Vail Mountain Dining

Dining on Vail Mountain in the heart of the Rockies is an experience few will forget. Enjoy spectacular views, clean air, cold drinks and the warm summer sun at our dozen on-mountain options. Whether you are looking for a quick eat or a full service dining experience, Vail Mountain has it all!

Each of the restaurants below offer incredible food (winter season only) and service that will have you back on the slopes, without skipping a beat. Take a look at each for location information, sample menus and more.

Two Elk
Ski to Vail Mountain's flagship restaurant, Two Elk, is the gateway to China Bowl and Blue Sky Basin. At an elevation of 11,220 feet with abundant windows, you'll enjoy some of the most beautiful views in the valley of the Gore Range. This alpine lodge featuring tall timbers and Ute Indian theme, offers seating for nearly 1,000 and is the largest restaurant on the mountain. Two Elk offers a gourmet cafeteria on a grand scale. With a full salad bar, soup bar, hamburgers, gourmet pizzas, wraps, and much, much more! This is the place to fill the cravings of the most discriminating with Native American specialties. Click here to learn about Two Elk's Chef, Mike Sheard, and to see Two Elk recipes.

To get to Two Elk from Vail Village, take the Vista Bahn Express Lift (Chair 16) up to Mid Vail. Scoot down a hundred yards from the top of the lift to the base of the Mountain Top Express Lift (Chair 4). Once you are the top, also known as Patrol Headquarters, go west. Take a quick ride down Flap Jack to the Sourdough Lift (Chair 14). Once you are at the top, you can skate over to Two Elk just to your left. Total time to get to get to Two Elk: 45 minutes.

Two Elk is open from 10:30am to 3:00pm

Seating size: Indoor - 900, Outdoor - 600

Buffalo's on Vail Mountain
Buffalo's is located at the top of chairs 11, 4, and 5 is an excellent spot to stop for a quick bite before jumping into the Back Bowls. It is a fast in and out little restaurant that is convenient for skiers and riders on their way to the legendary Back Bowls. It is a great place for a quick bite and also to be the highest specialty coffee shop in North America. Bread bowls, filled with chili or soup, deli sandwiches and homemade pizza are some items on the menu.

You will find Buffalo's from the Mid-Vail Village via the Mountain Express (Chair 4). You can also reach Buffalo's from both the Sun Down, and Sun Up bowls.

Buffalo's is open from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Seating size: - 88

Ski to Eagle's Nest at the top of Vail Mountain 
Eagle's Nest is located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. It is one of Vail's largest, most active, year round facilities! Coming right out of LionsHead via the Eagle Bahn Gondola, guests are taken up to this epicenter of activity. Included in this large facility is: an outdoor barbecue, a coffee house, full service cafeteria and a casual sit-down restaurant, The Blue Moon Restaurant & Bar. As a winter and summer venue, Eagle's Nest is a great place to start or finish your day.

You can access Eagle's Nest by taking the Eagle Bahn Gondola (Chair 19) to the top. Or, Eagle's Nest is a quick ride down from Wildwood or the top of Avante Express Lift (Chair 2) via the Eagle's Nest Ridge. If you happen to eat too much that you can't ski down, the Eagle Bahn Gondola has downloading capabilities as well. Total travel time: 15 Minutes

Market Place is open from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Seating size: Market Place 420

Ski to Golden Peak Grill
Opened in 1997 as one of Vail's little restaurants, the Golden Peak Grill is a hidden treasure. Small yes, but with a good variety of food. Located at the bottom of the Riva Bahn lift, in the lower floor of the Larkspur building. The Golden Peak Grill makes a lot of noise with its food, Big-screen TV's and video games. We've put a menu together that consists of Pizza, Mexican Food, and deli. All out of one open kitchen! Right outside our door, you'll find the freestyle snowboard Terrain Park, as well as the race-courses of Vail so there is always plenty of action in the area. Learn more about Manager Carrie Delain, view the menu items at the Golden Peak Grill and recipes.

Golden Peak Grill is open from 8:00am to 1:30pm

Seating size: 150

SKi to Mid-Vail atop Vail Mountain
Mid Vail has grown through various remodels and additions, after starting out as the first mountain restaurant in Vail. Today it consists of 4 restaurants in one location, Sarge's Shelter, Chaos Canyon, Look Ma's, and the Terrace Level. It is easy to find something for everyone. Learn more about Mid Vail's Chef, Dave Schrepferman, and view lunch menu items at the various restaurants.

Mid Vail is just that, in the middle of Vail mountain. From almost anywhere on the front side of Vail mountain you can you access Mid Vail. Coming out of Vail Village via the Vista Bahn Express Chair Lift (Chair 16), you will arrive directly at Mid Vail Village. Sitting at base of Mountain Express Lift (Chair 4) and Wildwood Express Lift (Chair 3), the Mid Vail Village is situated in several crossroads of the mountain. Total travel time: 15 Minutes

Mid Vail is open from 10:00am to 3:00pm

Seating size: Terrace - 250, Sarge's Shelter - 200, Look Ma - 600, Chaos Canyon - 150

Ski to Wildwood on Vail Mountain
How about smokin' at two miles high? Located at 11,000 feet, you'll find the great tastes and foods of Wildwood. Barbecue is what's on the menu at this location, with top of the mountain views of the Mount of the Holy Cross on the South side and the Gore Range on the North - this is a beautiful site to see. A classic old-fashioned smokehouse serving up award-winning chicken and wild rice soup, signature sandwiches, unbelievable specials and more. Wildwood is separated into the Pavilion and the Smokehouse, both offering a great place to get good barbecue brisket or pork, pastries and soups. Learn more about Wildwood's Chef, Ken Ferrari, and Wildwood recipes.

Wildwood can be easily found at the top of the Wildwood Express Lift (Chair 3), which can be accessed coming out of the Mid-Vail Village. If you are coming out of the LionsHead area, you can ride the Gondola (Chair 19) up to Eagle's Nest, and then ride down the Game Creek Trail to the bottom of the Game Creek Express Lift (Chair 7). It will take you right to Wildwood. Total time: 30 Minutes

Wildwood is open from 10:00am to 2:30pm, Pavilion 8:30am to 3:30pm, Seating size: Wildwood - 120, Pavilion - 120