13 Best Restaurants in Boulder, Colorado

Corrida

1023 Walnut St C, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Sophisticated Spanish Cuisine, Rich Colors, and Textures

Corrida is a fancy Spanish restaurant that serves snacks and Paella that will take your taste buds to Spain. This room doesn’t have fluorescent lighting or clinical decor. Instead, it’s filled with deep magentas and dark blues, with wooden chairs, Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and intricate tiles adding to the mood. Corrida’s lively setting goes well with strong Spanish wines and flavors, whether you’re sitting at a table or at the bar.

Standout Dishes and Prices: Corrida’s namesake paellas, like Fideua Negra w/ Squid Ink, cost $36–$40 to feed two people. They are also great at tapas, which range in price from $4 for olives to $18 for a changing selection of croquetas, albondigas, pulpo, and more. On their beverage list, you can also find fun takes on traditional Spanish drinks.

When it comes to recommendations, Corrida stands out because its main goal is to get its products from Spain and work with Colorado farmers. People love this amazing tapas and Paella restaurant because it has authentic, deep flavors, a warm setting, and great service.

Blackbelly

1606 Conestoga St, Boulder, CO 80301

Ambiance: Farm-to-Table Meat & Seafood, Sleek Yet Inviting Interior

Blackbelly serves seasonal, sustainable meat and fish in a beautiful modern farmhouse setting. It is run by Hosea Rosenberg, who used to be on Top Chef. This renovated historic building has a warm feel thanks to the exposed wood rafters, framed black-and-white farm photos, and pops of greenery. At the same time, meals like bison tartare and whole roasted trout honor the meeting of land and sea.

Entrees range from $27 to $48 and include dishes like Half Roasted Chicken or Housemade Squid Ink Pasta. Small plates, on the other hand, start at just $9 and include lighter options like Hamachi Crudo and Shishitos. There are also choices just for kids, vegetarians, and people who can’t eat gluten.

Why it’s recommended: Blackbelly stands out because they use creative tastes to prepare high-quality meat and seafood from local sources. The food is based on what’s in season and is made with great care. With its casually elegant farmhouse style, Blackbelly makes good dining easy to get to.

Brasserie Ten Ten

1011 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Classic French Brasserie Fare, Parisian Interior with Colorado Touches

Brasserie Ten Ten serves traditional French brasserie meals in a setting that looks like it belongs in Paris. It’s like being in Paris in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Brasserie Ten Ten takes you to a different place with its zinc-topped bar, red leather banquettes, dark wood accents, tile mosaic flooring, and Colorado touches like an antler chandelier. Every day, Happy Hours and Brunch make the place feel more social.

Dishes that stand out and their prices: Escargots, French Onion Soup, and Steak Frites all cost $14 and use local items to give them French flavors. Small Plates has lighter dishes like Prince Edward Island Mussels for $16 and a Rotating Cassoulet for $26. For a finishing touch of French style, try sweet crepes, macarons, and mille crepes.

If you like French food and cafe culture, Brasserie Ten Ten is a great place to go. It has a Colorado twist on French cafe culture and cooking skills, and they have fun Happy Hours and weekend brunch. Because it’s in the middle of downtown, it’s a great place to watch people.

Salt Bistro

1047 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Upscale Seasonal New American, Sleek Modern Interior

Salt serves seasonal New American food with a focus on locally sourced seafood and carefully chosen ingredients in a modern downtown setting. The restaurant is run by the famous local chef Bradford Heap. With its neutral colors, marble accents, vaulted ceilings, and gallery-like feel, Salt is a classy but casual place to eat from lunch to dinner.

Unique Dishes and Prices: Creative small and large plates include the $17 Grilled Spanish Octopus and the $95.00 Tajima Wagyu Beef Tenderloin, both of which feature modern tastes and preparations. For $18 or $24, you can get their famous Salt Benedict for Sunday brunch, which is also very good.

Why you should do it: From the young, talented staff to award-winning Chef Heap’s brilliant interpretations of fresh American food with global influences, Salt is a truly memorable fine dining experience. The atmosphere is also subtly elegant.

Boulderado Hotel’s Steakhouse No. 316

2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Old-World Steakhouse Charm Inside Historic Hotel

Look no further than Steakhouse No. 316 in the historic Boulderado Hotel for a standard steakhouse experience complete with dark wood walls, leather banquettes, and antique accents, as well as great service. Get lost in time while you sip a Martini under chandeliers and hung bison heads. Then, enjoy steaks that have been perfectly seared and come from local suppliers.

