Locals love fine dining, but the fact of the matter is that many of us are fitting in a packed schedule of juggling jobs, kids, and hard-core workouts in the mountains, and so when we do make the decision to dine out we prefer to eat somewhere where we don't have to give up our first-born to enjoy our meal, and thus we opt to order off of a bar menu rather than have a full-on dining experience unless of course, our visiting friends decide to treat us . For many, the criteria begins with a warm and social atmosphere, a bar menu, friendly bartenders, and to keep some dollars in our pockets after tipping our friends who are serving us.  Below, we’ve highlighted 5 delicious spots, from slope-side Raclette and truffle fries, to dimly-lit date night venues for chilled wine and Crudo.

Aspen Restaurants

Ask any local directions and be prepared to hear how to get there, but not by street names, and possibly by saying, take a left at what used to be Red Onion, or Little Annie's, or L’Hostaria, Mezzaluna's, or Jour de Fete. With so many of our beloved locally owned hang outs having to shut down due to ridiculously sky-high rents, we barely know our town anymore. And we certainly don't know street names ... it's a thing. Don't ask me why. But as luck will have it in a resort town, new restaurants move in, like Mt. Rubirosa, that brings Mulberry Street to Aspen, and although we tend not to order full on entrees at these new spots, we still visit to enjoy small bites and new flavors. Locals love fine dining. The fact of the matter is that many of us are fitting in a packed schedule of juggling jobs, kids, and hard-core workouts in the mountains, and so when we do make the decision to dine out we prefer to eat somewhere where we don't have to give up our first-born to enjoy our meal, and thus we prefer to order off of a bar menu rather than have a full-on dining experience, unless of course our visiting friends decide to treat us 

For many, the criteria begin with a warm and social atmosphere, a bar menu, friendly bartenders, and to keep some dollars in our pockets after tipping our friends who are serving us.  Below Annette has rounded up some of our local favorites. Enjoy!

Whether you're local or visiting, this is your insider guide to the newest must-visit spots in Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt and Carbondale, Colorado.

Ajax Tavern

Special Review by Guest Writer Annette Gallagher Weisman

COMFORT FOOD!  If your furrowed brow needs soothing, order as I did, the Organic Chicken – a roasted half chicken, carrot hummus, shishitos, and shimeji, at the Ajax Tavern.  I also had their famous Truffle Fries and a glass of Gruner Veltliner. Bliss.

It felt great to be dining outdoors on the deck with a view of the last of the fall colors on Ajax Mountain, enhanced by a typical bluebird blue Colorado sky. 

As I love the Tavern’s Truffle Fries they are especially salty so you may want to request less, or none, if it’s a problem for you. Otherwise the food was superb as usual. Great company too!

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Annette Gallagher Weisman is a freelance writer who has been coming to Aspen for a long time. An award-winning essayist, she writes about food, wine, books, and travel. Annette has been published in several national and regional publications including People, TheWineBuzz, and EdibleAspen. In her spare time, Annette is an avid reader, cook, and tennis player, and was once told by an Aspen ski instructor “You don’t ski badly for an Irish person.”

Bear Den Aspen

Locally owned and operated, you’ll recognize Bear Den from its adorable and Instagram worthy Victorian façade and intimate interior where they serve food with incredibly fresh ingredients and delicious and always satisfying coffee. Bear Den is situated within historic Lilly Reed cottage right in downtown. 

The brain-child of Alia Joonas and her business and life partner Bridger Smith, Bear's Den was designed with the idea of comfort, warmth and good vibes in mind, Joonas offers an inviting fireplace, an open kitchen, and a quaint bodega for pick up food as well. Inspired by global cuisine, Joonas offers family style dining and small plates, perfect for a low-key apres, or a romantic date downstairs.

At just 28 years old, Joonas has managed to execute a business plan in a town known for some of the most expensive real estate in America. Bear Den serves soups, salads, sandwiches and personal recipes from Joonas’ childhood in Northern Spain’s Basque like Toasted Polenta with Tomato Tapenade, Cider-Braised Spanish Chorizo, and Anchovy Crème-Stuffed Manzanilla Olives. 

Joonas also pays homage to her childhood roots, being brought up in the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius by featuring a savory Chicken Tikka Masala. The space is made with such love that it even features furniture from Joonas’ own home. A dimly lit space with warm wood tables, it's both elegant and casual, while still feeling like something you’ve never quite experienced.

