CLOSING AUG 31, 2025: GRAVITY HAUS 315 E.Hyman, Aspen. In 2022, GH replaced the long established young locals favorite “Compound” (EricBar, SuCasa, Aspen Billiards and The Cigar Bar). Meant to be a “reimagined clubhouse grounded in Aspen’s wild west roots, w/ access to a suite of amenities, and aprés ski at your fingertips,” according to the Gravity Haus Aspen website.
Coming Soon Downvalley (Basalt) : WILD FIG WILLITS: 241 Harris St, BASALT: A complete overhaul of the space (formerly Ocean Seafood) is scheduled to open this fall. The concept is sister to Aspen’s Wild Fig—one of Aspen’s favorite local restaurants for over two decades. “Food from Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and a touch of the Middle East,” says Samantha Cordts-Pearce of CP Restaurant Group.replicates the Wild Fig vibe, “like stepping into a brasserie in Paris,”
Coming Soon: CHAPS ASPEN : 323 S.Mill St. Thankfully, a group of longtime locals are opening a new hangout spot after so many have closed. Featuring bar + golf simulator + billiards. Located in on the corner of Cooper and Mill Street, across from Wagner Field (formerly MARU Sushi, Taka Sushi, Golden Horn).
Coming Soon : HILLSTONE RESTAURANT : 304 E.Hopkins, Aspen. Adjacent to White House Tavern, in the former Renaissance Restaurant space (where I was once-upona-time the wine steward) … also the former home of SOCIAL, ELEVATION, THE SQUARE GROUPER, and most recently, ASPEN BREW & OVER-EASY. Same ownership as White House Tavern. The concept will be “more elevated” cuisine than White House Tavern.
Coming Soon: PETIT TROIS: 111 S.Garmisch at MOLLY Aspen Hotel on Main St. Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s acclaimed French bistro, Petit Trois, will debut its newest location and first restaurant outside of Los Angeles. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Signature menu dishes include Steak Frites, Burgundy Escargots, French Onion Soup, and the Big Mec, a burger once named the best in America.
New: HAI SI, now open at 308 E.Hopkins, Aspen. Located below Sway Thai … by renowned Chef Yoshi Okai. This underground izakaya is “intimate and high-energy”. The menu features hot and cold dishes. In the former SYZYGY (v.2) space. SET MENU price is $285 per person.
New: COFFEE SHOP at Explore Booksellers :221 E.Main St, Aspen. Open 10-5pm. We’re all thrilled that Explore has re-opened their restaurant space upstairs with a coffee shop. Located for decades next to the former Main St Bakery (now St Ambroeus).
New: SILVERS ASPEN 710 E.Durant, Aspen. The NY bagel place by a member of the Wynn family of Vegas. Located next to City Market. in the former “JOUR De FETE “ space of 36 years. Sad to see another institution close….similar to Mezzaluna, Jimmy’s, Pinons, L’Hosteria, Main St Bakery, Red Onion, Little Annies…
FINALLY OPEN: Yuki andAM-7: 500 E.Durant, Aspen. Nobu Yuki Matsuhisa’s new world cuisine concept on the ground level above Belly up on Durant St. The spaces are refined, sexy and beautifully appointed. Opening had been delayed since Christmas’24. AM7 is the private club/restaurant and located upstairs above YUKI. Kudos to the Goldbergs: well done.
Best Views: WEST END SOCIAL: holy moly the views from WEST END SOCIAL (845 Meadows Rd) are nearly 180 degrees. After we were done oogling over the scenery, we were served a meal that beat our expectations. MUST TRY.
Our Favorite CASUAL PATIO SPACE : ASPEN BREWERY121 S Galena St (formerly Peaches) Recently under new ownership. This is a great spot with a reasonably priced menu! It is Aspen’s only craft brewery, w/ 13 taps. *we love their sourdough pizzas!
BEST KID FRIENDLY AFFORDABLE: Yogi’s455 Rio Grande Place, Aspen. Acrossfrom Rio Grande Park . With arcade games, TV’s, and a huge patio. Local Brendan Berl won a bid to take over the city-owned Taster’s Pizza, Try the $12 double patty, plus two slices of cheese for an extra buck.
FAVE BREAKFAST SPOT: (new last summer ) ORIGIN: 610 S.West End Street, Aspen. As I’ve reported before, The Gant’s new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef showcases western Colorado's regenerative agriculture with seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches.
