We can’t possibly review all the restaurants in Aspen, because the region’s packed with worthy places to eat, but this list will get you started. Don't even think of going anywhere without a reservation. Exotic ingredients and ethnic foods are definitely trendy in Aspen. This is a place where you can thoroughly enjoy the fine restaurants, knowing that the next day you’ll ski off those calories. But be careful—most menu items are separately priced and the bill can add up.

If cost is what you’re worried about, many restaurants in Aspen have a “bar” menu or "small plates" entrees. These menus are the locals’ secrets to eating well, and they aren’t your usual hot wings and nachos. They’re culinary delights but in smaller portions than regular entrees, running $8–$15, such as roast sirloin steak with gourmet mashed potatoes at Cache Cache, spinach-and-ricotta-cheese ravioli in a light smoked-ricotta-and-sage sauce at L’Hostaria or the Sambal shrimp quesadilla at Elevation.

Montagna (675 E. Durant; 920-6313; $$$$; above) at the Little Nell specializes in contemporary American Alpine cuisine. Executive Chef Ryan Hardy delights with an intricate blend of flavors, textures and colors. Montagna is a Grand Award recipient, the highest achievement from Wine Spectator. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch.


Syzygy (520 E. Hyman Ave.; 925-3700, reservations required; $$$–$$$$) has a menu that combines French, Southwestern, Asian and Italian influences. Don’t be put off by the hard-to-pronounce name (Siz-i-je) or the obscure explanation of its meaning on the menu. The food here is simply exquisite. The atmosphere is intimate yet casual, with live jazz performers who seem to make the food dance across your tongue.

Sun-drenched flavors of the mediterranean describes the delicious dishes at the wild fig (925-5160; $$$$) on East Hyman across from the Wheeler Opera House.

Go to Piñons (second floor at 105 S. Mill; 920-2021; $$$$) to dine in what feels like a cozy Western ranch, with stucco walls, a leather bar and menus and huge brass bowls. All meats and fish are grilled over mesquite and cherry wood. Desserts vary daily.

If you think that at these prices, you should be entertained and have your apartment cleaned for a year, one man will at least do the former. Owner Mead Metcalf has been playing to The Crystal Palace sellout crowds each evening at 6:45 nightly for more than four decades (300 E. Hyman Ave.; 925-1455; $$$$, reservations may be necessary several weeks in advance). The Crystal Palace’s talented staff not only cranks out a full dinner and bar service, but then belts out a cabaret revue spoofing the media’s latest victims. You can choose from perfectly pink beef tenderloin with Madeira sauce, roast duckling, rack of lamb or prime rib. The food doesn’t have to be good, but it is. The Piano Bar at Crystal Palace features New York City cabaret artist Michael McAssey following the dinner show.

World-renowned chef-owner Charles Dale should be commended for his newest venture, Range (304 E. Hopkins; 925-2402; $$$), where he lowered prices but didn’t lower standards. Dale (who grew up in the palace in Monaco with Caroline and Albert) showcases Western ingredients such as salmon from Alaska’s Copper River, Oregon morels and Idaho trout. The regional twist extends to the wines, which are all American.

Cache Cache (lower level of the Mill St. Plaza; 925-3835; $$–$$$; above right) gets a thumbs-up from locals for French provincial cuisine, especially the half-price early-bird specials. The polenta nicoise, wild mushroom cannelloni and perfectly grilled yellowtail are favorites. Rustique (216 S. Monarch; 920-2555; $$–$$$) serves a wonderful cassoulet Toulousain with duck confit and sausage. It also has a child-friendly menu with 25 classic French favorites called “Small Plates.”

