The process of getting organized and out the door for snow and mountain activities often takes over winter mornings, but don’t forget to fuel up for the day. Fortunately, Park City takes its breakfast and brunch seriously. Will you? It can make the difference between a dream and subpar day.
Pre-Mountain Eats
If a morning of slowly making your way to the mountain sounds painful, plenty of neighborhoods across Park City have quicker and more casual breakfast and brunch options.
When driving in from Salt Lake City, Heber City or Kimball Junction, stopping at The Bagel Den on your way to ski resorts makes the most sense. Be prepared on a Sunday morning for a line out the door, because yes, they are truly that good. Get a classic bacon, egg and cheese or try out the blueberry cream cheese with a toasted bagel. Enjoy with a cold brew or smoothie on the comfy couches in the back before hitting the slopes.
If Park City Mountain is your destination, make a quick turn into the Prospector neighborhood for a pit stop at Alberto’s Mexican Restaurant for some of the best breakfast burritos you’ll find. At Alberto’s, you’ll be met with endless options to customize your meat or no-meat burrito. Snag a breakfast mini if you’re not that hungry or jump right into the enchilada, taco or quesadilla platters with rice and beans.
Before going up Town Lift, make a stop at Harvest, which is right on the way.
If you’re coming from Midway, check out their new location there, too. Any time of the day, you can order the toasted paleo banana bread and other toasts like avocado, savory and BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado). Make sure to get a warm matcha on the side to balance out your meal.
Farther up Main Street, stop at Union Patisserie. Even though they’ve just been open a year, this cozy coffee spot has quickly become a local favorite. Order your latte or cappuccino with a croissant, crepe or slice of quiche and sit in a cozy corner that transports you to Europe.
Taking the Day Off?
If skiing isn’t your thing, or your feet need a day off from the uncomfortable boots (let’s be honest), you can still be social and enjoy the wintery wonderland that is Park City.
Le Depot Brasserie, a sister to Union Patisserie and located right next door, has a full brunch menu on the weekends. Definitely start your order with a baguette and butter but try not to fill up on it. Save some room for the Eggs Benedict, Omelette Aux Brie and seasonal profiterole dessert.
It’s only a few exits east on Interstate 80 to Wanship, home of The Lodge at Blue Sky and High West Distillery. “If you’re willing to make a little drive outside of Park City and can plan ahead a bit to get a reservation, High West Distillery at Blue Sky makes for a fun brunch day,” says Austin Balls, a Park City local and lifelong Utah resident. “You can take a tour of the facilities and enjoy whiskey flights and other cocktails, plus they have a killer all-you-can-eat buffet. Most of the time, there’s live music too, which tops off the enjoyable experience.”
If you’re skiing Deer Valley, or looking to meet with friends who are, make a reservation at Stein Eriksen Lodge’s Glitretind Restaurant for the delectable Sunday brunch buffet. Fill your plate with delicious seafood, sushi, fruit, eggs, meats, omelets made to order, crepes and vegetables cooked to perfection each week. Save room for the dessert table that is filled with melt-in-your-mouth treats to top off the meal.
Sterling Steak and Lounge in Kimball Junction also offers a tasty brunch buffet on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by this location on your way to the airport perhaps and fill up on endless shrimp, prime rib, honey ham, slow-cooked St. Louis-style ribs and Belgian waffles.
“I used to be the head chef but have since hired someone else to help so I can spend more time in front of guests and watching everyone enjoy our Sunday brunch,” says owner Jackson Sterling. “I enjoy working at the end of the bar and being face-to-face with guests while doing their made-to-order omelets and scrambled eggs. Pretty much anything you want, I’ll cook it in front of you.”
Late Brunch … It’s Basically Lunch
Bartolo’s in Kimball Junction serves brunch every day of the week with menu items like the blueberry lemon “pan cake” and egg white frittata to name a few local favorites. “Weekends are busiest for sure, but we see a lot of locals come in and have business meetings over brunch throughout the week,” says owner Alex Bartolo. “My favorite item, no matter what day of the week it is, is the breakfast sandwich. I call it the ‘breakfast burger’ because it’s so big and filling.”
Five5eeds in Park City’s Snow Creek shopping center serves breakfast all day, making it the perfect spot for a snoozed alarm or after getting first chair on the mountain. Get the banana bread with espresso cream for something sweet or the shakshouka (a Moroccan baked egg dish) for a flavorful plate to warm your insides up.
Also don’t miss Deer Valley Cafe on your way to the resort. This cozy restaurant and deli is located inside Deer Valley Plaza and overlooks the lake. Enjoy a Wasatch Mountain Sandwich for breakfast until 11 a.m. or a turkey panini for lunch until 3:30 p.m. Whatever you’re in the mood for, be sure to pair it with a hot chocolate to really get into the season’s spirit.
