The Outdoor Retailers Winter Market arrives in Salt Lake City January 22-26 and is slated to be the largest Outdoor Retailers yet. (And we’re thrilled they will be sticking around until at least 2016!) Whatever you’re professionally involved in relating to outdoor business, the Salt Palace Convention Center is the place to be. But to walk those floors, you’ll need some energy provided by Salt Lake’s great food. Hopefully, our still-silly liquor laws won’t deter anyone from getting out and sampling some of our best local food and beers. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss while visiting.
If you want specific recommendations on genres, big groups, price ranges or other specifics, tweet me @slclunches with your parameters and I’ll make custom recommendations for you and your group.
Chow Truck will be parked just outside the Salt Palace Convention Center on West Temple and 200 South from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day so it is practically coming to you for Asian-influenced sliders and more.
Zy is a new contemporary American restaurant offers a cheese bar, frequently changing wines and lunch and dinner items celebrating only North American suppliers.
Eva offers great tapas and wood-fired pizzas in a hip location. Do not miss the Brussels sprouts…yup, I said Brussels sprouts. Their new French-style bakery, Boulangerie, has also just opened a block and a half north for breakfast and lunch.
Garden Café is an easy option if you are staying at Grand America or simply a little further south. They have a buffet or full menu options.
Beerhive is the place to go to find beers the rest of the world likes to enjoy.
Gracie’s is the newer, cooler, hipper incarnation of Port O’ Call. And best of all, they have pretty good food in addition to three floors of bars.
Red Rock Brewing Company is a fine brew pub in Salt Lake and offers solid choices for every kind of diner plus beers brewed on-site.
Pie Hole is the place for late night pizza cravings but they are open during regular lunch and dinner hours too. The pies are amazing and this place could keep you out late!
DoJo offers some of the most inventive sushi rolls in the city as well as a wide selection of Asian cuisine choices.
Frida Bistro is a Latin bistro in the warehouse district. The food is amazing and the cocktails are even better. Don’t miss it.
Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery has great pizza and sandwiches in addition to a cool bar and lots of flatscreens.
Les Madeleines is a French pastry shop just across from the downtown library, you’ll also find delicious breakfast and lunch items and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Bayou is a favorite for one of the best beer selections in Utah and fine New Orleans-inspired cuisine.
Ginza offers select sushi rolls at 50% off during lunch and a good selection of Japanese choices.
Gourmandise is the place to cure you sweet tooth and also enjoy some tasty lunch and dinner specials.
Bambara is the place to go if you are looking to impress some clients. New American is on the menu and the drink menu is top notch too.
Olive Bistro offers 16 varieties of panini and fantastic Rimini coffee drinks. Stop by on your way to the convention center for coffee and a meal on the way back!
Squatters is perhaps the most popular brew pub in Salt Lake. There are few better places to hang out and enjoy the local vibe.
The Copper Onion serves brunch, lunch and dinner regardless of what you’re craving. (It’s next to a Sundance Film Festival venue so you might do well to call ahead.)
Plum Alley is a sister restaurant of The Copper Onion, where you can enjoy Asian-influenced, tapas-style communal dining here.
Ahh Sushi shares space with a bar in a basement so it’s got to be good right? Go during the happy hour special (50% off sushi rolls) and it’s even better!
Blue Iguana is always mentioned second to Red Iguana but just steps away from the convention center, Mexican is what’s on the menu.
J. Wong’s Asian Bistro is just outside the south doors of the convention center and offers perhaps the best deals of this list.
Rio Grande Café offers killer margaritas and Tex Mex—all served at the train station!
Caffe Molise is one of those hidden gems in downtown SLC. Fantastic Italian in a charming spot to the east of the convention center.
Pallet offers amazing cocktails, truffle fries, seafood dishes and desserts have this one of the hottest dining spots in SLC right now.
Also, if you missed anything in town, don't worry. Salt Lake International Airport just opened 13 new restaurants throughout the airport so you can even enjoy local eats on your way out of town.

















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