Eating Allergy-Free for Over a Decade in Foodie Heaven: My Beaver Creek Gluten-Free Recommendations
I have been visiting Beaver Creek every winter for the past 12 years straight, and my husband actually grew up vacationing here since he was a baby. All three of our kids have grown up coming to Beaver Creek when they were just babies. They all started skiing at age two. Because my husband grew up skiing, he’s a fantastic skier and actually taught all three of our kids to ski. No ski school for the Erickson family!
His mom tells stories of their first trips in the 1980s when Beaver Creek Resort was just breaking ground. At the time it was merely a fledgling base area with no shops, hotels or amenities built yet – just a little bubble at the bottom of the pristine mountains ready for development. Since then, Beaver Creek has blossomed over the decades into the world-class resort it is today featuring multiple villages, extravagant lodges, fine dining, boutiques and of course, incredible skiing.
During my husband’s childhood, his parents purchased a timeshare at the Hyatt Mountain Lodge providing continued ski-in/ski-out access plus proximity to nature trails, playgrounds and BBQ pavilions. Our spacious unit comes complete with a full kitchen, perfect for whipping up breakfasts and lunches to fuel all our adventures. But we also love sampling Beaver Creek’s renowned culinary scene at night. Over the years, we’ve amassed a list of favorite eateries for every occasion – from family-friendly affordable spots to our annual fancy anniversary tradition. I can’t wait to share reviews of our most beloved village dining discoveries!
Splendido
My husband and I always happen to be visiting Beaver Creek during our January anniversary month. So for the past several years, we’ve made it an anniversary tradition to book a special dinner out, either back home in Dallas or on the mountain. Multiple times we’ve chosen Splendido at the base of Beaver Creek for their fabulous fine dining experience from decor to service to cuisine presentation. The elegant furnishings and attentive staff provide the ultimate date night backdrop. And the kitchen crew artfully constructs unique flavor profiles while happily accommodating my gluten allergy. Each course arrives as an edible work of art I almost feel guilty disturbing with my fork. While Splendido offers a children’s menu and doesn’t require formal attire, my husband and I still enjoy dressing up a bit to mark the occasion. The free shuttle service from Beaver Creek village is an added perk! With creative dishes and a classic alpine ambiance, Splendido by name and splendiferous by nature makes the perfect intimate anniversary celebration.
The Golden Eagle Inn
My family absolutely adores dining at the Golden Eagle Inn, which is renowned for its extensive wild game menu showcasing fresh elk, bison, boar and more. With clearly marked gluten-free selections and knowledgeable staff eager to accommodate food allergies, it remains my husband’s uncontested favorite restaurant in Beaver Creek after all these years. Over time, we’ve enjoyed their offerings in a variety of ways as our family has grown. Before kids, we’d order extravagant apps, salads and game entrées with drinks for special date nights. Once our toddlers came along, Golden Eagle was ready with a separate nook of family-friendly booths upfront, allowing us quick peaceful meals without disrupting their elegant dining room. Now with inflation straining our budget, we delight in their discounted apres menu of bar bites and small plates when we ski by at the end of the day. The consistency, taste and flexibility across all dining formats keeps loyal patrons like us coming back year after year!
Citrea
One of the premier dining locations situated right in central Beaver Creek village is Citrea. Front and center across from the charming skating rink, Citrea took over the former Tuscanini space and now serves Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes. Just outside the elegant but cozy dining room is a covered patio area with comfy seating and glowing outdoor fireplaces, perfect for apres cocktails and snacks after a long day hitting the slopes. Known for dishing up refined yet approachable plates spotlighting quality gluten-free ingredients like housemade pastas, herb-crusted fish, wood-fired meats and pizzas, Citrea has become one of my favorite village go-tos. Their extensive menu marks gluten-free options clearly while also offering an affordable apres bites section. I adore starting with their velvety butternut squash soup or marinated olives before indulging in a flawlessly cooked branzino entree or sneaking a second butterscotch budino dessert. The location, ambiance and fantastic food keep loyal locals and discerning foodies coming back season after season.
8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill
The main lobby area of the Hyatt Regency Beaver Creek underwent a fabulous face-lift renovation recently. Now boasting huge windows overlooking ski slopes and runs, it has become my favorite spot to warm up on a winter day. The Hyatt often hosts live music with a lively apres scene – the expansive new seating and bar extensions from the onsite 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill make for excellent people watching! You can order delicious items from the full restaurant menu while relaxing in the comfortable new lobby couches and chairs. I especially enjoy nursing a fresh iced tea while savoring a salad or bowl of their popular green chili. With gluten-free selections clearly labeled and helpful staff ready to assist, it’s an ideal way to refresh after powder runs without needing a reservation. The contemporary mountain elegance and buzzing social ambiance of the redesigned spaces offer the perfect hybrid of stylish hotel hang-out and quality casual dining. We always enjoying roasting s’mores around the outside firepit.
