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SALT LAKE CITY — Brunch is a meal we've created to celebrate food.
It breaks free from the necessity of breakfast, lunch or dinner and creates its own category of dining purely for enjoyment. Any city with great brunch selections signifies an up-and-coming culinary scene — and Salt Lake City is no exception. To do brunch right here, hit one of these top spots (in no particular order.)
Rose Establishment
The Rose has established itself in its prime location right off Pierpont Avenue downtown. The feel of the place is similar to a San Francisco or New York City eatery: flooded with sunlight, rustic wooden tables, and a healthier menu which is plated well with in-season ingredients. The salt-sprinkled avocado toast and bakery items are must-orders, as well as the light lunch menu. Come for coffee or brunch, and stay to work in the comfortable environment until it's time for lunch.
Penny Ann's Cafe
Two words: heavenly hotcakes. They live right up to their name and they'll disappear from your plate quickly along with all of the comfort food offered here. This family-owned operation is located on Main Street as well as a new location in Draper. Both locations feel like local favorites with a personal touch from Penny Ann and her siblings (and parents).
It is a very unassuming place, but when you walk in you'll find it packed full of regulars — and you'll want to become one too. Try one of the many flavorful omelettes themed after PAC-12 schools to balance out your hotcakes. The menu is extremely reasonable, so add in a scone with homemade honey butter too. Don't forget to take some pie to go.
Rose Establishment (Photo: Emi Rigby/WellTraveledWife.com)
Pig and a Jelly Jar
Rising quickly in popularity, Pig and a Jelly Jar is as fun and spunky a brunch as the name suggests. Located right near lively Liberty Park, true brunch lovers will appreciate the serious and satisfying menu here. Arrive very hungry and ready to eat the likes of chicken & waffles and homemade biscuits with coconut strawberry jam. This is breakfast done right. Pig II will soon be opening in Ogden on Historic 25th street.
Ruth's Diner
Drive or bike up Emigration Canyon to stop off at this iconic and beloved roadside restaurant inside of a trolley car. Sit outside on the scenic patio with blankets and heaters on a nice morning, or inside one of the cozy booths. Each table is served a plate of fluffy mile high biscuits unlike any biscuit you've had before.
This is a memorable brunch spot perfect for special occasions or a reward at the end of a steep bike ride. At 86 years in business, Ruth's is Utah's second oldest restaurant — but has maintained the quality all along.
Market Street Grill
Lastly, the Grill may not be a trendy hotspot with new spins on brunch food, but they do the classics and they do them right. Go here for a more upscale brunch experience with top-notch eggs benedict, classic waffles with strawberries and cream, or crab cake benedict.
It's a classy environment whether you dine at the downtown location for breakfast any day, or Cottonwood location for Sunday brunch. Always have a cup of hot chocolate at the end, and leave with a handful of butter mints.
Emi Rigby lives in San Francisco and documents her travels around the world on her food and travel blog welltraveledwife.com.
