Restaurants
Boulder has earned a nationwide reputation for fine dining. In fact, many of the “best restaurants of Denver” lists include a fair number of Boulder restaurants. Good spots abound in the Pearl Street Mall area, but stupendous possibilities also exist in other shopping areas, the mountains, and plains. This chapter is organized by type of restaurant rather than by geographic region, since they’re all within an easy drive of Boulder.
You could enjoy a different Boulder eatery every day and not repeat for weeks. Boulder has a stunning variety, from rollicking party places to quiet and intimate restaurants perfect for conversation or romance. Basic food, served fast, suits some people, especially families. Others prefer meals custom-prepared, and some folks like to linger over a gourmet meal.
In addition to your taste buds, you need to consider your budget. Our price-code key uses dollar signs to give the range for the likely cost of dinner for two, not including cocktails, beer or wine, appetizer, dessert, tax, and tip. Please remember that these symbols provide only a general guide.
If you live in Boulder you’ve become accustomed to smoke-free dining. If you’re new or visiting, Boulder’s rigid no-smoking regulations might come as a shock. With our 300+ days of sunshine a year, you’ll find it easy to light up outside. But be prepared to have someone tell you that it’s bad for you…in a caring way, of course.
Wheelchair accessibility is common, but it makes sense to call ahead. And if a restaurant sounds elegant, eclectic, or spicy, you can bet your booster chairs that your kids will get a fidget attack unless the place also caters to children—or unless your children are used to finer dining than the usual pizza and burger joints that parents often choose in the name of family dining. Many places have special children’s menus and entertainment tricks for the kids, so ask about them.
Unless otherwise noted, these restaurants take Visa and MasterCard. Some also take American Express, Diner’s Club, and Discover.
For more on takeout or informal food service, or lively nightspots, check our Shopping and Nightlife chapters. Our Estes Park chapter includes details on dining and might provide you with an excuse to explore this mountain town.
1. Bj’S Restaurant And Brewery
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 402-9294
Address: 1125 Pearl Street
Description: Enjoy a wide-ranging menu of pizza, giant stuffed potatoes, garden fresh specialty salads, and AWESOME burgers. For those of you who are connoisseurs of beer, the brewery strives to provide consistently good beer in a variety of ale and lager styles. BJ’s is the recipient of many medals for its brewed beers.
2. The Boulder Broker Inn
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 449-1752
Address: 555 30th Street
Description: The Victorian atmosphere, with dark wood and stained glass, is a perfect complement to entrees such as beef Wellington, Rocky Mountain trout, Alaskan king crab legs, and New York steak. A Broker trademark is the complimentary, bottomless bowl of peel-and-eat gulf shrimp served with a tangy sauce. Consistently voted “the best Sunday Brunch” in Boulder in area surveys, the Broker Inn features a different theme each Sunday. Reservations are recommended. There is nightly dancing at Bentley’s. The inn is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
3. Boulder Chophouse And Tavern
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 443-1188
Address: 921 Walnut Street
Description: Located in the heart of downtown Boulder, the ChopHouse offers a wonderful array of delicious entrees ranging from filet mignon and porterhouse steaks to sesame salmon and herb-crusted rack of lamb. You absolutely must try their mashed potatoes! Daily menu items include vegetarian, fresh fish, and grilled choices. Open daily at 4 p.m.
4. Boulder Cork
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 443-9505
Address: 3295 30th Street
Description: The Boulder Cork has provided excellent service and quality food for more than 30 years. The diverse menu features an enticing offering of steaks, fish, poultry, and pastas. Wine Spectator has recognized the Boulder Cork’s wine list as one of the best in the nation, and it has received the award for excellence for eight consecutive years. The strong presentation of all the meals makes it as popular for a business lunch as for a special dinner. You also can stop for a sip and a light bite at the bar; choices include angel-hair pasta, fresh steamed artichokes, fresh fish, and salads. The Cork is open seven days a week for dinner and weekdays for lunch.
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Address: 900 Baseline Road
6. Corner Bar
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 442-4560
Address: 2115 13th Street, in The Hotel Boulderad
Description: This is the ideal location for a quick lunch, a lively happy hour, a late-night meal, or a perfectly poured martini. One block off the Pearl Street Mall, the Corner Bar is less formal than Q’s (also in the Hotel Boulderado), but features the same award-winning menu from chef-owner John Platt. Fresh salads, superb sandwiches, house-made pastas, and unique appetizers are served. Enjoy the intimate Corner Bar atmosphere, or savor the award-winning wine list, exceptional cuisine, and premium cigars under the stars on the heated patio. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner daily.
