Best Date Night Restaurants in Utah

One of the most asked questions I receive is a list of my favorite date night restaurants in Utah.

This is always such a tricky one for me to answer because it depends on the type of food you enjoy, the budget you want to spend on a night out and of course whether or not you’re looking to drive somewhere for a prettier ambiance. I’ve compiled my list of the top 10 Best Date Night Restaurants in Utah as follows:

(Also, I should note that for this post I’m going to assume this is a splurge night out for a special occasion such as an anniversary or bday, and I’ll address some of those other issues in another post. 🙂 In this article I took into account the ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant, as well as the food. There are some amazing date night restaurants I’ve left off this list, primarily because I didn’t feel the ambiance was unique enough for a special nice night out — having said that, I’m sure I’ve missed some, so please add any suggestions in the comments! I always love your feedback!)

1. Riverhorse on Main – Park City

I talk about this one a lot on my Instagram account, but it’s one of my top restaurants in all of Utah. The entire experience is something that parallels fine dining in NYC, LA or San Fran. Their eclectic American fare is phenomenal and I love the beautiful views of Park City Main Street. They have live music on the weekends and listening to one of their performers literally sounds like you’re at an intimate James Taylor concert. Riverhorse is absolute perfection for a special evening and the food is incredible!

2. Pallet – downtown SLC

For downtown SLC, this is one of my favorites because of their amazing new American cuisine and creative menu. The service is phenomenal and I love the cozy bistro-y ambiance (perfect for a special evening!). The beef tartare is always delicious and I love the lamb shank as well.

3. Log Haven – Millcreek Canyon

This will always be one of my favorites. I went here for special occasions and anniversaries in college when I attended the U of U years (and years! ha!) ago and have been going ever since. The mountain atmosphere in the beautiful log cabin is perfection and I love going during the holidays to sit close by the fire. I also love that their chefs are always mixing up the menu to integrate new and creative dishes into their selections, so you can have a totally different dining experience from one season to the next.

4. J&G Grill – Park City

This one is another amazing Park City restaurant and perfect for a special night out. J&G Grill is located in the beautiful St. Regis hotel and the picturesque view riding the funicular up to the hotel/restaurant never gets old. My fave time to visit J&G is during the summertime and I love sitting outside on their beautiful patio around the huge fireplaces. Their caramel popcorn sundae is the perfect ending to an always incredible dining experience.

5. Block Restaurant- Provo

Block is a newer place, but one I need to rave about because of the phenomenal dining experience I’ve always had there. My fave is their charcuterie board, but I’ve never had a dinner (or brunch) entree there that wasn’t amazing. This is another one that is always switching up it’s menu to accommodate locally sourced ingredients that are in season.

6. The Foundry Grill – Sundance

This is another Utah county classic that is perfect for a really special evening out. I can’t write this post without including how amazing their charcuterie board is (haha I’m a charcuterie addict! Lol) but you can’t go wrong with their delicious filet mignon and desserts. My favorite thing is to grab dinner at The Foundry Grill and then stop in to the Owl Bar next door to listen to live music on the weekends, or sit outside by the fire pits.

7. SLC Provisions

Provisions is a slightly more affordable date night option with an absolutely phenomenal kitchen as well. I’m pretty obsessed with their brunch menu, but their dinner menu is amazing too. I love their pork chop with apricot smoked pork jus and I’m salivating thinking about it as I write this. For brunch you can’t go wrong with their lemon blueberry pancakes or chicken & waffles. Not many people know this either, but they have incredible beignets on their brunch menu!

8. Fleming’s – Downtown SLC

I have to add this on the list because I literally just went there for my bday dinner and it’d be inauthentic not to mention it. Plus, even though Fleming’s a chain, it doesn’t feel as chain-y to me because of the top notch service and fine dining ambiance. I’m obsessed with their fresh seafood tower and of course their molten lava cake for dessert. Their steaks are always cooked to perfection and you can’t go wrong with their French onion soup as well.

9. Takashi – Downtown SLC

I want to do a full sushi post another time, but Takashi is worth noting because many people ask about my favorite sushi in Utah.  If you love sushi–the real sushi that isn’t dripping in mayo sauces or deep fried (lol not that there’s anything wrong with that!),– this is the place to go for a special night out. It’s always fun to grab sushi here and head to one of the many lounges or bars nearby after dinner.

10. Mandarin – Bountiful

The Mandarin in Bountiful is an absolute Utah classic and my favorite Chinese in the state. The little pagoda-style restaurant has been around for years, but the quality of their Chinese food hasn’t suffered at all. I love heading here for a fun, more casual night out when you want some really amazing sweet & sour chicken or honey walnut shrimp.

Worth mentioning-

Valter’s Osteria – Downtown SLC

I’ve never been, because I don’t eat a lot of pasta but people RAVE about Valter’s Osteria downtown SLC. I know, I know, I need to go soon–and it’s on my list! If you’re craving pasta, and Italian food is your jam— definitely look this place up! I hear Valter himself comes out to meet guests and say hi.

Anasazi Steakhouse & Gallery – St George

My family loves this place and says it’s such a fun experience to cook your own steak and seafood on volcanic rocks. They told me Anasazi has  amazing fondue and they love the artsy vibe.

I’m sure I’ve missed some great date night places here in Utah… and sadly, I’m always not as well versed in Bountiful, Ogden & Logan areas so please add any special date night places you love in the comments!