Aspen has always known how to do winter better than most—but this season, the dining scene is turning the heat all the way up. From buzzy chef debuts to cult-favorite restaurants making their mountain move, Aspen’s newest openings are transforming après-ski into a full-fledged social sport. Think candlelit dining rooms, champagne-fueled nights, and menus designed for lingering long after the boots come off. Whether you’re in town for a long weekend or settling in for the season, these are the hottest new restaurant openings redefining where—and how—Aspen eats this winter.

Marea

Photo Credit: Altamarea Group

This winter, Marea has brought its refined, coastal Italian point of view to Aspen with a seasonal opening at Snow Lodge, located inside The St. Regis Aspen Resort. Doors open December 17, 2025, marking the brand’s third U.S. outpost and its highest-altitude debut yet.

First launched on Central Park South in New York and most recently expanded to Beverly Hills, Marea has long been synonymous with elegant, seafood-forward Italian cooking that feels both polished and inviting. Aspen is the natural next chapter—where sophistication meets play, and great meals linger long after the last ski run.

At Snow Lodge, Marea’s signature coastal sensibility is reinterpreted for the mountains under the culinary direction of brand executive chef PJ Calapa. The menu blends the restaurant’s greatest hits—pristine crudi, hand-rolled pastas, and luminous seafood—with dishes created exclusively for Aspen. Standouts include the cult-favorite fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, butter-poached lobster with burrata, and new seasonal additions designed to suit both altitude and appetite.  The experience is rounded out by an award-winning wine program curated by Francesco Grosso, whose cellar spans Italy’s most storied estates alongside global discoveries—equally suited to après-ski energy or a long, indulgent dinner that stretches late into the evening.

Caviar Kaspa

Photo Credit: Caviar Kaspa

This winter, Caviar Kaspia trades the Left Bank for the Rockies, bringing its unmistakable Parisian glamour —  and a whole lot of caviar — to Aspen with a limited-run pop-up at Snow Lodge, running now through March 29.

An institution since 1927 at 17 Place de la Madeleine, Caviar Kaspia has long been shorthand for indulgence: wood-paneled walls, crisp white tablecloths washed in that instantly recognizable turquoise blue, and a dining room that hums with celebration. Over the past decade, the brand has carried its signature art de vivre to New York, London, São Paulo, Istanbul, and Dubai. Now, for the first time, it lands in Aspen—the ultimate winter playground—where glamour feels right at home. The Aspen outpost will take over The Jade Room inside Snow Lodge, the cult après-ski and cultural hub created by Jayma Cardoso. The result is a natural collision of worlds: Kaspia’s polished Parisian decadence meeting Aspen’s cozy, high-altitude energy.

On the menu: all the greatest hits. Think the legendary baked potato crowned with caviar, king crab salad, smoked salmon blinis, and the now-iconic Not Your Mom’s Grilled Cheese—lavished, of course, with caviar. Everything is paired with Kaspia’s own vodka and champagne selections, because restraint has never really been the point.

And the party won’t stop at the table. Caviar Kaspia will also bring its signature caviar-and-vodka service to Snow Lodge’s Après-Ski Courtyard, inserting a little Parisian mischief into Aspen’s most storied winter fêtes. True to form, every detail is dialed in: Limoges porcelain, French linens, the brand’s unmistakable service rituals, and a dedicated Kaspia team on-site to ensure the experience feels authentic down to the last spoonful. Throughout the season, guests can also expect a few surprises—think limited-edition merchandise and buzzy collaborations with some of today’s coolest, most iconic brands—because at Kaspia, there’s always something extra waiting in the wings.

Petit Trois

Photo Credit: Shawn Campbell

Chef Ludo Lefebvre made his Aspen debut with Petit Trois, opening inside the new MOLLIE Aspen hotel. The beloved French bistro marks its third location—and its first outside Los Angeles—bringing the charm, warmth, and unmistakable soul of a Parisian neighborhood restaurant to the mountains.

Petit Trois at MOLLIE is designed to feel effortless and inviting, whether you’re a local stopping in for breakfast or a traveler lingering over dinner after a day on the slopes. The space includes a lively dining room serving breakfast and dinner, along with a lobby lounge and bar open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks—making it a natural gathering spot from morning through night. Breakfast leans classic with a twist: Ludo’s Breakfast Plate, the signature Omelette Petit Trois, French toast finished with vanilla bean anglaise, and a yogurt and fruit bowl topped with house-made granola and berries. Come evening, the menu settles into timeless bistro territory—think Burgundy escargots, steak frites, and French onion soup—alongside more playful, elevated dishes like trout almondine and filet au poivre. Petit Trois also offers family-style menus and customizable options for group dining and events, with the flexibility to cater both on-site and off-site.

The wine program, curated by master sommeliers Dustin Wilson and Sabato Sagaria, highlights standout producers from France and California, with a by-the-glass list that encourages exploration without intimidation. Cocktails follow suit, centered on French spirits and aperitifs, with signatures like the Petit Trois Martini, the Fleur du Mal Spritz, and a French Negroni built on cognac. Beer and thoughtful non-alcoholic options round out the list. Beginning in early 2026, the hotel’s à la carte café will transition into an intimate wine bar in the evenings, adding another layer to the experience. Set within MOLLIE Aspen—a 68-room boutique hotel overlooking Paepcke Park—the restaurant reflects the property’s ethos of understated luxury and convivial design. Inspired by Aspen’s creative history and love of the outdoors, MOLLIE blends Scandinavian and Japanese influences with a strong commitment to sustainability, creating a setting that feels modern, warm, and quietly sophisticated.