Mawa McQueen’s cooking journey has taken her around the globe, but she’s called Aspen home for more than 20 years. The headquarters for her expanding, family-run empire, McQueen Hospitality, is just outside of town, where the James Beard semifinalist nominee welcomes diners right into the kitchen for healthy yet gourmet breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Known as “the queen” among loyal customers, the chef produces rotating menus influenced by flavors from her French and African heritage. Last season, the group opened the doors of Latin-inspired Mawita, which joined the Crepe Shack in the Collective Snowmass.

Chef Chris Lanter, co-owner of Aspen’s upscale French-American restaurant Cache Cache, doubled down by bringing this South Carolina-based barbecue joint from the beach to the mountains in 2016. Anchoring the base of the Buttermilk ski area — home to the X Games Aspen every January — Home Team serves house-smoked meats, traditional Southern sides, and signature frozen cocktails. Outside of the X Games, the family-friendly hangout plays other sports on its TVs, so stop by for any type of game day. Catering, bulk order, and party platter menus are also available.

This original Aspen outpost of the famed LA-based empire shows off sushi at its finest and other staples from renowned Japanese chef, Nobu Matsuhisa. The restaurant is situated over two floors in a century-year-old Victorian on Main Street, with a grand dining room downstairs and a main-level lounge and sushi bar. There are two omakase menus available. Try to get a reservation for one of the super-exclusive Nobu in Town nights when the master himself is behind the bar, crafting his signature dishes, schmoozing with guests, and signing cookbooks.

You can’t go wrong at a Hillstone Restaurant Group restaurant, praised by Bon Appetit in 2016 as the owners of “America’s favorite restaurant.” Since opening almost a decade ago in a historic miner’s cottage built in 1883, the always-busy White House Tavern has cranked out classics on a short-and-sweet menu. Go for the Macho Salad, Honor Burger, or crispy chicken sandwich.

Championing all things local, Meat & Cheese offers a little bit of everything. Seasonal menus consist of what owner Wendy Mitchell defines as “world farmhouse” cuisine, along with copious charcuterie platters to graze on with a group. Patrons can buy cured meats, seafood, cheeses, artisan breads, specialty sauces, and chic kitchen accessories from the adjacent gourmet grocer, too. At night, head downstairs to the moody Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar for inventive concoctions like the Chronic Tonic 2.0, a CBD-infused revamp of the house gin and tonic.

In taking over the beloved Jimmy’s space, which bid adieu to Aspen after 24 years in 2021, MML Hospitality expanded its footprint at altitude with the opening of a new Tex-Mex concept in 2022. Arched doorframes, weathered wood, colorful tile, and rustic furniture make for a cozy backdrop to indulge in winter warm-ups, including tabletop fajitas, enchilada combo platters, Baja-style oysters, ceviches, and aguachiles. There’s an extensive mezcal and tequila list to mix-and-match.

Situated in a second-floor space, this 10,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor location by Catch Hospitality Group boasts sweeping views from Aspen Mountain to Red Mountain and heated patio seating year-round. Taking inspiration from the original Meatpacking District location in New York, Catch Steak tilts the traditional steakhouse model through a lighter, brighter, and fresher menu featuring shareable plates, a curated selection of American cuts, and a focused selection of Japanese wagyu (including snow beef from the Hokkaido prefecture, often called the “holy grail of wagyu”). For herbivores, there’s also a thoughtful selection of vegetarian and vegan options, like a vegetarian chicken parm (a plant-based cutlet with old-school red sauce) and wild dover sole with lemon-caper emulsion, spicy gigli, and aged pecorino.

Sabrina Rudin, whose passion for the plant-based lifestyle is infectious, was ahead of her time in opening Spring Cafe Aspen in 2013. Since then, clean eaters have flocked to this sunny, social spot for juice, coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Highlights on the winter menu include pumpkin oatmeal with house-made nut mylk, sourdough French toast with caramelized bananas and cashew vanilla drizzle, stuffed roasted sweet potato with sauteed greens and cashew coconut cream, and a smoky tempeh gyro.

