Flagstaff House, atop Flagstaff Mountain and overlooking downtown Boulder, the menu changes daily, so “you can dine with us over and over and never eat the same food,” said General Manger Adam Monette. This allows the Flagstaff House team to “cultivate dishes based...
2020 Best Eats, Drinks & Entertainment
Best Appetizers and Best Happy Hour : Boulder Cork
Counting 51 years in business in the same location, Boulder Cork has perfected happy hour. “Guests love to snack on our house-made waffle potato chips with blue cheese and arugula while sipping one of our coin-style margaritas or a classic martini,” said Donna...
Best Bakery AND Best Lunch AND Best Customer Service: Breadworks Bakery & Cafe
For an incredible 9,300 consecutive days, Breadworks Bakery & Cafe has been providing scrumptious baked goods and extraordinary customer service. Larry Domnitz, who owns and operates Breadworks with Colleen Doran, said, “Everything is made fresh from scratch every...
Best Barbecue : Lulu’s BBQ
Succulent brisket, ribs, burnt ends, pork and chicken smoked low and slow over Texas oak – customers at Lulu’s BBQ are hooked by the aromas wafting from the charming sidewalk location alone. Paired with a variety of popular southern dishes and unique house-made drinks...
Best Breakfast AND Best Brunch : Tangerine
For 8 years, Tangerine has been awarded for being the best breakfast and brunch spot in Boulder County, thanks to Tangerine’s loyal following and innovative take on morning fare. The menu is crafted around natural, farm-fresh ingredients and features seasonal...
Best Burger : Larkburger
Lark Burger is not shy when it comes to changing up the menu and getting creative with their latest portabella burger – served with griddle-delish onions and house sauce. Some popular gluten free options on the menu include, lettuce wrapped burgers, gluten free buns...
Best Caterer : Three Leaf Catering
When you’re planning a shindig with lots of guests and nothing but delicious foods will do, residents and businesses call on Three Leaf Catering to get the job done. “We build custom menus if you have unique dietary or ethnic needs,” said Crystal Blaskis, director of...
Best Chinese Food : China Gourmet
Thirty years into serving a traditional Chinese menu in Boulder County, Joy Fan, owner of China Gourmet, and her team are still celebrating the joy of Chinese cooking. “I like to see the families coming here to eat their dinner and their smiles,” Fan said. A lover of...
Best Chocolatier : Piece, Love & Chocolate
Ushering the frothy deliciousness of the chocolatier café experience to Boulder for nearly 10 years, Piece, Love & Chocolate is “truly a Boulder creation, supporting Boulder artisans, producing innovative products of very high quality,” said Greg Amorese, “cocoa...
Best Curbside/To-Go : Zucca Italian Ristorante
General Manager Matthew Mulkey could not be more thrilled to bring this award home to Zucca. That’s because he’s the man burning the Midnight oil to ramp up curbside and to-go options for hungry Boulder locals. Despite all the changes restaurants have endured in...
Best Delivery : Cosmo’s Pizza
No matter how you look at it, Cosmo’s Pizza delivers. For 19 years, the popular family-owned restaurant has been slinging up authentic New York-style pizza just the way we love it – hand-tossed, thin crust that’s just thick and crisp enough on the edges yet soft-and...
Best Food on the Hill : The Sink
Can’t get enough of The Sink? You’re in good company. Since 1923, this Boulder staple has been wowing its patrons, including the likes of former President Obama and Chefs Antony Bourdain and Eric Ripert. Originally named Summer Sunken Gardens after a large, sunken...
Best French Food : Le French Cafe
Owners Agnes and Quentin Garrigou expressed excitement and gratitude for winning Boulder County Gold this year. Quentin gives big thanks to the Boulder community for all the support. “We were not expecting it, we are super happy, especially during this time because...
Best Ice Cream AND Best Dessert AND Best Place to Entertain Kids : Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato
Seriously, what’s not to like about ice cream? And for anyone and everyone who has ever been to Glacier, what’s not to fall udderly, head-over-heels in love with? A Boulder County Gold winner for each of its 18 years in business and counting, Glacier Homemade Ice...
