Vegan Eats in Aspen: A Local’s Guide

The mountains are such a healthy place to be with abundant fresh air and bounds of outdoor activities. And Aspen, Colorado is a very healthy place to eat with many vegan-vegetarian options! 

When you’re ready to replenish your energy with a green smoothie or fresh vegan or vegetarian meal, will you be able to find one at one of the restaurants in Aspen? The answer is YES!

I’ve rounded up my go-to collection of vegan and vegetarian delights for you in Aspen, Colorado. So, if you’re on your way to Aspen and have a thing for vegan healthy food, I’ve got you covered with the best restaurants in Aspen for a healthy (and delicious) meal! 

Vegan & Vegetarian options In Aspen, Colorado

1. PYRAMID BISTRO 

Pyramid Bistro is the first “nutritarian restaurant”, named by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, MD.

A “nutritarian” describes a person who consumes the most micronutrients per calorie. In Joel’s book, Eat to Live, he shares his philosophy on healthy eating and wonderful whole food plant-based recipes!

Pyramid Bistro’s menu is a pleasure to peruse, especially if you’re looking for a healthy meal that’s also delicious. 

Pyramid Bistro has delightful vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, and omnivore selections to choose from. 

Pyramid Bistro’s mission is to offer their guests delicious flavorful foods that have the highest nutritional profile. These meals are prepared in ways to maximize their health benefits. 

When you arrive, you’ll be charmed by the location. Pyramid Bistro is above Aspen’s cute Explore Bookstore, on the 2nd floor. 

Indoor or outdoor seating is available, depending on the weather. It’s a quaint little restaurant in Aspen with lots of windows and plants. 

One of my favorite dishes is the Lemongrass Tofu forbidden rice with broccoli, roasted potatoes, cabbage, and tamari sauce. You must give this a try when you’re there! 

The Asian Noodle Salad with pickled ginger is also at the top of my list! Another stellar choice is the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with sweet corn, apricots, peas, and green beans. These are all wonderful vegetarian options for a super healthy lunch in Aspen. 

The gnocchi isn’t a vegan option but it’s vegetarian and scrumptious. 

Finish off your meal with the vegan Avocado Chocolate Mousse! This is healthy dessert perfection. 

2. SPRING CAFE 

Spring Cafe in Aspen is a lovely, small organic vegan restaurant and juice bar located on South Spring Street. 

During the warmer months, they have a nice outdoor patio to enjoy your vegan or vegetarian lunch with your friends in the Colorado sunshine.

Their ultra-healthy menu is a plentiful selection of smoothies, juices, salads, wraps, warm noodle dishes, and baked treats. 

Start off with a Beet Mine juice of beets, watermelon, and lime. Or, a Green Light with kale, romaine, cucumber, celery, and pineapple.

My personal favorite dishes are the Eat the Rainbow Salad and the Chickpea “tuna” Pita. These are sure to satisfy if you’re looking for a fresh and vibrant vegan lunch. Add grilled tofu, tempeh avocado, or black beans to any of the salads for some additional protein. 

For warmer and heartier choices, I recommend trying the Pad Thai or the Highlands Bowl.

You have a choice of dressing on the Highlands Bowl. Select from Peanut, Ginger Tamari, Tahini, or Pico de Gallo. This is served over grains, steamed veggies, and a choice of either tofu or tempeh. A perfect choice for eating vegan in Aspen! 

Now, let’s talk about dessert. Vegan cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and carrot cake to name a few of their very tasty selections! Save some room because you’re going to want one. And, you should have one. Spring Cafe is one of the best, healthiest restaurants in Aspen, Colorado!

If you’re enjoying vegan food in Aspen, you must try a dessert from Spring Cafe!

3. BIG WRAP

An order-at-the-counter style take-out joint, Big Wrap in Aspen is the best restaurant in town for a quick and delicious lunch.

This type of “to-go” vegetarian lunch is perfect for finding an open picnic bench in a park or swinging back to your condo or hotel lobby to feast on your healthy lunch. They do have some seating inside but it can fill up quickly. (not available during the pandemic months) 

Their menu is chock full of creative gourmet wraps and large salads. My front-runner from a vegan, plant-based perspective is the “To Thai For” wrap with braised tofu, peanut sauce (hello, you had me at peanut sauce), brown rice, crunchy confetti slaw, and black beans.

Next up, the “Chow Baby” with tofu, rice, black beans, oriental veggies, peanuts, and pineapple teriyaki. Are you hungry yet? These are my favorites when I’m thinking of all options that are vegan or vegetarian in Aspen, Colorado! 

Big Wrap’s salads are equally delightful with top choices being the Southwestern Salad, the Oriental Salad, and the Greek Salad. And don’t forget to order a side of citrus corn chips. You must try these when ordering at Big Wrap! 

Big Wrap in Aspen also has a delicious smoothie menu in case your appetite is a little lighter, with luscious selections that include peach, strawberry, pineapple, mango, and more. Soft drinks and teas are available too. 

