Nearby Dining
Ajax Tavern
Located next to the Silver Queen Gondola, this popular restaurant combines location with style to create one of the premier ski restaurants in the world. A sun-drenched deck affords perfect viewing of everyone entering and exiting the mountain, making it the top spot in town for people watching. The wood dominated interior creates a classy, yet, not ostentatious feel. For true Mediterranean tradition, try the Tuscan Barbecue Short Ribs, or for pasta fans, opt for the Venison and Pork Bolognese. The full bar has built a reputation for its martinis
970-920-9333
Asie
Asie blends classic Asian cuisine with influences from around the world, most notably dishes such as Thai Basil Chicken and Parisian Shrimp. The combination of excellent food, mixed with a pleasant atmosphere, and a knowledgeable wait staff, make this a favorite of Aspen.
970-920-9988
Blue Maize
The Blue Maize is one of at least five restaurants in and around Aspen that offers an ode to south-of-the-border cuisine. In this case, the food is slightly upscale, with entrees like barbecued anchiote salmon with wilted arugula and fire-roasted tomatoes, or chili-rubbed rib eye steak and sweet potato fries.
970-925-6698
Boogie’s Diner
Owned by one of Aspen's favorite local citizens, Leonard "Boogie" Weinglass, Boogie's Diner is a magnet for families, young people, and grown-ups alike. Maybe it's the huge milk shakes that feature Ben and Jerry's ice cream, or maybe it's because they offer heart-healthy food alongside the more decadent offerings, but this diner is hugely popular at all times of the day.
970-925-6610
Brunelleschi's Dome Pizza
Nicknamed "Bruno's," serves gourmet pizza and pasta, and a variety of other casually elegant classic Italian dishes. It is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
970-544-4644
Cache Cache
Cache Cache has more cache than just about any restaurant in Aspen. That means it’s a tough, though not impossible, reservation to get. What’s the draw? Food that is straightforward and flavorful, with Bistro dishes like Rotisserie Chicken with pommes frites and the Marseille Seafood Stew don’t ever leave the menu, nor do they leave your memory once you’ve tasted them.
970-925-3835
Campo de Fiori
The lively and festive ambience of this very Italian restaurant is matched only by its versatile menu. Salads feature ingredients like arugula, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese. Pastas and risotto highlight the best components of Italian cooking including wild mushrooms, calamari and truffle oil, and entrees feature balsamic roasted chicken or traditional veal.
970-920-7717
Cantina
Cantina features Mexican fare with a Rocky Mountain twist: wild game fajitas and the pork loin with a smoked jalapeno sauce are among these. Otherwise, mole chicken, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, burritos, guacamole, salads, and quesadillas round out the menu. Wash all of this down with a margarita, which some say is the best in town.
970-925-3663
Caribou Club
The Caribou Club is a fine dining establishment serving contemporary American fusion cuisine. Enjoy dining in elegant mountain surroundings as the professional staff caters to your every need.
907-925-2929
D-19
This is a new restaurant from the former chef at the Ajax Tavern, Dena Marino. It's owned by the same folks that own The Wild Fig. Dena's specialty is homey Italian fare. Think osso buco and rabbit stew.
970-925-6019
Elevation
Chef Drew Scott's innovative menu is influenced by the cuisines of the American south, California, South America, and Asia, all integrated with classical French technique.
Some of Drew's specialties include his pecan crusted pork chop and pistachio gnocchi. Elevation's team prides itself on its ability to deliver personalized attention and service.
970-554-5166
Explorer Bistro
One of the best book stores anywhere in the country, Explorer also offers almost as varied a food selection as it does books. The tables are placed here and there in various nooks and crannies throughout the book-packed place. The all-vegetarian menu features some meat-like dishes, like portabella steak (portabella mushrooms seared with red wine demi-glace) and "veal" Parmesan (seitan breaded with spicy crumbs and sautéed). But Explore also offers soups, salads, and wonderful homemade desserts.
970-925-5338
Gusto
This lively Italian eatery is owned by the same people who own Campo de Fiori. Like Campo, as the locals call it, the food is eclectic Amer-Italian, and includes pastas, pizzas, and riffs on traditional dishes like veal Milanese. The food is less of a draw than the scene, but both are entertaining and fun. Just know that your hearing may never be the same after a night here.
970-925-8222
Jimmy’s
If you feel like saddling up to some down-home steak and potatoes, plan to make a stop at Jimmy's. The cowboy theme begins in the long bar where any number of tequilas can be found. The main dining area is basic steak restaurant décor, and the food here extends beyond steaks. Main courses include Rocky Mountain trout, crab cakes, beef short ribs, ahi tuna burger, rotisserie chicken, baby back ribs, and several vegetarian selections.
