Food & Beverage

Where to Find Vegetarian & Gluten-Free Food in the Roaring Fork Valley

Gone are the days when vegetarians and gluten-free diners were limited to a sad side salad and a baked potato. Throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, chefs are embracing seasonal ingredients, creative preparations, and menus that make everyone at the table feel included.Whether you're fully vegetarian, gluten-free by necessity, or simply looking to eat a little lighter between mountain adventures, these restaurants are serving some of the valley's most flavorful options.

Ajax Tavern

Famous for its patio scene, and community table indoors. Order their Wagyu Double Cheeseburger on a stellar GF bun, or pair their winter Tomato Soup with a Grilled Cheese on GF bread

Bosq | Aspen

Chef Barclay Dodge has built a national reputation around ingredients sourced from forests, farms, and fields. Vegetables often take center stage here, and Bosq is one of the few restaurants where vegetarians can enjoy a true fine-dining experience. The kitchen is exceptionally accommodating of dietary restrictions, including gluten-free requests.

Catchsteak Aspen

  • Features decadent Potato Croquettes with Crème Fraîche and Caviar
  • Jing Aspen

    Known for its vibrant Asian fusion menu, sushi program, fresh seafood, and lively downtown energy, Jing offers a surprising number of naturally gluten-free choices, from sashimi and sushi selections to seafood, steak, and many of its signature Asian-inspired dishes. The owner of Jing Restaurant in Aspen is Chef Frank Lu., famously known in the area for his passionate, larger-than-life personality, his fun approach to customer interactions, and his unconventional stunts to promote his high-end Asian fusion menu. He has even been known to step out of the kitchen to feed random pedestrians American Wagyu steak on the streets of Aspen to showcase his food. [1]

    Matsuhisa

  • They have a dedicated gluten-free menu featuring safe soy sauce options. Their Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño are absolute must-tries.
  • Mawa's Kitchen | Aspen

    Chef Mawa McQueen has long championed healthy, flavorful dining. From vibrant grain bowls and fresh salads to globally inspired vegetable dishes, Mawa's Kitchen offers plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian choices without sacrificing flavor.

    Meat & Cheese | Aspen

    Don't let the name fool you. Alongside its celebrated charcuterie program, Meat & Cheese offers seasonal vegetable dishes, salads, grain bowls, and gluten-free options that make it a favorite lunch stop for those seeking lighter fare.

    Spring Café | Aspen


    A must for plant-based and gluten-free dining, Spring Café has long been one of Aspen’s go-to spots for clean, vibrant food that still feels satisfying. A celiac-friendly haven offering delicious GF avocado toast and blueberry pancakes made with whole foods. From smoothies and juices to hearty bowls, salads, soups, and gluten-free baked goods, it’s an easy favorite for breakfast, lunch, or a healthy reset between adventures.

    Swedish Hill at the Aspen Art Museum | Aspen


    Located on the rooftop of the Aspen Art Museum, Swedish Hill is your destination for coffee, freshly baked breads and pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, soups, pastas and other specials. Take it to-go or grab a seat in the cafe or on the outdoor patio. Serving a cafe and bar menu from 8am-4pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.

    Wild Fig | Aspen & Willits

    Mediterranean cuisine naturally lends itself to plant-forward dining, making Wild Fig one of the easiest places in the valley to enjoy a vegetarian meal that doesn't feel like an afterthought. Think hummus, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, Mediterranean spreads, and seasonal dishes inspired by the flavors of Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the Middle East. Many menu items can also be adapted for gluten-free diners.

    The Village Smithy | Carbondale

    Known primarily for breakfast, The Village Smithy is surprisingly accommodating to gluten-free diners. Their gluten-free pancakes have developed something of a cult following, and vegetarians will find plenty of breakfast classics to enjoy.

    Phat Thai | Carbondale

    Thai cuisine offers some of the best naturally gluten-free and vegetarian dining in the valley. Tofu curries, vegetable stir-fries, rice noodle dishes, and fresh herbs create vibrant meals packed with flavor.

    White House Pizza | Carbondale

    A longtime local favorite, White House Pizza offers gluten-free crusts and plenty of vegetable-forward topping combinations. It's an easy crowd-pleaser when dining with a group that includes both gluten-free and vegetarian eaters.

    Sprazzo | Carbondale

    Italian restaurants aren't always known for accommodating dietary restrictions, but Sprazzo offers gluten-free pasta and thoughtful vegetarian options. The kitchen is happy to work with guests to create dishes that fit their needs, while still delivering the comfort and indulgence Italian food is known for.

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    Corneliu Fagaraşan
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    Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

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    I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

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    I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

    It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

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    I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more  integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up  I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

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    What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

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    Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

    Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

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    I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

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    I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series.  From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!” 
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    Construction Litigation

    Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

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    ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

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    Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

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    Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

    Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

    Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings
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    Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

    Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography
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    I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

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    Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.
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    Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

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    We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!