Van Ryder, a Rooftop Bar

I stopped at Van Ryder in Salt Lake City, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and the atmosphere really pulled it all together. Sitting up there with the view of the city and the Delta Center across the way made the whole place feel elegant and relaxed at the same time. I ordered the BYO Pork Carnitas, which came with smoked carnitas, grandma’s secret salsa, smashed avocado, and warm corn tortillas with limes. The plate was simple, but that actually made it feel more refined. The carnitas were moist, full of flavor, and really good. The other ingredients were straightforward but done right. Nothing fancy, nothing over the top, just solid and tasty. If I had one note, it is that the staff could have been a little more attentive. That aside, the food, the view, and the atmosphere worked really well together. It was a good experience and definitely a solid choice. Rating: 4 out of 5. Delicious carnitas, beautiful rooftop setting, worth checking out.

Amazing experience at Van Ryder! Sean and Jennifer were incredibly friendly and gave us outstanding service — Sean went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The appetizers were delicious, the drinks were creative and fun, and the rooftop views added so much to the atmosphere. Can’t wait to come back!

I visited Van Ryder today and had an amazing experience! The service was top-notch from start to finish. The hosts, Mauricio and Maria, greeted us with a warm, positive vibe that immediately made us feel welcome. Our server, Valentina, had an incredible attitude and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable throughout our visit. Overall, the entire team created a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Highly recommend!

We had a good time at this rooftop bar when visiting Salt Lake. Good appetizers and tasty drinks with good service from Sean and Yennefer. Nice views too!

I didn't eat food there at the bar. Drinks were very delicious. Atmosphere was incredible with the views of the mountains. Roof top bar is very special for private events especially!

First, the food: there are not a ton of options for vegetarians, but we ordered everything on the menu without meat and were more than satisfied. Our favorite was the onion rings and the only dish we didn't really care for was the cauliflower wings. Both desserts were great. Drinks: we tried the blood moon and honey badger (NA) - delish. It can be hard to find a good mocktail and this one did not disappoint. Both drinks & food arrived quickly and our server was very attentive about refills. Vibe: We did not feel rushed at all and were able to enjoy our meal/drinks/the views for as long as we liked (we did have reservations). The service was excellent. It was the perfect setting for a romantic date night!

very glad we popped into this rooftop bar. We came for the sunset, but it was a little overcast… still beautiful setting! The cocktails were handcrafted, so did it take a little while but that is to be expected for this caliber of drink. we did not make a reservation, but we were able to find a seat outside that was accommodating for our party. Probably the worst part of visiting this Bar was closing out our tab … since the cocktails took so much crafting we did have to wait in line to close out. It would’ve been nice if there was a bar back or someone available just to close out tabs. I wanna say our group waited at least 30 minutes to do so. Highly recommend if you’re in the area. A very central location and a really great vibe!

Newer restaurant/bar with a great atmosphere. The nod to the Midwest through the design was a quality touch. The views from the outside were great. The fire place was welcoming and a great place to lounge. A great spot on cold night before the hockey game or as a date night. We got the BBQ plate and burger. The food was very good, but given the outstanding atmosphere and design, it didn’t live up to the quality of the rest of the restaurant.

Sean & Jennifer were great and very attentive! Drinks were tasty too. Outside rooftop has beautiful views of the mountains

Service back to front was great from hostess to busser...special shout out to Sean and Antonio for making us feel special. Food was delicious, drinks well mixed and sunset transcendent.

Sean was a great server - he made the evening very enjoyable!! If you're looking for a great night out come to Van Ryder!!

Thursday night for drinks and dinner. Bar was busy and crowded because a private event had reserved the outdoor part of the bar. Watch where you are seated (if you have a choice) beacuse the glare from the setting sun off the tile floor can be intense. Draft beer is limited, but found a nice local canned IPA. Rose by the glass was pretty good. The menu is limited (it's primarily a bar). The calamari was very good. And the roasted pepper aioli was so good my husband ordered it as dressing for his southwest salad - also very good. The pork carnitas were fine; not very smoky and the pork was under seasoned. The brisket platter looked great (neighboring table) and smelled delicious. Service with Tyler was great until he went on (a well-deserved) dinner break. Then we had a little trouble ordering a second round of drinks. Nice enough experience that we returned late Friday night for drinks with friends.

