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The Dinner Hour
Old Bridge Café
Named for the 13th-century bridge in the owners’ hometown in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Old Bridge Café is a terrific mom & pop (literally) eatery serving up delicious, inexpensive Bosnian cuisine. Be sure to sample the traditional Bosnian beef sausages, called %u0107evapi, as well as the sarma: a beef & rice cabbage roll. Or, get a little of everything Bosnian with the Old Bridge Platter: shish kebab, dolma, sarma, zeljanica, rice and potatoes. 249 E. 3300 South, 801-466-4330, OldBridgeCafe.com
Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine
At Blue Nile, you can choose to eat at colorful, hourglass-shaped straw tables called messobs, which look like African drums. And, you’ll be eating with your hands, like in Ethiopia, although utensils are available by request. Try the vegetable combo plate, which includes tegabino shiro, yemisir wot, ater alicha, gomen and atkilt alicha. The doro wot is also exceedingly delicious, and the staff is super-friendly. 755 S. State, 801-364-4042, BlueNileSLC.com
Cedars of Lebanon
Belly dancing, a hookah lounge, a grand lunch buffet, and exceptional Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine—that’s what you’ll find at Cedars of Lebanon. Pull up a cushion and enjoy familiar menu items like hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush, or branch out with the less-familiar Lebanese sausages called maanek, stuffed flatbread (fatayar) or classic Moroccan pastilla. 152 E. 200 South, 801-364-4096, CedarsofLebanonRestaurant.com
Mandarin
Since 1978, chefs from Hong Kong and San Francisco have been cooking up authentic Chinese cuisine at Bountiful’s beautiful Mandarin restaurant. In addition to classics like kung pao chicken, mu shu pork, Sichuan shrimp and beef with broccoli, you’ll find innovative menu items such as velvet chicken with gooseberries, Peking baby back ribs and raspberry vanilla-bean creme brulee. 348 E. 900 North, Bountiful, 801-298-2406, MandarinUtah.com
Frida Bistro
For innovative, sophisticated, and upscale Mexican fare, look no further than Frida Bistro. Named for the renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the restaurant and food at Frida Bistro are as vibrant as her paintings. Start a meal with a quesadilla de huitlacoche or queso fundido. From there, try the amazing chile en nogada; pistachio-crusted sea bass called lubina al pistacho; chuletitas a la sangre naranja (grilled lamb chops with blood-orange reduction); or perhaps a sampling of Vida Tequila. 545 W. 700 South, 801-983-6692, FridaBistro.com
Himalayan Kitchen
If Nepal and India are in your fantasy travel plans, but you haven’t got the airfare, Himalayan Kitchen is the next best option. Specializing in traditional Nepali and Indian cuisine, Himalayan Kitchen is an exotic escape from the routine, with dishes ranging from the popular Nepalese momos, chowchow and thukpa to Indian curries, naan, biryani, tandoori, korma and more. Enjoy a lassi drink, beer or wine alongside your meal. 360 S. State, 801-328-2077, HimalayanKitchen.com
Finca
For contemporary Spanish cuisine sourced largely from Utah producers, Finca is the place. Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, Finca offers something for every appetite, whether it’s tapas, like the delectable croquetas, albondigas and gambas, or larger entree-size platos grandes, such as the seafood and noodle dish called fideo de mar, paella, or wood-grilled shoulder steak with chimichurri and potatoes. There’s a terrific beer, wine and cocktail selection, too. 1291 S. 1100 East,
801-487-0699, FincaSLC.com
Ichiban Sushi
Housed in a former church with sky-high arched wood ceilings, tatami lofts, a 300-gallon saltwater fish tank and lots of stained glass, Ichiban Sushi is visually stunning. And so is the food: In addition to superb sushi, sashimi, nigiri and such, Chef Ontko offers an izakaya menu of tapas-like Japanese pub fare, traditionally intended to be consumed with sake or beer. 336 S. 400 East, 801-532-7522, IchibanUtah.com
The Paris Bistro & Zinc Bar
When it comes to food and cooking, The Paris’ owner, Eric DeBonis, is positively militant about freshness and the overall celebration of gastronomy. The word “passion” doesn’t begin to do justice to his no-compromise approach to the food and service. In truth, it’s really the only dedicated French restaurant in town: an authentic, Parisian-style bistro with a menu of fruits de mer, fromage, viandes, poissons, pâtes et farinages and much more. 1500 S. 1500 East,
801-486-5585, TheParis.net
Tandoor Indian Grill
Jyothi and Rag Duggineni’s Tandoor Indian Grill is a place where exotic flavors, aromas and ambiance all come together under an umbrella of warm hospitality. Whether you’re an Indian-food first-timer or a seasoned pro, you’ll find outstanding Indian cuisine for every appetite. Be sure to try the Southern Indian items like dosas and stuffed poori. 729 E. 3300 South,
801-486-4542, TandoorIndianGrill.com
Late-Night Delight
Pie Hole
Is there any food that satisfies late-night cravings better than pizza? We don’t think so. And neither do the folks at the Pie Hole, where you can nosh on pizza by the slice or whole pies until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to classic pepperoni and cheese pizzas, there’s also potato-bacon, basil and roasted red pepper, Thai chicken, hot wing and vegetarian pizzas. Why, there’s even vegan pizza, not to mention PBRs for a buck. 344 S. State, 801-359-4653, PieHoleUtah.com
