Shine On: 9 of the Best Restaurants in Park City for Any Budget

From silver mines to gold medals, Park City has long been known for its valuable alloys.The glitterati flock to Sundance Film Festival every January and continue to hit the hallowed hills at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain throughout the winter — the snow sparkling like diamonds on a bluebird day. Park City also became the first Gold Level Ride Center designated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Whatever brings you to this year-round, multi-carat mountain town, feeding yourself is a must. These local eateries shine on any occasion.

Rhodium Round Up ($$$$$)

Riverhorse | 540 Main Street | Dinner 

Despite being one of the oldest establishments on Park City’s Historic Main Street, Riverhorse has an inventive menu and a modern vibe. It has received the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award for nearly two consecutive decades and has also earned the AAA Four Diamond Award. The menu of upscale American cuisine changes seasonally, but typically includes local staples such as mountain trout crusted with pistachios and served with forbidden rice, as well as buffalo short ribs with jalapeño hush puppies and poblano cream.

Tupelo | 1500 Kearns Boulevard | Brunch (Weekends Only), Dinner 

Sunday brunch is always a good idea, especially at this Zagat-rated restaurant. Tupelo serves buttermilk biscuits flakier than that one friend who shall remain nameless, as well as deviled eggs with a whipped creme fraîche that (ironically) can only be described as heavenly. And those are just appetizers! But don’t worry if your bruhs don’t do brunch — the dinner menu also includes those two starters. Not to mention plenty of delectable entrées like braised pork shank served with sweet potato spaetzle, beer mustard sauce and cracklings. 

Firewood | 306 Main Street | Dinner

Forget pizza. This Zagat-rated restaurant serves up fine woodfired cuisine. The fire is considered an ingredient in and of itself, enhancing the flavors of every locally sourced ingredient on its multicourse menu — from elk sausage to twice baked winter squash. And everything is skillfully prepared in an open kitchen, which is more interesting to watch than any chef show you can stream. 

Platinum Picks ($$$)

Freshies | 1915 Prospector Avenue | Lunch, Dinner

Serving up sustainably caught Maine lob-stah a mere day out of the ocean, Freshies got its start at Park Silly Market in 2009 before opening permanent locations. Even the pickiest eaters (read: this author’s youngest daughter) walk out the door saying, “I hate to admit this, but that spicy lobster slider was AMAZING!” And Freshies isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Park City — it beat out several East Coast competitors to win the “World’s Best Lobster Roll” title in 2017. 

Eating Establishment | 315 Main Street | Breakfast (All Day), Lunch, Dinner

Park City has a lively nightlife scene. Stay up a little too late the night before dancing to live music? No problem. You can order French toast served with imported lemon curd whenever you wake up and venture out. The Eating Establishment is known for its all-day breakfast, but also has traditional lunch and dinner fare. 

Yuki Yama Sushi | 586 Main Street | Lunch (Weekends Only), Dinner

Named after Park City’s ZIP code, the 84060 is a must at Yuki Yama. It combines mango, tempura shrimp and two kinds of crab for an explosion of fresh flavor you won’t soon forget. There are plenty of other menu items to choose from, including traditional Japanese noodle bowls and modern sashimi plates — all artfully presented. Take some pics for your followers to drool over.

Steel Steals ($)

Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery | 1456 Newpark Boulevard | Lunch, Dinner

Guy Fieri gave Maxwell’s a winning review on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” after visiting the restaurant in 2014. You, too, can sink your teeth into the delicious lunch item featured on the show — the chicken parmigiano sandwich topped with Mom Mom’s gravy — or split an authentic New York Style thin crust pizza. Try The Fat Kid, a specialty pie with pepperoni, spinach and ricotta.    

Java Cow Café & Bakery | 402 Main Street | Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Sweets

After you're done gawking at the street art Banksy left on the side of the Java Cow building in 2010, step inside for a bite to eat. Sure, you could get a gluten-free turkey sausage breakfast sandwich. But where’s the fun in that? The sweet crêpes are soooo delicious. As are the liège-style “walking” waffles. And all the baked goodies. Get something for now and something to snack on later.

Red Banjo Pizza | 322 Main Street | Lunch, Dinner

This family-owned restaurant is where you go to carb load for another epic day of adventure. Modestly priced specialty pizzas, pastas and sandwiches are served amidst exaggerated portions of après brags. But Red Banjo was around long before Park City was a ski town. It opened in 1962 when mining was still a way of life. You know this place is one of the best restaurants in Park City if it has thrived for six decades.

Regardless of where you want to eat in Park City or what your budget is, check the restaurant’s website for current hours and reservation policies — both vary with the season. During peak times, some restaurants charge no show fees. Bon appétit!