The Dusty Boot
Despite its cozy, rustic charm, The Dusty Boot has become my family’s favorite place to eat in Beaver Creek village for several reasons. First, they offer an incredibly extensive children’s menu with more enticing options than anywhere else to please every kid’s palate. And since they openly welcome little ones with games and crayons, you don’t have to worry about your children being too loud. Secondly, the Dusty Boot marks gluten-free selections clearly on regular menu items but can also modify nearly anything to accommodate restrictions using dedicated fryers and protocols. Since fries are my guilty pleasure but also my nemesis with celiac, having a safe way to indulge makes all the difference. Additionally, we appreciate their very reasonable prices for the outstanding quality of the comforting, hearty dishes. From reviewing the happy locals bellied up to the bar to the family-sized takeout meals we order after skiing, everything about the Dusty Boot embodies the welcoming, genuine mountain west spirit that keeps loyal patrons coming back year after year.
Buffalo’s at The Ritz-Carlton
The main lobby restaurant located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek is called Buffalo’s. It serves an eclectic menu of southwestern fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on tacos, fajitas, chili dishes and fresh salads. Their casual atmosphere yet upscale ingredients make Buffalo’s a popular spot for visitors staying at the Ritz-Carlton or nearby lodgings to grab an excellent meal without requiring reservations or formal dining attire. With a name paying homage to the wild buffalo that roam the Colorado Rockies, lively Buffalo’s offers a taste of the southwest using locally sourced meat and produce when available.
When my family stays in Beaver Creek, we always take advantage of the complimentary local shuttle over to the plaza in front of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. I adore the regional southwestern flavors brought to life through elevated ingredients and preparations you’d expect from such a luxury hotel. Yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and family-friendly with cozy leather seating and rustic wood touches. With an entire allergen-friendly menu section clearly labeled, nearly every gluten-free craving can be accommodated as well. We always have the best time taking the short shuttle ride over from our condo for the total experience – excellent food, views of the mountain, and even celebrity sightings! The Ritz provides a nice change of pace along with being delicious and celiac-conscious.
Allie’s
Nestled right in the heart of Beaver Creek village, Allie’s Cabin is the picture of cozy, mountain charm. As a family managing celiac disease, we are always thrilled when restaurants offer clearly marked gluten-free menus, take cross-contamination precautions, and train staff on allergen protocols. Allie’s Cabin goes above and beyond to cater to dietary needs – when making our reservation, we simply notify them of our gluten restriction. Upon being seated, a manager personally reviews the menu and answers any questions about preparation procedures before taking our order. They make the entire experience effortless while still indulging us in delicious Colorado cuisine.
Beyond their conscientious gluten-free offerings, Allie’s Cabin also impresses kids and adults alike with their expansive children’s menu. Offering typical kid-favorites like chicken tenders, pasta and grilled cheese along with more elevated options of salmon, petite filet mignon and fresh fruit cups, even the pickiest palettes leave happy and satisfied. Between the cozy mountain lodge atmosphere, responsibly sourced regional ingredients, and catering to both food allergies and children’s preferences, Allie’s Cabin has become our favorite Beaver Creek dinner tradition.
Beano’s
No trip to Beaver Creek is complete without experiencing a sleigh ride to our favorite backcountry restaurant, Beanos. This unique dining adventure departs a few times per evening from the plaza outside the Ritz-Carlton, with beautiful draft horses decked out in jingling harness pulling a covered sleigh. Kids and adults alike delight in the 15 minute ride through a glowing aspen wonderland up to the charming, lantern-lit Bavarian restaurant perched slopeside in the mountains.
Once at Beanos, the holiday charm continues as you’re greeted by the restaurant’s signature singing waitstaff crooning carols. Servers warmly welcome you inside the toasty cabin finished beautifully in wood accents and twinkling lights. The family-style menu features classic European holiday dishes like savory roasts, rich pastas and decadent desserts, with plenty of selections clearly marked as gluten-free. Stuffed from Chef Uwe’s specialties after a singalong or two, everyone bundles back up in cozy blankets for the enchanting return sleigh ride under a canopy of stars. Treating your family to this beloved Beaver Creek holiday tradition always creates memories to last a lifetime!
Kiwi International Delights
Although not directly located in the main village plaza, I have to give a special mention to one of my favorite spots just a quick drive away for its unique artisanal offerings. Over in Avon is the locally owned, petite paradise of Kiwi International Delights. Specializing in fresh-pressed juices, homemade ice creams, and savory or sweet crepes, Kiwi always brightens even the dreariest travel day. Everything they create in-house including all their crepe batters and varied ice cream flavors just happen to be entirely gluten-free to boot! With their efforts towards sustainability, this family-founded business overflows with heart and passion. My children get so excited choosing new juice and ice cream flavor combinations to sample. And I adore sipping espresso while watching my classic ham and cheese crepe take shape as a handheld meal. Kiwi’s cozy, welcoming vibe sweetens any trip to Beaver Creek, flavor by delicious flavor. Supporting passionate local owners who cater to dietary needs with their artisanal creations makes it a can’t miss!
