Stoneground Italian: Downtown Salt Lake City's Hidden Gem for Authentic Italian Dining

The focaccino arrives at your table like a golden balloon, puffed and crackling from the wood-fired oven. Your server slices it open with theatrical flair, steam escaping as the signature bread—unique to this second-story loft—reveals its airy interior. "We ordered the Burrata, Focaccino, lobster tagliatelle and Steve's special. All were fantastic," one recent diner raved about their first experience at Stoneground Italian Kitchen, the best Italian restaurant downtown Salt Lake City has quietly harbored for over two decades.

Tucked away on the second floor at 249 E 400 South, Stoneground Italian Kitchen overlooks the architecturally acclaimed Salt Lake City Public Library, offering mesmerizing views through large windows that make this downtown Salt Lake City Italian food destination feel like a secret worth discovering.

From Ski Bum to Culinary Visionary: The Bob McCarthy Story

When owner Bob McCarthy moved to Salt Lake City in 1992, the last thing on his mind was opening a restaurant. "I was a ski bum. I moved here from upstate New York to ski and to go to school." Twenty-five years later, McCarthy has built what many consider the most authentic family-style Italian restaurant in Utah—a place that captures the warmth of the Italian-American kitchens he remembered from growing up around Albany.

The story began with a paintbrush. While financing his winters on the slopes through odd jobs, McCarthy found himself painting the very building that would become his restaurant. The facility was owned by John Bolton, a commercial real estate man who had made his money as a member of the local Epicurious restaurant group. "The building was an original location of the Salt Lake Roasting Company—it was one of the first coffee roasting facilities in Utah," McCarthy says.

What started as a simple conversation about Salt Lake City's dining scene became McCarthy's calling. "There were Italian restaurants in Salt Lake, and the food was really good, but you knew you were going to have to spend a lot of money if you ate there. It was all fine dining—there wasn't a reasonably priced, authentic family-run restaurant anywhere in the city and I thought there should be."

Both grew up in Italian families in the Hudson Valley, New York. McCarthy's Irish-Italian roots and his cousin Paul O'Connor's culinary training (he later earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America) provided the foundation for what would become downtown Salt Lake City's most enduring Italian success story.

The Transformation: From Pool Hall to Culinary Destination

I remember way back when Stoneground Italian Kitchen had a pool table in the middle of the dining room, recalls Utah food writer Ted Scheffler. The pizzas were a mainstay for the local cool kids who would hang out and play a few games of pool and drink beer by the pitcher. It was an urban, downtown vibe, before downtown Salt Lake City was hip.

The dramatic transformation came when McCarthy recruited Justin Shifflett—formerly of Metropolitan and Trio—as head chef. One of the smartest moves Stoneground owner Bob McCarthy ever made was in recruiting Justin Shifflett – formerly of Metropolitan and Trio – to be his head chef. That, and spending a small fortune on a new pizza oven and imported Italian pasta machine for making bronze-cut pasta.

With the assistance of Bob, Chef Shifflett reconstructed Stoneground's menu to what it thrives on today. The partnership transformed the restaurant from a casual pizzeria into what Salt Lake Magazine would later recognize with multiple Dining Awards, calling out our unique bruschettas, pizzas, braciola and the focaccino.

The Stoneground Italian Experience: Where Local Ingredients Meet Italian Tradition

Walking into Stoneground Italian Kitchen feels like discovering a secret. "This Italian place is really nice; it's on the 2nd floor," one visitor noted, appreciating both the location and atmosphere. "First of all the ambience of this place gets a 10/10 because it was so cozy with a fireplace and large windows- which was perfect because it was snowing outside."

The magic starts with three simple local ingredients that define Stoneground's approach to rustic Italian cooking. The first is fundamental for making great pizzas: Organic Pizza Flour from Central Milling in Logan Utah. Second is RealSalt, mined in central Utah. We use this in our pizza dough and for finishing. Third is locally made Chili Beak spicy oil. It gives our pomodoro a great backbone and the puttanesca its signature kick.

The handmade pasta—crafted daily using that imported bronze-cut machine—has become legendary among Salt Lake City diners. "I had the Pappardelle al Ragu di Agnello which was outstanding," shared one recent ski trip visitor. "Once again Stoneground delivers. Best lasagna I've ever had, hands down (sorry nana!)" wrote another enthusiastic customer.

The restaurant's signature focaccino has achieved cult status—a puffy, golden bread that arrives dramatically inflated from the oven. Chef Justin Shifflet makes pasta and pretty much everything else in house, including the balloon of foccacino hot from the oven. Your server bursts it tableside with his knife and with the braciole crudo, you're off to a terrific start to an Italian dinner.

