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    Big Bear Bistro

    4.0 (258 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Big Bear Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    BIG BEAR BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Bear Bistro

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    Lumberjack sandwich and Matcha
    Brinn O.

    Quick, delicious, and a nice stop in Vail Village. We split the Lumberjack sandwich and I got a Matcha. Food came out quickly and you could tell it's all fresh.

    Paul J.

    After a few hours of ramblin' around Vail with the family, we wanted a sit-down, air-conditioned place but not a full meal. We found what we needed at Big Bear Bistro - a quaint little space and a perfectly-sized charcuterie board with just enough for everyone to gnosh and get a break before heading back out into the wild. Fresh veggies, fragrant cheeses and cured meats with plenty of bread and crackers, order your favorite drink to wash it down. Two thumbs up!

    Treehugger with turkey

    Came back again and tried the Treehugger with turkey on ciabatta this time and it was amazing! I definitely recommend this sandwich. The ciabatta was so good. The service was actually pretty fast despite it being such a small place. I hate that the seating is so limited. We ended up sitting on the grass nearby, but the food made it worth it. I love the variety of sandwich options here and will definitely stop by again if I'm in the area!

    Exterior
    Pui-See Y.

    What a wonderful quick pit stop for lunch. Luckily it was during a weekday, so there weren't much foot traffic (and road traffic). Parking was "easy" as long as you get a spot. Big Bear was a quaint little shop, reminds me of someone's home. Staff were very welcoming and we were helped right away. There was only one other person in front of us. Seating inside was a bit small and tight, but if you're with only one other person you'd be okay. We sat at the high top counter so we can people watch. It was bit too warm for us to sit outside even when there's shade. We ordered the Mo and the Piglet. I added prosciutto and arugula to mine and as-is for the Piglet. We both loved our sandwich and was very satisfied for the rest of our trip home. Although, it was weird that the Mo only has fresh mozz, tomatoes, and balsamic. A little bare, but the additions made it 10x better. Will definitely come back whenever we're back in Vail.

    Bacon egg and cheese on a croissant
    Elizabeth G.

    The perfect breakfast sandwich does it exist and it's at big bear bistro. We were a bit indecisive so the server recommended a bacon egg and cheese on a croissant and I've been thinking about it for a week now. We ate it on the gondola ride up and it gave us the fuel we needed for the day

    Burrito
    Aidan D.

    The food was very average and was not very special. The burrito was missing a pork green chile which was an addition charge of three dollars. Food was pretty expensive for what it was and on top of that me and my family were handed untensils which had obviously not been cleaned. The service was very underwhelming as we waited 30 minutes for an empty place to get us our food, meanwhile many people who came after us got their food first. The place has a good vibe but I think we just didn't have the best experience

    Banana Nutella Crepe and chai latte
    Robbie R.

    One of the best spots in the village for breakfast and sandwiches. Small inside and normally a line but food comes out pretty fast. So many options to choose from including vegan and vegetarian options. Highly recommend the sandwiches or salads for lunch or the pancakes, crepes, or burritos for breakfast. Doesn't seem like you can go wrong!

    inside
    Norases V.

    Their breakfast burrito was great with chili smothered. Flavorful combination with your choice of meat or veggie. I chose bacon and added spinach. Good for sharing. My favorite was the croissant french toast. Airy and the whipped cream was the best I have ever had. Not too sweet and fluffy. Comes with berries. You can ask for maple syrup on the side so you can choose the sweet level you like. The food took 30 minutes since they were so popular so I am taking off a star but sitting outside hearing water sound was relaxing on a Sunday morning. Pro tip is to order from your table by scanning the QR code so you don't have to wait in line.

    Omelet with sausage and mixed greens
    Shaina L.

    This restaurant wasn't bad but it wasn't the best either. In my opinion, this is food you can make at home. This is self serve -- you order and you sit. It was definitely packed and the seating is VERY limited especially during cold season. Food: Smother burrito 3/5 -- the mix of food wasn't bad and the sauce wasn't bad either. The tortilla didn't seem as cooked. Omelette 3/5 -- I definitely did not enjoy the mixed greens with my omelette. Soggy lettuce is not the way to go lol Overall, I would come back and try their sandwiches.

