Utah's Temple Square Restaurants at The Joseph Smith Memorial Building

One of the most breathtaking locations you can experience when visiting Salt Lake City, Utah is the fabulous Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  Originally called the Hotel Utah, this building was constructed in 1911 and operated for 76 years as a first- class hotel, ceasing operation in 1987. 

After the completion of a major remodeling of the Hotel in 1993, the name was changed to The Joseph Smith Memorial Building in honor of the Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith.  The building is now home to a genealogy research center, a beautiful theater, several reception rooms, and three fine dining establishments, The Roof, The Garden Restaurant, and The Nauvoo Café.

Located on the 10^th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building you will find The Roof Restaurant. The Roof not only has a spectacular view of downtown Salt Lake City, and the beautiful Mormon Temple, but it also offers a wide variety of food choices with the Gourmet Dinner Buffet. 

The  buffet is stocked with everything including fresh Hors d’ oeuvres, salads, soups, fruits, vegetables, and finally a wide variety of hot entrees to choose from. Top off the meal with a trip to Salt Lake City’s Finest Dessert Buffet for loads of scrumptious goodies. Don’t worry; there are plenty of chocolate options for us chocolate lovers too.

Open only during dinner hours, it would be wise to call ahead for reservations.  The price of dinner is $37.00 per person, with children 11 and under priced at $16.00 each.

There is also a private room inside the restaurant called The Library, which is great for any business, or family gathering, which includes a table that seats 10-16 people.

Also on the 10^th floor is another restaurant which offers a more casual dining experience called The Garden Restaurant.  The Garden has the same incredible view as The Roof, but has a unique feature of a retractable glass roof amid lovely garden surroundings.  Mediterranean columns and fountains are accented with live flowers and trees, giving you the feel of outdoor dining, but it is indoors.

Open for both lunch and dinner the menu includes a wide variety of choices which are sure to please everyone.  I love the Artichoke Cheese Dip appetizer with the Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta as the main course.   The Garden Restaurant is famous for their “scrumptious dessert choices” which include their specialties, Chocolate Cinnamon Cake and Mint Brownies.

For interested diners The Garden Restaurant also offers a Gluten-Free Menu with everything from salads to mouthwatering Entrees. 

Finally, located on the main level of The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is the popular Nauvoo Café. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner The Nauvoo Café not only offers a sit down dining venue with a view of the Main Street Plaza and Temple Square, but accommodates those who wish to simply take their order to go. Fresh sandwiches, specialty salads, hot soups, and freshly baked Nauvoo Pot Pies are some of the choices on the menu. The Nauvoo Café also features the famous Lion House Desserts.

The Nauvoo Café offers take-out service and gladly accepts phone orders too.

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is located right next to the historical Mormon Temple, in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.  It is surrounded by a major shopping mall, the LDS Church History Museum, and the grandeur of the LDS Conference Center.

With the wide variety of dining choices available in the building all your dining needs are met.  From take-out to gourmet, The Nauvoo Café, The Garden Restaurant, and The Roof have got it covered.