Peak summer season is here, and this year visitors can expect a lot of changes around town! Whether you’re a foodie or a shopaholic, you will find more places to venture and explore this summer.
New Aspen Restaurants
The owners of Grey Lady have revamped their concept and re-opened in the same location under the name Mr. Grey. With an updated, more upscale menu along with some fresh décor, Mr. Grey continues to offer one of the best patios in downtown Aspen. The menu is filled with seafood classics and summery cocktails, and the restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night dancing seven days a week.
Next door, in the iconic “Pacifica” building, you’ll find a new summer pop-up restaurant Kirby Ice House. This Houston-based establishment serves burgers, sandwiches, small bites, and salads. Starting at 9 p.m. each night, the restaurant becomes the Bumble Lounge, hosted by the “ladies first” online dating app.
Located on Restaurant Row, Tatanka Western Bistro is one of the newest additions to Aspen’s restaurant scene. This “Western bistro” is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., and it’s helmed by Chef James Mazzio, a 1999 Food & Wine Best New Chef award winner.
With one of the best decks in town, Scarlett’s has opened in the former Aspen Kitchen space and offers lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. After a day on the trails, grab a seat in the shade and enjoy the Aspen Mountain views.
St. Barth restaurant owners sojourned to Aspen last winter to open Betula, melding French and Pan-American cuisine served in a relaxed, Victorian-era-inspired ambiance. The outdoor dining area is lovely during summer months, and this Aspen eatery is already a must-visit destination.
New Aspen Retail Shops
You may have noticed new buildings popping up to the east of Aspen’s walking malls in recent years. This summer, they’re flush with tenants, including some of these retail shops:
The luxury sunglass store Oliver Peoples has set up shop on the corner of Hyman Ave. and Hunter St. If you happen to lose your sunnies rafting the Roaring Fork River or somewhere along the hiking trail this summer, this store has numerous options with something for everyone. This additional outlet adds to the already multiple sunglass stores around town.
The well-known women’s clothing designer Alice and Olivia opened its first Aspen location in June between the newly opened Oliver Peoples and Bottega Veneta. The store’s brightly colored summer line breathes life into the previously empty storefront row.
Next to Clark’s Oyster Bar is the Georgia Brown Home summer pop-up shop. Known for its one-of-a-kind antiques, these Los Angeles-based interior décor and landscape design enthusiasts have over 20 years of expertise in home design, set decorating, and event planning.
Coming Soon
Later this summer and into the fall, more restaurants are slated to open around downtown Aspen.
Owned by the couple who opened the new Tatanka Western Bistro, a more upscale dining option, The Ranch Room, will be moving in the space above their current bistro.
The duo behind the contemporary Italian restaurant Acquolina on Main St. is opening a second restaurant – Duemani. It will be located in the old Rustique location on S. Monarch St.
Join us! As your local guides to the very best of Aspen, we are eager to share the latest and greatest! Contact our Reservations Team to book your lodging, or ask our Concierge for ideas on the best times to visit and what to do once you’re here.