Everything in one bowl—it’s an ancient way of eating that is thoroughly modern. American meals used to be served in compartments—distinct servings of meat, green vegetable, yellow vegetable and potatoes. Some of us remember school cafeterias plates divided into sections so the veg never touched the “meat” or the mashed potatoes, but we’ve come to love the contrast of tastes and textures together, putting the whole meal in a bowl. It takes a sense of proportion, a taste for texture and a bit of imagination; we’re here to help.

Some of today’s tastiest dishes on restaurant menus are served in bowls. These three get loads of flavor from a masterful mix of fresh, texture-rich ingredients.

ON THE MENU

Don’t want to craft it yourself? You’re in luck: More and more, Utah restaurants are offering flavor-packed bowls.

Campos Coffee Roastery & Kitchen

This industrial-chic Aussie-based coffeehouse is first about coffee, but its menu—available all day—includes vegan options, like their Buddha Bowl filled with based quinoa, rice, sweet potato, chickpeas, mushrooms, sautéed greens, tofu, avocado, carrot almond and turmeric puree and tofu topping. Meat optional.

228 S. Edison St., SLC,
801-953-1512

Creek Tea

This little spot aims for nothing less than giving its guests a healthy mind, body and spirit—filled with sofas and comfortable furniture that encourages people to linger, gracious service (tea in your own pot with a timer so you won’t overbrew), shelves of books and a menu focusing on healthy grain bowls—using farro, lentils, rice and quinoa—devised by owner Becky Rosenthal.

155 E. 900 South, SLC, 801-918-8173

Laziz Kitchen

Specializing in modern Lebanese food, Laziz has adapted Middle Eastern flavors to modern tastes. For example, the Laziz Salad Bowl is so much more than a salad: Mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green onion, quinoa, feta, olives, pickled cabbage, crisped onions and you can add potato kibbeh, tawook chicken, salmon topped with a tahini-based dressing.

912 S. Jefferson St. , SLC,
801-441-1228

CoreLife Eatery

Bowls are the core of CoreLife Eatery, a national franchise business. Grain bowls, broth bowls, rice bowls, green bowls, you-name-it bowls—offer an upstart challenge to Mickey D’s and the other antibiotic burger joints. There are five locations in the Salt Lake City area; to find the one nearest you go to corelifeeatery.com

Want more bowl info? Take a look at our full bowl guide.