5 Best Restaurants in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

Extraordinary flavors flow from ordinary ingredients in the shareable plates at this perfectly situated space at the bottom of Fannie Hill. Root vegetable salad tossed in balsamic dressing, Parker House rolls with a pinch of sea salt, and Korean fried chicken with gochujang hot sauce are best enjoyed with a craft cocktail or glass of wine by a fire pit on the large patio with stunning mountain views. Large windows, cozy couches, and banquettes with high tops invite casual dining in the front, while tables and dimmer lighting offer a more formal experience in the back. The "for the trails" menu offers a sophisticated spin on sack lunches perfect for adventurers on the go. 

The dining room at Bosq is small and intimate with a rustic-chic setting that's bright in the daytime and dimly lit for a romantic experience at night. The food is equally impressive, melding root vegetables and local meats and fish with bold, and sometimes spicy, surprises. Dishes displayed like works of art and decorated with flowers and meticulously placed sauces are almost too beautiful to eat—almost.

Ski bunnies and shredders flock to this laid-back beach house downtown offering one of Aspen's best après-ski experiences. The crisp white walls and warm wood weathered by salt and sand offer a cozy spot to sip wine and clam chowder. A large table near the fireplace or a tucked-away corner booth are prime spots to share extravagant caviar, red snapper ceviche, or a lobster roll with a piled-high stack of shoestring fries. A fish tank and open kitchen add to the appeal. 

Candlelight, fur pelts, plush pillows, wooden skis, and European antiques come together in this bistro to create a cozy and charming Swiss chalet, a nod to the one where owner and retired pro skier Raphael Derly vacationed as a child. The authentic setting is supported with a divine, seasonal menu—with such traditional dishes as escargots, foie gras, boeuf bourguignon, and dessert crepes—that references Derly's upbringing in the south of France.

Sporting an open kitchen, exposed brick walls, and red leather banquettes, this chic bistro offers inventive, cleverly presented meals. The eclectic dinner menu includes starters such as "jars"—small Mason jars filled with yummy spreads like chicken-liver pâté and served with grilled bread or toast. Roasted vegetable sides, and the beloved gnocchi salad with asparagus and mushrooms delight vegetarians, while carnivores revel in such options as rabbit tacos, and cherry barbecue–glazed pork shoulder. A front counter serves baked goods and coffee in the morning, and eat-in salads, sandwiches, and small plates in the afternoon.