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Best Authentic Restaurants in Downtown

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24 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Matteo Ristorante Italiano restaurant
1. Matteo Ristorante Italiano
4.7
Exceptional(537)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 41 times today
Matteo Ristorante Italiano is a place where the authentic flavors of Modena, Italy come alive. Reviewers rave about the 'very authentic from Grandma's kitchen' dishes and the 'extensive wine list'. The chef, Damiano Carlotto, uses family recipes and techniques to create a warm, comforting, and soul-warming culinary journey. The homemade pasta and traditional Italian dishes also add to the authenticity of the place.
A photo of Monarca restaurant
2. Monarca
4.4
Awesome(467)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 8 times today
We are MONARCA! A Mexican bistro, we constantly change our menu with our chef new creations as Ceviches, Enchiladas, Steaks and other specialties. Our bar specialize in Tequila and Mezcal, awarded best Restaurant Bar 2023 in Utah, our mixologist always innovating using spices and flavors that hardly can find anywhere else. We are MONARCA, right in heart of Downtown Salt Lake City a few blocks from temple square. Bienvenidos!
A photo of Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City restaurant
3. Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City
4.7
Exceptional(650)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 45 times today
Purchased from the Red Iguana family in 1998, the Blue Iguana Restaurant has provided patrons with delicious, authentic Mexican food for over two decades. From day one, the only goal for Blue Iguana was to create a menu rich with traditional, old-world recipes while pushing the culinary envelope and creating new, one-of-a-kind Mexican cuisine.Trained by the culinary artists of Chihuahua, our head chef, Chef Castillo, cooks up some of the most mouth-watering and unexpected Mexican cuisine outside of his homeland. After he learned closely guarded recipes created in the tradition of generations-old Aztec cuisine, Chef Castillo began applying these techniques to create everything from classic Mexican dishes to modern cuisine.Our restaurant is warm, inviting, family-friendly, and full of energy. Dining at the Blue Iguana is more than a meal—it’s a journey back in time to the tastes and sounds of old-world Mexico.
A photo of Caffe Molise restaurant
4. Caffe Molise
4.7
Exceptional(3516)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 43 times today
Occupying the historic Eagles Building on the corner of 400 South and West Temple street downtown, Caffe Molise opened in 1993 serving lunch and dinner daily. Featuring daily specials for lunch and dinner, with made-to-order appetizers, fresh and imported Italian pastas, main dishes and delectable desserts, we have been a fixture of Salt Lake City for 30 years. Staff favorites include our Ravioli con Zucca, the Arista, and Pappardelle al Sugo.Peruse our award-winning wine and drinks menus including our seasonal craft cocktails. When the weather is warm, enjoy our outdoor patio. Seating is limited; we request that guests keep dining to a 2 hour limit. Reservations are recommended; walk-ins are welcome. We are also available for curbside pick-up and gift card purchase. Cheers!
A photo of Cucina Toscana restaurant
5. Cucina Toscana
4.4
Awesome(1165)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 3 times today
Cucina Toscana has been Salt Lake's premier Italian restaurant for over a decade. Known for its authentic Northern Italian menu, the restaurant offers homemade pastas, rich sauces, and a variety of entrees expertly paired with regional wines. Guests can also enjoy private dining in three elegant rooms, perfect for intimate gatherings, corporate meetings, or grand celebrations. Whether planning an event for 2 or 100 people, Toscana ensures a memorable experience with its inviting ambiance, impeccable service, and exquisite cuisine.
A photo of Lupessa restaurant
6. Lupessa
4.4
Awesome(635)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 23 times today
Italian Graffiti is a haven of authentic Italian cuisine. The reviews rave about its 'original recipes, true to the Italian tradition', 'homemade' feel and 'hand crafted pasta highlighting local produce'. The atmosphere is also praised, with diners noting the 'luxurious and tasteful' decor, and the service is consistently lauded as 'excellent'. The overall experience is described as 'relaxed', 'special', and 'great', indicating that it is a genuine Italian dining experience.
A photo of VENETO restaurant
7. VENETO
4.9
Exceptional(805)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 2 times today
VENETO is a dining experience that brings to life the history, culture, and traditions of a region in Northeastern Italy. It's a warm, enlightening setting that leaves bodies, minds, and spirits nourished through quality, handmade cuisine — best shared in good company, with love.Our menu honors year-round classical favorites and seasonal specialties from the region of Veneto, with ingredients coming from Italy and the finest local purveyors. But it's the experience around those elements that you won't forget.Being at VENETO is like being in Amy & Marco's home. It's a warm, inviting environment curated with one-of-a-kind antique European furniture and accessories, from the hundreds-year old Italian sofa in the dining room to the Italian marble in the restrooms. We want you comfortable, relaxed, and immersed in Italian culture as you ponder the menu, soak up new knowledge, and enjoy inspired conversation along the way.
A photo of Osteria Amore restaurant
8. Osteria Amore
4.8
Exceptional(1557)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 30 times today
