Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Boulder Area

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Boulder Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cozobi Fonda Fina

4.9

4.9 (219)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Boulder

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Daniel

Dined 4 days ago

None of the food disappointed. The orange chili hamachi might have been the best dish we ate all night. Everything was a treat!

Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar - Pearl St. Boulder

4.8

4.8 (1318)

$30 and under

Sushi

Boulder

About the restaurant

The name Hapa is derived from the Hawaiian term that describes a harmonious blend of Asian and American cultures. Like our name, our food reflects this dynamic combination. The menu is based on traditional Japanese cooking fundamentals which are then amplified, muted, or mixed with influences from many different styles of cooking until they are something completely new: they're Hapa. We have stretched the boundaries of creativity to develop dishes that defy all the rules while holding true to our roots. We hope that you will find our menu innovative, uninhibited, and distinctly fun! Incomplete parties will not be sat until complete.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic sushi and a very creative menu attentive service

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4.8

4.8 (1554)

$30 and under

Sushi

Boulder

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

DEBRAVIP

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

We love the service and food at Japango. We are original customers and it is always consistently delicious, fresh and our go to sushi place in Boulder.

Carelli's Ristorante Italiano

4.7

4.7 (1288)

$30 and under

Italian

Boulder

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Mark

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful Italian food, good service, and a great atmosphere. One of our favorite restaurants in the area. 😊

Stella's Cucina

4.7

4.7 (772)

$50 and over

Italian

Boulder

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

ReidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely stunning modern sleek interior, the staff was 100% five star! The menu was absolutely stunning with creative choices that left us very satisfied! The chef is immensely talented and very personable as he made his way around the restaurant greeting the guests.

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Experience

Cellar Series - Brunello

Experience

Cellar Series - Sicilia

High Country

4.7

4.7 (106)

$30 and under

American

Boulder

About the restaurant

Experience innovative New American Cuisine in the Heart of Downtown Boulder.
From the Vaquero Flank Steak to our best selling Summit Bowl, everything is sourced right here in Colorado. A Phenomenal Beer selection, Craft Cocktails, and Organic Wines seal the deal!

Top review

Erin

Dined 1 day ago

Sat outside for dinner on July 4. Ordered the chicken sandwich, salad, fries and Mac and cheese between us. Everything was great

Mister Oso Boulder

4.7

4.7 (12)

$30 and under

Mexican

Boulder

About the restaurant

Our team continues to explore the playful and flavorful menu at Mister Oso with rotating taco dishes, Peruvian cebiche, and crudo, as well as crave-worthy vegetarian offerings. The vibrant energetic atmosphere lends itself perfectly to a night out with friends or casual date night. The transportive vibes are enhanced with the tropical plants and decor as the seasonal menu and agave-spirits cocktail bar afford a micro vacation from the bustle of Boulder. Our inventive Non-Alcoholic Agua Fresca cocktail program ensures that everyone gets to enjoy a delicious, hand-crafted beverage.

Top review

MarcVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great menu. Loved the tacos! The steak was tender and flavorful but needed larger portions for the price. The service was excellent! Patio dining was very nice.

Corner Bar

4.6

4.6 (586)

$30 and under

American

Boulder

About the restaurant

Located inside Hotel Boulderado on the corner of Spruce and 13th streets, The Corner Bar is the ideal location for a quick lunch, a lively Happy Hour, a great late-night meal, or the perfectly poured Martini. This spacious restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating with a large wrap-around patio featuring plenty of room for social distancing and fun.

Top review

RebeccaVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Awesome as always! Love the food and the patio. Such a nice place to meet up before a show at the Boulder Theater.

The Post Brewing Company - Lafayette

4.6

4.6 (733)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Lafayette

About the restaurant

At The Post, we brew delicious, award-winning beers and fry up the crispiest, juiciest hot chicken around. We serve it with our kitchen's take on vegetarian and seafood dishes, fresh salads, farm fresh and innovative sides - classics remade for modern times and tastes. We make the traditional, uncommonly memorable

Top review

heenaVIP

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Everyone that works here is so nice. Service is super!

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Acreage by Stem Ciders

4.4

4.4 (1702)

$31 to $50

American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Acreage, the first culinary venture from Stem Ciders, is a collaboration by Stem and Colorado Farmers, bringing you the freshest ingredients on the front range. Born from an inspiring landscape and dynamic team, Acreage brings the urban cider house experience found in Stem's RiNo restaurant and taproom, to the countryside with elevated dishes and views that are healthy for your soul.

Acreage is located about 5 minutes from downtown Lafayette with the best view in Colorado, with a huge outdoor space for all ages to enjoy. Playground, hammocks, mountain views and lots of Cider!

**Please review the descriptions for the different Seating Areas on our website before making a reservation**
If you are looking at an experience, and it's unavailable, it's likely that time is booked, try another time or give us a call! www.acreageco.com

Top review

Angie

Dined 5 days ago

Great service delicious drinks, fun to let the kids play and adults visit and eat!

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