970-925-6020
Kenichi
"Creating Edible Art" is Kenichi's slogan, and a quick glance at the food as it emerges from the kitchen and sushi bar pretty much confirms this. Kenichi offers upscale prices, but a festive atmosphere, diversity and quality of food, local color makes it well worth it. Hot entrees range from excellent crab cakes which are encased in a nest of wonton strips, to bamboo-steamed sea kelp, Japanese cabbage, vegetables, and seafood, to the more common teriyaki.
970-920-2212
Krabloonik
Located just minutes from Aspen on the slopes of the Snowmass Ski Area, Krabloonik offers world-class food and wine in a rustic setting. The restaurant serves dinner year-round, and offers lunch in the winter, with drive-in or ski-in accessibility. Over 200 sled dogs live in the kennel adjacent to the restaurant and provide the pulling power for dog sled rides through the wilderness area.
970-923-3953
La Comida
This unassuming Mexican eatery offers good food in a cozy home-like setting. In addition to the margaritas, the fare is fairly standard including chicken enchiladas, soft tacos, green chile, guacamole and side orders of beans. Salad offerings include seafood (shrimp and crabmeat) and grilled chicken. Its casual setting is often the draw for not-so-casual people who are looking to let down their hair for an evening and have a good time.
970-925-9714
L’Hostaria
Al fresco dining in the small patio makes for an intimate evening, but the food is the thing here. The classic vitello tonnato - thinly sliced veal with tuna sauce and capers - is an authentic representation, while the primi of ravioli di zucca, parmigiano e noci - pumpkin ravioli, walnuts, and parmesan - is a winner. The extensive menu also includes black truffle-flavored boneless quail with braised cabbage and tomatoes, veal Milanese with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Then, finish the night off with a classic tiramisu or panna cotta.
970-925-9022
Little Annie’s
A local’s hotspot, Little Annie's has probably been in Aspen as long as the silver mines. Or so it seems. Choose between barbecued spare ribs, Annie's spaghetti, or prime rib, and you're choosing one of the house specialties. For lighter fare, several salads fill out the menu, while sandwiches ranging from Reuben's to burgers round things out. A very casual place with casual food, Little Annie's has staying power.
970-925-1098
Matsuhisa
The latest in Nobu Matsuhisa's ever-growing restaurant empire, Matsuhisa serves up refined Japanese food with a distinctive Western touch. Yellowtail jalapeno is a very California version of a favorite type of tuna, while white bass with truffle is more likely to be found in Trentino than Tokyo. Kobe steak is strictly Japanese as is the tuna tempura roll with yuzu miso sauce, while limestone lettuce with rock shrimp and scallops could be appropriately served in just about any corner of the world. Almost no one is without choices here.
970-544-6628
Mezzaluna
The abundant outdoor seating serves as a welcome mat for anyone interested in enjoying the fresh mountain air. Cool, hip, and casual, Mezzaluna it's a popular place serving several salads, sandwich and pizza options. Later in the evening, it's pretty well dominated by the younger Aspen set.
970-925-5882
Montagna
Overlooking the courtyard and facing Aspen Mountain, Montagna is a well-known hot spot for locals. Offering Rocky Mountain Artisan and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the atmosphere is casual yet elegant. The talents Master Sommelier Richard Betts, who oversees a 15,000 bottle private wine cellar combine to create a very special meal. Montagna is the recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award and is available for private events.
970-920-4600
Olives Restaurant
Formerly the Ritz Hotel, the St. Regis Hotel is host to a large lounge area where locals and visitors alike congregate in front of the roaring fire. Since the summer evenings in Aspen are cool, this is a year-round ritual. Olives Restaurant, located inside of the hotel, fits the mountain setting by offering, what else, pizzas...and more.
970-920-7315
Pacifica Seafood Brasserie
The combination of outdoor seating and great-looking food hasn't hurt business at Pacifica, but it's not all aesthetic. The cornmeal-chile-spiced fried calamari is one of the best of its genre, as is the Pacifica seafood cocktail which features rock shrimp, calamari, oysters, or crab, or a combination of any of these, served in a very spicy smoked chile hot sauce and garnished with avocado, cilantro, and fresh lime. Pacifica a great place for a glass of wine and light, late fare.
970-920-9775
Pine Creek Cookhouse
Cross-country skis or a sleigh ride are required modes of transportation during the winter to get to this charming lodge, located about twenty minutes outside of Aspen. For lunch try the large salad bar and hearty sandwiches, while dinner offers a mixture of mountain and sea level food, from the oven-roasted Colorado rack of lamb with a Dijon herb crust to oven-roasted turbot with a roasted sesame cucumber sweet pepper salad and an Oriental black bean vinaigrette. Pine Creek captures a real Rocky Mountain experience.
