Summary
If you’re visiting Colorado and you want to fill up, head to the city that’s been called both the fittest and foodiest town in America. Boulder’s packed with award-winning restaurants. The good news is that most of those are also healthy and locally inspired. Fast food junk is hard to find in Boulder.
Boulder’s list of food-related awards is lengthy, incorporating multiple James Beard Awards. Additionally, the Boulder Farmers Market is considered one of the best in the country. Boulder even boasts a “Top Chef” winner—Hosea Rosenberg.
From food trucks to fine dining, Boulder’s restaurant scene is vibrant and diverse. Here are seven of the best places to try.
The Flagstaff House
Address: 1138 Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
Phone: +1 303-442-4640
Website: Visit website
Rating: 4.3
The Flagstaff House is arguably the best restaurant in Boulder—and for miles around. This high-end, French-American restaurant has won more dining and travel awards than any other restaurant on Colorado’s Front Range.
Start with the views. This restaurant is perched atop a mountain, at 6,000 feet above sea level, with sweeping views of the region. OpenTable named this one of the top ten restaurants with a view in the nation.
The service here is exceptional. This is one of the few Forbes Four-Star Restaurants in Colorado and a AAA Four Diamond restaurant that has maintained this distinction consistently since the ‘80s.
Not to forget, the food is exquisite. The chef de cuisine, Chris Royster, is a notable winner of Food Network’s “Chopped.”
The Flagstaff House’s drinks mirror its culinary quality. The restaurant holds Wine Spectator’s highest accolade, the Grand Award—a title granted to less than 100 restaurants per year globally. Impressively, the Flagstaff House has earned this honor every year for over thirty years and hosts the largest wine collection in Colorado.
Blackbelly
Address: 1606 Conestoga St Suite 1, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
Phone: +1 303-247-1000
Website: Visit website
Rating: 4.4
Blackbelly is helmed by celebrity chef Hosea Rosenberg, a winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” However, beyond the television stardom, what sets Blackbelly apart is its deep commitment to local agriculture. The menu is centered around produce and meat sourced from local ranchers and farmers, reflecting Boulder’s farm-to-table ethos.
In addition to the restaurant, Blackbelly features a butcher shop that crafts cured local meats, blending seamlessly with organic produce to create one of Boulder’s most enticing charcuterie programs. The butcher shop also offers breakfast and lunch options.
Frasca
Address: 1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
Phone: +1 303-442-6966
Website: Visit website
Frasca is a celebrated establishment among culinary enthusiasts. It boasts three James Beard Awards, including recognition as a finalist for the James Beard Outstanding Restaurant category—a prestigious accolade akin to winning the Oscars in the culinary world.
Moreover, Frasca has garnered accolades for its wine service, thanks to master sommelier and co-owner Bobby Stuckey, who has curated a wine list featuring over 200 selections.
The restaurant specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, creating an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in Italy—a place where locals gather to enjoy food and drink.
A highly sought-after experience at Frasca is the special four-course tasting dinner offered on Mondays, expertly paired with wines at a discounted price. Reservations are highly recommended.
Oak
Address: 1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
Phone: +1 303-444-3622
Website: Visit website
Oak at Fourteenth is deeply influenced by Frasca. Renowned chef and co-owner Steve Redzikowski honed his skills there before launching this innovative downtown restaurant focused on its oak-fired oven and grill. Recognized as one of the top 25 restaurants in Denver, Oak also received Food and Wine’s People’s Best New Chef Southwest award.
Redzikowski’s menu is innovative, locally inspired, and delightfully delicious.
The open kitchen, featuring large windows facing the street, allows for engaging people-watching, ensuring diners enjoy the spectacle of chefs preparing their meals.
Tip: If crispy fried pickles, Wagyu beef tartare, and glazed pork shoulder don’t tempt your palate, note that Oak also serves fresh donuts made from scratch every morning, with rotating flavors to surprise you.
Bramble & Hare
Address: 1964 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
Phone: +1 303-444-9110
Website: Visit website
Bramble & Hare is another Boulder destination run by a passionate chef and gardener. Co-owner Eric Skokan not only oversees this charming establishment near Pearl Street but also manages a nearby farm where he cultivates vegetables, including a unique variety of corn used for polenta, and raises animals like duck, lamb, pork, and chicken.
The menu is small and changes daily based on the farm’s harvest. It’s always creative, consistently delicious, and embodies the farm-to-table philosophy.
The restaurant exudes a local, rustic charm—dimly lit and inviting—often full of locals seeking comfort food. Bramble & Hare is a true hidden gem and a local favorite.
The tiny open kitchen maximizes its use of local produce; even veggie trimmings are creatively transformed into cocktails by the bartender.
Wild Standard
Website: Wild Standard is known for its seafood and innovative cocktails.
Rustically elegant, the restaurant features romantic decor and whimsical cocktails, such as the Pickle Rick, inspired by the popular show “Rick and Morty.” The laid-back atmosphere is complemented by friendly staff.
Wild Standard emphasizes sustainable seafood, bringing in fresh ingredients flown in overnight—giving diners a taste as fresh as the coast, despite being landlocked.
In addition to seafood, the menu includes non-seafood options, ranging from beef to poultry and seasonal vegetables. Don’t miss the house-made bread pudding for a sweet ending to your meal.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Address: 1770 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302-6226, USA
Phone: +1 303-442-4993
Website: Visit website
This teahouse is a must-visit in Boulder, not only for its delicious Asian-inspired menu but also for its unique atmosphere. The vividly decorated teahouse exudes artistry. Originally a gift from Boulder’s sister city, Dushanbe, it invites you to savor tea while being seated on pillows or at table settings next to a fountain.
Additionally, the teahouse features a beautiful flower-filled patio, providing an idyllic setting for a relaxing meal right across from Central Park.
Lucile’s Creole Cafe
Address: 2124 14th St, Boulder, CO 80302-4804, USA
Phone: +1 303-442-4743
Website: Visit website
Lucile’s is beloved for its cozy, relaxed atmosphere, though it’s not overly fancy. Expect to find a long line at this charming Creole breakfast and lunch spot, popular for its chicory coffee and beignets. Located in a converted historic home, Lucile’s features mismatched tables throughout the various rooms, contributing to its unique appeal. Since Lucile’s does not take reservations, guests should be prepared for a wait outside on the patio—however, the shrimp and grits and pan-fried trout are well worth it.
The Rayback Collective
Address: 2775 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80304-2905, USA
Phone: +1 303-214-2127
Website: Visit website
The Rayback Collective serves as Boulder’s vibrant food truck court, sprawling across 15,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space. A variety of food trucks rotate throughout the day, offering an ever-changing selection of culinary delights. Additionally, the site features a bar, allowing you to enjoy drinks while listening to live music, playing yard games, or simply savoring delicious food like street tacos, BBQ, or burgers.
