you can loop around the reservoir and return back down, or continue onto the upper trail and test your endurance with rockier terrain up to a waterfall.
2. Mt. Timpanogos
3. Natural Area At Red Butte Garden

Best Mountain Bike Trail
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Utah mountain bikers are blessed—the envious might even say "spoiled"—with an abundance of world-class routes along the Wasatch Front. Tying it all together is the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, a 100-mile-long (for now) utilitarian workhorse that can serve as the first and last miles of a trek up through the towering peaks or as a standalone ride, alternately challenging and thrilling in its own right with some of the best valley views around.
bonnevilleshorelinetrail.org
2. Wasatch Crest Trail
3. Brighton

Best Must-See Rock Formation
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Utahns can't miss depictions of Delicate Arch—on license plates, billboards and commercials for the "Mighty Five," in guidebooks and galleries. And yet, there's no denying the magic when a hiker crests the short-but-steep trail and arrives at the state's most famous rock, perched atop a natural amphitheater on the edge of a vertigo-inducing cliff face—all of which combines for one of the greatest landscape views in the world.
nps.gov/arch
2. Goblin Valley Hoodoos
3. Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon National Park

Best Municipal Park
Liberty Park
Starting as a tree nursery in pioneer days before becoming Salt Lake's premier public park in the 1880s, Liberty has provided for countless activities and treasured moments for about as long as there has been a city in these parts. From play areas and historic landmarks to Tracy Aviary and innumerable locations for private mediation, Liberty Park is the jewel of Salt Lake's municipal crown. May its verdant luster ever shine.
slc.gov/parks
2. Sugar House Park
3. Murray Park

Best Paddleboard Lake
Causey Reservoir
Located just over 10 miles from Huntsville, the easily accessible Causey Reservoir restricts motorized boats, making it ideal for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. It's also a great place for a family outing on the water. If you don't have your own paddleboard you can rent them for a day at multiple locations in Weber County and in Salt Lake County as well. Just be wary of the cliffs, ok?
visitogden.com/directory/causey-reservoir
2. East Canyon
3. Smith & Morehouse Reservoir

Best Pickleball Courts
Second Summit Hard Cider
Second Summit Hard Cider prides itself on relationships and camaraderie, achieved through activity and interaction. They offer ping-pong, cornhole, live music and movies, though it's the four lighted pickleball courts that are the centerpiece of activities at this Millcreek establishment. Second Summit is the quintessential locale to hang out, sip some cider and get your dunk and dink on.
secondsummitcider.com/pickleball
2. 11th Ave Park
3. Holladay City Center

Best Off-Road Destination
Moab
Moab is a special place, residing at the intersection of great beauty and remarkable history. Boasting a full range of incredibly scenic backcountry trails, you can bring your own vehicle, rent a jeep, or take a guided tour. The Moab Information Center offers maps and guides and assists you with information about trail conditions to ensure safety. Even if you do get lost, it might not be a bad thing in Moab country.

2. Capitol Reef
3. Wonderstone

Best Place for a Staycation
Bear Lake
With its turquoise waters and sandy beaches, Bear Lake is affectionately known as the "Caribbean of the Rockies." And if the influx of cabins in the area is any indication, it's cementing its staycation status pretty solidly! Expect the small towns dotting its shores to be swarming with tourists in the summer. Come winter, enjoy ice fishing and snowmobiling or make Bear Lake your ski base at nearby Beaver Mountain.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/bear-lake
2. Snowbird
3. Grand America Hotel

Best Public Golf Course
Mountain Dell Golf Course
Utahns are lucky to have such a quality public course like Mountain Dell in their backyard—offering 36 holes at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the Lake and Canyon Course at Mountain Dell is one of the most unique and blissful public golf courses you'll anywhere, bar none. Taken away from the rest, each hole could be regarded as a signature hole in any other track.
slc-golf.com/mountaindell
2. Eaglewood Golf Course
3. Nibley Park Golf Course

Best Remote Music Festival
Fort Desolation Fest
Music fans in SLC are blessed with a plethora of outdoor stages to enjoy concerts, with a few fests upping the ante. Cougar Ridge Resort, in the gorgeous and paranormally-active Torrey, offers a camping-and-concerts experience, featuring the rugged landscape of this corner of the state, along with a music lineup that's legit no matter the venue. Long may this fest exist under sunny skies and shady tents.
fortdesolation.com
2. Moab Music Festival
3. Desert Reverie

Best River Guide Company
Western River Expeditions
This company's well aware that you might be a Utahn who feels as if you've covered a good amount of the geography of this state. Luckily, they've got options for you jaded types, including guided trips in Oregon, Idaho and the Grand Canyon. But if you're newer to Utah's natural wonders, or simply wish to experience things you've never known (via white water raft) they've got you covered. Multiple day packages are available.
westernriver.com
2. Sheri Griffith River Expeditions
3. High Country Adventure

Best Running Trail
Pipeline
Over 10 miles long and suitable for newcomers and intermediately skilled runners, Mill Creek Pipeline Trail is the crème-de-la-crème of trail running in the state. Pipeline has different access points, allowing folks to increase or decrease the level of difficulty on demand. It's mostly flat aside from a few switchbacks, but don't let that deter you from the spectacular views of Salt Lake Valley you'll receive during your hike or run.
2. Friendship Trail
3. Folsom Trail

Best Scenic Drive
Alpine Loop
This iconic 20-mile drive connects American Fork Canyon with Provo Canyon. While it is the must-go place every autumn for the breathtaking scenery, it's equally stunning to visit during the summer months. An alternative byway cutoff takes you through the Cascade Springs into Midway, where you can drive slowly to soak it all in. If you have visitors from out of state, this is a great intro to Utah's beauty.
utah.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/alpine-loop-scenic-drive
2. Mirror Lake Highway
3. Guardsman Pass

Best Side Trip: Eastern Utah
Dinosaur National Monument
Time travel might not be possible right now, but Dinosaur National Monument is the next best thing. This playground for dino lovers located on the Utah-Colorado border is packed with more than 1,500 fossils that bring the prehistoric past to life. Beyond the bones, you're in for jaw-dropping scenery, with rugged canyons, winding Green and Yampa rivers and ancient petroglyphs to explore.
nps.gov/dino
2. Helper, Utah
3. Nine Mile Canyon

Best Skate Park
Utah State Fairpark
This west side skatepark has hosted both the Vans Park Series World Championship and the Street League Series Championship Tour. So, not too shabby, eh? Over the past few years, it has expanded to include more street-style aspects like rails, stairs and boxes. It's a treasured facility for skaters and open daily until dusk. Bring your skateboard and check it out!
utahstatefair.com/p/skatepark
2. Woodward Park City
3. Holladay City Skatepark

Best Side Trip: Zions/Bryce Area
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Formed by the gentle dance of wind over ancient Navajo sandstone, Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a magical desert realm where vibrant pink sands create surreal dreamscapes of rolling hills and hidden valleys. Take an exhilarating descent down a dune with a sandboard or bask in the ethereal beauty of the sunset. With its captivating scenery, Coral Pink Sand Dunes feels like a secret oasis in Utah's red rock wilderness.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink
2. Kolob Canyon
3. Bentonite Hills

Best Side Trip: Moab Area
Dead Horse Point State Park
Can't get into Arches? No worries, Dead Horse Point is even better. Offering some of the most breathtaking views around, it's perfect for hiking, camping, biking or soaking in the desert scenery. Perched high above the Colorado River, the park's famous overlook provides stunning panoramic vistas of deep canyons and red rock formations. Legend says that cowboys once used the narrow point as a corral for wild horses, hence the name.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse
2. White Rim Overlook
3. Elephant Hill Trailhead

Best Side Trip: Northern Utah
Flaming Gorge
Whether you're into world-class boating, fishing for trophy-sized trout or paddle boarding across the shimmering reservoir, Flaming Gorge is an adventure-lover's paradise nestled among the towering red cliffs that inspire the name. For adrenaline junkies, there's whitewater rafting on the Green River just below Flaming Gorge Dam while hikers and campers will find endless trails winding through rugged canyons and untouched wilderness.
flaminggorgecountry.com
2. Spiral Jetty
3. Sun Tunnels

Best Ski Resort
Snowbird
Snowbird Ski Resort is a winter wonderland in the Wasatch Mountains, known for epic powder and awesome alpine terrains. There's no shortage of thrilling runs for those who like it steep and deep, featuring both challenging slopes and family-friendly trails. Après-ski options range from bar bites to fine dining. And with cozy lodging options and The Cliff Spa to end the day, it all amounts to one unforgettable trip.
snowbird.com
2. Brighton Resort
3. Alta Ski Area

Best Small Town Main Street
Helper
Helper is home to a nationally registered historic Main Street, a true melting pot of cultures and ethnicities where 27 languages were spoken in the early 1900s. Today, Helper is a vibrant hub of the arts with galleries and studios and home to the Rio Theater. Their town is so adorable that the Smithsonian chose it to be part of a touring photography exhibit of Main Streets across the nation.
visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/helper
2. Park City
3. Kamas

Best Snowboarding Resort
Brighton Resort
How do you make the best snowboard resort in Utah even better? The latest additions include the high-speed six-seater Doppelmayr lift, reserved parking, the new Snake Creek Lodge and Sidewinder restaurant, menu updates at Milly Chalet, Molly Greens and The Rose. With more than 1,000 acres of powder-filled alpine terrain, 500+ inches of average annual snowfall, unparalleled backcountry access and a locals-first vibe, Brighton keeps us renewing our season passes year after year.
brightonresort.com
2. Snowbird
3. Snowbasin Resort

Best Spa Retreat Getaway
The Grand America Hotel
The Grand Spa is consistently awarded Forbes Five Star certification and offers treatments ranging from massages and mani/pedis to Hydrofacials and honey body wraps. Locals can purchase a resident pass and enjoy access to the fitness center, complimentary yoga, hot tub, pool and saunas, plus spa discounts and more.
grandamerica.com
2. Snowbird
3. Stein Eriksen Lodge

Best Summer Camp
Camp Cloud Rim
Tucked away in the mountains above Park City, Cloud Rim nestles itself around the shores of Lake Brimhall. Its beautiful landscapes and sunsets are rivaled only by its accommodations: bunkhouses or cabins along quiet, peaceful trails. The lodge is enormous and boasts breathtaking views while the surrounding property offers all sorts of water and hiking related activities. Owned by the Girl Scouts, the property is available for rental outside of the May-August season.
gsutah.org
2. Woodward Park City
3. Camp Tuttle

Best Sunset View
Red Butte Garden - Water Conservation Garden
For a romantic evening walking along some beautiful gardens, check out the three-acre Water Conservation Garden at Red Butte. You can experience Utah's iconic, rich sunset surrounded by beautiful, native plants. There are a variety of themed gardens such as Desert Harvest, Groundcover Tapestry, Flowering Shrub Hillside and Adaptive Beauty gardens so you can keep going back to experience many more sunsets.
redbuttegarden.org
2. The Great Saltair
3. The Sky Terrace at the Natural History Museum Of Utah

Best Utah Curio Shop
Dancing Cranes Imports
From gemstones and jewelry to talismans and textiles, Dancing Cranes Imports offers a soothing and spiritual shopping experience where your intuition guides you among the aisles. Explore incense and herbs, create a ritual with meditation pillows and singing bowls, tap into the unknown with tarot and oracle decks. The shop also offers yoga classes, meditations, sound baths and psychic readings!
dancingcranesimports.com
2. The Pleiadian Altar
3. Antique Shoppe

Best Utah Destination Hotel
Boulder Mountain Lodge
Visit the town of Boulder and your plate of remarkable vistas may be served with a side of politics (it's one of Utah's junctions of old west and new reality) at the James Beard-nominated Hell's Backbone Kitchen on site. That's just one major plus. Among the others are Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Anasazi State Park and, of course, looking into crystalline skies where the Milky Way and the naked eye unite for something everyone should behold.
boulder-utah.com
2. Red Cliffs Lodge
3. Skyview Hotel

Best Town That Time Forgot
Helper
Born into a dual role as a railroad-and-mining hub in the 1880s, Helper was a one-time boom town in Carbon County. Now a tourist destination, the village is home to period structures that serve a mix of locals and visiting adventurers. Gallery events and festivals of all sorts routinely dot the annual calendar. Main Street remains the draw, but the whole town can be traversed on a nice evening.
helpercity.gov
2. Eureka
3. Huntsville

Best Urban/City Bike Trail
Jordan River Parkway
Utah's state leadership recently entered the trail game, endeavoring to create car-free connections through and between cities. But it was really Salt Lake County (with assists from Utah and Davis counties) that got the wheels turning with the Jordan River Parkway, a 40-mile-long trail system and linear park—decades in the making—that ties the Wasatch Front together in an emerald ribbon of nature, open space, recreational amenities, safe commuting routes and people-first neighborhood connections.
2. 9 Line
3. Murdock Canal Trail

Best Utah Day Trip
Salt Flats Rest Area
Located 90 minutes west of Salt Lake City, the world-famous salt flats deserve more than a mere drive-by; they invite a deeper exploration. Take the time to step onto the flats and immerse yourself in their vast, serene silence (easy access from the service station at mile marker 12 near Wendover). Many folks conduct photoshoots here, since the landscape feels particularly otherworldly. The salt flats are undoubtedly a must-see; just don't scratch them up.
visitutah.com/articles/bonneville-salt-flats-planning-guide
2. Helper/Helper Beer
3. Veyo Pool & Canyon Resort

Best Utah Ghost Town
Eureka
Eureka, set in the once-bustling Tintic mining region, stands today as a memorial to a time in Utah history brimming with adventure, mystery and folklore. A visitor will learn a thing or two about mining and the old west, and just might catch a glimpse of a lingering ghost in the process. Far from moribund, Eureka is also a popular base camp for rock hunting, off-road adventures, camping, dining and unique shopping opportunities.
eurekautah.org
2. Cisco
3. Iosepa

Best Utah Heritage Site
This is the Place Heritage Park
Very few states have a history as unique as Utah, and This is the Place Heritage Park expertly shows us a glimpse of the places and things seen during the state's earliest days. It's a theme park of sorts, a state park and a place for wedding receptions. Generations of kids have been brought here, too, given the vast, outdoor venue featuring everything from small-gauge train rides to conversations with prospectors and apothecaries.
thisistheplace.org
2. Anasazi State Park Museum
3. Golden Spike Monument

Best Utah Small Town
Helper
Named for the little "helper" engines that once moved coal through the steep mine incline canyons, Helper is home to a number of events with two anchor events being the Helper Arts, Music, and Film Festival and the Electric Light Parade. Throughout the summer months you can visit and enjoy Helper Vibes and beginning 2025, catch a ball game now that USU Eastern calls Helper's fields their home! Diamond from coal, indeed.
helpercity.gov
2. Kanab
3. Kamas

Best Utah State Park
Goblin Valley State Park
Looking to escape the crowds at Utah's "Big 5" National Parks? Want to see natural wonders you can explore in a single day? Need a dog-friendly destination with convenient camping? Consider Goblin Valley your go-to. This park offers a handful of hiking trails and encourages visitors to get up close to its unique sandstone hoodoos. Canyoneering, mountain biking, stargazing and a disc golf course also let you adventure your way.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley
2. Antelope Island State Park
3. Dead Horse Point State Park

Best Utah Vacation Getaway
Moab
Moab is a known state icon, beloved for its red rocks, parks and miles of mountain bike and ORV riding. Of course, you must visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, but there's more. Aside from its landmarks, outdoor enthusiasts will love Moab's options of mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, and hiking. Stay for a long weekend and don't miss out on the incredible sunsets and views of the night stars.
discovermoab.com
2. Uinta Mountains
3. Lake Powell

Most Overlooked Site/Curiosity
The Spiral Jetty
Located within the rising-but-mostly-falling waters of the Great Salt Lake, the Spiral Jetty isn't exactly near Salt Lake City at roughly a two-hour drive from downtown. But when the water's low, there's nothing like seeing Robert Smithson's 1,500-foot natural sculpture emerge in the distance. Come and scramble down to the lakebed to walk alongside one of America's remotest works of art. This site has been providing daily magical moments since 1970.
diaart.org
2. International Peace Gardens (Salt Lake City)
3. Fantasy Canyon (Vernal)

Best Animal Encounter
The Keas at Tracy Aviary
With apologies to the boisterous kookaburras nearby, Tracy Aviary's most-engaging residents may be the keas. These New Zealand parrots are active birds with high cognitive skills. They'll linger near their fenceline, engaging in all types of tasks right in front of Tracy's human guests, arranging and rearranging their various toys and trinkets in a day-long celebration of avian busy work. These are colorful, interesting, amusing and fascinating birds to experience up-close.
tracyaviary.org

Best Day Trip with a GPS
Republic of Zaqistan
It may not take quite as long to locate Zaqistan as it does to reach nirvana, but the tiny speck of Utah desert containing this micronation will require several things. Exact coordinates are a must, as are a high-riding vehicle with a full tank of gas, plus a sense of adventure. Your journey will take you through several hours of rough terrain with America's most remote, unique sculpture garden as your destination. IG: @zaqistanrepublic

Best Downtown Glow Up
The Radisson Hotel
The newly remodeled Radisson in downtown Salt Lake and the addition of executive chef Jason Hammett to Copper Canyon House & Tavern has received some buzz in the beehive. The refresh at the Radisson makes for a great staycation right in the heart of downtown SLC. The indoor pool and hot tub make it an even more attractive option year-round.
choicehotels.com/utah/salt-lake-city/radisson-hotels/ut302

Best Instagram for Urban Explorers
WalkSLC
Cities are complex organisms, and for every high-traffic attraction like Temple Square, Liberty Park or The Whale, there are hundreds of quiet corners, back alleys and other less-seen spaces that go undiscovered and unappreciated. On Instagram, the @walkSLC_ account takes an "all of the above" approach to local urbanism, zooming in for a closer look and finding beauty in the crumbling brick, rusted steel and burned-out bulbs that live off the beaten paths. IG: @walkSLC_

Best "New" Year Round Resort
Snowbasin Resort
Other than in-the-know locals, few knew much about Snowbasin prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics, where the downhill competitions took place. Afterward, Snowbasin wasn't forgotten, but it wasn't exactly top of mind, either—but things are changing. More Utahns are increasingly heading to this primo resort east of Ogden not only to ski, but to partake in a growing number of year-round opportunities and activities (Oktoberfest and Blues and Brews).
snowbasin.com

Best Outdoor Volleyball Tournament
Orem Labor Day Club Classic
Organizing these tournaments seems like a massive headache, but the Utah Outdoor Volleyball Association still finds a way to put one together each weekend. There were over 150 partnerships signed up for the Club Classic this year, and everyone goes hard. If you're looking for high level 2v2 volleyball played on the grass, this might just be Utah's pinnacle.
uova.org

Best BLT
Hopkins Brewing Company
A BLT isn't just about the bacon, or the lettuce, or the tomato—or even just those three, for that matter. It's a great melding of all the ingredients, including the perfect bread for holding all that goodness together and a savory spread like Hopkins Brewing Company's garlic aioli. They even source their bread and bacon locally, making it even easier to enjoy that crunchy-salty-sweet trifecta.
hopkinsbrewingcompany.com
2. Publik Kitchen
3. Lucky 13

