Breakfast In Aspen Snowmass: 10 Best Breakfast Restaurants 2024

LOOKING FOR THE BEST BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH RESTAURANTS IN ASPEN SNOWMASS?

Mike and I have been living in Colorado for years, and Aspen Snowmass has always been one of our favorite destinations. We’ve visited the area numerous times and found some fantastic breakfast restaurants in Aspen!

From classic American-style breakfasts to European-inspired pastries and local coffee shops, there are so many breakfast and brunch spots in Aspen Snowmass that it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth visiting. 

So, we’ve compiled a list of the best local breakfast in Aspen to help you plan where to start your day the next time you visit the ski town. 

10 Best Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants In Aspen

Downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village are each 10-15 minutes from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport but 20 minutes from one another. So we made sure that we included restaurants from each town center.

These are the best places to enjoy a hearty breakfast or brunch in Aspen Snowmass.

1. Mawa’s Kitchen

Mawa’s Kitchen is a beloved breakfast and brunch spot in Aspen, Colorado with an award-winning chef. Conveniently located between downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village, this restaurant has served delicious food for over a decade.

The restaurant started as an in-flight catering service in 2006 but has since evolved into a full-fledged restaurant specializing in Afro-Mediterranean cuisine with French-American flair.

The atmosphere is inviting, and the menu features classic breakfast dishes like pancakes, french toast, egg platters, avocado toast, benedicts, breakfast burritos, and omelets. 

If you prefer outdoor seating, the restaurant has a patio, and the staff is incredibly kind and attentive.

2. Aspen Hickory House

The Aspen Hickory House is an iconic restaurant in downtown Aspen, Colorado, located at the end of Main Street in Aspen, and it is open all day.

Since 1988, the Hickory House has been known as a meat house specializing in ribs, smoked meats, steak, and chicken wings. But they serve class American breakfast each morning, too!

If you come here for breakfast in Aspen, you’ll have the choice between various egg platters, eggs benedict, big omelets, pancakes, waffles, and daily breakfast specials – all under $17! 

Aspen Hickory House has a cozy atmosphere and is the best restaurant in Aspen town for a casual breakfast that won’t break the bank! 

3. Prospect at Hotel Jerome

The Prospect at Hotel Jerome is an upscale restaurant in the heart of Aspen Snowmass. The restaurant has stunning views of the mountains and a cozy outdoor seating area for warmer days of the year.

For breakfast, you’ll find everything you could want for breakfast, including omelets, egg benedicts, hot cakes, huevos rancheros, and baked goods. 

It’s a fancy restaurant, and the portions are on the smaller side, but the atmosphere and quality of the food make it more than worth your dollar.

4. Big Hoss Grill

Big Hoss Grill is a go-to restaurant for a delicious breakfast in Snowmass Village. 

It’s located right off the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Big Hoss Grill has a wide selection of menu items for breakfast before you head out for your first ski runs of the day. The prices for a ski resort restaurant are quite reasonable, although we wouldn’t say it’s the cheapest breakfast in Aspen.

Their most popular dishes are the egg croissant, breakfast burrito, and eggs benedict, but you can also order yogurt parfaits, pancakes, and omelets.

5. Daly Diner

Daly Diner is another inviting restaurant to check out right below the slopes of Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort.

It is a newer restaurant, having opened in 2020, and takes pride in using locally sourced ingredients and natural meats.

This diner is open all hours of the day, and they serve breakfast items like egg platters, french toast, breakfast burgers, cheesy grits, and breakfast burritos! 

The Daly Diner is right next to Assay Hill Ski Lift, so it’s really easy to pop in for a break between ski runs, and the staff is very accommodating to skiers and snowboarders!

6. Jour de Fête

Jour de Fête is a French-inspired coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Aspen, just steps away from the Silver Queen Gondola and The Little Nell. 

Operated by a French family, Jour de Fête opened its doors in 1988 and continues to have deep roots in the local community. 

The café serves breakfast all day. You can build your own breakfast off an extensive a la carte menu or choose one of the pre-selected combos. You’ll find omelets, French-inspired sandwiches, power bowls, and signature plates. 

Also, Jour de Fête has a lot of pastries and light bites to have with coffee if you aren’t looking for a hearty breakfast. 

Customers can also enjoy their meals outside during nice weather on their patio, but there is plenty of indoor seating for the cold winter months.

If you’re looking for excellent French fare with genuine hospitality, Jour de Fête is worth checking out!

7. Poppycock’s

Poppycock’s is a beloved restaurant in the heart of downtown Aspen Village, not far from the ski lifts, and it is one of the best restaurants in Aspen.

This family-run restaurant was established in 1971 by two English women as a creperie. Over the decades, it grew into a bustling restaurant with many breakfast options available! 

Breakfast options include oatmeal, pancakes, and egg platters.

