Don’t be intimidated by the legendary reputation of The Little Nell. All are treated graciously here, and if signature fine-dining restaurant Element 47 and its Bar are ground zero for high-rolling adults, Ajax is the fun sibling always up for a party. This indoor/outdoor eatery at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola is perennially packed whatever the season, but it’s about the food and drink as much as the scene. You can’t go wrong with the raw bar, dreamy chicken liver pâté, or salads, but we also love the tasty burger.

This cozy hole-in-the-wall (one of Curbed Ski’s best ski country bakeries) on the Hyman Avenue Mall is a local’s secret that even a lot of locals don’t know about. Those who do, however, know to arrive early to get their fix on daily specials for breakfast or lunch (doughnut Thursdays are madness). The sandwiches and daily specials (meatball, juicy porchetta or brisket, pissaladiere, soups, salads…) are amazing, but be sure to save room for the cloudlike macarons, Kouign-Aman, and pine nut cookies. Did we mention all of the bread is made in-house and the bagels are the real deal? Owners Annette and Serafino Docimo do it all themselves, aside from a token employee, and their passion shows. Cash only. If the weather is nice there are a few small tables outside.

One of Aspen's newest restaurants is also its hottest. Located in Aspen's downtown core, Aspen Kitchen has a gorgeous dining room and a hip vibe. Executive Chef Matt O'Neill cooks contemporary American cuisine with a ski town emphasis; think deviled duck eggs, elk tartare and hearty entrees like Colorado strip bass. If the weather's nice, don't miss the restaurant's huge patio that boasts great views, an outdoor bar, and fire pits.

Relatively new to the Aspen dining scene, Grey Lady is a New England-style seafood restaurant, which opened in December 2014 and is sibling to the popular Manhattan bar/eatery of the same name. The cozy, 70-seat spot packs them in, thanks to stellar food and cocktails, friendly, clued-in staff, and a subtly sexy, rustic-chic interior. Co-owner Ryan Chadwick’s uncle is a Maine lobsterman and ships his catch direct daily, piggybacked with oysters from a Damariscotta mariculture farm. Besides a full bar, there's four signature, large-batch libations on tap, including a Moscow Mule with house Escobar vodka made by Basalt’s Woody Creek Distillers.

Since opening a few summers ago, HOPS Culture has been…hopping. Aspen’s long-awaited “craft beer-focused restaurant” on the Hyman Ave. pedestrian mall is where to go when you’re craving a cold one. With 30 beers on tap and 200 by the bottle (including limited releases and everything from dubels to rye), 15 wines, and 12 craft spirits (Moscow Mules are the house special, and come in six different variations), it’s easy to see why beer aficionados flock here. The food is simple, upscale pub grub: salads, roast half-chicken, “melts,” and variations on mac & cheese. The downstairs bar space is industrial-cool, but the 11-bench beer garden in the mall’s park-like center strip has already established itself as the place to be on a summer’s day.

Since 1889, the this masculine bar has been one of Aspen’s most prominent social locales (during Prohibition, it served up the “Aspen Crud,” a spiked milkshake still on the menu). It's still a fave amongst the local crowd as well as celebs, but the scene is laid-back and the décor all about the Old West. Don't miss the ornately-carved backbar, Chinoiserie Chippendale bar, stamped ceiling, and intricate crown moldings. We come to lunch for the best burger in town: a juicy, stacked beauty with all the fixings; the hearty salads (kale Caesar, bbq chicken..), and starters like the famous spinach and artichoke dip are other great ways to fortify yourself. Order up a whiskey neat and enjoy being a fly on the wall.

Although known for their top-notch cocktails and prime location in Aspen's historic Wheeler Opera House, Justice Snow's also delivers a diverse brunch menu and Aspen's best Bloody Mary bar. If we're not indulging in the seriously good Huevos Rancheros, you'll find us kicking back with cocktails and late-night snacks after a show.

Unquestionably the most adorable, romantic little restaurant in town. You’ll feel like you’re dining in a chalet in the French Alps, which makes sense, since co-owner Raphael Derly is a French former ski racer. Service can be slow, but that just gives you more time to kick back with a glass of wine and take in the dark, weathered wood paneling and homey décor (bistro glasses, fresh wildflowers on every table, firewood stacked in front of the tiny open kitchen). Featured in our most delicious cheese dishes in ski country, the French onion soup is a crock of existential bliss; sweet and savory crepes are large, filling, and tasty. Wait for a rainy day to try the fondue, or spring for the cheeseboard instead. It’s hard to go wrong here, unless it’s your pronunciation of the Shokoladepalatschinke (chocolate crepe, filled with chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, strawberries, and bananas, with whipped cream). Opt for the few tables outside when the weather is nice.

The third Colorado outpost (the others are in Vail and Denver) of sushi god Nobu Matsuhisa’s empire is situated in a most unassuming spot: a historic, bluebell-hued Victorian on the corner of Main and North Monarch. Be prepared to drop serious bank, no matter how puny your appetite, but the experience will leave you all the richer. Stand-outs other than the sushi bar include the broiled black cod with miso, and lobster tacos; the Omakase menu, starting at $100/per person, is a pretty stellar deal for Aspen. We also love the see-and-be-seen patio.

Ski bums and late-night revelers alike would surely perish without this Aspen institution. What’s not to love about delicious, honkin’ big slices served till 2:30am? For a “cheap” meal, order up a pie and a pitcher, but things get really hopping when the bars close. You may wait in line for 20 minutes or more, but that hot, cheesy, sobering slice or four is so worth it (bonus: this stuff tastes just as great sober, which is the ultimate litmus test).

If you're looking for a casual breakfast spot with some seating outside, look no further than Peach's. Locals line up for the breakfast and lunch joint's signature dish: the Open Face. Made with toasted bread, poached eggs, peach butter, bacon, tomatoes, arugula, and shaved parmesan, it's a filling start to the day without being a major gut bomb. Note that the sunny patio seating fills up quickly so get there early if you're desperate to enjoy the Aspen sunshine.

This "nutritarian" restaurant might be so good you'll forget that you're not eating meat. Vegetarians and those looking for gluten-free options will be pleased with the diverse menu that's heavy on options and aims to promote healthy, delicious cuisine. Open for dinner or lunch, there's also a few fish and chicken options for those who opt for heartier fare.

Located in the St. Regis, this Italian restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a chic, but kid-friendly environment. From handmade pastas to the delicious focaccia bread, Trecento provides an upscale option that will please everyone in the family. At breakfast, don't miss the Tuscan Breakfast Bowl, which features tomatoes, mozzarella, croutons, basil, argula, and poached eggs.

This always-hopping little Victorian on East Hopkins has made a name for itself with the stacked chicken sandwich, burgers, and monster salads. The menu, while brief, covers all the bases- kale salad, “Macho Salad,” (roasted chicken, mixed greens, avocado, dates, goat cheese, toasted almonds, fresh corn), heavenly queso dip (more like super-creamy pimento cheese), hand-cut fries, and even creamed corn. The wine and cocktails list has some nice offerings, and the blonde-wood-paneled walls and stylish trappings made this rustic-mod space a pleasant place to hang for a casual lunch or dinner. Score a table outside for views of Aspen Mountain. This is the spot we come back to every time we're in town.