But it's not just the signature dishes that earn raves. Guests highly recommend dishes like oxtail ravioli, black and blue pizza, and lobster tagliatelle. The dipping sauces, marinara, and Gorgonzola cheese are particularly outstanding. The menu reflects Shifflett's commitment to house-made everything—from the daily-crafted pasta and cheese to the authentic Italian sausage.

Downtown Salt Lake City's Best-Kept Italian Secret

"It's honestly a shame I can't give 10 stars. Stoneground is probably the best restaurant in SLC. It's a hidden secret you find out through word of mouth, or in my instance. I followed my nose from down the street." This sentiment captures exactly what makes this downtown Salt Lake City Italian food destination so special—it feels like stumbling upon a family secret.

"We are glad we found this hidden gem and hope to return next time we are in Salt Lake," echoes another visitor's experience. The restaurant has built its reputation not through flashy marketing but through genuine word-of-mouth from diners who appreciate the combination of authentic Italian flavors and genuinely warm hospitality.

The service receives particular praise, with regular mentions of standout staff members. "Ben was our server and did an amazing job and was so attentive to us," noted one couple on their first visit. "First timer and I think the staff makes an experience to start and our waiter Kev killed it. Helpful in recommendations and he was spot on."

The Community Connection: A True Salt Lake City Institution

Twenty-five years after opening, Stoneground Italian Kitchen has become woven into Salt Lake City's food culture in ways that extend far beyond downtown dining. Our upstairs deck is frequently included on the "Best Patio Dining Spots in Salt Lake City" list. The outdoor space seats about 40 people and has become the go-to spot for celebrations with stunning city views.

The restaurant's commitment to local partnerships runs deeper than ingredients. During the challenging pandemic years, McCarthy showed the innovative spirit that has kept Stoneground thriving for over two decades. Rather than simply surviving, he expanded the restaurant's reach through thoughtful takeout programs, compostable containers, and family-style weekend meals prepared by Chef Shifflett for home finishing.

By the way, Stoneground celebrates a major milestone next week. June 12th is the restaurant's 20th anniversary. That milestone in 2020 represented not just longevity but genuine community integration—surviving everything from TRAX construction disruptions to economic downturns through the loyalty of Salt Lake City diners who consider Stoneground their neighborhood Italian place.

Planning Your Visit to Stoneground Italian Kitchen

Stoneground Italian Kitchen is located at 249 E 400 South in downtown Salt Lake City, directly across from the Salt Lake City Public Library. The restaurant occupies the entire second floor, with parking available behind the building—a rare downtown amenity that McCarthy owns and provides free to guests.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Closed Sunday and Monday

What to order: Start with the signature focaccino—it's truly unlike anything else in Utah. The handmade pasta dishes consistently earn raves, particularly the lobster tagliatelle and any of the house-made ravioli options. "very fresh salad and the polenta tots were noteworthy" for appetizers, and the lasagna has achieved legendary status among regulars.

Insider knowledge: "If you are looking for a romantic Italian dinner then this is the place for you," particularly if you can secure one of the window tables with library views. The restaurant accommodates parties up to 28 in a semi-private space, making it perfect for celebrations.

Follow them: @stonegrounditalian on Instagram for menu updates and seasonal specials.

Why Stoneground Italian Kitchen Matters to Utah's Food Scene

In a dining landscape increasingly dominated by chains and celebrity chef concepts, Stoneground Italian Kitchen represents something precious: authentic family hospitality backed by serious culinary skill. "Stoneground Italian Kitchen is one our favorite restaurants. The food is exceptional from the appetizers to the entrees to desert. Not only is the food worth raving about but the service provided by Hannah is great. She is very engaging and friendly."

McCarthy's vision of creating a reasonably priced, authentic family-run Italian restaurant has evolved into something even more special—a place where Utah's local ingredients enhance rather than replace traditional Italian techniques, where the hospitality feels genuine rather than performed, and where diners return not just for special occasions but because it feels like home.

"This is out favorite restaurant in Salt Lake! The food was, as always, excellent!" That consistency, built over 25 years of hand-rolling pasta and perfecting pizza dough, makes Stoneground Italian Kitchen not just the best Italian restaurant downtown Salt Lake City offers, but a genuine reflection of what makes Utah's food scene special—the marriage of serious culinary ambition with mountain-west warmth and authenticity.

Visit Stoneground Italian Kitchen and discover why this second-story gem continues to surprise and delight diners who thought they'd found all of Salt Lake City's culinary secrets. Some treasures are worth the climb.