27 Best Restaurants in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

Extraordinary flavors flow from ordinary ingredients in the shareable plates at this perfectly situated space at the bottom of Fannie Hill. Root vegetable salad tossed in balsamic dressing, Parker House rolls with a pinch of sea salt, and Korean fried chicken with gochujang hot sauce are best enjoyed with a craft cocktail or glass of wine by a fire pit on the large patio with stunning mountain views. Large windows, cozy couches, and banquettes with high tops invite casual dining in the front, while tables and dimmer lighting offer a more formal experience in the back. The "for the trails" menu offers a sophisticated spin on sack lunches perfect for adventurers on the go. 

The dining room at Bosq is small and intimate with a rustic-chic setting that's bright in the daytime and dimly lit for a romantic experience at night. The food is equally impressive, melding root vegetables and local meats and fish with bold, and sometimes spicy, surprises. Dishes displayed like works of art and decorated with flowers and meticulously placed sauces are almost too beautiful to eat—almost.

Ski bunnies and shredders flock to this laid-back beach house downtown offering one of Aspen's best après-ski experiences. The crisp white walls and warm wood weathered by salt and sand offer a cozy spot to sip wine and clam chowder. A large table near the fireplace or a tucked-away corner booth are prime spots to share extravagant caviar, red snapper ceviche, or a lobster roll with a piled-high stack of shoestring fries. A fish tank and open kitchen add to the appeal. 

Candlelight, fur pelts, plush pillows, wooden skis, and European antiques come together in this bistro to create a cozy and charming Swiss chalet, a nod to the one where owner and retired pro skier Raphael Derly vacationed as a child. The authentic setting is supported with a divine, seasonal menu—with such traditional dishes as escargots, foie gras, boeuf bourguignon, and dessert crepes—that references Derly's upbringing in the south of France.

So close to the gondola you can keep your boots on while dining, this upbeat restaurant in the Little Nell hotel has big glass windows and a spacious patio with slope-side views. Large wooden beams, red booths, and sleek furnishings define this spot, which is popular both for its location and its hearty surf-and-turf dishes. The menu changes seasonally and focuses on Colorado ingredients.

With a focus on locally raised meats, Cache Cache brings a Continental influence to sophisticated yet filling entrées that are served on the patio or in the dimly lit room, with its white tablecloths and black chairs. In warmer months, the chic bistro's vegetable accompaniments reflect whatever is freshest from area farms. Those on a budget can belly up to the raucous bar for less pricey entrées.

Enjoy ranch-raised steaks, chops, and seafood, all of which you can wash down with specialty craft cocktails and microbrews in the Western-inspired, modern dining room with copper tabletops or out on the patio just off the pedestrian walkway. Try the grilled elk and pan-seared trout—a local take on surf and turf—or ask the extremely friendly staff for recommendations.

Earth tones and calming blue glass tiles that reflect flickering candlelight provide a serene backdrop for the beautifully plated Mediterranean delights of chef Jesus Alvarado who trained at Aspen's renowned Matsuhisa sushi restaurant only a few blocks away. From caviar served with tater tots and hamachi crudo to Chilean sea bass topped with fennel puree and lemon caper sauce, each dish is light and bright with gorgeous color and flavor. Steaks, lamb chops, and veal are also a hit, but the seafood shines. Ask the in-house sommelier to recommend pairings from the extensive wine list or choose from one of the city's best liquor selections, including an impressive Japanese whiskey collection. 

Aspen's elite book tables at this swanky, highly regarded restaurant in the Little Nell hotel not only for the beautifully presented entrées but also for the glass, ceiling-height wine cases stocked by knowledgeable sommeliers who also make tableside recommendations. The seasonal menu highlights locally sourced produce and game, as well as meat raised on Colorado ranches. For a lighter meal, head to the bar, which features Colorado beers and spirits.

At this lively dinner spot, which draws both foodies and the bar crowd, seasonal salads, pitas, pastas, and other options—from Mediterranean small bites like hummus and feta to classic American burgers and sandwiches—are made from scratch. The warm wood accents and colorful dishes enhance the ambience, making this a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

The owners of this burger joint—a trendy dining room with exposed brick, bright-green seating, and animal drawings on the walls—grind their own beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and buffalo for exquisite gourmet patties. The focus is on locally raised, grass-fed meats and unusual toppings: try the lamb burger with tzatziki and feta spread, or even a vegetarian option. Arcade games entertain kids while parents enjoy Colorado microbrews.

The smell is enticing as a thinly sliced Wagyu sizzles on a 1000° Hot Rock at the table in this dark sushi restaurant near the base of Snowmass mountain. Kenichi has been operating in Aspen since 1991, so Snowmass locals are happy to have their own outpost of the institution. Start with a warm dish like miso black cod before diving into sushi. Be sure to order whatever special roll the chefs have concocted, or if you're sticking with a warm entrée, try the pan-seared duck with a caramelized blood-orange soy glaze.

