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A plate illustrated with simple skier figures filled with mussels, shrimp, and scallops in sauce over linguine Ristorante Ti Amo [Facebook]

The 20 Essential Vail Restaurants

From a hot box of fresh doughnuts in the morning to dinner at a strip mall Northern Italian restaurant, here’s where to eat while adventuring in Vail Valley

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One of Colorado’s best-known and most massive ski resorts, Vail looks like a storybook version of a mountain town, where European-style cafes line cobblestone streets, with vistas of towering evergreen trees in the distance. While most visitors head to Vail for outdoor adventures, it’s also a choice destination for luxury hotels and sprawling second homes. Vail Village itself offers a lively dining scene, featuring a mix of gourmet gems and laid-back local haunts. But those heading to the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains should also keep in mind that the Vail Valley encompasses the nearby towns of Minturn, Avon, Beaver Creek, and Edwards, which dot I-70 and collectively boast some of the best alpine dining options anywhere at altitude.

Update July 2021: Eagle County has officially lifted all local health orders around COVID-19, but ever-changing statewide orders remain in place. Individual businesses will still have the authority to enforce mask wearing at their own discretion. Vail Resorts expects the summer season to be back in full swing, with a busy calendar of concerts and festivals making a much-anticipated return.

The following is an updated take on the Vail Valley dining scene, highlighting beloved, locally owned bistros and elevated, enduring classics — all of which should be applauded (and amply tipped) for surviving the devastating effects of the pandemic.

Note: The inclusion of restaurants offering dine-in service should not be taken as an endorsement for dining inside. Studies indicate a lower exposure risk to COVID-19 outdoors, but the level of risk is contingent on social distancing and other safety guidelines. Check with each restaurant for up-to-date information on dining offerings. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Eagle County website or official state resources.

Katie Shapiro is a freelance cannabis and travel journalist who lives life at its highest and writes about it from her home base in Aspen. She is a senior contributor for Forbes and High Country columnist for the Aspen Times, with other work appearing in the Denver Post, Modern Luxury, Curbed, Thrillist, and more.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Drunken Goat

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This casual neighborhood cafe focuses on fine wine from around the world (also available for sale in the adjacent gourmet market) and more than 100 artisan cheeses. The spacious patio hosts local live music, creating a welcome escape where you can spend an entire afternoon. Among the spread of small bites, salads, shareable plates, bruschettas, and paninis, don’t miss the king crab legs and oysters on the half shell.

A skewered cube of bread emerging from a fondue pot dripping with cheese
Fondue
Drunken Goat [Facebook]

The Craftsman

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This bustling bistro is all about modern versions of classic sandwiches like po’ boys, French dips, and Reubens. Beers from Colorado and beyond are on tap, and there’s a wide selection of whiskey. Lunch and dinner are served daily (except Monday), with Led Zeppelin usually blasting in the background on the hi-fi and a shuffleboard table at the ready.

A chef holds a sandwich cut crosswise to reveal its ingredients
MLT sandwich (meatloaf, heirloom tomato, arugula, smoked mayo) 
The Craftsman [Official]

The Rose

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Recently expanded with a new lounge and dining area, this bohemian bakery, bar, and restaurant is worth a stop on the Riverwalk. The all-day menu includes a citrus beet salad, avocado fries, and “chef’s choice” tacos. The extensive cocktail menu is impressive, too; order a signature shiso highball or Mexican mistress, and sidle up to the vintage pool table and dartboard.

The Rose [Facebook]

Village Bagel

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New York native (and former Sweet Basil bartender) Connie Leaf has brought something much needed to the Vail Valley: a great bagel. After selling her fresh-baked goods at other area restaurants, she opened up a proper shop with all the classic varieties, schmears in flavors like Hatch chile or honey rosemary, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Specialty lattes, fresh-squeezed mimosas, and a classic bloody mary are also on the menu.

Village Bagel [Facebook]

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is tucked away in its own enclave of Beaver Creek and worth a winding detour up the mountain road for a meal at the resort’s signature restaurant. Chef Jasper Schneider channels bold cooking techniques, local ingredients, and hyper-seasonal flavors for lunch and dinner. Weekends bring live music on the patio for lunch and inside for dinner.

