The Editors The Editors | December 14, 2021 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Feature, Features, Featured, Food & Drink,
From vegan restaurants to hair salons and everything in between, here are our best recommendations of 2021 in Aspen.
Best Italian Restaurant: Duemani
Treat yourself to Duemani’s refined, contemporary take on Italian cuisine. Splurge with an order of piatto di crostaci—in-house caviar service—or one of Duemani’s signature ceviche dishes. End your meal with a triple-berry crumble paired with vanilla ice cream. 216 S. Monarch St., 970.920.2555
Check out our full list of Aspen's best Italian restaurants here.
Best Thing To Do On a Rainy Or Cold Day: Hotel Jerome
Visit Hotel Jerome for evening cocktails at their J-Bar or The Living Room. Enjoy cowboy’s spices, moscow mules and citrus tipple cocktails to-go from this 19th century bar. They also offer an extensive selection of bottles to-go from the cellar, to help you make the most of the evening. 330 E. Main St., 855.331.7213
Check out our full list of Aspen's best things to do on a rainy or cold day here.
Best Bakery: Local Coffee House
Buttermilk biscuits with whipped honey butter, brown butter french toast with creme fraiche and avocado toast are just some of the sweet and savory options at this Aspen coffee house. Homemade donuts, biscotti, apple turnovers, french macarons and locally-roasted coffee await behind the barista counter. The “Farm Boy” dish—made with cheddar biscuits, fried egg, honey-cured bacon and arugula greens—is a big breakfast favorite for guests with an even bigger appetite. 614 E. Cooper Ave., 970.710.7855
Check out our full list of Aspen's best bakeries here.
Best Brunch: White House Tavern
Residing in the historic A.G. Sheppard House, White House Tavern serves up shareable sandwiches and brunch staples in an intimate setting. Enjoy house-smoked salmon and southern-style brussels sprouts with lemon aioli and grated Reggiano in the tavern’s ambient, gothic dining room. Pair your savory breakfast with the tavern’s signature “kickstart” bloody mary, which is made with a choice of vodka or tequila. 302 E. Hopkins Ave., 970.925.1007
Check out our full list of Aspen's best brunches here.
Best Coffee: Bear Den Aspen
Cozy ambiance and decadent coffees come hand in hand at Bear Den Aspen. Just a block away from the White House Tavern and Main Street, Bear Den is an easily accessible spot for a homemade meal or specialty caffeinated beverage. Bear Den’s homemade flavoring, such as vanilla bean, cardamom or lavender, takes regular cafe lattes to a new level of indulgence. 301 E. Hopkins Ave. #101, 970.922.9218
Check out our full list of Aspen's best coffee here.
Best Picnic Spot: John Denver Sanctuary Park
At the heart of Aspen, next to the Rio Grande find this beautiful spot symbolizing, internationally acclaimed songwriter John Denver. Its location, near the Roaring Fork River, makes this an ideal spot for quiet meditation or a family picnic. Walking around the park’s center you’ll find the single Colorado Blue Spruce symbolizing the spirit of John. 470 Rio Grande Pl
Check out our full list of Aspen's best picnic spots here.
Best Ice Cream: Paradise Bakery
Locally owned and operated, Paradise Bakery first claimed fame in town for their cookies and muffins made from scratch. Now, their homemade gelato and sorbet, popularly served in both summer and winter seasons, brings in plenty of business. The shop serves gelato in classic flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, and their refreshing sorbets, which come in flavors like mango or lemon, are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Don’t say goodbye too soon! After a year of speculation that the 1981 bakery location had to move this upcoming October, co-owner Mark Patterson let The Aspen Times know that they’ve reached an agreement to stay at their beloved gathering spot on the corner of Galena Street and Cooper Avenue. 320 S. Galena St.
Check out our full list of Aspen's best ice cream here.
Best Golf Course: River Valley Ranch Golf Club
This course is 25 miles outside of Aspen, located in a beautiful spot in Carbondale. It was designed by Jay Morrish, a Colorado native and Hall of Fame golfer. RVR is a unique mix of gorgeous natural elements of the valley, as well as challenges like elevation change, rivers and notoriously fast greens. 303 River Valley Ranch Road, Carbondale
Check out our full list of Aspen's best golf courses here.
Best Spot For a Date: Prospect at Hotel Jerome
From elegant ceiling molding to hand-stitched leather chairs, Prospect immerses guests in the historic yesteryear of rustic Aspen. This American bistro is bringing elevated, yet approachable dishes to the table, showcasing the best of Roaring Fork Valley’s in-season ingredients. With spacious courtyard dining, this dinner out will be romantic and delicious. 330 E. Main St., 855.331.7213
Check out our full list of Aspen's best date spots here.
Best Vegan Dish: Spring Café Aspen
There’s clean eating, and then there’s Spring Café clean eating. With a kitchen dedicated to 100% organic ingredients, this is the perfect spot to hit after a long day on the mountain. Along with a delicious lineup of juices and smoothies, Spring Café brings fun pick me ups to the table like the Chickpea “Tuna” Pita full of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado and alfalfa sprouts, with other honorable mentions like the Highlands Bowl made complete with your choice of rice/quinoa and tofu/tempeh, served with steamed veggies and vegan dressing. 119 S Spring St, Aspen, (970) 429-8406
Check out our full list of Aspen's best vegan spots here.
Best Hair Salon: Salon Tullio
With full lineup of experienced artists and stylists, Salon Tullio has just what you need for a chic day at the salon. With the client’s unique look and needs of the utmost priority, each stylist delivers personalized services from balayage and highlights, to quick pick-me-up services like a blow-dry or up do’s. “Both our salon locations hold stylists with years of experience behind the chair,” says owner Michael Tullio. “Ones who understand the lifestyle of seasonal changes and tailor to the aspen experience that visitors and locals admire.” To top it all off? The salon also offers other beauty experiences like makeup artistry and waxing services. Visit the Aspen salon Monday through Saturday or the Basalt location Tuesday through Friday. 525 East Cooper Ave. Suite 207, Aspen; 227 Midland Ave # 13A Basalt
Check out our full list of Aspen's best hair salons here.
Photography by: Photo By: Joshua Sukoff/Unsplash
