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Best Authentic Restaurants in Boulder

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17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pizzeria Alberico restaurant
1. Pizzeria Alberico
4.7
Exceptional(74)
Price: Moderate
• Pizzeria • Boulder
Booked 18 times today
Join us at our cozy spot on the East end of Pearl Street, right in the heart of downtown Boulder. Our menu features Southern Italian staples like fritti, fresh salads, savory salumi, artisanal pizzas, and delicious gelato, all made with ingredients from local farms to bring you a fresh take on the classics. Our wood-fired oven adds an authentic touch to our pizzas, creating a perfect, crispy crust every time.Enjoy our sprawling, dog-friendly patio with a spritz in hand during our daily aperitivo hour. Come for the food, stay for the ambiance, and experience a slice of Italy right here in Boulder!p.s. It's al-beh-REE-co (named after the Alberico family!)A 2.5% Health and Wellness fee will be added to all guest checks. This initiative is designed to help us continue offering premium insurance benefits to our team members.​
A photo of Sforno Trattoria restaurant
2. Sforno Trattoria
4.4
Awesome(1151)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Boulder
Booked 24 times today
We strive to give you the genuine tastes of Italy, right here on Boulder’s historic Pearl Street Mall, with our local, natural ingredients. And with our famous mozzarella made in house, Happy Hour 7 days a week, and an original wood burning pizza oven, we have no doubt that you will love coming to Sforno. Join us for a little bit of Italian bliss right here in Colorado, and let us show you what ‘love from the oven’ means to us.
A photo of Bramble & Hare restaurant
3. Bramble & Hare
4.6
Exceptional(1272)
Price: Very Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Boulder
Booked 22 times today
Bramble & Hare, the original Farmhouse Kitchen and Bistro, opened its doors in July 2012. Founded by Chef Eric Skokan and his wife, Jill, as the sister restaurant to their Black Cat Farm~Table~Bistro. Bramble & Hare has a lively, warm atmosphere in its three charming dining rooms. It is located in the heart of Boulder, CO, just off the historic Pearl Street Mall.Features a 3-course prix fixe menu with choices for each course, Hand-crafted, seasonal cocktails featuring artisanal spirits and local ingredients show the talent of our incredible bar team who make our restaurant spring to life. The variety of produce and meats grown on their 425 acre certified Organic farm allows Chef de Cusine Heraclio Garza Silva a limitless palette of flavors, colors, and textures from which to build their award-winning cuisine. Cost: $75+gratuity, tax and alcohol
A photo of Stella's Cucina restaurant
4. Stella's Cucina
4.7
Exceptional(707)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Boulder
Booked 26 times today
The restaurant was founded in 2023 by owner Stella Spanu, a Boulder local. Honoring her Italian heritage and embracing her passion for food and hospitality, Spanu’s philosophy is to have a dining experience that stimulates all senses by incorporating visual art, design, music, premier service, comfortable seating and fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. The space, an Art Deco inspiration, was conceptualized and built by architect Miguel Quismondo.Stella's is showcasing a world-class menu, highlighting traditions from all over Italy, with house-made pastas with imported ingredients directly from Italy, and locally sourced ingredients from Colorado farms. The menu is accompanied by an extensive selection of Italian wines and specialty cocktails.Friday and Saturday, after dinner service, the space will transform into a lounge with a dance floor with a state-of-the-art sound system, while guests are encouraged to enjoy beverages, the dance floor, and a wide variety of music.
A photo of Cozobi Fonda Fina restaurant
5. Cozobi Fonda Fina
4.9
Exceptional(108)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Boulder
Booked 31 times today
On a mission to share the beauty of Mexican culture through food, Chef Johnny Curiel opens Cozobi Fonda Fina as an encore to his beloved LoHi restaurant, Alma Fonda Fina. Named after Cozobi, the Zapotec god of corn, Cozobi Fonda Fina is rooted in Mexico’s centuries-old corn nixtamalization traditions and wood-fire cooking techniques that define its rich food history.
A photo of Japango Boulder restaurant
6. Japango Boulder
4.8
Exceptional(1517)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Boulder
Booked 50 times today
Japango, set in a historic building just west of Broadway on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, CO, offers a dynamic combination of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine. Guests will enjoy a relaxed experience in an award winning space designed by nationally acclaimed architect, Scott Rodwin. In many ways this wildly popular restaurant feels like a direct extension of Boulder itself—sophisticated, casual and healthy. // It’s is the perfect place for a first date, a family gathering, or a night out with friends. In addition to an elegant—yet intimate and unpretentious—dining room, Japango features a large sushi bar, a Pearl Street patio, a back patio with fireplace, an enclosed patio that seats up to 10, and a lively bar and lounge area. // The full bar offers unique house cocktails, an extensive sake menu and the largest Japanese whisky selection in Colorado.
A photo of Spruce Farm & Fish restaurant
7. Spruce Farm & Fish
4.3
Awesome(2026)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Boulder
Booked 26 times today
Spruce Farm & Fish serves creative and contemporary Brunch and Dinner menus utilizing the highest quality ingredients. Guests can indulge in Brunch any day of the week until 2pm. Partnering with sustainable oyster farms and fisheries, seafood at Spruce is flown in daily. Spruce offers rotating dinner specials, including certified Angus beef house-smoked prime rib. The bar offers espresso drinks, an extensive selection of wines, and locally sourced spirits and craft beers. Happy-hour specials are available daily and include seasonal small plates and fresh cocktails.Want to eat out without going out? Order your food to-go! Give us a call at 303-442-4880. Our top priority is the health and well-being of our staff, guests, Boulder community.