Wyld [official]

Vin 48

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This wine bar is the perfect pre-dinner pit stop, offering a daily happy hour with the best value on wines by the glass. But after drinks, you might as well stay for the food. Chef Charles Hays prepares seasonal small plates, including PEI mussels and braised pork cheeks, along with large plates like seared U-8 scallops and pan-roasted Alaskan halibut. For dessert, try the sparkling CBD root beer float with mountain flower vanilla gelato, Amarena cherry, and vanilla whipped cream.

Vin48 [official]

Northside Coffee & Kitchen

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One word: doughnuts. Starting at 7 a.m. daily, this modern diner has enough sweet treats to fuel your day on the mountain. For more sustenance, go for a breakfast burrito stuffed with filet mignon, lamb shank hash, or avoca-dough toast. You’ll find plenty of comfort food staples for lunch and dinner, too.

Northside [Facebook]

Ristorante Ti Amo

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Just off of I-70 (the main drag of the Eagle-Vail corridor) and situated in a strip mall (also where you’ll find the only cannabis dispensaries in the area) lies an Italian eatery beloved by longtime locals and perfect for date nights. Once inside, you’ll forget your surroundings thanks to dim lights, a bottle of Chianti, and classic regional cuisine from Northern Italy, including petti di pollo alle fragole, gnocchi principessa, and vongole en brodo. Ending the evening with a mini cannoli is also a must.

A plate illustrated with simple skier figures filled with mussels, shrimp, and scallops in sauce over linguine
Frutti di Mare
Ristorante Ti Amo [Facebook]

Minturn Saloon

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More than a century old, this mining-town hideout is all about the ambience. The bar, once a secret gambling room, is chock-full of memorabilia and known now for its award-winning margaritas. On the food menu: pork green chile and a chef’s mixed grill of quail, duck, and ribs. The saloon makes for a fun celebratory stop for off-piste skiers who’ve just completed the legendary Minturn Mile. This season, tacos and fajitas are available for diners to assemble at home, while packages of enchiladas and barbecue ribs come ready to serve.

A close-up on saucy ribs with rice and a cheesy side dish blurred on the plate in the background
Ribs with sides
Minturn Saloon [Facebook]

Yellowbelly

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Hatched in Vail by three friends (and followed by a second location in Boulder), this fast-casual homage to chicken serves up a heart-healthy twist on fried and roasted birds. The all-natural, vegetarian-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free chickens are sourced from local farms. Fresh side dishes include smashed-potato fries, organic citrus quinoa, crunchy red slaw, and macaroni pie.

A bright plate with fried chicken, fried fish, stewed greens, and mashed potatoes, with takeout dishes blurred in the background on a colorful textured tablecloth
Fried chicken with sides
Yellowbelly [Official]

The Little Diner

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Vail’s only all-day breakfast joint (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) lives in Lionshead Village, where solo diners can snag a counter seat to try the caramelized onion, tomato, and Swiss crepe; a cottage cheese-filled blintz; or the popover-like pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes). Family-owned and operated by Brian and Peggy Little, the place makes everything from scratch, and it’s all prepared to order. A lunch menu is also available. 

Little Diner/Facebook

Annapurna

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Nepali and Indian cuisine are Himalayan highlights at this Mount Everest-inspired canteen, located inside the Evergreen Lodge at Vail. Naan fresh from the clay oven and steaming plates of paneer, masala, and curry go best with a cup of cheeya (black tea brewed with milk and Nepali spices) after a long day of adventuring.

Facebook

Vintage

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You might mistake Vail Village for Paris inside this French bistro, which serves traditional brasserie fare complete with poisson en papillote (seasonal fish baked in parchment), escargot, beef bourguignon, and steak frites. The walls, adorned with posters and antiques, make an Instagram-worthy backdrop for the equally attractive food, especially if you order the decadent Champagne brunch (available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). 

A stack of two thick French toast slices topped with mascarpone cream, a bacon slice, and berry compote, surrounded by table settings and brunch cocktails
Huckleberry bacon French toast
David Gillette Photography

Osaki’s

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The valley has a handful of fresh sushi options (including splurge-worthy Matsuhisa and more affordable quality at Joy), but Osaki’s is the spot to seek out for one epic Japanese dinner. Chef Takeshi Osaki learned sushi-making from his grandfather in Osaka, and he trained at Nobu’s Aspen outpost before opening his own spot in the heart of Vail Village.