NEW last winter) AOSTA : 219 E.Durant. MUST TRY their Cacio e Pepe made tableside in a giant wheel of Parmasan!) Located on E.Durant in the former Almresi space across from Monarch Steak House. Alpine Italian cuisine by Samantha and Craig Cordts-Pearce, the beloved local proprietors of Wild Fig, Monarch, Steakhouse 316, CP Burger, Wood Creek Tavern and soon to be opened (hopefully!) The Red Onion.
(NEW last winter) WAYAN ASPEN: 614 E.Cooper: in the former Local Coffee space. Le Creperie’s Raphael Derly joined forces with chef Cédric Vongerichten to bring the Wayan concept from NYC to Aspen. Indonesian cuisine with a modern French flair.
BEST HAPPY HOUR: we like ZIGZAG: 624 E.Cooper. As previously reported, the recognizable former Mezzaluna is now a French-American bistro. Their happy hour is worth a trip: 3pm-6pm.
***and also HAPPY HOUR at CLARKS OYSTER BAR 517 E.Hyman offers half price burgers and other specials. 3-6pm But not on weekends.
NEW!) THE ALPIN ROOM SNOWMASS:The former Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant at the top of the Alpine Springs lift on Snowmass, under the stewardship of new chef Emily Oyer. The menu is predominantly Alsatian, with a nod to French, Swiss and Austrian fare.
(MOVED) The Whole Empanada pops up in Aspen for the winter on Hyman Ave. pedestrian mall.
Sant Ambroeus Restaurant on Main St at corner of Aspen St. MENU HERE. ***not to be confused with the coffee bar on Hyman Ave) FINALLY OPEN after the former space, Main St Bakery was shuttered for 9 years. OUTSTANDING Milanese cuisine and sublime decor. Must go.
Bemelman’s Bar POPUP … fun but its now closed. The famous bar at The Carlyle, NY has arrived for a few weeks. It’s Chic with NY vibe. Live piano. from 3pm to 9pm daily. 620 E.Hyman Ave, across from Aspen Art Museum.
Hasalon : another POPUP at the W-HOTEL, is closing next week.
Clicquot in the Snow: at Ajax Tavern , located at the gondola. THURSDAYS to SUNDAYS only.
THE JADE ROOM: +1 970-429-958121 and up. CLOSES MARCH 31, 2025. Entry is by table reservation or tickets only, with GA at the discretion of the door team. Please email tables@thesnowlodge.com for inquiries. The Jade Room is “an elevated cocktail and caviar lounge” as part of The Snow Lodge winter Apres experience. With performances by world renowned DJs, an eclectic menu of Italian small plates, and exclusive parties hosted by their champagne partner.
NEW BAR OWNERSHIP: LOCAL TAP is under new ownership and has been reinvigorated. This is a great spot with a reasonably priced menu . It is Aspen’s only craft brewery, w/ 13 taps. *** I love their sourdough pizzas!
COMING SOON: “SLIPPERY SLOPE” (name may change) : Another local spot is in the works at the space on the corner of Cooper and Mill Street, across from Wagner Field… promising an authentic Aspen vibe + golf simulator + billiards = happy locals. MORE SOON…
AU REVOIR : “JOUR De FETE “ closed on January 27 after 36 years and will be replaced with a NY bagel place. Olivier and Amy Mottier deserve some time off! Mottier family members have pitched in over the years to make the French-style cafe one of Aspen’s oldest restaurants. Good bye to another institution similar to the Red Onion, Little Annies, Mezzaluna, Jimmy’s, Pinons, L’Hosteria, Main Street Bakery, etc….
(NEW!) WAYAN ASPEN: 614 E.Cooper: in the former Local Coffee space. Le Creperie’s Raphael Derly joined forces with chef Cédric Vongerichten to bring the Wayan concept from NYC to Aspen. Indonesian cuisine with a modern French flair. ***OFFERING LIVE MUSIC and special discounted menu for APRES SKI.
(NEW) AOSTA : (ONE OF MY FAVES!) in the former Almresi space across from Monarch Steak House on Durant St. Alpine Italian cuisine by Samantha and Craig Cordts-Pearce, the beloved local proprietors of Wild Fig, Monarch, Steakhouse 316, CP Burger, Wood Creek Tavern and soon to be opened (hopefully!) The Red Onion.
(NEW!) ORIGIN: As I’ve reported on before, The Gant’s new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef showcases western Colorado's regenerative agriculture with fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches.
(NEW) ZIGZAG: As previously reported this highly anticipated modern French-American bistro, took over the iconic Mezzaluna space at 624 E Cooper Street. ZigZag Aspen blends nearly two decades of luxury hospitality experience, cultivated across France, New York, and Las Vegas, with the local expertise and passion of long-time Aspen residents Scott and Carly Weber. A culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après-ski, dinner, and beyond.
