Latest Utah restaurant openings as the year wraps up – Gastronomic Salt Lake City

Here’s the last one of the year from me on what’s opened over recent months in the state. You can look back over our archives here for a full list of 2025’s restaurant and bar openings, or wait a week or two for the year-end wrap, where I aggregate every new opening of the year into one gargantuan epic. A perfect read to see you through that Christmas to New Year gap, and prepare your dining plans for 2026.

Beast From The East

Now open and besieged by fans, so much so that the business has been experiencing daily sell-outs. Originally slated to open within the now-closed Locker Room, BFTES pivoted first to Cruzrs Saloon, where it still operates, and now, to this new location in the former Loco Burger location. East coast flavors are the muse for a lineup of nearly a dozen subs, such as a chicken parm, Philly cheesesteak, and Italian beef. Full and half sub-options are available starting from $8, with the menu also offering burgers, wings, and dogs.

Brilliant Crispy Roast Duck

I know a few of you have been waiting on this opening since the news broke on their arrival late last year. The business comes our way from the Bay Area. Per the name, bronzed golden duck is order of the day.

A poke around the social media presence suggests this is the work of the folks behind San Francisco’s Chef Li’s Cafe. One post explains, “After nearly 40 years of serving delicious Hong Kong-style roasted meats, our flagship location in San Francisco is excited to announce the opening of a new branch in Salt Lake City, Utah. We can’t wait to welcome you—stay tuned for our grand opening!”

Menus posted to the company’s Facebook page show a menu showing a whole crispy roasted duck for $37. Half and quarter options are priced $19 and $10, respectively. Crispy pork belly, char siu, honey-glazed pork ribs, a range of fried dumplings are just some other interesting items on the menu.

801 Empanadas

Now open in the South Salt Lake spot once home to Sweetaly Gelato. The empanadas in question are Peruvian inflected, with options including beef, chicken, aji de gallina pesto, anticucho, ham *& cheese, vegan, and GF. Most run around ten bucks a pop.

Big Mango

Nina and Jeff Turk are the duo behind this new Thai spot located in Riverton. The menu offers familiar favorites such as pad Thai and drunken noodles while also dabbling in some modern spins; a Bangkok fried chicken sandwich and Thai-inspired cheesesteak are just two examples. Big Mango also pours a lineup of Southeast Asian leaning cocktails, too.

Chubby’s Cafe

Another Riverton opening for this Utah group. This makes it eleven in the state now.

Delicias Sofia

A very wallet-friendly Mexican opening in Millcreek on Highland Drive. The menu starts with $2.50 street tacos before moving onto burritos ($8), tortas ($9) and plates such as chile verde, or carnitas ($12) . Tosti-Locos ($8.99) – looks like my kinda snack food – tortilla chips, cucumber, jicama, peanuts, and Valentina sauce.

First Watch

Valerie Phillips has this article on the Lindon opening of this national brand name. Billed as a “Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients.”, First Watch operates nearly 600 locations around the country.

Fogo De Chao

Another chain, this one arriving in Murray, meat lovers assemble. The churrascaria first debuted in Porto Alegre, Brazil, way back in 1979, before expanding into the well-known international name over the intervening decades. The full churrasco experience starts at $63 per person, skewered meats sliced tableside in an all you can eat fashion. An indulgent option is also available at $83 per person, which adds a choice of lobster tail, crab cakes, black truffle butter and roasted bone marrow (as well as dessert) to the AYCE procession.

Those looking to check out the new space on a budget should check out the “barbook menu”, smaller plates in the bar area for $6 all day long; the likes of empanadas, fries, and sliders.

Kiitos

Work began on this greater Sugar Hood bar back in February, with renovations on the 1910 building complete in the Fall – when the bar opened to the neighborhood. The opening represents the second for award-winning Kiitos, the first operates just over the road from Woodbine Food Hall in the Granary District.

