I find that every time I write about Boulder, I’m raving about it. It’s apparent to anyone who visits that it is absurdly beautiful and there are endless things to explore. But right now, I want to talk about the food. It’s just another aspect of this city that confirms it was made in heaven. Boulder is filled with tons of different restaurants and types of food and I’ll admit, most of my money spent here is on going out to eat. I’ll also admit that I don’t regret it one bit because the food is so worth it. I’ve been lucky enough to try a lot of restaurants around Boulder and I figured that I’d write about some of my favorites. So, as you read on, you’ll learn a little bit about some of the best BoCo restaurants. Some of them are more “college budget” friendly than others, so if you are watching your spending, I recommend checking out the prices before you go. Enjoy, my fellow foodies!
Italian: Il Pastaio
This restaurant makes homemade pastas and sauces as well as other classic Italian dishes. As someone who comes from a family of awesome Italian cooks, this is the closest comparison to homemade Italian cooking that I can find in Boulder. My favorite is their Alfredo sauce, but it’s super heavy so make time for a post-meal nap afterwards!
Mediterranean: The Mediterranean
Frequently going by the nickname, “The Med”, this restaurant’s name says it all. With an amazing selection of Spanish, Italian and Greek food, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something that your taste buds love. Try something new each time you go; the menu is huge!
French: Brasserie Ten Ten
I love France, Paris, pain au chocolat, the Eiffel Tower, and all other things French. So, once I find a good French restaurant, it’s safe to say I’m sold. Brasserie Ten Ten is the place to go in Boulder when you’re in the mood for classic French cuisine. They serve all the best French staples including Croque Madame, steak frites, fresh baguettes, croissants, crème brulée, and more. Every time I dine here, I feel like I’m back in France again because the food is so authentic.
American: The Sink
This famous and historical restaurant on The Hill is famous for a reason. If you’ve been inside, you know there’s nothing like the awesome artwork covering the walls as well as thousands of signatures covering the ceilings. Aside from the awesome interior, The Sink is great for classic American food, including many comfort food staples like burgers, mac and cheese, and fries. The Sink is your go to if you’re looking for classic food in a funky atmosphere.
Mexican: Illegal Pete’s
Haters will hate, but I’m not a Chipotle girl. Illegal Pete’s has everything I love about Mexican food, but is not overly spiced like many of the items on the Chipotle menu. It’s fast and convenient (it has locations on The Hill and Pearl Street) yet still upholds great quality. If you’re also not a Chipotle girl like myself (I know I’m not the only one), but you and your friends are dying for Mexican, Illegal Pete’s is the place to go.
Breakfast: Snooze
Snooze is not your run-of-the-mill breakfast spot. First of all, this place does not embody the typical mellow breakfast atmosphere. Snooze is high energy and will immediately wake you up since it’s always packed and the music is blasting. Second of all, while they do have traditional breakfast favorites, they also have a lot of eccentric options too. They have the most delicious pancakes and tons of crazy flavors like peanut butter cup, blueberry Danish, and sweet potato. They also have a ton of different eggs benedict options. But best of all is, if you can’t decide what you want (this will happen because everything is amazing), you can order of half and half. Snooze does breakfast right.
Just a reminder, these are just a few great places out of MANY throughout Boulder. I hope you’re now inspired to get out and explore all of the awesome food options that BoCo has to offer and find some new favorites of your own!