The sound of sizzling rib-eye fajitas waft through the second-story dining room and vibrant bar where Mexican art and an impressive wine program elevate the unexpected Tex-Mex menu. Ask the in-house sommelier to recommend affordable Spanish or Mexican wines to pair with the grilled Spanish octopus with bay-leaf aioli and pickled Fresno chilies. Dine during the day to appreciate the hand-carved wooden chairs, paintings, and festive dishes and tile imported from Mexico. Top-shelf margaritas, chips and queso, and enchiladas on the outdoor patio offer a more traditional, albeit expensive, experience.

Although you shouldn't expect to see celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa in the kitchen of his hopping restaurant in an 1887 Victorian house with an elegant downstairs room and a more casual, limited-menu upstairs space, his recipes and techniques are unmistakable. Nobu's sushi rolls and his new-style sashimi are marvelous, his hot dishes delectable, and his prices astronomical.

Colorful flags hang from the ceilings over the simple tables and chairs that surround a large fireplace at this little local-favorite eatery. Tucked into a strip mall by the highway on the west side of town, it serves wonderfully tasty, authentic Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian food: try fish kawab (marinated overnight and then baked in a tandoor) with a side of buttery naan.

It's best to arrive when this place opens for lunch on sunny winter days, since the light-wood tables at this tiny, casual, slope-side restaurant fill up fast with hungry skiers. Patrons squeeze in for soft pretzel rolls with dipping sauces, sandwiches, and snacks, as well as the several beers on tap from Fort Collins–based New Belgium Brewing. It's also busy in the late-afternoon après-ski period and during dinner.

The journey to and from this elegant log cabin restaurant in an idyllic setting is even more memorable than the delicious local fish and hearty wild game plates served. In the winter, take in breathtaking views of the Elk Mountains as you snowshoe, cross-country ski, or ride in a horse-drawn sleigh to the cabin where large windows preserve the scenery. In summer, plan to hike or bike to take in the stunning surroundings for the reward of a filling lunch or dinner. Wintertime dinners are quite pricey, but they include transportation—by sleigh or a cross-country ski trek (gear provided).

With its exposed redbrick walls, pendant lighting, loftlike high ceilings, and zinc-topped bar, the Pullman exudes a sophisticated, urban vibe at a location across the street from the Amtrak train station (thus the name) in Glenwood's historic downtown area. This laid-back restaurant welcomes all types of casual diners with a contemporary American menu that specializes in steak and pork, though the salads and pasta dishes are excellent.

The small but well-prepared menu brings everyone to this small diner just far enough off the main road that it could be easily missed—but do stop for a breakfast burrito stuffed with seasonal veggies or French toast with berry compote. White walls; wooden, metal-ringed tables; and blue chairs create a casual dining area where the wood bartop and high stools are a favorite. The tiny outside eating area fills up fast.

Mix and match tacos and hot dogs at this small, chill spot near the Roaring Fork River that attracts families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to refuel after their adventures. Tacos range from fried fish with pico de gallo to unexpected Asian flavors, and the local, natural-casing dogs are equally enticing, including the Glenwood Completo with avocado and ancho remoulade. Colorado beers and margaritas offer the perfect pairing.

House-made bold and tangy, thick and sweet, and smoky and spicy sauces on every table add extra flavor to the traditional barbecue dishes, perfectly prepared in an open kitchen at this casual restaurant with neutral-hue booths, wood tables, and a wall of windows. Try the mac and cheese topped with smoked pork or load up on southern sides. Unique cocktails complement the hearty entrées.

Round doughnuts as big as your face and the equally huge square-shaped "croughnuts", both with endless sugary toppings, will make it impossible to choose just one. Old-fashioned, gluten-free, and cake doughnuts and fritters are among the many options. Grab a box, or two, and mix up the flavors: try the cinnamon roll topping and the one that combines peanut butter, strawberry, banana, and Nutella. Coffees with or without alcohol and hearty breakfast sandwiches are also delightful.

Inside the Viceroy Snowmass hotel, TORO warms up the night after a day of skiing with its craft cocktails, Latin American cuisine, and dining room decorated with wood accents and a fireplace with nearby couches that are the perfect spots for sipping drinks. This spacious restaurant has a daring menu focusing on creative seafood and chops; spicy, smoky flavors pop in many dishes, with milder options for those who can't take the heat.

Locals flock to "the Smithy" for such beloved breakfast items (served daily from 7 am until 2 pm) as scrambles or traditional bacon and eggs. Vegetarians are taken care of with a tasty tofu scramble, fresh spinach and wild mushroom omelets, and deep-fried French toast. Wooden tables are packed into every nook and cranny of this brick building that was once a blacksmith shop.

The patio outside this cute, white, Victorian house in the heart of Aspen is a fun, lively place to see and be seen. Locals rave about the sandwiches here, and a great beer, wine, and cocktail menu makes the cozy wood-paneled interior perfect on chilly afternoons or evenings.