Osaki’s [official]

Alpenrose

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This family-owned European restaurant and patisserie has been a charmer since 1974. In 2018, the Vail institution was taken over by the owners of neighboring German restaurant Almresi. Alpenrose got a new look to go with a menu of elevated Old World classics like raclette, schnitzel, and zwiebelkuchen (onion pie), washed down with a big mug of Bavarian beer.

Alpenrose [official]

La Nonna Ristorante Vail

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When La Nonna Ristorante replaced Campo de Fiori, longtime chef Simone Reatti remained through the overhaul. Growing up in Cortina d’Ampezzo, he learned to cook from his own nonna, whom he honors through a menu of rustic Italian cuisine. From fresh pasta made daily (using Pivetti flour from Italy) to mouthwatering antipasti, dinner features Reatti’s favorites from his native village in the Dolomites.

La Nonna [official]

La Tour Restaurant & Bar

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This French-influenced bistro not only brings modern and creative dishes to its guests, but also prides itself on top-notch hospitality and a fabulous wine list. Truffle French onion soup, wild Burgundy escargot, imported Dover sole meuniere, and an Iberico bellota pork chop are all highlights.

A series of outdoor dining igloos, some with diners inside, outside of a restaurant with a clock tower
Crystal cabins at La Tour
Dominique Taylor

Mountain Standard

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While this restaurant’s 40-year-old sister spot, Sweet Basil, is still the white-tablecloth reservation to make in Vail, try its downstairs sibling, Mountain Standard, for its unfussy gastropub atmosphere. Wood-roasted bone marrow, a grilled tiger-prawn Caesar salad, and blackened Texas redfish are among the hearty menu options, with classic raw-bar items also available.

A towering pork shank beside a heap of slaw on a curved ceramic plate on a wooden table
Corned pork shank with gruyere potato puree, cabbage, apple, and puffed farro
Mountain Standard [Facebook]

Root & Flower

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This cozy, chic spot is worth seeking out for a drink before or after dinner — although the kitchen crew, veterans of the now-closed Restaurant Kelly Liken, prepare small plates that make a perfectly solid meal. In addition to its excellent wine list (50 pours by the glass), Root & Flower serves draft beers and craft cocktails. Drinkers should work their way through the multiple liquid menus, divvied up into categories like “underappreciated & misunderstood,” “pretty & pink,” “slow & serious,” and “rustic & complex.”

A plate of grilled calamari and grilled bread, with charred lemon halves, with bright flowers in the background
Grilled calamari
Root & Flower [Facebook]

Slope Room

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As the in-house restaurant and bar of the new location of Gravity Haus — an uber-cool collection of community-forward base camps in Vail, Breckenridge, and Winter Park — the Slope Room offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, all focused on protein and produce from Rocky Mountain farmers and ranchers. The vibe in the sleek, off-lobby space is sexy steakhouse meets the spirit of the Old West.

A fancy charred bratwurst with bright toppings in a toasted bun on a clean white plate
Elk bratwurst in a pretzel bun with onion mostarda, bacon braised cabbage, and beer cheese 
Slope Room [Facebook]

Drunken Goat

This casual neighborhood cafe focuses on fine wine from around the world (also available for sale in the adjacent gourmet market) and more than 100 artisan cheeses. The spacious patio hosts local live music, creating a welcome escape where you can spend an entire afternoon. Among the spread of small bites, salads, shareable plates, bruschettas, and paninis, don’t miss the king crab legs and oysters on the half shell.

A skewered cube of bread emerging from a fondue pot dripping with cheese
Fondue
Drunken Goat [Facebook]

The Craftsman

This bustling bistro is all about modern versions of classic sandwiches like po’ boys, French dips, and Reubens. Beers from Colorado and beyond are on tap, and there’s a wide selection of whiskey. Lunch and dinner are served daily (except Monday), with Led Zeppelin usually blasting in the background on the hi-fi and a shuffleboard table at the ready.

