The Roundhouse

Fancy a meal with a heaping side of scenery? Head to The Roundhouse, a Sun Valley eatery perched 7,700 feet high atop Bald Mountain, with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. 

Since 1939, the restaurant has served up New American cuisine in its unique, octagonal building, complete with an expansive outdoor deck and four-way stone fireplace. Envisioned almost 90 years ago as the perfect place to relax after a long day on the slopes, The Roundhouse still maintains the cozy, rustic character of its original design.

Massive wooden beams stretch across the ceiling while chandeliers made of antlers fill the space with a soft, warm light. Old snowshoes rest atop the mantle, and photos hung across the walls pay homage to The Roundhouse’s history. 

In fact, the restaurant once had a role on the silver screen in Sun Valley Serenade, a 1941 musical that topped the box office and garnered three Academy Award nominations. 

The Roundhouse is located atop the slopes of the Sun Valley Resort, accessible by gondola, skiing, or a long hike up the Bald Mountain Trail—depending on the season. It was founded in 1936 to give Americans a taste of the Alps’ famous ski lodges, and today, it is the oldest ski resort in the U.S. The resort even features the world’s first chairlift, installed in 1936 by Union Pacific Engineer James Curran. 

True to this legacy (or, perhaps, just out of necessity), The Roundhouse is accessible only by gondola, with a “Roundhouse Express” that shuttles visitors up and down the mountain, or—if you’re up for it—a nice long hike up the Bald Mountain Trail  

For lunch, diners can enjoy a variety of hearty sandwiches including the Baldy Burger: a vegetarian burger with smoked cheddar and garlic aioli named for the mountain The Roundhouse calls home. Visitors also rave about the Idaho Lamb Burger (served with goat cheese, pickled mustard seed, and lingonberry jam) and the Truffle Fries, which make for a perfect plate to pass around the table. 

For lunch and dinner in the winter season, the Roundhouse Fondue is a can’t-miss experience, featuring thick melted cheese paired with artisan bread, grapes, and gherkin. And if you’ve saved room for dessert, get ready for sumptuous treats like the Chocolate Stout Cake, topped with mocha crunch, espresso chantilly, and milk chocolate espuma.