Stepping through Ellina’s sky-blue painted frontage and descending into the stone-walled restaurant is like discovering an atmospheric Italian enoteca. An Aspen stalwart for over 25 years, Ellina serves authentic and expertly prepared Italian cuisine – braised artichoke with lemon thyme aioli, calamari fritti with sweet chilli garlic, chicken Milanese and black pepper fettucini with pancetta and poached egg – as well as some global options like tuna poke bowl and filet mignon with oyster mushrooms. Enjoy it all with a bottle from Ellina’s acclaimed wine cellar - owner and sommelier Jill Carnevale will help you navigate the 2,000-bottle wine list.

The stone-walled downstairs dining room at Ellina feels like a cozy wine cave, with low lighting, white tablecloths, and, yes, lots of wine. There are a few dishes here that have remained crowd favorites since its opening 25 years ago (an eternity in Aspen time), like the lemony braised artichokes, crispy calamari fritti, and chicken Milanese topped with a tower of fresh arugula. There’s always a fun crowd hanging around the horseshoe-shaped bar, where you can order from the full dinner menu as well as a wine list with over 2,000 bottles.

Ellina, which has been an Aspen mainstay since 2009, is a must for pasta lovers craving a romantic night out on the town. The menu of housemade pasta pairs perfectly with a handful of meat and fish-driven entrees and a list of starters that will leave your mouth watering (try the artichoke heart bruschetta). Seating is indoors and reservations are recommended during the height of summer and winter season.

Other upscale spots to bookmark include Matsuhisa for sushi, Ellina for contemporary Italian cuisine, and Bear Den Aspen for brunch. Before you leave, stock up on artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and pickles from Meat and Cheese, a hybrid restaurant and specialty food store.

Chef Miguel Diaz cut his culinary teeth in his grandmother’s Puerto Vallarta kitchen. Dashes of those Mexican roots meander their way onto Ellina’s modern Italian menu through a special taco lineup that showcases slow-braised short rib birria and crispy pork belly tacos with grilled pineapple salsa. The taco menu may tilt heads, but it somehow lives harmoniously with the truffled artichoke heart bruschetta and house-made mafaldine bolognese—smartly tied together by owner-sommelier Jill Carnevale’s award-grabbing, 2,500-bottle wine list.

Ellina is one of the best restaurants in Aspen for a hearty Italian dinner without the side of pretentiousness. This is where you go when you want to get away from Aspen’s scene and just catch up with friends. While Ellina has all of your favorite Italian classics, including pasta made fresh every day, it’s more than your typical Italian eatery.

Served with a poached egg, creamy parmigiano, and truffles this is the perfect appetizer to enjoy on Ellina's outdoor patio. Chef Miguel Diaz is the head chef and draws inspiration from where he learned to cook- his grandmother's kitchen!. He has now mastered the contemporary Italian cuisine making Ellina a must-try exciting dining experience.

Ellina is another great Italian restaurant in Aspen.Their menu is chock full of Italian-inspired dishes with a modern twist!. Try their handmade Pappardelle with wild boar ragu or the melt-in-your-mouth burrata. Their extensive wine list features selections from around the world, making it easy to find the perfect pairing.

For those nights when you’re looking for a place to disappear, Ellina is queen. The grotto-esque space creates the perfect cozy hideout, especially because the menu is as sun-drenched as the Italian countryside. Seek owner and sommelier Jill Carnevale’s expertise and you won’t leave hungry or thirsty.

Hyman Ave., and has outdoor tables both below in the courtyard and at street level. Its eclectic menu includes northern Italian fare. It used to have a bar menu pre Covid, but owner Jill Carnevale says they’ve now added some bar favorites to the main menu, such as five kinds of tacos, and calamari.

Hyman, Ellina is serves contemporary Italian-American cuisine paired with an award winning wine cellar. I aways enjoy the food and was just back with friends where I had an excellent halibut entree. They now have outdoor seating upstairs on the Mall as well as on the patio downstairs.

Ellina is my go-to dinner spot. In the summer, they have a sprawling outdoor patio, and in the winter, they have a cozy indoor dining room. They feature everything from incredible homemade pasta dishes to weekly taco specials and delicious wine and cocktails.

Since its opening in 1009, Ellina has quickly gained accolades from locals and visitors alike as one of downtown Aspen’s best restaurants. Choose to dine in the cozy and intimate dining room or bar area or sit outside in the fresh air next to a roaring fire.

ItalianContemporary northern Italian fare (steaks, chops, fish, pasta, and the standout artichoke bruschetta) since 2009, plus a bar menu of overstuffed Mexican tacos. 430 E Hyman Ave (downstairs), 970-925-2976, ellinaaspen.comD, $$–$$$$

1, Tempranillo’s Lavender Mojito; 2, Element 47’s The Apiary; 3, Ellina’s Tulum Bloom; 4, Betula’s Bubbling Bonito; 5, Brass Anvil’s Delta Dawn; 6, Bear Den’s Sweet Like Anna; 7, Jimmy’s Kayla’s Bees Knees.

If you're looking for a creamy, soul soothing soup, then look no further than Ellina- a cozy, contemporary Italian-American restaurant. Their oven roasted tomato soup will satisfy your soup cravings.

Ellina, a hidden gem in the heart of Aspen, serves new-Italian cuisine and boasts a wonderful wine list. Lucky guests can find a seat at the bar and nosh on seasonal bar specials.

If you are looking for a place that is known for hospitable service and delicious meals, then Ellina might just be your next dinner reservation.

Ellina – This Italian-American restaurant has something for everyone, from artichoke heart burrata to a taco section to chicken Milanese.