Osteria Amore came to life because we believe in the power of food to change your day, or in our case, change your life. Owner Eduardo Daja has been working in restaurants since he was a teenager growing up in Italy, and his time in culinary school only strengthened his passion for food. After culinary school, Ed stayed in Bologna to work at a family-owned restaurant. He moved to Utah eight years ago, and found himself missing his first love, food. For the past three years, Ed has been managing an Italian restaurant while also maintaining a career in tech and finally made the life-changing decision to open his own restaurant. That big decision was made possible for Ed when he met Marco Cuttaia, Osteria Amore’s executive chef and partner. Ed’s training in Bologna, considered the food capital of Italy, and Marco’s upbringing in Palermo, known for its incredible street food, bridge northern and southern Italian culinary tradition in a way that’s never been done in Salt Lake City.
A photo of Stoneground Kitchen restaurant
9. Stoneground Kitchen
4.8
Exceptional(1296)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 18 times today
Our menu features Rustic Italian Recipes, Thin Crust Pizzas & Fresh Pastas. Stoneground Italian is located downtown in a second-story loft overlooking the architecturally acclaimed Salt Lake City Public Library. Since opening in 2000, owner Bob McCarthy has been cooking up a dining experience that’s warm, welcoming and firmly planted in his Irish-Italian roots. He takes a simple approach to serving delicious food: always fresh and house-made.The environment at Stoneground is cool and casual; some describe it as a rustic/urban vibe. You’ll feel comfortable dressed as you are. The window tables have mesmerizing views and are ideal for intimate dining occasions. The outdoor deck seats about 40-people and is the go-to spot for your fair weather celebrations. Park and enter from the rear of the building. Parking is Free. Hope to see you soon!
A photo of Salt and Olive restaurant
10. Salt and Olive
4.5
Awesome(175)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • Salt Lake City
Booked 26 times today
Salt & Olive Pizzeria/Cocktails now open in Salt Lake City.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Kristine
    Utah •19 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Better than I remembered. Had gnocchi with spicy sausage. Appetizer was small scallops with a kind of lemoncello sauce. Service was good and friendly. All in a cool building.
    More info
    Caffe MolisePrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
    •
    4.7
  • Katherine
    Dallas - Fort Worth •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    This is a place we go to dinner anytime we are in Salt Lake City.
    More info
    Blue Iguana - Salt Lake CityPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Downtown
    •
    4.7
  • jennyVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We love coming to Matteo’s. We were finally able to visit their new location in downtown Salt Lake City and it is beautiful. It’s bigger than their first location but still has all the charm and familiarity. I am really touched by their ability to make you feel like a special guest. I love seeing familiar faces and the fact that they remember you is really heart warming and something a lot of restaurants don’t prioritize as part of the dining experience. The food was outstanding, as usual. We love getting the steak special whenever it is available. It really is one of the best steaks in Utah (and I’ve been to just about every steakhouse here). Of course though, the pasta is always delicious and their desserts are usually something I never pass on.
    More info
    Matteo Ristorante ItalianoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Salt Lake City
    •
    4.7
  • AmyVIP
    Utah •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 23 Jan 2025
    We’ve lived in Park city for 11 years now and this is our favorite food in town, hands down. The restaurant has a cute Jamaican vibe and the family that owns 11Hauz are all super sweet, thoughtful, and interact with customers regularly. They also make all of the food themselves and the taste of the food will blow your mind! Super flavorful Jamaican food, right here in beautiful Park City! Can’t beat that!
    More info
    11hauz Authentic Jamaican foodPrice: Moderate• Jamaican• Park City
    •
    5
  • ConnorVIP
    Atlanta •2 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on 23 Jan 2025
    Great food- tasty. Service was slow or disorganized. We still had a good time overall
    More info
    MonarcaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Downtown
    •
    4.4

Discover best authentic restaurants in Downtown

Discover a treasure trove of authentic dining experiences in the heart of Downtown, Salt Lake City, Utah. This curated selection of eateries showcases the best of local and international flavors, where tradition meets innovation in every dish. Each restaurant promises a unique ambiance, from cozy and intimate settings to vibrant and quirky atmospheres, all deeply rooted in the essence of authenticity. These establishments are celebrated for their use of fresh, local ingredients, and seasonal menus that evolve to offer bold and masterful flavors. The dining scene in Downtown Salt Lake City is a vibrant mix of old and new, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers seeking genuine culinary delights. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food with a craft cocktail or exquisite Italian cuisine with homemade pasta, these restaurants will provide an exceptional and memorable dining experience. Prioritize your palette and reserve a table to indulge in the true tastes of Downtown, Salt Lake City.

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