Best Bacon & Eggs
Eggs in the City
Breakfast is pretty hard to screw up, but it's nearly as hard to master. Don't tell that to the folks at this Millcreek eatery, where "the classic" allows you to enjoy two eggs any style prepared to perfection, with four strips of bacon crisped up to a delicious snap (none of that flabby medium-rare stuff here). You can add potatoes, pancakes, fruit and more, but the basics are still hard to beat.
eggsinthecityslc.com
2. Penny Ann's Café
3. The Park Café

Best Bagel
The Bagel Project
After moving from New Jersey to Salt Lake, the owners challenged the myth that New York City water is required for optimum bagel-crafting. Three months and 200 pounds of flour later, their bagels tasted like those they remembered from childhood. Bakers hand-shape the bagels, boil them and bake them on boards. Crunchy and flavorful on the outside, they're soft and fluffy inside. You can close your eyes and pretend you're in Brooklyn!
bagelproject.com
2. Rich's Bagels
3. Baby's Bagels

Best Banh Mi
Oh Mai Vietnamese Sandwich Kitchen
For more than 10 years, Oh Mai has been instrumental in helping Utahns fall in love with banh mi, so it makes sense that it's the best. The credit goes to the Oh Mai team's commitment to consistency and their ability to capture traditional Vietnamese flavors with every bite. With several locations along the Wasatch Front and an audience that gets bigger every day, Oh Mai will always be the one to beat.
ohmaisandwichkitchen.com
2. Little Saigon
3. The Pearl

Best BBQ Pulled Pork
Pat's Barbecue
When it comes to BBQ, ribs bring a lot of main-character energy. But everyone knows pulled pork is a pitmaster's true pride and joy. At Pat's, savor each sweet, smokey bite piled high on a brioche bun smothered in BBQ sauce with a side of tangy coleslaw. And if you've got a plant-based BBQ-lover in your party, there's a jackfruit option as well.
patsbbq.com
2. R&R BBQ
3. Salt City Barbecue

Best Bento Boxes
Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar - Tsunami On 9th
Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar is known for its fast and attentive service, and prepares truly delicious bento boxes. This is a great place for a business lunch or a romantic dinner, where you can choose from many options like Chicken Teriyaki or Tofu Tempura and any roll on the menu!
tsunamiutah.com/tsunami-9th
2. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
3. Japan-Sage Market

Best Biryani
Mumbai House
This tasty rice platter is packed with flavor, so whether you go with the chicken, lamb or vegetable base, you're sure to enjoy a savory and spicy mix you won't soon forget. The biryani pairs well with Mumbai's top notch garlic naan and makes for killer leftovers, so be sure to grab a box.
mumbaihousecuisine.com
2. Saffron Valley
3. Bombay House

Best Biscuits and Gravy
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
Biscuits and gravy always taste good, so when Sweet Lake rises to the top of the heap for this dish, you know you're in for something special. The enormous, fluffy, from-scratch biscuits that make the foundation of this signature item are exceptional on their own, but that luxurious sausage gravy really sends things over the top. It's a perfect dish for those who can't be bothered to be hungry after breakfast.
sweetlakefresh.com
2. Ruth's Diner
3. Penny Ann's Cafe

Best Brats
Siegfried's Delicatessen
Salt Lake has plenty of heavy hitters in the Bavarian cuisine department, but there's something singular about the brats slung by Siegfried's. From the perfect snap of their casing to the balanced flavor of their seasoning, these little guys embody what all brats strive to be. There are few local entrees that can match a pair of their brats served with a bit of brown mustard and a heap of spaetzle.
siegfriedsdelicatessen.com
2. Ice Haus
3. Bohemian Brewery

Best Breakfast Burrito
Beto's Mexican Food
There are plenty of local breakfast burritos that like to throw their culinary weight around, but Beto's consistently proves that simplicity–in enormous quantities–is often the best approach to a dish. The Beto's menu has plenty of variety on this front—whether you like ham, bacon, chorizo or all three, they have something special for you. The fact that these are available at any time of day makes them that much more perfect.
betosmexicanfood.com
2. Skillets Food Truck
3. Alberto's

Best Burger
Lucky 13
It is no surprise that Lucky 13 reigns supreme again this issue. The burgers here are more than just a meal; they are an experience crafted with the finest and freshest ingredients, like the house-smoked bacon; get it on everything. For those spicy folks, the Ring of Fire is calling.
lucky13slc.com
2. Proper Burger Company
3. Crown Burgers

Best Breakfast Sandwich
Central 9th Market
At their worst, breakfast sandwiches are a decent morning snack, but at their best, they can alter a day's entire trajectory. The breakfast sandwiches they're slinging at Central 9th Market go hard into the latter. Is it the freshly-made focaccia? The mortadella? Or is it simply breakfast sand-witchcraft? We may never truly know.
central9th.com
2. Egg Break
3. Frankie & Essl's

Best Breakfasts to Go
Apollo Burger
There's nothing quite like a warm and easy breakfast after an unfortunate night out or before an inconvenient day. So, if you're prone to be ravenous in the morning, a Mt. Apollo, with three perfectly cooked eggs, crispy hashbrowns, gooey cheese, and your meat of choice should suit your fancy. And, with prices so low that most would double-take in this economy, it's no wonder they're this year's champion.
apolloburger.com
2. Hruska's Kolaches
3. Egg Break

Best Brisket
Pat's Barbecue
Brisket is a delicate process that so few truly understand, and even fewer master. Pat's Barbecue is the clear exception, bustling in the best damn briskey you can find this side of the Mississippi. Equal parts sweetly smokey and tantalizingly tangy while always remaining melt-in-your-mouth tender, this brisket represents a business that prides itself in BBQ the old-fashioned, and right, way.
patsbbq.com
2. Salt City Barbecue
3. R&R BBQ

Best Cauliflower Dish
Batata Harra (Laziz Kitchen)
Of all the trends to come and go, who would've expected cauliflower to have such staying power? When you fry it and dress it up "Batata Harra" style with a cilantro and garlic pesto like Laziz does, it's no surprise this cruciferous veg is worthy of its own Best of Utah category. So, the next time we're craving cauliflower (again, who would've thought we'd be saying this?!), you'll find us at Laziz Kitchen.
lazizkitchen.com
2. Cauliflower And Avocado Taco (Facil Taqueria)
3. General Tso's Cauliflower (HSL)

Best Ceviche
La Cevicheria
For seafood lovers, La Cevicheria offers both shrimp or fish ceviche. It comes in a giant rectangular molcajete served with freshly sliced avocado and petite Mexican tostadas. It really is one of those dishes where every flavor tells a story. Look for the giant blue octopus tentacles splayed on the exterior and get your ceviche fix!
IG: @lacevicheriautah
2. Puro Peru Peruvian Grill
3. Felt Bar & Eatery

Best Clam Chowder
Market Street Grill
Retaking the top nod in this issue, Market Street Grill dominates the clam chowder game. Since 1980, the precision of the recipe hasn't skipped a beat, and diners come far and wide to get a steaming bowl of it, no matter the season. It is creamy, it is hearty, and it is simply delicious.
marketstreetgrill.com
2. Freshies Lobster (Salt Lake)
3. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen

Best Chili
Cotton Bottom Inn
Come for the garlic cheeseburger, stay for the chili. Or is it, come for the chili, stay for the garlic cheeseburger? Whatever gets you in the door, be sure to try Cotton Bottom's award-winning, après-ski bowl loaded with ground chuck, two types of beans, garlic, onions and spices, topped with shredded cheddar and onions. A Holladay institution for over 50 years, this tavern's revamped retro vibe also dishes up heaping spoonfuls of nostalgia.
thecottonbottom.com
2. Deer Valley Resort
3. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining

Best Charcuterie Board
The RUIN
Along with their well-crafted cocktails, The RUIN has a classy charcuterie board option with a wide selection of cheese and meats. It also includes fruit, pickles and bread to satisfy your whole palate. This dimly-lit bar is a great place for a romantic date, and the charcuterie board is the perfect option to share on the menu!
ruinslc.com
2. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
3. BTG Wine Bar

Best Cheesesteak Sandwich
Moochie's Meatballs & More
There are plenty of restaurants who put all their eggs in one basket to push their signature dishes to the top of this list. Moochie's, in contrast, doesn't even have cheesesteak sandwiches in its name, and yet it continues to dominate this category. It's possible that their cheesesteak sandwich isn't even the best offering it has on its vast menu of tantalizing offerings —but its legacy continues to endure.
moochiesmeatballs.com
2. The Philadelphian
3. DP Cheesesteaks

Best Chicken & Waffles
Hub & Spoke Diner
The sweet potato waffle is what makes Hub & Spoke's chicken and waffles ascend beyond the stratosphere of our taste buds and into the great beyond of our bellies. The earthy tones of the sweet potato are a great combo with the chile maple syrup, and reviewers said the texture is simply perfect. Moist waffle and crispy chicken ... *Homer Simpson gurgling noise*
hubandspokediner.com
2. Bruges Belgian Bistro
3. Mark of the Beastro

Best Chicken Sandwich
Pretty Bird (Downtown)
It wasn't until the fast food chicken sando battles of 2019 were in full swing that locals really understood the power of a Pretty Bird chicken sandwich. While Twitter was losing its shit over whether Chick-fil-A or Popeye's had the superior offering, we all sat back with our Pretty Bird sandwiches, overflowing with slaw and pickles, and happily let the battle rage on without us.
prettybirdchicken.com
2. Cluck Truck
3. Hopkins Brewing Company

Best Chicken Satay
Sawadee Thai Restaurant
The marinated grilled chicken that comes on these skewers is cooked to perfection. Dip them in the sweet peanut sauce they come with and you're looking at a delicious appetizer before you dive into some drunken noodles or curry. The light cucumber salad that accompanies them is a nice touch, as well.
sawadeethaiutah.com
2. Skewered Thai
3. Chanon Thai Café

Best Chicken Tikka Masala
Saffron Valley - Avenues
This dish has been fine-tuned to perfection over the years at Saffron Valley, with a creamy and flavorful sauce that provides just the right amount of heat. You're going to want to order extra clay oven-cooked naan to soak up all that sauce. A warm tikka masala is exactly what the soul needs on those chillier afternoons.
saffronvalley.com/saffron-colonial-downtown-slc-indian-restaurant-utah
2. Mumbai House
3. Himalayan Kitchen

Best Chile Relleno
Chile-Tepin
The queso fundido that fills this perfectly battered and cooked pepper will have you ready to call your abuelita to tell her that you love her. The texture is divine. Cut out a slice and throw it on a tortilla with some beans and rice, and you may never be the same again.
chile-tepin.com
2. Red Iguana
3. Blue Iguana (Salt Lake City)

Best Coleslaw
Feldman's Deli
You don't get bored with greatness, and that applies to a repeat category winner like Feldman's perfectly-executed deli side. It's hard to outshine their signature sandwiches, but this concoction makes a perfect accompaniment: creamy, tangy, crunchy and packed with plenty of black pepper for a distinctive zing to the cabbage-and-carrot classic. You'll be sure to leave an empty bowl on your empty plate.
feldmansdeli.com
2. Red Beard BBQ
3. Pretty Bird (Downtown Salt Lake City)

Best Cuban Sandwich
Beltex Meats
What gets us out of bed in the morning? If it's Saturday, it's the Cubano at Beltex Meats: smoked ham, mojo pork loin, swiss, horseradish mustard and house-made pickles, all pressed to perfection. It's so good it's worth waiting in line for (you'll probably have to). It's so good that it sells out (and probably will). And it's so good that when coworkers ask about your weekend, you'll tell them about the Cubano. Get them before Beltex closes at the end of this year!
beltexmeats.com
2. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown Salt Lake City)
3. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake Main)

Best Comfort Food Dish
OG Banana parfait (Parfé Diem Pudding Parfaits/Gourmet Pudding Dessert Catering)
Looking for a late-night DoorDash treat outside the typical cookie and ice cream options? Parfé Diem dishes up single-serve pudding parfaits with the perfect ratio of vanilla wafers, fluffy pudding and fruity mix-ins with a variety of regular and rotating flavors like cherry cheesecake, lemon blueberry and pistachio. The most popular? By far, the OG Banana. Make it a Cadillac OG with dulce de leche candied walnuts, if you're feeling fancy.
parfediem.com
2. Smoked Oxtail (Big South)
3. Bacon Egg & Cheese (Egg Break)

Best Deli Sandwich
Caputo's Market & Deli
All hail the sandwich king again! There is just something about that crusty bread stuffed with whatever you crave that day at Caputo's that will make you sing for your supper. From the deli meats to the selections of cheeses, the goodness and freshness is experienced in each bite. Consider getting a whole, no matter your appetite, so you can enjoy it again later.
caputos.com
2. Feldman's Deli
3. Grove Market and Deli

Best Dim Sum
Hong Kong Tea House
Dim sum might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a tea party, but why not? After all, it originated in Chinese tea houses. And what better way to enjoy a cup of jasmine or Dragon Well than with traditional bites like steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings and crispy egg rolls at Hong Kong Tea House. Drop by before 3 p.m. for this authentic experience.
hongkongteahouse.yolasite.com
2. New Golden Dragon
3. Red Maple Chinese Restaurant

Best Dragon Roll
Sapa
What makes the Dragon Rolls at Sapa unique is that there are actually several options. The Black Dragon includes tempura shrimp, unagi, avocado, and cucumber; the Red Dragon is a spicy option with spicy tuna, crab, avocado, and cucumber. Or you can order Dragon Balls, which are fried rolls with spicy tuna, inari, spicy crab, onion, and masago. Talk about options!
sapabarandgrill.com
2. Takashi
3. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Best Dumpling/Gyoza
David's Kitchen
The potstickers at David's Kitchen are a staple and highly recommended by foodies. The table dipping sauce elevates them further, adding a sweet touch to the savory dough. One reviewer liked the potstickers so much that they said that they'd choose David's Kitchen as their last meal if they were on death row.
davidskitchenslc.com
2. Sapa
3. Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Eggs Benedict
Finn's Cafe
We all love a good hollandaise sauce, but if you're looking for the best of the best then head over to Finn's Cafe. Their house-made hollandaise sauce is the cherry on top of an already stellar selection of benedict dishes. Enjoying this dish inside the cozy cafe or on the lush patio creates the perfect recipe for a great morning.
finnscafe.net
2. Roots Cafe
3. Hub & Spoke Diner

Best Falafel
Mazza
Crispy on the outside and warm in the middle, Mazza's falafel is an absolute must for Mediterranean food fans. The falafel sandwich is mind blowing, served in a fluffy pita pocket where the ground fava and garbanzo beans in the falafel can shine. Reviewers also noted that the falafel is particularly moist. Sorry if that word made you uncomfortable.
mazzacafe.com
2. Laziz Kitchen
3. O'Falafel Middle Eastern Cuisine

Best French Onion Soup
Desert Edge Brewery
A warm crock overflows with melty cheese, dripping down the sides like an oversized comforter on a winter bed. Pressing your spoon to the surface, warm broth begins to peek through the provolone, as if from some underground spring. The savory aroma teases your olfactory system. Dipping further, caramelized crescents of slow-cooked onion swim beneath a baguette slice, soaking in a beef stock bath. Who knew onions could make you cry like this?
desertedgebrewery.com
2. Gracie's
3. Prohibition

Best Empanada
Arempa's
Nothing quite rejuvenates the mind, body and soul like a huge plate of fried empanadas, especially during a night on the town. From the basics like shredded beef and chicken to Arempa's next-level pabellon with its black beans and fried plantains, the empanadas at this Venezuelan establishment are enough to fuel any late-night endeavor.
arempas.com
2. Argentina's Best Empanadas
3. Empanadas 801

Best Fish & Chips
Little Taste Of Britain
Within the piscatorial portals of this Layton establishment resides not only a scrummy assortment of pies, bangers and sweets, but a smashing selection of battered seafood and chips (regular or Piccadilly style). Starting as a retail shop in 2007, Little Taste of Britain has since expanded to the art of cookery, and we thank cod that they did.
littletasteofbritain.net
2. Summerhays Halibut And Chips
3. Ty Fish & Chips

Best Fish Platter
Market Street Grill
Whether you're wanting to try the Shrimp Platter, Smoked Salmon Platter, or Shellfish Platter, Market Street Grill has many options. The open-air concept feels trendy and cool, and is located in the heart of downtown for those having a night out. The house-made cocktail sauce and lemon served with the Shrimp Platter is top-notch.
marketstreetgrill.com/downtown
2. Little Taste Of Britain
3. Red Rock Brewing (Park City)

Best French Dip Sandwich
Desert Edge Brewery
Bet you've never had a French dip like this one before! The Brewery gives its roast beef classic a spicy Mexican spin with pepper jack cheese, roasted chilis, chipotle mayo and an au jus that dials up the heat with every dip. Don't worry, you can cool yourself with a pint of house-brewed lager.
desertedgebrewery.com
2. Piper Down Pub
3. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown Salt Lake City)

Best French Fries
Lucky 13
Don't be fooled: it's not easy making the perfect french fry. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and salted to perfection: it's not just the luck of the draw that Lucky 13 reigns champion in this category. With mouthwatering seasoning blends including cajun and rosemary garlic for the more adventurous, this longtime favorite bar and grill takes an old standby pub food to new and exquisite heights, every time.
lucky13slc.com
2. Crown Burgers
3. Bruges Belgian Bistro

Best French Toast
Kneaders Bakery & Café
Kneaders' Chunky Cinnamon French toast is made with delicious thick cinnamon bread and a unique blend of eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and butter. It's served with sweet whipped cream, fresh strawberries and homemade caramel syrup. Their French Toast is available on an all-you-can-eat basis from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Their French toast alone makes Kneaders a highly tempting place.
kneaders.com
2. The Park Café
3. Lucky's Iron Door Roadhouse

Best Fried Egg Rolls
The Pearl
This cozy establishment offers Vietnamese street food dishes, a place where local chef Tommy Nguyen incorporates some of his family recipes onto the menu, like the fried egg rolls that originated from his mother. The difference in these eggrolls is most certainly the touch of nostalgia and love. IG: @thepearlslc
2. Mi La-Cai Noodle House
3. Shanghai Café

Best Funeral Potatoes
Garage On Beck
The fire that shuttered Garage On Beck's doors in Oct. 2023 was not enough to extinguish the spirit that makes the place special. The kitchen staff has come back with a vengeance with spicy funeral potatoes that'll burn the house down (sorry). The bacon and scallions add a fun twist on this Utah classic, and the atmosphere is hard to beat.
garageonbeck.com
2. Hoof & Vine
3. Tradition

Best Indian Curry
Himalayan Kitchen
The right curry can change lives, and Himalayan Kitchen's curry gives a lot of others a run for their money. Always creamy, savory and packed with oodles of flavor in every spoonful, each curry at Himalayan practically evokes paradise. With plenty of protein options and various spice blends (and levels, fear not!) available, this downtown standby is a no-brainer for anyone who needs their fix of high-end Indian cuisine, and fast.
himalayankitchen.com
2. Mumbai House
3. Saffron Valley

