This year’s edition of Aspen Art Week celebrates presentations at the Aspen Art Museum, its annual benefit ArtCrush, and gallery exhibitions galore. Additionally, the city is abuzz with food and beverage options, five-star accommodations, and boutiques open to all. Here, Whitewall highlights its top restaurants and bars to visit while in town—like Swedish Hill, Cache Cache, Clark’s Oyster Bar, and more.
Swedish Hill Aspen
Swedish Hill photo by Justin Cook.
Atop the Aspen Art Museum, Swedish Hill is the institution’s brand-new cafe. A gorgeous destination with a breathtaking view, the eatery is a local go-to for breakfast, lunch, and early afternoon aperitivo hours. Coffee, freshly baked breads and pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and pastas, are all offered, as is an expanded menu of cocktails, wine, and more.
Swedish Hill Bakery originated in 1975 in East Austin, Texas. After a fire destroyed the space, it relocated to what is now Clark’s Oyster Bar just down the street in Austin, and in 1991, it moved down the block, where it was stationed for nearly three decades. Just two months ago, the iconic Texas spot opened its first location outside of Austin in Aspen—the Swedish Hill Cafe at the Aspen Art Museum. Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, it has quickly become a crowd favorite.
What we love: Ordering a build-your-own signature sandwich.
637 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Cache Cache
Courtesy of Cache Cache.
For over 30 years, Cache Cache has been a local Aspen favorite for all the right reasons. Dark and intimate with heartfelt, authentic cuisine, it’s a place where you can feel just as attended to at the bar or at a dining table. Boasting French-American cuisine and an extensive wine list, Cache Cache is regarded for the finer things—from its cuts of steak, caviar, and escargots to homemade pastas and rich desserts.
For those new to Cache Cache, we recommend sitting at the bar and ordering an array of appetizers to share. And for larger parties, our tip is to make a reservation and do dinner family-style.
What we love: Ordering a pack of beer for the kitchen.
205 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Courtesy of Clark’s Oyster Bar Aspen.
Clark’s Osyter Bar first opened in 2012 in Austin, Texas. Its Colorado outpost in Aspen opened in 2018, sinc becoming an institution for all things seafood. Here, oysters, crudo, lobster rolls, and caviar are on rotation, as are daily fish specials, bowls of chowder and cioppino, and more. Gaining inspration from the New England coast, with a nod to California classics, this hotspot welcomes guests to a relaxed, intimate setting centered by a fireplace. Around its edges are high-top seats at the bar, a dining room fill of tables and plenty of seats, and a raw bar.
From brunch fueled by Champagne and seafood towers to cozy dinners complemented by Gruyere-topped burgers, dining at Clark’s is like being dockside with friends and your favorite dish.
What we love: Stopping by for happy hour.
517 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Acquolina
Courtesy of Acquolina.
From the dishes to the environment, Acquolina welcomes guests to a traditional Italian experience. The all-Italian wine list complements the establishment’s savory pizza, marking Aspen with a classic trattoria and pizzeria vibe.
What we love: Ordering the orecchiette pasta.
415 E Main St, Aspen, CO 81611
The Monarch
Photo by Derek Skalko, courtesy of The Monarch.
Also from CP Restaurant Group is The Monarch—a classic steakhouse with an extensive wine list. Its dinner menu (featuring starters, seafood, prime meats, and a section for sauces and toppings) joins its bar menu (of cocktails, beer, wine, appetizers, salads, soups, and more) for delectable options galore.
What we love: Enjoying the Siberian Ostera caviar.
411 S Monarch St, Aspen, CO 81611
Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell
Photo by C2 Photography, Chris Council, and Emily Chaplin, courtesy of Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell.
Located next to the Silver Queen Gondola and at the base of the Aspen Mountain, Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell brings visitors casual fine dining with an array of events—like Ajax Wine Dinners on Saturday—happening throughout the season. Regulars recommend the truffle fries and the double cheeseburger.
What we love: Enjoying live music on the patio.
685 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Element 47 at The Little Nell
Courtesy of Element 47.
Element 47 at The Little Nell is the only Forbes five-star restaurant in Aspen. Named after the periodic table item for silver as a nod to the city’s silver-mining history, the restaurant is a favorite for Colorodans. Elevated American cuisine is crafted with seasonal ingredients by Chef Matt Zubrod, and sleek design creates a memorable dining experience by Bentel & Bentel. The restaurant is also known for its reputable wine list, directed by master sommeliers, its new private cellar dinners, and The Little Nell Wine Club.
What we love: Ordering the double wagyu burger and truffle fries.
675 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Kenichi
Courtesy of Kenichi.
Since 1991, Kenichi has been drawing diners in with its delectable dishes by Sushi Chef Kiyomi Sano, hip atmosphere, and specialty Japanese fish. With a 17-seat sushi bar and a private dining tatami room for four, the restaurant also shines with 14 “Rock Star Booths,” where, inevitably, the stars end up indulging.
What we love: Ordering the Chef’s Special.
533 E Hopkins Ave #2, Aspen, CO 81611
The Wild Fig
Courtesy of The Wild Fig.
Looking for classic European fare while in Aspen? If so, The Wild Fig is your spot for dishes derived from France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. With delicious classics like ravioli, gazpacho, steak frittes, and seafood stew, this restaurant is a cozy escape from the warm or cold months.
What we love: Dining al fresco.
315 E Hyman Ave., Suite 301, Aspen, CO 81611
