Eating Our Way Through Aspen in November

My husband and I recently took a trip to Aspen, Colorado, with another couple. Having never been, we were excited to explore the town. Post-trip, I always love to share my itinerary and tips; blog posts are where I typically find my inspiration before going on a trip, and I hope to offer the same to others.

 In full transparency, when we booked this trip, I was picturing big winter jackets and a winter wonderland: Après-ski and hot tubs after a big ski day (as you can see, I'm not much of a skier). However, it turned out that early November is actually Aspen's off-season, meaning the town was very empty.

 This actually ended up being the perfect time for us, as it provided the truly relaxing gateway we were looking for. We spent most of our time sleeping in our Airbnb and simply walking around and exploring the town—mostly through shopping. The shopping experience was exceptional because we were treated like royalty, being among the few tourists there.

 Besides shopping and lounging around, we had some incredible meals in Aspen. We truly ate our way through the vacation, so instead of sharing my typical itinerary, I thought I would share everything we ate and my personal reviews.

Restaurant Reviews

 Lunch at the White House Tavern: 4 Stars

This is an Aspen staple. The atmosphere inside was cozy, but I wish we had opted for an outdoor table because the weather was amazing. My husband and I split the French Dip Au Jus, and it was amazing.

 Drinks at Aspen Brewing Company: 4 Stars

Aspen Brewing Company was one of the more low-key spots we visited. It felt like a sports bar but had great drinks and service. It also had a nice outdoor area.

Drinks at Hotel Jerome J Bar: 5 Stars

This bar felt cool and chic, yet cozy. I particularly enjoyed the leather furniture and the lit fireplace. We came here several times for pre-dinner drinks, and the atmosphere felt distinctly "Aspen".

Dinner at Clark's Oyster Bar: 4 Stars

There is also a Clark's location in Austin, TX, which happens to be one of my favorite spots, so I already knew exactly what to order. The décor was cute, and the food was great, living up to the expectations set by our other visits. My favorite item was the Oysters. I only gave it 4 stars because I have experienced the "magic" of Clark's before and knew what to expect.

Lunch at Aspen Public House: 3 Stars

Aspen Public House was recommended to us by several locals in town and truly felt like an authentic local spot. It was decently crowded for a Monday afternoon. The food and drinks were good, but nothing particularly memorable. I would return to have a drink there, but likely not for a full meal.

Breakfast at Felix Roasting Co.: 4 Stars

I can’t provide a completely honest rating for Felix because my husband brought breakfast back for me to have in bed. However, the latte was great, and the breakfast sandwich was even better. Based on the pictures online, I wish I had eaten there in person to experience the full atmosphere.

Dinner at Casa Tua: 2 Stars

This establishment felt a little too fancy for my taste. The atmosphere felt stuffy, and it felt even stranger because the venue was very empty. The food was good, but as someone who loves pasta and Italian cuisine, I was not impressed.

Drinks at Silver City Saloon: 3 Stars

I am sure this place has a completely different feel during the busy season. This underground bar was charming and fun. It had several TVs, locals hanging out, and was planning on hosting karaoke. Since we visited during the off-season, the bar was dead, which made it less fun, so we din’t end up staying for the singing.

Breakfast at Swedish Hill: 4 Stars

We also have a Swedish Hill in Austin, TX, so we knew what to expect from the brand. I especially loved this specific location because it was situated at the top of the Aspen Art Museum. Eating on the museum's rooftop made for a really cool experience. The cinnamon roll was also incredible!

Lunch at Meat and Cheese: 4 Stars

This is another Aspen must-see. It operates like an ultimate deli where we enjoyed wine and a huge charcuterie board for lunch. The food was great, and the atmosphere was very cool. I would certainly go back if I was ever in Austin again.

 Dinner at Matsuhisa: 5+ Stars

I saved the best for last. Literally every person we met in Aspen told us to go here.

Luckily, I had secured a reservation before our trip, which required calling the restaurant directly. The restaurant is a concept by chef Nobu and did not disappoint. It specializes in Japanese cuisine and sushi. While many of the items we tried were outside of my usual comfort zone, everything was exceptional. The restaurant was very crowded; we even commented that this must be where all the people in Aspen had been hiding. The meal was pricey, but very much worth the cost. It was my favorite place we ate.

There you have it. We left Aspen relaxed and with very full bellies. I am excited to go back again one day. Until next time, XXX McKenzie