Over the past several years Snowmass Village has seen a transformation with over $600 million invested in new hotels, residences, restaurants, community areas and retail shops. It still is a quieter escape from Aspen, but there is much more to do and see. Today more than ever, it offers some great dining options if you are staying in Base Village, near the Snowmass Mall or just there skiing for the day or taking advantage of one of its fun summer activities or events.
Here are my top recommendations:
Two new Snowmass spots I tried on a recent trip were TORO Kitchen & Lounge at the Viceroy Snowmass and State 38. TORO, replaced Eight K, is a sleek restaurant that features contemporary Latin American cuisine. I enjoyed my meal with a local friend. They also recently opened the Nest Bar & Grill, a slope-side, al fresco bar open for Après Ski for food and drinks.
Sage at The Snowmass Club is now Three Peaks. It is located at 0239 Snowmass Club Circle. After the recent takeover, the restaurant has improved considerably with good food and service in a comfortable, warm setting. It was recently renamed. They also host music in the bar next to the dining room. The outdoor seating in the summer has spectacular views. For dining the club, their Black Saddle Bar & Grille at the golf clubhouse is also very good and open to the public. It features live music and specials different nights of the week. Check to make sure when the two restaurants are open to outside guests.
Venga Venga: This Mexican Cantina and Tequila Bar, is a great spot for lunch while skiing as well as for dinner. I have been twice and highly recommend the grilled mahi mahi tacos! The tres leches cake for dessert was also great.
In the Snowmass Mall, below Venga Venga, is the Snowmass Lanes & Lounge. It is a fun, trendy hangout featuring locally brewed beers, burgers and wood-fired oven pizzas.
Across from Venga, Venga, make sure to visit the New Belgium Ranger Station featuring New Belgium brews and casual food. They are affliated with the New Belgium Brewing Company in Ft. Collins. They have a menu of 12 beers on tap along with a food menu of soups, salad and sandwiches. I enjoyed the tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich .I also enjoyed tasting their lighter lager and pilsner beers. 100 Elbert Lane, Retail Unit M-115.
The Edge at the Timberline Hotel was a recent find. It features Alpine cuisine from Germany, Switzerland and France. So you get a menu featuring fondue, schnitzels, sausage, fish and meat entrees. On my first visit, I really loved the venison dish with a lingonberry sauce, red cabbage and spätzle. On my second visit, I really enjoyed the sauerbraten (braised beef) in a rich gravy along with German potato salad and sauerkraut. The apple strudel with whipped cream and caramel what excellent also. I liked the warm atmosphere and service. It has great food in a somewhat off the beaten path location. The prices are very good as well. 690 Carriage Way
Another excellent hotel restaurant near the Mall is the Artisan Restaurant at the Stonebridge Inn. I went back in January 2024 after many years. It has a cozy bar and lounge with a fireplace along with a nice dining room. I went with a local friend and loved the seared grouper with mushroom risotto and sauteed spinach. 300 Carriage Way.
Il Poggio is a great spot casual Italian dining. They have a great menu of salads, pastas and main courses. I loved the roasted beet salad, the spinach salad with pears and the ravioli with a sweet potato and goat cheese filling tossed in brown butter and sage. Many of my local friends love it as well. 57 Elbert Ln.
Near Il Poggio is Tavern Kitchen & Bar at 67 Elbert Lane. In 2023, they took over the former Slow Groovin’ Chophouse space. I went for the first time with a local friend and really enjoyed the experience. It is a casual spot that offers live music in addition to good food. I thought the pulled pork sandwich was one of the the best I have had. Their old fashioned cocktail was also excellent. It is a great value compared to many spots in Aspen and Snowmass. I will definitely go back!
Snowmass has recently opened it expanded Base Village. This includes new Limelight Hotel and several other dining spots. The Limelight Hotel Snowmass opened in December, 2018. It has a five-story climbing wall 90 rooms and a 7,500 lobby and lounge area. There is live music during peak season. Here you will find the Limelight Lounge a casual bar and dining area serving breakfast and dinner. They feature wood-fired pizzas and other great menu items from small to large plates. I loved the kale salad and mussels in a white wine broth.
Also in the expanded Base Village is The Crêpe Shack by Mawa McQueen. I love her Aspen restaurant, Mawa’s Kitchen. This is her first foray into Snowmass with coffee, pastries and crepes.
Across from The Crêpe Shack, in The Collective, in the space vacated mix6 and MoxiBar, Mawa’s Kitchen recently opened Mawita. This Latin inspired restaurant with a menu of tacos, burritos, tortas quesadillas, soups, salads, burgers, fries, main courses and sides. They also have a full bar menu of cocktails, tequila and mezcal, beer and wine. I was very impressed with the decor, the service and the food. I loved my duck confit tacos with hoisin sauce, picked vegetables and cilantro and yucca fries with truffles. I will definitely go back!!
