New Aspen Restaurants

Click here for current posts on New restaurants in Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, Carbondale & Glenwood Springs.

Post below last update September 2019. Click here for current posts on New restaurants. 

Each season in Aspen always brings a new crop of hopeful new Aspen area restaurants.

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New Roaring Fork Valley Restaurants

Opened Fall 2018

• CC’s Cafe opened in Basalt’s old Saxy’s Cafe space.
• Starbucks rises again in Aspen on the mall in the Rocky Mt. Chocolate’s vacated space.
• Casa Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant opened an El Jebel location in the former Downvalley Tavern space.
• Mary Jane’s Popcorn Wagon is the new transformation of the iconic wagon. (closed)
• Franck Thirion Cafe now run by it’s former chef as French Pastry Cafe & More.

Opened Summer 2018

• Aspen Public House opened in the corner of Wheeler Opera House.
• Mod Thai House opened on Midland Ave. in historic downtown Basalt.
• The Marble Bar Aspen by Marble Distillers opened in the Hyatt Regency.
• The Grotto nightclub opened offering DJ’s & Live music in the basement of the old “GAP”. (closed)
• Clark’s Oyster Bar from Austin, Texas opened a location in the former Little Annie’s space.
• The Cottage Aspen opened on restaurant row and is available as a private event space.
• Native Son serving Tapas in Glenwood Springs
• The bowling alley in Snowmass is now known as Snowmass Lanes & Lounge
• Roaring Fork Grill opens in El Jebel’s City Market Plaza in the Bangkok Happy Bowl space.
• Butch’s Lobster Shack reopens in Basalt for summer seasons.
• the Way Home opened in Carbondale’s former Six89
• Bad Harriet Speak Easy opened as an underground lounge in the Aspen Times annex of the Hotel Jerome.
• Wienerstube Willits opened serving authentic German & Austrian food & beer
• Kenichi Izakaya opened in Carbondale.
• Santa Rosa Deli next to Movieland in El Jebel serves El Salvadorian & Mexican cuisine.
• 7908 Aspen Supper Club opened in the former Finbarr’s space in mid summer.
• Roosters opened in the former “town” space in Carbondale.

View Closed Roaring Fork Valley restaurants

Planned Openings Summer 2018

• The Nice Guy restaurant, an L.A. restaurant plans to open an Aspen location. (maybe not)
• Oakville Grocery Aspen will open in Main St. Bakery building as a restaurant. (Delayed indefinitely)
• Winston & Frazier’s Neighborhood Pub plans to open in the AABC in the Mt. Natural space. (mmm)
• The Beat will reopen in Carbondale.

New Aspen/Snowmass Restaurants Opened Winter 2017/18

• Francesca’s Empanadas offers fresh homemade Argentinian Empandas & Italian Pastas for Delivery & Take-Away.
• Velvet Buck is St. Regis’s new restaurant serving Modern Mountain Cuisine meets rustic elegance.
• Mountain Social is the St. Regis’s new lounge offering refined spirits, handcrafted cocktails and light fare
• Tiki Mana Island Grill serves fast-casual Hawaiian cuisine in Clark’s Market Plaza.
• Silver City Saloon strives to create a local’s mountain saloon in the lower level of the Elks building.
• Toro Kitchen by Richard Sandoval opened in the former space of Eight K in the Viceroy Snowmass.
• Jing opens after Asie’s reimagining.
• Aspen Tap by Aspen Brewing Co. opened their new tap room on the corner formerly known as Peach’s.
• State38 opened in Snowmass Base Village.
• Local Coffee House opened mid winter.
• Tanuki TOGO Asian Fusion take-away popup. (Closed Fall 2018)

View Closed Roaring Fork Valley restaurants

Opened Summer 2017

• Capitol Creek Brewery opened in Willits town center.

Opened Spring 2017

• Mezzaluna opened a new location in Willits
• Hacienda Jalisco opened in Basalt at the former Midland Bakery/Cocina de Valle space.
• The Pig opened in Carbondale serving American BBQ, Burgers, Beer & Bourbon

View Closed Aspen/Snowmass restaurant list for a stroll down memory lane.