If you’re popping by for a drink and a place to warm up post-ski, we recommend ordering the La Chula, a tequila drink made with the finest on the shelf, tequila 8 silver, ancho reyes liquor, peach liquor, pomegranate and lime juice, fever tree soda, and a jalapeño garnish. Eccentric and diverse in flavor, you can almost taste this drink as much as you can smell it.

Serving up great food all day, Bear Den curates three menus, each featuring signature cocktails. Check out their “Vive la vie” drink list for all the fun cocktails you can pair with your meal!

If alcohol in the morning isn’t your thing, lovely baristas at the coffee bar have you covered. I love coffee, but lately, a cold-pressed juice in the morning makes my day!

All of Bear Den’s “organic and made from scratch” juices are yummy, but I gravitate to their Cleanse blend. Of course, with three curated menus, Bear Den is a great choice any time of day. Oysters pair well with a Basil Faulty for an Aspen twist on date night. After dinner, the desserts here are the indulgence you deserve. If your night is set to continue after dinner, I recommend the affogato for a fun late-night pick-me-up.

Bear Den Aspen is my go-to brunch favorite! On a given day, you can find me enjoying a cleanse juice blend. When I’m feeling frisky, I’ll ease into the weekend with a Coco Loco and Huevos Rancheros!

Betula

By Annette Gallagher Weisman

The best cocktails in town may arguably be at Betula upstairs on E. Cooper Ave.; it certainly has some of the prettiest. ~ Janet O’ Grady, freelance writer for The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, New York Times & other publications, and the former co-founder and editor-in-chief of Aspen Magazine, raves about Betula’s cocktails:

A conversation curiosity is the curvaceous glass they serve its refreshing Drink Me from the Bottom cocktail in, with vodka, ginger, strawberry lime, and a kick of birch and basil tincture. I’m also loving its cool drinking Gustavia Secret with pear vodka. St. Germain, grapefruit and lime juice.

O’Grady’s descriptions make me want to scamper up those stairs and join her at “the long cozy bar” where she often orders Crudos. A favorite of hers is, The Tuna Ceviche served with crispy black rice and guacamole, as well as the Tuna Tacos and Hamachi Tiradito. And for something a little different I’ll order the Elk Carpaccio with shiitakes and yuzu soy sauce.  

From Jillian: Maybe by now, you’re thinking like I am “I’ll have what she’s having.” 

I also love Betula. Aside from the bar, you can order their Pan-American French cuisine in the lounge. But on a bluebird sky day, I love to sit outside on the patio and drink in the view of Ajax, while whetting my appetite with Pulpo Anticuchero (fresno pepper grilled octopus), a glass of Sancerre in hand.

Bosq Aspen

Chef C. Barclay Dodge of Bosq Aspen is a forager and an innovator, creating the most incredible dishes from locally sourced ingredients. A well traveled man to exotic places, Chef Barclay is forever intrigued by new flavors and cultures, and working in Michelin starred restaurants in Spain and New York are also where he draws immense inspiration.

Originally from Aspen, cooking quickly became a deep love of Chef Dodge’s since the restaurants were one of the few places that would employ the youth. For the last twenty-five years, he has traveled and cooked between Aspen and other parts of the country and globe. He developed a great reputation and clientele and the community is always curious as to what is next for the talented chef. When visiting, ask Chef Barclay about his sweet daughters and his beautiful wife Molly, and you’ll see the most beautiful smile emerge.

** We love Chef Barclay so much he spoke in our very first Aspen Connect event, and we threw our VIP party there one year. Read more about Bosq on the blog.

Campo De Fiori

Campo de Fiori is located in the heart of Aspen and has a lively bar with the friendliest of bartenders.  Elizabeth Plotke, owner and founder, has enlisted an all-star group of employees to help her keep this iconic Aspen staple in business for over 26 years including; Local legend Chris Carmichael, Bar Manager, is part of the Campo family and adds to the energy, always ready for an authentic conversation. And then there is “Campo Dave,” Dave Ellsweig, who greets you at the door with his handsomeness and charming smile. Led by Chef Giuseppe Garofalo, the culinary vision here is classic Italian curated using local and fresh ingredients along with Italian wines.

