Dining Area

Van Ryder

Scenic Dining in Salt Lake City

Sure, your food might be delicious. But how’s the view?

Sometimes, the atmosphere is just as important as the dish itself. When it comes to restaurants with scenery, Salt Lake City is the place to be. Of course, there’s no official “Scenic Culinary Trail,” so I’ve taken the liberty of creating one.

Here’s a list of places to eat in Salt Lake that come with a great backdrop.

Van Ryder

For this “trail,” we’re going to make a triangular pattern that starts and ends in Downtown Salt Lake. First on the list is Van Ryder, a more popular, well-known choice when it comes to the views. This is a rooftop bar with such stunning views of the Wasatch Mountain range that personal photoshoots often take place here—so much so that a reservation and manager approval are required before you start your glamor sessions.

Both drinks and food are offered here. Guests can sip on craft cocktails that range from spirit-forward riffs on the classics to refreshing, citrus-driven mixes, along with a lineup of wines, beers and zero-proof options. The food leans toward elevated bar fare with items like loaded nachos, charcuterie, crispy calamari, or hearty mains like a short-rib-topped burger or beer-battered fish tostada. Still, it’s the sweeping mountain backdrop and glittering city lights that turn a night at Van Ryder into more than a meal—it’s a moment framed by Salt Lake’s best scenery.

For reservations and more information, visit vanrydersaltlake.com.

Bohemian Brewery

Next, we’re headed down to Midvale, Utah, about a 20-minute drive from the first stop to Bohemian Brewery. While you’re back on ground level, this German-inspired, cottage-style restaurant is all about the atmosphere. Being in Midvale, you’re in a great spot to get a magnificent view of Lone Peak and Lone Peak Wilderness on a clear day. Open the Bavarian Beer Stein door handles to enter the wood-paneled interior complete with large barrels, several beers on tap and an iron staircase for better views.

The menu, as you might expect, offers Central European comfort food like schnitzel, bratwurst, goulash and pierogies. The brewery keeps the taps flowing with German-style lagers brewed in-house, crisp pilsners, refreshing Kölsches and more. While you might feel transported to another continent here, it’s the Wasatch peaks rising beyond the patio that remind you you’re still firmly rooted in Utah, making Bohemian Brewery a scenic—and slightly whimsical—stop on this culinary trail.

To learn more, visit bohemianbrewery.com.

The Log Haven

The next one is a bit out of the way, making it to the point of our triangle in this trail, but worth it if you want a serene escape to sit back, relax and taste local, nourishing flavors. The Log Haven sources regional ingredients for a unique, Southwest flair-style menu, from honey roasted quail to achiote adobado grilled chicken. When it comes to scenic dining, Log Haven might be the top contender. For starters, a natural waterfall cascades just steps from the restaurant, creating a soundtrack of rushing water that pairs perfectly with the mountain setting. And when it snows, the inside dining room offers wide panoramic windows that frame the forested canyon for a front-row seat to a snow-dusted wonderland. Whether you’re sipping a glass of wine on the patio in summer or cozying up indoors as the snow falls, Log Haven surrounds its guests with scenery that’s as memorable as the food itself.

To learn more, head to log-haven.com.

Mar | Muntanya

Head back into Salt Lake City’s downtown to complete your trail and get a skyline night view. You’ll go into the Hyatt Regency and take the elevator up for Spanish cuisine crafted by Chef Tyson, who was recently named Utah’s Best Chef. You can sit at the rooftop patio when weather permits or opt for the indoor seating—either way, you won’t miss the stars, skyscrapers and mountains.

The menu leans into the bold flavors of Northern Spain: think smoky chorizo, wood-fired seafood, and tapas layered with paprika, saffron and rich olive oil. Share small plates while sipping a Rioja or letting the sangria flow, and don’t skip the churros served warm with dipping chocolate. With its combination of elevated cuisine, sweeping views, and polished-yet-welcoming atmosphere, Mar | Muntanya is the perfect finale to Salt Lake City’s scenic culinary trail.

To make reservations, visit mar-muntanya.com.

To plan your trip to Salt Lake City, head to visitsaltlake.com.