Safe Picks, Fair Prices, No Surprises
Downtown · Salt Lake City · American Comfort Food · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 31, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Carson Kitchen reads like a greatest hits of recognizable names — nothing that's going to make a wine nerd stop scrolling, but nothing that's going to embarrass anyone at the table either. Prices are honest, topping out around $60 for a bottle, which in today's restaurant landscape deserves actual credit. This is a list built for accessibility, not exploration.
The range spans California, Washington, Argentina, France, Italy, New Zealand, and even a sparkling from Lower Austria — so at least someone glanced at a map of the world before printing this thing. That said, the producers skew heavily commercial: 14 Hands, Estancia, Castle Rock, Crane Lake. These aren't bad wines, they're just the kind of bottles you've probably already met at a grocery store. The Caparzo Sangiovese and Banshee Mordecai Red Blend are the most interesting entries, but the list never fully commits to anything beyond approachable crowd-pleasers. No single-vineyard moments, no grower Champagne, no real curveballs.
Twelve options by the glass is a respectable count, running $11 to $17 — and that ceiling is refreshingly low. The spread covers sparkling, white, rosé, and red, which means most tables will find something that works. The problem is rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here; what you see is likely what you'll always see.
Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon — $17/glass
Canoe Ridge is a legit Columbia Valley producer with real terroir behind it. Getting a proper Washington Cab by the glass at $17 is a fair deal — this isn't a bulk-fruit, jammy filler. It's the most credible red on the list and worth the top-of-glass price.
Stift Klosterneuburg Sparkling
Most people at this table will walk right past the Austrian sparkling to grab a familiar name. That would be a mistake. Stift Klosterneuburg is one of Austria's oldest wine estates — a monastic winery with serious pedigree. A sparkling from them on a Salt Lake City comfort food menu is the most unexpected thing on this list, and it earns its spot.
Crane Lake Riesling
Crane Lake is a high-volume California label that exists almost entirely to fill a price tier. This isn't the kind of Riesling that makes you rethink Riesling — it's just sweet, flat, and forgettable. Grab the Stift Klosterneuburg sparkling instead and spend your pour wisely.
Caparzo Sangiovese + Crispy Chicken Thighs
Sangiovese's natural acidity and savory cherry character cuts through rich roasted poultry without stomping on it. If Carson Kitchen is doing reimagined comfort food, a Tuscan red that's built for exactly this kind of food-friendly situation is the move. Don't overthink it.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Carson Kitchen isn't going to be anyone's wine destination, but it's also not trying to rip you off — and in Salt Lake City, that's worth something. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink fine, not great.
Sugar House · Salt Lake City · Steakhouse and Seafood with Scandinavian/European Influences
Kimi's earns its reputation as one of Salt Lake City's better nights out, and the wine program has real bones — a sommelier, a thoughtful Italian-leaning list, and proper glassware. Just go in knowing the markups are aggressive on the bubbles, anchor yourself to the Riesling if you're watching the spend, and let the room do the rest of the work.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
9th & 9th · Salt Lake City · Middle Eastern
Mazza isn't a wine destination, but it's doing something genuinely interesting by building a list around Lebanese producers that actually belong on the table with this food. If you're in Salt Lake City and want to drink something you won't find anywhere else in town, this is worth a detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Japanese and Sushi
Takashi is a great restaurant with a wine list that's just along for the ride — functional, safe, and a little overpriced relative to what you get. Go for the sushi, order the Cloudy Bay or the Oregon Pinot, and don't expect the wine program to keep pace with the kitchen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Raw Bar
Market Street Oyster Bar is a reliable spot for wine if you calibrate your expectations accordingly — this is a crowd-pleaser list built for a crowd-pleaser room, and it mostly delivers. Send a friend here for oysters and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, not for a wine education.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cottonwood Heights · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Steakhouse
Market Street Grill Cottonwood is a dependable neighborhood anchor with a wine list that does exactly what it needs to — nothing more. Send a friend here for the oysters and the Sonoma-Cutrer; just don't send them expecting to discover anything new.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Steakhouse
Market Street Grill is a solid, dependable restaurant that deserves a more adventurous wine list — the oyster program alone could support something far more interesting than what's here. Come for the seafood, order the Sonoma-Cutrer, and don't spend too much time staring at the bottle list hoping it changes.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.