Best Fusion Tacos
Roctaco
Roctaco knows freestyle. What makes the tacos at this downtown SLC spot on Edison Street so special is that they are without a doubt the most unique. Listed as Cow, Bird, Hog, Sea & Earth on the Menu—everyone can have at it with the fresh and delicious choices. Go-to's for this taco enthusiast are the Parmesan & Manchego cheesy-crunchy Jimmy Churri and the flavorful Amy Hates Fish.
roctaco.com
2. Taqueria 27
3. Yoko Taco

Best Gyro
Greek Souvlaki
As far as affordable Mediterranean food goes, Greek Souvlaki is a beacon in the Salt Lake Valley. The lamb and beef mixture is tender and flavorful, the pita soft yet sturdy. There's a nice variety too; you can get your classic with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki or red sauce, or you can experiment with a Philly cheesesteak or vegetarian version.
greeksouvlaki.com
2. Yanni's Greek Express
3. Spitz (Downtown Salt Lake City)

Best Hawaiian Barbecue
Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food
Come and take your lunch break on island time with two fat scoops of sticky rice, macaroni salad that you'll weep for and an enormous serving of teriyaki steak, kalua pork or the unbeatable katsu chicken. It may very well be against the laws of nature to leave Mo Bettahs without unbuttoning at least a shirt button, and maybe your pants button too.
mobettahs.com
2. The Salty Pineapple
3. Hungry Hawaiian

Best Inexpensive Lunch
Buds
For more than a decade, Buds has been producing some of the best sandwiches in Salt Lake City. When bringing newcomers, it's easy to forget to mention that it's vegan because the food is so good; that it's so inexpensive is a bonus. Some of Buds' charm comes from its unique walk-up window ordering and street-side dining venue, which probably helps keep costs down. Whatever their secret, it's delicious.
budsslc.com
2. Santo Taco
3. Vessel Kitchen

Best Italian: Calzone
Italian Village
All local fans of Italian food know that before a calzone was called a calzone it was called a Pizza Bender and it came from Italian Village. This local spot has been around since 1968, and in that time it has truly honed its calzone craft. The Pizza Bender is an excellent specimen even at its most basic composition, but it really takes off when you get creative with their pizza toppings.
italianvillageslc.com
2. The Pie Pizzeria
3. Rusted Sun Pizzeria

Best Italian: Cannoli
Carlucci's Bakery
The first time you try a cannoli from Carlucci's is a memorable moment to rival your first kiss or high school graduation. Prior to showing up on Carlucci's doorstep, most people's experience with cannoli have made them think this precious dessert is a little more than a dry waffle cone full of flavorless goo. Once you get a taste of this perfect study in Italian dessert, it's hard to tolerate any other substitute. carluccisbakery.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Osteria Amore

Best Italian: Carbonara
Sicilia Mia
Francesco Mirenda commemorated Sicilia Mia's 2014 launch by creating a carbonara reminiscent of his native Sicilian cooking techniques. Today, chefs treat Sicilia Mia diners to a tableside carbonara presentation prepared inside a two-foot-wide Grana Padano cheese wheel. Mirenda explains that Sicilian cooking often incorporates more flavoring and spices than traditional Italian fare. Add the high-quality ingredients, consistent attention to detail and the most flavorful sauces anywhere, and you've got the Best Italian.
siciliamiautah.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Best Italian: Eggplant Parmesan
Fratelli Ristorante
It's all about the authentic, generational family recipe and the red marinara sauce made with many ingredients imported straight from Italy. "Fratelli" (meaning "Brothers") Pete Cannella and Dave Cannell have run this traditional Italian eatery together since 2007. Layers of freshness and flavor make this dish a standout.
fratelliutah.com
2. Napoli's Italian Restaurant
3. Matteo Ristorante Italiano

Best Italian: Ravioli
Valter's Osteria
It's easy to get distracted from the quality of the food at Valter's because the service is so spectacular, but the ravioli have a way of combining both of this restaurant's strengths. When the ravioli is carted out to you, plated tableside by a seasoned professional and finished with whatever lovely sauce you've ordered, it's hard to imagine a world in which Chef Boyardee has the audacity to exist.
valtersosteria.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Per Noi Trattoria

Best Katsu
JINYA Ramen Bar
A good katsu maintains a light, crispy texture that typically supplements whatever juicy protein it's hanging out with. The katsu at JINYA, however, isn't content with playing second fiddle to its protein—this is katsu that shows up and demands your attention. That's not to say that the chicken is any less flavorful, but you definitely get more of a textural contrast when you're eating katsu at JINYA.
jinyaramenbar.com
2. The Angry Korean
3. Tosh's Ramen

Best Meat Pie
The Dough Miner
While it's true that most culinary cultures have a variation on meat pies, The Dough Miner has worked hard to craft pies that feel authentically Utahn. Much of that comes from the restaurant's historical insights—silver miners in Park City would fill a pail with a few hand-held meat pies for lunch while they worked—but so much more comes from their attention to nuanced flavor combos and top-notch execution.
doughminer.com
2. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake Main)
3. The Bruce Scottish Pub

Best Korean: Bibimbap
The Angry Korean
Utah's bibimbap game has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and we owe a lot of that to the team at The Angry Korean. Even as more great Korean restaurants open their doors, this pioneering restaurant continues to impress locals with its take on a Korean classic. Whether it's the crispy rice, the smoky gochujang or that gorgeous fried egg, there is plenty to love about this restaurant's bibimbap.
theangrykorean.com
2. Stun Cube
3. Korea House BBQ

Best Korean: Bulgogi
The Angry Korean
The subtle art of Korean barbecue is hard to come by in our little state, which is why a place like The Angry Korean has become so important. James Beard Award-nominated chefs Young-Ho Kang and Peter Kim have done wonders to capture this Korean favorite in all its unassuming glory, and we couldn't be more grateful.
theangrykorean.com
2. Cupbop & Ramen 930
3. Bumblebee's KBBQ & Grill

Best Lamb Dish
Mazza
The lamb shank is "fit for royalty," as one reviewer has said. Whether you opt for the lamb skewer, the lamb and rice dola or the lamb and spinach, you're in for some perfectly marinated and cooked lamb that will send you home satisfied. You may not feel like royalty, but you'll certainly feel treated like one with this kind of bounty.
mazzacafe.com
2. Manoli's
3. Afghan Kitchen

Best Made-in-Utah Food Product
Salsa Queen
It's no secret that Salsa Queen's spicy concoctions have long been favored by Utahns. With no preservatives, no fillers and no compromise, look for their bright sugar skull logo in the refrigerator section of your local grocer. But what if you're looking for something with a longer shelf life? Cue their more recent renditions: freeze-dried salsas. Each stays fresh for up to three years. Just add water to rehydrate.
salsaqueen.com
2. Beehive Cheese (Beehive Cheese Company LLC)
3. Salsa Del Diablo

Best Meatball Sandwich
Moochie's Meatballs
and More
Grab yourself a Birch Beer and bite into the gooey handmade taste sensation of Moochie's meatball sub. Imagine if you will, darkened orbs that had been simmering all day, speckled with pepper and oregano and garlic on a roll, the snowy provolone melting into the loads of ruby red tomato sauce—unctuous and rich. Messy for sure (at least an eight-napkin minimum), Nonna would be all thumbs up.
moochiesmeatballs.com
2. Caputo's Market & Deli
3. Fratelli Ristorante

Best Mexican: Enchilada
Blue Iguana
The enchiladas suizas (enchiladas with extra cream) are a favorite for Utah foodies, but Blue Iguana's chile verde, chicken, entomatada and beef options are dang good, too. They do not skimp on the sauce here, so be ready to bathe your rice and beans in all that goodness.
blueiguanarestaurant.net
2. El Chihuahua Restaurant
3. Chile-Tepin

Best Meatloaf
Hell's Backbone Grill
Would you travelhours for meatloaf? If it's made by James Beard-nominated chefs Jen Castle and Blake Spalding, the answer is a resounding yes! Their Spicy Cowgal Chipotle Meatloaf combines local pastured beef and bison for the perfect slice that's not too fatty, not too lean, topped with spicy "Backbone" sauce and served with lemony mashed potatoes and vegetables from the Hell's Backbone Farm.
hellsbackbonegrill.com
2. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
3. Left Fork Grill

Best Mexican: Bakery
Cakes By Edith
Edith's pan dulce plus a hot cup of coffee is one of the greatest cures to sadness known to humanity. The conchas are expertly frosted so as not to be too sweet, which we love. Oh, and Cakes By Edith hosts cake and cookie decorating workshops so you can learn to decorate like Edith herself!
cakesbyedithbakery.com
2. Rancho Markets
3. Panadería Flores

Best Mexican: Birria Tacos
Los Tapatios Taco Grill
It was hard to stay on top of the game when Instagram was being flooded with images of birria tacos, but Los Tapatios managed to stay ahead of the competition. Perhaps it's due to the restaurant's experience with birria—since 2020 it made birria the focal point of its menu, and in that time the team has expanded our horizons as to what this Guadalajaran favorite can accomplish.
lostapatiostacogrill.com
2. Santo Taco
3. La Casa Del Tamal

Best Mexican: Burrito
Red Iguana
Sometimes, after a long day at work, all you need is a burrito the size of your thigh. Lucky for you, when you order a burrito here, it always comes with two! Smother that bad boy in their famous chile verde to really change the game, and let that soft tortilla take you away to a better place.
rediguana.com
2. Lone Star Taqueria
3. Beto's Mexican Food

Best Mexican: Chilaquiles
Lucky's Iron Door Roadhouse
Lucky's chilaquiles are the perfect way to spice up your next Sunday brunch, and they pair very well with a Bloody Mary (be sure to add bacon!). These corn tortillas are bathed in a delicious red salsa and are beautifully adorned with onions, cilantro and tomatoes. Makes you feel like you're at your suegra's house, but in a good way!
luckysirondoor.com
2. Azúcar Café
3. Red Iguana

Best Mexican: Huevos Rancheros
Oasis Cafe
The best cure after a night of one too many spicy margs? A spicy plate of huevos rancheros on the patio at Oasis Cafe! Their rendition delivers eggs any way you like 'em over black bean puree, Spanish rice and southwest vegetables topped with salsa verde and shredded jack cheese, plus a dollop of sour cream and guac, served with warm flour tortillas. For extra protein, try the salmon chorizo.
oasiscafeslc.com
2. Red Iguana
3. Eggs In The City

Best Mexican: Menudo
Julia's Mexican Restaurant
The menudo here at Julia's will transport you straight to lands of Mexico and back again in a single bite. Their spicy soup is a delicacy that is sure to warm you up in cold weather, and the cow stomach flavors are something you just have to try to fully understand.
orderjuliasmexicanrestaurant.com
2. La Puente Restaurant
3. El Paisa Grill

Best Mexican: Molcajete
El Paisa Grill
Who doesn't like a dish that can feed up to four people? The molcajete ranchero comes with steak, chicken, ribs, carnitas, grilled onions, cactus, plus a side of rice and beans. Not your style? Order the shrimp instead. Towering over the top of the stone bowl, this molcajete is sure to hit the spot for you and three of your friends.
elpaisagrill.com
2. La Casa Del Tamal
3. Chile-Tepin

Best Mexican: Tacos
Facil Taqueria
These aren't Mama's traditional taco flavors. We're talking Nashville hot chicken, squash and poblano and even smoked prime brisket. There are plenty of delicious options on the more traditional route, too, but this is an especially great spot for vegetarian and vegan foodies. Come give them a try!
faciltaqueria.com
2. Lone Star Taqueria
3. ROCTACO

Best Mexican: Pozole
Santo Taco
Santo Taco's pozole feels like a classic, and our favorite part of the Thursday All You Can Eat soup/stew—depending on how you look at it—is the fact that you can add garnish on top: lettuce, radish and the extra spicy chiles for heat, sweetness and a little bit of smokiness. Comfort for the soul and the stomach.
santotacos.com
2. La Casa Del Tamal
3. House Of Corn Mexican Cuisine

Best Mexican: Quesadilla
Lone Star Taqueria
There are few quesadillas around that satisfy an adult appetite, but Lone Star Taqueria has them dialed in. Sure, you can get just cheese, but why would you when you can stuff that 14" flour tortilla with carne asada or pollo asado? A nice heap of sour cream along with their cilantro-jalapeno mayo comes on the side, which is money.
lstaq.com
2. Bomb Dilla
3. Santo Taco

Best Mexican: Tacos al Pastor
Chunga's
You can tell the al pastor is going to be delicious by giving one glance to the trompo as you walk through the door. The healthy chunk of pineapple on top lets you know it's authentic stuff, and you'll find bits of it in your taco as well. The green and avocado salsas are a great compliment, so be sure to load that baby up!
chungasslc.com
2. Tacos Lopez (West Valley)
3. Tacos Don Rafa

Best Mexican: Tamales
La Casa del Tamal
This West Valley favorite has made a name for itself with several of its traditional Mexican dishes, but it's the tamales that keep people coming back for more. Fans have a tough time deciding among the verde, rojo or mole variations, but the best course of action is to simply buy them by the half dozen and enjoy.
lacasadeltamalutah.com
2. Victor's Tires
3. El Chihuahua Restaurant

Best Must Have Appetizer
Jalapeno Hamachi (Mint Tapas & Sushi 4–Sugar House)
This delicious sushi roll comes with yellowtail belly and is served with a jalapeno vinaigrette sauce that we recommend you save for the remainder of your meal. It's a unique pairing of flavors that are typically worlds apart, and they've clearly struck gold as the jalapeno hamachi has emerged as one of the best dishes you can find in Salt Lake City.
mintsushiut.com
2. Everything Brussels (Ivy & Varley)
3. Jalapeño Poppers (Zest Kitchen & Bar)

Best Mexican: Tres Leches
Cakes By Edith
Tres leches cake may be the closest thing that we as a society have come to the divine, and no one does it better than Cakes By Edith. It comes topped with yummy strawberries, grapes and blueberries, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next event.
cakesbyedithbakery.com
2. Facil Taqueria
3. La Casa Del Tamal

Best Momos
Cafe Shambala
Nearly everyone who eats at Cafe Shambala mentions how delicious the momos are, so the proof is in the pudding. These steamed or fried dumplings are traditional in both Tibet and Nepal, and Shambala offers beef, veg and mixed varieties. Be sure to dip them in the ginger sauce that accompanies them.
order.toasttab.com/online/cafe-shambala-382-4th-ave
2. Himalayan Kitchen
3. Kathmandu Grill

Best Nachos
Gracie's
Great nachos served late. Is there a better phrase in the English language? When your chip and queso craving hits, head to Gracie's, where you'll find nachos made with house-cut chips, house-made queso and a shredded cheese blend, topped with diced tomato, onion and jalepeño, plus white beans (trust us on this one) and a generous dollop of sour cream. Order as your app. Order as your main. Order 'em until 11 pm.
graciesslc.com
2. Porcupine Pub & Grille
3. Nacho Daddy

Best Oysters
Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar
The Rockefeller and West Coast oysters are highly recommended, and with half-price oysters every Monday and Tuesday, the Oyster Bar is a dream for seafood lovers. They are constantly rotating which varieties they have on hand, so it's definitely worth circling back to try what's new. The champagne mignonette is a lovely dipping sauce, too!
marketstreetgrill.com
2. Current Fish & Oyster
3. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen

Best Pad Thai
Sawadee Thai Restaurant
The pad thai at Sawadee is the stuff of legend in Salt Lake food culture, so it's no surprise that they retain the top spot this year. Served with your choice of chicken, shrimp or straight up noodles, this plate comes with a lovely array of bean sprouts, an egg and delicious pad thai sauce.
sawadeethaiutah.com
2. Tuk Tuk's
3. Chanon Thai Café

Best Pizza: Deep Dish
Bricks Corner
When Bricks Corner owner Josh Poticha rolled into town, most Utahns had never heard of Detroit-style deep dish. This high-walled, crisp-cornered slab of pizza slathered in fresh sauce and topped with all manner of lovely ingredients soon became a godsend for pizza fans. Not only does Bricks Corner deliver some of the best pizza around, but it provides a cool space in which to enjoy it. Mr. Poticha, Utah salutes you.
brickscornerslc.com
2. Via 313 Pizza
3. Villaggio Pizzeria

Best Pancakes
Penny Ann's Cafe
There's a reason Penny Ann's pancakes have earned the moniker "heavenly hot cakes," and that reason comes from an emphasis on the "cake." These sour cream pancakes have a gorgeous cloudy texture and a cake batter flavor that always delivers the goods. In local diners' eyes, a balanced breakfast is what you call two stacks of Penny Ann's heavenly hot cakes.
pennyannscafe.com
2. Lazy Day Cafe
3. Roots Cafe

Best Pho
Ph 33
As a self-proclaimed ph aficionado, this writer had yet to try their namesake Ph 33 bowl and made a special trip (for the sake of due diligence and whatnot). Needless to say, we can easily see why it won this year's award. Not only was it full of tender Oxtail and flavored with comforting hints of cinnamon and star anise, but the restaurant offers myriad customizations, including noodle and broth type.
pho33utah.com
2. Ph 777
3. All Chay

Best Pizza: Gluten-Free
The Pie Pizzeria (South Jordan)
The Pie takes gluten-free seriously and we love that! We also love that they have gluten-free ranch dressing for dipping. Let's be honest, there are plenty of Californians that have moved here and we need our side of ranch. They have a dedicated space and they will not put toppings on that are cross-contaminated. Thank you for caring and taking these extra precautions!
thepie.com
2. Via 313 Pizza
3. Zest Kitchen & Bar

Best Pizza: Margherita Pizza
Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
There's a score of delicious grubs served at Settebello, but we recommend you keep it simple and grab the superb margherita pizza. The crust is cooked to flaky perfection, as is the basil/tomato sauce/cheese ratio. Don't go asking for no ranch sauce on the side when you're eating pizza this good.
settebello.net
2. Level Crossing Brewing Co
3. Lucky Slice Pizza (Ogden)

Best Pizza: Specialty Pizza
Sweet Salty Pig (Bricks Corner)
Do you know that giddy feeling when you get the crusty corner first? Imagine an entire pizza of crusty, thick corners topped with your favorite stuff—that is Brick's Corner pizza. With the Sweet Salty Pig, that giddy feeling is topped with BBQ pork shoulder, bacon and firecracker ranch.
brickscornerslc.com
2. Green Goddess (Slackwater Pizza SLC)
3. Children of the Corn (Nomad East)

Best Poke
Hanaya Poke SLC
You can build your own sushi burrito or choose one of Hanaya's bowls from a yummy selection of raw, seared and cooked meat. Throw on whatever extra toppings you want, from avocado to chili mango to edamame and beyond. The service is fast, the food delicious and the staff is more than happy to point you in the right direction if you don't quite know what you want.
hanayapokeslc.com
2. LemonShark Poké
3. Vessel Kitchen

Best Poutine
Ice Haus
Pub food doesn't have to be ambitious to be great; it just has to hit that comfort-food spot prior to a brew and a bite. It helps, though, if pub food considers all dietary needs. Ice Haus' poutine is delicious in its most familiar form of fries, cheese curds and gravy, but you can also enjoy a vegan variation with a dairy-free substitute for the cheese curds. Everyone's taste buds are a winner.
icehausbar.com
2. Piper Down Pub
3. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining

Best Pretzel
Bohemian Brewery
It's hard to picture a more beautiful prelude to a Bavarian feast than watching a giant pretzel dangling from a hook make its way to your table. The pretzels at Bohemian Brewery illustrate a perfect combination of textures—the outside is just crispy enough to crunch as you get to that warm, chewy interior dough. Ripping this thing apart and dipping it in homemade beer cheese is truly a delight.
bohemianbrewery.com
2. Ice Haus
3. Bewilder Brewing Co.