Best Indian Food : Taj Indian Cuisine
Owner Vin Rai wants Boulderites to enjoy “the best Indian food” their money can buy. He credits his chefs for giving customers “good honest food.” That means chefs at Taj take great pride in making every dish as if they were feeding it to their own family. “It’s not...
Best Italian Food AND Best Ambiance AND Best Gluten Free : Carelli’s of Boulder
Placing in three categories this year, Carelli’s of Boulder has “developed quite a local following,” said Greg Carelli, who opened his namesake eatery as a sub shop in 1991. Today interspersed fireplaces, birch wood accents, mosaic tiles and warm lighting create an...
Best Mexican Food : Efrain’s of Boulder Mexican Restaurant
General Manager Christian Pinon wants locals to feel like they’re having a meal with family and friends when they show up at Efrain’s. He said some of his waiters have been with the restaurant for 20 years, so they know the customers quite well. Customers take time to...
Best New Eatery : Birdhouse
Since opening in Erie in June, Birdhouse has soared as a taco, ramen, rum and tiki drinks paradise. “It’s weird but good, and our customers love the eclectic mix,” said Tony Firestine, Birdhouse associate director. “We are lucky to have a wide range of outdoor seating...
Best Outdoor Dining : The Greenbriar Inn
Since 1967, the Greenbriar Inn has showcased a one-of-kind Colorado setting. The Inn’s large patios, fashioned with Lyons sandstone, are surrounded by expansive lawns, elegant flower and vegetable gardens, a waterfall, pond and picturesque woodlands, all framed by...
Best Patio : Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Anyone who has not stopped by to bliss out on this off the charts patio – let’s just say – add it to the bucket list. Teahouse Owner Lenny Martinelli agrees that this magical patio is like no other. “The patio offers you the chance to be outside next to the river,...
Best Pizza : Pizzeria Locale
Given today’s unusual circumstances, everyone at Pizzaria Locale is just thrilled to be open and able to serve the community we love. Since owners Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine opened doors in 2011, elegantly casual Pizzeria...
Best Sandwich : Snarf’s Sandwiches
Since 1996, when Snarf’s Sandwiches “started slinging our hot toasted subs in Boulder back in 1996 on Pearl Street,” said Ellen Crossley, marketing manager at Snarf’s Sandwiches, Snarf’s has epitomized “finding and devouring the perfect sandwich.” Now with four...
Best Seafood : Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Consistently voted “Best of” in Boulder, Jax has been serving up the freshest and finest sea cuisine since 1994. Culinary Director Sheila Lucero works hard to ensure culinary delights to the tune of furikake-crusted Hawaiin Bigeye Tuna, buttery Lobster Cavatappi in a...
Best Sushi : Sushi Zanmai
Sushi Zanmai has been delighting patrons for over three decades. With its lively atmosphere, friendly diverse staff, and most memorably its fresh, beautifully-made sushi rolls, sushi and sashimi combos, and mouthwatering tempura, it’s no wonder this Boulder gem is...
Best Taco : T/ACO
Forget Taco Tuesday – with inventive, unbelievably delicious flavors Boulder’s beloved urban taqueria, why not make every night inviting with fresh Mexican fare? Traditionally Mexican prepared meats, piled on handmade tortillas, and topped off with fresh creative...
Best Thai Food : Aloy Thai Cuisine
Renowned for rich, authentic flavors, Aloy Thai delivers the ultimate in satisfaction from the purist to the most health-conscious diner alike. From light, fresh spring rolls and fresh salads to hearty slow-cooked noodle soups and rich curries, the vibrant menu...
Best Vegetarian AND Best Natural Ingredients : Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Shane Jackson is the executive chef at Leaf, saying he has a high degree of “creative freedom” when it comes to menu and recipe creation. Winning the two categories comes as a big compliment, especially since Jackson’s specialty is meat and seafood. If he had to guess...
Best Vietnamese/Pho Food : Chez Thuy
When it comes to tantalizing, globally-inspired cuisine, Chey Thuy ticks all the boxes. Since 1993 the popular Vietnamese restaurant has been dazzling its diners with its delectable menu and energizing atmosphere. Known for its exciting, eclectic dishes, Chef Thuy...