La Casa Del Tamal

A second location for this popular Mexican restaurant has now opened in fancy digs (see top of page) in the Post District – just next door to Melancholy, perfect for post or pre drinks. La Casa brings with them their range of house made tamales as well as ritzier dishes like whole bone in snook ($87) and ribeye ($68).

Mama Bird Southern Kitchen

Here’s the presser from the team behind this South Jordan opening, which makes its Beehive debut by way of Vegas:

. . .

Mama Bird Southern Kitchen, a value-driven Southern-style restaurant where all are welcome and friends feel like family, opens today at 7273 Plaza Center Dr. in West Jordan’s Jordan Landing.

Utah’s newest gathering place for authentic connection and unforgettable meals, Mama Bird welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch and supper with bold flavors, affordable dishes and comfortable spaces. The expansive, 8,000-square-foot restaurant features the central and lively Gathering Room, cozy Hearth Room, intimate Bourbon Library & Bar and the Veranda Room, a fully private space with adjacent patio for parties large and small.

The restaurant also showcases Mama’s Mercantile, a charming front-of-house shop, offering house-made Liam’s Ginger Beer and scratch jams, whimsical gifts and artisan goods. Bringing Mama Bird to the community even more, the team plans to offer catering and additional services in the new year.

Born from the Texas roots and pitmaster passion of co-founders Jeffrey and Liam Frederick, and scaled by Ascend Hospitality Group (AHG), Mama Bird follows the success of the Las Vegas flagship location.

“Utah embodies the spirit of what we do at AHG — the mountains inspire us to reach higher, the open spaces invite real connection, and the people here still believe in gathering around a table that matters,” said Elaina Morris, founder and CEO of AHG. “That’s the genuine, heartfelt hospitality AHG delivers daily, and I couldn’t be more excited to grow Mama Bird in the Salt Lake Valley, as well as the rest of the brands in our portfolio.”

And that Southern-inspired menu does deliver! Standout dishes include: Mama’s Fried Chicken Sandwich, Shrimp & Grits, All-American Double B Brisket Burger, Blackened Catfish, Mama’s Butcher Board with various cuts of steak

Three unique takes on Mama’s Not So Old Fashioned Sweet Treats like Watermelon Soft Serve and Hummingbird Cake Jar, with a portion of proceeds from desserts helping to feed families this holiday season with the Utah Food Bank

“Mama Bird is built on scratch cooking done with care and from the fire of my son Liam’s pitmaster heart,” added Jeffrey Frederick. “Bringing this legacy to West Jordan with Elaina and AHG means more neighbors, more stories and more plates passed across the table.” At Mama Bird, the door is always open, the table is always set, and everyone is welcome.

Mission BBQ

Riverdale is the landing spot for the first Utah outing of this larger national name. The BBQ shop notably offers no less than eight signature sauces for their lineup of ala carte meat and sides, and sandwiches.

Nutritious Bowl

After receiving their full-service restaurant license back in October, this spot in SLC’s downtown CINQ development. The menu’s core is a familiar Indian one, but quickly deviates. Devilled eggs, Cajun shrimp pasta, blackened salmon with mango salsa, chicken caprese burger, and a chimichuri steak wrap are just some of the unexpected detours the menu takes from the traditional path.

The restaurant also sports a bar with several large screens, and notably presents itself as a place to catch the game, writing, “We’re not your average restaurant. We’re the place where the energy of the game meets the sophistication of fresh, flavorful food and drinks. So what are you waiting for?” Devilled eggs, tikka tandoori skewers, a Guinness, and the game. I’m in.

Ooh Pho

More than a dozen varieties of the famous Vietnamese soup are on display a this Taylorsville newcomer. Alongside them, other staples such as banh mi, noodles, and broken rice dishes.

The Roof

November 14th saw this landmark restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (formerly known as Hotel Utah) open. The rooftop restaurant, located on the tenth floor of the historic 1914 building has a storied past; indeed the space has been known over the years as Starlite Gardens, The Sky Room, The Garden, and contemporarily – The Roof.

