The Best Vegan (ish) Eats in Aspen
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Aspen - A Local's Guide
With a combined 55 years living and dining in Aspen, our opinions run deep! Lisa and I both entered the work force in Aspen (both at the Chart House) and have dined around town ever since. I now spend most of my town down valley but when I do venture up to the magical mystical Aspen town I want to make my meals count. I value flavor, freshness, ambiance and value for money. Below are my top recommendations on where to eat - and what to order (vegan and vegetarian) in Aspen.
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Breakfast Restaurants in Aspen & Snowmass
Spring Cafe
Overview : “At Spring Café we believe that food should be beautiful, delicious, and fun and enjoyed in an environment that promotes health, vitality, and peace of mind.” and boy can we get onboard with that! Flanked by the most bountiful flower array during the summer months, this quaint yet bustling cafe has become the place for plant based food. Clean, inviting and cheerful - it’s out number one go-to.
Vegan Tip: for breakfast we can’t get past The Spring Shake, the Dirty Chia (with house made nut milk) and the Pancakes are a hit for the littles.
Vegetarian Tip: Huevos Rancheros, hands down.
Price: $$
Mawa’s Kitchen Aspen (AABC)
Overview: a cute breakfast and lunch place with a handful of delicious vegan options. They are known for accommodating dietary requests and their food is the real deal.
Vegan Tip: I love the chipotle yam hash with tofu scramble, hearty and delicious.
Vegetarian Tip: MAWA’S GRANOLA PARFAIT BOWL: Mawa’s GrainFreeNola, Vanilla Yoghurt, Banana, Seasonal Berries | Sub Plant-Based Yoghurt to make it (V)
Price: $$
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Lunch Restaurants in Aspen & Snowmass
Ajax Tavern:
Overview: beautiful outdoor seating with a view of Aspen Mountain. As a home base for people watching, this is second to none. At the base of AJAX gondola it’s a prime-time location and a long time local stomping ground.
Vegan Tip: Their vegan cauliflower gratin is too die for and their carrot gnocchi are superb. Personally we miss the white bean dip appetizer and put in a strong vote to bring it back! (or get the knock off at Tuesday Foods : )
Vegetarian Tip: Get cozy with their French Onion Soup Gratin and a hearty serving of ri-donkulous Truffle Fries.
Price: $$$
Mi Chola:
Perfect for an indoor or outdoor causal lunch (the have a great patio facing Main Street) this is a spot that can accommodate larger parties well. Delicious Mexican food, and one of our favorite spots in Aspen! (I have deep roots here as I used to cocktail waitress when it was the Cantina, really fun times!)
Vegan Tip: They can do their nachos with no cheese no crema and they’re delish, the harvest bowl is super and their veggie burrito hits the spot and is more than enough to share. Oh, did I say Guac? Start there.
Vegetarian Tip: Go for the Spicy Honey Brussels or Wild Mushroom Quesadilla!
Price: $$
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Dinner Restaurants in Aspen
Meat & Cheese:
Don’t be fooled by the name… Located on Restaurant Row, Meat & Cheese is a celebration of food as prepared in home kitchens everywhere, a style they refer to as World Farmhouse. They have a cute market shop and plenty to nibble on for the veggies…
Vegan Tip: try the chopped kale salad with cabbage, radish, grilled corn, roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, black beans, pickled jalapeños, tortilla strips, and poblano avocado dressing. (skip the cojita cheese) or grab the seasonal grilled veggie plate.
Vegetarian Tip: our pick is the roasted baby beets salad with turmeric yogurt, pistachios, cumin, herbs. we love to pair that with a side of the roasted sweet potatoes and a glass of bubbly Prosecco. Cheers!
Price: $$
Campo De Fiori:
Super lively and sure to be fun Italian spot.
Vegan Tip: Get the Salad Autunnale: Grilled portobello mushrooms, artichokes and roasted butternut squash, served over arugula with balsamic vinegar, white truffle oil (hold the Parm for vegan) my mouth is watering as I type.
Also try the penne caprese (hold the cheese)
Vegetarian Tip: you must get the RAVIOLI FUNGHI Homemade pasta filled with wild mushrooms in a delicate porcini cream sauce. And gluten free pasta is available upon request.
Price: $$$
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Quick Eats + Snacks in Aspen
The Big Wrap
Overview: the best fast-casual carryout in Aspen and beyond. Babs and her team have it down. Don’t miss it.
Vegan Tip: get the Pesto Wrapture - this is delicious in a wrap OR you can get it GF in a bowl (sub tofu for chicken, or just skip the added protein - it comes with rice and beans and is hearty as is!) a mix of medium and mild salsa and get ready to go to heaven. Pair the bowl with a side of cilantro lime chips and swoon.
Vegetarian Tip: go for the Hail Cesar - also delicious in a wrap or in a bowl. I love to add raisins, don’t ask me why but it’s divine. Also, don’t skip the chips.
Price: $ (best value for money in town)
Jüs
Overview: tucked in a corner in one of the most central buildings in downtown aspen Jus is a juice shop and then some. Fresh-pressed juices, milks, smoothies, hand-crafted breakfast + lunch items, and satisfying snacks.
Vegan Tip we love the Asterix Smoothie with Banana, hazelnuts, cacao nibs, espresso, local wildflower honey, almond milk (they do use honey but you can omit for vegan, or just be bee-gan)
Vegetarian Tip we are big fans of the $12 Veggie burrito: Organic local scrambled eggs, spinach, roasted vegetables, and manchego cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla
Price: $$
Don't Miss: of course if you are busy out playing around town and prefer to skip the hustle bustle of the aspen restaurant scene, order Tuesday Foods to your home and feel super nourished all week long. Perfect for dining in or for packing a picnic when you are out adventuring.
Link here for next weeks menu!
We hope to see you dining around town! Reach out to us for more vegan and vegetarian recommendations. And link here for the next chapter on mid-valley vegan eats…