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Big Bear Bistro

Restaurants
 Vail, 81657

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About

Big Bear Bistro sits at the top of Bridge Street, about 50 yards from the fountain and a few steps from Gondola One, with a patio along Mill Creek. That puts it on the path most Vail Village skiers already walk, which makes it an easy breakfast before the first lift or a lunch that does not eat into the afternoon.

It is owned and run by longtime locals and suits anyone who wants good coffee and a proper sandwich without sitting down to a full restaurant meal: families, groups splitting up for the day, and skiers who need to eat and get back out.

What they serve

The coffee is Lavazza. Breakfast sandwiches and burritos run all day, alongside gourmet sandwiches and wraps, sweet and savory crêpes, and après snacks. The bread is baked fresh daily, the meats are natural, whole-muscle cuts, and there are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Drinks and après

There are beer, wine, juices and other drinks as well as coffee and tea, so the bistro works as an après stop too. It closes at 5 p.m., so it covers breakfast, lunch and early après rather than dinner.

How it works

Order online, at the counter or with the QR code at your table. There is indoor seating and the creekside patio outside. The bistro also caters events.

Sources: Big Bear Bistro. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
Big Bear Bistro
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Location
297 Hanson Ranch Rd
Vail, 81657

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About Big Bear Bistro

Quick answer: Big Bear Bistro is a cafe at 297 Hanson Ranch Rd, Vail, CO 81657. Coffee, all-day breakfast burritos, sandwiches and crêpes at the top of Bridge Street, steps from Gondola One, with a Mill Creek patio.

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Big Bear Bistro sits at the top of Bridge Street, about 50 yards from the fountain and a few steps from Gondola One, with a patio along Mill Creek. That puts it on the path most Vail Village skiers already walk, which makes it an easy breakfast before the first lift or a lunch that does not eat into the afternoon.

It is owned and run by longtime locals and suits anyone who wants good coffee and a proper sandwich without sitting down to a full restaurant meal: families, groups splitting up for the day, and skiers who need to eat and get back out.

What they serve

The coffee is Lavazza. Breakfast sandwiches and burritos run all day, alongside gourmet sandwiches and wraps, sweet and savory crêpes, and après snacks. The bread is baked fresh daily, the meats are natural, whole-muscle cuts, and there are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Drinks and après

There are beer, wine, juices and other drinks as well as coffee and tea, so the bistro works as an après stop too. It closes at 5 p.m., so it covers breakfast, lunch and early après rather than dinner.

How it works

Order online, at the counter or with the QR code at your table. There is indoor seating and the creekside patio outside. The bistro also caters events.

Sources: Big Bear Bistro. Checked September 23, 2026.

Breakfast & Brunch Delis Beer Wine & Spirits restaurants restaurants/breakfast-brunch restaurants/lunch restaurants/casual nightlife nightlife/apres-ski restaurants/vail-village

Quick Snapshot

Neighborhood: Vail Village
Cuisine: Breakfast & Sandwiches
Service: Breakfast • Lunch
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Business Hours

Open daily · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Amenities at Big Bear Bistro

  • All-day breakfast
  • Crêpes
  • Patio
  • Beer and wine
  • QR ordering
  • Catering
  • Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Big Bear Bistro's hours?
In summer and through the ski season the bistro is open 8 AM to 5 PM every day, and the bistro states it is open for the entire ski season. In the shoulder seasons the hours shrink: Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM, Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 8 AM to 3 PM. There is no dinner service in any season. In April, May, October, and November, call (970) 445-1007 to confirm the day's hours before you walk over.
What is on the menu at Big Bear Bistro?
Lavazza coffee and teas, breakfast sandwiches and burritos served all day, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, salads and soups, sweet and savory crêpes, and après snacks, with beer, wine, and juices alongside the coffee. The names regulars order are The Masterpiece sandwich, the breakfast burrito, Nutella and banana crêpes, the Mona Lisa, and the Tree Hugger vegetarian sandwich. Breads are baked fresh daily and the meats are natural, whole-muscle cuts. The full menu and online ordering are on the bistro's website, bigbearbistro.com.
Does Big Bear Bistro take reservations?
No. Big Bear Bistro is a walk-in counter-service bistro. Order at the counter, order online ahead for pickup, or order by QR code at your table. Indoor seating is limited and the room fills at lunch in ski season, so ordering ahead or coming slightly off-peak is the reliable move. Groups are welcome informally; for anything organized, ask about catering at (970) 445-1007.
Is Big Bear Bistro open for dinner?
No. The bistro closes at 5 PM in summer and ski season, and at 3 or 4 PM on shoulder-season days. Plan on breakfast, lunch, or an early après stop (beer, wine, and snacks) rather than dinner.
How much does Big Bear Bistro cost?
By Vail Village standards it is one of the moderate, good-value options near Gondola One: TripAdvisor lists a $9 to $34 range, and Google classes the price level as moderate. Reviewers consistently single it out as far more affordable than on-mountain lunch for a family. Live item prices are on the menu and ordering pages of the bistro's website.
What do reviews say about Big Bear Bistro?
As of October 2026, Google reviewers rate Big Bear Bistro 4.3 of 5 across about 770 reviews. Guests praise the sandwiches above all (The Masterpiece is the most-named item), the breakfast burritos, the crêpes, the coffee, the creekside patio, and the value for Vail Village. The recurring cautions are the small dining room filling at lunch and occasional waits or order mix-ups at peak times, which staff are noted for putting right.
Are there vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?
Yes, all three. The bistro offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections across the menu; the Tree Hugger sandwich (hummus and vegetables) is the named vegetarian staple, and reviewers single out the vegan choices and the option to substitute in other items. The bistro does not publish a dedicated gluten-free kitchen claim, so guests with celiac disease should ask at the counter about preparation.
Is there a patio at Big Bear Bistro?
Yes. There is limited indoor seating and a streamside outdoor patio along Mill Creek at the top of Bridge Street, a few steps from Gondola One and about 50 yards from the Vail Village fountain. It is the seat reviewers recommend in good weather for coffee, a sandwich, or early après, and it is the setting in most of the bistro's photos.
Can I order takeout from Big Bear Bistro?
Yes. Order three ways: online through the bistro's website for pickup, at the counter, or by QR code at your table. The bistro invites guests to call (970) 445-1007 ahead for quick pickup, which is the fastest route on a ski day. Older third-party listings mention delivery in Vail Village; the bistro's current official ordering is pickup and dine-in, so confirm by phone if delivery matters to you.
Does Big Bear Bistro cater?
Yes. The bistro caters events; contact it at (970) 445-1007 or [email protected] to discuss yours. It does not publish catering menus, capacities, or minimums online, so the phone call is the starting point. For ordinary groups eating at the bistro itself, no reservation is needed or taken; just walk in.

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