Visiting Vail for a quick getaway a few weekends ago made me realize (again) that this mountain town renowned for exhilarating outdoor activities is a foodie destination with so many options to choose from Michelin-recognized restaurants to something more casual. And to stumble upon this chic and inconspicuous cocktail bar in the busy downtown was something I wasn't expecting and became a treat after a nice stroll through the town after dinner in my hotel room. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was at the place where my heart was calling for. There were two gents at the bar and one of them warmly greeted me and said I could sit anywhere I would like. I hence picked one of the bar seats. Except one table that was occupied by a couple I was the only one. I appeared to have picked the right time; I had the whole bar to myself (eventually though, several different groups of people streamed in; only a few of them sat at the bar close to me. The bar was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate a little over 10 people.) Jeremy, who greeted me upon arrival, was a super host. As soon as I explained that wine is my usual got-to, he said he could mix and match reds and whites to create a "flight" based on what I had told him as to my likings. His extensive explanations as to what sorts of reds and whites the bar offers/serves was (of course) all in his memory. His eloquent speech with no filler words truly impressed me; he sure is a wine connoisseur. What he picked for me were... -2024 Pepiere "Les Gras Moutons" (Muscadet) -Kobal "Bajta", Hazole Belo (aka Orange Wine) -Sandlands "Red Table Wine (Lodi Red Blend) With his wealth of knowledge, after giving him only a hint of what I liked, what Jeremy selected for me to sample/sip was a superb choice. All of them were world-class excellence with elegance and beauty. I carefully and slowly sipped each one little by little to truly immerse myself in the art of wine. Yes, wine is a piece of art for sure. I think I said it correctly at the beginning of this review. This is a cocktail bar with variety of spirits which Jeremy could easily concoct just about anything from gin-based one to vodka-based one to tequila-based ones to whiskey-based one to name several. For those who don't drink, their zero-proof section also has something interesting to browse and choose. Not to mention, rotating pilsner or IPA on tap to name a few from the beer section as well. If you need a little bite to eat, their (changing) food menu has a good number of New American-style plates. The bar originally opened in a different building back in 2015 (I believe). They moved to the current location in 2019. They also offer various different classes so you can expand/extend your knowledge. So for your next foodie vacation in Vail, make sure to include Root & Flower in your list. read more

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For the second half of our girls night, my friend picked Root & Flower. The atmosphere is beautifully elevated, making it the perfect sophisticated spot to continue a long conversation. Price: Expect standard Vail pricing for high-end cocktails, with most drinks ranging between $16-$20. Customer Service: The service was fantastic. The staff was incredibly kind and efficient; even though we stayed for quite a while to catch up, we felt welcomed and well-attended to the entire night. Atmosphere This spot has a cool, welcoming vibe that feels very safe. It's the kind of environment where you can really settle in and enjoy the company you're with. The Drinks I ordered the Sangre del Sol. The flavor was amazing, though be warned it is very strong! It's an excellent choice if you enjoy a cocktail with a serious kick, but I ended up letting my friend finish mine after a few sips. Overall Experience I highly recommend Root & Flower for a beautiful setting and top-tier service. Pro Tip: A huge bonus for this location is the parking! You can park for free after 3 PM at the S. Frontage Rd. East garage right nearby. I'll definitely be back! read more

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What a fun fun fun cocktail bar! We were up in Vail for a wedding weekend with friends, and stumbled upon this cocktail bar after the rehearsal dinner. It was pretty quiet (still off-season), and my husband and I were the only ones there when we walked in around 10. We sat at the bar and had a lovely conversation with Jeremy; I ordered the Gingerbread Man (take on an old fashioned with brown butter washed bourbon, and my husband got the "50 Shades of Green" - definitely one of the most unique cocktails we've ever tried! The description "arugula infused gin, yogurt washed aquavit with Pandan herbs & lime" - it had everything - some sour, some umami, some sweet from the Pandan - what a fun and unique cocktail. Shortly after we walked in, a huge group of 10-12 women walked in followed by some other groups shortly after them. It was a really fun atmosphere and both cocktails were 10/10. read more

