Park City is known for its incredible food scene. Despite its Utah location, it's also a top destination for guys that love whiskey, craft beer, and even cider. This is largely due to High West Distillery, which opened in 2007 as a small distillery and tasting room in downtown Park City. I visited about 10 years ago and was impressed. But after seeing how they've evolved with their new hilltop distillery and now The Nelson Cottage, I can confidently say that High West has made Park City a must-visit destination for whiskey lovers.
The Nelson Cottage occupies the 1914 Ellsworth J. Beggs House at 651 Park Avenue, just two doors from the High West Saloon. Built by the master carpenter who constructed Summit County Courthouse, this Victorian pyramid house is one of the few remaining examples of its architectural style in Park City. It remained in private hands until High West transformed it into an intimate dining destination.
The building's conversion honors its heritage while creating a sophisticated space for whiskey-paired dining experiences. Under the direction of Chef Julia Sorroche and The Nelson Cottage culinary team, the menu changes every few weeks to showcase seasonal Utah ingredients and creative flavor combinations. The intimate setting accommodates just 30-40 guests depending on the service style, ensuring every dinner feels exclusive and personalized. High West's careful restoration preserved the cottage's historic character while adding modern amenities like a multi-level heated outdoor patio overlooking Park Avenue and a full view kitchen that lets diners watch the culinary team at work.
What Makes This Whiskey Dinner Worth the Splurge
The experience at The Nelson Cottage goes beyond merely a whiskey tasting dinner ... I've been to loads of those. However, what really impressed me here was that while this isn't cheap, the cost was frankly quite affordable considering the context of being in downtown Park City. The quality, service, and creativity was all top notch.
The dinner began with a complimentary cocktail outside on their patio while waiting for the dining room to be prepared for us, and then more whisky cocktails were offered once inside. The prix fixe dinner is $110 per person and does not include drinks. However, you can purchase cocktails individually as well as whiskey pairings to go along with your meal. The standard whiskey pairing adds $60 per person, while the elevated whiskey pairing is $80 per person.
Then their ambassador opens the evening with an overview of what to expect, a brief tasting lesson and a reminder that it isn't too late to opt into the pairing option. Our dinner was hosted by High West so we were already taken care of but I would HIGHLY recommend that you splurge for the pairing experience as that makes the entire evening that much more exceptional, especially if you are a whiskey fan. For only $20 more, the elevated pairing is more than worth it for any whisky fan, offering the chance to try rare and exclusive options that make the evening that much more memorable.
For those of you who might be worrying at this point that this is too high-end or only for crazy foodie nerds, don't worry. This is totally chill, laid back and approachable. Unlike some stuffy pairing dinners and chef's dinners that I've attended in the past, The Nelson Cottage felt very laid back and comfortable, perfect for having a conversation and relaxed enough to truly enjoy the experience without feeling intimidated. If you want to go deep into learning about tasting and pairing notes as well as try some rare expressions only found at The Nelson Cottage ... they've got that, don't worry ... you won't be disappointed.
If you just want a great dinner celebrating a bachelor party, divorce party or simply a great day skiing and hiking in the Wasatch mountains as part of your Utah guys trip. This is perfect for that too!
Six Courses Showcasing Chef Sorroche's Creative Vision
Here is what the menu looked like when we dined at The Nelson Cottage in August of 2025.
Nelson Cottage Pita with Spinach, Artichoke, Arugula, and Gruyere
The evening opened with a warm, shareable pita that immediately established the kitchen's commitment to elevated comfort food: crispy flatbread topped with rich spinach-artichoke spread, fresh arugula, and melted Gruyere creating the perfect balance of indulgence and freshness.
Mediterranean Octopus with Pimenton, Kalamata Olive, Pearl Couscous, and Fresh Herbs
Paired with High West Double Rye, this course showcased perfectly tender octopus with Spanish-inspired flavors including smoky pimenton, briny kalamata olives, and pearl couscous that combined to create a sophisticated composition that married beautifully with the spicy rye whiskey.
Roasted Zucchini with Crispy Quinoa, Squash Sponge, Smoked Tofu, Calabrian Chile, and Lemon Parsley
An unexpectedly compelling vegetable-forward course that proved substantial enough to hold its own in the progression, with crispy quinoa adding textural contrast and Calabrian chile providing just enough heat to keep things interesting. To be completely honest, this was one of my least favorite courses, but the creativity earns high marks.
Monkfish with Napa Cabbage, Pork, Pulled Barley, and Passionfruit Beurre Blanc
The main course centered on perfectly cooked monkfish, often called "poor man's lobster" for its firm, sweet flesh, elevated by an innovative passionfruit beurre blanc that brought tropical brightness to complement the savory elements of pork and napa cabbage over hearty pulled barley.
Lamb Loin with Watercress, Mint, Red Potato, Wild Mushrooms, and Campfire
Paired with A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 11, the lamb loin showcased the culinary team's exceptional talents, with the plat principal featuring perfectly roasted meat, earthy wild mushrooms, creamy red potatoes, and the bright freshness of watercress and mint cutting through the richness.
Carrot Cake Roulade with Chocolate, Fig Ice Cream, Vanilla Chiffon, and Carrot Halva
Paired with a Barrel Finished Old Fashioned, the dessert course reimagined classic carrot cake as an elegant roulade, with fig ice cream and carrot halva adding unexpected Middle Eastern influences, while chocolate and vanilla chiffon created textural contrasts that made this finale memorable enough to linger over long after the last bite.
Why The Nelson Cottage Has Become a Must-Visit Park City Experience
The Nelson Cottage represents everything compelling about Park City's evolution as a culinary destination. It honors historic heritage as a mining town turned playground for the elite, celebrates local ingredients, and creates experiences that feel both sophisticated and genuinely welcoming. The prix fixe dinner is $110 per person, with an optional standard whiskey pairing at $60 per person or the elevated pairing at $80 per person.
This represents exceptional value for the quality and uniqueness of the experience, especially in a destination resort town where mediocre meals routinely command premium prices. The intimate setting, knowledgeable staff, and thoughtful progression of flavors make this one of the most memorable dining experiences available in Park City, Utah, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to understand why High West has become synonymous with American whiskey excellence.
