Salt Lake’s increasingly lively nightlife scene not only keeps visitors out late—whether at the new Eccles Theater or a Utah Jazz game—but also offers a perfect excuse to explore some of the city’s best late-night eateries. Tap into Salt Lake’s vibrant late-night dining scene with our quick guide.
The Hipster Hangouts
Avenues Proper is where to grab a smoked meatloaf sandwich or the Proper Mac & Cheese made with Irish cheddar. Or to satisfy a post-bar craving for chicken and waffles. The best liquid refreshment is one of their many Utah brews, at this rare brew pub that also serves beer from competitors. Open Friday and Saturday until midnight.
Hungry after a show at the Urban Lounge? Rye is right next door and offers Asian-infused starters such as roasted edamame or pork belly lettuce wraps. Go for a rice bowl (like the bulgogi bowl, the Peking duck bowl or the poke bowl) or maybe take a more decadent approach with the truffled mac & cheese or the waffle & whiskey with house potatoes. Open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Eva specializes in small plates such as sauteed Brussel sprouts with toasted hazelnuts, crispy polenta with feta and peppers, and grilled asparagus with jalapeño aioli and a poached egg. But save room for the slow-roasted steak bruschetta, spinach and potato gnocchi, or a wild mushroom pizza. Open Monday-Thursday until 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until midnight.
Finca is Salt Lake’s flagbearer for Spanish tapas, which may well be the ideal late night food. After all, it’s the ultimate small plate meal, easy to share, and easy to order more if appetites are larger. There are more than two dozen choices at Finca, from Fideos (toasted noodles clams, chorizo, crispy artichokes, sherry cream, lemon) to Piquillo’s (braised beef, stuffed in piquillo peppers), Pato (duck breast, fresh figs, black pepper honey, pistachio-mint pistou) to Camote (harrisa glazed yams, cardamom yogurt, pickled candied walnuts), not to mention a deep list of Spanish wines. Friday and Saturday until midnight.
The Classics
Offering “Mediterranean Street Food,” Spitz is famed for its Döner Kebab and variations such as the Street Cart Döner, with garlic aioli, fried lavash chips, romaine, cabbage, tomatoes and a choice of lamb, beef, chicken, falafel, or vegetarian. “Street Cart Fries” and an order of crispy garbanzos with olives should stave off any remaining hunger pangs. Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Consider the ultimate late night food at the ultimate Salt Lake pizzeria, The Pie. This is where to score a Stromboli (pepperoni, onions, green peppers, and Italian sausage), Xtreme Veggie (fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, Sicilian spiced tomatoes, red onions, feta and mozzarella) or a Hawaii Pie-O (smoked ham, pineapple, marinara sauce and mozzarella). Monday through Thursday until 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday until 3 a.m.; Sunday until 11 p.m.
The Bayou is where late-nighters share popcorn crawfish with tomato-chipotle sauce before tucking into a Bayou Burger served with caramelized onion, stout mustard, and chipotle aioli. Your buddies might be more interested in spicy chicken and sausage gumbo with rice or fried catfish linguini. Open every night until 12:30 a.m.
For those nights when a sweet ending is called for, Gourmandise The Bakery is the destination, where you can choose from croissant bread pudding, lemon mousse cake or a cannoli. Open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