Root & Flower - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

5 stars because it's so different! It's mainly Booze Centric with an interesting menu of drinks that they have perfected over the years - most of which you've never heard of of. The part-owner John, who was also a part server that night, was very enthusiastic about his place. It was fun listening to him explain the "history" of some of their drinks as well as their small plates. The Lost Identity was Beefeater's Gin in a floral tonic. The taste of the gin somewhat disappeared but the overall flavor actually increased as the ice melted. The Sueno con Sandia was Mezcal with salted watermelon cordial, lime & basil. Another taste that was new to us. Both were very good. The food menu is a somewhat random selection of various (small) dishes. We had 3 and they were delicious. Truffle Popcorn was one, followed by the Smoked Rocky Mountain Trout Dip with brown butter saltines. The last and possibly the best was the Panchitos which was crispy melted cheese over shredded chicken, onions & cilantro and Salsa Verde. We shared a very good pistachio gelato for dessert. So if you're looking for something completely different, give this place a try. read more

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For years this has been our favorite spot. Great atmosphere with cute decor, always playing good music and occasionally even live music, friendly bartenders who know their stuff and delicious bites. Truly nothing beats strolling in here after a fun day on the mountain and wadding up to the bar for a drink and dip. Highly recommend the shallot dip as it's my favorite as well as the pickled vegetables. Can't go wrong. Their drink list is continually rotating but you can always ask for something specific, show specs, or ask for recommendations. They will make it happen! read more

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Super nice chill spot for a couple of espresso martinis! Bartenders were super nice and very attentive even on a busy ski weekend night. Would come back! read more

Root & Flower - Espresso martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

Looking for an elevated dining experience in Vail, CO? Look no further than Root & Flower, a little unassuming spot with a short menu that packs a punch. First a round of drinks, very nice, then the menu items, one by one. Just to give an idea of what type of place this is, their "bread and butter" itself is fantastic, with soft, puffy rolled buns with Beurremont butter, Hawaiian black salt, and radish slices. Definitely not your plain old restaurant. We had a large group of eight folks (including kids) and essentially wound up ordering at least one of everything on the menu. Standouts include the charcuterie board, Birria Quesadilla, and Coctel de Mariscos (seafood tacos). Everyone left feeling good and full, and amazed that we just had a 5-star meal. If you're in Vail, definitely stop by Root & Flower - it's definitely worth it! read more

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Ryan, our bartender, and Remy, another bartender were so friendly and fun to talk to. Knowledgeable about every craft cocktail, spirit, and plate on the menu. I love when staff knows their stuff! Really enjoyed our drinks here and the chill vibe. read more

We stopped by during the offseason so we got the full attention from the bartenders. Jeremy was great to chat with about different cocktails and speciality liquors, he was extremely knowledgeable. Inviting space and comfortable atmosphere. Good location within Village. Highly recommend. read more

Root & Flower - Tinto de verano - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

The food was as amazing as we had heard! Everything was full of flavor and absolutely delicious. The waiter was a gem! He helped guide our meal choices and was spot on! They are smaller plates than traditional American meals but that was part of the fun. We could try more things. The drinks are a 10!!! Fantastic choices and so much flavor. We started with the bread and butter. The black Hawaiian salt was the perfect touch to the sweet bread and unsalted butter. The presentation was beautiful. We had the pan seared ricotta with roasted tomatoes to start. It was so different but the ricotta was so delicious. I don't love warm tomorrows but I ate all of these bc the flavor was so good. The oysters are such great quality. On the smaller size but perfect flavor as well. We then enjoyed the steak skewers. You get three with the order but that was perfect as I was getting full. The sauce is from Yemin and was this combination of Argentinian chimmichurri and Mexican spices. Hot! But full of the most incredible flavor. For those who know me know I don't hat spicy but this was so delicious I loved it. We shared the basque cheesecake for dessert. It was perfect. We have had basque cheesecakes before and this one was spot on. Flavor, density, quality all great!!! Sorry I only took a few pics. Pros: Amazing food Beautiful presentation Great flavors and quality Unique and eclectic plates Cons: (NONE this are just notes) Make a reservation during winter season, it can get crowded Smaller menu and smaller restaurant as part of a bar Some said expensive, for the quality and taste it was perfectly priced. So no I would not say inexpensive but I would say for the prices I was surprised at how good it was. I cannot wait to go back!!!! Try it now. I was so unsure because of the menu was small and the food slightly eclectic but I am soooooo glad we ate here! I highly highly recommend! read more

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We stopped by here on a couple of occasions for post dinner drinks and loved everything this spot! Great decor, cool vibe and the. At tenders were great! They have some fantastic cocktails on offer but will also happily customize for you ! They also have a great menu and we tried a few of their bar snacks which were generous and delicious! Great place to grab a cocktail or dinner in Vail village read more

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Went to Root and Flower on a bachelorette trip with about 16 gals. While the front of the restaurant/bar is not huge, they have a cute back area with 2 secluded tables that we were able to fit at. We got a few bottles of wine and charcuterie plates to share. The honey and cheese on the plate were amazing! I shared the lettuce wraps and quesadilla, and they were both quite good. The lettuce wraps are light and refreshing while the quesadilla is more hearty. The service was quick and very accommodating to our big group. Would definitely recommend this spot for a bigger group or a casual date night. read more

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This place had a nice vibe. The drinks were great too! It's a nice place to hang with friends.