Opened Winter 2016/17

• Shlomo’s Deli & Grill opened in gondola plaza at base of Aspen Mt.
• The Portal @ TQD at the St. Regis transforms the restaurant with an all new menu showcasing Intense Flavors that are Globally Artistic. (now Velvet Buck)
• Sake brings great sushi & traditional Pan-Asian cuisine to Snowmass Base Village steps from the gondola.
• Crepes ‘N’ Juice serves from the wagon on the Snowmass Village Mall. (closed)
• Home Team BBQ opened at the Inn at Aspen (a.k.a the Inn at Buttermilk).
• Slow Groovin’ BBQ opens in Snowmass in the old Mt. Dragon location most recently known as Turks.
• The Broth-el pop up food cart serves bone broth, ramen & hot beverages on the Hyman Ave. Mall. (closed)

Opened Summer 2016

• Market Street Kitchen opened in Willits.
• HOOCH is now crafting cocktails in the former Double Dog space below Meat & Cheese.
• Mi Chola opened on the Mill & Main St. corner known for it’s Mexican eatery history.
• Bamboo Bear is serving Vietnamese cuisine in the former space of Stoney Ridge/Johnny McGuires
• Bosq by Aspen Chef Barclay Dodge opened on the Mill St. pedestrian mall.

Opening Winter 2015-16

• Mawa’s Kitchen is serving lunch during the weekdays.  Conveniently located in the ABBC for the past the roundabout folks.
• The Monarch is a sophisticated steakhouse with a London gentlemen’s club feel.
• The Cooking School of Aspen was reborn in the last Steak Pit locale.
• Aspen Kitchen opened on the rooftop of the former Gap building. (Closed Fall 2018)
• Nello Alpine opened at the base of Aspen Mt. (Closed Spring 2016) now Shlomo’s Deli
• Aspen Jus is squeezing fresh juice and sandwiches from the Ute City Bank Building.
• Red Foxx serves Tacos instead of FroYo in the winter.

Opened Summer 2015

• Maru is a new Japanese concept with local atmosphere and reasonable fare in the former Takah space.

New Restaurants Spring 2015

• La Cocina del Valle opened in Basalt serving traditional Mexican by Chef Alejandro, formerly of Taquiria Nepal. (closed) now Hacienda Jalisco

New Aspen Restaurants Fall 2014
*click restaurant names for menus & details

• SO Cafe serves a rotating weekly lunch menu atop the Aspen Art Museum
• Meat & Cheese is an European-style restaurant & Farm Shop in Grape n’ Grain’s former locale.
• Grey Lady is a nod to Nantucket Island & coastal eats
• SnowBird Aspen offers treats from the Red Foxx Yogurt Stand (closed) Now Red Foxx Tacos
• Ajax Donuts serves street fare at the Popcorn Wagon (Closed Fall 2018)

Summer 2014

• Bootsy Bellows offers bottle service nightly and hosts private events upon request. (relocating Summer 2016)
• R&R Restaurant summer fling on the corner of Hyman Ave. & Mill St –closed Sep. (Now The Grey Lady)
• Jimmy’s Bodega opened in the former Pacifica space.
• The Dollar Bar gives life to the former Double Dog Pub Space (closed fall 2015) now HOOCH

Spring 2014

• HOPS Culture pours on Hyman Ave. Mall
• El Rincon is a modern Mexican make over of the Cantina. (closed Fall 2015) now Mi Chola
• Double Black Noodle Bowl dishes up at the Wildwood. (closed Fall 2016)
• Roxy’s Cafe offers more hot food options.
• Smoke Modern BBQ opened a 2nd location in Glenwood Springs.