Avenues Proper Restaurant & Publick House
Located in the heart of the Avenues neighborhood, Avenues Proper houses Utah’s smallest craft brewery, serving small-batch artisan beers along with from-scratch cuisine. Avenues Proper stays open a little later—until 12 a.m. Thursday through Saturday—with a menu that features Welsh rarebit, duck-fat popcorn, chicken & waffles, smoked-salmon salad, burgers, a portobello sandwich and more. It has spirits, wine and cocktails, too. 376 Eighth Ave., 385-227-8628, AvenuesProper.com
The Belgian Waffle & Omelet Inn
Since 1979, The Belgian Waffle & Omelet Inn has been feeding hungry diners around the clock, all day, every day. Got a hankering for housemade pot roast, grilled pork chops, mozzarella sticks or chicken-fried steak at 4 a.m.? No problem. The Belgian Waffle & Omelet Inn has it. Of course, there’s a full breakfast menu, too—everything from pancakes and eggs Benedict to the popular Garbage Hash. 7331 S. 900 East, Midvale, 801-566-5731, BelgianWaffle.weebly.com
Eva
Open until midnight most nights of the week, Eva is the perfect place for late-night small plates, dining and drinks. The eclectic menu ranges from wood-fired flatbreads and flash-fried calamari to shrimp & grits, scrumptious sauteed Brussels sprouts, lobster ravioli, risotto, lamb kibbeh and much more. Craft cocktails and a nice wine selection round out the Eva experience. 317 S. Main, 801-359-8447, EvaSLC.com
Gracie’s
Although Gracie’s is well-known as one of Utah’s best bars, it’s also a great restaurant. With menu items such as togarashi blackened ahi, grilled Utah trout, pho, a white-bean burger and lemongrass and ricotta dumplings with chicken, this ain’t your daddy’s pub fare. And Gracie’s is open until 2 a.m., and keeps its kitchen open till 11 p.m. 326 S. West Temple, 801-819-7565, GraciesSLC.com
Ho Mei BBQ
Not only does Ho Mei BBQ serve some of the best Cantonese cuisine in the West, you can also enjoy it for a late-night meal—until midnight most nights, and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Some of Ho Mei’s cooks have worked in New York City’s and San Francisco’s Chinatowns; the fantastic menu runs the gamut from challenging dishes like pig stomach in XO sauce and chicken feet Baiyun to more traditional items like barbecue duck and pork, Cantonese rice rolls and heavenly soy-sauce chicken. 3370 S. State,
801-486-8800
Shogun
For late-night sushi in downtown Salt Lake City, Shogun Japanese restaurant is an excellent option. It’s open until midnight early in the week, till 1 a.m. on Thursdays, and stays open until 2 a.m. on weekends. Shogun offers a wide range of sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi, as well as cooked items like katsu and teriyaki dishes, plus wine and beer. It’s a great place to drop in after a night of theater, clubbing or bar hopping. 321 S. Main,
801-364-7142
Sicilia Pizza Kitchen
There aren’t too many pizzerias that offer beer, wine and spirits, and even fewer that stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends, but Sicilia Pizza Kitchen does. And the fare here is far above average. Satisfy late-night cravings with garlic knots, gourmet pizzas and calzones, salads or hot submarine sandwiches. The traditional Italian egg pizza will really rock your night. 35 W. 300 South, 801-961-7077, SiciliaPizzaKitchen.com
Dining Cuts
Lucky 13
With a kitchen that stays open until midnight, seven days a week, Lucky 13 Bar & Grill is the default late-night stop for many hungry Salt Lakers. There’s always cheap beer and good whiskey at Lucky 13, but the burgers are what really rocks this joint. If the smoked tenderloin burger—7 ounces of chuck topped with thin-shaved pork tenderloin—doesn’t satisfy your late-night hunger, nothing will … except, perhaps, the foot-tall Big Benny. 135 W. 1300 South, 801-487-4418, Lucky13SLC.com
The Bayou
With a kitchen that stays open till 12:30 a.m. most nights, The Bayou (aka “Beervana”) is a 21-and-over establishment that offers a Cajun/Creole-influenced menu to balance out its 300-plus beers. The wide-ranging menu offers everything from popcorn shrimp, po’boys, gumbo and etouffee to pizza, salads, pasta and entrees like Cajun game hens, Hoppin’ John, jambalaya and chicken-fried chicken. For dessert, it’s deep-fried Twinkies, of course. And be sure to check out The Bayou’s terrific live-music lineup. 645 S. State, 801-961-8400, UtahBayou.com
Tin Angel Café
Saturday brunch at the Tin Angel Café is terrific for people-watching, especially when the Downtown Farmers Market is in full swing. But, it’s also great for out-of-the-box brunch fare, like the duck confit salad; grilled Brussels sprouts with Spanish sherry chèvre; coddled eggs topped with truffled salsa; or the yummy Cuban panini. Nothing boring about this brunch! 365 W. 400 South, 801-328-4155, TheTinAngel.com
• Welcome to the Neighborhood(s)!
• The 16 Utahns You Need to Meet
• Dive Into the Art Scene
• Browsing & Buying
• How to Get Here, There & Everywhere
• No Skis, No Problem
• Resort Report
• Local Live Music Spots
• SLC Bars & Clubs
• Meatless Meals
• Nosh Around the Clock
