Three Park City restaurants earn spots in inaugural Michelin Guide Southwest

Three Park City restaurants have earned spots in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Southwest. Handle, Matilda and The Nelson Cottage by High West were each named MICHELIN Recommended.

The Guide’s first Southwest edition covers Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The recognition brings international attention to a Park City dining scene that has grown considerably in recent years.

“Park City has long been known around the world for our mountains, outdoor recreation and incredible sense of place, but there is another story being told here through food,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and CEO of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “To see our local chefs and restaurants recognized by MICHELIN is an extraordinary moment for our community. These distinctions reflect the creativity, talent and commitment to quality that have made dining an increasingly important part of the Park City experience.”

“Park City has long been known around the world for our mountains, outdoor recreation and incredible sense of place, but there is another story being told here through food.”

— Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and CEO of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau

What Does MICHELIN Recommended Mean?

For more than a century, The MICHELIN Guide has evaluated restaurants around the world. Its inspectors visit anonymously and use the same criteria at each restaurant. These include the quality of the ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the chef’s personality as expressed through the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.

A MICHELIN Recommended restaurant has been selected by the Guide’s inspectors for inclusion in its official restaurant selection. Handle, Matilda and The Nelson Cottage by High West now join that list.

Handle

Handle opened in 2014 at Park City’s Gateway Center. Chef and co-owner Briar Handly leads a seasonal menu focused on local and regional ingredients. Familiar flavors are presented through new techniques and pairings influenced by the surrounding community and landscape.

Handle’s success led to the opening of HSL in Salt Lake City in 2016.

Matilda

Matilda comes from the team behind Five5eeds. Created for locals and visitors alike, it’s a lively neighborhood restaurant centered around good food, quality drinks and honest value. The menu is built for sharing, with seasonal plates, salads, larger dishes and house-made sourdough pizza at its core. Made with naturally leavened dough and freshly milled flour, the pizza is light, crisp and full of flavor. A full bar, welcoming service and an energetic room bring the whole experience together.

The Nelson Cottage by High West

The Nelson Cottage is located on Park Avenue, just steps from High West Saloon. Led by Chef de Cuisine Julia Sorroche, the restaurant offers a prix-fixe tasting menu built around seasonal flavors and creative pairings.

The evening begins with a guided whiskey experience hosted by one of High West’s Whiskey Ambassadors. Dinner follows, with optional whiskey pairings, seasonal cocktails, wine and beer.

A Milestone for Park City Dining

Park City is widely known for its skiing, outdoor recreation, arts and culture. Its restaurants have also become an important part of the visitor experience. The city now offers everything from casual neighborhood favorites to chef-led tasting menus and restaurants that highlight the ingredients and flavors of the Mountain West.

The inclusion of three Park City restaurants in the first MICHELIN Guide Southwest recognizes the work of their chefs, owners and teams. It also marks an important moment for the local restaurant community as a whole.

Congratulations to Handle, Matilda and The Nelson Cottage by High West.