Fine Dining Restaurants in Salt Lake City, UT

“Visited Capital Grille for a siblings dinner. The food and service were excellent. For an appetizer we had the crab macaroni which was lusciously cheesy and packed with crab. For our main we ordered the bone in New York, a few potatoes, the asparagus and the sprouts. For dessert, our party split the crème brûlée and coconut pie. All were cooked/baked perfectly and tasted great!

My chief complaints is they have a very small wine list and some other pricing is higher vs similar quality restaurants downtown.“

“The food and the service are TOP DRAWER! Best in Utah!“

“บรรยากาศ​โรแมนติก​ อาหารอร่อย​ พนง.บริการดี​ ดนตรี​และนักร้อง​ ร้องเพลงเพราะ​มาก​ 👍😊“

“Love vessels hash hash and the rest of the options there!“

“It's a different feeling every time I come here. The wedge salad is my favorite appetizer, and the lava cake at the end is also great. A delicious meal will most likely make up for all the shortcomings.“

“**Review 1, original review. Followed by review 2, the turnaround.**
Bambara – A Refined Atmosphere with Solid Service, but the Food Didn’t Quite Hit the Mark

Stopped in for lunch at Bambara, and first impressions were great — this is a classy spot with a sleek, upscale vibe. The dining room was quiet with only about five customers at the time, which made for a calm atmosphere and very attentive service. Our server was absolutely wonderful — warm, smiling, and genuinely gave the impression that she wanted to be there and take care of us. Honestly, she was one of the highlights of the experience and deserves a full 5 stars on her own.

I ordered the Steak Frites, medium rare, and to their credit, it was cooked exactly to that temperature. The meat was tender and paired with a rich brown sauce, which had a good flavor, but was very mild — almost too mild. I found myself having to add salt and pepper to nearly every bite, which isn’t a dealbreaker, but definitely not what I’d expect at this price point or from a place of this caliber. The fries that came with it were... fine. Crisp, fresh, no complaints — but nothing that stood out.

The real curiosity was the elk pasta special. Flavor-wise, I really enjoyed it. It had that slightly gamey flavor that I personally like, though I recognize it’s not for everyone. The pasta was cooked well, and the overall balance was satisfying, but it didn’t blow me away. What did surprise me was the portion size — it was fairly small considering it’s a pasta dish, which is usually inexpensive and served more generously. It left me wanting a bit more, which wouldn’t be a problem if the dish itself had delivered more depth.

Overall, I’d give the food a 3 out of 5 — nothing bad, but it just didn’t impress me the way I hoped it would. The service and atmosphere, on the other hand, were easily a 5/5. If you’re looking for a quiet, elegant lunch spot with genuinely kind staff and a relaxing setting, Bambara is a great choice. Just go in with measured expectations on the food, and you’ll probably enjoy the experience like I did.

Second Visit Update – A Delightful Turnaround

I returned to Bambara for a second visit, and I'm thrilled to report a significantly improved dining experience. I started with the cinnamon rolls, which were absolutely exceptional. The toppings tasted freshly made from scratch, and they melted in my mouth with each bite. Following that, I tried the birria grilled cheese, and it was equally impressive. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, making it a standout dish. This visit truly showcased Bambara's culinary potential, prompting me to revise my initial food rating from 3 stars to a well-deserved 5 stars.“