Where To Eat In Aspen Snowmass This Summer

D I N I NG · S U M M E R 2 0 2 6 

Where to Eat in Aspen Snowmass This Summer: Local Picks, New Spots, and Patio Season 

Summer evenings in the Roaring Fork Valley have a particular quality. The light stays long, the air cools just enough around 6pm, and even a simple dinner on a patio feels like the best meal you've had in years. Whether you're spending a week in the valley, squeezing in a long weekend or a short mid-week escape here's what's worth knowing about the dining scene right now. 

W H AT ' S  N E W  I N  A S P E N  T H I S  S E A S O N 

The Golden Horn 

Mill Street Pedestrian Mall · Goldenhornaspen

A new gastropub in the basement of the historic Golden Horn building and aptly renamed after the famed institution it once housed, is located directly across from Wagner Park in the heart of downtown Aspen. Locally sourced menu, two pool tables, a full bar open until 2am, and a patio that seats around 30. Best for a casual group dinner or a late evening out after a show at the Belly Up. Not the place for a quiet conversation, and not one for families with kids but certainly a welcome addition to the dining and social scene in Aspen. 

OPEN DAILY · FULL BAR TO 2AM · GASTROPUB + PATIO 

LoLa 41° 

White Elephant Aspen, Main Street & Garmisch Street · Whiteelephantaspen.com 

The restaurant inside the new White Elephant Aspen hotel, built around seafood and drawing inspiration from destinations along the 41st longitude parallel. LoLa41 has popular locations in Nantucket, Boston, Palm Beach and Naples.  Will they find success in Aspen?  

OPEN DAILY · DINNER · ASIAN-MEDITERRANEAN SEAFOOD 

Petit Trois at MOLLIE 

MOLLIE Hotel · mollieaspen.com

Chef Ludo Lefebvre's beloved LA French bistro is now in Aspen. Classic bistro cooking done right: French onion soup, steak frites, croque monsieur. Not fancy. Just right. Ideal for a date night or a girls' dinner when you want food that's genuinely good without the formality of a full tasting menu experience. 

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH & DINNER · FRENCH BISTRO 

Mt. Rubirosa 

Base of Aspen Gondola mtrubirosa.com

If you know the original Rubirosa on Spring Street in Manhattan, you know what to expect: thin-crust pizza, simple, very good. More walk-in friendly than most spots in town. A good call for a casual family lunch or when you want something satisfying without planning ahead.  Try a local’s favorite: The Tie Dye Pizza made with vodka, tomato, fresh mozzarella and pesto.

WALK-IN FRIENDLY · LUNCH & DINNER · THIN-CRUST PIZZA 

A S P E N  S TA N D  B Y S  W O R T H  K N O W I N G 

SE A F O O D · O PE N YE A R - R O U N D 

Clark's Oyster Bar

517 E. Hyman Ave · Clarksaspen.com 

An Aspen institution since 2018. Fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and chowder served at a marble raw bar. Get there when they open or expect to wait in July. The lobster roll in peak season is worth planning around. Best for a celebratory lunch, a date night, or a group dinner with a bottle of white wine and no particular rush.  A great spot for Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3 to 5pm enjoy Half Priced Burgers, Half Priced Martinis,  50¢ off Oysters and $5 Oyster Shooters.  Space is limited. 

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER · OYSTERS & SEAFOOD 

F R E N C H - A M E R I C A N · SI N C E 1 9 8 9 

Cache Cache 

205 S. Mill St · cachecache.com

One of the most reliable dinner rooms in town, open since 1989. French-American, seasonal menu, strong wine list. Not loud, not trendy, just very good. The classic Aspen date night choice or an anniversary dinner for people who care about the meal being right and the service top notch.  Make this a favorite when visiting Aspen and you will be welcomed by familiar faces every time.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED · DINNER · FRENCH-AMERICAN 

L U N C H · M O U N TA I N PAT I O 

Ajax Tavern 

685 E. Durant Ave · Ajax Tavern

At the base of the Aspen gondola and one of the best summer lunch spots in the valley. The patio is the thing. Come down off the mountain and settle in. Works equally well for a family lunch, a couple spending the afternoon in town, or a group of friends who want to sit in the sun for a while.  The truffle fries and people watching are worth putting this one on your list!

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH · GONDOLA BASE PATIO 

J A PA N ESE · B O O K A H E A D 

Matsuhisa 

303 E. Main St · Matsuhisarestaurants.com

Nobu Matsuhisa's original Aspen restaurant and still one of the most consistently excellent meals in the valley. The new-style sashimi and black cod have been on the menu for a reason. The go-to for a special occasion dinner or an impressive date night. Book well ahead, especially Thursday through Saturday in July. 

BOOK AHEAD · DINNER · JAPANESE & SUSHI 

A M E R I C A N · N O R ESERVAT I O N S 

White House Tavern 

302 E. Hopkins Ave · Aspenwhitehouse.com 

Set inside one of Aspen's oldest buildings, a Carpenter Gothic miner's cottage built in 1883. Focused menu of premium sandwiches, hearty salads, and classic cocktails. The #1-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor Aspen. Reservations are not accepted so expect a wait. One of the most versatile spots in town: good for a family lunch, a solo meal at the bar, or a low-key date that still has a genuine atmosphere. Ask any local about White House and they will tell you “Get the chicken sandwich!”