7. Foolish Craig’S Cafe
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 247-9383
Address: 1611 Pearl Street
Description: Just 1 block east of the Pearl Street Mall, this eatery specializes in crepes and omelets. The “Amazing Homer” is a crepe wrapped around onions, Feta cheese, Greek spices, olives, artichokes, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and sour cream. The caramelized three-onion soup is too good to miss. Everything is homemade, and the menu items are served throughout the day. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
8. The Foundry
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 447-1803
Address: 1109 Walnut Street
Description: For many years the Foundry has been the best pool hall in Boulder, with a dozen billiard tables, a smoking lounge, and a bar that features live music on the weekend. With one of the finest views of the Flatirons from its rooftop deck, it was probably only a matter of time before patrons insisted on a full menu. Try the baked Brie or hummus for an appetizer, or for an entree there’s the chicken Caesar wrap and assorted paninis. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
9. Gold Hill Inn
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 443-6461
Description: This family-owned restaurant has served six-course dinners in an old-style log inn since 1962. The menu depends on what chef Chris Finn deems good and fresh. One June day, the offerings included hot and sour duck soup, a cold banana bisque, a salmon soufflé appetizer, venison with blackberry sauce, and a choice of chocolate torte or apricot-strawberry pie.The inn opens in May, when the mountain snow flurries abate, and it closes at the end of December. During summertime, it’s open for dinner all week except Tuesday. Reservations are recommended. It’s a 20-minute drive into the mountains from Boulder, straight up Sunshine Canyon, and about an hour from Estes Park. No credit cards.
10. Islands Fine Burgers And Drinks
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 449-0333
Description: This fun restaurant specializes in gourmet hamburgers with free fries, and specialty drinks with a tropical theme. It’s located on the west side of 29th Street. Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
11. Jill’S
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (720) 406-9696
Address: 900 Walnut Street
Description: Opened in the spring of 2005, Jill’s is a modern bistro located in Boulder’s new St. Julien Hotel. Award-winning chef Jason Rogers runs the kitchen and delights patrons with his creations. The restaurant decor is warm with rich wood tones and large glass panels studded with the leaves of Colorado. Jill’s offers a metro American menu with Mediterranean influences. Dishes are prepared daily with fresh organically grown products, and there’s a selection of more than 50 wines by the glass. Jill’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and manages to maintain a quality that attracts food-savvy locals as well as the most discriminating business and vacationing traveler.
12. Jw’S Steakhouse
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 440-8877
Address: 2660 Canyon Boulevard
Description: The restaurant at the Boulder Marriott in central Boulder has made steak the centerpiece of its menu. The roasted prime rib of beef is a 10- or 16-ounce cut and can be served with a Madeira-laced herb butter sauce. Or try the grilled chicken breast with roasted potatoes and papaya relish. An appetizer could be a meal by itself, with escargot, grilled shrimp in garlic butter, and crispy onion straws on the menu. Dessert can be accompanied by one of several espresso drinks, and a full bar and extensive wine list are available. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily.
13. Murphy’S Grill
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 449-4473
Description: This has been a favorite neighborhood restaurant since 1985. The decor resembles an Irish pub, with dark wooden tables and old-fashioned golf club accents. The varied menu includes an assortment of Mexican dishes, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Beef brisket is a featured specialty item. The walls are covered with nearly every “Murphy’s Law” you’ve ever heard. Murphy’s has a full bar and wine list and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
14. Mustard’S Last Stand
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 444-5841
Address: 1719 Broadway
Description: Chicago-style hot dogs, German bratwurst, hamburgers, and thick homestyle fries are served in this Boulder institution, and the place provides a funky view of Broadway. Okay, they’ve bowed to popular demand and added veggie dogs and tempeh burgers, but you don’t have to eat them if you don’t want to. The “best hot dogs” winner in all the local publications, Mustard’s is open for lunch and dinner daily. You can also find a second Mustard’s in Denver. No credit cards.
15. Red Robin America’S Gourmet Burger And Spirits
City: Boulder, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 442-0320
Address: 2580 Arapahoe Avenue
Description: Enter one of Boulder’s major family and teen hangouts. It’s a place with high energy, fueled by a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and fries. Features include their trademark “smiling” chicken. There’s a bar up front and a video game room off to the side. It’s open for lunch and dinner daily.