One of the world’s best-known ski towns, Vail looks like a storybook version of an alpine village. European-style cafes line charming, pedestrian-only pathways and vistas of the Rocky Mountains’ Gore Range rise in the distance. While most visitors come to ski the legendary back bowls, Vail is also a destination of choice for lovers of luxury hotels and spas, boutique shoppers, art gallery hoppers, and hungry diners.
Vail Village offers a mix of longstanding gourmet gems and laid-back local haunts. And don’t sleep on Beaver Creek, Vail’s sprawling sister ski resort about 20 minutes west on I-70. Collectively, Vail and Beaver Creek boast some of the best dining options anywhere at altitude. In 2023, Colorado finally gained a Michelin Guide, with “recommended” designations given to Osaki’s, Sweet Basil, Mirabelle, Splendido, and Wyld (all included below).
After you’ve secured your ski pass — Vail and Beaver Creek are accessible through Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass — it’s time to iron out your itinerary of hangouts, fine dining favorites, and enduring cheap eats. From dinner at a chef’s own home to an Alice in Wonderland-themed social club, here’s where to eat in Vail and Beaver Creek this season.
Katie Shapiro is a freelance journalist who covers food, wine, and weed from her home base in Colorado’s high country. Her work has appeared in Forbes, The Aspen Times, The Denver Post, Modern Luxury, Curbed, Thrillist, The Infatuation, and more.
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