Alamexo, Oaxacan-influenced Mexican food made by a award winning chef

Copper Onion, a top restaurant in Salt Lake serving small plates and entrees at lunch time and dinner including beef stroganoff, their famous burger, or risotto.

Spitz, traditional doner kebab cafe serving up delicious lamb as well as street car fries and more.

Naked Fish, Japanese sushi restaurant with great ramen at lunch time

Within a 5 minute drive of Downtown

Vinto, modern brick-oven pizza with seasonally fresh ingredients.

Pallet, serving local foods in a Portland-y environment. They also have fabulous seafood options and delectable desserts like the one pictured at the top of this post.

Rye Diner and Drinks – hip small plates and breakfast foods with great coffee and cocktails

Beer Bar– housemade brats and an outstanding beer list with lots of TVs to watch theWorld Cup

Tin Angel, hip restaurant serving local and fresh ingredients with several vegan and vegetarian options.

Canella’s, Italian neighborhood cafe with pizza, pasta and their famous Italian salad with sausage. You can also get locally made gelato next door. (pictured above)

Forage, more than just good food, this is a complete dining experience with the famous Viet Pham as your chef.

Lunchie Spots near the Conference

Robin’s Nest, quick and tasty sandwiches.

Ekamai, traditional thai food in a casual little cafe (pictured above).

Caputo’s Deli, Italian style sandwiches and salads.

Carlucci’s, soup/ salad/ sandwich locale with tasty treats as well.

Within a 12 minute drive of Downtown but worth every precious minute

Finca, Spanish tapas with a fabulous seasonal and local menu and amazing cocktails (pictured above)

Mazza, Mediterranean restaurant serving gyros, and other traditional Med fare for lunch and dinner.

Pago, new-American food, in the popular 9th and 9th neighborhood.

Fresco, new-Italian cuisine in a cosy neighborhood cafe  (one of my personal favorites for special occasions).

For those needing a coffee fix

The Rose Establishment, great gathering place to chat it up over a ‘pour-over’ coffee or boutique tea (oh and all of their food is delicious too!).

Nobrow Coffee, serving up an assortment of the world’s best coffees (now located at 179 West 900 South).

Publik Coffee– coffee roaster and shop with lots of workspace and great toast options

Sweet tooth  fixes

Eva’s Bakery, a brand new French style bakery serving up fresh breads, pastries, coffee, as well as some tasty lunch offerings (located on 155 South Main Street downtown).

Les Madeleines, delicate pastries including their famous Kouing Aman, a buttery flaky treat you must try for yourself. They also serve light European lunch fare of sandwiches, salads, wraps, soup, and if you come on the right day – chicken pot pie!

Tulie, modern bakery in a Salt Lake neighborhood, (try their morning bun.. a personal favorite of mine).

Mini’s Cupcakes, for the cupcake fans, this is our local cupcake stop with tons of creative flavor combinations to try.

Bruges Waffles, authentic Belgium waffles, caramelized on the outside with your choice of berries on top (if you love waffles… you must try these!!)

Gourmandise, traditional European pastries galore!

Cocktails and the best Bartenders in town

Bar X – 155 East 200 South – Prohibition cocktails

Finca – 1291 South 1100 East – Drinks by Scott Gardner

Wild Grape Bistro – 481 East Temple Drinks created by Sean Neves

Copper Onion – 111 East Broadway – Drinks created by Jimmy Santangelo

Pallet – 237 South 400 West – Drinks by Matt Pfohl

Grocery Stores near Downtown

Harmon’s City Creek, our biggest downtown grocery store in Salt Lake where you can find pretty much anything you need.

Caputo’s Market, specialty Italian market with a great assortment of local products as well.

Liberty Heights Fresh, specialty food grocer with seasonal local produce and a great selection of cheese.

Local Non-Perishable Products to pick up before you leave. Most of these can be found at Liberty Heights Fresh or Caputo’s. (If you’re attending the SLC Food Tour, you’ll be getting many of these to take home!)

Slide Ridge Honey Wine Vinegar, great on salads or over brussels sprouts.

Mezzo Drinking Chocolate, authentic Mezzo-American drinking chocolate.

Charming Beard Coffee, Salt Lake’s own specialty coffee, single origin beans from Nicaragua, Ugana, Ethiopia, and Costa Rica.

Real Salt, yes the name does hold true as we do have our very own salt here in Utah!

Amour Spreads, European style jams and marmalades (my latest favorite is their Tayberry Jam).

Shirley J Timeless Grains, a mix of heart healthy grains with dried cranberries and almonds.

Criminelli Salami, world renown old world style Italian Salami.

Chocolot, handmade chocolates confections with unique flavors and beautiful design.

Beehive Cheese – award winning hand rubbed cheddar cheeses.