Prices and Dishes That Stand Out: Steakhouse No. 316 is known for its quality Colorado beef cuts grilled over hickory wood. They also serve seafood and salads. A 6oz Filet Mignon costs $41 and a 20oz Bone-In Ribeye costs $65. Also, don’t miss the Caesar salad served at your table or the soft Parker House Rolls.

Why you should do it: From being in Boulder’s most famous historic hotel to serving perfectly cooked steaks and friendly, helpful service, restaurant No. 316 has everything that makes a restaurant experience that keeps people coming back year after year. Its lovely surroundings make you feel like time has stopped.

Arcana

909 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: European Cafe Meets Neighborhood Bistro

Arcana is a little piece of the Old World in downtown Boulder. It has the feel of a cozy European café and the friendliness of a neighborhood restaurant. Arcana is both modern and friendly, with its exposed brick walls, framed art, overhead lighting, and windows that look out over busy Walnut Street. People from the area go there all day and night to get coffee, beer, wine, or creative New American plates that feature fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables at reasonable prices.

Dishes That Stand Out: Small plates like ahi tuna tartare and pan-roasted broccoli cost $11 to $15 and are good for people with smaller appetites. Larger plates like the grass-fed burger or papardelle Bolognese cost $15 to $22 and are better for people with bigger appetites. Arcana’s weekend breakfast has rich dishes like Steamed Clams & Mussels Benedict, as well as healthy options like Avocado Toast and Morning Pastries.

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Why you should do it: Arcana’s lively but cozy bistro atmosphere keeps people coming back morning through night, whether they’re eating alone with their computers or with a partner sharing a bottle of Natural Wine. The low prices also make it easy to go there often.

The Kitchen [Next Door]

1039 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Hip Farmhouse Chic Serving Elevated Comfort Food

Just across the street from The Kitchen [Next Door], the highly regarded restaurant that came before it serves delicious fine dining. However, The Kitchen [Next Door] offers Chef Kimbal Musk’s satisfying American comfort food in a more casual, less expensive setting. People sit at an inviting bar and tables with exposed brick under lights while servers bring out fancy versions of home cooking like Chicken Fried Trout and Handmade Agnolotti.

Dishes to Try and Prices: The menu includes Musk’s family recipes, and during happy hour, deals like Crispy Cauliflower Dip and Half Off Bottles of Wine are available for just $7 and $18, respectively. Meals like Seared Alaskan Halibut and Grassfed Beef Meatloaf cost between $19 and $28.

Why It’s Recommended: Across the street from Kitchen, the famous restaurant serves fine dining. Kitchen [Next Door], its younger brother, serves Chef Musk’s soul-satisfying New American comfort food at lower prices and has a cool, laid-back vibe with stylish farmhouse decor.

Japango

1136 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Contemporary Japanese Izakaya & Sushi Bar

Japango is the place to go for the best sushi, yakitori skewers, and modern Japanese food in a sleek, modern space. A cool but laid-back urban oasis vibe is created by clean lines, black lacquer details, and pops of greenery. In the middle is a busy sushi bar, and out back on the patio, you can eat outside. Japango serves good sushi rolls, tasty yakitori bites, and Asian-inspired drinks from happy hour until late at night.

Standout Dishes and Prices: Sushi and sashimi, like Hamachi Jalapeño, cost $5.25 to $16 per order. On the other hand, yakitori skewers, like Bacon-Scallop or Pork Belly, are only $3.50 to $4.50 for tasty meat and vegetable bites. Also, don’t miss their daily Happy Hour, when drinks are half price and rolls are $4 and hand rolls are $6.

What People Say: Japango is a great place to get the most creative sushi rolls, perfectly charred yakitori skewers, and modern izakaya food all in one place. It’s busy almost every night because it has good food, reasonable prices, and a nice downtown position.

Centro Mexican Kitchen

949 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Lively Modern Cantina Celebrating Mexican Cuisine

For a lively time, Centro Mexican Kitchen is the place to go. It has modern Mexican food, unique drinks, and colorful Day of the Dead decorations on the walls. Centro gives off happy vibes all day long, thanks to its open, industrial interior, central bar serving famous margaritas, and patio with lots of places to sit and watch people. People also come to lunch on the weekends to balance out their Morning Bravos with plates that help with hangovers.

