Coffee, Cocktails, Poké, Pork and Tiki
May 08, 2023
A couple of years ago I wrote a piece celebrating the arrival of coffee’s third wave to downtown
Salt Lake City. At the risk of making quite possibly the biggest understatement eva, a lot has
transpired since then. Thankfully, most of those coffee shops I mentioned then have not only
lived on, but have been joined by a whole new crop of cafes. Many of the coffee houses listed
below roast their own beans, make their own pastries and source everything they serve locally.
And all are fiercely independent, offering just the cup of what you need to chase away the
midwinter blahs.
Ascoli Espresso
One of downtown’s newer coffee purveyors is Ascoli, which opened in April 2021. This Italian-
style coffee bar is where to go when you want to geek out on the nuances and terroir of
espresso. Dobrin, the owner, learned the biz in the U.S. coffee capitol, Seattle, where he
worked with growers from around the world to develop many of the tasty and complex bean
blends he and his talented barista brew at Ascoli on the regular. 30 E. Broadway, Ste 104, open
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Café Juniper
From the cheery pink “hello, lovely” neon sign and industrial-chic rusted ceiling tiles to how the
pottery coffee mugs feel when held in your hand, Café Juniper just feels like home—or at least
a cooler, more stylish version of home. This cozy café sources most of what it serves from local
purveyors like Blue Copper Coffee and Ruby Snap Cookies. They also make many of their own
pastries. And for anyone who loves a good toast, Cafe Juniper’s Ricotta version is just what a
pour-over cup of coffee is begging for. 29 E. 400 South, open Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m.
to 3 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caffe D’Bolla
Coffee is indeed high art at Caffe D’Bolla, an unassuming coffee shop and single-origin, small-
batch roastery where you can get enjoy a cup of coffee or espresso that’s as delicious as what
you’d find in any of the world’s most revered coffee houses. Owner John Piquet creates original
roasts on a weekly basis to both serve in the café and to fulfill Caffe D’Bolla’s subscription
orders. But if you can venture downtown for a cup or to pick up a bag of beans, then by all
means, you should. Then you can sample one of John’s wife, Yiching’s, amazing pastries. 249 E.
400 South, Ste 100, open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Cupla Coffee
What began (and remains) as a cozy coffee bar tucked into the lower level of downtown’s Axis
building, has now grown into a caffeinated mini-empire with locations in Cottonwood Heights
and Park City. Despite co-owners and twin sisters, Abigail Purdie and Bethany Heath,
entrepreneurial aspirations, Cupla remains true to its beginnings: roasting their own
beans—which are all organic, fair trade and shade grown—and baking all their own gluten-free,
low carb, keto-friendly and low-sugar pastries. And don’t limit yourself to visiting Cupla in the
morning hours: their burritos and sandwiches are just as tasty as their brews and sweets. 175 E.
200 South, basement level of the Axis Building, open daily, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Daily
While the hot beverages are certainly reason enough to pop into this airy and modern coffee
house—either to take to go or to sit on the bench by the inviting see-through fireplace and
sip—what we’re entirely smitten with is The Daily’s food menu. The grab-and-go case there is
full of fresh and creative salads, sandwiches made on housemade baguettes, overnight oats and
cold-press juices. But if you are in the mood for something truly decadent, The Daily is the place
downtown to treat yourself to one of their housemade croissants. With layers so ethereally
light and buttery, after just one bite you’ll think you are on the Champs-Élysées rather than
downtown Salt Lake’s Main Street. 222 S. Main St, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3
p.m.
La Barba
While you’re down at The Gateway to browse Urban Arts Gallery, catch a movie or hit the
Winter Farmers Market, make sure your itinerary includes a stop at La Barba. This small,
intimate space packs a mighty punch by serving up ethically sourced and expertly roasted
coffee for espressos, pour-overs, lattes and on and on. There you can sample multiple roasts
and quiz the knowledgeable barista on the latest in coffee culture before signing up for a
monthly subscription, too. Or simply just come in for a cup and a cozy sit-down. But don’t worry
about not being a connoisseur; La Barba’s staff members are unfailingly pleasant, even if you
order a skinny peppermint mocha with whipped cream. 9 S. Rio Grande Street; open daily from
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The People's Coffee
Though we were head over heels for its old digs on 300 South—where the walls were hung with
artsy photos and the tables were strewn with books that invited settling in—we’re even more
smitten with The People’s Coffee’s bright, stylish and airy new location at 200 East and 200
South. Against a backdrop of bright white walls and cool teal chevron flooring, this coffee shop
has stayed true to its roots by serving only locally sourced products including coffee from Caffe
Ibis and Publik roasters, baked fresh daily pastries and cold-pressed juice from LumaJuice. Best
all, The People’s Coffee welcomes well-behaved pooches. On the Corner of 200 East and 200
South; weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nostalgia Cafe
‘Come for the coffee, stay for the food’ would be an apt marketing tagline for the charming
Nostalgia Café. Open much later in the day than any of the other coffee shops on our list,
Nostalgia Café’s relaxed vibe, comfy sofas and yummy crepes, sandwiches, soups, salads,
pastries and empanadas scratch much more than the caffeine itch. Need another reason to visit
this downtown gem? Open Mic Night is held on the third Friday of every month from 6 to 8:30
p.m. 248 E. 100 South; weekdays,7:30 a.m.-midnight; Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.-midnight.
Three Pines
What began in Utah as coffee-cart outside of a small grocery in Salt Lake’s swanky Harvard-Yale
neighborhood, is now a mainstay of downtown’s bustling Main Street thoroughfare. Patrons to
Three Pines’ airy and oh-so-charming 500-square-foot space range from the midweek business
crowd and bike messengers to students and downtown’s burgeoning transplant population.
Smaller beverage sizes meant for savoring—and made from single-origin beans—is, generally,
the rule here. The attention to quality extends to the milk varieties used in Three Pines’
beverages; all their dairy is sourced from the Hyrum, Utah-based Rosehill Dairy. And, for vegans
and the dairy adverse, the just-sweet-enough almond milk served at Three Pines is made in
house. 165 S. Main Street; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,
The Rose Establishment
As a distinct sign that better times are on the horizon, downtown’s beloved Rose Establishment
has reopened and is now even more inviting than it was in the before times. With an expanded
kitchen and dining room (accomplished by taking over the space formerly occupied by Pallet
Bistro) and a liquor license, The Rose has broadened both its menu and, certainly, it’s fan base.
The expansive coffee and tea drinks menu has been broadened to include mimosas, craft
cocktails, local beers and 10 wines by the glass. Tartines and housemade pastries are the stars
of the brunch menu, along with a slew of vegan and gluten free options. Tip: make the most of
your weekend brunch or weekday business lunch by calling ahead for a reservation. 235 S. 400
West; Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
