The MNY Spotlight
The Mestiza Guide to Aspen: Where to Eat, Stay, Shop & Explore
Where mountain views fill every window, Western style is always in season and getting dressed for dinner is part of the adventure.
This summer, the Mestiza New York team traveled west for a special trunk show at Viceroy Snowmass. Joined by Mestiza Tastemakers Louise Montgomery, Sarah Tucker and Molly Boyd, we spent a few unforgettable days introducing our Fall Collection, exploring Snowmass and experiencing the best of Aspen.
Between styling appointments and trunk show preparations, we made the most of every free moment. We started our mornings with coffee, explored downtown Aspen, enjoyed memorable meals and even experienced a true Colorado tradition at the Snowmass Rodeo.
Here is the Mestiza guide to where to eat, stay, shop and explore in Aspenโplus everything we packed for a stylish summer escape to the mountains.
What to Pack for Aspen
Aspen style blends mountain ease with polished Western charm. Days can be warm and sunny, while evenings call for an extra layer. The essentials:
Comfortable shoes: Pack sneakers or hiking boots for daytime adventures and Western boots or a polished flat for dinner.
Plenty of layers: Aspen weather can change throughout the day. A sweater, jacket and lightweight scarf will keep you prepared without sacrificing style.
Most importantly, pack pieces that can move from Snowmass mornings to Aspen evenings without missing a reservation.
Where to Stay in Aspen
Viceroy Snowmass
For our summer mountain escape, we stayed at the beautiful Viceroy Snowmass, a luxury resort surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
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The property offered everything we needed for a memorable stay, from thoughtfully designed interiors and incredible dining to restorative spa treatments and easy access to Snowmass Village. It also created the perfect setting for our two-day Mestiza trunk show.
After days spent meeting local shoppers and introducing guests to our newest collection, returning to the Viceroy felt like coming homeโif home included mountain views, room service and a spa waiting downstairs.
Coffee and Breakfast
Cafรฉ V
Located inside Viceroy Snowmass, Cafรฉ V became our favorite place to begin the morning. Stop by for coffee and fresh pastries before exploring Snowmass or heading into Aspen for the day.
Convenient, cozy and only a few steps from your room, it is especially helpful when the itinerary starts early.
Meadows Cafรฉ
Known for great coffee and a relaxed atmosphere, Meadows Cafรฉ is a lovely stop before a morning spent exploring town. Order your favorite coffee, settle in for a moment and plan the rest of the day.
Sant Ambroeus
A New York City staple we already know and love, Sant Ambroeus offered the Mestiza team a little taste of home in the mountains. Visit for an espresso, breakfast or a leisurely moment between shopping stops.
Familiar favorites somehow taste even better with an Aspen view.
Where to Go for Lunch
Life Line Tavern
Located at Viceroy Snowmass, Life Line Tavern is an easy and inviting choice for lunch between mountain adventures. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for refueling before returning to the dayโs itineraryโor the trunk show floor.
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White House Tavern
White House Tavern was a huge hit with the Mestiza team and quickly earned a place on our must-visit list. We especially loved the chicken sandwich and French dip.
The setting is cozy, the food is delicious and it is just as suited to a leisurely lunch as it is to an easy dinner.
The Mestiza teamโs tip: Go hungry and do not skip the French dip.
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French Alpine Bistro
For a lunch that feels like a trip to the European Alps, visit French Alpine Bistro. Mestiza Tastemakers Sarah Tucker and Molly Boyd described it as โsuch a cozy and delicious vibe,โ and both especially loved the French onion soup.
Settle in, order something indulgent and leave a little extra time to enjoy the intimate atmosphere and mountain charm.
Sarah and Mollyโs tip: The French onion soup is a must.
Dinner Plans
Casa Tua
Casa Tua is made for a beautifully dressed evening in Aspen. Its warm, intimate setting creates the perfect backdrop for dinner with friends, celebratory plans and one more glass of wine before the night ends.
This is where the Dinty Top and Friday Pants earn their place in your suitcase.
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Clarkโs Oyster Bar
For fresh seafood and a lively atmosphere, add Clarkโs Oyster Bar to your Aspen itinerary. Sarah Tucker and Molly Boyd loved the fun scene, making it an ideal choice for dinner, oysters or a spontaneous evening out.
