10 Best Shopping in Downtown and Central City, Salt Lake City

A must for stocking up on snacks and picnic goods before hiking, skiing, or just hanging out across the street in Pioneer Park, this culinary wonderland boasts a fantastic butcher shop, bean-to-bar chocolates, fine local and imported cheeses and charcuterie, Italian baked goods, and a deli that produces some of the tastiest to-go sandwiches in town. Caputo's has two other locations in the area.

The highly respected, longest-running gallery in Utah features three floors of local and regional artists' work, including mixed media, paintings, and sculptures. Check out the sculptures in the rooftop garden.

The name of this store has been synonymous with independent book sales in Salt Lake City since 1929. Catherine and Tony Weller are the third generation to operate this bookstore located at Trolley Square. Bibliophiles appreciate the airy space and helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Located along a block of converted warehouse buildings just north of Pioneer Park, this stylish lifestyle boutique represents more than 30 local makers. You'll discover an extensive selection of ceramics, kitchen and bath accessories, planters, jewelry, and body-care products. 

This expansive, multidealer emporium across from Publik Coffee Roasters specializes in antiques of all periods, plus jewelry and vintage clothing. You're sure to encounter some great finds.

The centerpiece of a $1 billion downtown redevelopment across from Temple Square, this attractive indoor-outdoor mall with an enclosed footbridge spanning Main Street has brought upscale shopping to the city with stores like Apple, Anthropologie, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, Nordstrom, Tiffany, and West Elm. And across the street from the east side of the mall, the upscale Harmons Grocery Store is one of the nicest markets in the city. Note that most stores are closed on Sunday. 

More than 100,000 titles, including a number of rare first editions, await book lovers at this legendary store that has especially strong collections of literature about Utah, Mormons, and Western exploration. The store moved into a space at The Leonardo museum in fall 2022.

This mostly outdoor shopping center next to Vivint Arena amid the warehouses and scads of new condos and apartments on the west side of downtown is steadily undergoing a revitalization, with several new shops and galleries and the popular HallPass food hall having opened in recent years. The complex isn't old—it was built for the 2002 Olympics, but it had struggled for years to retain tenants and has only lately begun to rebound. Plans are still underway to create an ice rink as well as a luxury hotel inside the historic Union Pacific building, which anchors the complex. Popular businesses include Urban Arts Gallery, W.O.S.B. Collective, HEXEH skincare, Momi doughnuts, and a multiplex theater.

The wares in this converted historic railyard near Central City, not far from trendy 9th and 9th, run the gamut from estate jewelry and designer clothes to bath products and fine groceries. Stores include chains and indie boutiques, such as Pottery Barn, Weller Books, Tabula Rasa, and an assortment of restaurants, as well as Whole Foods.

This expansive space at The Gateway is the retail arm of the nonprofit Utah Arts Alliance, which supports both emerging and established Utah artisans working in a wide range of disciplines, from painting and sculpture to T-shirts and jewelry. You'll find everything from $5 keepsakes to larger works costing several hundred dollars. It's a great place to find a memorable gift while supporting artists from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds.