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Image courtesy of The Little Nell
Aspen is known as one of the best ski resorts in the world, but if you needed one more reason to go, the Aspen restaurant scene is stellar.
“Hitting the slopes in Aspen is fantastic, but unwinding afterwards is an art form,” Fora Advisor Cindy Rhee said in her guide to the best luxury hotels in Aspen. “Aspen's après-ski scene is as legendary as the mountains themselves.”
We asked roughly a dozen Colorado- and USA-based Fora Advisors for their recommendations on the top Aspen restaurants. While this guide is not comprehensive — your Fora Advisor can offer far more recommendations tailored to your taste, not to mention top Aspen hotel recs. Consider this a nice appetizer, if you will, of the variety and quality you can expect from Aspen’s restaurant scene.
If you need recommendations beyond the palette (like skiing, spa and outdoor activities) or help booking your Aspen vacation, reach out to a Fora Advisor. They’ll break down your best hotel options, offer expert itinerary suggestions and more. Plus, if you book a room at one of our travel partner’s properties, your advisor can unlock complimentary VIP perks to level up your stay.
Aspen restaurants recommended by Fora travel advisors
Despite the city’s relative remoteness and small size, Aspen’s restaurant scene packs a punch.
“Aspen's small-town charm surprised me, especially considering the abundance of restaurants rivaling a big city,” Fora Advisor Tanima Mannan explained in her guide to the best hotel bars in Aspen.
Below, you’ll find a few great Aspen restaurant recommendations. But keep in mind that there are plenty more options catering to all tastes and budgets. Again: For the full scoop, chat with a Fora Advisor.
White House Tavern
A step up from casual dining, White House Tavern serves classic American cuisine out of a historic Gold-Rush structure in Downtown Aspen. The menu is on the smaller side, and features a rotating lineup of classics along with creative appetizers.
You’ll love the “elevated sandwiches, burgers, salads and craft cocktails in an intimate, 19th-century miner's cottage,” Fora Advisor Rachel Meyers said.
Meat & Cheese
Just across the street, you’ll find the aptly named Meat & Cheese, a chic stop featuring artisanal fare and charcuterie boards, plus local wine, cocktails and craft beer.
Rachel said Meat & Cheese has the “best sandwiches in town,” and Fora Advisor Claire Herzog said the Aspen restaurant is her absolute favorite. “They have this rotisserie chicken board — I know it sounds weird, but stick with me — that comes with perfectly juicy chicken, a fresh bright salad, crispy roasted potatoes and the most divine gravy/au jus concoction,” she said. “That, served with one of their margaritas, has to be my death-row meal.”
Fora Advisor Schuyler Bailey recommended taking their DIY charcuterie trays to nearby Paepcke Park to enjoy the views of Aspen’s famous peaks.
Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell
Image courtesy of The Little Nell
On the other side of Downtown, next to the Silver Queen Gondola lift, you’ll find one of Aspen’s best spots for après-ski cocktails and a mix of elevated French and American cuisine. The restaurant belongs to The Little Nell, a world-class ski hotel and one of the most unique places to stay in Colorado, let alone Aspen.
“It's just impossible to skip their truffle fries,” Claire said. “In the winter, those paired with the grilled cheese and tomato soup for après ski is perfection. In the summer, sit outside on the patio with a frozen rosé.”
“For a luxurious breakfast experience,” Fora Advisor Regina Baranda Mier begins in her guide to things to do in Aspen in winter, “head to The Little Nell for a gourmet buffet or à la carte options in a refined setting with stunning mountain views.”
The Little Nell is a fantastic place to stay in Aspen, too. Plan and book your stay with a Fora Advisor to unlock Virtuoso perks, including complimentary daily breakfast — the same one mentioned by Regina above — and a $100 dining credit that can be put toward any of The Little Nell’s restaurants.
Fora Perks at The Little Nell:
$100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, complimentary air and concierge services, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Related article: The 12 Best Colorado Resorts for Families: Complete Guide
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Image courtesy of Clark's Oyster Bar - Aspen
Another Aspen restaurant that received a ton of love from the Fora Advisors we polled is Clark’s Oyster Bar.
“A moment for oysters, shoestring fries and a martini in the mountains,” Fora Advisor Schuyler Bailey described. “There's not much better.”
Martini happy hour is particularly inviting: “It's cozy, cute and the drinks are delicious — especially when they're half-off,” Fora Advisor Claire Herzog added.
On the other hand, Fora Advisor Meredith Lerner notes in her guide to a family-friendly winter vacation in Aspen that Clarks “also has a kid-friendly menu featuring fish and chips, grilled cheese and other options sure to please young diners.”
Matsuhisa
Helmed by internationally renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, his namesake restaurant in Aspen boasts world-class Japanese cuisine. Sushi is the main draw, but the restaurant — which is housed in a 120-year-old building — serves a variety of seafood dishes.
“Being from a landlocked state, we Coloradans are very particular about our seafood,” Fora Advisor Nancy McLaughlin noted. “Since it travels far, it must be fresh.”
Fora Advisor Rachel Meyers added that travelers should “be sure to make reservations for dinner — Aspen restaurants book up quickly!”
Hotel Jerome: J-Bar & The Living Room
Image courtesy of Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
The Little Nell isn’t the only Aspen hotel with stellar dining options. Hotel Jerome’s J-Bar and The Living Room earned praise from every Fora Advisor we polled. J-Bar melds Gilded Age décor with an old Frontier saloon theme, with skilled mixologists serving high-end cocktails and a menu of elevated bar food.
“The Living Room at the Hotel Jerome is a must for craft cocktails,” Fora Advisor Robert Love added
Fora Advisor Claire Herzog agreed.
“Never miss the chicken noodle soup in Hotel Jerome's Living Room,” she said. “It cures all!”
The vibe at the Living Room is much more intimate than J-Bar, with sleek décor, moody lighting and handcrafted cocktails.
Notably, Hotel Jerome’s Lobby Bar shouldn’t be slept on, either. In her “bougie millennial travel guide” to Aspen in summer, Fora Advisor Eileen Maralian describes the bar as “the place in Aspen to see and be seen, where everyone is always dressed to the nines.
Sidenote: Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resorts Collection property (and member of Fora Reserve), is another one of our favorite places to stay in Aspen. If you book your stay with a Fora Advisor, you can expect complimentary VIP perks like dining credits and daily breakfast.
Fora Perks at Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Related article: 3 Days at Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
The Monarch Steak House
The Monarch Steak House is regarded as one of the top steakhouses in the city. The sophisticated-meets-rustic vibe matches the pedigree of the menu, which also features seafood, cocktails and craft beer.
“The best Tomahawk ribeye steak that I ever had was at The Monarch in Aspen,” Fora Advisor Robert Love said. “Pair that with a table-side Caesar salad and the olive oil cake for dessert: perfection!”
Betula
Betula passed the vibe check for Rachel Meyers and Schuyler Bailey, who both recommended the Aspen restaurant as a lively hangout. Betula features a unique blend of elevated French, South American and Caribbean flavors. But the menu also incorporates international culinary traditions.
Chat with a Fora Advisor to enjoy more Aspen restaurant recommendations
There are more than a handful of amazing restaurants in Aspen. For more recommendations — including options catering to vegan, vegetarian and other diets — reach out to a Fora Advisor. They’ll help you find the right dining options for your taste and budget. Plus, if you need help booking a hotel, arranging transportation or anything else travel-related, they’re ready to assist.
Aspen dining FAQs
Image courtesy of The Little Nell
Here are a few answers to common questions Fora Advisors are asked about Aspen restaurants. Feel free to send your questions to an advisor directly, too — or check out our essential Aspen travel guide for more recs.
How expensive are Aspen restaurants?
Aspen is an upscale —and somewhat secluded — resort town. Expect slightly over-average prices for fine and casual restaurants as compared to cities like Denver or Colorado Springs.
What’s the oldest bar in Aspen?
The aforementioned J-Bar is the oldest bar in Aspen. The venue first opened its doors to guests in 1889, well before Aspen was known for its ski resorts.
Does Aspen have a nightlife?
Absolutely. Beyond the venues we mentioned above — including J-Bar and Cloud 9 — Aspen is quite lively after dark. A Fora Advisor can point you in the right direction for other great nightlife options, too.
Can you drink in public in Aspen?
No. Both Aspen and the state of Colorado prohibit consuming alcohol in public, with exceptions for select events.
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Image courtesy of Clark's Oyster Bar - Aspen
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