Salt Lake has a deeper global food scene than people give it credit for. South Salt Lake especially keeps showing up with restaurants that feel specific, personal, and worth crossing town for.
Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market (South Salt Lake)
Family-run establishment serving authentic Ethiopian cuisine with recipes passed down through generations. Known for its communal dining experience where food is served on injera bread and eaten by hand, creating a warm, cultural atmosphere that transports diners to Addis Ababa.
Taste of Mahider platter – Features 3 meats and 6 vegan stews for a complete Ethiopian culinary journey
Kitfo – Traditional minced beef seasoned with mitmita spice, served raw or lightly cooked
Coming soon: Mahider Restaurant #2 location expansion (2025)
Address: 1465 S State St Ste 7, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Website: mahiderethiopian.com
Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-9pm; Closed Sun-Mon
Oromian Restaurant (South Salt Lake)
Authentic Oromo (Ethiopian) cuisine in a space featuring reclaimed wood decor. Family-owned since 1993, it celebrates Oromo cultural identity through dishes using traditional spices like berbere and mitmita.
Vegetarian Platter – Features lentils, collards, and spiced cabbage showcasing fasting traditions
Kochee Handaanqoo – Chicken legs stewed in berbere sauce with boiled eggs
Renovated in 2023 with expanded hours; now offers weekday lunch by reservation
Address: 1522 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Website: oromianrestaurant.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-9pm; Closed Sun
Wann Jale (South Salt Lake)
Utah's first and only Burmese restaurant, owned by Jadim Lahpai who immigrated from Myanmar. Features vibrant Thai-Burmese fusion dishes in a casual setting with colorful wall art.
Tea Leaf Salad – Fermented tea leaves with nuts, seeds, and crispy beans
Mohinga – Myanmar's national dish: catfish stew with rice noodles
Owner Jadim plans to expand menu with childhood family recipes in 2025
Address: 919 2100 South, South Salt Lake, UT 84119
Website: wannjale.com
Hours: Daily 7am-9pm
Himalayan Kitchen (Downtown)
Award-winning Nepali/Indian restaurant celebrating 20 years in 2025. Owner Surya Bastakoti hand-toasts spices weekly and prepares curries from scratch in a banquet-capacity space.
Goat Curry – Grass-fed goat in traditional Nepali spice blend
Bison Momos – Tibetan dumplings with local bison filling
New location opened April 2025 at 1388 S. 300 West in Engine Block building
Address: 360 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Website: himalayankitchen.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm; Sun 5pm-10pm
Janis Filipino Cuisine (Poplar Grove)
Family-owned spot serving traditional Filipino comfort food. Features silog breakfast bowls and homestyle dishes using family recipes in a bright, casual space.
Sisig Silog – Sizzling pork with garlic rice and fried egg
Pork Belly Adobo – Classic vinegar-braised pork with garlic rice
New catering service launched in 2024 for large group orders
Address: 23 N 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Website: janisfilipinocuisine.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9pm; Closed Sun
Laziz Kitchen (Downtown)
Lebanese-Mediterranean eatery founded by Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity. Features modern takes on traditional dishes using local ingredients in a bright, artistic space.
Muhammara – Red pepper walnut spread with house-made bread
Falafel – Chickpea fritters with tahini (arrive early – sells out daily)
New Back Door Lounge cocktail bar opened in 2024 behind downtown location
Address: 912 Jefferson St W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Website: lazizkitchen.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 12pm-8pm
No passport required—just an appetite for adventure. The next time you want to try something out of the ordinary, Salt Lake’s unique ethnic restaurants are if you want to take you on a culinary journey. Bring a friend, taste something new, and help keep SLC’s food scene thriving and diverse.