The Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Vail Valley

After you’ve crammed your bags full of ski sweaters, long underwear and socks, endured the guy snoring next to you on the flight, schlepped your skis through the airport, driven two and half hours and been squashed in the rental car to your hotel, what’s the first thing that comes out of your kids’ mouths? “Where can we get something to eat?”

Traveling to unfamiliar resorts always presents the same challenge. But, if you happen to be in Vail, Colorado you’re in luck – someone has already done your homework for you.

Vail is best known for its mountain but it also has hundreds of fine restaurants to indulge in; from inexpensive to wallet busting. And, every year Vail’s local paper, The Vail Daily picks the best places to eat based on a survey of locals and guests. Some are located within walking distance of the mountain and your hotel, while others require a car for a short ride. So, loosen up that waistband and get ready to dive in. Here’s the list starting with coffee and breakfast to lunch, dinner and happy hour to late night desserts:

Best places for coffeeâÂ?¦ Harry’s Bump and Grind in Minturn, Starbucks-Edwards

Best place for baked goods� Avon Bakery and Deli, Columbine Bakery, Bonjour Bakery

Best place to go to breakfastâÂ?¦ DJ’s Classic Diner, Route 6 CafÃ?©, Westside Cafe & Deli

Best place for ski-in/ski-out lunch� Larkspur, Los Amigos, Two Elk, Mezzaluna

Best place for happy hourâÂ?¦ Terra Bistro, Main Street Grill, Paddy’s, Dusty Boot

Best cheese selection� Eat! Drink!, French Deli, Larkspur

Best place for aprÃ?¨s-ski musicâÂ?¦ Red Lion, Pepi’s

Best place for beer selectionâÂ?¦ Gore Range Brewery, Finnegan’s Wake

Best place for dinner (Italian)� Ti Amo, traMonti, Campo de Fiori, Tavolaccio

Best place for dinner (Asian)âÂ?¦ Sato, Osaki’s, Gohan Ya, May Palace

Best place for seafoodâÂ?¦ Montauk, Billy’s Island Grill, Sato, Splendido

Best restaurants guaranteed to drain your bank accountâÂ?¦ Splendido, Beano’s Cabin, Juniper, Grouse Mountain Grill

Best place for burgers� Larkspur, Bully Ranch, Gashouse

Best place for pizzaâÂ?¦ Pazzo’s, Marko’s Pizzeria, Vendetta’s

Best place for Mexican foodâÂ?¦ Fiesta Jalisco, Fiesta’s Cafe and Cantina, Agave, Primavera and No Se Hagan Las Bolas

Best place for meat & chopsâÂ?¦ Chap’s Grill and Chophouse, Russell’s, Lancelot

Best place for dessertâÂ?¦ Sweet Basil, Columbine Bakery, Mirabelle’s

Best place for a sugar fix� Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Mountain Man Nut & Fruit

Best place for ice cream� Haagen-Dazs Deli, Stricklands, Marble Slab

Best places to go out drinkingâÂ?¦ Main Street Grill, Mustang Bar and Grill, Gore Range Brewery, Loaded Joe’s, Ray’s, The Saloon of Minturn, The Sandbar, Samana Lounge

Best late night menuâÂ?¦ Vendetta’s, Sandbar, DJ’s Classic Diner