    The Masterpiece
    Jenna L.

    Big bear was one of the only places open for lunch during off season. It is very small inside but the sandwiches were delicious. We ordered The Masterpiece and the flavor was 10/10! I recommend the cibatta rolls. The sandwiches are $14.99 and nothing comes with like chips or pickle, it's all extra cost. The service was good, the staff is attentive and d we got our meal pretty quickly. They do have outdoor patio seating as well.

    Masterpiece sandwich with tomato soup
    Ashley G.

    You have to try the Masterpiece sandwich!! 10/10. The tomato soup is okay! Not the best, not the worst. This place is so cute inside and out and the service was fast and friendly on a semi busy weekday lunch time.

    Big Bear entrance

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Amazing sandwiches and the best mocha in town. I love this place! The staff is always so friendly

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Huge breakfast burritos, very friendly service and a great cup of coffee (with refills!) I'll be back for more!

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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Slowest service ever!!! I thought this would be a quick stop for breakfast and I was so wrong. Waited over 30 min for an omelette

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Love this little spot for breakfast and lunch. Great breakfast burrito and sandwiches.

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    best sandwiches in Vail, if not the world. Get the masterpiece...it's a masterpiece.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Beautiful atmosphere. Food was really good but I felt it was a bit overpriced but then again so is everything in Vail! I would go back.

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    What a wonderful find. Reasonably priced breakfast as hotel was very expensive. Sat outside and service and food was outstanding

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    11 years ago

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    Page 6 of 7

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    The Little Diner - Pancake

    The Little Diner

    4.6(1.1k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    We went for breakfast and sat at the counter. Person who took our order was helpful and friendly…read moreand followed up to make sure we enjoyed what we got. I could have sat there all day watching them prepare the food! Eggs Benedict and Croissant breakfast sandwich were both delicious!

    While staying in Vail, my wife and I were looking for a good breakfast spot, so we stopped by the…read morefront desk and asked about a couple places we had found on Yelp to see if they had any recommendations. They weren't too familiar with the breakfast at the places we mentioned, but one person immediately said, "There's The Little Diner right down the street. It's very good and has even been featured on the Food Network." We decided to give it a try, and we are very glad we did. We arrived around 8:30 in the morning and sat at the counter. At the time we were the only customers there. A very nice lady brought us water and got me a coffee while we looked over the menu. It actually took us a while to decide because there were so many great sounding options. As we sat there deciding, more and more people started coming in. My wife ordered the sausage gravy over a biscuit with eggs and cheese grits, and I ordered the Eggs Benedict with potatoes. When the food arrived, everything looked excellent. The flavors matched the presentation too. My wife said the sausage gravy was outstanding, and my Eggs Benedict was excellent as well. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the potatoes were very good, and the hollandaise sauce had great flavor. While sitting at the counter, we spent some time talking with our server. She told us she had been there since shortly after the diner first opened. Unfortunately, she also explained that the building is scheduled to be demolished so condos can be built above the property, and they are unsure whether the diner will be able to return afterward. It's honestly sad to hear about a place this good possibly being pushed out because of rising development and rental costs. I understand building owners want to maximize profits, but it's disappointing when small local businesses that people truly enjoy are forced out by higher rents and redevelopment. Places like this are what give towns character. Overall, this place was excellent. Great food, friendly people, and exactly the kind of local spot you hope to find while traveling.

    Photos
    The Little Diner - Good and ambient

    Good and ambient

    The Little Diner - The Pfannkuchen (Dutch Baby Pancake) is always a favorite of mine and a must order with bananas and chocolate chips.

    The Pfannkuchen (Dutch Baby Pancake) is always a favorite of mine and a must order with bananas and chocolate chips.

