Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Boulder Area

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Community Supper Club

4.9

4.9 (306)

$30 and under

American

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Community has always been an ever-evolving and ever-changing concept, but recently we decided to just dig in a bit and settle down. That’s the atmosphere and space we aspire to provide. A place for gatherings, a quick drink or snack, a rendezvous with an old friend; we are the neighborhood spot that hopes to feel like a second home to all of our friends.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

I can’t say enough about how wonderful this restaurant is. I was extremely surprised. I had been to Tavernetta last week and I can honestly say this dinner was better. The service is fantastic. The presentation is beautiful, the atmosphere is great. And the food, every single course from appetizers to entrée to dessert were perfection.

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 2 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.

The Post - Longmont

4.7

4.7 (252)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Longmont

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

Lindsey

Dined on May 16, 2025

Great food as usual. The original chicken and waffles were much better than 2.0. Did not have enough space for the amount of people we reserved for and it was too loud to interact as a large group. The waitress did great with the extra requests from our group.

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Popular dish

FRIED HALF CHICKEN

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Biscuit

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Tenders

Ghost Box Pizza

4.7

4.7 (190)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Lafayette

About the restaurant

Ghost Box Pizza by Stem Ciders is Colorado's newest pizza restaurant located in the heart of old town Lafayette, cooking up Detroit Style & wood fired pizzas, salads, and sandwiches paired with Colorado's best craft beverages. Enjoy lunch, dinner, drinks and good times daily out on the front patio by the fire pit, or Follow the Ghost... inside and downstairs to the lounge for games and more good times for the whole family.

Trivia Tuesdays * Reservations encouraged.
Happy Hours 4-6 M-Fri |
Dine in and earn POINTS!

Top review

SarahVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We had the June bbq special pizza - delicious! We also got to try the lavender cider - highly recommend!

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Experience

Kids Eat Free on Mondays

Experience

Weekly Tuesday Trivia | Geeks Who Drink

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 5 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.

SALT - Boulder

4.6

4.6 (2131)

$30 and under

American

Boulder

About the restaurant

If your desired time is not showing availability, please give us a call (303)444-7258.

At SALT, our passionate commitment to sustainability inspires everything we do. We source quality ingredients from local farms and believe the shortest distance from the farm to the table is best. We only serve grass-finished beef, humanely raised chicken and pork, and we purchase Wisdom Farm eggs from Haxtun, Colorado. By sourcing locally, we know where our produce comes from and the person who grew it. Not only does this showcase what farmers in Colorado do so well, but it gives our guests the opportunity to support their neighbors and friends. Our food bridges the gap between healthy, delicious, and sustainable, creating a unique experience for our guests.

Top review

AUDRA

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service! The food was delicious and worth going out for.

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.

West End Tavern

4.5

4.5 (537)

$30 and under

Pub

Boulder

About the restaurant

Named "Best Bar" by 5280 Magazine and The Daily Camera, this American Tavern has been a Boulder tradition for decades...while consistently reinventing itself. West End Tavern's chefs create delicious, home-style cuisine that features Boulder's best BBQ, juicy burgers, fantastic salads, and creative daily specials.

Top review

John

Dined 4 days ago

Awesome welcoming staff👍👍Had reservation for rooftop and walked us right in. Started raining and they invited us in seamlessly. Super fun and great food. Make sure you engage in the womens center fundraiser❤️

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Centro Mexican Kitchen

4.1

4.1 (586)

$30 and under

Mexican

Boulder

About the restaurant

We're a fun, Colorado-inspired Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Boulder along the iconic Pearl Street Mall. Our bustling bar specializes in festive cocktails and our year-round covered patio offers some of Boulder's best people watching.

Top review

garth

Dined 6 days ago

Has been a great place for years. This was a birthday dinner and the staff went the extra mile to make it a great celebration. Many thanks to everyone.

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