A table for two with a live-edge wood top beneath a floor-to-ceiling wall of racked wine bottles
Plate of small dark red mounds with herbs and green sauce, beside a dish with shaved cheese and a glass of white wine
Tall orange-red cocktail with ice and a basil leaf on a dark stone counter
A dark bowl of orange cubes with sliced almonds and basil leaves on a slate table
Scoop of pale pink sorbet on bright green shaved ice in a dark bowl

Vail's table since .

Creative New American cooking, and a crew whose alumni have opened more than 40 restaurants of their own.

Reserve a table View menus

A Michelin Guide restaurant

Aisle between floor-to-ceiling racks of wine bottles in Sweet Basil's wine room

The Wine Room

Wine

Browse the racks before you take your seat.

Open the Wine List Wines by the glass

Curated by Wine Director Jeremy Gramling

Groups & Private Dining

Private Events

From a party of eleven to the whole house.

Start your inquiry See the rooms

Our Story

About

A room that raises its own.

  1. 1977 Opened

    Sweet Basil's front patio in the 1980s, with red chairs, stone steps and people walking by
    Sweet Basil’s front patio, circa 1980s

    History

    Kevin Clair opened a 47-seat room in June 1977, off the beaten path because it wasn’t on Bridge Street. The original wooden sign still hangs on the office door.

    “A Mountain Favorite for Decades”Travel + Leisure
    Read the history

  2. 1987 From the floor up

    Matt Morgan, owner of Sweet Basil, standing with hands in pockets in front of the bar
    Matt Morgan

    The Team

    Many who lead Sweet Basil today came up through its dining room. Owner Matt Morgan started as a busboy in 1987; Jessenia Sanabria went from bartender to Managing Partner. It’s a close-knit crew that holds itself to one exacting standard, season after season.

    Meet the team

  3. 1994 First alumnus

    Alex Seidel, a former Sweet Basil employee, standing in an apron with hands on a kitchen counter
    Alex Seidel

    6° of Sweet Basil

    43 people who worked at Sweet Basil have opened restaurants of their own. Chef David Walford was the first: Splendido, Beaver Creek, 1994.

    Splendido Larkspur Fruition Craftsman Vista Clover Club

    See the alumni
The Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard gift card standing on a polished wood bar

One card, two restaurants

Gift Cards

“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
Julia Child

By email in minutes, or by mail as a card in hand. Any amount, $10 to $1,000.

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Vail, Colorado

In the News

Since 1977

In their words, not ours.

See News & Events
Yes, Vail Is A Colorado Copy Of An Alpine Village
The Travel Critic
August 24, 2026
The best time to visit this Colorado ski town is after the snow melts
Time Out
April 20, 2026
The best restaurants in Vail
The Telegraph
January 27, 2026

Fall Closure Announcement

‍Sweet Basil will be closed from October 25th and will reopen November 12th for dinner.

Thank you for a wonderful summer season! We will be reopening for the winter season on November 12th for dinner service at 5p.

There will not be any staff answering phones. To book reservations, please utilize OpenTable. Reservations open at 9a mountain time, 30 days in advance.

Any questions can be directed to info@sweetbasilvail.com

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