    The Little Diner - Breakfast burrito with green pork chili

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    Breakfast burrito with green pork chili

    Vintage - Huckleberry French Toast

    Vintage

    4.2(469 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    This appeared to be a beautiful French restaurant in Vail, so I made a point to make this the first…read morestop in Vail. In fact, we were the first guests to arrive! As anticipated, the place was gorgeous...with a slightly formal air. Given that it was in the Vail Village (near the ski slope), my husband was able to enter the place in his rugged ski suit. Despite the ambiance, it was a bit dead. I was disappointed with the lack of French music overhead...though maybe it was on so low, I didn't hear it? There were plenty of breakfast-brunch options, but on the menu, some items were noted as taking 20 minutes (which we didn't have time for!), so I was a tad bummed about that. In any case, my husband chose this Huckleberry Bacon French Toast, and I ordered the Maryland Crab Benedict. For drinks, we both just ordered plain coffee. As expected, the foods were good. I was more impressed with my husband's choice, this super-fancy french toast. Not only did it look amazing, it tasted spectacular! Mine was good, but disappointing at the same time. I really liked the Crab Benedict, but I only half-liked the side salad (basically just Arugula with a few Walnuts and Figs). The total bill for these items ran over 100 bucks... which, was to be expected in Vail. However, for such a pricey breakfast, I felt that I should have absolutely loved it...but it felt short of that. Overall, I just expected a bit more from this breakfast experience. Again, the decor was gorgeous, but the ambiance wasn't fully there (because of the lack of music?). Service felt a bit short-skimpy as well. Foods were good, but mine especially (Crab Benedict) felt a bit lacking. Let's just say that I've had Crab Benedicts as just as good for half the price...and with better sides. Maybe lunch or dinner experience is better here? In any case, am glad we checked out the place...but I doubt I'll choose it for breakfast again.

    I'm glad we tried this place because it looks fantastic. The French Servers, the overall feeling…read moreand look of the place is French. From the artwork on the walls to various touches throughout, you have the feeling you are in Paris. The food, although good, was just that - good. The Steak Frites was, I'm sorry, not all that special. The Fries were very good but the steak was lack luster with the Béarnaise Sauce missing key flavors like shallots and especially tarragon. The Aubergine Roulade, roasted eggplant rolled with roasted red peppers, spinach, chèvre and herbs served over baby arugula, mimolette cheese, toasted pine nuts, pickled fresno pepper & aged balsamic reduction (!) was good. With all those ingredients it should have been spectacular. Nice evening but disappointing.

    Photos
    Vintage - Dining nook

    Dining nook

    Vintage - Bacon wrapped figs

    Bacon wrapped figs

    Vintage - Exterior photo of the Vintage

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    Exterior photo of the Vintage

    Alpenrose Vail - Almond blueberry cake

    Alpenrose Vail

    4.4(461 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    For reference my 5 star experience was in the gondola. Highly recommend doing this though while in…read moreVail! Definitely felt like I was back in a Switzerland ski town! The gondola is cool because we had our own speak to play whatever we pleased! It felt very private and intimate which I really enjoyed. I loved the decor throughout the restaurant and our gondola had cute little touches as well. For example they had a coo coo clock that when off every hour. For drinks I tried their feuerzangenbowle and the muled wine. My husband got a Hugo spritz and jagertee. I loved my drinks the feuerzangenbowle uses flambé which was so cool!, it's pretty similar to the muled wine. Muled wine is always a favorite of mine when the weather gets cold! Our server was awesome and super attentive. He answered any questions we had and was very friendly. The gondolas have a set menu we ended up ordering more that was on the set menu since I wanted fondue and my husband wanted the raclette. We added on a fondue, ordered the raclette that came on our fixed menu and added on steak, along with the pretzel that comes as an appetizer. The food was really good, I think it is also just so cozy and suiting for the cold weather! Fondue and raclette are also just such a fun way to dine! Highly recommend and definitely will be back just to try the standard experience too without the gondola.

    Alpenrose is a fun German restaurant in Vail with a cozy, alpine-inspired atmosphere. The outdoor…read morepatio is especially cute, and the inside continues the charming German theme. It's a popular spot, so I definitely recommend making a reservation. The menu isn't huge, but it offers a nice selection of traditional German favorites like bratwurst, schnitzel, fondue, and desserts. The food was enjoyable, and it was a fun dining experience, especially if you're looking to try classic German cuisine.