Cache Cache

Cache Cache is downstairs in Mill Street Plaza. As you enter, you can’t miss the large horseshoe bar on the left. Facing you is a wall of wine behind glass, which has an eye-catching lapis-colored background. I like to sit at the bar with my back to the wine looking out. Better still, when it's warm enough, I nab one of the few bar tables by the windows, which open up to the patio and provide endless people-watching entertainment.

Cache Cache used to have an excellent bar menu including Coq au Vin. While it has not been reinstated post-Covid, one can still order off the dinner menu some personal favorites of mine, such as the onion soup and Organic Scottish Salmon Tartare along with Champers or sparkling wine which always elevates my mood. Oh and those lighter-than-air house potato chips.  Yum! I wish I had some now.

Catchsteak

Bringing a more modern, high-energy steakhouse experience to Aspen, Catch Steak has quickly become one of the town’s buzziest dinner reservations. The space blends sleek contemporary design with a lively atmosphere that feels equally suited for a celebratory night out, cocktails with friends, or a stylish après-dinner scene.

The menu elevates the traditional steakhouse format with beautifully presented cuts of meat, seafood-forward dishes, inventive sides, and globally influenced flavors that feel lighter and more modern than the classic steakhouse experience. Expect indulgent presentations, strong cocktails, and an energetic dining room filled with both visitors and locals looking for a scene.

While Aspen certainly has no shortage of steakhouses, Catch Steak brings a distinctly cosmopolitan energy to the dining landscape that feels very much in step with Aspen’s evolving social and culinary culture.

Clark's Oyster Bar 

The vibe at Clark's, an oyster bar and American restaurant, is warm, inviting, fun and lively, all while maintaining a chic elegance and sophisticated flair. Previously Little Annie’s the exterior of Clark’s pulls you in with its picturesque flower box-lined windows. Inside, wood beams line the ceiling to compliment a shiny, rustic bar. The dining room, outfitted with a quirky fish tank, feels a bit Nantucket chic with wood beams on the ceiling, a charming white fireplace, paintings of sailboats lining the walls.

WHAT to order: Seafood. Although it may sound like a bit of a juxtaposition, slurping down East Coast oysters at 7,908 feet above sea level, but try these aphrodisiacs in the mountains and see what happens with all that abounding energy, and no one serves them up quite like Clark’s. The mussels come with clams. Dip the delicious crusty sourdough bread in the white wine and herbed broth, and be sure to order a tower of shoestring fries for a side, and don’t miss out on the Linguine and Clams. Served on a warm bed of fresh linguine, this plate features a very generous portion of big juicy clams along the side—top it all off with a lemon cream sauce, and you’ve got grade-A comfort food. The menu also features several classics like clam chowder and a monster lush lobster roll. 

For lunch, there’s nothing more satisfying than the classic BLT. Served on two thick slices of bread, this simple entrée has become a local favorite, as has the House Burger—served alongside a heaping portion of shoestring fries, it’s the perfect après meal, especially when paired with a cold beer on draft.

Happy Hour in Aspen is the new dinner hour and a surefire staple for regulars and après-skiers/bikers, with $10 burgers, $8 martinis and, in an ode to both Clark’s hometown, an $8 shot-and-a-beer at any time for locals, or try the Clark’s Crush, along with some other tasty bread served with condiments and salty radishes, or a glass of Sancerre followed by an espresso. For dessert try the Basque Cake, a subliminal reminder, perhaps, of Little Annie’s popular Bundt Cake. 

Walking out the front door into the sunshine, there are tables outside which are new. Not new is the wooden cabin-like frontage with window frames painted a nautical blue instead of red. It brings to mind a poignant sign on the door of Little Annie’s that said “Closed Forever Thanks”; it is heartening to see the building looks so similar to the original, a tribute to the former restaurant, its owners, and staff who worked there. 

Duemani

Carlos, Jason, Darko, Chef Pak, Nick, and the entire front and back-of-house team of Duemani orchestrated a truly magical evening for our Aspen Business Connect members and special guests one holiday season. Their meticulous attention to detail and gracious hospitality exceeded our expectations in every way. What started as a request for 1 comped drink turned into an offering of 2 types of wine and 2 custom batched cocktails. Our simple ask for a few light bites on the bar transformed into an exquisite selection of fine dining passed canapés. The team's generosity knew no bounds as they extended the hours from 5-6:30 p.m. to the entire evening, topped off with an unexpected karaoke party in the private dining room.

