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Shareable Starters - Bambara, Salt Lake City, UT

Bambara

4.3
4.3
2809 Reviews
$50 and over
Modern European
Top Tags:
Bambara, located within the vibrant Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City, is a modern bistro renowned for its impeccable service and stylish ambiance. Since its inception and through the extensive renovation and re-haul this year, Bambara continues to set the tone for the Salt Lake culinary landscape, consistently ranking as one of the best places to dine.
An ideal choice for both hotel guests and devoted locals, Bambara offers the ideal setting for celebrating cherished moments with loved ones, indulging with friends, dining with colleagues, or seeking a pre/post-theater bite. Nestled in a historically significant bank lobby adorned with original arched 10ft windows, this centrally located restaurant boasts a seasonal rotation of dishes that celebrate the local bounty of fish, game, and vegetable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 36 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Modern European, Contemporary American, Bistro
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (801) 363-5454
  • Website
    http://www.bambara-slc.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Catering
    Have the place to yourself for an unforgettable evening with 180 of your closest friends or colleagues. If your soirée requires a longer guest list, we also have access to three meeting spaces at the adjacent Hotel Monaco, with more than 3,100 square feet ranging from the 14-seat Tokyo Boardroom to the Paris Ballroom, with seating for 225. <br /><br />For more information or to book your event, email Tommy.Girrbach&#64;bambara-slc.com, or fill out the form below.<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Bambara offers 4 elegantly appointed separate rooms for holding business meetings or receptions. They can accommodate groups of 12 – 220.
  • Private party contact
    Bambara Restaurant : (801) 363-5454
  • Location
    202 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    200 South
  • Parking details
    Street parking; valet service that is discounted with validation.
  • Public transit
    TRAX stop on Main Street Between 200-300 South<br />UTA Bus Stop on 200 South at Main Street
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Christmas Day Dinner Buffet

    $70.00 per person

    Dec 25, 2023 only
    Join us for all of your holiday favorites at Bambara! We look forward to hosting you and your family for Christmas and will provide a holiday inspired buffet for dinner on the 25th.

What 2,809 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

2,809 Reviews

  1. MarkF

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall2food3service4ambience2
    They seated us almost 45 minutes after our reservation time. The filet cut was probably choice grade. It had a think band of connective fat and the meat itself wasn’t very flavorful. The beignets were over seasoned so you lost the taste of a beignet.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved our experience at Bambara! I took my partner there for her birthday and ordered ahead of time the bison Wellington and we were very impressed. One of our new favorite meals. Service was excellent and we felt well taken care of. I highly recommend Bambara!

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  3. JohnR

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolute best restaurant in Salt Lake. Food was amazing and the price was very reasonable.

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  4. JoshAF

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The steak is worth every penny. Every dish had flavors that matched perfectly.

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  5. JeremyR

    Salt Lake City

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    It’s disappointing that they do not have their homemade potato chips on the dinner menu anymore. They have a version of them on the bar menu, but it’s not the same. A glass of rosé is $24. The prices are way too high for what you get. The food is good, but pricing is out of control. I get that it’s fine dining, but for what they charge, the experience should be amazing start to finish and the reception was poor. Our server, Jake, was great. Menu is not overly diverse and needs work. Food was good and I love the hotel.

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  6. Sonia

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fantastic food paired with attentive, friendly service makes for a great night out!

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  7. MabelA

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall1food2service3ambience4
    Took forever for the food to arrive, very small plates. I was hungry. Bread was not offered. Disappointing.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Salt Lake City

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    Oh my gosh, I am so disappointed. We used to love this place but now it’s like eating in a cafeteria with steakhouse prices. The food was all under seasoned, undercooked and slimy or gooey, lukewarm at best and genuinely off putting or outright disgusting. We ended up sending 3 of the 4 dishes back (and the service was very nice about it.). Awful. We will never ever ever go back. Such a waste of a nice date night.

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  9. FredS

    Salt Lake City

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3
    I have been to Bambara few times in the past, but not since the Covid. I took my Client for lunch, and bragged about the burger that I have tried in the past, but to my suprise, it was awful. The burger was extremely dry, extremely salty and took forever to be served, and the restaurant was not busy at all. The food and service has gone downhill. I ma not coming back to this place.

