ASPEN  RESTAURANT UPDATES

as of NOVEMBER 27,2025

Assorted Asian dishes on plates, including sushi rolls with flowers and garnishes, and a bowl of ramen with vegetables, all presented on a dark table.
A yellow gelato cart with a yellow canopy that has pink writing, advertising Gelateria. There are golden ice cream cone containers on top of the cart, and in the background, there are outdoor tables with people dining, and a brick building with large windows.
Person slicing a cooked meat dish, likely a chop, on a white plate at a dining table.

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PHOTO: 304 E.Hopkins which is currently under construction. This image shows the former OVER EASY (upstairs) and SQUARE GROUPER (downstairs) , soon to be HILLSTONE RESTAURANT, located next to White House Tavern on Hopkin’s “restaurant row”…

update DEC 7, 2025

OPENING SOON: Previously I reported that Andrew Cader et al will be opening “CHAPS ASPEN”. The name instead will be “GOLDEN HORN”, opening approximately February 2026 in the corner space facing Wagner field (formerly Maru, Takah Sushi and 35 yrs ago: the Golden Horn) … see write up below

update NOVEMBER 27, 2025

NOW OPEN: a second Wild Fig in Basalt (thx Sam and Craig), while the Aspen Wild Fig’s new patio is in contention for best Al Fresco dining, imo.

NEW OWNERSHIP: FREE RANGE in old town Basalt is under new ownership: best wishes to the HUMBLE founders and longtime locals Steve and Robin.

OPENING SOON: (SEE WRITE UPS FURTHER DOWN)

  • Mt Rubirosa Aspen's New Italian Restaurant (link to Forbes article) opening at the base of the gondola: ie, the RLN restaurant space.

  • Hillstone Restaurant: see photo above….from the group that runs the White House Tavern (Hillstone group) and located directly adjacent. Former home of Over Easy, Elevation, Rennaisance, Squaure Grouper, R bar etc. 304 E.Hopkins, Aspen.

  • Chaps Aspen: in the former Taka Sushi space across from Wagner Park. (see write up further below)

  • Petit Trois, @chefludo’s beloved LA bistro, will debut inside hotel “Mollie Aspen” in December, w/new spa too.

  • Lola-41 at the brand new WHITE ELEPHANT hotel on Main St. Their plan is to open shortly after the grand opening of the hotel February 2026.

CLOSED: poof, gone:

  • SWAY THAI, on Hopkin’s restaurant row.

  • HAI SI , and renowned Chef Yoshi Okai. Below Sway Thai on Hopkins.

  • YOGIS (subsidized by city of Aspen) across from the Rio Grande skateboard Park

  • MiChola , the Mexican local on the corner across from Jerome.

2025 MICHELIN GUIDE : LINK: Sept 2025: 4 restaurants get Michelin Guide props
congrats to the 2025 Michelin Guide honorees: FOUR ASPEN restaurants . But BOSQ remains the only CO mountain town restaurant that has earned a star.

The 2025 Michelin Guide Colorado includes four Aspen restaurants in the prestigious lineup.

Bosq, which received a Michelin star in 2023 and is one of only nine Michelin-starred restaurants in Colorado, received the “Michelin Sommelier Award” this year for Nick Heileman. Of the four 2025 Michelin Special Awards, Bosq is the only restaurant located outside of Denver to receive recognition. Bosq remains the only Colorado mountain town restaurant with a Michelin star — all other restaurants are in Denver and Boulder.

This is also the second year in a row that an Aspen sommelier received a “Michelin Sommelier Award” — in 2024, Chris Dunaway of Element 47 was named.

The Little Nell’s Element 47, Mawa’s Kitchen, and Hotel Jerome’s The Prospect all maintained their status as Colorado’s 2025 Recommended restaurants. The three restaurants have been listed as recommended since 2023, the guide’s inaugural year in Colorado.

PHOTO: Mawa Bowl Pasta , courtesy M

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update AUG 24, 2025:

CLOSING AUG 31, 2025: GRAVITY HAUS 315 E.Hyman, Aspen. In 2022, GH replaced the long established young locals favorite “Compound”, namely Eric’s Bar, SuCasa, Aspen Billiards and The Cigar Bar. Gravity Haus was 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 reonasble pricing, bar + golf simulator + billiards. Located in on the corner of Cooper and Mill Street, across from Wagner Field (formerly MARU Sushi, Taka Sushi, and for the old timers: The Golden Horn ). Aspen has been missing a spot like this since 2020 when Ryno’s closed (now the Restoration Hardware 9-yr delayed project to develop an ‘Aspen Eco-system’, and 2011 when Cooper Street Pier closed (now Bad Billy's).

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.

(CLOSED AS OF NOV.2025) New: Summer 2025: 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 and AM-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 BREWERY 121 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 NEW PATIO : It’s a toss up between ST AMBROEUS RESTAURANT’s patio 201 E.Main St (not the Hyman Ave coffee shop!!!),  WAYAN’s patio at 614 East Cooper and Wild Fig Aspen. St Ambroeus’s vibe is sophisticated, elegant and chic. Wayan’s vibe is worldy, ethnic and artsy. The menus are very different: St Ambroeus offers classic Milanese fare , while Wayan’s menu is Indonesian w/modern French flair.

BEST KID FRIENDLY AFFORDABLE: CP BURGER on Durant near the gondola. With minature golf in summer and a great patio. Longtime local owners Sam and Craig Cordts-Pearce keep it running smoothly. Try the LULU KALE SALAD. My fave for 20+yrs.

FAVE BREAKFAST SPOT: (new summer 2024) 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 as of winter ‘24-’25) 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 as of winter ‘23-’24) 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. I love their smash burger for $18

***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 as of winter‘24/’25) 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.

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UPDATE, Spring 2025

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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, closing Spring 2025.

Clicquot in the Snow: at Ajax Tavern , located at the gondola. THURSDAYS to SUNDAYS only.

THE JADE ROOM: +1 970-429-9581 21 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 or CHAPS ASPEN” (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.

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QUICK UPDATE, Halloween 2024

(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.

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UPDATE, Early Fall 2024:

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.

MOLLIE Aspen Restaurant & Bar
in the new hotel, MOLLIE, on Main at Garmisch. Must see. Love their burger!

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.

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