A chef holds a sandwich cut crosswise to reveal its ingredients
MLT sandwich (meatloaf, heirloom tomato, arugula, smoked mayo) 
The Craftsman [Official]

The Rose

Recently expanded with a new lounge and dining area, this bohemian bakery, bar, and restaurant is worth a stop on the Riverwalk. The all-day menu includes a citrus beet salad, avocado fries, and “chef’s choice” tacos. The extensive cocktail menu is impressive, too; order a signature shiso highball or Mexican mistress, and sidle up to the vintage pool table and dartboard.

The Rose [Facebook]

Village Bagel

New York native (and former Sweet Basil bartender) Connie Leaf has brought something much needed to the Vail Valley: a great bagel. After selling her fresh-baked goods at other area restaurants, she opened up a proper shop with all the classic varieties, schmears in flavors like Hatch chile or honey rosemary, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Specialty lattes, fresh-squeezed mimosas, and a classic bloody mary are also on the menu.

Village Bagel [Facebook]

Wyld

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is tucked away in its own enclave of Beaver Creek and worth a winding detour up the mountain road for a meal at the resort’s signature restaurant. Chef Jasper Schneider channels bold cooking techniques, local ingredients, and hyper-seasonal flavors for lunch and dinner. Weekends bring live music on the patio for lunch and inside for dinner.

Wyld [official]

Vin 48

This wine bar is the perfect pre-dinner pit stop, offering a daily happy hour with the best value on wines by the glass. But after drinks, you might as well stay for the food. Chef Charles Hays prepares seasonal small plates, including PEI mussels and braised pork cheeks, along with large plates like seared U-8 scallops and pan-roasted Alaskan halibut. For dessert, try the sparkling CBD root beer float with mountain flower vanilla gelato, Amarena cherry, and vanilla whipped cream.

Vin48 [official]

Northside Coffee & Kitchen

One word: doughnuts. Starting at 7 a.m. daily, this modern diner has enough sweet treats to fuel your day on the mountain. For more sustenance, go for a breakfast burrito stuffed with filet mignon, lamb shank hash, or avoca-dough toast. You’ll find plenty of comfort food staples for lunch and dinner, too.

Northside [Facebook]

Ristorante Ti Amo

Just off of I-70 (the main drag of the Eagle-Vail corridor) and situated in a strip mall (also where you’ll find the only cannabis dispensaries in the area) lies an Italian eatery beloved by longtime locals and perfect for date nights. Once inside, you’ll forget your surroundings thanks to dim lights, a bottle of Chianti, and classic regional cuisine from Northern Italy, including petti di pollo alle fragole, gnocchi principessa, and vongole en brodo. Ending the evening with a mini cannoli is also a must.

A plate illustrated with simple skier figures filled with mussels, shrimp, and scallops in sauce over linguine
Frutti di Mare
Ristorante Ti Amo [Facebook]

Minturn Saloon

More than a century old, this mining-town hideout is all about the ambience. The bar, once a secret gambling room, is chock-full of memorabilia and known now for its award-winning margaritas. On the food menu: pork green chile and a chef’s mixed grill of quail, duck, and ribs. The saloon makes for a fun celebratory stop for off-piste skiers who’ve just completed the legendary Minturn Mile. This season, tacos and fajitas are available for diners to assemble at home, while packages of enchiladas and barbecue ribs come ready to serve.

A close-up on saucy ribs with rice and a cheesy side dish blurred on the plate in the background
Ribs with sides
Minturn Saloon [Facebook]

Yellowbelly

Hatched in Vail by three friends (and followed by a second location in Boulder), this fast-casual homage to chicken serves up a heart-healthy twist on fried and roasted birds. The all-natural, vegetarian-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free chickens are sourced from local farms. Fresh side dishes include smashed-potato fries, organic citrus quinoa, crunchy red slaw, and macaroni pie.

A bright plate with fried chicken, fried fish, stewed greens, and mashed potatoes, with takeout dishes blurred in the background on a colorful textured tablecloth
Fried chicken with sides
Yellowbelly [Official]

The Little Diner

Vail’s only all-day breakfast joint (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) lives in Lionshead Village, where solo diners can snag a counter seat to try the caramelized onion, tomato, and Swiss crepe; a cottage cheese-filled blintz; or the popover-like pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes). Family-owned and operated by Brian and Peggy Little, the place makes everything from scratch, and it’s all prepared to order. A lunch menu is also available. 

