“Don’t treat me like a three-hour brunch friend!”
-Frances Halladay, Frances Ha [2012]
Ahhh brunch, the most important meal of the weekend. Saturday and Sunday brunch makes Monday through Friday worth it. There is nothing better or more important for your health than your first mimosa of the day or a fresh cup of coffee, and then digging into some biscuits and gravy, huevos rancheros, avocado toast, a stack of pancakes, or (our go-to) a solid 2 egg breakfast.
Finding the Best Brunch in Salt Lake City might be harder than you think depending on what you want out of your brunch. Salt Lake City has creative brunch menus all over the valley, but Utah’s infamous liquor laws might get in your way depending on how early you want that first mimosa or bloody mary. Many Salt Lake City brunch spots are unable to open their brunch cocktail menu until 10:30 a.m. due to the restrictions of their liquor license. If you’re looking to get a breakfast buzz shortly after sunrise, be sure to call ahead and verify with the restaurant. And yes, all of these Salt Lake City brunch spots are open for Sunday brunch unless otherwise noted.
For our Best Brunch in Salt Lake City list, we looked at the dishes we crave, the drinks we need, and the patios that make a brunch spot memorable. This list is always expanding so tell us which SLC brunch spots we need to hit next in the comments!
If you are over 21, be sure to check out our Best Boozy Bar Brunch in Salt Lake City list for even more SLC brunch options. And for even more breakfast options, visit our Best Diner Breakfast in Salt Lake City list as well.
SLC Eatery
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Neighborhood: Ballpark
Address: 1017 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
SLC Eatery is already one of our favorite New American restaurants, and with their brunch service, they are quickly became our favorite brunch spot in SLC as well. SLC Eatery’s brunch menu is wild and varied. The menu is full of bangers from top to bottom. All killer, no filler. While I love to try new dishes every time we visit, I can’t stop ordering my absolute favorite breakfast dish: The Caramelized Kimchi Bowl with bulgogi short rib. Though that title is immediately challenged with an order of the Banana Bread French Toast with fresh butter and pecans, as well as the Marbled Eggs Banh Mi, a refreshing take on two classics. SLC Eatery’s most interesting feature, the Dim Sum cart, also makes an appearance during brunch hours, so be sure to visit often for new items. This menu makes frequent updates, so be sure to visit often.
Arlo
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Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Address: 271 N, Center St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
The only thing more divine than Arlo’s patio? Their brunch. The Capitol Hill/Marmalade neighborhoods are SLC’s best kept secret, and Arlo’s delicious brunch matches its unique charm. Get started with a mimosa and their Cardamom and Poppy Seed Coffee Cake, then move head first into one of their fantastic brunch items like their Mexican Eggs with heirloom braised beans and avocado salsa. Or, for something sweeter, go for the French Toast with apple butter, coffee maple syrup, fried almonds, and whipped cream.
Urban Hill
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 510 S 300 W #100, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
If you’ve looked at our Instagram lately, you’ll see we basically live at Urban Hill now. And they’ve been more than accommodating. We even hosted our baby shower here. Let’s face it, brunch menus can be boring. Sometimes I look through a menu and it’s the same dishes, the same drinks, and no creativity. That’s not Urban Hill. Whether you are looking for sweet or savory, this brunch will blow your mind. For the sweet tooths, you must have the Cornbread Skillet with banana, maple, caramel, candied pecans, whipped butter. And follow that with the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bread Pudding. For the savory side, the Green Chile Eggs Benedict quickly entered our Best Eggs Benedict in SLC list. And don’t skip the Smothered Adovada Burrito with braised red chile pork, hashbrowns, eggs, Oaxaca queso, posolė and beans, all in a flour tortilla.
Tradition
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Neighborhood: 9th & 9th
Address: 501 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Southern comfort is the gold standard for brunch, and our next great Salt Lake brunch spot is Tradition – the best brunch in the Liberty Park area. Walk the length of Liberty Park in preparation and order yourself something incredible and hearty like the chicken and pancakes, biscuits and gravy, or braised pork and grits. Maybe all three.
Oquirrh
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Neighborhood: Downtown Salt Lake City
Address: 368 E 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Who would’ve thought that one of the most exciting restaurants in SLC would also have one of the most exciting SLC brunch menus? Probably most people. And those misanthropes who don’t: BELIEVE IT. Ever rotating and evolving, Oquirrh features eclectic brunch options including Buckwheat Pancakes, Softshell Crab Eggs Benedict, and Breakfast Funnel Cake with a sweet option (seasonal compote, honey, and fresh mint) and a savory option (red eye gravy and cheese curds). On our last visit, we ordered the Breakfast Calamari Burger, which was one of their amazing rotating brunch specials. Be sure to give them a follow on Instagram to see their latest creations.
