Blackbelly
One of Boulder's best. Definitely a meat-forward restaurant, but hard to go wrong wtih anything on their menu. One of our go-tos for a special dinner.
What to See & Do
We're excited for you to experience Colorado & understand why we love it here. Here's where we actually go.
Restaurants
Santo
New Mexican comfort food. Get the enchiladas - trust us.
The Hungry Toad
Casual, neighborhood spot with no pretense. Great place to have a Guinness and a burger.
Jillian's Pick
Pizzeria Alberico
Jillian's pick. She orders the arancini and a Braulio spritz every time.
Barchetta
Auto shop turned pizzeria. Great pizza and a wall of self-serve beer taps.
Tacos Ay Ay Ay
Authentic Mexican food & the best in Boulder County. Our go-to for Breakfast Burritos - pero ven con hambre!
Le Frigo
A French sandwich shop with a cheese cave. Fun fact - Matt missed multiple Sev 1 calls on Black Friday at Amazon because he was in the Cheese cave for too long.
Sherpas
Indian and Nepali food, with great Chai too.
Rosetta Hall
A nice food hall on Pearl Street with a rooftop bar with some of the best Flatiron views in town.
Dushanbe Teahouse
In 1987, Boulder's sister city in Tajikistan hand-built a Persian teahouse using 40 artisans and no power tools, packed it into 200 crates, and shipped it here as a gift. It sat in storage for nearly a decade before finally opening in 1998. It's the only authentic Persian teahouse in the Western Hemisphere, right on Boulder Creek. Great for lunch or brunch — and go for afternoon tea if you have time.
The Buff
Boulder's quintessential brunch spot, open since 1995. Expect a line on weekends - and expect a lot of leftovers.
Matt's Pick
Rincon Argentino
A family-run Argentine spot with the best Empanadas around. Tip - get the Tereré (yerba mate + orange juice + mint + agave) with your meal.
Bars
Avery Brewing
An OG in the US Craft Beer scene, and still one of the best around. Don't let the brewery name deceive you - the food here is awesome.
Flats Beer Garden
On a nice day, this place can't be beat. An outdoor beer garden with stellar views of the Foothills
Bitter Bar
Classic cocktail bar, great list. A Boulder staple.
Avanti F&B
Another food hall & bar in downtown Boulder. Great rooftop, clear views of the Flatirons, and a huge beer + cocktail list. A great place to catch up with friends and family.
Foxglove
Worth the short 15 minute trip to Lafayette (near where we live). More intimate, a little hidden, great cocktails. Lots of great places to eat around here too.
Coffee
Boxcar Coffee Roasters
A Boulder institution, regarded as one of the best roasters in the US. Get a speciality drink here - it's worth it. Then get some beans to go.
Süti & Co.
A Scandinavian cafe tucked into a converted historic home just off Pearl. In addition to great lattes, they have excellent Danish shortbreads and pastries. A great place for Fika!
Matt's Pick
The Coffee Ride
A cool bike-themed coffee roaster, with some of the best beans around. They deliver beans locally via - you guessed it - bike.
Moxie
Up in North Boulder, worth the detour. A James Beard-nominated bakery milling its own heirloom grains on-site. Get a Sourdough loaf for your hotel room - we're confident it'll be gone before you leave town.
Hiking
Trails are basically everywhere here. A few we love:
Sanitas
Boulder classic. A little steep but very rewarding with great views. One of the first hikes we did in Boulder! (If you are having a hard time with altitude, we'd recommend you avoid this one).
Shanahan Ridge
Quieter, approachable hike with beautiful views.
Enchanted Mesa
Starts right behind the Chautauqua auditorium, about 2.5 miles, easy. Wide path through pine forest with Flatiron views the whole way. If you like to trail-run, this is a good one!
Dry Creek
Easy and lovely. Good if you're easing into altitude.
Indian Peaks Wilderness
Head up to Nederland. Bigger commitment, big payoff. Note - you'll probably need to park at Nederland High School and take the shuttle.
Half-Day Trips
Gold Hill
A 20-minute drive up a dirt road to a tiny gold rush town. Get lunch at the Gold Hill Inn or grab something from the general store and sit outside. Fun fact for you folk music fans - Boulder resident Gregory Alan Isakov plays pop-ups here often.
Nederland
Our closest mountain town. Enjoy the trails, then get pizza from Crosscut. NJ folks - Knotted Root Brewery nearby is owned by a fellow New Jerseyan, and they brew a Taylor Ham Egg & Cheese beer every year.
Rocky Mountain National Park
An hour from Boulder. Even if you don't get out a ton, it's a nice drive and you will probably see some cool wildlife. Check permit restrictions!
Go Further
Late September is peak fall color in Colorado. If you're staying longer, you're in luck.
Buena Vista
Hot springs, rafting, camping - BV has a lot to offer. The town next to it - Salida - also rocks, and has the best NY style pizza we've had in Colorado.
Steamboat Springs
One of our all-time fav ski towns. Ask us about the time Jillian joined a locals only BBQ at the top of Steamboat on Closing Day (while Matt contemplated calling Search & Rescue at the base).
Crested Butte
About 4 hours from Boulder. One of the best fall color destinations in the state.
Telluride + Ouray
About 6 hours from Boulder. Drive the Million Dollar Highway when the aspens are gold - it's truly stunning.