Two other recent additions to Base Village include Sundae Ice Cream at 60 Carriage Way Unit 3120-B for small batch, artisan ice cream. They have an excellent selection of flavors to choose from. You can choose cakes, sundaes, waffle cones, shakes and ice cream sandwiches. They recently opened in Basalt as well in the Willits Town Center. I was just back and loved the oatmeal cookie ice cream.
Nearby Is Jüs Snowmass where you can enjoy coffee drinks, juices, smoothies along with breakfast and lunch items. On my first trip I had a matcha latte and enjoyed the view of the valley which is really spectacular. I just went back for a very tasty smoked salmon bagel sandwich and a latte. 45 Wood Rd.
Good for coffee in the Snowmass Mall is Fuel Cafe. They also feature breakfast items like bagels plus sandwiches, salads, burritos, wraps and smoothies.
Nearby is a new find, Grub Thai at 11 Snowmass Mall. I was hungry for some Thai food and it didn’t disappoint. They have a large menu of soups, salads, noodle bowls, fried rice dishes. I loved the chicken Pad Thai.
Another casual spot is Zane’s Tavern at 10 Village Square. I recently went for the first time for lunch on a chilly Sunday. It is a local’s favorite sports bar with a menu of pub food including burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, Philly cheese steaks, chicken sandwiches and a few Mexican items. It is a very casual and friendly spot. I had a great cheeseburger, made with local beef, and sweet potato fries. It is open for lunch on Sundays starting at 11am and at then for dinner at 3pm the remaining six days of the week. They have two other locations in Aspen and in Willits near Basalt.
Opened in 2023 is the second area location of the Wienerstube for authentic Austrian-German cuisine. They took over the former Litte Mammoth Steak House at 315 Snowmass Village Mall. I went in January 2024 with friends and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere, service and the food. I had to try the traditional Wiener Schnitzel with a lingonberry sauce and sauerkraut. It was excellent as was the apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. It can be crowded, so make sure make a reservation in advance. Also, be aware that it might be closed during the off-season.
Also in the Snowmass Village is the fun, casual The Stew Pot featuring homemade soups, stews, salads and sandwiches. I recently went back after several years and enjoyed a wonderful chicken stew for lunch. It is a popular spot so you might go early to make sure you get a table. I went back again in January 2024 as I had a craving for their traditional beef stew! 63 Elbert Lane.
Across from The Stew Pot is Rock Island Oyster Bar & Grill which opened in the summer of 2024 in the former Big Hoss Grill space. Under the same ownership as Hominy Southern Kitchen in neaby El Jebel, this is a casual restaurant featuring a menu of “coastal cuisine and mountain fare”. They have an oyster bar as well as many seafood items, along with some steak offerings.
I liked the Baja grouper street tacos as did my friend. His wife enjoyed the shrimp and grits and steamed clams. The service was excellent. They also feature live music performances. I enjoyed the experience and recommend that you try it. 45 Village Square.
Another great option for coffee is the new Gorsuch Ski Cafe. Located in a recently opened Gorsuch store that took over the First Chair cafe in 2023. Their first location in the area is next to the gondola in Aspen. Gorsuch is a retailer selling high-end apparel for men or women, ski gear and accessories plus gifts and housewares. I found it a colorful spot to grab a latte and a pastry.
Owned by the same group as Basecamp Bar & Grill is Slice of Italy. This is a fun, casual Italian restaurant featuring classic Italian entrees and pizzas. They have a large menu of food, wine and cocktails. I enjoyed my first dinner where I had the basil pesto pasta dish and a very tasty tiramisu.
I had not tried Basecamp Bar & Grill until my 2020 trip. It is a casual gastropub in the center of Base Village. “The restaurant spans two floors, with three fully stocked bars, an expansive downstairs patio complete with a 24ft fire pit, and a second story terrace that boasts the best views of Snowmass Mountain.” I went with a friend and enjoyed the service and food. Though the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup was tempting, I chose the Reuben with sweet potato fries. It was one of the best that I have had anywhere!
I have been attending classes at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass for 20 years. I have always enjoyed the Anderson Ranch Café for my daily lunch and an occasional dinner. You can always walk through the campus, attend an evening lecture or one of the weekly auctionettes in the summer, visit their gallery and store and see what the students are working on in the various studios before or after a a meal. 5263 Owl Creek Rd.
Just in time for the 2021/22 ski season, several new spots opened. These include Keniche Snowmass for sushi, and Aurum a classic take on seasonal New American cuisine combined with desserts and a wide selection of craft beer, signature cocktails, wines, and spirits. Last Chair is a new casual spot at the Wildwood Snowmass which is near the recently opened Stark’s Alpine Grill at the new Viewline Resort Snowmass.
I just went to Aurum Food & Wine for the first time, and had a lovely lunch on the outside patio on a gorgeous sunny January day. I enjoyed the mussels! The service was excellent and I thought the interior design of the inside space was very beautifully done. Make sure you try it when you are in town.
When back in town in August, 2022, I made a point to go to Kenichi with friends. I enjoyed the outside terrace on a beautiful evening. The menu is quite extensive and also features daily specials. The best value is the selection of classic and specialty rolls.
