A sourdough culture that has reportedly been in use since 1979 still helps make the bread at one Utah breakfast spot. That starter is older than plenty of the people buttering the toast.
The family story goes back even further. A Norwegian immigrant opened the original restaurant in 1952.
Today his son runs the place as a chef and baker, keeping those old recipes alive.
The menu feels like a cozy trip to Norway with a pit stop at a classic American diner. Cardamom waffles come with wild lingonberries.
Poached trout shows up at breakfast. Norwegian Christmas bread gets turned into French toast.
I like that nothing here feels rushed, including the cooking. Every plate is made to order, and the kitchen takes its time on purpose.
So how long could you really resist a case full of house-made Danish pastries?
A Family Recipe Book That Started Back In 1952
Finn’s Cafe carries a story that began long before brunch became a weekend hobby. In 1952, a Norwegian immigrant named Finn Gurholt opened the original Finn’s Restaurant on Parley’s Way in Salt Lake City.
That first restaurant stayed open for 45 years. It finally closed its doors in 1997, which left a lot of hungry folks in Utah missing their favorite plates.
Then came the comeback nobody wanted to skip. In 2006, Finn Gurholt Jr. reopened the family business as Finn’s Cafe, picking up right where his father left off.
He didn’t just borrow the name, either. He works as both chef and baker, keeping the family’s Scandinavian cooking traditions going strong in a brand-new chapter.
I love a restaurant with a real backstory instead of a made-up one. Here, the history isn’t a slogan on a menu.
It lives in the recipes, the baking, and the people running the kitchen.
So when you sit down for eggs and toast, you’re tasting more than breakfast. You’re getting a family tradition that has stretched across generations of Salt Lake City mornings, with a short break in the middle.
Look Up And You’ll Spot A Glowing Piece Of The 1950s
Some restaurants hang framed photos to show off their past. Finn’s Cafe went bigger and kept the actual neon sign from the original 1950s restaurant.
That sign now has a home at the current location. It’s a bright, cheerful link between the old Parley’s Way spot and the cafe you can visit today.
Honestly, it might be the coolest heirloom in Salt Lake City. Most families pass down a quilt or a cookie tin.
This family passed down glowing letters.
The people behind the counter matter just as much as the sign. Finn Gurholt Jr. runs the cafe with his wife, Vickey, and the two are known for chatting with guests.
That personal touch fits the whole place nicely. A family business feels different when the family is actually there, talking with folks and keeping an eye on things.
Take a moment to notice the sign before your food arrives. It’s a quick reminder that this breakfast spot has roots going back more than seventy years.
Few cafes in Utah can point to their own history and say it still lights up.
The Sourdough Here Is Older Than Your Favorite Band
Here’s a fun one for the trivia night crowd. The sourdough culture at Finn’s Cafe has reportedly been in use since 1979.
That means the starter behind your toast has been around for decades. It’s basically the senior member of the kitchen staff, and it never asks for a day off.
The cafe proudly leans into the idea of house-made everything. Fresh sourdough breads, flaky Danish pastries, and savory cheese sticks all come from scratch.
Onion rolls are another bakery favorite worth knowing about. They’re part of the lineup that helped make the cafe famous for its baked goods.
My advice is pretty simple here. Order something that comes with bread, even if you came for eggs.
The bread is the star that quietly supports almost every other plate.
And please don’t skip the pastry case on your way out. A flaky Danish makes a great snack for later, assuming it survives the drive home.
Scratch baking like this is a big reason the cafe stands out in a city full of breakfast choices.
Trout For Breakfast Sounds Bold Until You Try The Idea
Fish at breakfast might surprise a few people at the table. In Norway, though, it makes perfect sense, and Finn’s Cafe brings that tradition right to Utah.
The Scandinavian Breakfast is the dish to try if you want the full experience. It comes with poached red trout, Finn’s own tartar sauce, eggs, hash browns, and toast.
That’s a plate with real personality. It feels hearty without being heavy, and it’s a nice change from the usual bacon routine.
Not into seafood before noon? Pyttipanna is another Scandinavian classic with a fun name and a cozy, filling setup.
It brings together tidbits of beef, diced potato, carrots, and onions. Poached eggs sit right on top, so every bite gets a little extra richness.
I think both dishes are smart picks for first-timers. They show off the cafe’s Norwegian roots better than anything else on the breakfast side.
Order one, share with a friend, and you’ll both understand why this kitchen feels different from a regular diner down the street.
Sweet Tooth Alert, Because The Waffles Smell Like Cardamom
Cardamom is the secret handshake of Scandinavian baking. At Finn’s Cafe, it shows up in the Norwegian Waffles, which come with sour cream and wild lingonberries.
