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Morning food is a big deal across the Salt Lake Valley, from a trolley-car diner up Emigration Canyon to biscuit shops and all-day brunch spots in Sandy. Here are 10 local favorites worth waking up for.
One of the oldest restaurants in Utah, set up the canyon in an old trolley car that Ruth bought back in 1930. Every meal starts with a warm Mile High Biscuit, and locals come as much for the food as for the shady creekside patio under the trees. It feels like a little escape from the city even though you are minutes from downtown.
Started as a fresh mint limeade stand at the farmers market in 2006 and grew into a Southern biscuit favorite that now has more than one valley location. Everything is made from scratch, and the fluffy biscuit sandwiches paired with a cold limeade are the whole reason people line up. The room gets packed on weekends and feels worth it every time.
A homey, no-fuss diner that has won Best of State for breakfast several years running, with the title built on its Heavenly Hot Cakes. The light, airy sour cream pancakes are the headliner, and the rest of the menu is honest, hearty diner food. It is the kind of place where the coffee keeps coming and you leave full.
A locally run spot where there are no freezers and the pancakes are made fresh to order. The signature Dutch Baby is the showstopper, an oven-baked pancake that arrives puffed up tall and gets dressed with powdered sugar and fresh lemon. A reliable, kid-friendly pick for the south end of the valley.
Billed as Utah's all-day everyday brunch oasis, so you get chef-crafted breakfast classics any day of the week, not just Sunday. The plates lean fun and a little extra, the room has a bright resort vibe, and the beignets and benedicts are a step up from a standard diner morning. A good pick when you want brunch to feel like an occasion.
A bright, friendly Sugar House diner doing fluffy pancakes and benedicts with locally sourced ingredients and house-made breads. There is a full espresso bar inside, plus boozy shakes and a dog-friendly patio, so it works for a quick coffee or a long lazy brunch. Easy to bring a group to.
A neighborhood breakfast institution serving the Liberty Wells area since 1982, right up against Liberty Park. The diner-style room has a chalkboard menu and a covered patio, and the French toast and homestyle plates keep a steady local following. Eat, then walk it off in the park next door.
A Southern-influenced, brunch-driven diner where the house-made jellies and the beignets steal the show. Comfort food gets a playful twist here, from chicken and waffles to green eggs and ham, and breakfast runs all day. A fun, easygoing stop in the heart of the city.
A longtime local favorite with a fun, art-covered room and a big breakfast and brunch menu of pancakes, French toast, skillets, and benedicts. Regulars praise the friendly staff and the steady quality, and the eggs benedict gets singled out again and again. An easy daily-breakfast pick on the east side.
A bakery-cafe near the mouth of the canyons turning out fresh croissants, breakfast burritos, and loaded breakfast croissants stacked with egg, bacon, avocado, and cheddar. It is the move when you want a high-quality bite fast, with pastries and coffee to match. A nice grab on your way up to the trails or the slopes.
A great Salt Lake Valley breakfast usually comes down to one thing the place does better than anyone else, so order around that. Ruth's Diner is about the Mile High Biscuit, Sweet Lake is about biscuits and limeade, and The Original Pancake House is about the oven-baked Dutch Baby. Pick the spot whose signature dish you actually want, and you rarely go wrong.
Location matters too, since the valley is spread out. Downtown and Sugar House have the most options within walking distance, while Sandy and Taylorsville give the south end easy picks that stay a little less crowded. Weekends fill up fast at the popular places, so go early or join a waitlist before you arrive. Many breakfast spots here close by mid-afternoon and a few take a midweek day off, so a quick check before you leave saves a wasted trip. When in doubt, find a spot near where you already are and beat the 9am rush.
Keep exploring Salt Lake Valley: The Best Mexican Food in the Salt Lake Valley · Where to Find the Best Tacos in the Salt Lake Valley · The Best Sushi Spots in the Salt Lake Valley. Need a local pro? Browse Valley Approved businesses. Planning the weekend? See the Events Hub.
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