Little Diner/Facebook

Annapurna

Nepali and Indian cuisine are Himalayan highlights at this Mount Everest-inspired canteen, located inside the Evergreen Lodge at Vail. Naan fresh from the clay oven and steaming plates of paneer, masala, and curry go best with a cup of cheeya (black tea brewed with milk and Nepali spices) after a long day of adventuring.

Facebook

Vintage

You might mistake Vail Village for Paris inside this French bistro, which serves traditional brasserie fare complete with poisson en papillote (seasonal fish baked in parchment), escargot, beef bourguignon, and steak frites. The walls, adorned with posters and antiques, make an Instagram-worthy backdrop for the equally attractive food, especially if you order the decadent Champagne brunch (available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). 

A stack of two thick French toast slices topped with mascarpone cream, a bacon slice, and berry compote, surrounded by table settings and brunch cocktails
Huckleberry bacon French toast
David Gillette Photography

Osaki’s

The valley has a handful of fresh sushi options (including splurge-worthy Matsuhisa and more affordable quality at Joy), but Osaki’s is the spot to seek out for one epic Japanese dinner. Chef Takeshi Osaki learned sushi-making from his grandfather in Osaka, and he trained at Nobu’s Aspen outpost before opening his own spot in the heart of Vail Village.

Osaki’s [official]

Alpenrose

This family-owned European restaurant and patisserie has been a charmer since 1974. In 2018, the Vail institution was taken over by the owners of neighboring German restaurant Almresi. Alpenrose got a new look to go with a menu of elevated Old World classics like raclette, schnitzel, and zwiebelkuchen (onion pie), washed down with a big mug of Bavarian beer.

Alpenrose [official]

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La Nonna Ristorante Vail

When La Nonna Ristorante replaced Campo de Fiori, longtime chef Simone Reatti remained through the overhaul. Growing up in Cortina d’Ampezzo, he learned to cook from his own nonna, whom he honors through a menu of rustic Italian cuisine. From fresh pasta made daily (using Pivetti flour from Italy) to mouthwatering antipasti, dinner features Reatti’s favorites from his native village in the Dolomites.

La Nonna [official]

La Tour Restaurant & Bar

This French-influenced bistro not only brings modern and creative dishes to its guests, but also prides itself on top-notch hospitality and a fabulous wine list. Truffle French onion soup, wild Burgundy escargot, imported Dover sole meuniere, and an Iberico bellota pork chop are all highlights.

A series of outdoor dining igloos, some with diners inside, outside of a restaurant with a clock tower
Crystal cabins at La Tour
Dominique Taylor

Mountain Standard

While this restaurant’s 40-year-old sister spot, Sweet Basil, is still the white-tablecloth reservation to make in Vail, try its downstairs sibling, Mountain Standard, for its unfussy gastropub atmosphere. Wood-roasted bone marrow, a grilled tiger-prawn Caesar salad, and blackened Texas redfish are among the hearty menu options, with classic raw-bar items also available.

A towering pork shank beside a heap of slaw on a curved ceramic plate on a wooden table
Corned pork shank with gruyere potato puree, cabbage, apple, and puffed farro
Mountain Standard [Facebook]

Root & Flower

This cozy, chic spot is worth seeking out for a drink before or after dinner — although the kitchen crew, veterans of the now-closed Restaurant Kelly Liken, prepare small plates that make a perfectly solid meal. In addition to its excellent wine list (50 pours by the glass), Root & Flower serves draft beers and craft cocktails. Drinkers should work their way through the multiple liquid menus, divvied up into categories like “underappreciated & misunderstood,” “pretty & pink,” “slow & serious,” and “rustic & complex.”

A plate of grilled calamari and grilled bread, with charred lemon halves, with bright flowers in the background
Grilled calamari
Root & Flower [Facebook]

Slope Room

As the in-house restaurant and bar of the new location of Gravity Haus — an uber-cool collection of community-forward base camps in Vail, Breckenridge, and Winter Park — the Slope Room offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, all focused on protein and produce from Rocky Mountain farmers and ranchers. The vibe in the sleek, off-lobby space is sexy steakhouse meets the spirit of the Old West.

A fancy charred bratwurst with bright toppings in a toasted bun on a clean white plate
Elk bratwurst in a pretzel bun with onion mostarda, bacon braised cabbage, and beer cheese 
Slope Room [Facebook]

Related Maps