21 Must-Try Restaurants in Aspen

Mawa McQueen has traveled the world on her culinary journey, but she has made Aspen her home for over two decades. Her family-run business, McQueen Hospitality, is located just outside of town, where the James Beard semifinalist welcomes guests directly into the kitchen for healthy yet gourmet meals at breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Known affectionately as “the queen” by her devoted patrons, she crafts rotating menus inspired by her French and African roots. Last season, the team launched Mawita, a Latin-inspired Mytoury, adding to the Crepe Shack in the Collective Snowmass.

Chef Chris Lanter, co-owner of Aspen’s upscale French-American establishment Cache Cache, expanded his culinary portfolio by introducing this South Carolina barbecue joint to the mountains in 2016. Located at the base of the Buttermilk ski area, which hosts the X Games Aspen every January, Home Team offers house-smoked meats, classic Southern sides, and unique frozen cocktails. Beyond the X Games, this family-friendly venue broadcasts various sports, making it a perfect stop for any game day. Catering, bulk orders, and party platter options are also available.

This original Aspen location of the celebrated LA-based restaurant showcases exquisite sushi and other signature dishes from renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Housed in a century-old Victorian building on Main Street, the restaurant features a grand dining area downstairs and a cozy lounge with a sushi bar on the main level. Two omakase menus are offered. Be sure to secure a reservation for the exclusive Nobu in Town nights, where the chef himself prepares his signature creations, engages with guests, and signs cookbooks.

This chic trattoria, whose name means “mouthwatering,” offers an authentic taste of Rome, inspired by former owner Luigi Giordani’s hometown. The extensive menu features all the staples: antipasti, insalate, ministre, paste, secondi, and contorni, along with a wide selection of pizzas expertly wood-fired in an imported oven. Acquolina was acquired by Aspen Hospitality Group in 2021, but culinary director chef Jason Franey is committed to preserving its original charm. The restaurant also boasts one of the finest bars in town, often referred to by locals as the “Sistine Chapel of liquor,” filled with an impressive array of international spirits.

You can't go wrong at a Hillstone Restaurant Group establishment, hailed by Bon Appetit in 2016 as the owners of “America’s favorite restaurant.” Since its opening nearly a decade ago in a historic miner’s cottage from 1883, the always-bustling White House Tavern has been serving up timeless classics on a concise menu. Be sure to try the Macho Salad, Honor Burger, or crispy chicken sandwich.

Emphasizing local ingredients, Meat & Cheese serves a diverse array of dishes. The seasonal menu features what owner Wendy Mitchell describes as “world farmhouse” cuisine, accompanied by generous charcuterie boards perfect for sharing. Guests can also purchase cured meats, seafood, cheeses, artisanal breads, specialty sauces, and stylish kitchenware from the neighboring gourmet grocery. In the evenings, visit the atmospheric Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar downstairs for creative drinks like the Chronic Tonic 2.0, a CBD-infused twist on the classic gin and tonic.

Meaning “two hands” in Italian, Duemani presents an elegant Mediterranean-inspired menu that highlights flavors from the Italian and French coasts. In 2022, managing partner Carlos Solorzano-Smith appointed Aspen local Jesus Alvarado as executive chef. Alvarado’s winter menu showcases his decade of experience at Matsuhisa. Signature dishes include scallop crudo, tuna tartare, grilled octopus salad, and branzino served with puttanesca sauce, alongside hearty options from land.

After taking over the cherished space previously occupied by Jimmy’s, which closed its doors after 24 years in 2021, MML Hospitality unveiled a new Tex-Mex concept in 2022. The inviting atmosphere features arched doorframes, rustic wood, vibrant tiles, and cozy furniture, perfect for enjoying hearty winter dishes like sizzling tabletop fajitas, enchilada combos, Baja-style oysters, ceviches, and aguachiles. A vast selection of mezcal and tequila is available for a delightful mix-and-match experience.

Located on the second floor, this expansive 10,000-square-foot venue by Catch Hospitality Group features stunning views stretching from Aspen Mountain to Red Mountain, with heated patio seating available all year. Inspired by its original Meatpacking District location in New York, Catch Steak reinvents the classic steakhouse experience with a lighter, fresher menu that includes shareable plates, a refined selection of American cuts, and a specialized array of Japanese wagyu, featuring snow beef from Hokkaido, often deemed the 'holy grail of wagyu.' For plant-based diners, the menu also offers delightful vegetarian and vegan dishes, such as a vegetarian chicken parm (a plant-based cutlet with a classic red sauce) and wild Dover sole paired with lemon-caper emulsion, spicy gigli, and aged pecorino.

Sabrina Rudin, a pioneer of the plant-based movement, opened Spring Cafe Aspen in 2013, well ahead of its time. Since then, health-conscious diners have flocked to this vibrant, sunny cafe for fresh juice, coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The winter menu features highlights like pumpkin oatmeal made with house-crafted nut mylk, sourdough French toast topped with caramelized bananas and a cashew vanilla drizzle, stuffed roasted sweet potatoes with sautéed greens and cashew coconut cream, and a smoky tempeh gyro.

This charming bistro is renowned for its innovative dishes in Aspen. Each season, chef-owner Barclay Dodge, a native of Aspen, introduces a creative menu that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. Winter favorites include duck liver mousse paired with blood orange, fermented carrots, and black bread; black cod grilled over alder wood served with potatoes, black truffles, and crème fraîche; and venison accompanied by parsnips, wild mountain berries, and puffed wild rice. A prix fixe menu is also available, offering four to seven courses with optional wine pairings.