Best Ramen
JINYA Ramen Bar
One of the best things about JINYA is that it helped local diners understand how nuanced and vibrant ramen can be. Foundationally, ramen may just be the sum total of tasty noodles plus tasty broth, but there is so much creativity and fun that can be expressed with those basics. With both its standalone menu and its seasonal specials, JINYA continues to wow us with its ramen talents.
jinyaramenbar.com
2. Koyote
3. Yoko Ramen SLC

Best Ribs
Salt City Barbecue
A good story, like good food, has to be relatable. Rusty Monson's ribs started simply, in backyard competitions of who had the best meats. He won. He keeps winning and it's easy to see why. These delectable ribs have layers of flavor from a homemade rub, cooked slowly over white oak wood. The finishing touches of brown sugar, honey and butter means there is no sauce necessary for this tender treat.
saltcitybbq.co
2. Red Beard BBQ
3. Big South

Best Reuben Sandwich
Feldman's Deli
Thanks to Feldman's unrelenting passion to bring New York's legendary deli culture to Utah, we all get to experience the sheer joy of tackling a reuben that is roughly the size of a Tesla. The reuben at Feldman's is an engineering feat in and of itself, challenging the diner to comprehend its pastrami-stacked dimensions before diving in—and it's a challenge all of us are willing to take again and again.
feldmansdeli.com
2. Siegfried's Delicatessen
3. Ice Haus

Best Salads
Vessel Kitchen
It's no surprise that Vessel's many kitchens are skilled at creating salads, since it launched in 2016 with fresh produce at the core of its menu. In fact, the four signatures (Daisy Duke, Muay Thai, Adrelipe and The Nicky G) are all wildly-varied and could easily vie as a personal favorite. And yet, more's available, with custom salads that involve your call on greens, toppings, sides and a dressing. The choice is yours.
vesselkitchen.com
2. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown SLC)
3. The Dodo Restaurant

Best Sashimi
Takashi
Head down early and put your name on the waitlist. You might get lucky, but be prepared to wait. Embrace the wait! Head next door and grab a drink at Post Office Place. When you get a text from the Takashi host, take your seat at the sushi bar and order the Chef's Choice Sashimi, 10 pieces of their freshest cuts, and savor it with one of over 15 varieties of sake.
takashisushi.com
2. Sapa
3. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Best Seafood Cocktail
Tres Hombres Mexican Grill and Cantina
A Salt Lake staple since 1984, Tres Hombres consistently delivers on authentic Mexican food and dishes. This perennial winner in many Best of Utah categories finds patrons continuing to flock there for their delicious seafood cocktail. The dish is piled with Mexican Gulf Shrimp, avocado, cucumber, onion, cilantro, tomato and their house-made spicy cocktail sauce.
treshombrescantina.com
2. Current Fish & Oyster
3. Puerto Vallarta Mexican Grill and Cantina

Best Seafood Sandwich
Freshies Lobster (Salt Lake City)
Hearty New England cuisine meets Utah with Freshies Lobster. The back-to-back winner for Best Seafood Sandwich, Freshies is the crème de la crème when it comes to lobster rolls in this state. They deliver on their promise "shore to door in 24"—fresh Maine lobsters are caught, cooked, shelled and shipped to their storefronts all in a day's time.
freshieslobsterco.com
2. Colossal Lobster (HallPass)
3. Cousins Maine Lobster

Best Shawarma
Alhambra Shawarma
After achieving a successful following of mobile diners through a food truck operation, the good folks behind Alhambra Shawarma found a brick-and-mortar in Taylorsville and solid reviews are the rule. Their trademark slow-roasted flavors will delight you every time and their falafel shawarma will satisfy friends with a vegetarian lean.
facebook.com/Alhambraut
2. Curry Fried Chicken
3. Beirut Cafe

Best Sliders
Post Office Place
This James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for 2023 earns all the accolades that they have so richly received. You'll want to try it all on their excellent and diverse menu of sliders, featuring everything from Spam to jackfruit. Not only are they so damn cute, but they are just as delicious as they look.
popslc.com
2. Loki Coffee
3. Squatters Pub Brewery

Best Soup
Sugar House Soup Kitchen
Soups aren't the only thing on the menu at the Soup Kitchen, but it'd be a strange choice to opt for something different than a hearty bowl of the stuff here. Having operated for 40-plus years, this restaurant harkens back to a different day and age of Sugar House as well as American cuisine. Grab a chair and some crackers, order some chowder and do a li'l time-traveling.
facebook.com/SoupKitchenSugarHouse
2. The Other Place Restaurant
3. The Dodo

Best Souvlaki
Greek Souvlaki
Skewers of meat and veggies seem simple enough, but the magic that Greek Souvlaki is able to perform creates the perfect balance between tender, juicy chunks of pork or chicken and grilled onions with sliced zucchini. Search high and low, in red rock or the Rockies, and you will not find a better souvlaki than at this local gem.
greeksouvlaki.com
2. Yanni's Greek Express
3. The Med

Best Steakhouse Prime Rib
Grub Steak
Cooking the perfect prime rib is a dance you perfect over time, like 18 hours. Such are the talents of head chef Brian Moody, who is said to be the longest-tenured chef in Utah. Prime cuts of meat are the star of the show at Grub Steak, and the certified Angus prime rib is cooked to perfection when it arrives tableside.
grubsteakparkcity.com
2. Ruth's Chris Steak House
3. Goodwood Barbecue Company

Best Steakhouse Ribeye
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Gordon Ramsay says that a filet mignon is the Rolls-Royce of steak, but true steak-lovers will tell you that nothing beats a seared-to-perfection ribeye. Fleming's does it best with a bone-in and dry-aged ribeye, both certified USDA Prime. Pair your meal with a wine and signature side from their extensive list.
flemingssteakhouse.com/Locations/UT
2. Hoof & Vine
3. Maddox Ranch House

Best Sweet Potato Fries
Spitz (Downtown Salt Lake City)
While the thin fries are a super-satisfying addition to any sandwich coming out of the Spitz kitchen, the sweet potato fries add not only the textural splendor of the waffle fry but come dressed in a secret house blend of spices with a side of garlic aioli. If you're torn on which option to order, fret not, as you can grab a mixed fries combo platter.
spitz-restaurant.com
2. The Bayou
3. Cubby's

Best Tapas
Eva
The glory of "small plates" is that you can see a half-dozen amazing things on a menu and not have to pass on any of them. Still, a visit to Eva tests your ability to select from all the succulent options. Bring some friends, order a few plates, and try to live in the moment enough not to plan what you'll have next time.
evaslc.com
2. Mint Tapas & Sushi 4 (Sugar House)
3. Finca

Best Thai Curry
Chanon Thai Cafe
Chanon became a Utah darling early on in its lifecycle and has continued to garner loyalty amid the ever-increasing amount of really good Thai places along the Wasatch Front. Something about their curry continues to intrigue and delight diners, though it's a good bet whatever secret ingredients the Chanon team is using are carefully under wraps.
chanonthaislc.com
2. Sawadee Thai Restaurant
3. Chabaar Beyond Thai

Best Unique Menu Item
Ube Cornbread (Hog & Tradition–HallPass)
Proving beyond a doubt that American barbecue continues to be a work in progress, the team at Hog & Tradition inside HallPass continues to impress us. Whipping up some traditional Southern cornbread with the help of our favorite purple Japanese sweet potato is the kind of culinary innovation that really pays off—hence its presence at the top of this list.
hogntraditionbbq.com
2. Guava and Goat Cheese Tiramisu (Twisted Tiramisu)
3. Shiitake Escargot (Vertical Diner)

Best Vegan: Burger
Mark of the Beastro
Ever skilled with the puns, Mark of the Beastro, famously located at 666 S. State Street, presents a short but highly-tasty burger section on its menu dubbed "Burgatory." These animal-free offerings include four options: classic, guacamole, mushroom and BBQ variants, all served with fries or salad. With an in-house music venue, this spot offers both good meals and a great place to eavesdrop, with an occasional soundcheck thrown into the mix.
markofthebeastro.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. Vertical Diner

Best Vegan: Breakfast
Vertical Diner
The Blue Plate Special is one of six items available to breakfast-centric guests at Vertical Diner. It's simple, in a sense: tofu scramble, country potatoes, a slice of toast and jam. And yet, it's both the most-affordable and, arguably, the most-satisfying item on the menu. Vertical is known for a wide-ranging menu, including pastas, pizzas and more, but it's the breakfast menu that's always there, always ready, always tasty, always animal-kind.
verticaldiner.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. Old Cuss Cafe

Best Vegan: Specialty Dish
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (Buds)
Along with the veggie "chicken" and buffalo sauce, Buds' signature sandwich has relatively straightforward ingredients: shredded cabbage, herb aioli, tomato and red onion on a toasted sourdough hoagie. And yet from this simple recipe comes a sandwich so good that even cynics of veganism will reconsider their life choices after a few bites. That this culinary winner comes at a price point several bucks below a 10-spot is just another inducement to order.
budsslc.com
2. Chicken Fried Steak (Vertical Diner)
3. Oyster Mushroom Po' Boy (Mark Of The Beastro)

Best Vegan: Wings
Vertical Diner
Wings are a sacred shareable, only made better when they kick-ass and save animals and the planet writ large. Almost everybody in the Salt Lake Valley knows about the classic Vertical Diner, and it's easy to see why. Their wings boast a crunchy outside, are doused in buffalo sauce and don't skimp on portions. Pair with hand-cut fries and vegan ranch, or as we like to say: the gift that just keeps giving.
verticaldiner.com
2. Trolley Wing Co.
3. Scovilles

Best Wings
Trolley Wing Co.
Because of its numerous flavors, you'll never get bored with this place. Plus, they've got gluten-free and vegan options, so everyone can join the party. We're obsessed with their garlic parmesan, but hey, it's also fun to roll the dice and see what you get! And don't get us started on their vegan sauces—there's literally something for every kind of wing-lover. You get a wing, you get a wing, and YOU GET A WING!
trolleywingcompany.com
2. Scovilles
3. Red Beard BBQ

Best All-Day Breakfast Menu
Five Seeds
Breakfast is served all day at this gorgeous Park City eatery. That's the short of it. The long of it is that Five Seeds does not serve an average breakfast. Select from non-standards like pulled pork benedict, shakshuka, banana bread with espresso cream (our fave), a wide variety of bowls and smoothies (jalapeño syrup?!?) plus side dishes that include Halloumi cheese with hot honey. There are long lines here for a reason, folks.
five5eeds.com

Best BBQ Innovator
Blatch's Backyard BBQ
There aren't many culinary niches that generate the near-religious reverence that barbecue does. Pitmasters have always pushed each other to innovate in this field, but Chris Blatchford of Blatch's Backyard BBQ has taken that enterprising spirit to a whole new level. Blatchford's cozy barbecue joint is entirely plant-based, and it's turning out award-winning eats that have impressed even the most discerning barbecue enthusiasts.
blatchsbackyardbbq.com

Best Dessert for True Patriots
Brooker's Founding Flavors
When faced with a food challenge that features 13 scoops of ice cream—commemorating the 13 original American colonies, of course—served in a frosted Liberty Bell, a true patriot refuses to back down. The Liberty Bell Monumental Sundae at Brooker's Founding Flavors presents such a challenge, and only the bravest among us dare tackle it. Even if you don't scarf this down in the time limit, the mere attempt is enough to make history.
brookersicecream.com

Best Mystery Meat
Silverside Deli
It's no secret that Silverside Deli has taken Sugar House by storm with its arsenal of meticulously crafted sandwiches; it's the monthly mystery sandwich that truly sets this place apart. Every month, Silverside's sandwich wizards invent a mystery sandwich that gets a spot on their menu. The staff might drop hints about this sandwich, but its origins will be a secret until you order. It's perfect for those who enjoy dining dangerously.
silversidedeli.com

Best Plant Butcher
Vegan Daddy Meats
In an uncrowded field, it's not a stretch to be regarded as the best. That said, Vegan Daddy Meats is indeed the best provider of 100% vegan meats—faux ribs, chicken cutlets and steak strips and more—evidenced by the local merchants who serve Vegan Daddy products on their own menus. If you're eating faux meats around town, it's quite possible you're eating a product from this Marmalade District caterer, supplier and dine-in eatery.
vegandaddymeats.com

Best Ramen Raise
Ramen Ichizu
Ramen Ichizu is the Salt Lake City iteration of Mike Harrison's notable Hana Raman Bar in Park City. Harrison learned his ramen ways via Tokyo's Ranjuku Ramen School, thus bringing an insider's point of view to the local ramen scene. Plainly put, he's taken it up a notch. All of his preparations are produced in-house, resulting in one outcome: An excellent, soothing bowl of ramen like no other that you'd compare to any bowl, anywhere, anytime.
IG: @ramen_ichizu

Best Signature Burger
Utah Burger (Apollo Burger)
While it's hard to imagine a burger addition or topping that is missing from Utah burger menus, we seldom remember those creations by location and name. Apollo Burger proudly creates a battery of signature burgers, from the Greeky Athenian to the more homespun Hawaiian Teriyaki. Topping their list is the Utah Burger, a mixed marriage of pastrami, bacon, gyro meat and cheese atop a 1/4-pound burger with all the fixings and the cornbread-topped bun that's memorable—by name and location!
apolloburger.com

Best Turkish Coffee
Kahve Cafe
"A single cup of coffee is remembered for 40 years," goes a Turkish proverb. That's because Turkish coffee is made so as to not be confused with morning Styrofoam cup versions. Prepared in a copper utensil that sits within a bed of hot sand, Kahve's coffee boils uniformly throughout, resulting in a cup to be savored. The result? Another proverb: "The heart seeks neither coffee nor coffee house. The heart wants friendship, coffee is an excuse."
kahvecafeslc.com

Best Use of Fruit on Pizza
Basta Pasteria
Those who turn their nose up at the thought of fruit on pizza are missing out, and perhaps no local restaurant proves that more than Basta Pasteria. Their pistachio pizza leans into the rich nuttiness of the pistachio pesto and unctuous saltiness of the mortadella, but it's the thin slice of lemon that brings everything together. The citrus complements all that richness well enough to end the fruit-on-pizza debate once and for all.
bastapasteriaut.com
Best Vietnamese South of the Valley
QT Wrap and Roll
QT Wrap & Roll, located in the heart of West Jordan, offers a fresh twist on vegan options. Experience the taste sensation of a vibrant fusion of crisp ingredients wrapped in delicate rice paper. Each bite is a harmonious blend of crunchy vegetables, aromatic herbs and savory tofu or creamy avocado, complemented by a zesty dipping sauce. These rolls deliver classic Vietnamese flavors while remaining completely plant-based.
qtwrapnroll.com

Best Coffee Shop: Drive-Thru
Java Jo's
It's a great treat at City Weekly to do a write-up for a business one loves. And damn if we don't love to give our money to Java Jo's. Their cold brew with sweet foam can't be beat. Looking for a hot take? The oat milk latte never misses. And, although it's not technically coffee, they also make the best London Fog in the valley—get it with lavender syrup.
javajos.com
2. Rawbean Coffee
3. Bjorn's Brew

Best Beignet
Thirst Drinks
With the plethora of bakeries, delis and diners around the valley, it may be a surprise to learn that readers awarded Thirst Drinks—but just wait until you try them! Their beignets come in bite- or regular- sizes, cream-filled or unfilled, glazed or unglazed and with or without a sprinkling of cinnamon or powdered sugar. For the indecisive, consider ordering a bag of minis and a side drizzle of chocolate, raspberry or honey.
thirstdrinks.com
2. Sunday's Best
3. Provisions

Best Boba Tea
Xing Fu Tang
Xing Fu Tang has a variety of drinks to satisfy any palate. It's best known, however, for its signature brown sugar boba milk tea. This rich, creamy drink is only made better with fresh boba pearls and a lightly torched brown sugar topping. The open kitchen lets customers watch as their drinks are made, so you can see for yourself the care that goes into every item on the menu. IG: xingfutang.ut
2. Tea Bar
3. Sunny Honey

Best Brownies
Kneaders Bakery & Cafe
One bite into a delicious brownie from Kneaders and you'll understand what makes it Utah's best. They're rich, fudgy and as chocolatey as you could ever hope a brownie to be. Plus, they're made fresh in-house, so you can indulge in this delicious treat knowing it's been crafted with care. Go earn yourself some brownie points and see what this bakery is all about!
kneaders.com
2. Pie Party
3. The Chocolate: A Dessert Cafe

Best Churros
San Diablo Artisan Churros
It's no surprise that a Utah business with such a strong dedication and love for churros has been named Utah's best. Not only does San Diablo cater events to make any occasion that much more special (and tasty), but they also sell churro-making kits so you can have Utah's best churros at home. Their signature cinnamon sugar blend and variety of fillings and dips really make it the best churro experience possible.
sandiablochurros.com
2. Taqueria 27
3. Franco's Churros & Crepes

Best Cinnamon Rolls
The Dough Lady
Amy Lund started The Dough Lady in 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In just a few short years, her take-and-bake cinnamon roll business has taken off and filled the hearts (and bellies) of Utahns with warm and delicious delights. What's better, her cinnamon roll doughs come in a variety of flavors, so you can make several kinds of quality cinnamon rolls from the comfort of your own home.
doughladyslc.com
2. Straw Market SLC
3. Village Baker

Best Coffee Roaster
Caffe Ibis Coffee Roasting Co.
Caffe Ibis is what long-term commitments to the values of stewardship, equity and community look like. Starting with its original cafe in Logan, it is now available throughout our beautiful state. We appreciate their dedication to providing quality coffee at an affordable price, and we personally love that we can get it at local grocers like Harmon's and sit and drink our Ibis Coffee with friends.
caffeibis.com
2. Publik Coffee Roasters
3. Kings Peak Coffee Roasters

Best Coffee Shop: Barista
Anika, Tres Gatos Coffee
This Midvale coffee shop has one of the all-time funny-yet-precise taglines on social media: "High end coffee for normal people with a Drive-Thru." What more could you ask for? Great seasonal selections, awesome pastries and a team of beloved baristas like Anika. If you've been to a chain shop, you may never see a favorite face again. Here, you're a simple "hello" away from that perfect employee/customer relationship.
IG: @tresgatoscoffee
2. Omar, The People's Coffee
3. Josh, Loki Coffee

