Aspen’s Top Restaurants

For many years, Aspen has gained its popularity as a skiing destination not only due to its gorgeous scenery and mountains, slopes, and powder, but due to its trendy vibes and upscale dining. Many restaurant and hospitality groups have fled to Aspen to explore opportunities in developing authentic gourmet concept restaurants to wow its patrons. And they have succeeded. Here are some of our favorites: 

Monarch

Local’s favorite, Monarch is a posh version of a traditional steakhouse. The restaurant features a stylish pewter-trimmed bar and a main dining room with a dimmed décor and a mixture of glass, mirror, bronze, antique brass elements to create a cozy yet elegant atmosphere. 

The menu varies from traditional dishes such as steak and chips or Prime Monarch Burger to seafood dishes such as lobster carbonara, diver scallops. The main dining room offers full raw bar with caviar service as well soft-shell crab and prime filet tartare. 

Betula

Located in the heart of Aspen with all its fashionable shops, Betula offers spectacular views of Ajax Mountain. The décor is a combination of relaxed Victorian-style that predominates in Aspen and unpretentious modernity. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining with 1330 seats as well a bar-lounge perfect for après-ski. 

The guests at Betula can enjoy innovative French Pan-American cuisine by Paris native chef Laurent who has worked with talented chefs including Guy Savoy in Paris, Michel Troisgros in Roanne, and Daniel Boulud in New York. His experience and creativity have become a foundation of a truly gourmet dining experience offered at Betula.

Matsuhisa

Another genius creation by sushi-Czar Nobu Matsuhisa, this Aspen restaurant features a sleek Main Street dining room that books up a month in advance during high season and is home to Upstairs that’s always on a first-come first-served basis. Much like the chef’s other outposts, the location caters to be-seen diners looking for innovative Japanese cuisine in a frill-free dining room reflective of look-at-me Aspen lifestyle.

As all the other locations, Matsuhisa offers a gourmet Japanese dining experience. Some of the signature rituals include toro tartar with caviar and Kobe tataki sashimi, the infamous Miso black cod and Sea Bass. Sushi lovers can enjoy the various selections of the freshest albacore, salmon and Spanish Mackerel sashimi cut to perfection. 

Casa D’Angelo 

Located in the heart of Aspen Village, Casa D’Angelo is a true Tuscan-inspired eatery. The owner-chef Angelo Elia’s concept of ““Tutto su gli ingredienti” (“It’s all about the ingredients”) offers its guest the most authentic Italian dining experience with the mixture of local freshest ingredients along with the products flown in from Tuscany. 

The modern yet elegant décor of the restaurant is a credit of a famous local interior designer Kristin Dittmar Doremus who was able to seamlessly transform the former home of long-standing Piñons restaurant into a place that plays favorably with locals and visitors alike. 

J Bar 

Located in the famous Jerome Hotel, J-bar is one of the most elegant and traditional watering holes in Aspen. With its 111-year-old maple bar and Daily Democrat newspaper cuttings as a part of the décor, this place offers a step back in time atmosphere absolutely loved by guests. 

Besides the mastered crafted cocktails and old-time favorites such as “Aspen Crud”, the guests can enjoy traditional “pub-style” comfort food such as Venison Chili, Braised Short Rib Tacos, and the Famous J-Bar Burger. 

Clark’s Oyster Bar 

Founded by Maguire-Moorman restaurant group (now MML Hospitality with the recent addition of hotelier Liz Lambert), Clark’s Oyster Bar is a great place for fresh seafood and oysters that has become one of local favorites. 

The restaurant features a restored mahogany bar with an extensive French-leaning wine list and signature cocktails such as a rye Manhattan Martini. Amongst the must-try items on the award-winning food menu are items like grilled Spanish octopus or signature cioppino, which make the guests keep coming back. 

Alpine’s Bistro

This European-style bistro is located in the heart of Aspen village and offers the coziest “ski-chalet” ambiance either for a stylish apres-ski or a delicious dining experience.

The menu ranges from items like a soul-warming after a day of skiing than a steaming bowl of French Alpine Bistro’s soupe à l’oignon (French onion soup) to a bubbling pot of what the restaurant calls “liquid Swiss gold,” aka fondue. The dessert menu and an extensive wine list contribute to the overall wonderful experience at Alpine Bistro.