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Best Restaurants in Park City Area

Best Restaurants in Park City Area

Park City Area Utah, USA Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Culinary Identity

Park City's culinary landscape has transformed from its silver mining town origins. Today, it presents a sophisticated dining scene that caters to its international clientele while maintaining a relaxed mountain ambiance.

Its identity reflects its luxury resort status. Focus is on modern American cuisine, incorporating international influences and upscale comfort food. Emphasis on refined dining and innovative approaches.

Ingredients

  • Game Meats: Bison, elk, and venison feature in upscale restaurants.
  • Fresh Trout: Fresh trout often appears on menus, reflecting Utah's waterways.
  • Local Produce: Summer and fall highlight locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and herbs in farm-to-table concepts.
  • Regional Flavors: Some establishments incorporate Western-inspired flavors like smoked meats and chili.

Dining Customs & Etiquette

Reservations

Highly recommended for dinner, especially at popular restaurants and during peak season. Fine dining often a must. Use OpenTable or call directly.

Dress Code

Ranges from very casual (ski attire daytime) to smart casual for most dinner restaurants. Fine dining may prefer business casual.

Tipping

Standard American tipping etiquette applies; 15-20% is common.

Beverages & Liquor Laws

  • Beer Availability: Full-strength beer (5% ABV or less) found at grocery and convenience stores.
  • Stronger Alcohol Sales: Stronger beer, wine, and spirits sold only at state liquor stores (Utah DABS stores).
  • Mixed Drinks: Restaurants and bars serve full-strength alcohol; mixed drinks may have max 1.5 ounces of main liquor.
  • Non-alcoholic Options: Local coffee roasters, craft sodas, fresh juices, and smoothies are available.

Dining Options & Specialties

Fine Dining Experiences

Riverhorse on Main

Renowned upscale American cuisine on Main Street with sophisticated menu and lively atmosphere.

Reservations are a must for this popular spot.

Fireside Dining Deer Valley Resort

Unique experience with multiple courses cooked and served from large stone fireplaces.

Offers a rustic yet luxurious setting.

Handle

Modern American restaurant focusing on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Refined dining off Main Street.

Known for its fresh, innovative dishes.

Must-Try Dishes & Drinks

  • Utah Scones: Large, fluffy, deep-fried dough, often with honey butter; resembles Navajo fry bread.
  • Fry Sauce: Regional condiment, a blend of ketchup and mayonnaise, served with French fries.
  • Bison/Elk Dishes: Many upscale restaurants feature game meats like bison burgers or elk tenderloin.
  • Trout: Fresh, locally sourced trout dishes, prepared in various ways like pan-seared or smoked.

Casual Dining & Value

Davanza's

Casual Park City institution for pizzas, subs, and Italian-American comfort food at affordable prices.

Local Grocery Stores

Harmons and The Market at Park City offer deli sections, hot bars, and prepared meals for budget-friendly grab-and-go options.

Special Dietary & Culinary Experiences

Dietary Needs

Most restaurants accommodate vegetarian and vegan requests, often marked on menus. Staff are generally knowledgeable about common allergens. Contact restaurants in advance for specific needs like Halal/Kosher.

  • Gluten-Free menus often available.
  • Contact restaurants for specifics.
  • Whole Foods Market for specialized products.

Culinary Events

Park City Food & Wine Classic (summer) a premier event. Savor the Summit (summer) features a long-table dinner on Main Street. Smaller culinary events occur year-round.

  • Park City Food & Wine Classic
  • Savor the Summit on Main Street
  • Smaller events throughout the year

Local Producers

High West Distillery tours and tastings offer insight into whiskey production. During summer, the Park City Farmers Market features fresh produce and food vendors.

  • High West Distillery tours
  • Park City Farmers Market (summer)
  • Fresh produce and food vendors

Unique Dining Highlights

High West Saloon & Distillery

World's only ski-in/ski-out distillery on Main Street. Gastropub fare with Western twist.

Famous for award-winning whiskeys. Popular spot, reservations recommended.

