Avenues Bistro on Third This tiny antique storefront offers an experience larger than the square feet would lead you to expect. The food is more interesting than ever, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t skip a visit to the stellar bakery in the back and take home a treat for later. 564 E. Third Ave., SLC, 801-831-5409. $
Blue Lemon Blue Lemon’s sleek interior and high-concept food have city style. Informal but chic, many-flavored but healthy, Blue Lemon’s unique take on food and service is a happy change from downtown’s food-as-usual. 55 W. South Temple, SLC, 801-328-2583. $ – $$
Blue Plate Diner Formica tables, linoleum floors, Elvis kitsch and tunes on the jukebox make this an all-American fave. Pancakes, patty melts and chicken-fried steak in sausage gravy over smashed potatoes and burgers are comfort food at its best. 2041 S. 2100 East, SLC, 801-463-1151. $
Cafe Niche Anytime is the best time to eat here. Food comes from farms all over northern Utah and the patio is a favorite in fine weather. 779 E. 300 South, SLC, 801-433-3380. $ – $$$
Citris Grill Most dishes come in either “hearty” or “petite” portion sizes. This means you can enjoy a smoked salmon pizzetta or fried rock shrimp appetizer and then a petite order of fire-roasted pork chops with adobo rub and black bean–corn salsa. Expect crowds. 3977 S Wasatch Blvd, SLC, 801-466-1202. $$
Copper Kitchen A welcome addition to Holladay, Ryan Lowder’s Copper Kitchen reprises his downtown Copper Onion and Copper Common success with variations. The menu is different, but the heartiness is the same; the interior is different but the easy, hip atmosphere is the same, and the decibel levels are very similar. 4640 S. 2300 East, Holladay, 385-237-3159. $ – $$$
Copper Onion An instant hit when it opened, constant crowds attest to the continuing popularity of Ryan Lowder’s Copper Onion. Though the hearty, flavorful menu changes regularly, some favorites never leave: the mussels, the burger, the ricotta dumplings. Bank on the specials. 111 E. Broadway, SLC, 801-355-3282. $ – $$$
The Dodo It’s hard even to update the review of this venerable bistro. So much stays the same. But, like I always say, it’s nice to know where to get quiche when you want it. And our raspberry crepes were great. Yes, I said crepes. From the same era as quiche. 1355 E. 2100 South, SLC, 801-486-2473. $$
Em’s Restaurant Housed in an old Capitol Hill storefront with a valley view, much of Em’s appeal is its unique charm. For lunch, try the sandwiches on ciabatta. At dinner, the kitchen moves up the food chain. 271 N. Center St., SLC, 801-596-0566. $$
Epic American food here borrows from other cuisines. Save room for pineapple sorbet with stewed fresh pineapple. 707 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale,
801-748-1300. $$
Hub & Spoke Scott Evans’ (Pago, Finca) diner serves the traditional three a day with an untraditional inventiveness applied to traditionw al recipes. Like, artisanal grilled cheese with spiked milkshakes. And mac and cheese made with spaetzle. Breakfast is king here–expect a line. 1291 S. 1100 East, SLC, 801-487-0698. $$
Lamb’s Grill Café They say it’s the oldest continually operating restaurant in Utah. Breakfasts include oatmeal, trout and housemade corned beef hash. For dinner: spaghetti, barbecued lamb shank or grilled liver. 169 S. Main St., SLC, 801-364-7166. $$
Left Fork Grill Every booth comes with its own dedicated pie shelf. Because no matter what you’re eating—liver and onions, raspberry pancakes, meatloaf or a reuben—you’ll want to save room for pie. Tip: Order your favorite pie first, in case they run out. Now serving beer and wine. 68 W. 3900 South, SLC, 801-266-4322. $
Little America Coffee Shop Little America has been the favorite gathering place of generations of native Salt Lakers. Weekdays, you’ll find the city power players breakfasting in the coffee shop. 500 S. Main Street, SLC, 801-596-5704. $ – $$
Lucky H Bar & Grille The classic hotel restaurant is aimed at the same clientele—generations of guests. Thus, the new menu is full of familiar dishes. Chef Bernard Gotz knows his diners and besides offering new items like housemade gravlax and escargots, the men includes plenty of meat and potatoes. Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St., SLC, 801-596-5700. $ – $$
Martine One of downtown’s most charming spaces, the atmosphere here trumps City Creek’s new eateries. A new executive chef and chef de cuisine have updated the menu to great effect. 22 E. 100 South, SLC, 801-363-9328. $$$
Meditrina Meditrina has secured its place as a great spot for wine and apps, wine and supper or wine and a late-night snack. And their Wine Socials are a habit for convivial types. Check meditrinaslc.com for the schedule. Try the Oreos in red wine. 165 W.900 South, SLC, 801-485-2055. $$$
