The Best Diners In Salt Lake City, Utah

Located in Emigration Canyon in the outskirts of Salt Lake City, Ruth’s Diner has been around for over 80 years, making it the second oldest restaurant in Salt Lake City. Ruth’s has a cozy and warm ambiance with its homey, classic American food and vintage decor. Surrounded by scenic greenery and quiet, Ruth’s is a pleasantly peaceful escape from the city feel. The big, fluffy biscuits are famous at Ruth’s, and pair well with a range of things on the menu like the eggs benedict, raspberry jam, and of course, the gravy. Generous portions, friendly service, and country-style home cooking make Ruth’s well worth the short drive outside of the city.
Address: 4160 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (801) 582-5807

Located in a Nordstrom department store in downtown Salt Lake City, Sixth & Pine is a modern diner that serves traditional, American comfort food. The menu includes some unique customer favorites, like the cilantro lime chicken salad and sweet potato fries. The food, dips, and drinks are fresh and flavorful, and the variety appeals to everyone’s tastes. The restaurant is also known to adjust their menu items for customers with special dietary needs without compromising the quality and flavor of the food. After a long day of shopping (or just for a delicious meal), Sixth & Pine is worth the stop in to Nordstrom.
Address: 55 W Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 384-4933

Inspired by local 1950s diners, the Blue Plate Diner has a small-town vibe, a kitschy but cool menu, and a quirky twist on traditional diner items. Established at the turn of the century, the Blue Plate is decorated with colorful antiques (like a soda fountain from 1949) that add to the pleasant atmosphere created by amiable staff, many of whom have been working there for most of their lives. The homemade delicious pork chili verde was one of the favorite items mentioned on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” where the Blue Plate was featured. Located in Sugar House, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Salt Lake City, the Blue Plate Diner is popular for Sunday brunch. It is wise to arrive early on weekends, or you’re in for quite a wait.
Address: 2041 S 2100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (801) 463-1151

Penny Ann’s Cafe is a family-run restaurant, which creates a homey, comforting atmosphere. The menu is comprised of Italian-American dishes and the atmosphere is somewhere in between a diner and a cafe. The items are traditional and no-frills, but are made with exceptional attention to detail and with top quality ingredients. Penny Ann’s is especially famous for its homemade pies that are made from scratch. The pie selection changes on a day-to-day basis, and all are available a la mode! The prices are just as humble as the pie, making Penny Ann’s a genuine, family-style experience.
Address: 1810 Main St Salt Lake City, UT (801) 935-4760

Tucked away in South Salt Lake City, Vertical Diner is an award-winning breakfast spot. An especially good choice for vegan and gluten-free diets, Vertical Diner features a Meatless Monday that offers inventive items like the Avalanche Breakfast, which includes a generous portion of pancakes, tofu scramble, and a vegan sausage patty. The dishes are all flavorful and fresh, making it an approachable place for non-vegans to try out as well. Be sure to try the selection of beers to complement one of the delectable menu items.
Address: 2280 W Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 (801) 484-8378

The owner of well-known Salt Lake City restaurants, Pago, East Liberty Tap House, and Finca recently opened up his fourth establishment (replacing Finca) called Hub & Spoke Diner. Serving traditional diner food with a modern touch, this restaurant is an affordable eat in the East Central area of Salt Lake City. The menu features shrimp and grits, flapjacks, as well as spaetzle mac and cheese, and the restaurant sources its ingredients from local Utah farmers, even making its bread in-house. The breakfast dishes are customer favorites and are served throughout the entire day. If you’ve tried many of the city’s well-known dining spots, this is a newer restaurant that’s worth a try.
Address: 1100 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 801-487-0698