The prices at Poppycock’s are on par with most breakfast and brunch restaurants in Aspen, and you can expect friendly service and large servings that make it excellent value for your money. 

Coffee Shops & Bakeries In Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass is home to a wide variety of delicious coffee shops and bakeries, from cozy cafes to craft third-wave coffee shops.

Here are the best coffee shops in Aspen Snowmass!

8. Paradise Bakery & Cafe

Paradise Bakery & Cafe is one of the most beloved spots in Aspen Village. It is located in the heart of downtown Aspen and has been a local favorite for over 20 years.

Honestly, it’s easy to see why it has been around for so long. Locals and tourists both love it for its quaint atmosphere and delicious pastries. 

They occasionally serve breakfast sandwiches/burritos, but grabbing a coffee and a snack is more common. A walk-up takeout window allows you to order small desserts and pastries on the go or between ski runs at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort.

The Paradise Bakery & Cafe is known for its giant muffins but also has delicious cookies and homemade gelato with so many flavors.

9. French Pastry Cafe & More

John and Bunny’s French Pastry Cafe has been a staple of the Aspen Snowmass community for over 15 years. Passionate about providing food, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant serves delicious breakfast and lunch dishes.

The French Pastry Cafe & More is unassuming and a little off the beaten path, but it’s worth the trip and relatively affordable compared to most places in Aspen.

The pastries here are made daily, which means they are fresh, but the best options are usually sold out by the afternoon. The cafe also serves breakfast sandwiches, burritos, scrambles, and omelets for those looking for a savory start to the day. 

Because it’s right next to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, the bakery is a common place to grab takeout for your next flight into or out of town.

10. Unravel Coffee + Bar

Unravel Coffee + Bar in Aspen is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike in Aspen. 

The coffee shop is in an industrial building on Hyman Ave, which is convenient if you’re looking for a place to read or to take a break from skiing at Aspen Mountain Resort.

Unravel offers a range of coffee drinks, teas, and craft sodas. They are a third-wave coffee shop with sustainably sourced Ethiopian beans and craft brewing methods.

You can get drip coffee, cold brew, and espresso drinks each morning, but they also serve matcha, Kombucha, and a variety of teas.

They serve some basic breakfast food, like oatmeal and smoothie bowls, but are much more limited than traditional breakfast restaurants in Aspen.

It’s also a great remote working station in town with its strong Wi-Fi connection!

Visiting Aspen: FAQs

Aspen, Colorado, has a strong local presence, but many people looking for breakfast restaurants in Aspen are visiting from out of town. People come in the winter to ski/snowboard and for awesome hiking and camping opportunities in the summer.

If you’re planning a visit to Aspen, you may have a few questions about what to expect. To help you out, here are some of the most common FAQs about visiting Aspen!

What food is Aspen known for?

Aspen is known for upscale dining, European food, fancy brunch spots, and French bakeries. While this is true, the restaurant scene in Aspen is much more diverse than many visitors expect.

You can find everything from fine-dining establishments to casual cafes, American diners, and Mexican restaurants. There are also some excellent coffee shops in Aspen.

What is the best month to go to Aspen?

The best month to visit Aspen is February or March, especially if you plan skiing and snowboarding. These months are less crowded than December/January but still have plenty of powder.

April is the best month for seeing wildflowers, and the summer months from June and July are best for activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and fishing. 

How many days should I spend in Aspen?

You should try to spend at least one week in Aspen. This will give you enough time to ski at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort and Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort without feeling rushed and having a few days to rest between ski days. But if you don’t have a whole week to spare, Aspen is still a great weekend getaway in all seasons.

Is it expensive to go to Aspen?

Aspen is one of the most expensive destinations in Colorado, especially if you visit during peak ski season. You can expect to pay $150-500 per night for a hotel, and a meal for two with drinks and tips will often be over $75. Aspen skiing is also one of the most expensive activities, with lift tickets costing over $200 per day. 

But it’s possible to have a great time on a budget. Some casual restaurants have affordable meals and there are free activities around the town (especially in the summer).

Also, if you choose a hotel or condo a few miles from the ski lift, you can save a lot of money, and they usually provide free transportation to/from the mountain. 

The Wrap-Up: Breakfast In Aspen

We hope this helps you find some delicious places to have breakfast in Aspen. Whether you are looking for a grab-and-go meal or a fancier brunch, there are plenty of great options! 

The Prospect at Hotel Jerome is your best bet if you are looking for an upscale brunch, while Mawa’s Kitchen is the best value for your dollar, and Daly Diner is the best place to have breakfast between ski runs. 

And if you are a coffee snob, Unravel is the best place to go for coffee in Aspen.

We hope you enjoy breakfast in Aspen as much as we do!

Also, if you’re visiting Colorado, we are locals and we have written a lot of guides on the mountain towns in Colorado. Check out some of our other posts for ski towns like Steamboat Springs, Silverthorne, and Idaho Springs!