Beautiful views, amazing drinks and food. Service was somewhat lacking, may have been understaffed. Definitely a solid choice for a good sunset view.

YEESH! There's a lot of craft cocktail spots in slc, and while this may have the advantage of being a rooftop bar, that's no excuse for subpar uninspired cocktails. Their drink menu is quite frankly boring. Drinks you could get anywhere else in the city and for a fraction of the price. The service is mediocre at best, certainly not what you'd expect from an upscale rooftop bar. The view is lovely, but you'd likely have a better experience with a bottle of your own wine on your own rooftop.

Van Ryder is one of those places that just gets it. The rooftop views, the vibey lighting, the drinks that taste like summer in a glass. It's where I take people when I want them to fall a little in love with Salt Lake City. I've been here a bunch of times, but my favorite was when my sister came to visit me in the summer of 2024. We sat out on the rooftop patio, smashed the tuna tartare like it was our last meal, and got just the right amount of tipsy. The whole night felt effortless. Warm air, skyline views, the kind of atmosphere that makes everyone a little friendlier and everything feel like a movie scene. We ended up meeting a group of out-of-towners who asked if we could take their photo. My sister Tonya immediately took over, turned into their personal rooftop photographer, and honestly made them look like they were shooting a travel ad. They were obsessed, and we were living. It was chaotic in the best way. Van Ryder is fun, elevated, and somehow always delivers a good time. Whether you're on a date, with your sister, making friends with strangers, or just here for the tartare, it's one of those places that turns an ordinary night into a core memory.

For the luv of sunsets, I'm there for it. Van Ryder is 21+ & on the rooftop. Valet out front near STK or find metered street parking. Take the elevator up. Recommend a res if you want outdoor seating for the views, but they do take walk-ins. Staff's country-style outfits are superrrr cute. Diggin it. Our server was super friendly and attentive. Cocktails & food were mediocre, but the view w/live music makes it worth it. Great spot for drinks & small bites before a night out.

Valentina was amazing- thank you so much for making our experience in Utah great!!!!!!!

Not sure why this place has such low ratings, but I was there almost right when they opened, so maybe my experience was different. I was in town for a conference and sought out a place where I could see the mountains. This place has an incredible view! The service was really friendly and my cocktail was delicious. I didn't try the food, but the menu looked really good. I enjoyed it and would go back!

The view is nice. That's it. Everything else sucked. It took twenty minutes before anyone even looked in my direction. No water. No "hey we'll be right with you." Just silence and me wondering if I had walked into a social experiment. When the staff finally showed up, they looked like they hated their lives and didn't want to be there. Zero energy. Zero effort. And the food. Awful. Bland, uninspired, and flat out terrible. You could get better flavor from a microwave dinner. So yeah, the view is nice, but you can get that same view without paying for bad food and bad service. Go somewhere else.

Adrien was great! Food was cohesive and drinks were prompt. Thanks Adrien. Bring your friends

The food was delicious and the service was great. Super cute ambiance and with a cozy modern flare. I would recommend making a reservation as the line tends to grow fast!

When you walk into Van Ryder you are welcomed to lovely decor and a beautiful outdoor space. All of their drinks (margarita, Moscow mule, martinis, etc) were lovely. The nachos we ordered were actually delish as well with a delicious cheese cause and fresh toppings. Will definitely join again!

Antonio and Chris were the best servers ever! They gave us the best service and we had such a great time. The drinks were amazing!

I actually really enjoyed coming here before a show at the nearby Delta Center. Note that I didn't make the reservations, I was a guest on a double date! But also know that Van Ryder isn't obvious from street level - you actually need to know where you're going: in the building, down a hallway and make a right to the elevators. Once there: gorgeous! Go at sunset like we did. There are outdoor rooftop options, the bar but also lounge areas - a few by a cozy fire. The four of us had drinks - Old Fashioned and coconut margaritas were had; and split our order tapas style and was delicious. Pork belly with frites was a hit alongside the roasted sweet potatoes and avocado was so yummy! Great service. I'd love to come back again not only for the ambiance, but to try more bites off the menu. A must try in SLC (and reminds me of California's rooftop eateries)!