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  10. AverageDiner

    Salt Lake City

    16 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The food was good (scallops and filet mignon), with a good flavor combo on the scallops, and the service was satisfactory. However, both the food and service would have been rated very good if the food would have been served warmer; not luke warm from possibly sitting too long. I was surprised no one asked how our meal was after it was served.

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  11. LizH

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    We were very disappointed last night. The main course was delivered after a wait of 45 minutes and the elk and bison were tough despite ordering them rare. That has NOT been my experience in the past. Previous elk entrees were excellent. I hope it was just a bad night.

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  12. nancyn

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience4
    All 3 of our dinners were undercooked. I also think they were improperly seasoned.

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  13. KatherineH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great location. The menu is limited but our meal was very good.

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  14. EduardoG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Overall great environment, everyone is so nice and warm. Great food greatly priced in my opinion great date night place overall!

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  15. StephanyH

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience2
    Took 25 minutes to get our drinks, the tables around us got table bread and their coats taken and we did not receive that treatment. We were the youngest people there which might of played a factor. The food was good, portions a bit small. The tables are placed too closed together. I was not impressed for picking this place to celebrate a birthday dinner.

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  16. JeffG

    Memphis/West TN

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Brandon was excellent and added to our dining experience.

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  17. SeanP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The food was good, of course, but it didn't meet our expectations. We expected a bit more based on the price point.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Went for Sunday brunch. Food was pretty good - especially the condolences casserole! Love that it’s a scratch kitchen but did cause wait times to be a bit slower (especially for breakfast). Service was great and free pastry table while you wait!

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  19. Anna

    Salt Lake City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    I asked the waiter for suggestions since it was my first time. He was very knowledgeable and very kind.

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  20. JaredP

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Been coming here for years and have never had a bad experience. Fresh, local, creative. The coffee encrusted elk is still a favorite while my wife always gets the perfectly seared scallops. Great wine list and full bar too.

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  21. SUZANNEM

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was fantastic! A little pricey but we will be going back.

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  22. Foodphonetic

    Boise

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Very loud.. But food was amazing. Service was great.

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  23. MarcoM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the filet mignon. Cooked to a perfect medium rare.

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  24. KamrinC

    Salt Lake City

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was absolutely exquisite! The service was phenomenal, and the choices were savory 

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  25. ChrisD

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 30, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Our food order must have been forgotten because it took over an hour for us to receive our main courses. We had to ask the server for our food because we were 30 minutes out from an 8pm show at Eccles. When we finally got our food we had 10 minutes to eat it - very rushed. We had to give our server our credit card as soon as the food came because we knew we had such little time left. Although my chicken dish was beautifully floured, the chicken was dry and the broccolini overcooked and stringy. I do think this was one-off because all tables around us were receiving their food in decent time from ordering. I will try Bambara again but this first experience was a miss. We couldn't even enjoy our meal we were eating so fast to make the show. Wait staff was lovely and understanding of our situation. One last thing. I had indicated that this dinner was for a birthday. The hostess did acknowledge that but nothing else special was done for us. If nothing special is done for birthdays, then why have that as an option when making a dinner reservation via OpenTable.

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  26. CharlesD

    Salt Lake City

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waiter,Jake, was invaluable to make our experience wonderful

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  27. AmandaS

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    It pains me to not be able to leave a better review because this restaurant has been very good in the past. The food was okay. The high point was the caramelized onion tart, which was delicious and I would enjoy again. The pumpkin risotto was bland and relied on a heavy portion of cubed cheese scattered around the bowl. Disappointing for $30. Service was very slow and I felt neglected because I was a solo diner, although I also feel my server was likely overwhelmed with the pre-ballet rush. Not entirely their fault. Overall, I had a pleasant dinner but I don’t think I will be going back in the near term.

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  28. Apicius

    Cincinnati

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very convenient to theaters and staff is very aware of showtimes so as to get you to your show on time. Bison Wellington was perfectly done and delicious, wine list very well-studied and reasonably priced. Excellent food, drink and service, highly recommend.

