Taste the World: SLC’s Most Unique Restaurants
Salt Lake City isn’t just about fry sauce and Jell-O anymore. Our city has blossomed into a melting pot where you can try dishes from Addis Ababa to Manila without leaving the Wasatch Front. Ready to eat your way across the globe? Here are SLC’s most unique ethnic restaurants, each serving unforgettable flavors and stories.
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.
- Must-try: Taste of Mahider platter – Features 3 meats and 6 vegan stews for a complete Ethiopian culinary journey
- Must-try: Kitfo – Traditional minced beef seasoned with mitmita spice, served raw or lightly cooked
- Insider tip: 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.
- Must-try: Vegetarian Platter – Features lentils, collards, and spiced cabbage showcasing fasting traditions
- Must-try: Kochee Handaanqoo – Chicken legs stewed in berbere sauce with boiled eggs
- Insider tip: 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.
- Must-try: Tea Leaf Salad – Fermented tea leaves with nuts, seeds, and crispy beans
- Must-try: Mohinga – Myanmar’s national dish: catfish stew with rice noodles
- Insider tip: 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.
- Must-try: Goat Curry – Grass-fed goat in traditional Nepali spice blend
- Must-try: Bison Momos – Tibetan dumplings with local bison filling
- Insider tip: 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.
- Must-try: Sisig Silog – Sizzling pork with garlic rice and fried egg
- Must-try: Pork Belly Adobo – Classic vinegar-braised pork with garlic rice
- Insider tip: 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.
- Must-try: Muhammara – Red pepper walnut spread with house-made bread
- Must-try: Falafel – Chickpea fritters with tahini (arrive early – sells out daily)
- Insider tip: 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
Final Thoughts
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 ready to take you on a culinary journey. Bring a friend, taste something new, and help keep SLC’s food scene thriving and diverse.