Aspen Restaurants

Located midway down Aspen Mountain (or Ajax), Bonnie’s is a quaint 1960s cabin with a two-tiered outdoor deck. Skiers come for the pancakes and Bonnie’s famous apple strudel, and they stay to bask in the sun on the deck and people-watch. While many ski lodges lack a personal flair, Bonnie’s has remained family-owned for over 50 years, which is evident the moment you step in the door.

Sway offers the best Thai food in town: The kitchen partners with local farmers to create Thai delicacies with a modern twist, like salt + pepper tofu, pan fried short rib dumplings, and braised pork shoulder. Their wood-paneled dining room gives the place a cozy, cabin-like feel, making it the ideal spot to tuck in with friends for the evening.

This cute Tex-Mex spot in downtown has a brightly decorated dining room, a rooftop with mountain views, and great frozen margs. It’s a great spot for happy hour drinks and bites (think fresh guacamole and crispy tacos), and they can accommodate large groups for events.

Long days in Aspen call for long dinners at the venerable Steakhouse No. 316, where the cuts are generous and the atmosphere is almost club-like. Once you’re tucked into one of their red booths, you’ll start to understand why many people call the best steakhouse in town. They’re known for their wagyu flat iron and cowboy rib eye, but they also have great seafood, sides, and desserts.

According to several goop staffers, Betula is where you want to post up après ski. The interior exudes Parisian glamour, the DJ rages all weekend, and the food (executed by chef Laurent Cantineaux) is as refined as it is delicious. We strongly recommend the hearty lomo saltado, and warm apple Napoleon for dessert. If you’re dining elsewhere, stop by Betula’s outrageously chic (and cozy) Living Room afterward for a fireside French Coupe (gin, bergamot liquor, lemon juice, and bubbles with a hint of thyme).

So you want to lunch at the White Tavern but there’s not a free seat in sight. Instead, you end up at Bear Den across the street, and after an order of spicy Thai noodle salad, you realize the fates were on your side after all. This chalet-style spot is an all-day dining gem. Breakfast skews hearty and traditional with French toast boards, cheesy burritos, and eggs every way. The coffee menu is extensive, with the full slew of alt milks. Dinner leans into decadence: Fondue, onion dip, and bison Bolognese dolloped with burrata pair exceptionally well with a glass of Burgundy Pinot Noir.

Crisscrossing down runs all day builds a serious appetite. Mi Chola is the first spot that springs to mind when a feast is in order. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and informal, and the whole space hums with chatter. Deep bowls of crunchy chips, chunky guac, and queso fundido with a spicy margarita is a solid way to end a long day on the slopes. Mi Chola is also the kind of happy hour spot that allows you to relax and decompress before heading to dinner elsewhere.

Mawa’s is off the beaten track, and locals would love to keep it that way. A stone’s throw from the airport, this low-key, unfussy spot is helmed by Mawa McQueen, who cut her cooking teeth around the world—in the Ivory Coast, France, and finally, Colorado. Expect dishes infused with international flavor, like chipotle butternut squash hash, muhammara with homemade pita, Cubano sandwiches, and pork carnitas. We’re partial to picking up Mawa’s handy “plane menu” before takeoff, which runs the gamut from sandwiches to full shrimp and caviar spreads. (A complete catered dining experience is available for those traveling privately.) And finally, if you find yourself jonesing for a gooey Gruyère-and-ham crepe after a day in the snow, Mawa’s sister business in Snowmass, the Crepe Shack, never disappoints.

Clark’s is the latest from Austin restaurateurs Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman. It’s quickly becoming the go-to place after a day on the slopes for a burger and a martini. But it’s a good choice in general when you feel like seafood. The lobster roll and a number of raw bar items—like the red snapper ceviche with golden roe and cucumber and the Kumamoto oysters—do not disappoint.

Bosq is newer to Aspen, but you wouldn’t know it. Chef Barclay Dodge clearly brings his love of travel back to his hometown. You can taste it in his globally influenced menu, which features items as far-ranging as a sweet and sour crispy eggplant, jamón ibérico with lovage and garlic chips, and short rib tacos with lime, pumpkin, and dried chili. But the room itself—a cozy space that seems made entirely of dark wood—is pure Aspen.