Best Coffee Shop: Sit Down
Loki Coffee
With plenty of natural light streaming in through the windows, plants flourishing throughout and located snug as a bug in the up-and-coming 9th South area, it's clear why Loki Coffee is our readers' top choice. Artisan blend coffee, matchas and teas galore keep customers caffeinated and yes, happy(!) for any and all study sessions, client meetings or daydreaming that needs to get done.
lokicoffeeco.com
2. Tres Gatos Coffee
3. The People's Coffee

Best Cold Brew
Tres Gatos Coffee
If you're looking for your next coffee fix, the cold brew at Tres Gatos Coffee is smooth, creamy, silky and sweet. They have both a drive-thru as well as indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate however you best like to sip your coffee. They are known for their friendly staff, which makes the drinks taste even better.
IG: @tresgatoscoffee
2. Loki Coffee
3. Roots Coffee Utah

Best Cookies
RubySnap Fresh Cookies
Can one ever make the bold claim that any single place has truly "perfected" the cookie? At least around these parts, one could argue that RubySnap has come the closest to such an achievement. Between its daily selections and monthly specials, RubySnap's gourmet treats bridge the expanse between the old-fashioned and the experimental. And the results are deliciously, endearingly, boldly perfect.
rubysnap.com
2. Chip Cookies
3. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake City)

Best Dessert: Bread Pudding
Gourmandise
Made from scratch with white bread and custard, Gourmandise's English Bread Pudding is a cherished classic within an already stellar menu of options. For a fruity twist during select times of the year, be sure to check out the Summer Berry version as well, which adds fresh blueberries and raspberries into the already-mouthwatering mix.
gourmandise.com
2. Délice Bakery & Café
3. Hoof & Vine

Best Crepes
Dali Crepes Catering & Cafe
Whether sweet or savory, Dali Crepes brings delicious, European-style crepes right here to us in Utah. Every order is made fresh and filled on the spot for a great-tasting, crispy and soft experience. Every menu item is elevated with a careful selection of ingredients, like Banana Dreams, which incorporates caramel sauce and almonds to banana Nutella, or the Alfredo Chicken crepe, which combines two great dishes into one amazing meal.
dalicrepes.com
2. Greenhouse Effect Coffee & Crepes
3. Monsieur Crepes

Best Cupcakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Moist, rich and packed with flavor, there's so much to love about Nothing Bundt Cakes' cupcakes (or "bundtinis"). These mini bundt cakes come in so many flavors that you're bound to find one you love. From red velvet to lemon to carrot (plus some gluten-free options), Nothing Bundt Cakes has something for everyone. Go find out what they're a-bundt!
nothingbundtcakes.com
2. So Cupcake
3. Mrs. Backer's Pastry Shop

Best Dessert: Cheesecake
Tin Roof Grill
When you want the best, you need to plan ahead. Everything on Tin Roof Grill's extensive menu of cheesecakes isn't available at any given moment, because they make them all fresh each day. So whether you want white chocolate caramel swirl, cookies & cream or raspberry key lime, be sure to call ahead of time to guarantee your mouth-watering selection. You won't regret it.
tinroofgrill.com
2. Momo's Gourmet Cheesecake Co.
3. Doki Doki

Best Dessert: Chocolate Cake
The Chocolate: A Dessert Café
The only problem with assigning the victory for "chocolate cake" to The Chocolate is that you're then faced with the delicious problem of asking, "Which one?" The menu rotates regularly, so maybe we're talking about the dark chocolate raspberry cake, a sinful mixture of tart and bittersweet. Or the elaborately decorated rosette cake? Either way, you win. thechocolate.cafe
2. Cakes By Edith
3. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake City)

Best Dessert: Decadent
Dulce De Leche (Twisted Tiramisu)
With 35+ rotating flavors of tiramisu from which to choose, there are plenty of reasons to keep you coming back to Twisted for more. Our readers suggest you start with the Dulce De Leche: buttery sweet mascarpone, Salt Lake Coffee Roaster Brazil roast-soaked lady fingers, a dash of cocoa and rum, and dulce de leche swirled on top. Order online or keep an eye out for their tent at local farmer's markets.
twistedtiramisuslc.com
2. Peach (Gourmandise)
3. Butter Cake (Sol Agave)

Best Dessert: Gelato
Dolcetti Gelato
This eclectic gelateria in Salt Lake's 9th & 9th neighborhood doesn't need an award to tell you it's good; the line out the door speaks for itself! Even in winter, it's still busy. You can always count on finding Dolcetti's signature coconut sticky rice, chocolate and pistachio flavors in the case, plus numerous other rotating sorbetto flavors. If you go on a day when forest berry is on the menu, you've hit the jackpot.
dolcettigelato.com
2. Sweetaly Gelato
3. Capo Gelateria Italiana

Best Dessert: Tiramisu
Twisted Tiramisu
The slogan says it all: "When a slice of cake won't do, order tiramisu!" Founded in 2021, Twisted Tiramisu is the dessert shop you didn't know you needed. Get a two-person tin delivered to your door or order party or cupcake sizes with advance notice. Their 35+ flavors—including fan favorites like creme brulee, horchata and passionfruit—are immediately frozen after they're made to stay travel-friendly. All you have to do is thaw and serve.
twistedtiramisuslc.com
2. Napoli's Italian Restaurant
3. Lupessa

Best Dirty Soda Shop
Swig
Swig has been serving up delicious, refreshing beverages and treats to dirty-soda connoisseurs since 2010. Nearly 15 years later, it remains the place to go for fast, cheerful service and endless combinations of delicious drinks. Whether you're making one to your unique specifications or grabbing their well-thought-out and creatively-named beverages, you're sure to enjoy anything they give you.
swigdrinks.com
2. Thirst Drinks
3. Fiiz Drinks

Best Donuts
Banbury Cross
If it feels like you've been seeing Banbury Cross win this category for years now, that's only because it keeps delivering the decadent, melt-in-your-mouth goodness from classic glazed to cinnamon twists to specialty cake-style. You'll never be more popular with your co-workers than if you plop one of Banbury's trademark boxes with the rocking horse logo into the break room. Just hear the yum noises commence.
banburycrossdonut.com
2. Fresh Donuts & Deli
3. Chubby Baker

Best Eclair
Schmidt's Pastry Cottage
Family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, Schmidt's knows a thing or two about choux. So it's no surprise that their eclairs are local favorites. Available in two sizes—although, let's be honest, you want the large—each pastry comes perfectly puffed and filled with decadent custard, topped with chocolate glaze and a decorative flour. Custom orders are available, if you care to be the most popular person at your company party. schmidtspastry.net
2. Carol's Pastry Shop
3. Eva's Bakery

Best Fried Scones
Navajo Hogan
The food at this little diner is based on long-standing recipes and traditions, particularly their amazing fry bread or fried scones—that Utah favorite featuring a fluffy, hollow interior and crisp bite. This humble restaurant, with its minimal signage and cinder block construction, is as fine a place as any to enjoy your first scone, or to re-imagine your childhood crush on this regional fave.
facebook.com/navajohoganllc
2. Sill's Cafe
3. Midvale Mining Cafe & Catering

Best Fudge
Hatch Family Chocolates
Just in time to place your holiday pre-orders, Hatch Family Chocolates once again wins the Best Fudge award. Creamy, lush and velvety, one bite of this fudge will make your tongue feel, as Tim Curry once remarked on the television show Psych, like an "angel baby swaddled in a cocoon of cloud candy." Nuts are optional.
hatchfamilychocolates.com
2. Fudge Co.
3. Chocolate Covered Wagon - Trolley Taffy Station

Best Hot Chocolate
Hatch Family Chocolates
Olmec pots dating from around 1500 BCE show trace evidence that they were used to serve a ceremonial drink made from cacao. Enjoyed for its energy-giving and aphrodisiac qualities, this chocolate drink wasn't reserved just for the powerful but enjoyed by persons of all ranks. For the third year in a row, Hatch Family Chocolates demonstrates that they have continued what the Olmecs started: providing hot chocolate to the masses. No ceremony required!
hatchfamilychocolates.com
2. Kahve Cafe SLC
3. Cozy Coffee Lounge

Best Macaron
Fillings & Emulsions
If ever you need a last-minute gift idea, get a box of macarons from Fillings & Emulsions. Doesn't matter the occasion—holiday, birthday, anniversary, I-forgot-our anniversary—you can't go wrong with these jewel-toned gems in mouthwatering flavors like chocolate raspberry, pistachio & cherry, caramel florentine, grapefruit mango, passion & pineapple and more. They even have an airport location, in case you need calories to fuel your trek to concourse B.
fillingsandemulsions.com
2. Gourmandise
3. Délice Bakery & Café

Best Ice Cream Shop
Normal Ice Cream
Noted for its unique flavors (black sesame, blood orange, green tea, ube, etc.), Normal serves their specialty treats on cones and in cakes, on sticks and in sandwiches—not to mention their purveying the public with pints and popsicles. A dessert run to this little shop on 900 South will hardly be dismissed as normal.
normal.club
2. Monkeywrench
3. Leatherby's Family Creamery

Best Juicery
Vive Juicery
Looking for a cleanse to your body? Vive Juicery has just the thing! Whether you opt for one of their curated cleanses, DIY your own selection of cold-pressed juices, or simply start a subscription to save 10% and score free delivery, there's no better way to start a full-body reset than with Vive.
vivejuicery.com
2. The Juice Shop
3. Just Organic Juices

Best Latte Art
Coffee Garden
There are days when the line at Coffee Garden stretches from the counter to the front door. Even in those moments, the courteous and uber-professional baristas at Coffee Garden keep their cool, putting out caffeine drinks that are pleasing to multiple senses. With some expert twists of their wrists, the Coffee Garden crew set out lattes made with care and flair. That perfectly-prepared cup is always worth the wait.
coffeegardenslc.org
2. Kings Peak Coffee Roasters
3. Cozy Coffee Lounge

Best Made in Utah Chocolate Bar
Ritual Chocolate
Ritual Chocolate believes in ethically-sourced cacao and that chocolate is a gift to unfold. Combining old-world techniques with modern machinery, they provide a unique experience with every bite. Be sure to try the Juniper Lavender Chocolate, an ode to their Utah roots with a blend of lavender grown by Blue Canyon in Heber City.
ritualchocolate.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. The Chocolate Conspiracy

Best Milkshake
Iceberg Drive Inn (3900 South)
There's something comforting and reliable about a culinary standby, and ever since Lamar Sorensen commenced the Iceberg Drive Inn at this location in 1960, that is just what Salt Lakers have had. While their other food options warrant praise, it is the towering, thick milkshakes that have kept customers coming back after all these decades. Can't finish one in a single sitting? No sweat. Iceberg will be there whenever you're ready for more.
icebergdriveinn.com
2. Dairy Keen - Home Of The Train
3. Hires Big H

Best Smoothies
Space Tea
Space Tea is known for a wide-ranging selection of milk teas, boba drinks, desserts, ice creams and all things sweet and tasty, served up to a youthful, energetic clientele. The business—which serves drinks as amazing to look at as they are to taste—is also given to local, small-scale philanthropy, their business calendar dotted with good deeds. If you've never enjoyed the wonders of boba, this is a great place to be introduced.
spaceteaslc.com
2. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
3. Roxberry Juice Co. Drive Thru

Best Mango Lassi
Royal India
Seeing as India has such rich and diverse cuisines, it's difficult to pinpoint only one item at Royal India's table, thanks to owner Emmanuel Shanthakumar. We can report, however, that the Mango Lassi is truly something to behold. A housemade yogurt blended with buttermilk and mango, it's an absolute must during any visit.
royalindiautah.com
2. Saffron Valley
3. Mumbai House

Best Muffin
Picnic Café
Picnic Café provides the idyllic setting for grabbing a tasty treat before promenading through Salt Lake's nearby Liberty Park. It's their rotational fresh-baked pastries that separate this cafe from the rest. Made in-house, the muffins are an experience to enjoy and savor. Paired with their other delicious eats, a walk in the park never tasted so good.
picnicslc.com
2. Vosen's Bread Paradise
3. The Dodo Restaurant

Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
HK Brewing Collective Taproom & Bar
This collective began in a dorm room closet, where founder Hannah Hendrickson brewed kombucha as a student. Since then, this women-owned business has grown into a full-scale kombucha brewery and taproom. What's better, it features a range of zero-proof cocktails for customers to enjoy. So whether you're the designated driver or planning a sober excursion, you don't have to miss out on sipping a well-crafted drink.
hkbrewing.com
2. Post Office Place
3. Hopkins Brewing Company

Best Pastry Shop
Gourmandise
Whether it's scones or croissants, tartlettes or cannolis, pains au chocolat or the kouign-amann, the odds are good that you'll find within the doors of Gourmandise that particular pastry for which you're pining. Odds are even better that you'll find more than you anticipated, necessitating several visits. When you add to this the many seasonal treats offered throughout the year, this European delight becomes the sweetest sure bet around.
gourmandise.com
2. Tomodachi Bake Shoppe
3. Délice Bakery & Café

Best Pie: Cream
Flake Pie Co.
While this South Jordan bakery also offers cakes, brownies and toaster pastries, it is the personal mini pies that are the stars of Flake Pie Co.'s menu. From banana cream and chocolate caramel to cookie dough, these rich and indulgent bites are begging to be shared with others for a sweet capper to any evening.
flakepie.com
2. Pie Party
3. The Dodo Restaurant

Best Pie: Fruit
Flake Pie Co.
Not content to excel solely among their more cream-centric offerings, Flake Pie Co. provides unique zest to their fruitier personal pastries as well. Whether the featured filling is apple, peach streusel or berry medley, you can be sure that the mini pie before you will not remain uneaten for long.
flakepie.com
2. Pie Fight
3. Pie Party

Best Shaved Ice
Hokulia Shave Ice
To the rest of the United States, landlocked Utah might be a surprising home to a burgeoning Polynesian culture—in Utah, island themes and flavors are part of the everyday lifestyle. Arriving in Provo in 2008, Hokulia Shave Ice has flourished and grown to over 80 locations, offering premium island-inspired shaved ice. They have even partnered with Farr's Ice Cream to pack further flavors into their unique treats.
hokuliashaveice.com
2. Bahama Buck's (Draper)
3. Just A Craving

Best Specialty Cakes
Tulie Bakery
Most of us are already well-acquainted with Tulie's delicious cake stylings, most famously with their olive oil confection. (If not, pay them a visit ASAP!) On top of the traditional flavors, Tulie offers coffee and tea cakes as well. Because its cakes come in sizes ranging from 6 to 14 inches around with up to three layers, you'll need to call ahead for one of these beauties, but we can assure you that they're worth the wait.
tuliebakery.com
2. Cakes By Edith
3. Mrs. Backer's Pastry Shop

Best Tea Service
The Grand America
The Grand America Hotel does the very civilized practice of high tea remarkably well. From a harpist creating the perfect background ambiance to the tower of finger sandwiches and pastries, the elegance you experience there is second to none. Dress up and get fancy—it's your time to shine.
grandamerica.com
2. Tea Zaanti
3. Space Tea

Best Vegan Dessert
Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
Felicia Hanson kicked off her sweet empire selling out of her car during the pandemic, and now Sweet Hazel is the go-to vegan dessert spot in the city! Their wares include the cheeky "Better than Sex" cake and the "Better than Theirs" candy bar (think Snickers, but better). And guess what? It's all dairy- and egg-free without skimping on flavor. We look forward to the inclusive treats they'll be whipping up next!
sweet-hazel-co.myshopify.com
2. Monkeywrench
3. City Cakes & Cafe

Best Bit of Disneyland with Your Movie
Dole Whip at Megaplex Theatres
Fans of Disney parks are familiar with that delightful treat known popularly as the "Dole Whip"—a tart, tangy, creamy mountain of pineapple-flavored soft-serve ice cream. If your cinematic snacking tends to be more sweet than salty, you can grab one of these desserts at several Megaplex Theatres locations. Just don't block the view of the people behind you with your mouse ears.
megaplextheatres.com

Best Imported Sweetness
The Old Dutch Store
While this Dutch, German and Scandinavian import store offers an impressive array of sandwiches, soups and imported goods, it is the dessert items that warrant consistent visits. From their stroopwafels and Olliebolen to the windmill cookies and marzipan cake, the goods at this family business have long been mixing their own style of zoet ("sweet") to our City of Salt.
facebook.com/olddutchstore

Best Parkside Latte
Picnic Café
Picnic is a delightful haven for coffee enthusiasts and casual sippers alike. With its cozy atmosphere, this quaint spot is renowned for its extraordinary specialty drinks like the Pandan latte. Whether you're craving a velvety matcha latte or an inventive seasonal creation, Picnic offers a refreshing escape just steps away from Liberty Park. Enjoy your favorite beverage after a park walk on their serene patio—it's the perfect place to relax and recharge.
picnicslc.com

Best Aprés-Ski
The Hog Wallow Pub
Aprés the local way at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Those in the know avoid the dreaded "red snake" of traffic by bouncing before the late-afternoon rush, opting to head down for post-ski drinks at Hog's. The roaring fireplace and hand-carved wooden beams conjure cozy cabin vibes, and the menu features hearty dishes like slow-roasted pork, ribs and smoked wings. Good luck eating that well at the resort.
thehogwallow.com
2. Cotton Bottom Inn
3. Porcupine Pub & Grille

Best African Restaurant
Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market
When your mouth gets bored and lonely, a remedy can be found at Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant. Offering authentic dishes with often surprising seasoning combinations, Mahider might also provide you with your next new comfort food. Large enough to feed its broad customer base, Mahider is also small enough to make you feel like you've just personally discovered it.
mahiderethiopian.com
2. Kafe Mamai
3. Balabe

Best All You Can Eat Restaurant
Chuck-A-Rama
Chuck-A-Rama is one of those local spots that is so uniquely Utahn that we can't help but fall in love with it. Its inspiration comes from the worlds of pioneer heritage, Boy Scouts and an abiding love for putting gravy on everything that speaks directly to Utahns' souls. And who doesn't love the Chuck's thematic menus? Visiting on Italian Day is one of the best things about living in the Beehive State.
chuck-a-rama.com
2. Mr. Shabu
3. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

Best American Diner
Ruth's Diner
In a mere six years, Ruth's Diner will be 100 years old. This is a restaurant that has served almost ten decades' worth of Utah diners, and it's not showing any signs of stopping. With mile-high biscuits, an excellent woodsy patio and a chocolate malt pudding to die for, Ruth's Diner may just be the best American diner in the country, let alone Utah.
ruthsdiner.com
2. Vertical Diner
3. Over the Counter Cafe

Best Appetizer Menu
Franklin Ave Cocktails & Kitchen
Proving they can hang with the likes of their sister locations in the Bourbon Group, Franklin Ave Cocktails & Kitchen serves up some tasty eats to begin your meal, or order several and graze. Try the deviled eggs with duck cracklings or the loaded potatoes with bacon and hollandaise; your palette will thank you.
franklinaveslc.com
2. Prohibition
3. The Bayou