Lingonberries are small, tart red berries popular in Norway. They give the waffles a bright, tangy kick that keeps things from getting too sugary.
The Sourdough Pancakes are another sweet option with a twist. Since the cafe loves its sourdough, it makes sense that the pancakes get in on the action too.
Then there’s the Jule Kake French Toast, and the name alone is worth a smile. It’s made with Norwegian Christmas bread flavored with raisins, citron, and cardamom.
Yes, that means holiday bread is available all year long. I can’t think of a better excuse to celebrate on a random Tuesday morning.
If your group can’t decide, try ordering one sweet plate for the table. Everyone gets a taste, and nobody has to pick between waffles and French toast.
That’s what I’d call a diplomatic breakfast solution with excellent flavor.
Your Hollandaise Craving Is About To Get Very Specific
Hollandaise from a packet just can’t compete with the real thing. Finn’s Cafe makes its Eggs Benedict with scratch-made hollandaise, so the sauce gets the same care as the bread.
That matters more than you might think. A good Benedict depends on the sauce, and homemade hollandaise is a sign the kitchen isn’t cutting corners.
Omelets are made to order here too. You can stay classic or go with something a little more adventurous from the menu.
The Norsk Omelet is the one that catches my eye. It’s filled with bay shrimp, capers, and Havarti cheese, which sounds like a Nordic snack board folded into eggs.
Havarti is a mild, creamy cheese with Danish roots. Paired with shrimp and a little caper tang, it makes for a breakfast that feels both cozy and kind of fancy.
Planning a brunch with a picky eater and an adventurous one? This section of the menu covers both people nicely.
One can stick with Benedict while the other goes full Norwegian with the shrimp omelet.
Stick Around For Lunch, Because Schnitzel Is Waiting
Breakfast gets most of the attention, but lunch deserves a seat at the table. Finn’s Cafe serves a midday lineup with some seriously comforting choices.
Finn’s Reuben is a solid pick for sandwich fans. It’s a deli classic, and here it pairs nicely with the cafe’s love for good bread.
Fried chicken gets a Scandinavian twist on this menu. Finn’s Fried Chicken comes with wild lingonberries, which add a tart little pop to every crispy bite.
Then there’s the Wienerschnitzel, served with lemon and capers. It’s a European favorite that fits right in with the cafe’s old-world comfort food style.
Coffee drinkers should know about the house pick too. Rimini Coffee is the cafe’s signature brew, and it makes a fine sidekick to any plate on the menu.
One tip is to remember the kitchen closes in the early afternoon. Lunch here is a daytime affair, so plan your schnitzel craving before mid-afternoon rolls around.
Nobody wants to show up hungry and find the doors already locked.
Slow Down, Because This Kitchen Refuses To Rush
Fast food this is not, and that’s the whole point. Meals at Finn’s Cafe are made to order and usually take about 30 minutes to prepare.
Think of that half hour as part of the experience. It’s time to sip coffee, catch up with friends, and actually enjoy a morning without staring at a clock.
The indoor space is quaint, with a charming Scandinavian feel. It’s a cozy setting for lingering over toast while your Norwegian waffles get made from scratch.
Warmer months bring another option outside. The cafe offers seasonal patio seating, and surrounding trees provide welcome shade on sunny Utah days.
That patio sounds like the perfect spot for a slow summer brunch. Add a pastry and good company, and you might forget you have errands to run.
My advice? Skip this place when you’re racing to a meeting.
Save it for a relaxed weekend or a day off, when waiting a bit feels like a treat instead of a problem. The staff is known for warm, genuine hospitality, which makes the wait easy.
Guy Fieri Showed Up, And The Trophies Kept Coming
Plenty of diners dream of a visit from Food Network. Finn’s Cafe actually landed a spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
The local praise stacks up too. City Weekly named it Best of Utah in 2015, and Utah Business called it the Best Power Breakfast that same year.
Salt Lake Magazine also got in on the fun earlier. It named the cafe the Best Breakfast Cafe back in 2011.
Ready to see what the fuss is about? You’ll find the cafe at 1624 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105.
Doors open at 7:30 AM and close at 2:30 PM, seven days a week. That schedule makes it easy to plan an early breakfast or a late, lazy brunch.
Just keep the holidays in mind before you go. The cafe closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, so the staff can enjoy their own family time.
Any other morning, though, is fair game. Grab a friend, order something with lingonberries, and taste a Utah tradition that keeps rising like good sourdough.