Laurel Brasserie & Bar: Elegant Dining in Salt Lake City's Grand America Hotel

Gathering your friends at Laurel Brasserie & Bar in downtown Salt Lake City is an exceptional choice for many reasons. This vibrant, European-inspired dining spot offers a unique blend of elegance and comfort, making it an ideal setting for socializing and celebration. The restaurant is housed within the prestigious Grand America Hotel, which adds an air of sophistication to your outing without sacrificing warmth or approachability. With a solid 4.4-star rating from over 750 reviews, this locale clearly resonates with guests seeking quality food, attentive service, and a stylish atmosphere. Whether you want a lively brunch, a relaxed lunch, a happy hour filled with craft cocktails, or an intimate dinner, Laurel provides a versatile space suited to all occasions. The interior design is both modern and cozy, featuring flower-shaped lights, wicker cane chairs, and artistic black-and-white sketches that create an inviting ambiance conducive to conversation and camaraderie. Moreover, the friendly and attentive staff enhance every visit with thoughtful touches, ensuring your group feels cared for from start to finish. This combination of atmosphere, service, and excellent culinary offerings makes Laurel Brasserie & Bar a prime rallying point for friends looking to enjoy memorable experiences together.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar offers a diverse range of activities perfect for groups looking to spend time together in a dynamic setting. Starting the day with a group breakfast or a hefty brunch is a popular choice, particularly with their famous Sunday brunch buffet that features everything from seafood to sweets, paired with live music that adds an energetic yet relaxing vibe. Guests often engage in playful games, such as guessing upcoming songs played by the house band, which creates a fun, communal atmosphere. Throughout the day, the space’s layout—with its double-sided bar—encourages mingling and social drinking, highlighting cocktails made with local Utah spirits, including the iconic Laurel Leaf Old Fashioned. Happy Hour is another group-favorite activity, offering smaller bites and innovative takes on classic dishes, such as their highly praised French onion soup simmered over 24 hours and topped with toasted Gruyère. Beyond dining, the beautifully designed interior provides a wonderful backdrop for conversations, celebrations, or informal meetups. The warmth of the service and the lively, stylish environment make it an excellent spot to catch up, celebrate milestones, or simply enjoy each other's company.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar is uniquely suited for group meetups because it balances upscale dining with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that appeals to diverse tastes and moods. The spaciousness of the dining area and the thoughtful interior design make it easy for groups to find comfortable seating arrangements, whether for intimate conversations or festive gatherings. The restaurant’s culinary offerings—crafted with French and Italian influences—cater to a variety of palates, making it easy to please everyone in your party with standout dishes like the pumpkin arancini and seasonal mushroom tartlet. Additionally, the beverage program is robust, featuring both classic cocktails and innovative drinks made with local spirits, which adds a touch of regional flavor and uniqueness to the experience. Laurel’s location within The Grand America Hotel also brings a sense of special occasion and prestige without being overly formal, so groups can celebrate casually or dress up for more formal events. The impeccable service ensures the needs of larger parties are well met, from timely food delivery to accommodating special requests. This level of attention enhances the ease and enjoyment of gathering with friends, making Laurel a dependable choice for any group event.

The food and drinks at Laurel Brasserie & Bar distinguish it as a premier gathering spot through their quality, creativity, and the variety they offer. The menu, influenced by European brasserie traditions, features well-prepared classics alongside inventive dishes. Groups tend to gravitate toward shareable starters like the pumpkin arancini—rice balls with a delicate pumpkin flavor paired with a subtle spicy aioli—and the wild mushroom tartlet, which showcases seasonal ingredients on a flaky, buttery crust. These appetizers set the tone for a meal with layers of flavor and refinement. Their French onion soup, simmered for more than 24 hours and capped with toasted Gruyère cheese, is a house staple that consistently earns rave reviews and is perfect for sharing among friends. On the drink side, the double-sided bar is a centerpiece for socializing, offering cocktails that highlight Utah-made spirits such as Beehive barrel-aged gin, in a menu that balances honesty to tradition with inventive twists like the Laurel Leaf Old Fashioned. Happy Hour specials encourage groups to sample a range of smaller plates and drinks without feeling rushed. Altogether, the food and drink options are thoughtfully curated to inspire communal enjoyment and discovery.

The ambiance at Laurel Brasserie & Bar is a fundamental part of why it works so well for group gatherings. The restaurant’s design integrates modern and traditional aesthetics: bright, airy spaces with ample natural light contrast with intimate lighting elements such as flower-shaped light fixtures, creating a balance of openness and coziness. Seating includes comfortable wicker cane chairs and stylish tables arranged to encourage interaction without overcrowding. The presence of black-and-white artistic sketches on the walls adds an elegant yet playful touch that guests can appreciate and discuss. Music, especially during brunch and evenings, is a feature that enlivens the environment without overwhelming conversation, striking a perfect balance for socializing. The bar area, with its double-sided design, serves as a social hub within the space, allowing guests to watch cocktails being crafted and flexibly move between seating zones. Combined with attentive service from a staff known for warmth and professionalism, the sophisticated yet inviting setting encourages groups to relax, linger, and enjoy each other’s company in style.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar stands out in Salt Lake City’s dining and social scene by elevating the group meetup experience to something both special and accessible. Unlike purely casual spots or overly formal restaurants, Laurel strikes a perfect middle ground that suits a broad range of occasions, from casual friend get-togethers to celebratory family meals or sophisticated social nights. Its location inside the iconic Grand America Hotel provides guests with a prestigious backdrop without the intimidation or stiffness often associated with luxury hotels. The European brasserie concept introduces a culinary style and atmosphere that is somewhat rare in the region—combining the best of French and Italian influences in food, drinks, and ambiance. The cocktail program’s focus on Utah-crafted spirits highlights local craftsmanship, offering guests a taste of the area's culture within a refined context. Additionally, the restaurant has invested in creating an environment where all ages and group sizes feel welcome, with attentive service that anticipates group needs and fosters a seamless flow from arrival to departure. For these reasons, Laurel is an exceptional choice for those looking to rally friends and family in a memorable, top-tier space in the heart of Salt Lake City.