Best Bar Bathroom
Quarters Arcade Bar (Downtown Salt Lake City)
Oftentimes, the bathroom is the real and almighty judge of an establishment's character, effort and cleanliness. Lucky for them, Quarters Arcade Bar hits these checkpoints with high marks all around. Even if you haven't had the pleasure of powdering your nose at the downtown location, you've certainly seen the bright neon lights reflecting pink across the mirror that reads, "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down." Here, here!
quartersslc.com/downtown
2. Lake Effect
3. Prohibition

Best Bar in Salt Lake County
A Bar Named Sue
If you are venturing outside of downtown, A Bar Named Sue has a good crowd that isn't too loud to socialize. With 26 beers on tap, it is a great place for a low-key drink and live music. There are also karaoke nights, free bar games, UFC and weekly events with cash prizes. Truly a bar that has it all.
abarnamedsue.com
2. Prohibition
3. The Hog Wallow Pub

Best Bar Bingo
A Bar Named Sue
Breaking Bingo takes place Thursday nights at 8 p.m. at A Bar Named Sue. There is up to a $3,000 Jackpot, which is a chance to win some serious money. With their large selection of beers on tap, this is the best place to come with some friends on a weeknight if you are feeling lucky.
abarnamedsue.com
2. Good Spirits Bar & Grill
3. Why KiKi

Best Bar in Downtown Salt Lake City
Lake Effect
This is not your regular bar—you won't find a selection of alcohol like theirs anywhere else in the city! Plus, we're all about their regular local music celebrations on the main level. Elevate your nightlife experience in "Church," their heavenly club upstairs where cocktails are your holy elixir and dancing is the divine ritual, or "The Rabbit Hole," their enigmatic basement speakeasy, where the atmosphere keeps you happily lost in time.
lakeeffectslc.com
2. Why KiKi
3. The Green Pig Pub

Best Bar Menu
White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
Dominating the top spot for their elevated bar menu once again, White Horse Spirits & Kitchen boldly goes where other bar menus do not. From the fried stuffed olives filled with chorizo, almonds and cream cheese to the Oyster Po' Boy, go for the food and stay for the food.
whitehorseslc.com
2. Franklin Ave Cocktails & Kitchen
3. The Bayou

Best Brewery Food
Red Rock Brewing (Fashion Place Mall)
With a delicious beer already in hand, the good folks at Red Rock Brewing know that there's something else that may enter your thoughts: food. On this, they've got you covered. Red Rock at Fashion Place offers full plates of goodness plus smaller items. What complements a glass of beer better than some beer-battered pickle chips or blistered shishito peppers? Well, spiral cut fries! Or roasted Brussels sprouts. Or multiple other delightfully-noshable treats.
redrockbrewing.com
2. Squatters Pub Brewery
3. Bohemian

Best Brewpub
Squatters Pub Brewery
A local favorite with award-winning beers in a casual atmosphere. It can fill up quickly, so make a reservation and bring a group of friends. The happy hour food and drinks are well worth the price. Make sure to try the cheese curds, fried pickles, Brussels sprouts and sweet potato fries.
saltlakebrewingco.com/squatters
2. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown Salt Lake City)
3. Hopkins Brewing Company

Best Bar Patio
The Hog Wallow Pub
Maybe it's the misters, maybe it's the mules, but the patio at The Hog Wallow always seems to feel about 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the city on sweltering days. You can find a secluded table tucked among the pines on its mutli-level patio, and listen to the waterfall babbling in the background.
thehogwallow.com
2. Gracie's
3. Ivy & Varley

Best Barbecue Restaurant
Pica Rica BBQ
This well-regarded St. George restaurant is known for big portions, which come accompanied by an absolutely masterful set of sides, including mac 'n' cheese, potato salad and Spanish rice, among other options. With St. George being a popular daytrippin' location for Salt Lakers, this spot's built a dedicated clientele of locals and those willing to travel a bit for some amazing BBQ fare.
picaricabbq.com
2. Pat's Barbecue
3. Charlotte-Rose's Carolina BBQ

Best Brazilian Restaurant
Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
Gostoso Demais! A good Brazilian steakhouse—or "churrascaria"—will change the way you look at meat, with its frenzy of tableside offerings, sizzling hot and cut fresh from a skewer. And nobody has done it better for longer on this side of the equator than Rodizio Grill. Pro tips: put some farofa on your feijoada; try the chicken heart; and never say "no" to the grilled pineapple.
rodiziogrill.com/salt-lake-city
2. Braza Grill
3. Tucanos Brazilian Grill

Best Bread Bakery
Vosen's Bread Paradise
Visit Vosen's downtown location or catch them at the Downtown Farmer's Market for the best bread money can buy. You'll find staples like sourdough rounds, French baguettes and rolls, but their niche is German loaves and pastries. Think more varieties of rye than you've ever seen in your life alongside salt pretzels, bratwurst buns and croiliners—a cross between a croissant and a berliner—filled with raspberry jam or maple.
vosen.com
2. Table X Bread
3. Great Harvest Bread Co. (Holladay)

Best Breakfast
The Park Cafe
The Park Cafe understands that to create comfort, there's no use in reinventing the wheel. Instead, perfect the way it turns. Hot coffee pipes in pots, eggs are fried to yolky perfection and placed atop a warm bed of hashbrowns, onions and peppers. Berry preserves sit proudly on every table, just waiting to coat warm sourdough toast. This isn't a place you visit once and forget about: you come back again and again.
theparkcafeslc.com
2. Eggs In The City
3. Ruth's Diner

Best Breakfast in the Canyon
Ruth's Diner
What's better than breakfast? A breakfast enjoyed amidst the crisp air and natural slopes of Utah's Emigration Canyon, that's what. Considering that Ruth's Diner combines two delightful things into a single experience and does it supremely well, it's a wonder that we aren't all lined up outside that historic diner's trolley car entrance every morning for a bite of sweet or savory—but always scenic—perfection.
ruthsdiner.com
2. Silver Fork Lodge And Restaurant
3. Emigration Brewing Co.

Best Brewery
Templin Family Brewing
T. F. Brewing poured its first beer in 2018, but in a short time it's made quite a name for itself. From its award-winning flagship Granary Kellerbier to its more recent libations, T.F. Brewing has excelled in the German way of making beer. All their brews are fermented in an open-air style, 15-barrel brewhouse attached to the tap room. Plus, they have food trucks and a dog-friendly patio. We'll prost to that!
tfbrewing.com
2. Fisher Brewing Company
3. Bohemian Brewery

Best Brunch: Bar
Prohibition
Fresh, inventive and mysterious. We have so many adjectives to describe Prohibition, but perhaps most simply of all, it's delicious. This speakeasy boasts a great brunch—and if you've spent five minutes in Utah, you'd know brunch is set at a high bar. Some of our favorites include the Bourbon Caramel French Toast or the chilaquiles. We also recommend you pair it with one of their many exciting and creative brunch cocktails.
prohibitionutah.com
2. Why KiKi
3. Handle Bar

Best Brunch: Casual
Sunday's Best
Bursting from the creative minds of Michael McHenry and Tyler Stokes, Sunday's Best strives to be the popping, vibrant place that had been so desperately craved in Utah for quite some time. Open daily for brunch, Sunday's Best curates their menu seasonally to keep pace with the shifting trends among brunch-goers. A staple at the restaurant is the powdered sugar beignets, served with housemade jam.
brunchmehard.com
2. Oasis Cafe
3. Roots Cafe

Best Brunch: Special Occasion
The Grand America Hotel
Experience the artistry of chef-led cooking and carving stations, savor a specially curated selection for young gourmets, and indulge in luxurious desserts displayed in a tempting array that is not to be missed, no matter how full you are from other foods. It is only for special occasions, no?
grandamerica.com
2. Urban Hill
3. Mar Muntanya

Best Chef
Chef Tyson Peterson, Mar Muntanya
As a Utah native, chef Tyson Peterson brings nostalgia from his Utah roots into his work, like the funeral croquettes that he fuses with a Northern Spanish flair. Along with the appealingly familiar, you will find cultural inspirations from the Basque Country and Catalonia harmoniously incorporated into the menu as well—all of it composed by Peterson with finesse.
mar-muntanya.com
2. Giuseppe Mirenda, Antica Sicilia
3. Nick Zocco, Urban Hill

Best Chinese Restaurant
Mandarin
For nearly 50 years, this culinary treasure in Bountiful has provided consistently delicious food and a diverse menu that fills you up without weighing you down. Their servers are bright, informed and have great suggestions based on what you have liked in the past. This iconic spot is a community staple and you need it in your mouth right now.
mandarinutah.com
2. Shanghai Café
3. Hong Kong Tea House

Best Cidery
Second Summit Hard Cider Co.
Two words: pickleball courts. Where else can you play everyone's new favorite sport and enjoy local hard ciders on draft? Not to mention tons of local beers, cider cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings alongside house-made paninis and flatbreads. And if pickleball isn't your thing, Second Summit also hosts game nights, including trivia, bingo and cornhole leagues, live music and community events.
secondsummitcider.com
2. Mountain West Cider
3. Scion Cider Bar

Best Dog-Friendly Patio Bar
HandleBar
Located in a scenic pocket of the Marmalade neighborhood, HandleBar has found the perfect place for a dog-friendly bar, located juuuust far away that even a couple of noisy canines aren't going to upset the neighbors. Generally, though, folks bring well-behaved dogs to this venue, which features a big patio. Add in a solid food menu and a full-service bar and you've got yourself a very solid dog- (and human-)friendly experience.
handlebarslc.com
2. Second Summit Hard Cider Co.
3. The Brickyard Bar

Best Dance Club
Why KiKi
Why Kiki revolutionized what it means to dance in downtown Salt Lake. Spearheading the silent disco movement, they turned an otherwise ordinary DJ set into a scene from Saturday Night Fever. Pumping music you can control—and therefore can never get bored of—Why Kiki will keep your cup full and your moves fast and loose. This club is for everyone: so be yourself, put on your red shoes and dance away the blues.
whykikibar.com
2. Area 51
3. Sky SLC

Best Dive Bar
Duffy's Tavern
This is a bar that feels welcoming to Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z alike. It has cozy booths, darts, pool tables and a friendly staff and crowd. Not only are the drinks inexpensive (which is important these days), but the sandwiches at Duffy's Tavern are really up to the hype.
duffystavernslc.com
2. Cheers 2 U
3. Dick N' Dixie's

Best DJ
DJ Bangarang
Bangarang is a well-known face in our community. You can catch him DJing downtown at Sky SLC and London Belle, as well as in Park City at the Downstairs PC and The Cabin PC. His open-format style and versatile mixing means there is something for everyone to dance along to! Keep up with his busy schedule on social media.
IG: @bangarangthedj
2. DJ Sheade
3. DJ Matty Mo

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant
Hell's Backbone
Dining on farm-raised food at Hell's Backbone is an entirely different experience from the norm—one that's deeply connected to the land. Jen Castle and Blake Spalding have truly crafted something extraordinary in this corner of Utah. Before you leave, be sure to stop by their charming stand, where they offer an array of homemade goods to take with you.
hellsbackbonegrill.com
2. Urban Hill
3. Arlo Restaurant

Best Food Truck
Cluck Truck
Hatched in 2018, the Cluck Truck has been making local foodies excited about its simple yet satisfying menu ever since. With a handful of wraps and a few different fry options, the Cluck Truck packs a lot of punch in a smaller menu, with fans finding their great products at food truck meet-ups and outside of local brewpubs. There's some magic on every plate that comes out of the Cluck Truck mobile kitchen.
clucktruckutah.com
2. Salt City Barbecue
3. Bacio D' Italia Food Truck

Best Fine Dining
Urban Hill
Urban Hill's Executive Chef Nick Zocco was recognized as a finalist this year for Best Chef by the James Beard Foundation, though taking home a Best Fine Dining win by thousands of Best of Utah voters ekes out honors in our book. Zocco ascribes a touch of brilliance to his creations, and it's no surprise that Urban Hill has shot up into the top-tier lists of restaurants in Utah so quickly.
urban-hill.com
2. Antica Sicilia
3. Table X

Best Food Hall
HallPass
This upscale food court has so many different options. You can try skinnyFATS, which has a mix of fried and healthy food (such as fried pickles); Blaze of Thunder for southern fried chicken; or Hog & Tradition for Dominican BBQ just to name a few! When visiting the Gateway check out their entire selection and bring the whole family because there is something here for everyone.
hallpassslc.com
2. Woodbine Food Hall
3. Chinatown Supermarket

Best Food Influencer on Social Media
SLCFoodie
Garnering thousands of engagements on their Instagram through their 200,000-plus followers, @SLCFoodie is constantly on the hunt to shine a spotlight on Utah eateries—it's a great resource for Utahns to find the deserving hole-in-the-wall or, at minimum, make your mouth water while you doom scroll. Not on Instagram? You can find SLCFoodie every Tuesday on Fox 13 for a segment.
2. Gastronomic SLC
3. Phoking

Best French Restaurant
La Caille
Take one serving of Pyrenees estate, add a soupcon of Loire valley and a dash of Utahn ingenuity, and you have La Caille Restaurant. The experience begins before you enter the manse by strolling through its sumptuous grounds. Inside, La Caille presents French decor that, while whimsical, isn't overdone, a bar and a winery that feature regular offerings as well as La Caille's own Estate Chareau Rose and Enchante.
lacaille.com
2. Laurel Brasserie & Bar
3. Delice Bakery & Cafe

Best Greek Food
Manoli's
As a James Beard Award semifinalist and winner of this category last year as well, Manoli's continues to dominate for a good reason. From seasonal shareable bites that appeal to all types of eaters to house-made soft serve ice cream, you can't go wrong with anything on this menu. All dishes are made from scratch.
manolison9th.com
2. Greek Souvlaki
3. The Other Place Restaurant

Best Indian Restaurant
Mumbai House
When you walk into Mumbai House, you are met with delicious aromas that will simply make your mouth water. They boast a tasty lamb dhaba and chicken curry that use old traditions in preparation of these dishes. The dark, intimate space and welcoming service makes it a great place for a romantic date!
mumbaihousecuisine.com
2. Bombay House
3. Saffron Valley

Best Gentlemen's Club
Molly's Gemini Room
Molly's wishes you to know it's not an old-fashioned strip club, but something more elevated. Though geared towards gentlemen, it's a female-owned establishment, where "respect, fun, and safety move hand in hand." Offering a Renaissance-like vibe, Molly's isn't the same kinda club your grandpop visited after working in the Carbon County mines. It's a modern joint, though the appeals are universal and time-tested, to be sure.
mollysgeminiroom.com
2. Duces Wild
3. Trails

Best German Restaurant
Siegfried's Delicatessen
Nothing embodies the phrase "sehr gut" better than this casual deli/import store located within the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Whether it's the meats, the spaetzle, the sauerkraut or the pastries you're after, you will neither leave this venerable establishment disappointed, nor will you go unfilled. Seriously, how lucky can we be to have had this treasure in our midst since 1971?
siegfriedsdelicatessen.com
2. Weller's Bistro
3. Bohemian Brewery

Best Health-Conscious Cuisine
Vessel Kitchen
When other fast-casual restaurants were churning out variations on rice bowls and taco salads, Vessel gambled on making a balanced meal. How many of us have turned to Vessel when we're on the lookout for something to break our burger and pizza habits? This local spot has redefined the landscape by crafting dishes that are not only tasty, but put all our moms at ease by making sure we eat our veggies.
vesselkitchen.com
2. Aubergine Kitchen
3. Zest Kitchen & Bar

Best Hotel Restaurant
Bambara
When a restaurant is so good that diners go nuts for its potato chips, then it's already set a pretty high bar for itself. Luckily, constant innovation and commitment to quality are two of the driving forces behind Bambara's success. Just like the Hotel Monaco itself, Bambara prides itself on cultivating a classic aesthetic with a modern spin—and you literally can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
bambara-slc.com
2. Laurel Brasserie & Bar
3. Mar Muntanya

Best Indian Lunch Buffet
Himalayan Kitchen
Himalayan recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary, a testament to the love Utahns have for this welcoming establishment. The traditional Indian and Nepalese eatery is full of flavors, mouth-watering aromas, warm naan and sizzling Tandoori grills. The sizable lunch buffet has all of the Indian favorites and other delicious must-try house specialties.
himalayankitchen.com
2. Saffron Valley (South Jordan)
3. Kathmandu Grill

Best Italian Restaurant
Sicilia Mia
"When Sicilia Mia first opened in 2014, there was nobody with a traditional Italian menu," chef Giuseppe Mirenda told City Weekly earlier this year. "We kind of raised the bar a bit for everybody to follow." That's certainly an understatement, as Sicilia Mia's delectable offerings—from arancinette appetizers to seafood to housemade meatballs and, of course, plenty of amazing pasta—continue to delight diners a decade later.
siciliamiautah.com
2. Caffé Molise
3. Fratelli Ristorante

Best Japanese Restaurant
Sapa
Traditional dishes share space with amazing fusion cuisine—and a gorgeous setting—at Sapa. Whether your taste runs to classic sushi rolls or nigiri offerings, or you like getting adventurous with a squid salad, or you want to try out something like wok-seared filet mignon, Sapa combines all of the best Asian flavors under one roof. You can even have an "all you can eat" sushi roll experience during mid-week happy hour.
sapabarandgrill.com
2. Takashi
3. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Best Karaoke
Highlander Pub
Liquid courage can take the edge off one's first-time fears of singing in public, but it isn't always necessary at Highlander Pub. They're always willing to help you sort through an enormous music collection to find something in the right key. And the patrons? Supportive and welcoming, they don't care if you are a trained opera singer or have a voice only a mother could love. At Highlander, you've found your people.
highlanderutah.com
2. OMG! Karaoke With Queen Chanty
3. Drag Karaoke W/ Sequoia @ Blue Gene's

Best LGBTQ+ Bar
Why KiKi
Why KiKi has fabulous drag shows, including drag bingo nights! They also host great drag brunches, and have a silent disco downstairs to switch it up. Truly a safe place for our queer community and all those who love a good time with a few racy items on the menu. Check out the outside for a come-as-you-are beach bar.
whykikibar.com
2. The Sun Trapp
3. M I L K +

Best Korean Barbecue
KOU-Korean BBQ Of Utah
The Korean BBQ experience is interactive, allowing customers to cook the meat themselves on grills built into the tables. The dining experience at KOU goes a step further with offerings of high-quality bulgogi, pork and chicken. The communal dining atmosphere is exciting and enjoyable here. Plus, they offer a discounted all-you-can-eat happy hour price until 4 p.m.
thekou.com
2. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
3. OMBU Grill

Best Latin/South American Restaurant
Arempas
For lovers of Venezuelan food, this laidback eatery offers authentic and delicious food options. Along with their specialities like arepas and cachapas, there are also many vegetarian options. Arempas has large portions, which makes it well worth the price and practically guarantees that if you go, it will not be your last time. Open until 10 p.m., so it even makes it a great late-night bite to eat.
arempas.com
2. Las Botellas
3. El Rocoto Peruvian Restaurant

