A Foodie's Guide to Historic Park City by Jenny Willden
Nestled between two world-class ski resorts high above Salt Lake City, the former mining town of Park City is best known for its Olympic history and Sundance Film Festival. In recent years, however, the town has also earned itself a fine reputation as a year-round cuisine hot spot. Historic Main Street is the epicenter of this fun, foodie culture, and whether youre craving the towns best avocado toast, a rib-eye steak, or just a handcrafted cocktail, youll find it here.
Eye Openers
Get your buzz on at Pink Elephant Coffee, a locally owned café tucked above Prospect, a hip clothing boutique on Historic Main Street. The husband-wife team roasts all the coffee beans and makes perfect pourover brews. If youre thirsting for something cooler, try a cold-pressed juice from Land Juicery, which shares Pink Elephants space.When you need more than a cup of joe to kickstart your day, head to family-run favorite*[Atticus Coffee and Teahous*e](http://www.atticustea.com) on Lower Main Street for healthy breakfast favorites. Try a Buddha Bowl, chai-infused oatmeal with dried fruits, caramelized walnuts, cinnamon, and honey drizzle paired with a housemade tea latte.
A block off Main Street, newcomerHarvest specializes in trendy, healthy favorites, like paleo banana bread and smashed avocado toast. For an alternative to coffee, try their steaming Golden Mylk, a fusion of turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, and coconut milk.
Burgers and BBQ
For Park Citys best burger, head straight to No Name Saloon for a world famous buffalo burger. This local haunt is easily Park Citys most popular bar and the year-round heated patio is the best spot for people watching on Main Street.Firewood is one of Main Streets hottest new restaurantsliterally. Everythings cooked on open-flame grills with chef-selected wood like cedar and cherry to enhance the flavors. Whether you have a hankerin for Kobe rib eye, wild salmon, or smoked pork chops, youll find it at Firewood, paired with seasonally changing sides and vegetables. Guests can watch their dinner being prepared through windows separating the chic dining area from the kitchen. After dining, venture downstairs to the Nickel Bar for a handcrafted cocktail made with local liquor.
Budget Bests
When youre looking to save money or feed a crowd, theres no better place thanDavanzas on Park Avenue. Opened in 1979, the 1,400 square-foot space packs in people seeking hearty street-style tacos and thin crust pizzas topped with homemade marinara sauce. Enjoy patio views of Park Citys beautiful mountains or inside seating amidst vintage beer cans.Find no-fuss, authentic Mexican cuisine atBlue Iguana, at the top of Main in the heart of Historic Park City. Try the enchiladas smothered with their famous mole served with unlimited chips and fresh salsa.
Quick and Easy
For on-the-go dining, head toRiverhorse Provisions, a grocery café thats the baby sister of Riverhorse on Main, one of Park Citys oldest and most venerated restaurants. Whether youre heading on a hike or to an outdoor concert, Riverhorse Provisions at the top of Main is the place to pick up summer salads, veggie wraps, and gourmet grocery goods.Divine Desserts
When youre craving something sweet, visit award-winning American eatery, Handle for Park Citys best desserts. From creamy caramel pudding in a jar to rhubarb pie with brown sugar ice cream, this inventive eatery concocts incredible seasonal sweets, and one dish just isnt enough.For daytime desires, grab funky-flavored tiny donuts atPeace Love and Little Donuts on Lower Main Street. Choose from classics like glazed and sugared, or go wild with maple bacon, salted chocolate, and raspberry lemonade flavors.
For all the taste of camping without sleeping outside, head to High West Distillery and Saloonfor a gourmet s'more. Made for sharing, this giant treat starts with a molasses graham cracker stacked with a melted homemade marshmallow, and topped with dark chocolate from Salt Lake's Millcreek Cacao Roasters.
Late Night Libations
Now that you have food in your belly, its time to hit the town at Park Citys best bars. Start with a charcuterie plate and the "Official Wine of Apres" atOld Town Cellars, a tasting room that blends grapes from popular wine regions to create its own private label blends.Next, visit the historic garage turned gastro distillery,High West Distillery and Saloon, for western mountain cuisine and cocktails made with their award-winning bourbons, ryes, and vodkas. Try the spiked High West Lemonade, which partners lemonade spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves spiked with vodka or bourbon and fresh mint. For an authentically Irish experience high in Utahs mountains, stop byFlanagans Irish Bar on Main for a pint of Guinness or an Irish whiskey. A true local haunt, Flanagans cottage pub feel is a cozy place to gather with friends new and old.
Whether youre looking to drink or dine, a stroll along Park Citys Historic Main Street is the perfect complement to whatever cuisine fills your belly. Great food, mountain air, and friendly locals add up to an experience that has helped earned Park City the well-deserved reputation as one of the best destinations in Utah.
Originally written for Utah Office of Tourism.
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