14 Best Spots for Lunch in Salt Lake City

Going out to lunch feels special, no matter the occasion. Whether you are celebrating, meeting to discuss business, or just wanting to treat yourself, we’ve found 14 amazing spots for the best lunch in SLC. Salt Lake City is overflowing with delicious lunch options from mouthwatering sandwiches to addicting tacos, and, with our trusty lunch guide, you’re bound to find a new go-to to liven up your week.

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14. Beaumont Bakery

On the weekends, Beaumont Bakery is a popular brunch spot (rightfully so), but their lunch offerings are nothing to snooze on, either. It’s going to be hard to find a more heavenly combo than their orange and beet salad with a side of fries. Not only is this salad beautiful, but it’s got everything you could want in a well-rounded salad: sweetness from the oranges, chunks of savory goat cheese, earthy roasted beets, and salty bits of pistachio. And we know you’d never forget to grab one of their gorgeous baked goods on the way out – the raspberry-filled cruffin and cruller are not to be missed.

13. Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen

Looking for something lighter for lunch but still full of flavor? Swing by Oh Mai, a popular fast-casual Vietnamese chain serving consistently high-quality dishes across all its locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. We love the pho here, specifically the brisket and ribeye pho, which is chock-full of tender beef and rice noodles. Not in the mood for a steaming bowl of soup? The garlic ribeye and sunny-side up egg bahn mi and rainbow salad are both phenomenal. No matter what you get for lunch, you are going to leave Oh Mai satisfied.

12. Pretty Bird Hot Chicken

Forget about every chicken sandwich you’ve ever had- Pretty Bird is here to show you what a real fried chicken sandwich looks like. Specializing in Nashville hot chicken, Pretty Bird creates dreamy sandwiches featuring their perfectly crispy chicken topped with special sauce, sweet slaw, and tangy pickles. They also have some of the best fries in all of Salt Lake City, so do yourself a favor and get a side of those, as well. Pretty Bird Hot Chicken is the essential chicken sandwich in SLC, and makes for the perfect lunch spot.

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11. Laziz Kitchen

Laziz Kitchen is a true Salt Lake City success story. Before they could dream of a restaurant, the founders of Laziz got their start by selling homemade hummus at the farmer’s market. With three locations and a feature on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives under their belts, Laziz Kitchen continues to deliver accessible and fresh Middle Eastern cuisine that makes for the perfect lunch that’s on the lighter side. Start off your meal at Laziz with the sampler dip plate followed by a signature Laziz wrap with grilled marinated chicken and fries with a side of toum.

10. MakanMakan

MakanMakan, a hidden gem in the southern end of the valley, proves that going out to lunch doesn’t have to be about only sandwiches and salads. They feature an interesting variety of Indonesian, Malay, and Singaporean street food dishes, and a visit here for lunch is bound to be a food adventure. The Mie Tek Tek, an Indonesian noodle stir fry that features chicken, vegetables, and a fried egg all in a delicious sweet soy sauce, makes for a deliciously filling lunch. And the Beef Rendang, which is a special curry made with tender beef slowly braised in coconut milk and spices, is unlike any curry we’ve had before and is not to be missed. 

9. Caputo’s Market & Deli

If there’s a food heaven-on-earth in the Salt Lake Valley, it’s sure to be Caputo’s. This charming Italian market and deli is brimming with great lunch options with a focus on sandwiches and salads from the deli case that are perfect to enjoy there or grab-and-go style. With freshly sliced Italian meats and cheeses on a soft baguette, both The Caputo and Old School are all you could ever want in a classic Italian sandwich. Grabbing a sea salt chocolate chip cookie to round out your meal is pretty much essential.

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8. Facil Taqueria

Craving tacos for lunch? Check out Facil Taqueria, located in Holladay. What started as a popular food truck is now a booming brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves up unique tacos with interesting flavor combinations. Each taco is bursting with everything you want in a taco: soft tortillas, tender meat and vegetables, and zingy salsas and sauces. We highly recommend sampling a few different tacos to round out your meal – the pork carnitas, beer-battered fish, and squash and poblano tacos are favorites.