Best Local Fast Food Franchise
Crown Burgers
There are plenty of local burger joints that Utah can be proud of, but none of them have been as influential to Utah's culinary identity as Crown Burgers. The restaurant's fry sauce and its signature pastrami burger are Utah originals, often finding their way to national best burger lists all over the internet. The fact that Crown Burgers has been this good since 1978 makes it nothing short of a local legend.
crown-burgers.com
2. The Pie Pizzeria
3. Hires Big H

Best Mexican Restaurant
Red Iguana
This family-run Mexican restaurant is best known for its different kinds of mole. It is genuinely the closest moles to Puebla or Oaxaca you will find in Salt Lake City. There are also gluten-free options and a kid's menu. This is a great place for your next birthday party or family outing.
rediguana.com
2. La Casa Del Tamal
3. Chile-Tepin

Best Neighborhood Restaurant
VIOLET
Tucked quaintly amongst houses and small business, VIOLET brings food aplenty to anyone who happened upon a neighborhood stroll. Adding quirky twists to otherwise run-of-the-mill snacks—like pickled beet deviled eggs and Captain Crunch-fried french toast, burnt butter pancakes or mahi-mahi sandos—they provide a perfect cap and exciting alternative to an otherwise dog day Saturday morning on the same old street.
violet-slc.com
2. Oquirrh Restaurant
3. The Dodo Restaurant

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Mazza
For more than 20 years, Mazza has been a dazzling gem in the community as the go-to Middle Eastern cuisine. A must-try during any Mazza visit are the Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs, which are seasoned and braised in their signature tomato pomegranate sauce. Along with the impressive food fare, Mazza has an extensive imported wine and beer list.
mazzacafe.com
2. Laziz Kitchen
3. Alhambra Shawarma

Best Neighborhood Bar
Dick N' Dixie's
The appeals of Dick N' Dixie's are many. There's a fantastic selection of liquors on the back bar and a beer list that goes waaaay beyond the average corner bar. Though late nights are fun, the happy hours are really special, as local wags talk about books and state politics, music fans kill time before shows at Urban Lounge and billiards are shot. Welcoming and unpretentious, this is a top-flight tavern.
dickndixies.com
2. Handle Bar
3. The Hog Wallow Pub

Best New Bar
Felt Bar & Eatery
Rich Romney was Takashi's general manager and right-hand man for decades, assisting the restaurant in opening Post Office Place. Now, Romney is ready to kick off the training wheels, fulfill his passion and open the city's latest bar, Felt Bar & Eatery. The eclectic menu has a global influence and offers stunning presentations, while the craft cocktails are totally unique and creative. Congratulations, Rich!
feltslc.com
2. Second Summit Hard Cider Co.
3. HK Brewing Collective Taproom & Bar

Best New Restaurant
Koyoté
Before Koyoté hit the scene, Utahns were doing quite well for themselves when it came to ramen. So well, in fact, that we all lost our collective minds when we experienced this north Salt lake gem for the first time. How a place could be this good right out of the gate was beyond any of us—but we sure have enjoyed slurping noodles at Kotyoté's bar.
koyoteslc.com
2. VIOLET
3. Matteo Ristorante Italiano

Best Nightclub for Live Music
Urban Lounge
Let's just state the obvious here: there are a variety of great music rooms in town and your choice of a favorite may come down to your preferences for elbow room or general booking policies. Urban Lounge offers all the needed elements of a fine venue, with friendly staff, an impressive calendar of artists, outdoor shows on occasion and, most importantly, a sound system that fills the room without a tinnitus warning attached.
theurbanloungeslc.com
2. Sky SLC
3. Soundwell

Best Nightclub DJ Line-Up
Sky SLC
Sky SLC has been a music venue with consistently great DJ lineups for more than a decade. They always host the biggest DJs in the electronic music industry and have invested in great speakers and visuals for an all-around fun night out with friends. The newer rooftop bar has added to the overall vibe of the venue. Stay in the loop of who is playing there and go check it out yourself!
skyslc.com
2. Why KiKi
3. M I L K +

Best Ogden Bar
Harp and Hound
Harp and Hound touts itself as "Ogden's hippest original speakeasy," and who doesn't want to hang out in a speakeasy like it's 1924 instead of 2024? This upscale gastropub will have you coming back again and again for their large menu selection (including vegan options), great service and premium cocktails. It's the perfect place for a hearty dinner or delightful brunch.
harphound.com
2. Funk 'n Dive Bar
3. Brewski's

Best Ogden Dive Bar
Funk 'n Dive Bar
While bar-hopping in O-town, you have a few options, but be sure to include Funk 'n Dive while you're out and about. It has everything you could need for a great night out: scrumptious food, top-notch service and lively atmosphere. Come hang out in a cool, historical building and enjoy weekly events like poker and trivia, or a live show from great local talent.
funkanddive.com
2. Brewski's
3. Shooting Star Saloon

Best Ogden Restaurant
Tona Sushi Bar and Grill
Historic 25th Street is home to many great eateries, but if you're in the mood for sophisticated and innovative Japanese cuisine, look no further than Tona. It never disappoints with its top notch service, cozy location and, of course, the fantastic food. With plenty of dishes to choose from, Tona will have you coming back again and again to try something new, or to reorder your favorite.
tonarestaurant.com
2. Slackwater
3. The Sonora

Best Old-School Drive-In
Hires Big H
Founded in 1959, the period in which American drive-ins enjoyed their greatest cultural cachet, Hires offers all the expected (and desired) menu items of its kin: burgers, dogs, ice cream, root beer and chili. And, in theory, you could go to Hires and not order fries with a side of fry sauce, but what fun would that be? This place is authentic, the real deal.
hiresbigh.com
2. Iceberg Drive Inn (3900 South)
3. Millie's Burgers

Best Old-Timey Cafe
Left Fork Grill
Free of the needless flash and frills of more modern eateries, this Salt Lake City diner nevertheless offers food that appeals to hungry layperson and gourmet alike. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, you will find their classic home cooking to be both tasty as well as filling. Just make sure you leave enough room for one of their pies!
leftforkgrillslc.com
2. Midvale Mining Cafe & Catering
3. Virg's

Best Park City Bar
No Name Saloon
Year after year, No Name Saloon rises to the top of the mountain in the competitive Park City bar pecking order. It's easy to see why—it's inviting for visitors and locals alike, and the vast space is ideal for any outing. The warmer months are a blast on the terraces and rooftops, while the indoor facilities are cozy and inviting during the winter.
nonamesaloon.com
2. High West Distillery
3. O'Shucks Bar & Grill

Best Pizza: Ogden
Lucky Slice Pizza
The year: 2012. The place: Ogden's Historic 25th Street. The food: some of the best damn pizza around town. What started as a hole-in-the-wall spot in downtown Ogden has become a staple for multiple cities as they continue to sling delicious 'za to the fine residents of Utah. You can't go wrong with their delectable NY-style pizza, bomb wings and delicious desserts.
theluckyslice.com
2. Slackwater
3. The Pie Pizzeria (Ogden)

Best Pizza: Park City
Este Pizza Park City
Experience the essence of authentic New York style pizza in the heart of Park City at Este Pizza. The hand-tossed, thin-crust pizzas have quality baked into every bite. Our favorite is the Italian Flag, a ricotta and pesto striped pie topped with fresh garlic, oregano and mozzarella cheese. Along with the in-store offerings, Este has "take and bake" lasagnas and pizzas for an easy home meal.
estepizzaparkcity.com
2. Maxwell's
3. Davanza's

Best Restaurant in the Salt Lake Valley
Table X
Table X has an open kitchen, so you can watch the culinary squad work their magic right in front of you. Chef Mike blends old-school techniques with fresh, contemporary spin like a pro. And the menu? Don't get too comfortable, because it's constantly evolving to showcase whatever's in season. Pro tip: If you can snag a seat in the garden, you're basically living your best life.
tablexrestaurant.com
2. Urban Hill
3. Valter's Osteria

Best Restaurant Atmosphere
Urban Hill
The key to building a top-shelf restaurant in the heart of a bustling dining scene? Family. Proprietor Brooks Kirchheimer says, "We want a family atmosphere to extend to our associates and guests, to ensure a fun, inviting, amazing experience for all." With sister restaurant Hearth and Hill shoring things up in Park City, Urban Hill's incredible team has become the standard of excellence in both locales.
urban-hill.com
2. Antica Sicilia
3. Kimi's Chop & Oyster House

Best Pizza: Salt Lake Valley
The Pie Pizzeria
Honest question: How many current U of U students wanted to enroll there because it was so close to The Pie's location? I'm sure the answer wouldn't be very surprising at all. With its solid track record of consistency, seasonal pizzas and world class dine-in vibes, The Pie has been—and will hopefully continue to be—one of our local comfort food fixtures for years.
thepie.com
2. Bricks Corner
3. Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana

Best Pizza: Utah County
Via 313 Pizza
The only sad thing about this pizza is that it is not available everywhere. We have heard of Chicago deep dish, but this was the first time we had heard of Detroit-style pizza. We crave it and dream about it. And for you gluten-free & vegan folks, they have you covered—this pizza tastes so delicious and fluffy you'll ask your server multiple times if it is actually gluten-free.
via313.com
2. Brick Oven
3. Fat Daddy's Pizzeria

Best Place for Late-Night Grub
Pie Hole
Pie Hole offers up food from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., covering the key 16 hours a day in which people want (make that need) a bit of sustenance. Who among us hasn't seen a Japanese punk band at the International Lounge, only to realize you forgot to grab dinner on the way there? This is the moment in which Pie Hole shines, an oasis of sights, sounds and smells.
pieholeutah.com
2. Arempas
3. Betos Mexican Food (Millcreek)

Best Restaurant in Downtown SLC
Urban Hill
With a James Beard Foundation 2024 Best Chef finalist nomination for Nick Zocco, this upscale American and international regional cuisine eatery by restaurateur Brooks Kirchheimer has made a lasting impression on diners. It is the perfect ambiance for special occasions or just a Tuesday night out. Don't sleep on the wood-fired steaks.
urban-hill.com
2. Takashi
3. The Copper Onion

Best Restaurant in Park City
Hearth and Hill
Since its 2017 inception, Hearth and Hill has quickly climbed the leaderboard of best restaurants not only in Park City, but all of Utah. The rapid ascension for Hearth and Hill can be attributed to many factors, such as their promise to source locally to enrich the community, treat patrons like family, and oh, have a damn delicious menu. The Scallion Pork Gyoza, Iberian Pork Chop and Vegetable Farro are some of our favorites.
hearth-hill.com
2. Handle
3. Grub Steak

Best Restaurant in Utah County
Communal
There's something incredibly special about Communal. It's not just the dishes chef Matt Ecklemann creates, but the family style in which they're served. And when you find out he grew up in a big Irish-Italian-German family in Brooklyn, everything clicks into place. Chef Matt's favorite dish of 2024? Roasted butternut squash with candied ginger mascarpone, pepitas and a maple glaze. We love it as a side to the shareable pork chop schnitzel.
communalrestaurant.com
2. Strap Tank Brewery
3. Vegan Sun

Best Restaurant Patio
Ivy & Varley
The atmosphere is a vibe! Whether you're on a date or brunching with your girls, it's like a little hidden oasis right in the heart of downtown. Heaters are popped up for the chillier seasons, but their summertime patio is also top tier. When we visited, it was sunny and fabulous, and they opened up umbrellas for us in no time. Talk about service!
ivyandvarley.com
2. Ruth's Diner
3. Mar Muntanya

Best Returned Missionary First Stop to Eat
Crown Burgers
Regardless of where one has gone, returning from missionary service can be a particularly disorienting experience. Thankfully, Utahns have the homegrown Crown Burgers restaurants to help that former Elder or Sister get their bearings for a new chapter of their lives. Since 1978, these eateries have offered quality burgers and sandwiches with a Greek twist to generations of delighted customers, but they also provide an appropriate sense of comfort for every long-awaited homecoming.
crown-burgers.com
2. Hires Big H
3. Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican

Best Rooftop Patio
The Green Pig Pub
The views of the upstairs patio are what really set The Green Pig Pub apart from other places. There is usually live music playing, so make sure to go and get some food, drinks and relax outside even late into the night. Truly a downtown icon and a fun atmosphere for Salt Lake City.
thegreenpigpub.com
2. Fisher Brewing Company
3. Mar Muntanya

Best Romantic Restaurant
Log Haven Restaurant
If your idea of a romantic setting includes a 100-plus-year-old lodge, stone fireplaces, vintage windows, plush Persian rugs, linen place-settings, dining patios, waterfalls and stone walkways meandering through a curated natural mountain setting, then run—don't walk—to book a table at Log Haven. Long considered one of Salt Lake's finest for any occasion, Log Haven deserves its vaunted reputation.
log-haven.com
2. Antica Sicilia
3. Caffe Molise

Best Rural Tavern
Shooting Star Saloon
Whether you've just finished jumping the wake at Pineview Reservoir, shredding the slopes at Snowbasin or otherwise enjoying the landscapes of the Ogden Valley, make your way to Huntsville's center and get yourself a beer and a burger (with brats!) at the Shooting Star. This cash-only, no-frills watering hole has a history as long as the Weber River—and at least one resident ghost—so grab a booth or barstool and enjoy the vibe.
facebook.com/ShootingStarSaloon
2. Ray's Tavern
3. Back 40 Ranch House Grill

Best Seafood Restaurant
Current Fish & Oyster
Chef Zach Wojdula's seafood steals the spotlight, and trust us, it's worth the hype! Fresh, high-quality ingredients are the stars here, and the vibe is all about classic technique with a modern twist—plus, you won't feel guilty because everything's crafted with sustainability and healthy choices in mind. Our go-to? The seafood platter and ceviche—total game changers.
currentfishandoyster.com
2. Market Street Grill
3. Harbor Seafood & Steak Co.

Best Soul Food
The Bayou
There are types of food that, due to demographic/geographic quirks, are well-represented on Utah restaurant lists, but soul food and southern cooking in general is a more specialized niche. The Bayou, as the name indicates, pulls its flavors from the Delta, Gulf Coast and the kitchens of Memphis, Jackson and New Orleans. Leave room for the deep fried Twinkies for dessert.
utahbayou.com
2. Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen
3. Big South

Best Sports Bar
Big Willies
Big Willies is a no-frills, come-as-you-are kind of bar. Whether you're catching a game on the big screen or have a game of pool of your own on their many tables, Big Willies is warm and welcome for all. While the inflation on liquor prices has seemingly affected most other establishments, Big Willies reminds us of yesteryear with well drinks below $4.
bigwillieslounge.com
2. The Green Pig Pub
3. The Brickyard Bar

Best Steakhouse
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Very high-quality food and service, this is the place to go for a special occasion like a loved one's birthday and treat yourself to some delicious steak. From the filet to the tomahawk, you cannot go wrong with what you order on their menu. Just be sure not to get caught up in ordering too many appetizers since the portions are generous, and save room for dessert!
flemingssteakhouse.com
2. Ruth's Chris Steak House
3. The Capital Grille

Best Sushi Restaurant
Takashi
Ask anyone in Salt Lake and they'll tell you Takashi is the best in town. If they don't say Takashi, it's only because they haven't been yet. When it comes to fresh fish, inventive rolls and an impressive beverage program, Takashi delivers a masterful blend of traditional Japanese techniques and creative innovation. Must-try dishes include tai tomatillo and spicy mussels with quail egg, followed by their award-winning spider roll and the Forrest Gump.
takashisushi.com
2. Sapa
3. Mint Tapas And Sushi 4 (Sugar House)

Best Thai Restaurant
Tuk Tuk's
Though it's hard to rise above all the local talent Utah has when it comes to Thai food, one visit to Tuk Tuk's is all you really need. Sure, fans of traditional Thai food will be able to find great versions of all their favorites, but it's the Tuk Tuk's special menu that will keep you coming back. Pineapple curry fried rice served in half a pineapple? Yes, please.
tuktuks-slc.com
2. Sawadee Thai Restaurant
3. Chanon Thai Cafe

Best Trivia Night
Piper Down
Get ready to test your wits with Nick, the esoteric trivia guru, and play alongside a former Jeopardy contestant! Form your dream team and come up with a clever name while the staff keeps the drinks and nachos coming. And who can resist karaoke with Jamaal afterward? Our favorite moment of the year? A guy who absolutely slayed Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe." It was legendary!
piperdownpub.com
2. HK Brewing Collective Taproom & Bar
3. Hopkins Brewing Company

Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Zest Kitchen & Bar
Whether you're plant-based, reducetarian or an unrepentant carnivore looking for something new, there's no wrong choice at Zest. From the salads—packed with protein and goodies—to creative twists on dining staples like burritos, pastas, burgers and grilled "cheese" sandwiches, this is a spot worth going out of your way for, no matter your dietary preferences. zestslc.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. All Chay

Best Utah County Bar
Scorez Sports Bar
The winds of change are upon Utah Valley—sports bars and breweries are the new norm. Once inside Scorez, the only indicator that you're in Utah County is the occasional BYU Cougar apparel donned by patrons. Featuring weekly karaoke, poker tournaments, a horse shoe pit and live music, Scorez is a welcoming and energetic locale for Lehi.
scorez-sports-bar.com
2. Strap Tank Brewery
3. The Owl Bar

Best Vegan Restaurant
Vertical Diner
Vegan food has made a bold ascent in recent decades, with restaurants of all sorts introducing menu items for the vegan member of your group. But Vertical Diner has made the choice of dining out an easy one for vegans with a menu geared to their needs. From classic fare to an all-day breakfast menu, Vertical gives vegans a place to call their own while giving non-vegans plenty of tasty options to satisfy.
verticaldiner.com
2. Buds
3. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro

Best Vietnamese Restaurant
The Pearl
From the folks who brought you the Alibi, chef Tommy Nguyen has charmed diners once again, this time with his Vietnamese street food. The pho is awesome, but the pork belly is a qualified craving. Cocktails are not an afterthought at The Pearl; indulge in a well-balanced beverage to further elevate your experience.
IG: @thepearlslc
2. All Chay
3. Mi La-Cai Noodle House

Best Country Night For A Dollar
Adam Terry / Duffy's Tavern
Adam Terry of FOUNTAINavm has created quite a concept at Duffy's. He spins lost country records from the past that deserve to be heard and if you like what you hear, you buy it from him right then and there. He's a human jukebox that lets you take home the 45 rpm record for $1. Not much more than that. Well, also cheap Coors banquets and billiards and more sad boy country tunes.
IG: @duffystavernslc, @fountainavm

Best Ogden Bistro
Table Twenty Five
Already one of the coolest city streets in all of Utah, Ogden's 25th Street became even better in 2021 when Table Twenty Five opened. Whether sitting behind a classic cocktail, a chilled local beer or a Daily Rise coffee, your day always starts and ends right amidst the ambiance of Table Twenty Five. Take your time deciding from their eclectic café-style lunch and brunch menus because you are most certainly coming back.
table25ogden.com