Arrive ready for a vibrant crowd and an experience that feels unmistakably Aspen.
Toro
Located inside Viceroy Snowmass, Toro combines bold flavors with beautiful interiors, making it a must during your stay.
Mestiza Tastemaker Molly Boyd shared, โLoved the interiors, and the food was delicious! Sweet corn empanadas and an avocado salad to start!โ Sarah Tucker and Molly also recommend the perfectly prepared steak.
Come for dinner, order a few plates for the table and stay for the atmosphere.
White House Tavern
Yes, we are mentioning it twice. White House Tavern works just as well for dinner as it does for lunchโand the Mestiza team would happily return for either.
Some places deserve a repeat reservation.
Drinks and Live Music
J-Bar at Hotel Jerome
Located inside the historic Hotel Jerome, J-Bar is a classic Aspen stop for cocktails in an atmosphere filled with Western character. It is ideal for an afternoon drink, an evening cocktail or a moment spent admiring one of Aspenโs most iconic hotels.
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Hotel Jerome
Even if you are staying elsewhere, make time to visit Hotel Jerome. Order a drink, explore the beautifully designed spaces and take in the propertyโs blend of history, luxury and unmistakable mountain style.
Belly Up Aspen
For live music after dinner, Belly Up is one of Aspenโs most-loved nightlife destinations. Check the schedule before your trip and plan an evening around a favorite artist or DJ.
Dinner, drinks and dancingโthe boots can stay on.
Where to Shop in Aspen
Downtown Aspen
Leave time in the itinerary to wander through downtown Aspen, where luxury boutiques, local shops, galleries and cafรฉs line the streets. It is the perfect place to spend an unhurried afternoon and pick up something that will always remind you of the trip.
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Alice Walk
Visit Alice Walk for elevated wardrobe staples with an effortlessly polished sensibility. Sarah Tucker and Molly Boyd especially recommend the brandโs beautiful basics and versatile wraps, which pair perfectly with Mestiza dresses when the mountain air turns cool.
The Little Nell
Stop by The Little Nell for elevated Aspen merchandise and mountain-inspired keepsakes. It is an ideal place to find something stylish that commemorates the trip without feeling like a traditional souvenir.
Gorsuch
A visit to Gorsuch is a must for anyone drawn to timeless mountain style and beautifully curated treasures. Sarah Tucker and Molly Boyd recommend exploring its selection of clothing, fine china and even antiques.
Kemo Sabe
No Aspen trip is complete without a visit to Kemo Sabe. Shop for new Western boots, design a branded hat or simply take in the storeโs unmistakable atmosphere.
A custom hat may not have been on the original packing list, but it will be coming home with you.
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What to Do in Aspen
Hike Maroon Bells
Known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, Maroon Bells belongs at the top of every Aspen itinerary. Plan ahead, bring comfortable shoes and leave plenty of time to take in the views.
It is one of those places that somehow looks even more beautiful in personโand will quickly fill your camera roll.
Visit the Viceroy Spa
After hiking, shopping or spending a full day at the trunk show, the spa at Viceroy Snowmass offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and recharge.
Book a treatment, relax and enjoy a little quiet before getting dressed for dinner.
Attend the Snowmass Rodeo
The Wednesday night Snowmass Rodeo gave us a true taste of the West. From classic rodeo events to the lively atmosphere, it was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
Wear your boots, bring an extra layer for the evening and arrive ready to embrace the Western spirit.
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Photo: Seth Beckton (IG: @seth+beckton)
One Last Look at the Mountains
Our Mestiza trip to Aspen began with a trunk show, but every free moment became an opportunity to experience more of the mountains.
With Louise, Sarah and Molly joining us, the trip was filled with beautiful outfits, memorable meals, new friendships and countless moments we will cherish long after returning home. We loved meeting the Aspen and Snowmass communities, sharing our Fall Collection and seeing each Tastemaker bring her own style to the destination.
Stay in Snowmass, make the dinner reservations, leave room for a little Western shopping and pack layers worthy of every mountain moment.
Until next time, Aspen.
XOXO,
Mestiza