We wholeheartedly recommend considering them for your private dinner celebration in the cozy wine room downstairs. Allow them to weave their magic and become a part of your extended family, just as they have become an integral part of ours.

Ellina

Ellina is on E. Hyman Ave., and has outdoor tables both below in the courtyard and at street level. Its eclectic menu includes northern Italian fare. and owner Jill Carnevale says they’ve  added some bar favorites to the main menu, such as five kinds of tacos, and calamari. The bar itself is three-sided like Cache Cache, but smaller, seating fourteen people.  Order La Boca del Diablo. It’s a unique take on a margarita with cilantro and lime.

Unless you want to be alone, bars such as Ellina’s are a convivial place to be. No sooner has one person exited than you have a new dining companion. 

French Alpine Bistro = Crepe Du Village

If it’s romance you’re in the mood for, look no further than the award-winning, always satisfying French Alpine Bistro AKA Crêperie du Village. Tucked downstairs under the corner of Hopkins Avenue and Mill Street in downtown Aspen, you'll feel as though you have stepped into a cozy café in France oozing romance with extravagant chandeliers and gold candelabras lighting the dark wooden space, fur throws and plush pillows encasing each table, and renaissance artwork lining the walls. Take your time here. Inhale the scents of France and bask in the warm and charming atmosphere (whether indoors or out on the heated patio).

With a rich menu filled with love enhancing items like Gruyere Gnocchi, Beef Bourguignon, Steak Tartare, Escargot, and of course—Fondue, you will be certain to impress your date, if you're on one. What’s more, if you’re down to splurge on a 3-course meal, each item is perfect to share. Pair your food with a full-bodied red wine straight from the French Alps, the perfect aphrodisiac,

The menu here goes all-in on fondues, both of the meat and cheese variety. If you can manage to save enough space in your stomach for an entrée, start by ordering a bottle of Grüner and Raclette, served over a bed of fingerling potatoes. Here to après? Try a chilled white wine, and a bowl of the Ham and Bean Soup in the outdoor chalet. It’s a warm, cozily enclosed cabin adorned with tall heat lamps, and fur throws, with views of snow and Ajax just outside the windows. The steak fondue is a local favorite, featuring a tender thinly sliced top sirloin steak served with three dipping sauces: green peppercorn glaze, saffron aioli, and romesco. In the way of entrees, we recommend the Nirvana Crepe, a fluffy and satisfying savory pancake topped with toasted coconut, with fragrant chicken and coconut curry veggies folded in.

Home Team Bbq Aspen

An all-time favorite family restaurant just a few minutes downvalley from Aspen proper at the base of Buttermilk Mountain is Home Team BBQ. Located within The Inn at Aspen, Home Team was born and raised out of Charleston, South Carolina. 

Cache Cache Executive Chef and Partner Chris Lanter is the head chef and pitmaster.

Gather around the cozy sitting nook by the stone-covered fireplace, or cuddle in with your pod in a booth with handcrafted wood tables and get ready to get seriously quiet while gobbling down the Baked Queso along with crispy chicken wings with a dry rub, With six hot sauces along the edge of the table, it’s tempting to sample them all. Try their Alabama White Sauce, it will keep you drooling for more. 

“One of Home Team’s most important goals… was not only to create a great experience and send guests home happy after each visit, but also to provide opportunities for our loyal staff to give back to the local community that continues to support them.”

If you just need to Zamboni the stress away, sidle up to the fun circular 25-seat bar and watch a game on their multiple TV's while drinking frozen Game Changers (but be ready for your game to actually change). Try the combo, their famous chicken wings with a Tatooine; Jalapeño, Arbol Chile Infused Altos Blanco, Prickly Pear, Fresh Lime, Agave, Citrus Salt, Grapefruit Bitters or a Home Team Michelada; Coors Banquet, Natural Blonde, Pepper Vinegar.

No Reservations.

Hotel Jerome 

Located on Main Street, there’s no way you can miss Hotel Jerome, one of Aspen's most famous spots for its rich history and influx of famous guests from cowboys to miners, celebrities to politicians, remain the heartbeat of all things “Aspen”. 