White Horse (21+)
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Neighborhood: Downtown Salt Lake City
Address: 325 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Purgatory (21+)
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Neighborhood: Downtown Salt Lake City
Address: 62 E 700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Eggs in the City
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Neighborhood: Millcreek
Address: 2795 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, UT
You know that unassuming little spot that always seems to have a bunch of really happy people eating on the patio and a bunch of really hungry people looking on with envy? Eggs in the City has the perfect name as it has the best eggs in the Salt Lake City. Get lost in the omelet menu, or be your own god and build your own. It’s your journey.
Avenues Proper
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Neighborhood: The Avenues
Address: 376 8th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
With its delicious brews and burgers, the Proper Empire has made its way deep into our hearts and stomachs. I’m such a fan of Proper Brewing that I almost forgot about my first love: the brunch at Avenues Proper. High up in the rarefied air of the upper Avenues is my favorite chicken and waffles in Salt Lake City. It’s the only dish I’ve personally ordered from their brunch menu, and I go here at least once a month. I’ve had bites of just about everything on the menu that my brunch companions have generously shared and raved about, but I just can’t quit their chicken sausage and thyme-infused syrup.
Franklin Ave. (21+)
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 231 S Edison St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Copper Onion
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 111 E Broadway #170, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
The Pearl (21+)
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Neighborhood: Central 9th
Address: 917 200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Oasis Cafe
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Neighborhood: Central City
Address: 151 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Why are there so many wonderful brunch spots in Central City? Oasis has a lengthy brunch menu that just keeps getting better as it goes on. I recommend the huevos rancheros if you like to eat with your hands (I do as I’m part barbarian), or the breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, Spanish rice, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and guacamole. I’m not a fan of Hollandaise sauce, but I’m told by those who holla for Hollandaise that the benedicts are delish. If there’s a wait, go cleanse that aura at the attached Golden Braid Brook store and find a book or, maybe, yourself????? But when you get to your table, that’s where you will find fulfillment.
Publik Kitchen
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Neighborhood: 9th & 9th
Address: 931 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
From the outside, Publik Kitchen looks like grandma’s house. But on the inside, grandma listens to Car Seat Headrest and slings the best toast in the game. Having toast as the cornerstone of your menu is a boss move, and it only works because the peasant toast is soft, crunchy, and the best delivery system for caramelized peppers, onions, country potatoes, and avocado.
Roots Cafe
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Neighborhood: East Millcreek
Address: 3474 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
This quaint, coffee shop style cafe might be the healthiest brunch option on this list, but only if you want it to be. Roots has all the brunch favorites you’d expect, and a specialty juice bar – because drinking your vegetables is better than eating them. That juice you ordered is definitely going to help you justify ordering the Peeto Breakfast Sandwich, which features eggs, smoked bacon, spicy sausage, caramelized jalapeño, and avocado. Also, in the summer you’d be as hard-pressed as these juices to find a more comfortable patio experience.
IVY & VARLEY (21+)
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Neighborhood: Downtown Salt Lake City
Address: 55 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Hub & Spoke Diner
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Neighborhood: East Central
Address: 1291 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
If you want the best boozy brunch (outside of a bar brunch), get over to Hub & Spoke for their boozy brunch milkshakes, which include flavors like mint, chai, salted caramel, Irish coffee, and more. Or, choose from a bunch of mimosa mixers. OR, a tipsy Arnold Palmer with house-made lemonade. ORRRRRRR and Irish Coffee with La Barba coffee. Oh, and their food is really good too.
Blue Gene’s
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Neighborhood: Central City
Address: 239 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Situated right next to its cousin Urban Lounge, Blue Gene’s (Or the brunch spot formally known as RYE) has been serving up brunch daily for a few years now, and we can safely say that no one is doing it better right now and it easily deserves the top spot on our Best Brunch in Salt Lake City list. A huge menu highlight is the Waffle & Whiskey, which combines a standard breakfast waffle with whiskey-infused syrup. Be sure to add fried chicken on top for an unforgettable brunch experience. It’s a little extra and absolutely worth it.
We also highly recommend the Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, seasoned black beans, roasted peppers, pepper jack cheese, chile verde, and sour cream, as well as the Vegan Hash with roasted squash, peppers, onions, brussels sprouts, house potatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Whatever you order, make sure to get a side of breakfast potatoes which are crispy to perfection and topped with subtle garlic and salt.