The atmosphere is really nice. Having the option to sit outside definitely makes it feel less intimating especially if you're like me who hasn't had a lot of bar experience. I felt like the espresso martini was a little more dull than I expected. I liked the Desert Canary a good bit though.

The views were beautiful, the food was good. the vibes of the place were great Antonio was awesome!

I had an amazing time, staff were so nice and sweet and the food was delicious, and they view was beautiful

Great food, service and atmosphere. Great spot for sunset! Will definitely be back next time we are in Salt Lake City!

Good service, drinks are so nice and service was really good, you need to come and try the pumping ale. Soft environment with nice ambience

Argh this place. Great views but once we were seated we waited 30 minutes to be even greeted. I had to ask another server if we could have water and order a drink (hate doing this! But we were straight up being ignored). Mind you they sat us at a dirty table and didn't even wipe it down. All the food was fine. My burger was actually good but the French fries were cold. Fish and chips tacos - don't order. Hash brown app was pretty good. Overall the service really was terrible and needs an overhaul.

excellent food. I enjoyed the best mocktail I've ever had. Coolest view Salt Lake City has to offer!

Beautiful views at this rooftop bar with amazing service from Sean and Victoria. We loved the tuna tartar, southwest salad and fish n chips tostada. Will definitely come back next time I'm in town.

Chris Sammy Siva Sam Sarah were all so so so awesome! Amazing service! I'll be back for sure!

our server, Tyler, was an absolute gem! Literally thinking of coming back just to see him

We were in town for a conference and actually ended up coming here all 3 nights. The service was incredible. The food was on point and the drinks were absolutely amazing. Matty took care of us 2 of the 3 evenings. So glad we found this place! If u are looking for a good view/pic op and amazing food and drinks, this is your place!!!!

I loved the aesthetic here. It was absolutely beautiful. Chic upscale modern bar and seating areas. Huge deck with fire pits, tables, and views of the mountains. Service was great. We had Tommy as our waiter who was super nice but the GM Corey checked on us frequently and was also amazing. He gave my bestie a free birthday drink. We decided not to grab food here but the table next to us ordered Mac n cheese and it smelled divine. The drinks were delicious and give you a great buzz. Definitely going back when I visit Utah again.

Wanted to go here mainly for the rooftop ambiance. The outdoor and indoor seating was a vibeee. Very picturesque and thought that would be the highlight. We ordered garlic truffle fries and WOW. Best fries I've had hands down. We also got the nachos and a handful of drinks, small portion sizes but what can you expect.

Super casual rooftop bar and lounge. Great service. Seated us quickly with no reservation and the services was exceptional. The drinks are excellent with a good variety for an Utah bar. Food was B / B+. It's bar food, so I wasn't expecting a lot. It's heavily focused on BBQ and proteins. Music was awesome and the ambience is off the chart.

Drinks, service, and ambiance were overall amazing. My grandma and I travel and review different bars on their Hugo Spritz..(funny right? lol) ... anywho Chris the bartender is the reason we are giving Van Ryder 5 stars. Come see Chris and ask for a Hugo spritz. You wont be disappointed!

After waiting 30 minutes at our table....ww wete able to order a round of drinks. They came without cocktails napkins, making a sticky mess all over the table at the very beginning of the evening. Normally not a big to arrive without napkins, but clearly to drinks were slightly tipped in route. That isn't the issue. The issue is when I asked for cocktail napkins or anything of the sort, Chloe could not have made it any less obvious how annoyed she was at this request for cocktail napkins. I'm sorry I don't want to sit in simple syrup of your flavorless-craft cocktails. Finally we tracked her down again to order an appetizer and then she disappeared forever again.....

This place is a 10 out of 10! The views, the service, and the food are all stellar! The cherry on top was definitely our waiter, Andres, who was so attentive and took care of every need that we had! It was my husband's birthday, and they made a special by writing him a happy birthday card, even though we didn't even have a reservation on a Saturday night, come on! We got the nachos, but ate them too quickly before taking a pic! Where can you find service like this in the valley? Run don't walk to this establishment you will not want to miss it!