7. Skewered Thai

Skewered Thai is our favorite Thai restaurant in all of Salt Lake City, and wouldn’t you know they also have amazing lunch specials. We can’t get enough of their basil stir fry with beef: tender beef, green beans, bell pepper, and onion all coated in a savory garlic sauce that is so flavorful it stopped us in our tracks. The yellow curry and curry dumplings are also outstanding and make for a perfectly well-rounded meal. And don’t forget to really round out that meal with an order of mango sticky rice – life’s too short to skip out on dessert, even after lunch.

6. Arempas

If you haven’t had Venezuelan food before, you are in for a real treat at Arempas, where they serve classic Venezuelan dishes that are packed full of flavor yet still manage to feel like approachable comfort food. Arempas is most well-known for their arepas, which are tasty little sandwiches that feature Venezuela’s national corn-based bread and are filled with a variety of meats and vegetables. We love the pabellon arepa filled with tender shredded beef, fried plantains, black beans, and cheese. With their creamy avocado and garlic sauces on the side, this makes for a perfect lunch-sized portion. Venezuelan empanadas are made using sweet corn flour instead of the typical wheat flour, and the vegan and shredded pork empanadas are top picks.

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5. Nomad East

We don’t need to tell you that Nomad East has some of the best pizza and ambiance around, but have you ever considered stopping by for lunch instead of dinner? If you are in the mood for something lighter, the smoked salmon salad is incredible in every way. From the smoked paprika dressing to the pickled golden raisins and a healthy dusting of breadcrumbs and manchego cheese, this is a salad that feels like anything but a healthy compromise. Or try the Nomad burger for a more hearty yet supremely satisfying lunch. The classic burger gets an upgrade with the addition of a few fun twists like pickles made out of zucchini and potato chips on top.

4. Sapa

Sapa is a true lunch spot and one of the best lunch spots in all of SLC, for that matter. Between the hours of 11:00 am- 3:00 pm, there’s a tangible buzzing energy in the air. One look around and you’ll see friends reuniting to celebrate or catch up, business deals going down, and coworkers bonding over their work struggles. Sapa for sure has great sushi options as well as lunch special bento boxes. We love the short rib bento box which features fried rice, grilled boneless short ribs that are marinated and are as tender as you’d hope for, a house salad, pork dumplings, and a classic California roll.

3. Settebello

Without question, the best pizza in Salt Lake City is found at Settebello. Their authentic Neapolitan pizza has the perfect, fluffy crust and the most incredible tomato sauce made from imported San Marzano tomatoes. If you are new to Settebello, the classic margherita and the divola are a great place to start. Or switch it up and try something new with the pear and jalapeño pizza – it packs quite a punch with its sweet and spicy marmalade, salami, fresh basil, and red onion. Round out your meal with a fresh salad or house-made gelato for one of the best lunches in SLC.

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2. Takashi

When there’s a line out the door for lunch, you know you’ve found a great spot. Takashi is known for having the best sushi in Salt Lake City, and their lunch specials are nothing short of phenomenal. The most popular lunch option at Takashi is the Haiku lunch combo. Featuring sashimi, sushi, grilled teriyaki chicken, miso soup, rice, and salad, each item holds its own for a super satisfying lunch. The grilled chicken is perfectly charred, tender, and juicy, and the spicy hamachi roll is fresh and packs a punch. It’s a meal you’ll be dreaming about long after you’ve had it, and absolutely is on of the best lunches in SLC.

1. Feldman’s Deli

The afternoon atmosphere at Feldman’s Deli is electric with excitement. And how could you not be excited with the smell of pastrami and fried potatoes in the air? This neighborhood classic is the place to get a sandwich in Salt Lake City. Whether you go for the fan favorite Sloppy Joe or try something unique like the Trisha, which is piled high with fresh deli meat, zingy coleslaw, and sweet thousand island dressing, Feldman’s truly feels like you’ve been transported to an authentic Jewish deli.