Café Niche
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Neighborhood: East Central
Address: 779 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
We are aggressively local, and so is Café Niche. If you are brunching in prime brunching hours, expect a well-deserved wait as this modern bistro has quickly become a regular destination in our brunch rotation. Of course, there are a few breakfast dishes you expect to see on any brunch menu. Two-egg breakfasts. A french toast. Your classic hash. The strength in a brunch spot comes from how well they master the staples. So when I’m telling you to get the french toast at Café Niche, expect cinnamon streusel texas-sized french toast with the perfect ‘crunch’ like breaking into a crème brûlée. And when I say you can’t miss the corned beef hash, remember that it’s topped with braised Kobe beef from Snake River Farms. And (don’t say it, don’t say it…) THE BISCUITS AND GRAVY… lawd. CHEDDAR. JALAPEÑO. BISCUITS. Yeah.
Pago
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Neighborhood: 9th & 9th
Address: 878 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
One look at Pago’s menu and you’ll see why it’s a can’t miss Salt Lake City brunch spot. Where else in SLC are you going to find a mushroom and gruyere cheese croque monsieur or a smoked trout kedgeree, and poached eggs sardou. You might need to do a couple of Google searches just browsing this menu. No shame.
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
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Neighborhood: Ballpark
Address: 54 W 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Is biscuits and limeade the new chicken and waffles? If so you won’t find any complaints from me. Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade is EASILY the best biscuits and limeade spot you’ll find in Salt Lake City, and their brunch is something else. If you’ve never been before, obviously get yourself a limeade. I enjoyed the Limey Palmer with mint limeade and iced tea. First timers have to try The Hoss which is a delicious mess of house biscuits, fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and a whole lot of hearty sausage gravy.
The Rose Establishment
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Address:235 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Marmalade Brunch House
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Neighborhood: Marmalade/Capitol Hill
Address: 535 N 300 W H-104, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Pig & A Jelly Jar
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Neighborhood: 9th & 9th
Address: 401 East 900 South A, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
I’ve only been to the South once, but if I could distill the entire experience and try to eat it, it would taste like Pig & A Jelly Jar – incredible. If it’s your first time at Pig & A Jelly Jar, congratulations. You already know you are going to order the chicken and waffles. It’s the dish that put them on the map and it lives up to the hype. Also (surprise) the biscuits and gravy deserve a mention (I’m sorry). Equally as legacy-defining as the chicken and waffles are the featured beer cocktails. Get yourself a bloody mary with a house-made mix, Uinta Lime Pilsner, and cajun sea salt on the rim, or a beer sunrise with fresh orange juice and Uinta’s Tangerine Hop Nosh. Or both.
Publik Ed’s
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Neighborhood: University
Address: 210 University St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Note: Publik Ed’s is not open for Sunday brunch, but is open 8am to 8pm every other day of the week.
Yes, this is the second Publik location to make the Best Brunch in Salt Lake City list. Ed’s is on here for a number of reasons. Gather around kids, here’s a history lesson. Publik Ed’s took over this building from one of my favorite dives, Big Ed’s, which had been serving beer, huge portions, and the legendary Gawd Awful to University of Utah students for more than 50 years until they mysteriously closed up shop. For their next location, Publik paid homage to our fallen Ed’s with Publik Ed’s, and they even have their own version of the Gawd Awful, which does its best to replicate the greasy goodness of the original. And Publik Ed’s gets bonus points for the AMAZING name.
Provisions
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Neighborhood: East Millcreek
Address: 3364 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Provisions is that local SLC brunch spot you take all your out-of-town friends because you want to show them how dope the food scene is in this city. If you’ve been to Provisions for dinner, but haven’t made it out to their brunch – drop everything this moment and wait until Saturday or Sunday and go. I don’t care if it’s Monday morning. Just wait. Provisions is locally-sourced and fiercely creative. Where else in Salt Lake would you find a brunch menu that features pork ragu eggs, a monte cristo, hamachi crudo, and of course (if you read Salt Plate City) biscuits and sausage gravy with fried shallots and topped with sage.
Silver Fork Lodge
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Neighborhood: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Address: 11332 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, Brighton, UT 84121
It might be a stretch calling the Silver Fork Lodge the best brunch in Salt Lake given how far away it is from the city, but it is most certainly the best brunch in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Drive yourself up the canyon and be sure to get a table on their patio which overlooks the steep walls of the canyon and a thick forest of trees. Silver Fork is amazing in the summer and fall, and if you are skiing at Brighton or Solitude, it makes a cozy après-ski lodge.
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