 Winter 2013/14

• bb’s is reborn into a global dining experience – read more (closed fall 2017)
• Stoney Ridge Fridge is Aspen’s late night delivery savior- read more (closed Spring 2016)
• The Little Nell opened the new aprés ski bar Chair 9 on Nov. 28
• Highlands Alehouse opened at the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain.
• Acquolina replaces Gisella on Main St. in November of 2013
• Zeno serves Italian at the base of Aspen Mt. (closed Summer 2015)

New Restaurants in Snowmass Winter 2013/14

• Slow Your Roll Bowling Alley slope side brings a great bar atmosphere w/ 8 bowling lanes. (Now Snowmass Lanes and Lounge)
• The Viceroy transforms their slope/pool side space into a Nest Public House  (Closed Fall 2017)
• Chef Tim Goodell opens a French restaurant Ricard Brasserie (closed) & a Asian restaurant Bai Hoi (Bai Hoi closed Spring 2015)

 View Closed Restaurants 

New Restaurants in Aspen Spring/Summer 2013

• Trecento Quindici Decano at the St. Regis will serve up family friendly Italian cuisine (Closed)
• Spring Cafe serves wholesome organic vegetarian breakfast & lunch
• Square Grouper casts a net out to seafood lovers (Closed)
• The White House Tavern takes shape in the historic 1883 house on the corner of restaurant row
• Upper Crust Bakery expands up valley offering bagels, breakfast & lunch (Closed)

Snowmass

• The Village Tavern gets a makeover becoming the Mountain Bayou southern seafood joint

Basalt

• Sure Thing Burgers opened in Willits
• Starbucks also fills your mug in Willits

Carbondale

• town restaurant Mark Fischer’s newest creation opened in May (closed)
• Hattie Thompson at River Valley Ranch – (closed)

New Restaurants Winter 2012/13

Aspen

• Element 47 at the Little Nell Hotel creates culinary alchemy
• Prospect & The Living Room at the Hotel Jerome
• Francesca’s Homemade Pasta Italian Cafe serves fresh pasta to-go or dine in (closed)
• Ryno’s Pies & Pints will be serving pizzas
• The Little Soup Shop ladles gourmet soups & sandwiches (closed)

Snowmass

• Snowmass Kitchen at the Westin Hotel serves seasonally inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch & dinner
• SLICE Red Barn Pizzeria serves a variety of Italian favorites in the barns loft or to your door with delivery
• Vue Lounge at the Westin serves crafted cocktails slope-side for apres ski & casual evening dining
• The Bar at Wildwood 10 taps, unique entrees, appetizers & specialty pizzas in a beer hall setting
• The Restaurant at Elk Camp replaces Cafe Suzanne at the top of the Snowmass Gondola
• Ranger Station is New Belgium Brewery’s mountain presence
• Starbucks also opens a Snowmass location at the Westin

New Basalt Restaurants
– Heather’s Savory Pies & Tapas  serves savory & sweet pies

Carbondale
– Mark Fischer will open a new eatery in the space formerly occupied by Hestia (closed)
– Allegria Pasta Salad & Vino by Chef Andreas Fischbacher of Cloud Nine Bistro

Summer 2012
– Wally’s Delivery  serves up late night food delivery Tue-Sun 8pm-3am (closed)
– The Meatball Shack serves gourmet crafted meat & fish dishes. (Closed Spring 2016, Soon to be Bosq)
– The Chefs Club by Food & Wine at The St. Regis features seasonal menus by Best New Chefs.

View 86’d Aspen Restaurants

New Aspen Restaurants (Winter 2011/12)
– Bangkok Happy Bowl offers authentic Thai food for lunch, dinner, & take-out
– Creperie du Village hopes to keep you up for late night eats with their sweet & savory treats
– Pie in the Sky bakes Sweet & Savory Pies for all occasions (closed)
– Annette’s Mountain Bake Shop warms up Hyman Ave. with Artisan Breads, Pasteries, & Sandwiches.
– Finbarr’s Irish Pub  introduces the gastro pub to Aspen with an eye on finely crafted meals at local friendly price points & plenty of beer. (closed Spring 2015)
– Over Easy  serves traditional American breakfast with a twist from morning to late night in addition to great lunch meals. (Closed Fall 2017)
– The Cheese Shop is born again. (closed spring 2013)
– Justice Snow’s brought life back to the Wheeler in February. (closed)
– The Popcorn Wagon  reopened in March (in limbo fall 2013)
– Above the Salt opened in March. (closed fall 2013) –now Grey Lady

