Vail is very well endowed with restaurants and nightspots. Both Vail Village and Lionshead Village are the main hubs for restaurants, bars and nightlife where you will be spoilt for choice!!
Vail Colorado Restaurants
One of the more interesting dining experiences at Vail is at the Game Creek Lodge in the Game Creek Bowl at the top of the mountain. Open to the public for dinner only, access is via the Eagle Bahn gondola (free) and a 5 minute heated snowcat ride. Game Creek Lodge is described as ‘a culinary destination’. The set menu prices are a little gasp worthy, but you have to treat yourself at least once on a ski trip. Reservations are required (after 4pm) on 970-754-4265.
Vail Restaurants – Lionshead Village
After après, if you have a hankering for classic American pub chow and nibbles, stay at
Garfinkels in Lionshead. (Our skis looked pretty lonely when we finally removed ourselves from this fine drinking, I mean, eating establishment.)
The Tavern on the Square also has pub fare, although the meals are more upscale that your classic bar meal.
Several pegs higher up the scale is the delightful
Montauk. Serving succulent seafood in a cosy environment, this restaurant is highly regarded. Reservations are definitely recommended as it is very popular.
If you want to be served a round steak when you order a New York strip, or if you like getting a steak that’s well done instead of medium (as ordered), then eat at
Bart & Yetis in Lionshead. This joint has a bar as well, but who knows what they could do to the beer!!
Vail Village Restaurants
Flame Restaurant at the
Four Seasons Vail is a great place for dinner. The innovative menu includes exquisite creations, some with very interesting Asian twists. They also have mountain classics and a range of great steaks that come with a choice of six delightful sauces.
Sweet Basil is a popular restaurant in the heart of Vail Village. This fine dining institution features lots of diverse dishes.
Other Vail Dining
You can spend a lot of money in Vail going out to dinner. Fine dining is everywhere in both Lionshead and Vail Village, and food and wine at Vail is generally more expensive than many other parts of Colorado. If you need to save some pennies, many of the bars offer an inexpensive feed, and burger joints and pizza parlours are many and varied. Vail also has fast food options and you can have a burger at McDonald’s to help balance the budget. To get to some of the fast food joints, a walk across the I70 will be required.
And if you’ve got self-contained lodging and the budget is really running low, or eating out has lost its lustre, take a trip to the City Market or Safeway for a cookup in your kitchen.
Vail Nightlife & Bars
Several Vail bars stand out for après ski and nightlife.
In Vail Village the Bridge St area has it all for après and nightlife. For après try the Red Lion (get in early), the Bridge Street Bar and the Tap Room. For nightlife any of the above will tide you over as they tend to have music, dancing and frivolity ‘til the wee hours.
The 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Bar offers cocktails and whiskeys, and live music some evenings.
The Shakedown Bar is good for live music and a spot of dancing.
In Lionshead Garfinkels rules! Garfinkels features a large deck looking up the Frontside, good service, cheap pitchers (try the Fresh Tracks Amber Ale and the Black Butte Porter), good food and a raucous atmosphere.