Back in the day, cowboys and miners once rode their horses through its doors, and Hunter S. Thompson turned a corner of the bar into his office during his bid for sheriff. What's more, thanks to its happening buzz and Old West vibe, the J-Bar at hotel Jerome continues to be the spot for ski bums and celebrities alike to converse over a beer or a craft cocktail. ‌

Built in 1889 by Jerome B. Wheeler (1841–1918), the Hotel Jerome was Aspen’s original luxury hotel. After the 1893 silver crash destroyed the town’s economy, the hotel survived as a boardinghouse and slipped into comfortable shabbiness. When Aspen developed into a resort after World War II, the Jerome played host to movie stars and celebrities. In the 1980s the hotel received a full renovation that restored it to its original Victorian elegance. 

A little history: when prohibition struck in 1920, the ‌Jerome‌ turned ‌into‌ ‌an‌ ‌alcohol-free‌ ‌soda‌ ‌fountain. Of course, this being the Wild West, Aspenites rebelled, and began pouring liquor into J-Bar's vanilla milkshakes. Enter, the birth of the Aspen Crud. A ‌131-year-old‌ ‌Aspen‌ go-to ‌that’s‌ ‌been sipped on by everyone from John Wayne to modern day A-list celebrities, it’s one of the most iconic beverages in town, a simple yet satisfying recipe made with Jerome’s freshly churned vanilla ice cream mixed thoroughly with 4 shots of Buffalo Trace bourbon. While Hotel Jerome has seen many changes in its lifetime, the Crud lives on. What began as a refreshingly sneaky way to slip alcohol into a dessert is now a staple in town, but the only way to know to order it is through the local barfly who will tell you what's what the second you sidle up to the historical bar. Also check out the Living Room bar in the back, a more elegant and sophisticated area to sip on a scotch  and people watch.

Jing

Kaspia

Kaspia Aspen refers to the temporary, Parisian-based dining experience Caviar Kaspia at The Snow Lodge in the St. Regis Hotel and leans into its heritage of luxury. Think caviar-topped everything, champagne, and an indulgent Alpine-meets-Parisian vibe. A must for special occasions or decadent nights out. Opens December 12, 2025, through March 2026 (double check to make sure they are on schedule).

Lola 41 at The White Elephant 

Landing from Nantucket to Aspen, Lola 41 brings its globally inspired menu and stylish, buzzy atmosphere to the mountains. Sushi, steak, cocktails, and design-forward décor make this an instant hotspot for both après and late-night dining.White Elephant – The Palm Beach Icon Lands in Aspen

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Mt Rubirosa

The legendary Rubirosa from NYC brings its thin-crust pizzas, red-sauce comfort dishes, and warm East Coast energy to the mountains. Expect lines, loyalists, and a whole new pizza scene.

Marea At the Snow Lodge

Award winning Marea is popping up at The Snow Lodge this winter, merging coastal Italian sophistication with Aspen’s après culture. Fresh crudos, exquisite pastas, and chic atmosphere make this the go-to dinner-for-two or glamorous group night out. The award-winning Marea Restaurant, created by leading hospitality firm Altamarea Group, will open its doors at The Snow Lodge, located within The St. Regis Aspen Resort, on December 17, 2025.

“Aspen, with its unique balance of sophistication and vibrancy, is a natural home for our next chapter. We’re delighted to follow our clients to their seasonal outposts and bring our convivial spirit to this iconic winter destination,” shared Ahmass Fakahany, Founder and CEO of Altamarea Group.

With menu design and culinary direction by Marea Brand Executive Chef, PJ Calapa, Marea at The Snow Lodge presents an artful evolution of the restaurant’s coastal Italian identity—where the soul of the fresh sea meets the clean altitude of Aspen. The menu reflects Marea’s most iconic expressions, from pristine crudi and hand-rolled pastas to luminous seafood compositions, including the renowned fusilli pasta—a decadent pairing of octopus and bone marrow—and astice, butter-poached lobster with soft burrata.

For Aspen, Chef Calapa introduces a selection of dishes created exclusively for this mountain outpost, interpreted with a refined sensibility and deep respect for regional seasonality. Highlights include Rotolo Bianco, a delicate white Bolognese layered with Tuscan kale, ricotta, Parmesan, fennel, and tarragon; and Capillina, a textured frisée salad with poached egg, tuna lardon, and Barolo vinaigrette.