Kenichi (533 E. Hopkins; 920-2212; $$$) and Takah Sushi (320 So. Mill; 925-8588; $$–$$$; left) are the locals’ favorite for Pan Asian cuisine and sushi. Always crowded, reservations are a must, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Matthew Zubrod, who used to be executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton, opened DishAspen (430 E. Hyman; 925-1421; $$$) in the former Mogador Restaurant space on the Hyman St. Mall in spring of 2006. He serves creative American comfort foods like lobster corn dogs, truffle mac 'n cheese and C.L.T. sandwiches made of crab, lettuce and tomato. And there's always a "dish" of the day.

An enormous crystal chandelier in the foyer of a Victorian home sets the tone for Lu Lu Wilson at 316 E. Hopkins. (920-1893; $$$-$$$$), the newest offering to Aspen's elite dining scene. The service matches the elegant decor with foreign-accented waiters carefully attending each table. Entrees include braised rabbit, wild sablefish, roasted Guinea Hen and winter vegetable risotto.

Outstanding gourmet Italian restaurants are Campo de Fiori (205 E. Mill; 920-7717; $$–$$$) and Campo’s cousin (same owner) Gusto Ristorante (415 E. Main; 925-8222; $$–$$$). Gusto’s contemporary cuisine is refreshingly different than the classic dishes of Campo de Fiori and a tad less expensive. Messaluna (925-5882; $$-$$$) serves popular choices of wood-fired pizzas, pasta and meat-chicken-fish entrees at reasonable prices. Olives Aspen (920-7356; $$$) at the St. Regis has a broad Mediterranean-based menu with subtle Cajun influences inspired by new chef Patrick Dahms who hails from New Orleans. Valet parking is complimentary.

Zocalito Bistro (920-1991; $$-$$$) serves Latin cuisine with wonderful sauces and spices. It's also a rum bar at 420 E. Hyman.

The contemporary and casual Elevation (304 E. Hopkins; 544-5166; $$–$$$) serves New American cuisine with Asian influences. Genre (316 E Hopkins; 925-1260; $$–$$$), an intimate French bistro owned by local ski competitor Vince Lahey, has a strong local following, serving authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices. L’Hostaria (620 E. Hyman; 925-9022; $$–$$$) showcases decor and recipes direct from Italy. The specialty is a two-pound Chilean sea bass express-shipped daily and baked with olive oil, herbs, clams and mussels.

A chain eatery in Aspen? It's happened with the arrival of Ruth Chris Steakhouse at 447 East Cooper Ave. (925-1167; $$$$). Seafood selections share the menu with its famous Midwestern beef choices.

For more affordable dining, try Asie ($$), the “hottest place in town” for Asian fare and Blue Maize (308 S. Hunter; 925-6698, $$; right) for Southwest and Latin American food. How about a bistro in a bookstore—Explore Bookstore’s upper level graduates into a smart vegetarian bistro with summa cum laude desserts and aptly named Explore Bistro (221 E. Main; 925-5338; $$). The Steak Pit (corner of Hopkins and Monarch; 925-3459; $$) has been in business since 1960, serving some of the best steaks in Aspen along with a sumptuous all-you-can-eat salad bar. Little Annie's (925-1098; $-$$$) has an American menu and a rustic old Aspen atmosphere.

Little Ollie’s (downstairs at 308 S. Hunter; 544-9888; $) has healthy Chinese food and offers take-out. The Cantina (corner of Mill and Main; 925-3663; $–$$) is a trendier Mexican alternative with the “best Mexican food north of San Antonio.” Taqueria Sayulita is an affordable Mexican eatery at 415 East Hyman. For barbeque lovers, Texas Red's B-B-Q (920-7754; $$-$$$) won't disappoint. Homemade sauces and dry rubs ensure fork-tender meats and chicken.

The Big Wrap (520 E. Durant; 544-1700; $) features burrito-like wraps but with a variety of exotic fillings. Boogie’s Diner (534 E. Cooper; 925-6610; $) is a real ’50s diner with oldies music, blue plate specials and meatloaf (great milkshakes, too). Brunelleschi's Dome Pizza (544-4644), nicknamed "Bruno's," serves gourmet pizza and pasta for the family at 205 Mill St.