    Photos
    Alpenrose Vail - Check out this vibes!

    Check out this vibes!

    Alpenrose Vail - Mini beer flight

    Mini beer flight

    Alpenrose Vail - Lavender spritz

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    Lavender spritz

    Northside Kitchen - Elk and ox bolognese with braised ox tail, ground elk, tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs and parmesan

    Northside Kitchen

    4.1(1.2k reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $$

    Absolutely, incredible food, and service!! Our dinner was so…read morelovely. All the staff was so helpful and so nice! The food had so much flavor and came out so quickly! The ambience on top of everything is just so beautiful and simply inviting. Northside is my personal favorite restaurant in Eagle County and I highly recommend going to eat there!

    So I thought it important to hear a review from a local resident who frequents this establishment…read moreregularly. I consider myself a professional diner...meaning I am out 3-4 nights a week, and Northside Kitchen is my most favorite restaurant in the Vail Valley. I usually dine at the bar where either Connor or Brandon are not only offering service with a smile, but are also welcoming everyone who walks through the door! Their custom cocktails are awesome, but I go for their insanely extensive wine by the glass menu!! Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Quilt, and about 40 other high end wines are all offered by the glass at Northside! Both 6oz and 9oz pours are available. The dining staff, are professional, pressed, and knowledgeable about wine, food, and professional fine dining service levels. The dining room offers beautiful white linen covered in butchers paper, with the perfect level of lighting to see both the menu and the guests you are dining with. The dining room and porch are modern and clean. The menu items, created by Chef Noah Bender, are delicious! Hand cut steaks and Prime Rib are favs, but don't be afraid to try their pappardelle Bolognese or the fantastic fresh "sea to table" black cod or trout! It's dynamite! You will find the service in the dining room attentive yet not overwhelming. Northside Kitchen to me is one of the most underrated fine dining restaurants in the Vail Valley!! Definitely go give this great spot a try!!

    Photos
    Northside Kitchen - Braised short rib with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and demi glace

    Braised short rib with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and demi glace

    Northside Kitchen - Lobster shrimp risotto with cheesy risotto, lobster claw meat, and jumbo tiger shrimp

    Lobster shrimp risotto with cheesy risotto, lobster claw meat, and jumbo tiger shrimp

    Northside Kitchen - Our fresh Atlantic salmon is grilled medium rare and served with roasted broccoli and a mango chutney

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    Our fresh Atlantic salmon is grilled medium rare and served with roasted broccoli and a mango chutney

    Ludwig's Restaurant

    Ludwig's Restaurant

    3.9(82 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Really great food in a beautiful hotel restaurant. We stayed at the Sonnenalp and had breakfast at…read moreLudwig's included with our room. The breakfast buffet on the weekend was wonderful with a plethora of savory of sweet options. On our weekday morning, they didn't have the buffet but instead allotted us credits to order of the menu. The breakfast sandwich was a hefty portion. The avocado toast was filling and flavorful, and the arugula salad on the side was great. The fruit plate and Belgian waffles were fun shareables but nothing spectacular about them. We really enjoyed the fresh sunny dining room with windows for walls and ceiling.

    Cutest Germany/Switzerland style brunch place…read more It was our first time visiting Vail and our friends from LA recommend this place to us. We went on Easter Day and were worried they wont let us in without reservation but they were very friendly and helpful. We got the breakfast buffet and it was not only worth every penny but also great experience for us. They had everything you would crave for breakfast and it was only 42 per person except the alcoholic drinks. Considering Vail as an expensive place this was our cheapest meal we had with very good quality and service. My fav was the german sausage which taste like the real ones in . Even the people you would see there not like anything in CA! Great atmosphere! Little cups of smoothies were yummy too. Until next time!

    Photos
    Ludwig's Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Ludwig's Restaurant
    Ludwig's Restaurant - Pastries and more bread

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    Pastries and more bread

    Big Bear Bistro - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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