Was helped by Tyler and Alejandro at the bar and they went above and beyond for me. I was actually here all week and Chris helped me too the other day. I just feel super welcomed. Food is super yummy. Drinks....Chef's kiss

Gorgeous views! The short rib poutine was perfection! It was flavorful and tender. Would definitely order again. The tuna tartare was a little bland. The menu said it was spicy tuna but it was not spicy at all, but I'm not sensitive to spice. Could have used some sriracha. The wonton chips though just wish the dish had more flavor. We got dessert (banana foster). No photo because we just dove right in. The banana flavor wasn't too strong. I'm usually not the biggest fan of banana so I was hesitant but the level of banana flavor was that of banana bread (so I enjoyed it). The ice cream was a great touch and brought the whole dish together. The service was nice and sufficient.

Great views, fun vibe, decent drinks and service ... but please. All staff dressed in Western wear; hats, vests, full on denim. This is a classy upscale city bar. Are you having an identity crisis ??? So very odd. Return to the original .. this isn't the west side Westerner ..

Such a classy establishment I went to dinner here with my mom and it was perfection- the food, the drinks, the view, our server (Matt)! We ordered so much food and it was all delicious. My favorites were the tempura buffalo cauliflower and the brisket nachos Matt was so attentive and took care of us. The cocktails we got were so yummy and it would have been worth it for the view alone! 10/10 would recommend Van Ryder for dinner or drinks!

The view is the best in the city! The drinks and food are great but it is fancy bar food. Great drinks, beautiful balcony, outdoor seating and the best sunset views far rom SLC!

Wonderful service all around. But, Chris was awesome, attentive, and a fun bartender all around. I definitely recommend sitting at the bar & having a drink made by him! :)

manger Sami and all the bartenders where great!! Can't wait come back next time we are in town.

Great ambiance and view, good drinks. Had an espresso martini and a high ace. Both tasty and dainty but the whole experience left some to be desired. 4*

Waitress was fantastic. Food and drinks were really good. The door staff is the only negative remark. They could be friendlier (we had a reservation). Let's be real it's salt lake not LA; no need for the attitude. Edit: added 1 star for waitress and food

It is a new place in salt lake and heard a lot about it so decided to go there on a Thursday night! First of all, the area itself is pretty nice, surrounded by other restaurants. Took the elevator to the last floor and ended up with stunning views. The place was pretty crowded for a Thursday night. They have table and bar sitting and a few couches as well. Ordered a whiskey and other drinks. They came pretty quick. Ordered the burger for dinner. Honestly nothing special. Just a regular looking burger which tasted ok. Small in size. Overall the service and experience was great. But prices are high here.

Sean is the best! My first time to Van Ryder, beautiful view of Salt Lake valley. Great selection of cocktails and food

The upside, is you get to watch airplanes arrive at SLC. Stayed at the hotel and was excited to have the rooftop patio and restaurant. Arrived around 5:45 PM and was seated near the patio. Service was slow with about 30 minutes between check ins. Water wasn't refilled more than a few times. When the hostess came by to retrieve the menus, I told her we still have not had our dinner order taken and finally requested the manager. The manager came by only to ask who the server was and not what could be done to assist. One of the servers came by (she was nice) and took the order. The $39 18-hour brisket was very overcooked. To the server's credit she did remove it from the bill after seeing it was only half consumed. Come for the view, but set expectations low.

An amazing spot and amazing vibe. Chris is the best bartender I've ever had. Definitely find him and he'll take good care of you.

We loved our experience here! The food was amazing and the view was spectacular. Our server Adrian was very friendly and attentive. His server assistant Luis was also fantastic! We hope to go back before we leave to head back to the East Coast. Great experience!

Adrien was very attentive and nice. Drinks were great and the food was decent too. Best rooftop bar in SLC

The bartender Chris is fantastic, professional personable, and the drinks are great. Helped us get a table outside to view the sunset. Highly recommend this rooftop and the rest of the staff is also fantastic. Great views, great vibe, fantastic decor. Can't wait to come back!