New Snowmass, Colorado Restaurants (Winter 2011/12)
– The Edge restaurant in the Timberline is a great new addition to the Snowmass culinary scene.
– Little Mammoth   opened this fall with as a family friendly place with great seafood, steak.
– The Burger Bar & Fish opened adjacent to the Snowmass Gondola. (closed) now Bia Hoi
– The Village Tavern opens serving a simple pub menu with a growing organic conscience & family focus. (remade) now Mt. Bayou

New Basalt, Colorado Restaurants
– Brick Pony Pub revitalized the old Bistro Basalt this past summer.

🙁 View Closed Aspen Restaurants

A few more were added this past summer as well. (edits in red)

Summer 2011 New Aspen eateries
– Lulu Wilson is transformed by Craig & Samantha into Steakhouse #316, a boutique Aspen steakhouse in July 2011.
– Division Cafe plans to offer moderately priced food & drink in a casual setting. (Now The Meatball Shack)
– Victoria’s Espresso has relocated next to Ruby Park and is serving  tapas and small plates, hence the Victoria’s Gourmet Grazing renaming.
– Keith of Parrallel 15 can be found in the mornings serving Aspen’s best coffee on the Hyman Ave. Mall by Escobar. (Closed) 11/01/11
– Escobar, the late night hot spot, is serving a limited menu & cocktails on the Hyman Ave. Pedestrian Mall through out the day. (not in winter)
– Finbarr’s Irish Pub will be pulling pints and frying fish in the old Club Chelsea/Mustang space on Hyman Ave. Mall by Fall 2011 (opened fall 2011 closed spring 2015)
– Almanac will occupy the space of N9NE Steakhouse with Barclay Dodge in the kitchen in July 2011 (Never Opened)
– Aspen Brewing Co. is just about open at their AABC brewing location.  Stop in for tours, growlers, kegs, & 6 packs.

New Snowmass Restaurant Guide (Summer 2011)
– Lime restaurant has been transformed into the Little Mammoth Restaurant 

View Closed Aspen Restaurants

New Aspen restaurants (Winter of 2010/11)

The Aspen Brewery Company is expanding their production out to the AABC while also bringing a tap room into the heart of town.  The new Aspen Brewery Tap Room will occupy the upstairs space of the former Social restaurant and should be set and pouring by Thanksgiving.  The Tap Room on Hopkins Avenue, will not only make it easier to pick up a growler of locally brewed beer but also make a great new hang out space.  Without a kitchen the brewery welcomes you to BYOL (Bring your own lunch) from any of the great restaurants in Aspen.  Serving the freshest, best priced, locally brewed pints in town it’s always happy hour at the brewery.

Oy Vey Cafe, a New York style breakfast and lunch deli will be opening at 6:30am and serving throughout the day.  Located right below the Tap Room at street level it makes the 1st option for BYOL.  This new Aspen deli maybe what Aspenites have been waiting.  They will specialize in Jewish deli items serving custom prepared roast beef, turkey, and more.  Oy Vey Cafe will open December 1, 2010 /
*Out of Business Spring 2011 Now Aspen Over Easy

Franck Thirion French Pastry & Cafe which has garnered plenty of loyal customers out at the AABC, will bring a second location into the heart of town which also will be on Hopkins Ave. right across from the Tap Room.  They will offer fine French pastries, croissants, cakes, and specialty coffees making another great coffee house in Aspen.  The new Thirion Cafe will open in early December 2010.

Casa Tua, the popular Miami establishment aims to create the feel of a chalet in the Italian Alps. Opening in the former Ruth Chris’s space the downstairs restaurant will offer fine Italian fare with French and Swiss influences, while the upstairs club will offer an Italian oasis for members only.

BB’s Kitchen will offer moderately priced American bistro comfort food.  Located on Cooper Ave. across from Bad Billy’s they will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The space on the top floor is currently in the heart of the renovations, but it’s still easy to picture what it will become.  Most impressive is the large patio with Aspen Mountain views that will seat 50.  The lounge, off the front of the dining room, will be a cozy apres ski spot with fire place and great window views toward Red Mountain.

