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City Guide

Salt Lake City

This October, Solidus experts from around the world will join us here Salt Lake City for Solidus Conf 2019. The conference runs from Monday, Oct. 21st through Thursday, Oct. 24th and will be hosted at the beautiful Public Library near the beating heart of downtown Salt Lake.

Ours is a unique and wonderful city full of historic sites, exciting outdoor destinations, and some incredible restaurants and bars to eat and drink. We’ve assembled this brief guide to help newcomers to our city make themselves at home and maybe even lead some return visitors and locals to some new favorites.

Weather & Dress Guide

In terms of the weather, October’s a pretty wonderful time of the year in Salt Lake. The hot, dry summers are a thing of the past, but the days, even in late October, are typically warm enough to be enjoyed with a light jacket or sweater.

That said, the evenings can get cold, even below freezing, in the latter half of the month, so it makes sense to pack some heavier clothing, particularly if you intend to enjoy some of the outdoor attractions we’ll be recommending below.

Restaurants

I reached out to my friends and colleagues--most of whom work in tech--for restaurant recommendations, and together we assembled a list that’s sure to appease even the most discerning of palates. Downtown Salt Lake poses plenty of options for dining, and there are plenty more if you’re willing to travel and see a little more of the valley. Here are a few you should consider checking out:

Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch

Ruth’s Diner

The second oldest restaurant in Utah, Ruth’s diner serves up incredible breakfasts, brunches, and burgers with a side of charming atmosphere.

Penny Ann’s Cafe

“Home of the ‘Heavenly Hot Cakes’” is Penny Ann’s claim to fame, or, as one fan put it: “Really damn delicious.” (Thanks, Tony!)
Japanese and Thai

Samurai Noodle

An authentic ramen shop where the noodles are handmade and served fresh. Located in Draper, which is 20-30 minutes south of Salt Lake City.

Tonkotsu Shabu Shabu

Authentic Japanese hot pot restaurant, which is something that you owe yourself to try if you haven’t already. Located in West Valley City.

Sawadee Thai

People tell me this is the best Thai food in the city, and considering how many times its been awarded Salt Lake Weekly’s “Best Thai Restaurant” award, I’m inclined to believe them. I might just see you there.
Mexican

Red Iguana

Our most famous Mexican restaurant, famed in particular for their incredible signature mole dishes, all of which are delectable. The restaurant is so popular, there are two locations within walking distance of one another as well as a “Taste of Red Iguana” restaurant in the food court at the City Creek Mall. Seriously, check this out if you get the chance.

Chungas

I first heard about Chungas when Female Foodie called it one of the most underrated restaurants in the city. Try the tacos al pastor.

Lone Star Taqueria

Incredible fish tacos.

Chile Tepin

Chile Tepin has a modern atmosphere that belies the incredible and authentic menu. I’m a big fan of the moles here, and I have yet to try a disappointing dish.
Vegan

Buds

Buds serves sandwiches that skip out on meat and dairy products but not flavor. Seating is outdoor only.

The Big O Doughnuts

100% vegan doughnuts plus coffee & tea.

Vertical Diner

The menu is fully plant-based and 90% gluten free, and the atmosphere is very charming. They even have slam poetry on Monday nights!
Burgers, Pizza, and More

Lucky 13 Bar and Grill

Quite possibly the best burger place you’ll find in the state. Great wraps and salads, too, and you can swap out a veggie or black bean burger for any sandwich, if beef’s not your thing.

Crown Burger

My favorite fast food joint in the city and probably my favorite pastrami burger anywhere. Also make sure to try some fry sauce. It’s a Utah thing, and, no, it’s not just ketchup.

The Pie

The Pie Underground is just off the University of Utah campus. Good pizza with a very cool college atmosphere. Think brick walls with writing all over them and a jukebox in the corner. Awesome.

The Copper Onion

Unique and fine dining on Broadway! The menu as well as the wine list offer something for everyone. Pricier than many of the other entries on this list (although not as much as you might expect).

Current Fish & Oyster

Being a desert state, you don’t typically think of Utah as a destination for seafood, but Current will surprise you. Also check out their signature cocktail menu.

Bohemian Brewery

Although it was founded in 2001 with the goal of continuing to perfect the art of Czechoslovakian brewing, Bohemian Brewery doesn’t just serve beer, the restaurant offers a mix of “old world dishes… with modern pub classics.”

Bars

Visitors might be surprised to learn just how many good bars are in and around the city. Here are a few unique and popular ones worth checking out.

Quarters Arcade Bar

A classic arcade and bar with more than a dozen pinball tables, tons of arcade classics, and booze. What more could you want. (And, yes, you have to be 21 to enter).

The Red Door

The Red Door is a go-to for “craft martinis and classic & specialty cocktails,” and, as my friend Casper puts it, a “real nice, lowkey atmosphere.” Apparently they also have the Fallout logo on the door?

Brewvies

Equal parts bar and cinema. Enjoy a movie over food and drinks.

Prohibition

Cocktails, food, and a (you guessed it) prohibition era theme along with pub quiz nights on Mondays and other cool events. “Heaven for people who want to be transported back to the 1920s,” says Salt Lake local Casper Manalo.

Keys on Main

The city’s resident “dueling piano club” with such a positive and fun reputation, even most non-drinkers I know in the city have been at least once.

Squatters

Since 1989, Squatters has become one of the city’s most well-known and well-liked bars.

Cool Destinations

Lagoon

Our local and well-loved amusement park is open on weekends in the fall, and October is “Frightmares” season. Roller coasters, live entertainment, walk-through haunted houses, and funnel cake. Lots to enjoy here.

Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake’s one and only Hogle Zoo is constantly expanding with new attractions and more interesting and animal-conscious exhibits. They decorate for Halloween around this time of year, too, for extra fun.

Red Butte Gardens

The Red Butte Gardens at the University of Utah is the “largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West.” A beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the flora. They also host special events around this time of year.

Gilgal Sculpture Garden

A surreal and unique “garden” of elaborate sculptures hidden in plain site in Salt Lake City and features a bizarre Sphinx of Mormon founder Joseph Smith. Admission is free!

The Living Planet Aquarium

The state’s largest aquarium is just off the freeway 20 minutes or so south of Salt Lake City proper. It offers tons of cool animals to see, and you can even dive into the water with the sharks if you’re feeling adventurous.

Evermore

An “experience park” that allows visitors to step into and explore a medieval Eupopean fantasy village. Talk to the characters throughout the village, practice archery, throw some axes, or take on RPG-like quests. Seriously, this place is awesome. Check the site’s calendar for events and park hours.

Temple Square

Salt Lake’s historic Temple Square holds special significance for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it’s also really interesting place for history buffs and architecture lovers.

Hiking

Utah is home to some of the most incredibly beautiful national parks in the country, and while Zions and Arches are probably prohibitively far from downtown Salt Lake City, destinations like Donut Falls, The Living Room, Mt. Timpanogos, and others are definitely close enough.

About the Author of this Guide

Ashton is a professional writer operating out of Salt Lake City. When he isn’t writing proposals for Artemis Health, you can generally find him freelancing articles about tech and video games. You can find most of his written work at his site: ashtonherrmann.com/writing

Special Thanks

"Shout out to my friends and colleagues Adam Stevenson, Brett Kester, Casper Manalo, Connor Jenkins, Chris Savoie, Curtis Salsibury, Gage Jensen, Kim Dufour, Matt Fleming, Tiffany Ludlow, and Tony Atkinson for their recommendations!"
- Ashton Herrmann