Chef Briar Handly knows a thing or two about the elusive concept of 'Utah' cuisine (his Caramel Budino with Chex Topping was chosen as the state representative for the NYTimes' 50 thanksgiving recipes). His new restaurant, Handle, utilizes his culinary know-how to offer a menu of local and regional ingredients with standout dishes like buffalo cauliflower and smoked trout sausage.

Handle was voted Best Restaurant in Park City in 2017 thanks to chef Briar Handly's inventive American dishes. Small plates make it easy to try everything, and you'll want to with dishes like buffalo cauliflower, smoked trout sausage, and the chef's famous fried chicken. The creative and knowledgeable bar staff will surprise you with inspired handcrafted cocktails.

You can tell a lot about a restaurant by its most basic salad. At Handle, it’s one with just kale, pine nuts, and cheese, but it’s so perfectly dressed and seasoned that you leave thinking about the leafy greens for days. All the options on the ever-changing menu follow a similar approach—great ingredients coupled with creative execution.

At Handle, small plates emphasize simplicity and sustainability. The menu changes to reflect what’s fresh and in season—the mushroom Bolognese is a favorite.

The giant floral mural wall of Handle will be the first hint that this restaurant isn’t like any other you have visited, and when you get your first taste of the sophisticated flavors Chef Briar Handly creates, you may just decide to invest all your dining dollars into the meals served here. Offering a menu that changes with the seasons, the dishes served here are created with locally sourced ingredients that are simply delicious. As you and your family dine your way through the different categories that include a cold section with oysters and salads, a hot section with shishitos and pork belly, and a hearty section filled with fried chicken, burgers, and our favorite dish, the “Baller” bone in ribeye, don’t forget to save room for dessert—specifically, their whiskey caramel pudding made with male mascarpone and Chex mix streusel; trust us, this is a dessert that wows!

Since opening less than three years ago, Handle has become a local favorite, revered as much for its regionally sourced small plates as for its fresh takes on classic craft cocktails and the lively yet comfortable dining room. And speaking of that dining room: It’s one of the city’s most attractive, with a black-and-white tiled bar, rustic wooden shelves, and walls papered with vintage botanical drawings. If that brisk mountain air just makes you want to carb-load, then Cafe Terigo—a quaint Italian spot on Main Street—is just the place to do it.

A happy exception is the new Handle, which has creative small plates that are delicious and allow mixing, matching and a lot of variety, though it tries a bit too hard to be Brooklyn-hipster. While Silver Star Café is my overall dining favorite, the most unique option is the independently owned on-mountain Viking Yurt along the ski trails on the town side. The six course candlelit dinner in a tent includes a sleigh ride commute, live pianist, and full-blown four hour Scandinavian experience so good that the King and Queen of Norway ate here.

If you’re looking for a farm-to-table style meal that includes lots of small plates for sharing, Handle is your go-to restaurant. The chef likes to be driven by the seasons, so the menu changes throughout the year to ensure the ingredients are as fresh and local as possible. The cuisine is primarily American, with favorite entrées that include an elevated version of fried chicken and a pork shank smothered in Frank’s red hot glaze.

One of Park City’s newest culinary attractions, Handle has turned heads with its refined, yet casual, comfort cuisine made with local and regional ingredients. Prepared by former Talisker on Main executive chef Briar Handly and served in industrial-modern-decorated digs, the food ranges from imaginative small plates to quintessential high-elevation entrees and is backed by a well-crafted wine list and pre-Prohibition-era cocktails.

It may have opened in 2014, but Handle and its modern American menu remain as relevant as ever. In fact, if you like what Park City’s dining scene has to offer, you can largely thank executive chef-owner Briar Handly for his help in shaping it. Expect composed dishes and nuanced flavors—things like pear and apple salad with pepita granola; fried chicken with red pepper cream and dukkah; and pork shank with grilled endive.

Price range for entrees: $22 to $92Recommended dish: Cauliflower. Established in 2014 by executive chef Briar Handly, wife Melissa Gray and partner Meagan Nash, Handle has received numerous accolades for its locally sourced, seasonal small plates menu. In 2022, Handly earned a semifinalist nod for best chef in the Mountain division in the James Beard Foundation awards – essentially the Oscars of the culinary community.

With an elegant, welcoming dining room and an ever-evolving menu that focuses on elevated American Cuisine, Handl eis not just a place to go for dinner— it’s a memorable experience. Although the menu does change quite often, we especially love their Mushroom Bolognese and Sourdough Toast with Caramelized Onions. And whatever you do, do not miss the Maple Ice Cream Bar dipped in chocolate and brown butter crumble.