Nutrition, Randy Placeres’s gourmet salad eatery may be moving from the AABC into the Aspen Club & Spa. (Closed)

The Palace will open in the former home of the Crystal Palace Dinner Theater.   A sister restaurant to the Mustang, the Palace restaurant will tune in to live music and the apres ski scene.
*Both the Palace & the Mustang are out of Business Spring 2011

The Pyramid Bistro is opening in the Explore Booksellers upstairs.  The iconic bistro has gone through a few changes lately and we are excited to see what Martin Oswald, former Chef of Syzygy & Ute City will bring to the table in the form of Vegetarian & Organic offerings.

The Honey Bee Juice Bar has set up shop in the Ute City Bank building where the Dark Horse Alley coffee cart was.

Ink! Coffee is now serving sandwiches.

Aspen Highlands

Out of Bounds is the name of the new restaurant and bar at the base of Aspen Highlands Ski Area.  Although it is found nearly in bounds next to the Exhibition lift we think the name may speak of the new mentality in pushing this prime location into the restaurant and bar it should be.  We applaud the decision to open up the space by cutting the bar, literally in half, good feng shui goes along way.  Adding to the smooth flow of operations, food service will quicken with orders taken at the counter and then delivered to tables. (closed) Now Highlands Alehouse

Snowmass

Venga Venga Cantina & Tequila Bar by Richard Sandoval, who launched a revolution in America by reinterpreting Mexican cuisine in a contemporary, yet authentic way, will open in this Modern Mexican restaurant in the former Cirque Cafe space at the end of the Snowmass Mall.

Garnish & Chef Clark Church will be moving from the Aspen Club to the former home of Butch’s Lobster Bar (Closed) Fall 2011

Recently Opened!

fall 2010
New Aspen restaurants

Junk, after it’s share of controversy and shuffling, has settled on the corner of Hyman Avenue and Mill Street, in the old D19 space across from the Wheeler Opera House.  They’ve integrated the popcorn wagon corner into the restaurant proper by opening up the side of the building, making the popcorn wagons fire pit just steps away from the bar.  With a steady stream of music pumping out of the whimsically themed restaurant it is easy to see that this will be as much of a party spot as it is an eatery. Out of Business Fall 2011 Now Above the Salt

Cp Burger has brought life to the Silver Leaf Ice Skating Rink in front of the Hyatt.  They offer a range of burgers on their menu as well as hot dogs, green chili, and spiked milkshakes.  Counter service makes for faster service and the outdoor seating along the ice rink will make for a chill spot on a sunny day.  As a sister restaurant to Brexi, Lulu Wilson, &  Wild Fig look for some familiar borrowed culinary inspirations.

The Pitkin County Steak House and Tavern serves dry aged steaks &  seafood, complimented with a salad bar in the larger dining room.  This full menu is also available on the tavern side which serves as a comfortable pub serving over 10 draft beers, sports television, and the good ole shuffleboard.  Also located on Hopkins the tavern is found below Rustique in the former home of the Double Dog/Steak Pit.
Out of Business Sep. 2011

The Silver Queen restaurant is serving modern American cuisine by Jamie Flatt former chef of Willow Creek at the Ritz at Highlands.  Found upstairs on Hyman Avenue in the former Syzygy space.  The name and the decor is meant to tap into the nostalgia of this mining camp in the Victorian age.
Out of Business Spring 2012

Basalt

Fat Belly Burgers of Carbondale has opened a sister restaurant in Basalt, Fat Belly Eats offers a full menu, full bar, and plenty of beers to chose from.  Find them in the former home of Bistro Basalt. Out of Business Spring 2011 (Now Brick Pony Pub)

Glenwood Springs

Roaring Fork Bakery offers fresh bread, goodies, and killer soups across from Quizno’s.

The Double Dog Pub reopened this December in Glenwood Springs. (closed)

Aspen restaurants opened in summer 2010 or earlier.

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