In Central Ninth, Cosmica—lately included on The New York Times’s 2025 Best Restaurants listing—has rapidly turn into one in every of the metropolis’s most talked-about tables. Billing itself as an “Italian diner,” it pairs native classics like clam pie and elk carpaccio with a playful, kitschy Spaghetti-Western aesthetic. For one thing extra unique, Aker Restaurant and Lounge is house to the seasonal 10-course Tuna Fight Club omakase, a bluefin-focused tasting that explores the fish in a number of varieties. The Japanese-inspired menu ranges from dry-aged nigiri to wagyu beef—one in every of the most sought-after reservations in the metropolis proper now.
Repeal is a speakeasy restaurant with stay music (there was a beautiful pianist once I visited), creative cocktails, and farm-fresh dishes which are equal components daring and scrumptious—even the ant caviar appetizer simply works. Felt, a 2026 James Beard nominee, is downtown on Main Street and excellent for something from after-work drinks to a full meal that may stretch late into the evening. Gourmandise shines throughout the board, from brunch to dessert, whereas Copper Onion, a downtown staple since 2010, boasts elevated New American dishes—burgers, pasta, salads—with reliably good outcomes. For late-night bites, Red Iguana and Taqueria 27 are native favorites, serving generously seasoned burritos and nachos that fulfill whether or not you’re wrapping up an evening out or refueling after a day on the mountain.
Where to keep in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has a shocking vary of resorts that really feel considerate, every suited to a distinct kind of traveler. I stayed at Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, which is downtown’s design-forward centerpiece: a fantastically restored 1908 Union Pacific Depot with vaulted ceilings, rigorously curated interiors, and two distinct bars—No. 119 options whiskey and basic cocktails in a low-lit setting, whereas The Bar at Asher Adams provides stay music, modern drinks, and bar bites in the romantically restored house.
Also downtown, Hyatt Regency SLC is the metropolis’s workhorse: spacious, trendy rooms, constant service, and direct entry to the conference middle and buzzy streets. It’s excellent for enterprise vacationers or anybody valuing comfort and dependable facilities. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City is smaller, bolder, and extremely personable, with playful service touches and a walkable location close to eating places and nightlife—nice for {couples} or solo visitors looking for character with simple metropolis entry. The Grand America Hotel is basic luxurious: grand public areas, refined rooms, white-glove service, and a way of event, making it the go-to for celebrations, particular stays, or anybody looking for a conventional but spruced-up spot.
As for Airbnbs and trip houses, typically talking, Salt Lake City is one in every of the most restrictive markets in the nation for short-term leases. The metropolis prioritizes long-term housing over trip leases by successfully banning stays below 30 days in virtually all residential areas. If you continue to want to e-book an Airbnb, search for authorized options in close by Cottonwood Heights or Sandy, that are greatest for all-season mountain entry.
Where to play in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, you’ll be able to ski, hike, store, and drink your method by means of city with out ever feeling rushed. The mountains are by no means far: Alta is about 45 minutes from downtown and excellent for skiers chasing deep powder and difficult terrain, whereas Brighton is comparable in distance however extra relaxed, with runs suited to households and intermediates. Snowbird, below 40 minutes out, provides steep runs and lengthy carry rides for critical skiers, and Solitude is round the identical distance, however its quieter and much less crowded ambiance is nice for cruising and taking in the views. Iconic ski resort Deer Valley, one in every of our best places to go in 2026, is lower than 45 minutes away, in addition to its famend neighbor, Park City Mountain. When the snow melts, the identical mountains open onto trails like White Pine, Lake Blanche, Desolation, and Cecret Lake with basic Wasatch hikes that includes huge views and quick access.