Stopped by for dinner with it being in Vail Village - we ordered a couple things to share. Olives & Feta - Very tasty and the feta was super fresh Cóctel des Mariscos - Average, tortilla chips didn't go well (stale) Chana Masala - Underseasoned and underwhelming Would not recommend, especially given the price point of the restaurant. The service was also terrible; we sat at the bar and barely received service/check-ins. read more

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We had a very nice experience here. Cute intimate little restaurant with great food and drinks. Nice place to hang out with your friends. Came here for dinner one night, we chose it because my friend loves her cocktails. And she was definitely not disappointed. We ordered a couple of small plates to share, tapas style. The food was very unique and absolutely delicious. I thought it was very creative on the chefs part. I did also try a couple sips of my friends cocktails, and they were all absolutely delicious. Service was nice and friendly, the whole place was very intimate and hip. We had a nice time. read more

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My buddy that I was rooming with in Vail Village discovered this place. We were in the mood for cocktails and this place looked pretty classy. I always appreciate a good cocktail from a mixologist that knows their stuff. Root & Flower has a nice selection of wines and is also a restaurant. The dimmed light setting gives this place a nice ambience. The bar is really long and there are beautiful murals painted on the walls. I wanted something with mezcal and got a Smoking Bird. We ended up making friends at the bar, but eventually we got the boot once we stopped ordering drinks. They are probably strict here because it is such a small place. Seating is first come, first serve unless you have a larger party. Root & Flower offers monthly themed dinners and wine & cocktail classes. You can sign up on their website. read more

Root & Flower - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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If you're looking for exceptionally creative and amazing craft cocktails in a cool low-key vibe setting, look no further than Root and Flower! They also have small snacks and food to complement the drinks. The bar staff is incredibly knowledgeable about every drink and alcohol out there and can suit your palette like no other place in Vail! read more

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Went there last night and had an amazing, interactive, intelligent conversation at the bar with only whom I could assume was the owner/ manager. I love the vibe of this place and am looking forward to returning. read more

Walking into this restaurant we were immediately welcomed! The ambiance was beautiful and the decorations were so fitting for the vibe they were giving. The service was great, the bartender gave us many recommendations and even created new drinks for us to try. The food was great, we got something small, the duck fat potatoes, and we were ready to put in another order before we finished! read more

Root & Flower - Vodka based drink that tasted like peach pie and a bourbon based drink! - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Great drinks and tapas food but the prices are as high as bail is itself- don't go here looking for a bargain

It was a perfect place to warm up on a very cold day in Vail. Despite being quite busy, we were seated right away. Our server was very nice and was frequently checking in on us. We only came for some drinks and appetizers but everything on a menu looked really good so I am looking forward to coming here for lunch or dinner next time I am in Vail. The drinks were perfect. Espresso martini gave us so much energy, and gluhwein was absolutely delicious (I am always afraid that it would be too sweet). Overall, I definitely recommend checking it out! read more

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A short walk from the Lodge at Vail, this tiny hole in the wall is a great find. The sign and entrance are barely noticeable from the promenade, but make no mistake: the flavors are huge and the meal was delicious. My server recommended the seafood ceviche with chips and it did not disappoint. This was followed by the braised mushrooms and steak skewer dishes which were both fantastic. I'll certainly be back. read more

Root & Flower - Braised mushrooms with egg - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Thank you yelppers for directing me to this very good airport spot. Burger was flavorful with great texture. Turkey w avo on croissant was nice sized. was crowded but staff were good about moving the line along. friendly & helpful staff. read more

I came in about 430 on a Sunday during shoulder season and I was the only person there for a little bit, but it got busier as it got later. I sat at the bar and had very attentive service. I tried a couple different cocktails which were both good and had a nice presentation. Both the shallot dip and birria quesadilla were delicious (although the dip for the quesadilla was incredibly spicy to me). read more

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An excellent spot for a cocktail or a glass of wine. Happy hour is 4-5 pm. The local gin and tonic was tasty! read more

Root & Flower - Local gin Cap Rock and tonic - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

Everything about this place was a hit. The ambiance, service and the food were outstanding. Their hummus and octopus were standouts. Definitely stop in and grab a cocktail and some appetizers. It's a hidden gem that you should try. read more

