The top Vail restaurants offer more than delicious menu options. They also help showcase the small-town charm and relaxing vibe for which the city is known. Even though many visit Vail for its skiing and winter activities, everyone has to break from the slopes, too. That’s why we rounded up the top Vail restaurants for your family vacation. Check out these picks.
Top Vail Restaurants for Dining With Family and Friends
Spice It Up at El Sabor
Those who stop by El Sabor enjoy Latin American dishes at an affordable price. This popular restaurant is located in Lion Square Lodge at the base of Vail Mountain. Diners may sit outside on the patio or inside the dining room, and enjoy scenic views with each meal.
El Sabor is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but closes during the off-season. Breakfast items range from burritos to quesadillas, and morning co*cktails are available. For lunch and dinner, try traditional tacos or a house specialty, such as mole chicken or adobo pork loin. El Sabor also offers daily food and drink specials and happy hour every day from 3 to 6 p.m.
Experience Sweet Basil’s Sweetness
For more than 40 years, Sweet Basil has served American favorites with a modern twist. Open for lunch and dinner, this favorite among Vail restaurants serves burgers, seafood, pastas and meats, all presented with a professional chef’s touch.
In addition, guests have lighter options, including salads and sides, and appetizers to share with someone special. If there’s room, try a savory dessert with a glass of wine or co*cktail. One popular choice is the dark chocolate mousse cake paired with the Taylor 20 Year Tawny.
Get Back to Basics at Mountain Standard
One of the more recent top Vail restaurants is Mountain Standard, created by the founders of Sweet Basil. Mountain Standard focuses on an old-school way of cooking: over an open and live wood fire. In fact, it is the only restaurant in the area to use this method of cooking.
Open for lunch and dinner, visitors can try the raw bar, sandwiches, seafood, pork, lamb and more. Drink options include craft beers, wines and signature co*cktails, such as New Western, featuring St. George Terroir gin. Those with a sweet tooth should try mud cake or berry meringue, made with berries and ice cream.
Order Blue Moose Pizza
Located in Lionshead Village, families order their favorite pizzas at Blue Moose Pizza Vail. This restaurant not only specializes in Italian favorites, but also prides itself on a fun, casual dining experience.
Inside, guests find bright colors and colorful creations by young diners as well as crayons to create more. Pizza lovers have more than a dozen specialty options, or they create their own from 30-plus toppings. Blue Moose’s menu offers starters and sandwiches, and signature Italian classics for those looking for a break from pizza.
Try Vendetta’s Italian Fare
Another top among Vail restaurants that serve Italian favorites is Vendetta’s Italian Restaurant and pizza bar. Located in the heart of Vail Village, this spot welcomes guests to try fresh pizza mid-day or enjoy a more upscale dinner experience.
For lunch, guests order a pasta dish, such as Cajun shrimp, or eat on the lighter side with soup and salad. Dinner guests have several options, featuring a variety of meats, veggies and cheeses. Vendetta’s also has a double-sided bar perfect for relaxing with friends and family after a day on the slopes.
Get Together at Garfs
Locals and visitors flock to Garfinkel’s to experience laid-back vibes paired with a hearty meal. The restaurant — known as Garfs to locals — serves American favorites for lunch and dinner during ski season only.
Diners choose from sandwiches and salads, build a custom burger, or order a specialty house selection. After 5 p.m., dinner options include steaks, fish, ribs, poultry, pastas and buffalo meatloaf. After the meal, enjoy a game on the big-screens or admire sports memorabilia that line the walls. Garfs is also open until midnight, providing a place to have a late-night drink with friends.
Receive Westside’s Comfort
Looking for comfort food? Head to Westside Cafe and Market, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This family-friendly restaurant welcomes diners to fill up anytime of day.
Early morning options range from chicken fried steak and pancakes to the signature hungry bear breakfast. Lunch offers up burgers, soups, sandwiches, and Westside mac and cheese. In addition to burgers and pastas, dinner options include grandma’s chicken pot pie, bison meatloaf, and fresh seafood such as mahi mahi and salmon.
Take La Tour
La Tour Restaurant is located in Vail Village, and welcomes guests to try American favorites infused with French and European flair. Open for lunch and dinner, La Tour offers a more upscale dining experience led by Chef Paul, an award-winning chef and mentor.
Lunch features small plates, sandwiches and salads. The dinner menu offers entrees such as Rocky Mountain trout, Black Angus steak, duck breast and Skuna Bay salmon. Younger guests can order their own steak or salmon, or keep it simple with spaghetti or mac and cheese. In addition, La Tour offers a variety of desserts and an expansive wine list with more than 500 selections.
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