Aspen for the Foodie
- Kelli Hunter
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 30
There’s a lot to love about Aspen, including the fact that it’s tough to find a bad meal. It makes sense. Aspen is a playground for the wealthy… and the wealthy demand good food! With that kind of clientele accustomed to dining at the world’s best restaurants, Aspen has also become a magnet for a new wave of chefs eager to impress refined palates.
By: Kelli Hunter, TravelAnne Staff Writer
Whether it's a 2-week escape or a 2-day weekend getaway, TravelAnne is here to make it happen.
The dining choices in Aspen are endless, even during the “off season” of summer. If you ask 10 locals for their favorite place to eat, you’ll probably get at least seven different answers. It doesn’t matter if you're looking for a pastry and a cup of coffee, a burger and fries, or a dinner fit for royalty… Aspen’s food scene is rocking.
For the record, Aspen does boast a Michelin star at Bosq, a tasting menu restaurant. In its guide, Michelin has also recommended three other restaurants—Element 47, Prospect, and Mawa’s Kitchen. Legendary spots like Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell, Cache Cache, and Matsuhisa have long defined the renowned ski destination’s epicurean sensibilities; there’s a new crop of restaurateurs offering a fresh take on Aspen’s culinary identity.
Consider this a list… not the list. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices, but don’t be afraid to go off script!
Where to Eat (links provided)
No reservations, no pretense—just excellent cheese and charcuterie boards, wood-fired flatbreads, and an inviting patio that’s always buzzing. It's a lunch favorite for locals and visitors alike. Don’t miss the market next door for picnic essentials.
This tiny white cottage with black shutters oozes Aspen charm. The menu is tight and focused: fried chicken sandwiches, Thai steak salads, and warm, buttery buns. Cozy, casual, and consistently excellent.
The Garden at Hotel Jerome: A sun-dappled oasis tucked behind the historic hotel, this summer-only spot is perfect for leisurely afternoons. Sip elderflower spritzes or smoked old-fashioned cocktails while nibbling on whipped feta, grilled shrimp, and house-made flatbreads.
Part of the mountainside jewel that is the Little Nell hotel, Ajax Tavern is one of the most see-and-be-seen patio parties in Aspen, thanks in part to a partnership with Veuve Clicquot. The recently reappointed indoor dining room is a welcome (and air-conditioned) refuge from the unrelenting Colorado sun and the perfect place to enjoy traditional splurges from a seafood tower to steak frites. But the essential order remains the famous Wagyu double cheeseburger and truffle fries. Located steps from the Silver Queen Gondola, the space offers prime people-watching while you sip a bottle of bubbles or rosé (the wine list is curated from the Nell’s 24,000-bottle cellar).
Catch Steak: Big energy, bold flavors. With sleek décor, panoramic mountain views, and a buzzy crowd, Catch serves up steakhouse classics alongside hits like truffle sashimi and crispy shrimp. A great pick for a night out with flair.
Matsuhisa Aspen: A temple of sushi by Nobu Matsuhisa himself, housed in a Victorian-era home. Inside, it’s all polished wood, glowing light, and unforgettable dishes. The black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño are house favorites for a reason.
Cache Cache: A fine dining mainstay for over three decades, Cache Cache exudes polished charm. It’s the place for champagne toasts, rare bottles, and exquisite French-American fare. Make reservations early—it’s always in demand.
Clark’s Oyster Bar: Light, bright, and always bustling, Clark’s brings the East Coast to the high country. Raw bar classics, chilled rosé, and lobster rolls are served with an upscale coastal flair.
The famed hangout of the late Hunter S. Thompson. Magazine covers and vintage kitsch adorn the walls. Operated by the locally owned CP Restaurant Group (Steakhouse No. 316, the Monarch, the Wild Fig, CP Burger), the restaurant earns the required 20-minute trek out of town with an elevated comfort food menu. Oysters are on the half shell, salsa verde nachos, Buffalo wings, burgers, and chicken enchiladas — all paired best with the WCT’s original spicy margarita. Bonus: They take reservations and credit cards now.
Betula: Perched above bustling East Cooper Avenue, Betula delivers sun-drenched mountain views and French-Caribbean cuisine with panache. The tuna ceviche and roasted beet tartare are light, bright, and perfect for a midsummer meal. Ask for a table on the terrace just before sunset.
Pine Creek Cookhouse: A true mountain escape. Located 11 miles outside town in the Castle Creek Valley, this charming log cabin restaurant serves high-elevation cuisine—elk bratwurst, rainbow trout, and wild mushroom strudel—amid jaw-dropping views of the Elk Mountains. Arrive via bike, hike, or car, but save room for the berry cobbler.
Refined but welcoming, this elegant chalet-style restaurant specializes in Northern Italian fare. Think truffle tagliatelle, delicate branzino, and a wine list that spans the Alps to Tuscany. The softly lit dining room and garden patio both feel made for a summer dinner date.
Spring Café: Aspen’s go-to for wholesome, organic fare. Expect vibrant açaí bowls, chickpea scramble wraps, and green juices galore. The sunny, plant-filled space is as fresh as the menu.
Sant Ambroeus: This chic Milanese transplant brings a dose of European elegance to Aspen. From silky cappuccinos to caviar-topped burrata, every dish is stylish and satisfying. Come for the pasta, stay for the panna cotta.
Felix Roasting Co.: Coffee here is an experience. Plush velvet booths, dramatic chandeliers, and decadent drinks like the S’mores latte make this café feel more like a velvet-lined jewel box than a coffee shop.
Paradise Bakery: For decades, this tiny bakery has drawn morning and late-night crowds. The cookies are chewy and perfect, the lemonade is fresh-squeezed, and the aroma wafting down the street is irresistible.
Wayan Aspen: From Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten, Wayan brings French-Indonesian fusion to the Rockies. The interiors are lush and tropical, and the flavors—tamarind prawns, coconut-laced duck curry—are nothing short of transportive.
Another storied gathering place where Hunter S. Thompson once hunkered down to drink, Aspenites and guests alike now convene for cocktails, beers, and elevated gastropub grub. At the Hotel Jerome’s main bar, the burger with a “secret sauce” is a point of pride and best paired with a modern take on the Root Beer Float, which is mixed with Tahiti vanilla ice cream, sassafras granita, and birch creme. Duck into the always-buzzing Felix Roasting Co. for a morning pick-me-up, where you’ll find strong, specialty coffees — each meticulously infused with house-made non-dairy milk, proprietary syrups, tonics, and a custom spice blend.
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