Hey downtown Boulder!
If you’re looking for new places to eat downtown, I’ve got you. Downtown Boulder is home to spots that have quickly become some of my favorite places to meet up with friends, relax, and treat myself to a great meal.
Food has always been one of my favorite parts of life, if I’m being honest. I’ve been a huge foodie forever, and I’m always excited for a delicious, fulfilling, satisfying meal. I also truly believe nothing brings people together like good food. My mom is the best cook, so I grew up having amazing homemade meals almost every night, which basically made me a highly-qualified food critic with strong opinions about what counts as good food!
One of the things I love most about trying new places downtown is that there are so many options to choose from, and every restaurant brings something a little different to the table. Each spot has its own atmosphere, people, and vibe, and it makes going out to eat feel like a whole experience, not just a meal.
I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad meal in downtown Boulder. Some of my favorite restaurants tend to be Italian and Mexican, and downtown has so many great options for both.
For Mexican: The Rio Grande is home to some of my favorite tacos, and the atmosphere is always super lively and fun, especially on College Night on Thursdays. The chicken taco is my absolute favorite, but the carnitas taco is a close second. And if you’re a fish taco person, a lot of my friends and family swear by the Baja fish taco, too.
Bartaco is another go-to Mexican spot, and I especially love it for the atmosphere. It’s always upbeat, and I personally love sitting at the bar and watching everything going on. It also reminds me of a great taco place back in my hometown, so it makes me feel a little more connected to home when I’m there. The staff is always super friendly, and while the tacos are great, the ceviche is the dish that truly blows it out of the park for me every time.
For Italian: my top two favorites are Pasta Jay’s and Sforno Trattoria Romana. They both have that classic cozy Italian restaurant feel, but they also stand out in their own ways, which I love.
Starting with Pasta Jay’s, my favorite night to go is Wednesdays for their lasagna night. Their lasagna comes out in a sizzling skillet with layers of gooey, melted cheese and their signature sauce, easily one of the best comfort meals downtown.
If you want more of an underground, dim-lit atmosphere where you truly feel transported to Italy, head over to Sforno. Your meal starts with warm, soft bread served with an amazing olive oil infused with herbs and spices. I’ve eaten here a few times since moving to Colorado, and every time I’m amazed all over again by how fresh everything tastes. From antipastos and salads to pastas and fish/meat entrées, they really have it all, but my favorite dish has to be the Ravioli di Zucca, which is a homemade butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce. It’s literally heaven.
Now, if you’re looking for a quicker, more casual place to grab a bite, Illegal Pete’s is the way to go. My friends recently put me on to ordering bowls “Colorado Style,” which basically means they add their delicious green chili and queso on top of whatever you choose to customize your bowl with, and it hits every single time.
My go-to lunch spot has to be Lindsay’s Boulder Deli @ Haagen Dasz, where Lindsay herself is almost always there. She’s so friendly and welcoming, and you can truly tell she cares about her customers. (Fun fact: this year, Lindsay has been named the recipient of the Ron Porter Special Achievement Award, and we will be celebrating her at our Annual Awards Luncheon.) My favorite is the “That’s What She Said” sandwich, with turkey, bacon, apples, cheddar, swiss, red onion, arugula, honey drizzle, mayo, and chipotle honey mustard on a ciabatta roll. It’s honestly the best explosion of flavor. I love pairing it with their chicken noodle soup (and a bag of chips), and their menu is huge, so there’s always something new to try, too.
Lastly, Postino has one of the best deals downtown on Mondays and Tuesdays, where you can get a bottle of wine and a board of bruschetta for only $25. My friends and I love going after a long day of work and classes to wind down and catch up. And you can hop right across the street afterward for gelato at Gelato Boy, which is basically the perfect way to end the night. My favorites are chocolate hazelnut crunch and salty cookies & cream, but they always have seasonal, limited-edition flavors that knock it out of the park. The current limited flavors are wild berry cheesecake, peanut butter brownie, and cookie jar (the best one).
If you couldn’t tell, I love food, and I love sharing my favorite finds even more. Downtown Boulder never disappoints, and I can’t wait to keep eating my way through downtown and reporting back with my next round of must-try spots. In the meantime, make sure you follow along on dining happenings on our weekly Foodie Friday blog!
Until next time,
Ava
Tagged: Dining