You’ll love stopping into this cute shop. It’s one of those Aspen restaurants that has been around for a long time so the locals love it!

This post is all about eating vegan in Aspen.

4. BANGKOK HAPPY BOWL 

Thai food is my all-time favorite cuisine! (and one of my favorite travel destinations, but that’s a topic for a different post)  So, you can imagine how pleased I am that so many Thai dishes can be made vegan.

Bangkok Happy Bowl is an Aspen restaurant that’s tucked back in a small shopping center in Aspen just off Main Street. A cute, come-as-you-are casual setting that’s convenient for either take-out or dine-in. When you’re in vegan-friendly town like Aspen, Colorado, you find amazing places like this one! 

A few of my go-to recommendations are the Satay Tofu, Vegetarian Gyoza, or the Papaya Jay Salad to start. Then for the main dish, try Panang Jay Curry, Pad Thai Jay, or the Drunken Noodle Jay. To die for! 

Everything I’ve had on their menu has been insanely delicious. Being a local’s favorite, I’ve heard rave reviews for this Aspen restaurant from friends and it’s a staple in town for when the craving for Thai hits. 

5. MI CHOLA

On the bustling corner of Main and Mill Streets in Aspen, this splendid little spot will entice you to stay even after you are done eating, just for the vibe. It tops the list of Aspen’s Mexican restaurants. 

It’s colorful and energetic, with a menu that’ll spoil you with its sauces and super flavor punches. 

Of course, you should start with some chips and fresh guacamole. For entrees choices, if you’re going for vegetables, the veggie burrito is the best bet, which comes with a side of rice and beans. This is a perfect vegan or vegetarian choice. (depending on if you add cheese) 

You could also dip into some fried avocado street tacos or a portobello wrap for something a little more savory and interesting! 

Mi Chola has wonderful salad options with a Taco Salad and Santa Fe Salad on the menu that qualify as vegan or vegetarian. You could add shrimp if you eat seafood, or request it to be topped with avocado or additional beans.

There are some fabulous Ahi choices such as Ahi Poke bowl or the Ahi wrap with pineapple salsa, cucumber, and avocado. 

Libations: An impressive list of tequilas accompanies their margarita and specialty drinks menu.

My choice is the Skinny Lolita with Elvelo Blanco, muddled lemon, lime, orange, and agave nectar. Next time, I’d like to try the Mexican Mule and The Cadillac!

Now you’ve got your vegan in Aspen list and you can look forward to trying each of them during your vacation in Aspen, Colorado!

If you’re making your way through Colorado, you’ll find the other regions, as well as Denver, which have quite a few vegan and vegetarian restaurants too!

This post is all about eating vegan in Aspen.

6. ASPEN PUBLIC HOUSE

Aspen Public House is a vintage Aspen restaurant & bar, located in the historic Wheeler Opera House. It’s a lively, all-day gathering place with a fun vibe and classic design. It’s a special Aspen restaurant because of the history of the building and significance to the start of the popularity of the town of Aspen, Colorado. You’ll find creative craft cocktails and an outstanding selection of wines!

To top it off, their menu has a great selection of vegan entrees! Plant-based bowls top the vegan menu with the Indo Bowl that has coconut rice, black beans, fresh mango, crispy chickpeas, cucumber, toasted coconut, lemongrass, turmeric, and micro-greens. Another plant-based bowl choice is the Sesame Bowl, with quinoa pilaf, scallions, sweet miso ginger, roasted bell peppers, toasted sesame seeds & cashews! Absolutely delicious.

Also on the menu are a couple of curry dishes that can easily be prepared vegan or vegetarian and they’re happy to accommodate. A Spiced Quinoa Burger is also an awesome choice if you’re craving a hearty, savory meal! 

7. AJAX TAVERN 

Ajax Tavern is a staple in Aspen! With a prime location inside the renowned luxury hotel, The Little Nell, it’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon having lunch. Ajax Tavern tops the list as one of the best restaurants in Aspen.

The menu at Ajax Tavern is that of an upscale bar. There are burgers and brisket and mussels. And then, there are the vegan and vegetarian options! Starting with the Ajax Tavern salad, with artisanal mixed lettuce, crudites, and dijon vinaigrette. Also on the salad menu is the Apple and Brussels Sprout Salad, which is fabulous!

For the main dish, you can dip into the Roasted Acorn Squash for a delicious, satisfying vegan entree. This dish is topped with a yummy Cashew-ginger sauce! For the table, there are the famous truffle fries which are vegetarian because of the sprinkle of cheese. And also the Cauliflower Gratin, which is vegan and one of my favorites! A great salad and an order of Cauliflower Gratin and I’m a happy camper.

Ajax Tavern is an Aspen restaurant definitely worth a visit! The food is healthy, fresh, and fantastic. It’s also a great people-watching spot from Ajax Tavern as it sits at the base of Aspen Mountain. You can enjoy your truffle fries and a cocktail while watching skiers ski down. It’s an awesome Aspen restaurant with a view!

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