The experience is complemented by an award-winning wine program curated by Senior Brand Director, Francesco Grosso, whose cellar bridges Italy’s grand estates with global discoveries—each chosen to harmonize with Aspen’s rhythm, from the glow of après-ski through to the quiet indulgence of late evening.

“We are pleased to welcome Marea Restaurant to The St. Regis Aspen Resort this winter season,” said Heather Steenge-Hart, Area General Manager of Marriott International’s Luxury Mountain Resorts (The St. Regis Aspen Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, The St. Regis Deer Valley, Viewline Resort Snowmass, and W Aspen). “Marea’s exquisite coastal Italian menu and globally- renowned hospitality are a welcome addition to our property, and to Aspen.”

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Mawa's Kitchen

Tucked into the Aspen Airport Business Center, far from the velvet-rope Aspen scene, Chef Mawa McQueen has created one of the valley’s most soulful and original culinary destinations. The MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant blends Afro-Mediterranean flavors with French technique and Colorado ingredients in a way that somehow feels both elevated and deeply comforting.

Born on the Ivory Coast and raised in France, Mawa’s story is as layered as her cooking. Before becoming one of Colorado’s most celebrated chefs, she arrived in Aspen with little more than grit, vision, and a fierce work ethic. Today she is a James Beard semifinalist, cookbook author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and one of the few chefs in Aspen whose work genuinely reflects a global life experience rather than simply borrowing from one.

At Mawa's Kitchen, the menu shifts seasonally and moves fluidly between cultures. One moment you’re eating black-eyed pea hummus or West African-inspired gumbo, the next a beautifully executed French dish or an impossibly fresh brunch spread. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious, something surprisingly rare in resort towns.

Next door to the flagship restaurant is Mawita, her newer tapas and wine concept, where familiar flavors from Mawa’s Kitchen reappear in smaller, more playful forms designed for lingering evenings and shared plates. Then there’s Crepe Therapy Café, her casual downtown Aspen creperie, where locals and visitors grab both sweet and savory crepes between meetings, ski laps, or coffee walks through town. The concept feels approachable and unfussy while still carrying the same thread present in all of Mawa’s ventures: comfort food infused with personality and care.

And beyond the restaurants themselves, Mawa has quietly built an entire ecosystem around hospitality—private aviation catering, events, cooking classes, wellness-focused products, and her gluten-free granola line, Mawa's GrainFreeNola.

What Mawa McQueen has really built is something Aspen could use more of: businesses with soul.

Tip: I’ve always wanted to throw a party in her bar.

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Meet And Cheese

Industrial but inviting, the brick façade is complimented by large windows and a moody interior. The hybrid nature of Meat and Cheese means you can speak to their experts about gourmet ingredients for your next dish.

“Meat and Cheese is a celebration of food as prepared in home kitchens everywhere, a style we refer to as World Farmhouse. Using locally sourced, sustainably raised ingredients as our starting point, we engage in the culinary traditions of Asia, Europe and the Americas to create a menu meant for sharing that is eclectic yet recognizable for its traditional techniques.”

I enjoy their kale salad with rotisserie chicken and Brussels sprouts. Sometimes my friends and I swing by for the creamed corn – just saying.I completely agree; I think Meat and Cheese does fill a niche. Elegant, savory food compliments an airy, familial atmosphere. It’s the kind of restaurant I would take my grandparents to catch up over a light lunch and great wine.

A Bee’s Tea and Quesabirria Tacos to share? Yes please!

** Note: Be sure to check out the beautiful mural gracing the walls of Meat & Cheese. It was created by Ouizi, whose work the original owners, Wendy and Todd Mitchell, found at Astro Coffee in Detroit.

Parc Aspen

Maryanne & Harley Sefton are the owners of PARC Aspen. Culinary operations are led by award-winning Executive Chef Stefano Schiaffino, who took the helm at the restaurant in March 2026. PARC Aspen has two distinct dining experiences: a lively bar area where locals and visitors gather for drinks and casual bites, and a more refined dining room that provides a cozy, candlelit ambiance perfect for intimate dinners. The restaurant is celebrated for its expansive wine list, which features over 1,300 selections, and creative dishes such as elk carpaccio, coq au vin, and Colorado striped bass.