After opening in 2018, this Austin transplant has solidified its hot spot status inside the storied digs previously home to the historic Little Annie’s Eating House. Always start with the impressive selection of East and West coast oysters paired with fresh-shaved horseradish, followed by a steaming bowl of cioppino for the main course. The happy hour burger is arguably one of the best in town, especially during après ski, when it’s served alongside half-priced martinis and oyster shooters. A special caviar, roe, and Champagne menu is also available for a fancy night out.

It’s no secret that fast casual options in Aspen are very limited, but this longtime locally owned and operated restaurant fills the void with made-to-order burgers, hot fries, and fish tacos. There are also fresh kale and quinoa salads to satiate healthier cravings. The restaurant forged a partnership with the neighboring dispensary in 2020, so you can stock up on cannabis supplies while you wait for your order.

The famed hangout of the late Hunter S. Thompson is under new proprietors, and although the leopard carpeting might be gone, the Polaroid pics, magazine covers, and vintage kitsch adorning the walls are still intact. Operated by the locally owned CP Restaurant Group (Steakhouse No. 316, the Monarch, the Wild Fig, CP Burger), the restaurant earns the required 20-minute trek out of town with an elevated menu of comfort food. There are oysters on the half shell, salsa verde nachos, Buffalo wings, burgers, and chicken enchiladas — all paired best with the WCT’s original spicy margarita. Bonus: They take reservations and credit cards now.

Another Austin-based hospitality group has landed in Aspen, this time with Sway, its award-winning modern Thai restaurant. Showcasing creative drinks and many of the same long-popular dishes from the original location, such as the Son-in-Law, a braised pork belly dish served with sticky rice, the Tiger Cry, a roasted strip steak with red chili nahm jim, and the salt-and-pepper tofu, served with crispy garlic and sambal, as well as new additions that include prawn miange and Thai basil eggplant. The ultra cool interior, designed by Michael Hsu, makes it a great date night spot, too. 

Part of the mountainside jewel that is the Little Nell hotel, Ajax Tavern is one of the most see-and-be-seen patio parties in Aspen, thanks in part to a partnership with Veuve Clicquot. The recently reappointed indoor dining room is a welcome (and air-conditioned) refuge from the unrelenting Colorado sun and the perfect place to enjoy traditional splurges from a seafood tower to steak frites. But the essential order remains the famous Wagyu double cheeseburger and truffle fries. Located steps from the Silver Queen Gondola, the space offers prime people-watching while you sip a bottle of bubbles or rosé (the wine list is curated from the Nell’s 24,000-bottle cellar).

Hailing from a New York Italian family, owner and sommelier Jill Carnevale is known for the award-winning global wine list (2,000 bottles and counting) that she’s built since opening Ellina in 2009. Chef Miguel Diaz’s new Italian American contemporary cuisine deserves attention as well. Braised artichokes with lemon thyme aioli, calamari fritti, black pepper fettuccine, and chicken Milanese are among the favorites on the menu. The lower-level, rock-walled dining room feels like a wine cellar, but try snagging a seat at the horseshoe-shaped bar to befriend a local or a patio table on the pedestrian mall with cozy blankets provided for cool summer and early fall nights.  

As one of Aspen’s longest-running fine dining establishments, Cache Cache opened its doors in 1987. Executive chef and owner Chris Lanter has been at the helm now for more than two decades. This French American classic is known for its always-hopping patio and blue-light bar with a seasonally driven menu featuring local ingredients. Fixtures are the frisée salad with Tender Belly bacon, garlic, shallot, balsamic dressing, and a duck egg; escargots à la Bourguignon; house-made cacio e pepe; and crispy trout alla Milanese.

A storied gathering place where Hunter S. Thompson once hunkered down to drink, Aspenites and guests alike now convene for cocktails, beers, and elevated gastropub grub. At the Hotel Jerome’s main bar, the burger with a “secret sauce” is a point of pride and best paired with a modern take on the Root Beer Float, which is mixed with Tahiti vanilla ice cream, sassafras granita, and birch creme. Duck into the always-buzzing Felix Roasting Co. for a morning pick-me-up, where you’ll find strong, specialty coffees — each meticulously infused with house-made non-dairy milk, proprietary syrups, tonics, and a custom spice blend.