Best Place to Eat when there's Nothing at Home
Sushi Burrito on 8th
Look, if you're wandering around drunkenly looking for food before 11 p.m., let the loving light of Sushi Burrito on 8th be your guide. The ambience isn't the greatest, no lie, but it's hard to go wrong with a fat Volcano or Citrus roll for $10-$12. Or, call ahead and they'll whip up a fire bento box in 10 minutes.
sushiburritoon8th.com

Best Pop-up Food/Wine/Vinyl Pairing
Caviar Club
Showcasing the finer things in life all in one place, James Beards' Caviar Club combines curated vinyl records, cuisine from local chefs and good wine and spirits. These themed nights are a blast and it allows the selected DJ's to spin less-well-known tunes in an elevated and refined environment. One of the top experiences in Salt Lake City, there's just something about sitting there sipping a drink and just listening.
IG: @cvrclb

Best Sidecar
Urban Sailor Coffee
We don't mean "sidecar" like an extra illegal pour of your favorite liquor, but the genuine Ural sidecar that has become the signature calling card for Urban Sailor Coffee—a bona fide motorcycle and sidecar adapted to sell and serve Urban Sailor's deluxe small batch roasted coffees anywhere—like at the Utah Beer Festival (ahem) and their coffee is roasted in the back space of Mountain West Cider.
urbansailorcoffee.com

Most Unexpected Programming
Leatherheads Sports Bar
Music clubs typically offer a degree of consistency in their booking policies. Be it country, rap or EDM, a certain similarity runs through the calendar of most venues. At the boisterous Leatherheads, however, there's free-wheeling fun despite an emphasis on hard rock, metal and tribute acts, with lots of decade-specific dance parties, karaoke and mid-day drag shows all finding their way onto the small, battle-tested stage of this popular Draper hangout.
facebook.com/leatherheadssportsbar

Best Beer Selection: Brewery/Brew Pub
Templin Family Brewing
While we can all appreciate a good IPA every now and then, can we agree that ultra-hoppy has had its moment? T.F. Brewing gets it. It's a beer-lover's paradise, not just for the number of brews available, but for the sheer variety. Here, they offer a refreshing selection of lagers, pilsners, sours, bocks and stouts with rotating seasonal pours, one-offs and collabs that keep your tastebuds entertained.
tfbrewing.com
2. Fisher Brewing Company
3. Kiitos Brewing

Best Bartender
Thomas Campbell, Ice Haus
When tending bar in popular pubs, you tend to become popular yourself. Such is Thomas Campbell, who started at Piper Down before moving to Piper's sister bar, Ice Haus, just a year ago. At both, he's that great bartender who remembers your name and makes you feel at home while serving up wickedly good drinks. His accepting smile brings comfort, meaning you're in good hands among the other cool cats at Ice Haus.
icehausbar.com
2. Davin Zaleya, Lucky 13
3. Maria Martinez, Why Kiki

Best Beer: Ale
Coffee Cream Ale (Kiitos)
When it comes to beer, the term "drinkable" can sometimes sound like a backhanded compliment. But fans of Kiitos' Coffee Cream Ale know there's nothing boring or basic about this downright delicious brew, which perfectly combines the best of a clean, smooth ale with just the right amount of coffee punch, making for a go-to beer that's the perfect choice for any occasion, any day of the year. kiitosbrewing.com
2. Bewilder ESB (Bewilder Brewing Co.)
3. Brainless Belgian (Epic Brewing Co.)

Best Beer: IPA
Chasing Ghosts IPA (Epic Brewing Company)
At Epic, the master brewers are always concocting new blends and tastes to keep pace with the ever-changing beer industry. Named after Epic's quest to make the best beer in the world, Chasing Ghosts IPA is one step closer after being named Best IPA in Utah. Chasing Ghosts is a double dry-hopped, double hazy, double New England-style IPA and is one of the staples in their beer fridge.
epicbrewing.com
2. Ferda (Templin Family Brewing)
3. Fukiphino (Red Rock Brewing Co. Beer Store)

Best Beer: Lager/Pilsner
Bewilder Big Crispy West Coast Pilsner (Bewilder Brewing Co.)
Cody McKendrick, a home brewer for decades and proprietor at Bewilder Brewing Co., knows a thing or two when it comes to crafting tasty brews for Utahns. He's turned barley into a bounty with Bewilder's Big Crispy West Coast Pilsner, a 6% ABV with notes of lemon citrus fruit and a touch of pine resin and hay. Bewilder is a great locale for German fare while you sip on a brew, too.
bewilderbrewing.com
2. Los Locos (Epic Brewing Company)
3. Grid City Pilsner (Grid City Beer Works)

Best Beer: Sour Beer
Blackberry Sour (Kiitos)
Pucker up, local beer fans, because this sour isn't messing around. From its eye-catching color in the glass to the sweet, natural taste of real blackberry puree, this inventive beer from Kiitos is a treat for the senses with just the right amount of bite to keep you thirsting for another pint, or three.
kiitosbrewing.com
2. Kveik Pina Colada (Shades Brewing)
3. Huckleberry Sour Ale (2 Row Brewing)

Best Beer: Stout
Baba (Uinta Brewing Co.)
Highly-drinkable at 5.0% ABV, Uinta's Baba Black Lager is a beer that can be enjoyed singly, of course, but you can also drink a couple in an afternoon's session. Featuring hints of chocolate and dark roast coffee, this beer's ranged beyond our state borders and receives routinely favorable website reviews on a national basis. The beer's simple logo only adds to the winning quality of this regional mainstay.
uintabrewing.com
2. Lowrider Chocolate Milk Stout (Salt Flats Brewery)
3. Dirty Chai Stout (SaltFire Brewing Co.)

Best Bloody Mary
Lucky 13
For those who swear by the "hair of the dog" to get through a weekend brunch after a night out, Lucky 13 is the place to go. The House Bloody Mary is only $7.50 and pairs great with both the brunch menu or a Great Lamb Burger. It has a great atmosphere in which to watch sports or to get a table out on the patio.
IG: @lucky13slc
2. A Bar Named Sue
3. Ice Haus

Best Brewery Can Art
SLC Pils (Proper Brewery Co.)
In our recent Beer Issue, we noted that several area breweries possess the gift of putting a great can design on their products and—lo!—has Proper Brewing ever upped the ante here. The design, featuring the silhouette of a blue-haired, liberty-spiked fella, is an homage to the film SLC Punk. What's in the can is an extremely-sessionable, 5.0% ABV pilsner, a beer that'd win fans on its own. But that can!
properbrewingco.com
2. Gecko Fingers (Bewilder Brewing Co.)
3. Heavy Metal Parking Lot (SaltFire Brewing)

Best Hard Seltzer
Grid City Beer Works
If you're looking for a high-point seltzer that doesn't taste like someone whispered "fruit punch" beside a flat La Croix, get yourself to Grid City Beer Works. This seltzer selection slaps! While they offer a handful of house-brewed flavors, the 8.2% ABV Rosé is a crowd favorite. Fermented with raspberry, tart cherry, prickly pear and aromatic muscat grape juice, it drinks like a crisp French rosé wine—and feels like one too.
gridcitybeerworks.com
2. RoHa Brewing Project
3. Uinta Brewing Co.

Best Brunch Cocktails
Prohibition
The mixologists at Prohibition are trained in the art of cocktail creation, so you are guaranteed a handcrafted drink to go along with your brunch. If you are feeling particularly fancy for a smooth and slightly sweet cocktail, try out the "Never Killed Nobody," which includes Clase Azul Reposado, Cinnamon Bark Demerara, Coffee, Sweet Vermouth, Mole Bitters, and 95% Dark Cacao with coffee. IG: @prohibitionutah
2. Sunday's Best
3. Eight Settlers Restaurant & Distillery

Best Canned Cocktail
Sugar House Raspberry Lemonade (Sugar House Distillery)
Sugar House Distillery's Raspberry Lemonade is bar-quality. It doesn't pay lip service to a cocktail and it's not an alcopop. Expect the contents to correspond with what's on the tin, the main ingredients are their own vodka and their own grain. Far better than anything we could make—a tart, full-on flavor and very satisfying.
sugarhousedistillery.net
2. Porters Huckleberry Lemonade (Ogden's Own Distillery)
3. Gin Rickey (Desolation Distilling)

Best Craft Cocktails
Water Witch
As the namesake implies, there must be some sort of magic that goes into crafting spirits so delightful. With strange brews on a rotating menu, Water Witch pleases both the refined and novice palate equally. Pairing unlikely ingredients (oatmilk, kumquat, chili oil, corn soda, etc.) with classic liquors, this bar is a trendsetter reinventing age-old classics to a refreshing end.
waterwitchbar.com
2. Bar-X
3. Eight Settlers Restaurant & Distillery

Best Distillery
High West Distillery
Taking home the top nod again in this issue, High West Distillery continues to produce exceptional bourbon, ryes and limited releases like the Bottled in Bond Rye. Well-known for its sipping properties and as a great mixer for cocktails, High West continues to prove to fans that the accolades are richly earned.
highwest.com
2. Dented Brick Distillery
3. Clear Water Distilling Co.

Best Hard Cider
Mountain West Cider
Jennifer and Jeff Carleton and Marcio Buffolo's dedication to sustainability and community engagement adds an extra layer of charm, making every bottle not just a drink, but a celebration of local heritage and craftsmanship. We're all about their no-sugar-added ciders! Let's not forget The Garten—where you can sip on your favorite local hard cider while soaking up some awesome live music.
mountainwestcider.com
2. Second Summit Hard Cider Co.
3. Scion Cider Bar

Best Distillery Tour
Clear Water Distilling Co.
Who hasn't walked into a distillery, taking a moment to peek around for a glance at its inner workings? At Clear Water, you don't have to be clandestine. For $10, you can walk right in and get a tasting session, served with smart commentary. For $20, you can fully tour the facility and taste (book ahead for this option). It's the best way to really understand the mechanics and magic behind their products.
clearwaterdistilling.com
2. Dented Brick Distillery
3. High West Distillery

Best Kombucha
Hans Kombucha
We love their Cheers Queers and White Peach Champagne flavors, but have you tried their newest? Citrus Vanilla Sage (*chef's kiss*)! By using a proprietary brewing method which includes a very low sugar content, they are able to achieve an easy drinking, non-vinegary, beautiful probiotic kombucha. What more can we say? Cheers!
IG: @hkbrewingco
2. Mamachari Kombucha
3. Cru Kombucha

Best Liquor Selection: Club or Restaurant
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
Whiskey Street, situated in the heart of Salt Lake's Main bar crawl, holds enough whiskey choices to get you a new taste for nearly every day of the year. Their elaborate cocktail menu and personable bartenders will quench your thirst with regular specials, creations and off-the-cuff choices. This perfectly placed bar bridges the gap between corporate and casual with a great menu to boot.
whiskeystreet.com
2. Lake Effect
3. Water Witch

Best Liquor Selection: Distillery
Clear Water Distilling Co.
"We won't be confined by standard categories to make incredible new spirits," says founder and CEO Matt Eau Claire. Matt spent more than 20 years traveling the world in search of the most unique tastes and distilling techniques, and it shows in their selection. One of our favorites is the Josephine "Eau-De-Vie," a brandy with fresh apple, pear, mango, peach and other ingredients that defy the norm.
clearwaterdistilling.com
2. Dented Brick Distillery
3. Ogden's Own Distillery

Best Local Gin
Jack Rabbit Gin (Beehive Distilling)
For $5, you can take a tour of this establishment and see where their delicious, smooth gin is made. Infused with locally sourced botanicals, including unique ingredients like lavender and juniper, it captures the essence of the region in every sip. What truly sets it apart is its smoothness, thanks to a meticulous distillation process that highlights natural flavors without overwhelming the palate. We love us some Jack Rabbit Gin!
beehivedistilling.com
2. Dented Brick Craft Gin (Dented Brick Distillery)
3. Madam Pattirini Gin (Ogden's Own Distillery)

Best Local Vodka
Five Wives Vodka (Ogden's Own Distillery)
Five Wives Vodka is truly a local brand known for its cheeky take on Utah's polygamist past. Their vodka is crafted with Utah spring water and 100% corn spirit, which also makes it a great gluten-free option. It pours clear and then has a fruity taste with a citrusy finish.
IG: @fivewivesvodka
2. Clear Water Vodka (Clear Water Distilling Co.)
3. Sugar House Vodka (Sugar House Distillery)

Best Local Beer Selection: Club or Restaurant
The Bayou
Don't let the southern inspired menu and name completely fool you: The Bayou boasts an impressive array of local beers fit for any thirsty customer from North, South, East or West. With literal pages of beer to choose from (many of which are sourced right here from our very own), a gorgeous layout and friendly, knowledgeable staff, The Bayou is a no-brainer night out for all the beer snobs or best friends in your life.
utahbayou.com
2. Slackwater Pizza SLC
3. Beerhive Pub

Best Local Rum
Dented Brick Premium Rum (Dented Brick Distillery)
Dented Brick's Premium Run has a distinctive flavor—after you've tasted it, you'll never go back to boring. It makes great cocktails because of that tang, but it doesn't get buried under other ingredients. With the limestone-filtered water from their on-site well, it's ideal for sipping when the weather is a bit cooler or as the base of a lighter punch-type drink. It gives a delightful jolt taken as a shot.
dentedbrick.com
2. Spiced Rum (Outlaw Distillery)
3. Brigham Rum (Distillery 36)

Best Local Spirit Overall
Five Wives Vodka (Ogden's Own Distillery)
Five Wives Vodka prides itself in making flavors that aren't overly sugary. Both Sinful and Heavenly are two very different flavors that are worth trying! If you feel like listening to the angel on your shoulder, Heavenly has a rich, buttery vanilla flavor, whilst the devil on your shoulder will tell you to try Sinful, which is more like a warm cinnamon roll.
IG: @fivewivesvodka
2. Sugar Free Scandalust Cinnamon Whiskey (Clear Water Distilling Co.)
3. Dented Brick Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey (Dented Brick Distillery)

Best Local Whiskey
Rendezvous Rye (High West Distillery)
All whiskey partakes of myth and the mists of time, so High West Distillery Rendezvous Rye's sensible flavors—peppery and flavorful—are a touchstone for the brand. With a gorgeous, rounded texture, this is Heaven in a glass. Whether one is introduced to this with a flight or served neat, this is a superbly made local whiskey.
highwest.com
2. Porters Whiskey (Ogden's Own Distillery)
3. Mountain Summit Bourbon (Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery)

Best Margarita
El Chihuahua Restaurant
Mexican food and margaritas are an unbeatable combination. If you're feeling wild, El Chichahua's Duckie margarita comes in a fishbowl with a cute rubber duckie floating on top. If you want something a bit smaller, try the Death Star! You're allowed one Duckie drink, or two Death Stars with purchase of food.
elchihuahuaslc.com
2. Blue Iguana
3. Tres Hombres Mexican Grill and Cantina

Best Michelada
Lucky's Iron Door Roadhouse
At Lucky's, the eye-popping menu items featured on their website point to a winning way with proteins, but this West Jordan landmark's beverage lineup is not to be forgotten. And the michelada? It's the star of their bar program's show. This warm weather drink's a solid pick all year 'round.
luckysirondoor.com
2. Blue Iguana
3. El Meño's

Best Mixologist
Harrison Archibald, White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
Harrison Archibald's talents are second to none at this acclaimed American brasserie, featuring a deft touch with both customer service and technical excellence. If the producers of Netflix's Drink Masters happen to be reading this issue: STOP. Go straight to White Horse. Sit. Dine. Drink. Cast.
whitehorseslc.com
2. Amanda Madsen, Hopkins Brewing Company
3. Andrew Burt, Paxton Pub

Best Tiki Drink
Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club
The flamingo, an 80's vibe-ish cocktail pop-up nestled inside of The Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club brings the neons, the bubblegum pop tunes and the best of the tropical drink genre. There are tons of fun cocktails to explore here—Jamaican 10 Speed, Blue Lagoon and Boogie Nights will get you started on your Tiki journey. Sweet, sour, spice and spirits—you have been warned.
flankerslc.com
2. Why KiKi
3. Water Witch

Best Wine Selection
BTG Wine Bar
Before you are seated, before you've had the first sip, BTG Wine Bar's ambiance evokes feelings of sophistication. Their enormous array of wine offerings can be overwhelming, but the knowledgeable staff and availability of flights allows even the most basic of neophytes to learn something new. For those looking to drink and not learn, they have listed favorites and their profiles to guide you to a gratifying experience.
btgwinebar.com
2. Urban Hill
3. Casot

Best Après-ski Beer
Wasatch Last One Down Lager
Wasatch Brewing launched the local brewpub explosion in 1986 when founder Greg Shirf opened in Park City. Squatters Craft Beers began pouring shortly thereafter in Salt Lake City. Now united as partners under the Utah Beers brand, it's no wonder their dual good senses combine to create Last One Down. First one up, last one down, as they say. And hurry, because as Shirf said, "We drink our share and sell the rest."
utahbeers.com

Best 3.2 Beer Drive
Moab Brewery
Nearly nobody would drive anywhere for a pint of Utah's infamous 3.2 beer. However, the drive from Salt Lake to Moab is coincidentally around 3.2 hours, give or take a pit stop or lead foot. At drive's end, you'll have a difficult time choosing among Moab's notable spirits and multiple beers. Pay no heed to the 3.2—Moab Brewery's beers range from 5% on up. Take 'em slow and easy.
themoabbrewery.com

Best Brewery Flex
Fisher Brewing Company
After being warned about setting up shop in what was the then-unknown Granary District not many years ago, Fisher Brewing did so anyway, and was a hit from the start. With an expansion opportunity right next door, Fisher pounced and added extra brewing facilities, a private dining/meeting room, additional seating and a new rooftop patio, already hailed as one of the best in town. Fisher is for reals.
fisherbeer.com

Best Coffee Liqueur
Salt City Espresso
Salt City's line of spirits is a great local option for building out a cocktail. And for those imbibers who appreciate a java jitter in their boozy beverages, grab a bottle of the downright delicious Espresso liqueur. With a rich and velvety mocha profile—and a just right amount of bite from its 30% ABV—it's perfect for a martini, or keep it simple and sip some on ice with a splash of milk.
facebook.com/SaltCityVodka

Best Local Wine Brokerage that Could
Vin 7000
All hail Maggie Heile, founder of this independent wine brokerage that celebrates small family winemakers. With a carefully curated portfolio of 300 wines, Maggie focuses not only on a flavor profile but also mindful farming and authenticity. Regular shipments of eight select wines are shipped to a Utah DABS store of your choice, where you can pick them up at your leisure and enjoy the convenience of building up your own home inventory.
vin7000.com

Best Orchard-to-Bottle Cider
Etta Place Cider
Etta Place Cider, based in charming Torrey, Utah, delivers a unique cider experience by growing their own apples in their own local orchard. This hands-on approach ensures that each bottle captures the true essence of their locally cultivated fruit. Committed to quality and sustainability, Etta Place Cider offers a refreshing blend of craftsmanship and freshness. Enjoy their crisp, artisanal flavors in their quaint taproom or at home.
ettaplacecider.com