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  29. PapayaPrincess85

    Salt Lake City

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience2
    Food and service were outstanding, the ambiance however was not what I was expecting. The restaurant in in the lobby of a hotel and it feels like… well… a hotel lobby. The lighting, decor, music… it’s not great. Again though, food and service was a 10/10 and I would return for the onion tart, or coffee & dessert.

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  30. Ryray

    Salt Lake City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was great! The food was amazing! I had the bison and it was PERFECT! All around great experience. Thank you

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  31. BodieT

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience2
    Totally disappointed. The most popular appetizers was the melted blue cheese chips. Now gone. Substituted chips and dip. Not even close. Not to sure if I'll ever be back. We all commented that we doubt if they're going to make it

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  32. Jojo

    Salt Lake City

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The menu had changed a lot. Some new exciting dishes. Disappointed that there wasn't a soup. Would have been nice to have the lobster bisque or pumpkin chowder on a cold night. Pricey are high.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    Salt Lake City

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    If you spend all day being excited about the best appetizer ever that you used to be able to get at Bambara, you’ll be very disappointed. They no longer have blue cheese chips, and apparently, even with multiple requests, they won’t bring them back. They aren’t a high enough price point. They like to have those $20 plus appetizers on the menu instead. Disappointing.

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  34. BradS

    Salt Lake City

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Went for a birthday dinner, the host and server both wished my wife happy birthday and it was written on our to-go box as well. The service as a whole was fantastic, our server was very friendly and helpful. The food was very delicious! House-made brioche for an appetizer and the Mountain Elk and Branzino for entrees. Everything was great and I preferred their elk over Log Haven’s. Cocktail menu wasn’t the best nor did they taste great, but they can make classic cocktails if you prefer.

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  35. MichaelM

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Get that Wellington. Unlike most of your life, you won't regret it.

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  36. TheDC

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a perfect dining experience for a special occasion. While expensive, it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Salt Lake. Our server was wonderful in helping guide us through the menu and made some excellent recommendations and helped with a dietary restriction for one of our party. The food was... perfect. The ambiance was perfect. It was a wonderful evening and experience.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall2food5service1ambience3
    The food was excellent, but the service was about the worst service we have encountered in a very, very long time. The waiter was highly inattentive, busily chatting with his female colleagues and making us wait for 20 to 25 minutes before taking our order. He never bothered to check on the status of the wine, let alone pour it, and couldn’t be bothered when we finished the first bottle. We skipped dessert in order to get out of the restaurant. What an incredible way to let down the talent in the kitchen and a family gathering. Totally not worth it, given the prices.

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  38. Warrens

    Salt Lake City

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and exceptional food. I plan to make Bambara a go to place when dining downtown

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Salt Lake City

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    Service was great. Food was just ok for the price paid. Unlikely we will go again.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Fort Lauderdale

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best meal in SLC. Service was amazing food was delicious. Yes it’s a little expensive but worth the splurge. Beautiful restaurant with a very cool vibe. Not stuffy fancy. They were also very accommodating to the gluten free person we had with us.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

Bambara offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (801) 363-5454.

Bambara is rated 4.3 stars by 2809 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 36 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Bambara

202 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    200 South
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 7:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Modern European, Contemporary American, Bistro
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street parking; valet service that is discounted with validation.
  • Public transit
    TRAX stop on Main Street Between 200-300 SouthUTA Bus Stop on 200 South at Main Street
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.bambara-slc.com/
  • Phone number
    (801) 363-5454
  • Catering
    Have the place to yourself for an unforgettable evening with 180 of your closest friends or colleagues. If your soirée requires a longer guest list, we also have access to three meeting spaces at the adjacent Hotel Monaco, with more than 3,100 square feet ranging from the 14-seat Tokyo Boardroom to the Paris Ballroom, with seating for 225. <br /><br />For more information or to book your event, email Tommy.Girrbach&#64;bambara-slc.com, or fill out the form below.<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Bambara offers 4 elegantly appointed separate rooms for holding business meetings or receptions. They can accommodate groups of 12 – 220.
  • Private party contact
    Bambara Restaurant : (801) 363-5454

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