Since its debut in 2018, this Austin-born Mytoury has established itself as a must-visit spot in the historic location once occupied by Little Annie’s Eating House. Begin your meal with a fantastic selection of East and West coast oysters, accompanied by freshly shaved horseradish, followed by a hearty bowl of cioppino for your main dish. The happy hour burger is touted as one of the finest in town, particularly après ski, when it's offered with half-priced martinis and oyster shooters. For an upscale evening, a special caviar, roe, and Champagne menu is also available.

Fast casual dining options in Aspen are scarce, but this beloved local Mytoury steps in to provide delicious made-to-order burgers, crispy fries, and flavorful fish tacos. For those seeking healthier choices, there are also fresh kale and quinoa salads available. In 2020, the restaurant partnered with a nearby dispensary, allowing you to pick up cannabis products while waiting for your meal.

This iconic spot, once frequented by Hunter S. Thompson, is now under new ownership. While the leopard carpet is no longer there, the walls still boast Polaroid photos, magazine covers, and vintage decor. Run by the locally owned CP Restaurant Group (which includes Steakhouse No. 316, the Monarch, the Wild Fig, and CP Burger), this restaurant justifies the 20-minute journey from town with its elevated comfort food menu. Enjoy oysters on the half shell, salsa verde nachos, Buffalo wings, burgers, and chicken enchiladas, all best paired with WCT’s signature spicy margarita. Plus, they now accept reservations and credit cards.

As Colorado's inaugural distillery, originally established in 2004 in Woody Creek, the newly launched Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge marks a significant milestone for the global single malt producers. It’s one of the few places where no reservations are required, already becoming a local hotspot with its parkside patio and cowboy chic cabin ambiance. Chef Nick Ragazzo, inspired by his Pennsylvania roots, offers comfort food such as deviled eggs, a hatch chile and brisket “hot pocket,” and family recipe pastas like handmade gnocchi. Behind the bar, you’ll find the complete Stranahan’s bottle collection, whiskey flights to sample, and an Aspen-exclusive limited release made with Colorado spring water and a Calvados cask finish. 

Austin's acclaimed hospitality group has made its mark in Aspen with Sway, an award-winning modern Thai Mytoury. Featuring innovative drinks and beloved dishes from the original location, such as the Son-in-Law, braised pork belly with sticky rice, the Tiger Cry, a roasted strip steak with red chili nahm jim, and the salt-and-pepper tofu garnished with crispy garlic and sambal. New offerings include prawn miange and Thai basil eggplant. The stylish interior, crafted by Michael Hsu, makes it an ideal spot for a romantic evening out. 

Located within the stunning Little Nell hotel, Ajax Tavern is one of Aspen's hottest patio spots, partly due to its collaboration with Veuve Clicquot. The newly revamped indoor dining area provides a refreshing escape from the relentless Colorado sun, making it the perfect place for indulgent treats ranging from seafood towers to steak frites. However, the must-try dish remains the renowned Wagyu double cheeseburger paired with truffle fries. Just steps away from the Silver Queen Gondola, this venue offers excellent people-watching as you sip on bubbly or rosé, with a wine selection sourced from the Nell’s impressive 24,000-bottle cellar.

Take in one of the finest views in Aspen from the Bauhaus-inspired dining area or the spacious sunlit patio, situated just off the main lobby of the Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute grounds. Recently renovated and rebranded from Plato’s, chef de cuisine Rachel Saxon showcases her dedication to local ingredients — many of which she personally forages. Begin with a caviar bump and crispy squash blossoms, then savor mains like the frying pan pork chop, dry-aged maple leaf duck, or the succulent scallops and wild-caught king salmon.

Owner and sommelier Jill Carnevale, from a New York Italian family, has curated an impressive global wine list boasting over 2,000 bottles since Ellina opened in 2009. Chef Miguel Diaz’s modern Italian American dishes are also noteworthy, featuring favorites like braised artichokes with lemon thyme aioli, calamari fritti, black pepper fettuccine, and chicken Milanese. The cozy, lower-level dining area with rock walls evokes a wine cellar ambiance, but for a vibrant experience, try to grab a seat at the horseshoe-shaped bar or on the patio, where warm blankets are provided for chilly summer and early fall evenings.  

Established in 1987, Cache Cache is one of Aspen's most enduring fine dining spots. Executive chef and owner Chris Lanter has guided the restaurant for over twenty years. This French American gem is celebrated for its vibrant patio and blue-lit bar, offering a menu that highlights seasonal local ingredients. Signature dishes include frisée salad with Tender Belly bacon, garlic, shallots, balsamic dressing, and a duck egg; escargots à la Bourguignon; house-made cacio e pepe; and crispy trout alla Milanese.

A legendary spot where Hunter S. Thompson once enjoyed a drink, J-Bar is now the go-to place for locals and visitors seeking cocktails, beers, and elevated gastropub fare. Located in the Hotel Jerome, the burger featuring a “secret sauce” is a favorite, best enjoyed with a modern twist on the Root Beer Float, made with Tahiti vanilla ice cream, sassafras granita, and birch cream. For a morning boost, head to the always-bustling Felix Roasting Co. for specialty coffee, featuring house-made non-dairy milk, proprietary syrups, tonics, and a unique spice blend.