2017 Dining Awards

America's tastes have changed and Utah chefs are right at the forefront.

Not that long ago, we were basic—dinner was a hunk of protein sided with a starch, a green veg and a yellow veg. But life and dining are at once simpler and more complicated now. Simpler because we’re eating more foods closer to their source. Complicated because we’ve incorporated all kinds of techniques, ingredients and flavors from other cultures. Simpler because we understand that we can break old rules with impunity. More complicated because food has become a political issue.

Look at the food made by this year’s Dining Awards winners: sunchokes, rabbit, currants, exotic mushrooms, whole fish. The only beef showing is marrow; the only red meat is lamb. In the land of the beef and the home of the burger, vegetables rule.

The chef’s palette has expanded with his palate. Chefs are paying attention to table settings as well as what is on the plate, recognizing that dining is a multi-sensory experience, that the texture of a plate and the heft of a spoon should complement the food.

The new New American cuisine strives to impress with its honesty, not its glamour. Lucky for us, that’s been a Utah value all along.

2017 Dining Awards Winners

2017 Hall of Fame Winners

Restaurants named to the Salt Lake magazine Hall of Fame have demonstrated high quality of food, service and ambiance consistently for a significant number of years.

Log Haven

Mazza

Red Iguana

Aristo’s

Takashi

Squatters Pub Brewery

Hell’s Backbone Grill

2017 Readers' Choice Winners

Best Restaurant—Salt Lake City: HSL

Best Restaurant—Park City: Handle

Best Restaurant—Provo: Communal

Best Restaurant—Moab & Southeast Utah: Hell’s Backbone Grill

Best Restaurant—St. George & Southwest Utah: Painted Pony

Best Restaurant—Ogden and Northern Utah: Tona Sushi

Best Restaurant in Utah: Hell’s Backbone Grill

Best Restaurant Discovery: Vessel Kitchen

Best Indian Restaurant: Bombay House

Best Chinese Restaurant: Mandarin

Best Mexican Restaurant: Red Iguana

Best Southeast Asian Restaurant: Oh Mai

Best Japanese Restaurant: Takashi

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Mazza Cafe

Best Quick Eats: Even Stevens

Best Lunch: Plates & Palates

Best Breakfast: Ruth’s Diner

Best Comfort Food:Hub & Spoke Diner