For reservations and more details, you can visit their website or check out reviews to get a feel for the unique experiences they offer.

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Petit Trois Inside Mollie

Award-winning hotel MOLLIE Aspen and acclaimed French bistro Petit Trois will debut a new Petit Trois location in Aspen, Colorado, set to open in early December 2025. The restaurant will mark the third location for Petit Trois and the first outside of Los Angeles for celebrated Chef Ludo Lefebvre who brings the charm and warmth of a Parisian bistro to the U.S.

Known for his bold creativity and meticulous technique honed over 12 years training under
culinary legends in France, Chef Ludo has earned accolades including a Michelin Star, Relais & Châteaux’s World’s 50 Greatest Chefs, and James Beard Award nominations.

In Aspen, Petit Trois offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in its full-service dining room, lounge, and bar. The menu will stay true to Petit Trois’ core, with a blend of bistro classics and modern dishes driven by local ingredients. An extensive wine list curated by Chef Ludo's partners – Master Sommeliers and Little Nell alums – Dustin Wilson and Sabato Sagaria will focus on French and California wines, with an emphasis on by-the-glass selections from top producers.

Pine Creek Cookhouse

For an alpine fairytale, cross-country ski or take a horse-drawn sleigh to this mountain lodge at the end of Castle Creek Road. Expect wild game, fresh fish, and organic, locally-sourced fare with views of Elk Mountain. Tip: If you’re tentative on cross country skis, take the sleigh, and say hello to the Wilcox’s for me - I love them.

Steakhouse #316

SteakHouse # 316, on E. Hopkins Ave reminds us of a cozy NYC steakhouse, but with the charm of a classic old Aspen home. We love the ambiance with red velvet curtains and booths and the walls are filled with mirrors and old vintage photographs.  

The miso green beans with Shishito Peppers are a must and the Mussels and Frites and Oysters Rockefeller are also delicious, as is the juicy bone-in filet. Don’t skip the extensive list of sauce options.

As for cocktails, we love La Flama Blanca, a perfect combo of spicy and sweet. And for dessert? Try  the bread pudding,  drizzled with salty caramel and pecans and served with vanilla bean ice cream. 

Wayan

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West End Social

West End Social is carving out a fresh space in Aspen as the ultimate social hub, offering a vibrant escape from the town’s usual traffic and bustle. Perched with incredible mountain views, this lively spot reinvents itself every night with a new theme, keeping the energy and excitement constantly evolving. From indulgent $95 prix fixe dinners to the laid-back Monday night Burgers & Brews, West End Social is designed for locals and visitors alike who want to gather, savor, and celebrate life in a place that’s equal parts stylish, social, and surprisingly relaxed.

White House Tavern

Square on the corner of Monarch and Hopkins in downtown is White House Tavern. This unassuming Carpenter Gothic miner’s cottage brings Aspen’s silver legacy to the modern age. A warm, wood interior is accented by bold industrial elements. If you can enjoy a table on the porch, people-watching is a treat!

“Guests can expect a lively and convivial atmosphere featuring an exhibition kitchen and interesting artworks set in a warm, wood paneled space.”

Ever the curated menu, White House Tavern keeps it simple, letting its dishes shine. While their menu stays consistent throughout the year, they will feature certain ingredients in new dishes on occasion.

With a full bar, White House Tavern keeps you sippin’ pretty while enjoying one of their menu staples. These staples include their daily French dips, Macho salad, and, of course, the best chicken sandwich this side of the valley!

I enjoy their kale salad with rotisserie chicken and Brussels sprouts. Sometimes my friends and I swing by for the creamed corn – just saying.I completely agree; I think Meat and Cheese does fill a niche. Elegant, savory food compliments an airy, familial atmosphere. It’s the kind of restaurant I would take my grandparents to catch up over a light lunch and great wine.

Wild Fig Aspen

One of CP Restaurant Group’s first restaurants now of many, Wild Fig offers Mediterranean cuisine in a European Brasserie atmosphere in Aspen, and soon to be in Willits as well. Their burrata and prosciutto with fresh figs is a favorite as is their 8 oz Filet Mignon with wild fig frites, cognac green peppercorn demi and their Fish in a Bag with roasted campari tomatoes.  

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