During a recent trip to Vail, I had the opportunity to check out two fine-dining spots that are favorites among locals and tourists, alike. Both proved to be great and are worth splurging on during any trip to this mountain town. Be warned – you’ll probably need to make reservations in advance.

For lunch, our group opted to make a stop at Sweet Basil – a Michelin recommended spot.

First opened in 1977, Sweet Basil has long been a part of the Vail restaurant scene. After honing the dining experience for decades, the spot was recognized in 2023 by Michelin as one of Colorado’s ‘recommended’ restaurants, achieving one of the top honors in the world of food.

We had heard about Sweet Basil’s Michelin nod prior to our visit, so our expectations were high.

The restaurants interior could be described as sleek and modern, with uncrowded seating, an outdoor patio space, and a welcoming bar. While the restaurant has been around for nearly 50 years, it’s clear that plenty of effort has gone into keeping it updated with the times as its matured.

The lunch menu at Sweet Basil’s varies a bit compared to dinner options, featuring sandwiches and lighter eats while still including some fan favorites.

I opted for the Lombardi Bros. Loin Burger topped with bone marrow & black pepper aioli, caramelized onion jam, and a healthy portion of New York white cheddar accompanied by a side of truffle fries. It lived up to the hype in a great way and was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.

Other members of the party got the Caesar salad with steak, the duck & kale salad, and the Loch Etive steelhead salmon. All proved to be winners, creative and memorable.

It’s also worth noting that one of the cocktails on the menu was dubbed the ‘Perfect Margarita’ with an optional tequila reposado upgrade. At our server’s recommendation, I opted for the upgrade, and I’d have to agree that the name is quite fitting for the drink.

After walking off the meal for a few hours while enjoying Vail Village, our group hit the second highly-recommended restaurant on our list for dinner – La Nonna Ristorante.

As might be expected, this spot specialized in Italian food, with noodles made daily in-house.

The interior of the restaurant has an authentic feel with intimate lighting, tall ceilings, and stunning views that can be seen from large windows.

The menu featured a mix of the classics with a few twists and surprises, and after much internal debate, I ultimately went with the mushroom ravioli in a cream sauce. Once again, I had found a meal that lived up to the hype, with the chef’s care and attention to making high-quality pasta obvious in each bite.

I was also impressed by the ‘prosciutto e parmigiano’ appetizer that we got for the table, featuring a mound of freshly sliced paper-thin Parma and aged cheese, with red pepper drops on the side.

Both Sweet Basil and La Nonna were among the best restaurants I’ve ever dined at in Colorado and if I get the chance, I’ll visit both again.

Sweet Basil has a 4.4-star rating on Google Reviews while La Nonna has a 4.5-star rating.

Find more information here: Sweet Basil; La Nonna