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH & DINNER · WALK-IN ONLY - NO RESERVATIONS

M EXI C A N · R O O F TO P PAT I O 

Las Montañas 

205 S. Mill St, upstairs · Lasmontanasaspen.com 

One of the better rooftop patios in town. Sizzling tableside fajitas, house-made tortillas, strong margaritas, and views of Smuggler Mountain. Lively by 7pm any given summer Friday. Ideal for a friend group dinner that wants the energy to go up, not down. 

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER · ROOFTOP VIEWS 

J A PA N ESE · C A N D LEL I T 

Kenichi 

533 E. Hopkins Ave · Kenichiaspen.com 

One of Aspen's most beloved restaurants, serving contemporary Japanese cuisine since 1991. Moody, candlelit room, exceptional sushi bar, one of the deepest sake lists in Colorado. Start with the Yellowtail Serrano (a personal favorite). Open nightly except Sunday. This is a perfect option for all - even if you are staying in Snowmass as they have a sister location in Base Village that is just as speical!

OPEN NIGHTLY EXCEPT SUNDAY · DINNER · SUSHI & JAPANESE 

I N  S N O W M A S S  V I L L A G E 

Snowmass has a dining scene worth exploring on its own terms, especially for guests staying in the village who want something close. 

B R E A K FA ST & D I N N E R · U PS C A LE 

Toro Snowmass 

Viceroy Snowmass · Torosnowmass.com 

The Viceroy's flagship restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner featuring contemporary Latin cuisine by Chef Richard Sandoval. A polished hotel dining room, quiet enough for conversation and nice enough to feel like an occasion. The best option in Snowmass for a proper date night dinner without driving into Aspen. Reservations recommended. 

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED · BREAKFAST & DINNER  

FA R M - TO - TA B LE · L U N C H & D I N N E R 

Aurum 

Snowmass Village · Aurumaspensnowmass.com 

Refined seasonal New American cuisine in an elegantly casual atmosphere, in the heart of Snowmass Base Village. A good choice for a girls' dinner, a date night, or anyone who wants a meal that feels thoughtful rather than just convenient. Enjoy live music on the patio every Saturday & Tuesday from 6–8pm. Then, on Sunday evenings throughout July you can enjoy live classical music, a special collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival Young Artist Series, featuring talented young musicians, from 6–8pm.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED · LUNCH & DINNER

C A S U A L · S N O W M A SS I N ST I T U T I O N

The Stew Pot 

Snowmass Village · Stewpotsnowmass.com 

A Snowmass Village institution for good reason. Casual, kid-friendly, hearty portions. Best for families or anyone who wants something filling and unpretentious after a day on the mountain. No reservations needed, no dress code, no fuss. 

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH & DINNER · CASUAL & KID-FRIENDLY 

M EXI C A N · L IVELY 

Venga Venga 

Snowmass Village · Vengavengasnowmass.com 

Colorful, festive Mexican in the heart of Snowmass Village, also a Richard Sandoval restaurant. Tacos, margaritas, a buzzy atmosphere, and a large outdoor patio that gets going on summer evenings. The best pick in Snowmass for a group that wants high energy or for families looking for a family friendly menu.  

OPEN DAILY · LUNCH & DINNER · OUTDOOR PATIO & MARGARITAS 

D I N N E R & N I G H T L I FE · VIEWLINE RESORT 

The Flower Shop

Viewline Hotel, Snowmass Village · Viewlineresortsnowmass.com

The evening destination inside the Viewline Resort. A 1970s-inspired retro ski lodge with wood, warmth, and nostalgic charm. Approachable food, cocktails, a pool table, and a fireplace, and live music, it’s a welcoming spot to start, settle in, or end the night

OPEN THURSDAY - SUNDAY · DINNER & LATE NIGHT · COCKTAILS & NIGHTLIFE 

O N - M O U N TA I N  L U N C H · D A I LY  J U N E–SEPT 

Elk Camp Restaurant 

Top of the Elk Camp Gondola · Aspensnowmass.com 

Ride the Elk Camp Gondola (ticket necessary) to 9,840 feet and have lunch with a view that stretches across the valley. Open daily 10am–4:30pm, June 21 through September 7 and on weekends through October 4. Locally sourced American menu, healthy options, and a setting that doesn't exist anywhere in the village. The gondola also gets you to Lost Forest. Pair lunch with an afternoon on the alpine coaster, hiking trails, or ropes course making it an all day adventure.

OPEN DAILY JUNE 21–SEPT 7, WEEKENDS ONLY THROUGH OCT 4 · 10AM–4:30PM · ON-MOUNTAIN DINING & VIEWS 

Q U I C K & H E A LT H Y 

JÜS Snowmass & Fuel Café 

Jussnowmass.com · Eatsnowmass.com 

For a quick start to the day: JÜS has fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy breakfast options with indoor and outdoor seating.  Jus also has a convenient downtown Aspen location as well.

Fuel Café handles the heartier breakfast burrito and coffee crowd. Good for any group heading out early on the trail or to the gondola and looking for a great grab and go. 

OPEN DAILY · BREAKFAST & LUNCH · QUICK & GRAB-AND-GO 

A F E W P R A C T I C A L N O T E S 

July is peak season in Aspen and Snowmass. Most restaurants are fully booked Thursday through Saturday nights. If there's somewhere specific you've been wanting to try, make a reservation before you travel. Many spots open their books 30 days out. 

Our team has called the Roaring Fork Valley home for over 30 years. If you're staying with us and want a more specific recommendation based on what you're in the mood for, just reach out. We're always glad to point you in the right direction.