We stopped by here on a Friday evening, hoping to snag a table for three or space at the bar - they don't take reservations, so it's first come, first serve (unless you are a party of 5 or more). They were packed - but said they had seating 'out back' and asked if that was ok. We were seated out back, and while there were a few tables back there, we were the only ones for a little bit. It took about 10 minutes to get menus and water, and another delay to order food. We finished our cocktails and were contemplating ordering another cocktail/wine, but didn't see our server for a bit, finished our food, and decided to just wrap up/leave instead. There also seemed to be some confusion around plates we ordered, and after 1-2 were delivered, we asked where the others were and it seemed like the server forgot about them. Reading other reviews and how great the service was, I would suggest NOT sitting in the back. Onto the food and drinks - We ordered the lobster stuffed deviled eggs which were delicious. The creamy roasted shallot dip with Gruyère cheese was also really good - and felt like a very elevated onion dip - the dip comes in a cast iron pan, piping hot, with lots of potato chips to dip into it. Highly recommend. The meatballs were incredibly underwhelming - they also came in a cast iron, and when debating between this dish and another, the server recommended the meatballs. They didn't taste great/not super flavorful. They were also the semi-forgotten plate (along with the shallot dip). We also had the chickpea masala which was good (and a great vegan option for our friend), and the roasted cauliflower and leek soup (good, large portion). Overall - the food a drinks were good, not great, and I would recommend not sitting in the back (if there's an option). I would also say we had better drinks and service (similar price point) at other restaurants in the area - we likely won't be back. read more

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Easily the best restaurant I've been to in Vail so far! It definitely gets busy so make sure you arrive early or make a reservation. We started our meal with a Winter Temptation and a New York Sour both drinks were delicious! We also ordered a Buck Nasty I really enjoyed their drinks with winter spices in them I would recommend giving them a try. Our first good item we're the lamb skewers with harissa spread Mmmm so good perfectly cooked and great flavor with just the right amount of spice. Next was the arepa with sweet potato purée followed by the coconut curry soup. Loved the flavor of the soup and it was packed with veggies! Overall a great restaurant, nice vibe and decor with a friendly staff. read more

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Great atmosphere, fantastic food, Great service. What more could you want? Small plates weren't so small. They give you good size portions for your money. The drinks were amazing. read more

HORRIBLE service. Extremely rude waitress. Won't be going back. She was rude and condescending from the moment we sat down. Unfortunately ruined our first experience at this place. read more

What a wonderful find in Vail Village. The cocktails are unique and a nice change of pace from the usually suspects we most tend to gravitate towards. I appreciate the shorter list of cocktails (they also have a good selection of mocktails) but if they are not busy, and nothing on the list grabs your attention, tell them what you normally like and they'll create something. The food is what really made me love this place. Small, shareable plates with fresh in season ingredients. Love the elk carpaccio; the addition of barley tabbouleh blew my mind. We had several plates, all were good. My favorite was the Ricotta Gnudi. Topped with slices of baby asparagus, roasted mushrooms, oven dried tomatoes, Salvitxada sauce, pumpkin seed, and chives! YUM! read more

Root & Flower - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

Amazing! We were warmly greeted and taken to a table right away. We ordered a round of cocktails: smoking bird, Smokey and packed full of flavor 5/5; shark week, a deep flavorful gin fizz, 5/5, lost identity gin and tonic 2/5, a bit lost and more like a watered down hibiscus tea; A rose has its thorn, full of depth with a zing 5/5. The food: we started with the duck fat fingerling potatoes, amazing. The harissa is well flavored with a smidge of smoky. We asked for a side of aioli since the drizzle was a bit slim 5/5. Next up were the lamb brochettes, wow! They were delicious, bursting with flavor, I wanted more. If I had one thing to order again, it would be this 7/5! The last up was the chickpea masala, it was alright. The feta was the real star of the plate. Maybe we're biased since we make a chickpea recipe that is next level 2/5. One gripe is that all the tapas are in 3s so with 2 people it takes splitting or jousting. read more

Really nice vibe; friendly service by Shelly; great selection of wine by the glass or bottle, beer and cocktails. So hard to decide, but I ordered the Queen for the Day - botanist Gin, fennel tea, grapefruit juice, topped w/ Dubonnet over crushed ice- very refreshing and flavorful. My husband had a draft IPA, and we shared an order of the chilled crab dip topped with chives and served with kettle chips. Perfect. read more

