Aspen eats far above its size, but the right restaurant depends on the night you are having. For lunch with a view: Pine Creek Cookhouse, worth the trip in, or West End Social at Aspen Meadows. For a celebration: Bosq, or Matsuhisa for the best sushi in town. For kids, in places parents still enjoy: Home Team BBQ at the base of Buttermilk, CP Burger, or Woody Creek Tavern by bike. We live in the valley and eat at these places year-round. This is the guide we give friends visiting for the first time. And read our full Aspen Travel Guide here. If you're still sorting where to stay, our roundup of the best hotels in Aspen puts you within walking distance of most of the tables below.
Breakfast/Coffee
Silvers Aspen- Good coffee, breakfast and lunch options with limited seating inside, abundant seating outside and everything available to go. Great prepared food options.
Paradise Bakery-This is an Aspen classic for coffee, pastries and gelato. Open earlier than most other coffee shops in town.
Saint Ambroeus Cafe-Different from their restaurant on mainstreet, the Saint Ambroesus cafe feels like a European cafe in the heart of Aspen. Great for people watching and full-service coffee, breakfast and lunch.
Poppycocks- The only real dedicated breakfast spot in Aspen. This is a no-frills breakfast spot with a diner-style menu.
Cozy interior of White House Tavern in Aspen
Lunch
Meat and Cheese-Wonderful outdoor patio, with amazing sandwiches and salads. I love the thai chicken salad and Bahn Mi sandwich.
White House Tavern-Probably my go-to restaurant in Aspen. The menu is small, but it is always executed perfectly. You can’t go wrong with anything, but the smoked salmon appetizer and chicken sandwich are must-try’s.
Swedish Hill at Aspen Art Museum-Come here for the views of Aspen Mountain, as well as good sandwhiches and baked goods. A great addition to one of Aspen’s best assets, the Art Museum.
White House Tavern patio is the place to enjoy a summer day in Aspen
Dinner
Clark’s Oyster Bar- The food at this seafood restaurant is deliciously consistent (and consistently delicious) and is well-priced for Aspen. They also have a good happy hour from
Matsuhisa- Part of Nobu Matsuhisa’s global empire, this restaurant does not disappoint if you’re looking for sushi. We eat here at least once a month, and I have never had a bad dish, let alone a bad meal. The sashimi specials are always worth an order.
Angelos-Despite being eye-wateringly expensive, even for Aspen, the food here is delicious enough that it makes my list. The pastas are all outstanding and in the summer there is a nice patio overlooking Aspen Mountain.
Sant Ambroeus- The newest addition to town offers upscale Milanese food in a beautiful setting. There is also a wonderful outdoor patio for summer nights.
Lola41- We love this new addition to the Aspen dining scene in the brand new White Elephant Hotel. Great for a date night or dinner with friends.
Oysters and Rose at Clark’s Oyster Bar in Aspen
Best Restaurants for Lunch/Dinner with a View
Pine Creek Cookhouse- While technically outside of Aspen, this has one of the best views in the area. Getting there is half the fun, either by hiking from Ashcroft Ghost town or horseback riding in the summer or cross-country skiing or horse-drawn carriage in winter.
West End Social- This restaurant is located in the Aspen Meadows resort and has a spectacular view of Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Highlands. The food is elevated as well, making this a great option for dining outside of the Aspen core.
Mt. Rubirosa-This outpost of the popular New York pizzaria is set at the base of Aspen mountain, with a great apres-ski scene during the ski season.
Restaurants for kids that parents will still enjoy
We’ve certainly taken our kids to all of the restaurants listed above (Matsuhisa is their favorite), but it’s also nice to go to a place where you don’t have to worry as much about them minding their manners, etc. For those nights, check out the Best Restaurants in Aspen for Kids:
Home Team BBQ-This South Carolina transplant has made it’s mark on the Aspen dining scene by providing delicious and affordable BBQ in a comfortable setting. It’s at the base of Buttermilk mountain, so the kids can run outside and play during the warmer months. In the winter, you can ski right up to the door to enjoy all the smoked meats you can handle.
CP Burger- This is the closest thing you’ll find to fast food in Aspen, but don’t be too fast or you’ll miss the put-put golf (summer) and ice skating (winter) right out front. There are healthier options too, like a seared ahi tuna burger. Try the milkshakes—they’re worth the calories.
Woody Creek Tavern- Channel your inner Hunter S. Thompson and check out this great casual restaurant. While it’s changed ownership recently, it still maintains most of its charm, but with more of an elevated casual cuisine. The best way to get here is by bike, so rent bikes in town and take the Rio Grande trail. There are also options where the bike rental place picks you up at the restaurant. A good option for those who want to indulge in their famous margs.
Planning the rest of the trip? Our Aspen summer travel guide covers the hikes, hotels, and events worth building in.
FAQS
What are the best restaurants in Aspen for a special occasion?
Matsuhisa for the best sushi in town (it happens to be our kids' favorite too), and Bosq as the chef-driven pick for a celebration. Both are the places we send friends for a big night out.
Which Aspen restaurants have the best views?
Pine Creek Cookhouse, though it's technically outside Aspen and getting there is half the fun: hike or horseback ride in summer, cross-country ski or horse-drawn carriage in winter. West End Social at Aspen Meadows has a spectacular view of Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Highlands, and Mt. Rubirosa sits at the base of Aspen Mountain with a strong après-ski scene in season.
What are the best kid-friendly restaurants in Aspen?
Home Team BBQ at the base of Buttermilk, where kids can run outside in warmer months and you can ski right up to the door in winter. CP Burger, the closest thing to fast food in Aspen, with putt-putt golf out front in summer and ice skating in winter. And Woody Creek Tavern, best reached by bike on the Rio Grande trail.
Do you need reservations at Aspen restaurants?
In peak season, yes. Christmas through New Year, MLK weekend, and Presidents' Day book out well ahead, and the well-known rooms fill on any busy winter weekend. Summer festival weeks can be tight too. Book before you travel in high season; shoulder season is more forgiving.
Where is the best après-ski in Aspen?
Mt. Rubirosa at the base of Aspen Mountain for pizza and a lively scene right off the slopes. For something more local, the basement bar Buck is the insider pick.
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