After closing in March 2020, the space has seen major renovation work and is now back in action with a completely fresh menu. Gone is the all you can eat buffet model, and in its place is an ala carte selection.

Rosati’s Pizza

A new Chicago-borne name has opened the doors in Orem. For those looking to replicate the flavors of the Windy City, yep, they serve deep-dish. Here’s the back story via way of the team’s press release:

. . .

Founded in 1964 by the Rosati’s Family, Rosati’s Pizza is known for its signature Chicago-style pizzas (including Chicago-style deep dish, double dough, and American’s Greatest Thin Crust) and sandwiches including “The Cheef”, their very own Italian beef piled high on Italian bread loaded with fresh Mozzarella cheese, wings with a wide variety of your favorite sauces, the famous, Rosati’s Dough Nuggets, pastas, and salads. With five generations of experience and family recipes, every piece of every recipe is original, ensuring Rosati’s Pizza serves one-of-a-kind dishes from a one-of-a-kind family. As one of the oldest surviving family pizza brands in the U.S., the Rosati name and reputation has been firmly established in the city of Chicago and its suburbs. Generations have grown up with the brand and continue to spread it to every corner of the country. Transplanted Chicagoans all over the map have helped bring their favorite pizzeria to 130+ locations across twenty states

The Sunroom @ Homestead

Via press release

. . .

Homestead’s newest dining concept, The Sunroom at Homestead, is now open and bringing a locally inspired, shared-plate experience to one of Midway’s most storied spaces. Located within the newly restored Virginia House, The Sunroom blends the charm of Homestead’s history with a cozy, contemporary setting perfect for après-ski evenings or gatherings with friends and family.

Dinner service begins daily at 4 p.m. and is first come, first served, featuring shareable dishes like Lemon & Garlic Hummus, Local Cheese & Charcuterie, and Wild Shrimp Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, paired with craft cocktails made with Utah spirits.

By day, the space welcomes Milk House guests from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; by night, it transforms into an intimate dining destination that celebrates the textures of time and open-natured hospitality Homestead is known for.

Vongole Pasta Italian Restaurant & Wine

New for Sugar House – this Italian restaurant. Chef specials include the moniker-appropriate clams with spaghetti ($24), as well as beef Wellington ($36), and a range of Roman-style pizza (aka pinsa, $19). Vongole features an extensive Italian wine list, which begins with a range of eight wine tasting flights for those unsure of how to begin.

Coming soon

Brick

I believe this is the new name for the planned business coming to the closed Cafe Niche spot in SLC. At this time, I don’t know anything more than that I am afraid. Do let me know if you’re better informed!

Burattino Brick Oven Pizza

The Brickyard area of Millcreek is set to receive the first Utah location of this popular pizza joint out of California. The restaurant’s social media feeds anticipate an opening sometime this month.

Chili-N-Chowder

News from the Logan Facebook group, on this upcoming Cache County arrival.

Current

After the closure of Current Fish & Oyster in downtown SLC, the restaurant signed off with a small tidbit of info. The restaurant’s social media teased, “A local restaurant group will be opening a Japanese-Peruvian concept in early 2026 in our beloved space, continuing the tradition of great food and hospitality.” I’ve not heard any more than that at this time, again, let me know.

Engine Room Pub & Bistro

I believe this one is coming to the Engine Block – a renovated commercial space along 300 W. I’m putting two and two together here – given their social media posts, similarly looking names and location – and hopefully not coming up with five. More info, as and when it arrives.

Kitchen 88

Valerie Phillips confirms this American Fork name will be making a former Winger’s location in Kaysville their next outing.

The Point Pub & Grill

News via this press release that 2027 will see franchisee owner Darrel Schildknecht bring this national name to Utah. The first of three locations is slated for Ogden.

Other useful links

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.