Moochie’s This itty-bitty eatery/take-out joint is the place to go for authentic cheese-steaks made with thinly sliced steak and griddled onions glued together with good ol’ American cheese and wrapped in a big, soft so-called French roll. 232 E. 800 South, SLC, 801-596-1350 or 364-0232; 7725 S. State St., Midvale, 801-562-1500. $
Oasis Cafe Oasis has a New Age vibe, but the food’s only agenda is taste. Lots of veg options, but meat, too. The German pancakes are wonderful, but the evening menu suits the space-—imaginative and refreshing. 151 S. 500 East, SLC, 801-322-0404. $ – $$
Pig and a Jelly Jar Terrific breakfasts, but southern-seasoned suppers are good, too. Great chicken and waffles, local eggs, and other breakfasts are served all day, with homestyle additions at lunch and supper on Thursdays through Sundays. 410 E. 900 South, SLC, 385-202-7366. 227 25th St., Ogden, 801-605-8400. $$
Porch A chef-owned restaurant in the New Urban community of Daybreak, this sleek little cafe was conceived by Meditrina owner Jen Gilroy and focuses on locally-sourced cuisine with Southern touches. 11274 Kestrel Rise Road, Building C, South Jordan, 801-679-1066. $$
Porcupine Pub and Grille With 24 beers on tap available for only $2 every Tuesday, Porcupine has practically created its own holiday. Chicken noodle soup has homemade noodles and lots of chicken. Burgers and chile verde burritos are good, too. 3698 E. Fort Union Blvd., SLC, 801-942-5555. 258 S. 1300 East, 801-582-5555. $$
Red Butte Café This neighborhood place emphasizes Southwestern flavors and premium beers. Try the portobello with mozzarella and caramelized onions or beef with ancho jus. 1414 S. Foothill Blvd., SLC, 801-581-9498. $
Restaurants at Temple Square There are four restaurants here: Little Nauvoo Café (801-539-3346) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; Lion House Pantry (801-539-3257) serves lunch and dinner buffet-style (it’s famous for the hot rolls, a Thanksgiving tradition in many Salt Lake households); The Garden (801-539-3170) serves lunch and dinner (don’t miss the fried dill pickles); and The Roof (801-539-1911), a finer dining option eye-to-eye with Moroni on top of the Temple, which is open for dinner with a mammoth dessert buffet. 15 E. South Temple, SLC. $$$
Roots Café A charming little daytime cafe in Millcreek with a wholesome granola vibe. 3474 S. 2300 East, East Millcreek, 801-277-6499. $$
Ruth’s Diner The original funky trolley car is almost buried by the beer garden in fine weather, but Ruth’s still serves up diner food in a low-key setting, and the patio is one of the best. Collegiate fare like burgers, BLTs and enchiladas in big portions rule here. The giant biscuits come with every meal, and the chocolate pudding should. 2100 Emigration Canyon, SLC, 801-582-5807. $$$
Rye The food rocks at this hip new version of a diner connected to Urban Lounge. At breakfast (which lasts until 2 p.m.), the soft scrambles or the waffles with whiskey syrup are called for. At lunch try the shoyu fried chicken, the street dumplings and the lettuce wraps, which can make a meal or a nosh. Call to confirm hours. 239 S. 500 East, SLC, 801-364-4655. $$
Silver Fork Lodge Silver Fork’s kitchen handles three daily meals beautifully. Try pancakes made with a 50-year-old sourdough starter. Don’t miss the smoked trout and brie appetizer. No more corkage fees, so bring your own. 11332 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton, 888-649-9551. $ – $$
Stella Grill A cool little arts-and-crafts-style café, Stella is balanced between trendy and tried-and-true. The careful cooking comes with moderate prices. Great for lunch. 4291 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-288-0051. $ – $$
Tiburon Servings at Tiburon are large and rich: Elk tenderloin was enriched with mushrooms and demi-glace; a big, creamy wedge of St. Andre came with pork belly. In summer, tomatoes come from the garden. 8256 S. 700 East, Sandy, 801-255-1200. $$$
Tin Angel From boho bistro, Tin Angel has grown into one of Salt Lake’s premier dining destinations, still with a boho touch. Chef -Jerry Liedtke can make magic with anything from a snack to a full meal, vegetarian or omnivore. Bread pudding is famous. 365 W. 400 South, SLC, 801-328-4155. $$
Zest Kitchen & Bar How 21st century can you get? Zest’s focus is on vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food (as locally sourced as possible) combined with a creative cocktail list. Forget the notion that hard liquor calls for heavy food—Zest’s portobello dinner with lemon risotto has as much heft as a flank steak. Try it with one of their fruit and veg-based cocktails, like the Zest Sugar Snap. And Zest’s late hours menu is a boon in a town that goes dark early. 275 S. 200 West, SLC, 801-433-0589. $$