970-925-7939
Piñons
Although Piñons isn't new, it remains the hardest reservation to get in Aspen. The serious Colorado-Western theme and the extensive wine list are just two of the draws, but ultimately the creative kitchen keeps people coming back. For example, the pheasant quesadilla with herbed goat cheese and peperonata is a casual but Colorado-based starter, while the baked Prince Edward Island mussels in puff pastry smack of a more European tradition.
970-920-2021
Range
A casual atmosphere and delicious game fare make Range a quintessential Colorado hot spot. Elk, trout, and steak make up the rustic menu, but for those less game, dishes like scallops and halibut are offered as well. The Blue Sky salad, featuring blue cheese, beets, and bacon on bibb lettuce is a great way to start and the Chocolate Lava Cake is a perfect finish to any meal
970-925-2402
Rustique
Aspen meets Provence at this popular bistro featuring food like braised short ribs with horseradish. The cheese course is always a delight, and although decidedly American, the pecan pie is worth the extra calories.
970-920-2555
Rusty’s Hickory House
Breakfast or ribs, take your pick at this Aspen mainstay. If ribs aren't your thing, then BBQ chicken or Louisiana catfish might fit the bill. Traditional breakfasts, though, are the main reason to come to this Main Street location - they're famous and filling, perfect for a pre-hike repast.
970-544-6559
Steak Pit
Serving dinner every evening from 5:30 to 10:00, the Steak Pit at Aspen is a causal and classic family friendly steakhouse. The menu offers a wide variety of hand cut steaks, fresh seafood, and a full service salad bar.
970-925-3459
Su Casa
Su Casa is refreshingly different Mexican restaurant due to its emphasis on low calorie fare that does not sacrifice on taste. Despite the downstairs location, which, from the upstairs, looks like a fancy tornado shelter, this restaurant has a lively atmosphere which at times feels like permanent Cinco de Mayo Day. The menu serves the usual array of tacos, burritos and enchiladas. It also cooks specialty dishes like carnitas, camorones, and chillies rellenos. Salads such as the Yucatan, avocado and tostada are all generous in size.
970-920-1488
Syzygy
The food at Syzygy is considered modern American. Chef Martin Oswald wants his guests to experience his diverse menu that combines the freshest ingredients and subtle flavors from around the world. The Chef's five course tasting menu is a wonderful way to taste Syzygy's variety of flavors. Signature dishes include Elk Tenderloin, Vintage Beef and Fois Gras. Expand this experience by matching fine wines with each course.
Syzygy has two separate dining areas, both of which are available for private parties.
970-925-3700
Takah Sushi
This Japanese restaurant is a little more sedate and serious, although there's no lack of fun as well as creativity, since many locals choose this as their authentic Japanese dining experience. A large sushi menu is offered, including the basics as well as a nightly chalkboard of specials. For those who prefer their food cooked, the appetizers range from gyoza (potstickers) to miso soup, while some entrees go beyond the borders of Japan in the form of pad thai and vegetarian pad thai.
970-925-8588
Wild Fig
A popular and sometimes boisterous environment, Wild Fig serves up food that can silence even the most raucous groups. The food is Mediterranean, including everything from their riff on the traditional fatoush salad comprised of chopped greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and torn pita chips to duck confit and sea bass en papillote. Save room for the chocolate desserts and have fun with the creative wine list.
970-925-5160
Willow Creek Bistro
Willow Creek is where contemporary American cuisine and local ingredients blend with traditional techniques. Come and join us for a Warm relaxed breakfast, an innovative lunch, or an elegant dinner prepared by Chef Aaron Bennett and his talented staff. Attend a "Chef's Corner" session where Chef Aaron and his staff prepare an impromptu multi course tasting menu. Watch the chefs cook right before your eyes and experience each chef presenting and describing what they have just prepared for you.
970-429-2327
Woody Creek Tavern
This place is as rustic as it sounds, and as a result, attracts mountain people and mountain bikers alike. It's a stop along Woody Creek and also along the Rio Grande bike trail that begins in the middle of Aspen. Offering BBQ and Southwest-style food, this Tavern is a must for anyone interested in some seriously local flavor and some surprisingly decent food.
970-925-4585
Zocalito Latin Bistro
Located in the old Takah Sushi space on the Hyman Avenue mall, Zocalito’s eclectic dishes, like fried calamari with annato seed-garlic vinaigrette, shrimp and tilapia ceviche, chicken mole with beans, choyote squash and potatoes, confirm that there is no other restaurant like Zocalito in town. Head downstairs for a feisty meal, or just enjoy a specialty cocktail before your late night romp through town.
970-920-1991