Root & Flower - Queen for the Day - botanist Gin, fennel tea, grapefruit juice, topped w/ Dubonnet over crushed ice- very refreshing and flavorful - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

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Wow!!!! What an amazing establishment! This is our number ONE spot for creative craft cocktails, affluent menu, and impeccable service!! Mixologists, Samir & Joe are super welcoming and knowledgable in their craft! (Also the male bartender with "longer" brown hair, sorry forgot his name) If you can't find something to drink on their cocktail list...which I find nearly impossible...just simply tell them your flavor profile preferences...and, I PROMISE you'll end up with an amazing libation!! Small menu is as equally creative; and changes weekly! Tucked away in Vail Village, but DO NOT MISS OUT!!! **DON'T FORGET to check out their sister spot (located in their original location, as they have moved)...Two Arrows!! Coffee/Craft Cocktail spot with a comfy vibe and ambiance, both in and outdoors! Espresso martinis are stellar, but if you're feeling adventurous, try the "Carajillo". Their take on this classic cocktail! Bravo Root & Flower...see you soon!! read more

I saw this little place last year and decided to Grab a reservation this year for date night, the ambiance and vibe is great, service was spectacular and kind. I enjoyed our cocktails and tapas. I was originally drawn to this menu by the roots escabechè and I was pleased with most menu items though out of the 9 menu items I tried everything was a tad bitter in flavor and there was not a lot of balance with the salt, acid and fat. There was not enough savory or sweet flavors to counteract the bitterness to most dishes but I did enjoy trying something a bit different. read more

Our driver recommended this place for a light dinner and drinks, it's a bit hidden in spite of being on the main walkway to the gondola one, we did not have reservations but they were accommodating enough to put us on the waiting list and give us about a half an hour wait time, in the meantime we did some shopping and 20 minutes later we got a text that they had a spot for us, the mixologist (it would be a disservice to call him a bartender) asked me what type of drink I usually like, I gave him my idea and he came up with his own concoction that was absolutely delicious, needless to say I had two more, The only bad thing is that he wouldn't spill the beans as to what was in it, lol, dinner was tapas to share and they were all delicious and promptly arrived one right after the other, look them up when in Vail and try them out! read more

Root & Flower - Carajillo and a specialty rum drink made just for me :) - Wine Bars Near Me - Vail, Colorado

Best place in vail period. Type of place you can go in and say what type of drinks you like and they make you the perfect cocktail. Menu seems to be constantly changing based on what's in season and when I say they crush every plate on their menu, it's no lie. I tried: - duck fat potatoes - chefs choice of 2 meats and 2 cheeses - tuna crudo - meatballs - butter mushrooms - just WOW - beets escabeche They are absolutely the best at mixing flavors in both drinks and food. I will be coming back every time I'm in vail! read more

MUST STOP! I am so glad we were able to bop in here on a Holiday weekend. The hostess took our name over the phone as walk-ins, which was amazing! We had the table for an hour, but we definitely made the most of it! Drinks: Fern Gully, Golden Girl, and an espresso Tini. The Fern Gully was delish! The vodka was spicy and the drink itself was sweet and acidic. The golden girl was very sweet, but my friend really enjoyed it! She loves rum and tropical, sweet drinks. The Espresso Martini was "the best tini I've ever had" -my friend. I had a sip and definitely agree! It was extremely balanced! Espresso martinis can be so hit or miss and this definitely hits. Service: Amazing! Our servers were very attentive and they explained the nuances of each dish. Food: Duck potatoes, Chef's Choice Charcuterie, and Ahi Crudo. Every. Single. Plate. Was. Delish. The duck potatoes were savory, garlicky, and crunchy--cooked perfectly. The charcuterie came with with a triple creme from France and a harder, cows milk cheese with a red wine rind from Italy. It also came with two meats (I didn't eat, but they got great reviews!) and a few other accoutrements. The crudo was the star! It was such a clean dish! The ahi was delicious and the chili oil was addicting. The fennel provided a nice crunchy texture. Overall, we will definitely be back! I wish I remembered to take pics, but I was too busy eating and drinking :) read more

Great place! Was able to stop in without reservations on a Friday afternoon for pre-dinner drinks and snacks. Good wine, great snacks, lovely ambiance. Service is a bit slow and there are a few bugs that sneak their way in, but this shouldn't detract from your experience. read more

Had a couple glasses of wine and some small tapas. Out of the plates, duck fat potatoes was the best. I could eat a bucket of these potatoes. Meatballs and roots escabeche were great. The Berkshire pork cheeks was not my favorite but maybe if you like mole sauce, you'll be into this dish. read more

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