Handle offers a contemporary take on American cuisine, featuring innovative dishes crafted with seasonal ingredients and bold flavors. This stylish restaurant showcases the culinary talents of Chef Briar Handly, who combines classic techniques with modern influences to create a sophisticated and approachable menu. Handle's sleek and contemporary design creates a chic and inviting atmosphere.

Handle takes a creative spin on American cuisine by marrying traditional dishes with unconventional twists. Their inventive menu changes seasonally, showcasing the finest locally-sourced ingredients in a delightful culinary display. The restaurant's aesthetic mirrors the warm, friendly vibe of Park City with a modern yet welcoming atmosphere, making it a unique dining experience.

Handle – This is one of the best Park City restaurants, and I made a rookie mistake and was already kind of full when I arrived. I tried to power through though…how I suffer for my craft 🙂 Handle shows up on pretty much every list of best Park City restaurants, and it was my solo “fancy night out” pick (partly based on them having plenty on the menu that I could actually eat).

CONTEMPORARY AMERICANWhen Chef Briar Handly opened Handle restaurant, he did so with the idea of being “driven by the seasons” and highlighting local, organic ingredients whenever possible. And that’s precisely what you’ll find at this eclectic independent eatery. The hamachi crudo, grilled honey gem octopus, and foie mousse are excellent starters at Handle.

After landing in Salt Lake City and making the 40-minute drive into the Wasatch, start strong with a table at Handle. Nestled in Park City’s Old Town, this buzzy local favorite pairs rustic-chic interiors with a fearless, ever-evolving menu by Chef Briar Handly. Think bold, seasonal dishes that let local produce shine without taking themselves too seriously.

Guided by the change of season, Handle creates simply crafted and balanced dishes by sourcing locally produced ingredients that are in season. They create small plates inspired by American cuisine and serve fun cocktails.The restaurant is sophisticated and perfect for special occasions or intimate dinners. Rated a near-perfect 4.4 stars on Google reviews.

Partners Briar Handly, Melissa Gray and Meagan Nash created Handle Park City and Handle Salt Lake (HSL) with a vision of curating a masterful American cuisine dining experience, interesting wines and thoughtful cocktails. Every dish at the restaurants is artistic and tasty—each a carefully crafted, Instagram-worthy (oh, those Millennials!) presentation.

The Handle came recommended to me by my friends who own a house in Park City (where I’ve been lucky enough to stay a few trips) and they’re total foodies and it’s their favorite restaurant in town. After dining with them in 2019 and again in 2020 I can see why. It has a wonderful craft cocktail list and also delicious, creative farm to table food.

**To truly taste the bounty of Utah, chef Briar Handly has created a menu of mostly organic, locally sourced and seasonal eats at the trendy downtown restaurant Handle. This means you might get morel mushrooms on top of risotto with fava beans or a hearty pork shank with charred broccolini and local Rockhill Edam made into macaroni and cheese.

Handle is another standout restaurant, known for its creative, locally sourced New American cuisine. Located just off Main Street, Handle is a modern, minimalist restaurant that focuses on seasonally inspired dishes. The menu is designed for sharing, offering an array of small plates that showcase the best ingredients Utah has to offer.

The Housewives are seen many times at both locations: Handle Park City and HSL in Salt Lake City. My vegetarian coworker says this is her favorite restaurant in Park City. I’ll agree…about the only time I eat vegetables is when I visit Handle; the cauliflower is to die for…sweet chili glaze and sriracha vinaigrette.

Sean Doyle, general manager at Handle Park City, 136 Heber Ave. Park City suggests pairing their Incline Marionberry, a light, and refreshing brew, with their popular Hamachi Crudo, or their Kale and Beetroot Salad. He also seconds Mountain West Ruby for a clean, not overly sweet taste, more familiar to a beer.

Farm-to-fork fans may also find a new favorite at Handle (136 Herber Avenue). The menu of “simple” small plates makes meals feel more like a tasty smorgasbord. Take your taste buds on a ride, rotating between bites of the spicy buffalo cauliflower and the slightly sweet beet root salad with candied pistachios.

Handle Chef-owner Briar Handly made his name at Talisker on Main. In his own place he offers a pared back menu, mostly of small plates, with the emphasis on excellenct sourcing—trout sausage and Beltex Meats prosciutto, for example. There are also full-meal plates, including the chef’s famous fried chicken.

If you only have time for one meal in Park City, make reservations for Handle right now and thank us later. You’ll be glad you did, and then some. Chef and owner Briar Handly crafts some of the most elegant and refined cuisine of any restaurant in the state of Utah; let alone the resorts of Park City.