Dishes That Stand Out: Traditional tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas cost $15 to $19. Centro also does great food plates like Huevos Rancheros for $13 at brunch. On their cocktail menu, you can find fun takes on classic drinks, like the $12 Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita.

Why you should do it: Centro is a popular downtown spot for Mexican food and drinks from morning until night because of its lively atmosphere and low prices. Their happy hour and weekend brunch deals are also good for people who want to party.

Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian Restaurant

2802 Iris Ave, Boulder, CO 80304

Ambiance: Cozy, Colorful authentic Ethiopian Cuisine

Ras Kassa’s cozy restaurant is only a few minutes’ drive from downtown Boulder and serves traditional Ethiopian food and friendly service. Ras Kassa’s is filled with jewel tones and ethnic touches that make people feel like they are in an East African cafe. People eat on mesob tables that were made by hand and eat tasty veggie, lentil, and meat dishes that are served on soft injera flatbread that is great for picking up small bites by hand. The trip ends with an Ethiopian coffee ritual.

Dishes That Stand Out and Prices: The $40 Vegetarian Platter is a great way to try tastes like Key Sir, Gomen, and Alecha. There is gluten-free injera available, and meat options cost a little more. Beer and Ethiopian honey wine go well together.

Why It’s Recommended: Ras Kassa takes diners on a fully immersive and cheap culinary trip to Ethiopia without them having to leave Boulder. The restaurant’s authentic flavors, decor, coffee rituals, and warm, friendly service transport diners to Ethiopia.

Frasca Food and Wine

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: Fine Dining, Wine Bar, Contemporary Space with Rustic Touches

You don’t need to look any further than Frasca Food and Wine for great dining that is both quiet and lively in a beautiful farmhouse setting. Frasca is consistently praised as one of Boulder’s best high-end restaurants. It serves fresh regional Italian food and has an award-winning wine list. The warm and polished modern room immediately impresses. A modern yet rustic feel is created by exposed brick, dark wood tables, and old mirrors that are balanced out by modern light fixtures and pops of color.

Specialty Dishes and Prices: Frasca’s sharing plates, like Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Robiola Cheese or Porcini-Dusted Colorado Lamb, really shine with seasonal and regional tastes from Colorado and Italy. It costs $34 to $49 for a main course and $16 to $19 for a small plate. Their wine list has more than 200 choices, and many of them can be bought by the glass or bottle.

Why you should do it: Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, winner of the James Beard Award, prepares delicious farm-fresh Italian food at Frasca. The restaurant also has great service that makes the whole fine dining experience more enjoyable. It also has the great Frisee food bar right next door.

Oak at Fourteenth

1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Ambiance: New American Cuisine, Hip but Casual, Sleek Modern Interior

Oak at Fourteenth serves fresh New American food from local sources in a modern fine dining setting. This light and airy modern restaurant has high ceilings, marble, glass, and plants to add a touch of nature. The room is sleek, and the food is based on fresh ingredients. People can choose to eat in the elegant dining room, the lively bar, the patio outside, or at the chef’s table, where there is live entertainment during dinner.

Dishes That Stand Out and Prices: Entrees like Colorado Rack of Lamb or Pacific Swordfish cost $34 to $44, while small plates like Burrata Cheese or House Charcuterie & Pickles are $13 to $16 and are lighter and better for sharing. They also have a great selection of unique cocktails, such as the Smokey Paloma with grilled grapefruit.

Why you should do it: Oak has been a local favorite for a long time because of its cool vibe and great happy hour deals like $6 bites and $7 drinks. Their New American dishes are made with meat, fish, and vegetables that come from Colorado. Next door is Pizzeria Locale, which serves handmade pies to go.

Conclusion

This list only scratches the surface of Boulder’s lively, always-changing food scene, which includes both well-known fine dining restaurants and great foreign “holes in the wall.”

But these 12 restaurants are the best places for tourists to experience regional food, cocktail culture, and the city’s unique attitude, whether they’re there for a formal dinner or a casual weekend brunch.

Boulder’s restaurants offer a huge range of options, from updated American comfort food in cool farmhouses to perfectly mixed cocktails and Spanish tapas. Just show up hungry and ready to eat with the locals.