Top 10: Restaurants in Boulder

Our Local Expert Says:

Leaf has some of the best food Boulder has to offer, so don't be scared by some of its unusual ingredients. Who knows, you might discover an entirely new food you love!

Description:

Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant creates delicious meals that vegetarians and omnivores alike will enjoy, although omnivores may not recognize everything on the menu. Leaf uses organic, seasonal ingredients and provides an international cuisine with menu items such as Oaxacan Mole, Jamaican Jerk Tempeh, and Matar Panir. One of Boulder's best health-conscious dining options, Leaf also provides a full bar highlighted by an environmentally-friendly wine list and Boulder's own organic Vodka 14 martinis.

Description:

Just off the Pearl Street Mall, Sherpa's Adventurers is, at first glance, just a house. However, inside the house are a bar, an authentic Tandoor clay oven, and a Traveler's Library and Lounge, where you can peruse Sherpa history and photos. Another unique aspect of Sherpa's is that you can book Himalayan treks and volunteer opportunities. With its delicious, well-priced food, its interesting atmosphere, its outdoor seating area, and its proximity to the Pearl Street Mall, Sherpa's is a real Boulder gem.

Our Local Expert Says:

V.G. Burgers will open your eyes to the culinary delights of vegan food. The food is served up fast and there is outdoor seating available; you can also take your food to-go and walk 20 yards to sit by the Boulder Creek.

Description:

The food is all organic and is even vegan -- although based on your preconceptions of vegan food, you might not believe it after having tasted this delicious food! In addition to being quick and healthy, it's zero waste and wind powered. The quintessential Boulder restaurant.

Our Local Expert Says:

See the local flair and fare at the Boulder County Farmers’ Market and check out the website to find dates for the Farmers’ Market Arts & Crafts Fair.

Description:

A local treasure, this is one of the best farmers' markets around. Almost everything can be found here, from freshly roasted green chilies, to gourmet cheeses and wines, to flowers and plants. Much of the food is organic, and all of it is grown by the people selling it. The Farmers' Market also has a food court with delicious prepared foods, picnic tables, and music. Grab some breakfast or lunch and take it over to Central Park to sit in the grass and watch the people. The Market hosts thousands of Boulderites and visitors every week, some who are there to see the sights and take in the smells, and others who are just there to do their weekly grocery shopping.

Description:

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse was given to Boulder by our sister city of Dushanbe. Built between 1987 and 1990, more than 40 artisans from cities across Tajikistan created the elaborate, creative elements of the Teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceilings, columns, and ceramic panels. The Teahouse serves a delicious international cuisine, including dishes such as Tanzanian Dagaa Seafood Stew, Malaysian Tofu, and Argentinean Skirt Steak. The Teahouse is in central Boulder, just next to Central Park and the Boulder Farmers' Market, making it a perfect place to stop for a midday tea.

Our Local Expert Says:

With its charming ambiance and its delicious Louisiana Creole-inspired breakfasts, its no wonder that Lucile's wins the Boulder Weekly's Best Breakfast award time and time again.

Description:

Lucile's is a quaint restaurant near the Pearl Street Mall is nestled in a Victorian house complete with a large porch and deck. The staff is friendly, and the food is wonderful. Make sure to get here early on weekends, as the place is always packed. Children are welcome. The chef creates delicious Louisiana-style cuisine. Breakfast selections include fresh baked biscuits, waffles, and Eggs Sardou-a Creole specialty. Fresh fruit and cereal is also available. The lunch menu offers salads, Creole and Po'Boy sandwiches. No alcohol is served, but there are plenty of coffee drinks.

Our Local Expert Says:

Their "Tapas Hour" everyday from 3:00 to 6:30 is one of the best happy hours in town.

Description:

This lively restaurant has all of the charm of a tiny European coastal café. Sunny paintings and brilliant colors bedeck the walls of "The Med". Lush foliage grows everywhere, and an imported Italian wood burning stove glows in the background. Known for its flavorful tapas, the menu celebrates the succulent entrees of Italy, Spain, Greece and France. The wood-oven-baked pizzas are popular, as is the Eggplant Parmigiana. For dinner, the family style Paella de Mariso is divine. Order a dessert if just to observe the masterful designs created by the pastry chef.

Description:

Snarfs is one of the few restaurants in Boulder that is almost zero waste: nearly everything is recyclable or compostable (except the chip bags). So, while you can feel good about eating there, you'll also feel good about eating their delicious toasted subs. Sit outside at a mosaic table and enjoy your meal in the sunshine! Snarfs is a six block walk from the Pearl Street Mall, but there are plenty of other stores to check out on the way that are often missed because they lie outside of the walking section of Pearl Street. They also serve ice cream and milkshakes! Stop by their other location on the University Hill if you're by the CU Campus.

Description:

Sushi Zanmai, located just a block from the Pearl Street Mall, combines traditional sushi and lively, Saturday night karaoke (10pm-midnight). Their sushi is prepared while you watch--either at the sushi bar or tableside--and includes such exotic rolls as the Colorado (raw filet mignon) and the LSD (lettuce shrimp deluxe).

Our Local Expert Says:

Located just off the walking section of the Pearl Street Mall, the Mountain Sun is a real local gem.

Description:

This quintessential Boulder restaurant is almost always bustling with Boulderites who love to frequent this brewery/restaurant and enjoy their variety of beers brewed on site. The walls are painted with suns and moons and are covered in tapestries - and if you look up, you can see a Jerry Garcia doll sitting in a hammock. The Mountain Sun is a pub, but it doesn't have any TVs because the owners want to encourage people to meet each other and "discuss the world in which we live". If that sounds a bit too heavy, you can always grab ones of their board games and lose yourself in a nice game of Scrabble!