Tour of International Cuisine in Boulder

Our Local Expert Says:

Foolish Craig’s is said to have the best Bloody Marys in town. We think you will agree.

Description:

This adorable café, bedecked in a menagerie of colors, sits one block east of the Pearl Street Mall. Its lively atmosphere and cluttered tables promote conversation. Most of the menu items come with creative names, such as the Altitude Adjustment crepe and the It was Sam Andreas Fault omelet. Vegetarian dishes are plentiful. A full espresso bar offers a multitude of caffeine fixations, and a range of beers and wines. Live music plays Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Description:

Khow Thai Café has been voted Best Thai Restaurant in Boulder Weekly's Best of Boulder County since 2003, so if the locals like it, you know it must be good. This relatively small, low-key café has an unassuming atmosphere but serves excellent thai food (nearly all of which can be prepared vegetarian). Each meal is served with a cup of soup and a spring roll, and the meals are served quickly and in sizeable portions. Located on Broadway - one of Boulder's main thoroughfares - Khow Thai is just a few blocks walk from the Pearl Street Mall and from the CU Campus.

Description:

One of Boulder's best kept little secrets, Pupusas is an authentic hole-in-the-wall Salvadorian resturaunt with polite staff, amazing food, and a killer salsa bar. They also serve MexiCoke, which is rumored to be much tastier than AmeriCoke, and delicious horchata.

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:

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 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:

A medium pho and a boba tea for under $10!

Description:

Pho is a soup of rice noodles and vegetables, with the option of adding meat. Beyond that, You and Mee gives their customers the flexibility to dress their soup as they desire by offering a bar of basil, lime, bean sprouts, and jalapeño, onion, soy sauce, and plum sauce.

Our Local Expert Says:

Unlike any other restaurant in town, the Black Cat and Chef Eric Skokan have actually created an organic farm to supply the restaurant with just-picked produce.

Description:

The Black Cat is a chef-owned fine dining restaurant serving modern French and American cuisine paired with a killer wine list and some of the best cocktails in the city. The Black Cat creates an intimate, soulful dining experience with its beautiful dining room and its hand-crafted cuisine. Located on the Pearl Street Mall, Black Cat is a wonderful place to go for a special occasion.

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.

Description:

Do not let the hole-in-the-wall facade and dilapidated interior of this restaurant fool you-Juanita's is one of Boulder's best-kept secrets. The overflowing portions of Mexican and New Mexican regulars, blue corn tortillas, steaming enchiladas, pinto beans and green chile satisfy the stomach, while an array of specialty margaritas quench the thirst. Every meal begins with seriously deep fried chips and homemade spicy salsa. The restaurant's comfortable booths are good for resting tired feet and antsy kids.

Our Local Expert Says:

If weather permits, a table outside under Sherpa's trellis covered in lights is undoubtedly one of the best spots in Boulder.

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:

Like the historically found Frascas found throughout Friuli, Italy, this restaurant is full of local farm cuisine, wine, and warm hospitality.

Description:

Winning raves since its 2004 opening, Frasca is the critical darling in Boulder for its upscale atmosphere, impeccable service, and peerless cuisine, drawn exclusively from the culinary traditions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a subalpine region in northeastern Italy. Using fresh ingredients, with a special emphasis on terrific seafood, cheese, and wine, the masterful kitchen delivers some of the best fare in the West. The menu changes daily, but always includes a vast selection of small plates leading up to pasta, seafood, pork loin, and other specialties of the region. Every year the staff takes a trip to Italy for a refresher course in Italian culinary appreciation, and it shows.