Wasatch Brew Pub

Utah's first brewpub on Main Street. Classic pub fare and local beers brewed on-site.

Lively, casual atmosphere. Good for a relaxed meal and local brews.

Food Tour & Learning

Main Street Food Tours

Guided walks with tastings at various restaurants and shops.

Distillery Tours

High West Distillery provides insight into whiskey making.

Farmer's Market

Wednesdays in summer, features fresh produce and food vendors.

Cooking Classes

Limited public classes, resorts may offer tailored experiences.

Additional Dining Notes

Dining Scene Variations

  • Main Street: High concentration of fine dining, upscale casual, creative menus, lively atmospheres.
  • Resort Bases: Convenient slopeside dining, grab-and-go to luxurious resort restaurants.
  • Kimball Junction: More casual, family-friendly, and chain restaurants, serving locals and visitors.
  • Happy Hour: Many restaurants and bars offer late afternoon specials, typically 3 PM - 6 PM.

Meal Times

Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast: 7-10 AM. Lunch: 11:30 AM - 2 PM. Casual spots and resort cafeterias popular for lunch.

Look for quick grab-and-go options at cafes.

Dinner Service

Most restaurants begin dinner around 5 PM and continue until 9 PM or 10 PM.

Later closing during peak times or weekends.

Food Safety and Allergen Tips

Allergen Awareness
Gluten-Free menus often available.
Inform server about allergies.
Vegan options growing.
Call restaurants in advance.
Whole Foods for specialized products.
Limited traditional street food.
Dining Regional Variations

No wide regional variation within Park City itself. Distinctions appear based on location.

  • Main Street for fine dining.
  • Resort Bases for slopeside.
  • Kimball Junction for casual.
Example Dining Highlight

Zoom: A lively American bistro on Main Street, known for creative dishes and an energetic vibe.

Popular for evening dining and social gatherings.

External Resources

Online Booking
Local Dining Guides
  • Local Chamber of Commerce website
  • Visit Park City website
Grocery Stores
  • Harmons Grocery
  • The Market at Park City

Tipping Practices in Park City

Restaurants and Bars

Standard Service

A tip of 15-20% of the total bill is common for good service in restaurants and bars.

15% for satisfactory | 20% for excellent
Resort Dining

Some luxury resorts may include a service charge automatically. Review your bill for this detail.

Check your bill for automatic charges.
Bar Service

$1-$2 per drink for quick service, or 15-20% for table service.

Tip based on service received.

Other Service Tipping

  • Taxi/Ride-share: 15-20% of fare.
  • Bellhop/Porters: $1-$2 per bag, more for heavy items.
  • Housekeeping: $2-$5 per day, for good service.
  • Ski Valets/Instructors: Discretionary based on service; for instructors, 10-20% of lesson cost.

General Tipping Guidelines

Groups

For larger groups (typically 6 or more), an automatic gratuity (18-20%) may be added. Check your bill.

This common practice ensures fair compensation.

Cash vs. Card

Cash tips are always appreciated by service staff. Tipping on a credit card is also fine.

Consider having small bills for convenience.

Culinary Experiences

Cooking Classes

Public cooking classes specifically on local cuisine are limited. Some resorts or private chefs may offer private cooking demonstrations or tailored culinary experiences upon request.

Food Tours

Main Street food tours are available, providing a guided walk through the historic district with stops at various restaurants and shops for tastings. These tours also often include historical insights into the town.

Farm Visits

While not extensive, some local farms in the surrounding Heber Valley are accessible within a short drive. High West Distillery offers tours and tastings at its Main Street Saloon and its larger Wanship distillery, providing insight into whiskey production.

Consideration

Peak season dining often means restaurants are busy. Book reservations for dinner, especially at popular venues, to secure your preferred time.

  • Book popular restaurants in advance.
  • Check restaurant websites for current hours.
  • Inquire about private dining options for groups.
  • Look for early bird specials.
  • Explore options off Main Street for quieter meals.