At Handle, the focus is on seasonality and locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s modern and vibrant atmosphere complements a menu that pushes the boundaries of contemporary American cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of small plates or hearty mains, Handle’s diverse menu has something for everyone.

Sean Doyle, general manager at Handle Park City, suggests pairing their gluten-free brew, Incline Marionberry—a light, and refreshing brew—with their popular Hamachi Crudo or their Kale and Beetroot Salad. He also seconds Mountain West Ruby for a clean, not overly sweet taste, more familiar to a beer.

Driven by the seasons, Handle strives to create a simply crafted and balanced menu sourced from local and regional ingredients at the height of freshness. Their aim is to transform one’s notion of familiarity through food and drink in a lively atmosphere. View this post on Instagram

When you’re craving something sweet, visit award-winning American eatery, Handle for Park City’s best desserts. From creamy caramel pudding in a jar to rhubarb pie with brown sugar ice cream, this inventive eatery concocts incredible seasonal sweets, and one dish just isn’t enough.

Full disclosure, we did not eat here ourselves during our visit to Park City. While sitting at our communal table at Savor the Summit, we met a couple of the writers for Park City’s culinary magazine: Dishing Park City. One of them also works at Handle and raved about its menu.

This year, Reagan Chung, mixologist at Handle restaurant, emerged as the champion with his Gin Rhubarb special, that will be highlighted at the upcoming Dine About event taking place from October 14-22. In the meantime, following are some of my favorite spots for craftails!

Handle specializes in small plates and creative cocktails: try the Rattlesnake, a local creation featuring High West double rye and absinthe, topped with egg white foam decorated with an "H" brand. Signature dishes include buffalo cauliflower and smoked trout sausage.

Specializing in shareable small plates, Handle serves a delicious assortment of American dishes with globally inspired flavors. From appetizers to desserts, carefully chosen wines to handcrafted cocktails, Handle has a real handle on great taste. Our recommendations:

It’s open and airy without being loud and (again even though I don’t drink) the drink menu was extensive and seemed fantastic. There were hits and misses in the usual amount. The 25oz “baller steak” was perfectly cooked and served with addictive duck fat potatoes.

This eclectic eatery offers artful takes on traditional favorites using local, seasonal ingredients. From the best fried chicken in the west, to a rack of artfully grilled venison ribs, they definitely have a "handle" on Park City's restaurant scene.

Variety of sushi, seafood, and steak options along with classic comfort food just 2 minutes from Main Street. : General Tso Cauliflower, Apple Toast (tastes like apple pie on sourdough – SO GOOD), Sunchoke Tostada, Mushroom Bolognese, Fried Chicken

Handle is a must-visit for foodies looking for a farm-to-table experience. This restaurant emphasizes sustainability, sourcing ingredients from local farms. The menu is innovative, featuring dishes that blend classic techniques with modern flair.

$$$$ This contemporary American restaurant serves farm-to-table dishes and delightful small plates. The bistro-style seating and open kitchen give Handle a lively ambiance just one block off Main Street. Insider tip: Don’t miss the cauliflower!

Not my fave kind of food TBH, but if fried chicken vibes are your jam, you’ll love it. People really do love this place and it’s always busy. Craft cocktails, the kind that arrive in a chic rocks glass with creative garnishes.

Featuring fun cocktails new and old, you’ll enjoy sipping a cocktail in Handle. With an old-timey feel and a modern country farmhouse twist, you’ll be transported in body and mind by the award-winning bartenders and staff.

Easily the most inventive and unique restaurant in Park City. Handle always pleases and makes for an excellent night out. Funky dishes with tons of flavor, great cocktails, and delicious desserts.

136 Heber AvePark City, UT 84060(435) 602-1155 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Specializing in small New American plates, this chic-rustic restaurant rests ideally on Heber Avenue.

It features small plates and meals with locally sourced ingredients and the chef is one of the restaurant co-owners. Definitely the spot to be for hip cocktails and awesome food.

Handle offers an inviting and bright atmosphere as well as delectable food options. Its dishes are seasonal and locally sourced, with new takes on traditional American fare.

A post shared by Salt Plate City | Lala & Ryan (@saltplatecity) on Oct 14, 2018 at 1:33pm PDT. Neighborhood: Park City. Address: 136 Heber Ave, Park City, UT 84060

And then Handle is more farm-to-table, but has dishes like a great buffalo cauliflower. It also has locals’ night with $10 burgers that I always go to.

Handle, 36 Heber Ave, Park City, UT 84060, 11(handleparkcity.com/). Very cool rustic chic eatery with nice portions, atmosphere and bar.