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Best Authentic Restaurants in Salt Lake City

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21 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Monarca restaurant
1. Monarca
4.4
Awesome(496)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 22 times today
We are MONARCA! Best of State 2025. A Mexican bistro, we constantly change our menu with our chef's new creations, such as Ceviches, Enchiladas, Steaks, and other specialties. Our bar specializes in Tequila and Mezcal and was awarded Best Restaurant Bar 2023 in Utah. Our mixologist is always innovating, using spices and flavors that you can hardly find anywhere else. We are MONARCA, right in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City, a few blocks from Temple Square. Bienvenidos!
A photo of Matteo Ristorante Italiano restaurant
2. Matteo Ristorante Italiano
4.8
Exceptional(620)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 40 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 Cucina Toscana restaurant
3. Cucina Toscana
4.3
Awesome(1190)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 15 times today
Located in the 100 year old historic Firestone Building, Cucina Toscana is Salt Lake City’s longest-running Italian restaurant, serving authentic Tuscan cuisine for over 30 years. Conveniently across from Pioneer Park and near The Gateway, Delta Center, and Salt Palace Convention Center, we offer a refined yet inviting dining experience.Led by Executive Chef Memmo, who has been with Cucina Toscana for 28 years, we are known for house-made pastas, rich sauces, and an award-winning wine list, earning the OpenTable Diner’s Choice, DiRoNa, and Wine Spectator Awards. Guest favorites include Carbonara, Lasagna Bolognese, Ossobuco Piemontese, Burrata with Roasted Tomatoes, and Gnocchi Arrabbiata.Guests can experience the Cucina Aperta, our traditional open kitchen, or choose a quieter, more intimate space. With three private dining rooms for events up to 150 guests, impeccable service, and timeless Italian flavors, Cucina Toscana remains Salt Lake City’s premier fine dining destination.
A photo of Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City restaurant
4. Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City
4.6
Exceptional(671)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 27 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 VENETO restaurant
5. VENETO
4.9
Exceptional(829)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 9 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 HandoSake Sushi restaurant
6. HandoSake Sushi
4.5
Awesome(57)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Downtown
Booked 13 times today
HandoSake is Downtown Salt Lake City’s original Japanese hand-roll bar, serving fresh, made-to-order hand rolls, premium nigiri, and authentic Japanese cuisine. Our menu features high-quality fish flown in weekly, crave-worthy appetizers like crispy rice and rock shrimp, and a full bar offering signature cocktails, premium sake, and Japanese whiskey. Enjoy a vibrant, modern atmosphere with occasional live music and DJs, creating the perfect setting for date nights, business dinners, or casual gatherings. Whether you’re dining in, taking out, or ordering delivery, HandoSake delivers the freshest sushi experience in downtown Salt Lake City. Discover why we’re the go-to destination for sushi lovers, hand-roll enthusiasts, and fans of true Japanese dining.
A photo of Sol Agave - Salt Lake City restaurant
7. Sol Agave - Salt Lake City
4.5
Awesome(171)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Salt Lake City
Booked 43 times today
Our dream began in late 2014, long before we became the "Best Mexican Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano". It began inside a 17- foot food truck with the burning desire to change the way guests perceived food truck cuisine to be we have always believed that Mexican food should be MORE! More complex, modern, enjoyable and healthier for our bodies.
A photo of Kyoto Japanese Restaurant restaurant
8. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1299)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Salt Lake City
Booked 26 times today
A Salt Lake City icon, Kyoto has delighted literally generations of diners. This cozy restaurant gives the feel of a bit of Kyoto Japan in the Rocky Mountains. Kyoto specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine. House favorites include the Ebi Tempura and Steak Teriyaki. Kyoto is also known for its Sushi Bar. Patrons may either dine at the Sushi Bar or order sushi from a Japanese style booth.Kyoto Japanese Restaurant was opened by Sam & Yoshiko Tada in 1984. Sam (a native of Kyoto Japan) brought his culinary skills & Yoshiko managed the accounting and service. Both Sam & Yoshiko still participate in the day to day operations of Kyoto.
A photo of Salt and Olive restaurant
9. Salt and Olive
4.5
Awesome(189)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • Salt Lake City
Booked 22 times today
Salt & Olive Pizzeria/Cocktails now open in Salt Lake City.
A photo of Osteria Amore restaurant
10. Osteria Amore
4.9
Exceptional(1600)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Salt Lake City
Booked 20 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.

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Discover best authentic restaurants in Salt Lake City

Discover a culinary treasure trove in Salt Lake City with our carefully curated selection of restaurants renowned for their authenticity. From rustic American eateries to genuine Italian bistros, each location promises a unique dining experience that echoes the true spirit of their respective cuisines. Salt Lake City's dining scene is diverse and vibrant, offering food lovers a wide range of flavors and dining atmospheres to choose from. Each restaurant stands out for its commitment to quality ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and impeccable service, ensuring an authentic and memorable meal every time. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these establishments provide not just food, but a genuine taste of cultural authenticity. Perfect for those seeking an authentic dining experience, these restaurants cater to various preferences and dietary needs, making them ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a meal in Salt St Lake City. Dive into the heart of the city's culinary excellence and discover why these eateries are praised for their authenticity and charm.

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