NEW!) THE ALPIN ROOM SNOWMASS:The former Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant at the top of the Alpine Springs lift on Snowmass, under the stewardship of new chef Emily Oyer. The menu is predominantly Alsatian, with a nod to French, Swiss and Austrian fare.
(COMING SOON!) YUKI ASPEN: opening is delayed. Located above the BELLY UP in the old ‘Victoria’ space, and below the soon-to-open AM7 private club, YUKI is another concept by Nobu Matsuhisa but featuring global cuisine, and not just sushi.
(MOVED) The Whole Empanada pops up in Aspen for the winter on Hyman Ave. pedestrian mall.
(COMING SOON!)St Ambroeus the long-awaited opening is finally happening in the former Main Street Bakery location, in addition to their current spot at 520 E Hyman Ave.
(NEW!) TACO PINA: located near the post office at Clarks market… with Happy Hour all day on Wednesdays.
MEZZALUNA is gone… now “ZIGZAG” with December opening. I met the new GM, Paula, who tells me they are will also offer happy hour specials. New owners are Romain Pavee and locals Scott/Carly Weber.
BELLY UP Expansion: Private club AM7 and Yuki Restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa will open soon above Belly Up, one of Rolling Stone Magazine's “BEST CLUBS IN AMERICA."
WILD FIG v.2: Owners Sam, Craig Cordts-Pearce lost their lease last year, but reopened in a new space at 305 S.Mill St.
MEZZALUNA: this storied eatery on Cooper Ave sold to new owners last month after 36 years. Even Kato Kaelin was connected here. It is currently slated to open December 2024 with new concept.
Elina: I just love this place. The short ribs are OUTSTANDING. This is the same space which once housed “Carnivale” (who remembers?) where i worked in the 1990’s as a waiter … which did not make my parents happy when i quit my job at IBM after earning a BS in Computer Science. Fast forward, all’s well that ends well.
Bosq Aspen Aspen’s only Michelin Star restaurant, chef-owner Barclay Dodge’s eatery on the Mill Street Mall is a high point. My daugher ‘staged’ there last summer : YES CHEF!
Swedish Hill Cafe I LOVE: the fabulous iced green tea, the turkey sandwich , and the breakfast sandwiches. Run dont walk to this place: at the rooftop of the Aspen Art Museum on Hyman Ave. The owners also own Louis Swiss Pastry and offer fabulous breakfast and lunch items. THE VIEW is impossible to beat. This is a must … from MML Hospitality.
…similarly, another must is ….
St Ambroeus Cafe: for breakfast and lunch only: their pastries are BEAUTY and PERFECTION. open on the 500 block of Hyman Ave . Their new location is opening spring 2025 at the old MainSt Bakery space on Main Steet and Aspen Ave.
ELEMENT 47 The five-star, Five Diamond Little Nell Hotel’s exquisite restaurant is a must-do on any Aspen itinerary.
PARC ASPEN This popular hot spot mixes a modern French farmhouse feel with an edgy vibe. Check out the bar menu.
CASA D’ANGELO As a concept, Tutto su gli ingredientes (translation: “It’s all about the ingredients”) plays favorably with palates at this Tuscan-inspired eatery.
LAS MONTAÑAS A colorful Mexican vibe and decor has put this high-profile restaurant by MML Hospitality on Aspen’s go-to dining list. great HAPPY HOUR!
BELLY UP Expansion opening soon: private club AM7 and Yuki restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa. Rated one of Rolling Stone Magazine's “BEST CLUBS IN AMERICA".
WILD FIG “v.2” Owners Sam & Craig Cordts-Pearce reopened in a new space at 305 S.Mill St, next to the (summertime) dancing fountains.
Sway Thai My daughter who just spent time in Thailand says its the real deal. I’ve reported on Sway in my former AspenINTEL newsletters, including summer2023, here.
Stranahan’s Colorado ….LOVE THE VIBE HERE: old-timey Aspen plus great food… Whisky based cocktails, tasting room & restaurant. Located in the former Aspen Pie Shop overlooking Wagner Field. Note, they have a limited liquor license.
Buck Now open in the space under the former Cooper Street Pier location. ***This is a local skiers bar with affordable food offerings.
Jimoto Raman: (mostly) a take-out noodle shop across from the Aspen Art Museum. Open from Noon- 8pm only.
ORIGIN the “FARMER n CHEF” owners have opened for breakfast and Lunch at The Gant, and once weekly on Wed, they stay open with “Wine Down Wed” from 4:30-7:30 on the roof.