A photo of Sushi Zanmai restaurant
8. Sushi Zanmai
4.6
Exceptional(27)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Boulder
Booked 8 times today
Sushi Zanmai is celebrating its 38th year as Boulder's favorite sushi spot! Zanmai provides family friendly dining. Our daily happy hour features popular rolls and appetizers and of course, Sake Bombs! Sushi Zanmai has intimate dining for dates, sushi bar seating for guests who want to watch the chefs make their food, large tables for parties, and private Japanese tatami rooms for business meetings or raucous gatherings. The menu boasts both traditional Japanese kitchen food, sushi, and sashimi, as well as creative rolls and appetizers. Zanmai has vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and vegan offerings. Reservations are encouraged for parties of 6 or more. This restaurant also offers to-go services.
A photo of Centro Mexican Kitchen restaurant
9. Centro Mexican Kitchen
4.6
Exceptional(565)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Boulder
Booked 18 times today
We're a fun, Colorado-inspired Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Boulder along the iconic Pearl Street Mall. Our bustling bar specializes in festive cocktails and our year-round covered patio offers some of Boulder's best people watching.
A photo of Carelli's Ristorante Italiano restaurant
10. Carelli's Ristorante Italiano
4.6
Exceptional(1234)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Boulder
Booked 15 times today
Enjoy a wonderful dining experience with family or friends at Carelli's. Owner Greg Carelli with help from his father Gene wanted to offer guests authentic Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting that features a large open flame fireplace, mosaic tiles, natural Birch woods, and warm lighting. An appetizer of fresh mozzarella and Beefsteak tomato caprese, lightly breaded calamari or lamb artichoke meatballs will please the palate at Carelli's. Guests can dine on baked jumbo shells stuffed with spinach and ricotta , the classic chicken parmigiana or shrimp scampi. Artisanal pizza, calzones, and paninis. Awsome Gluten-free options are also available. Carelli's was the winner of the Daily Camera Reader's Choice 2002-2020 award for Best Italian Restaurant and ambiance. It also has won awards from the Denver Post and Boulder Weekly magazines. It has an awesome bar scene and an extensive wine list. Carelli's restaurant features daily fresh fish specials.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • KenVIP
    Denver / Colorado •5 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Nice ambiance, cozy feel. Plenty of food though nothing was excellent, just okay. I had higher expectations and didn't feel worth the cost.
    More info
    Bramble & HarePrice: Very Expensive• Farm-to-table• Boulder
    •
    4.6
  • Emily
    Denver / Colorado •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Definitely enjoyed all the food here (an app, two ceviches, two tacos, carne asada, bass). All amazing, fresh, flavorful. Sitting at the chef’s table was a great choice. Staff was wonderful! Avocado margarita was lovely. I only say noise level was moderate because it was busy which is good!
    More info
    Cozobi Fonda FinaPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Boulder
    •
    4.9
  • Steve
    Jacksonville / Northeast Florida •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great place for cold snowy day lunch. We had 8 in our party for lunch. Great food and service
    More info
    Sforno TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Boulder
    •
    4.4
  • CodyVIP
    Denver / Colorado •29 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    One of the best dining experiences - start to finish - that we’ve had. The food was outstanding: fresh, flavorful and delicious. Nice portion sizes - enough to share bites without being overwhelming. Our server was welcoming, friendly and helpful. The space is very cool and comfortable and the live jazz was awesome. Really high quality without being pretentious. We’ll be back, for sure!
    More info
    Stella's CucinaPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Boulder
    •
    4.7
  • Bryce
    Denver / Colorado •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 11, 2025
    Great experience bringing friends from out of town. Will definitely bring more guests again.
    More info
    Pizzeria AlbericoPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• Boulder
    •
    4.7

Discover best authentic restaurants in Boulder

Discover Boulder's authentic dining scene, where local flavors and vibrant atmospheres converge in the heart of Colorado. This carefully curated selection of restaurants in the Boulder area showcases the true essence of authenticity, featuring establishments that emphasize local ingredients, sustainable practices, and innovative culinary techniques. Each restaurant presents a unique twist on traditional and contemporary cuisines, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience that resonates with both locals and visitors alike. From seafood that's as fresh as the ocean breeze to rustic American dishes with a modern flair, the dining options in Boulder cater to a variety of palates and preferences. The commitment to quality and genuine connection to the local environment makes each meal more than just food—it's a culinary journey. Whether you're seeking a fine dining atmosphere, a cozy bistro vibe, or a lively tavern setting, Boulder's restaurant scene delivers with excellence and authenticity. Experience the best of Boulder dining, where every meal is crafted with care and every flavor tells a story of authenticity and innovation.

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