For a real adventure, head out to the Pine Creek Cookhouse (925-1044; $$$; below left), rebuilt in 2004. At an elevation of 9,725 feet, the log cabin is in the midst of towering pines beneath Elk Mountain peaks some 12 miles up Castle Creek Road. It is accessible by a 1.5-mile snowshoe or cross-country trek or by a sleigh drawn by a team of Percheron horses. Views are outstanding. Reservations are essential (at times two to four weeks in advance), as the logistics of running a kitchen not reached by road in winter is no small matter. The Cookhouse feeds several hundred people each day, and all that food (wild game is its specialty) comes in by snowmobile. Meals are prepared right in front of you in the open kitchen and are served by one of your cross-country guides.

Let’s start with the place to eat breakfast, The Wienerstube, a.k.a. “the Stube” (633 E. Hyman 925-3357; $). Come here for Eggs Benny, omelets, Austrian sausages and homemade Viennese pastries.

Believe it or not, Hickory House (730 W. Main St.; 925-2313; $), known for its baby-back ribs, serves one of the best breakfasts around. Poppycock’s (609 E. Cooper; 925-1245; $), a contemporary cafe with fancy pancakes, crepes and eggs, is delightful.

Main Street Bakery Cafe (201 E. Main St.; 925-6446; $) has homemade baked goods, granola, fruit, eggs and great coffee. For the best coffee in town, head to Bagel Bites (300 Puppy Smith St in Clark's shopping center; 920-3489), or Ink! Coffee (inside the D&E Snowboard Shop in the Aspen Mountain Building).

On the mountains:

The crown jewel of Aspen’s on-mountain dining is the Sundeck Restaurant (429-6971; $$; right), housed in a magnificent lodge that replaces the old Sundeck building at the top of the gondola. It’s a favorite spot for spectacular views, people-watching and innovative cuisine served from individual food stations. Check out the priceless old ski photos.

The Tavern (920-9333; $$$) in The Little Nell at the base of Silver Queen Gondola, is open for lunch and apres ski only. Lunch is from a new bistro-style menu featuring fondue, lasagna, lamb Bolognese, a raw bar and the famous truffle fries. Outdoor seating makes primo people-watching.

Bump’s (925-4027; $–$$), at the Buttermilk base area, features foods from a wood-fired rotisserie, brick ovens and a pit smoker, as well as huge salads, pastas and stews.

Bonnie’s ($–$$), just above Lift 3 on Aspen Mountain, feeds some 1,500 hungry skiers per day between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Go before noon or after 2 p.m., unless you love lines. The double decks outside are the places to be during the day. Owner Bonnie Rayburn’s gourmet pizza on freshly made crust is a huge crowd pleaser. Homemade soups, such as the Colorado white-bean chili, are served with large crusty pieces of fresh French bread. Save room for her world-famous apple strudel.

Other on-mountain options include the Cliffhouse ($) atop Buttermilk with an outdoor deck serving its famous custom-cooked Mongolian Barbecue. Cloud Nine, a European-style bistro with a fixed-price menu, is decorated in early evacuation gear since it shares space with the Aspen Highlands ski patrol. It has killer views of the Maroon Bells, Aspen's world-famous peaks. Snowcats can bring you there for evening dining; call 544-3063. Merry-Go-Round ($), mid-mountain at Highlands, serves grilled bratwursts, burgers and Mexican fare and is the location for the legendary jumping show on Freestyle Fridays.

The Village at Aspen Highlands is shaping up nicely, although it’s a bit dark in color for our tastes and the buildings block the mountain view. Retail shops and restaurants are filling the empty spaces.We like Willow Creek at the Ritz Carlton Club and ZG Grill for lunch and dinner. A new gourmet pizza place called Crust ($) opened summer of '06 in the village.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–$20–$30; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10