Where to Eat in Aspen: The Best Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops

The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is at the top of every gourmand's to-do list. But even if you won't be in town for the event, Aspen provides plenty for every palate, year-round. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a town of similar size that can compete with the abundance of flavors showcased here — more than 80 Aspen restaurants and bars serving everything from Spanish to sushi; charcuterie to Chinese; craft beer to mezcal.

If you can eat or drink it, Aspen will plate or pour it. How should you make the most out of every meal? Consider some of the best restaurants in Aspen, sorted by time of day.

Breakfast restaurants

Poppycock's

A local staple steps from the gondola, Poppycock's slings one of the best breakfasts in Aspen all day — and possibly the heartiest. Specialties include an oversized breakfast burrito, made with homemade pork chili verde, and a decadent macadamia nut pancake griddled with the eatery's own oatmeal batter.

Mawa's Kitchen Aspen

This French-inspired Aspen bistro excels at croissants, croque madames, and poached eggs under hollandaise sauce. Mawa's Benedict riffs on the classic, propping a series of proteins or vegetables atop a perfectly crisped latke base. And don't snooze on the smoked salmon.

Shlomo's Deli and Grill

Shlomo's repositions the classic Jewish deli from metropolis to mountain. Top dishes at the local Aspen favorite include challah French toast, white fish on a bagel, and matzo ball soup — all are dependably delicious. You can also explore lesser-known Mediterranean delicacies, including the wonderful shakshuka — poached eggs in a skillet under a sauce of tomato and spices.

Coffee shops and cafés

Local Coffee House

Living up to its name, Local Coffee House works exclusively with Rocky Mountain-based coffee roasters and promotes fair trade and sustainability by carefully sourcing its ingredients. You want matcha, rooibos, or turmeric in that latte, instead? Not a problem. Dairy-free? Several cow milk substitutes are available.

Paradise Bakery & Cafe

Paradise has been Aspen's source for fresh confections for over 40 years. And their oft-overlooked hot beverages are equally praiseworthy. Espresso and chai lattes are standouts, as is the house coffee — a blend of light and dark roast, well-balanced and brewed throughout the day.

Lunch restaurants

Meat & Cheese

Part-restaurant, part-delicatessen, Meat & Cheese is more than its name implies. At lunchtime, elaborate sandwiches are served on housemade ciabatta. But the soups and salads are equally significant. A cup of Thai coconut soup or a plate of chopped kale salad are savory ways to keep things light and easy mid-day.

White House Tavern

Take a bite out of White House Tavern's Honor Burger, ground in-house under melted white cheddar. Many locals consider this to be Aspen's best burger. But if fried chicken is more to your liking, you won't be disappointed at this American-themed eatery built into a refurbished 19th-century miner's cottage.

Après ski

Mountain Social at The St. Regis Aspen Resort

For a more formal après engagement, pull up a stool at Mountain Social. The backbar features a collection of top-shelf spirits placed in front of a stunning, hand-painted mural. It evokes the Native American mythos of the Aspen Tree, setting a tone of wonder. Next to the bar, a jazz duo performs nightly while a roaring fire welcomes skiers in from the wild.

Dinner restaurants

French Alpine Bistro

French Alpine Bistro is a rustic, dimly lit dining den offering French fare with a side of Swiss charm. Roasted chicken under mushroom cream, escargot in brioche, and seared foie gras — all sensibly paired along with elegant wines in a cozy setting.

Steak House No. 316

There aren't many steakhouses in Aspen, but what they lack in number they make up for in stature. Steak House No. 316 is one that tops the list. Prime cuts of beef are seared simply and served alongside emboldened wines. Choose from 10 options on the Prime Butcher Shop section of the menu and pair any of them with a hearty array of sides including miso-glazed shishito peppers or lobster mac and cheese.

Matsuhisa

The best restaurant in Aspen? That's a contentious subject, of course. But it's hardly a question for the elated diners walking out of this basement sushi den. The well-trained staff at Matsuhisa have mastered their eponymous mentor's classic nikkei offerings including mixed seafood ceviche and miso-glazed cod. Here you'll find slices of salmon and fatty tuna that defy reason, delivering fresh ocean flavors in the middle of the mountains.