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Boulder is a city of many accolades: it’s the second-best city in the US for quality of life, the tenth best place to live overall—and, according to Bon Appétit, it’s also America’s Foodiest Town.
Perhaps no place proves the worthiness of that reputation better than Pearl Street, a mile-long strip in the heart of downtown Boulder lined with dozens of shops, bookstores, cafes—and, of course, world-class restaurants.
But it’s not just Pearl Street; Boulder is full of great dining options. Explore some of our top recommendations for food and drink on Pearl Street and beyond and discover what makes Boulder one of the top food destinations in the country!
A Brief History of Pearl Street
Pearl Street is essentially as old as Boulder itself; it was part of the original townsite founded in 1859 and is said to have been named after the wife of one of the town’s founders. In its earliest days, Boulder served as a supply town for gold prospectors venturing up into the surrounding mountains, and Pearl Street quickly became the town’s main commercial thoroughfare.
Over the years, the commercial district expanded, and the street was improved—first with horse-drawn and then electric streetcars, before finally being paved to accommodate automobiles in the early 20th century. By the 1950s and 60s, however, the growth of the city meant that commercial activity was more spread out, and Pearl Street became somewhat neglected.
That’s why, in 1966, some enterprising citizens launched an effort to revitalize the old downtown and restore Pearl Street to its former glory; ten years later, when the project was completed, Pearl Street was reborn as an outdoor pedestrian mall, combining historic facades that bore witness to the town’s earliest days with the district’s future as, in the words of one of the mall’s designers, the “cultural heart and soul” of Boulder.
10 Must-Eat Examples of Boulder’s Bounty
A key part of what makes Pearl Street Boulder’s “cultural heart and soul” is its food scene—so let’s take a look at some of the top food offerings along Pearl Street and in the surrounding area.
1. Boulder Farmers Market
Boulder’s food culture might be best encapsulated by the Boulder Farmers Market, located just a few blocks off Pearl Street. For almost 40 years, this market has given residents the opportunity to meet and buy directly from Colorado farmers, ranchers, bakers, beekeepers, brewers, and vendors of all types. It attracts large crowds every Saturday morning from April to November and Wednesday evening from May to October.
Large crowds regularly turn out for the Boulder Farmers Market to shop from local farmers and vendors. (Photo Credit: Kirsten Boyer Photography)
The dedication to local, sustainable food production and high-quality artisanal preparation that’s on display at the farmers market can also be found at many other restaurants and businesses throughout the city, making this possibly the defining characteristic of Boulder’s food scene.
2. Basta & Dry Storage
A prime example of this local emphasis can be found at Basta, an Italian-inspired restaurant near Colorado University-Boulder’s East Campus. Serving up dishes like hamachi crudo, burrata with eggplant caponata, and handmade pizzas from their wood-fired oven, this new classic has been recognized with the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand, signifying excellent quality at a reasonable price.
But these accolades are only half of the story. The restaurant’s owners run another business next door—Dry Storage, a mill and bakery dedicated to milling local Colorado grains with a focus on sustainability and quality. Dry Storage provides Basta with fresh sourdough and focaccia (in addition to flour for their pizzas), and it also sells its products to other restaurants and businesses in the area. This synergy between local food production and top-notch preparation describes Boulder in a nutshell.
3. Blackbelly
Diners looking for a farm-to-table experience should also check out Blackbelly, a restaurant and butcher located in East Boulder. Run by Top Chef winner Chef Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly has achieved recognition for its dedication to serving locally sourced products—forging relationships with area ranchers to bring customers the freshest, highest quality ingredients and running a unique whole-animal butchery program that makes use of the entire animal.
Owing to its dedication to local ingredients and responsible preparation, Blackbelly has been awarded Michelin’s Green Star, a prestigious award honoring leaders in sustainable food practices.
4. Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
From the hyper-local to the global, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse provides an unforgettable experience. Nestled in the city’s downtown—between the farmers market and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art—this ornately designed space is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the appetite.
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse features beautiful handcrafted adornments by Tajik artisans.
A gift from Boulder’s sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the Teahouse features beautiful handmade ceramic tiles, carved cedar columns, intricate plaster panels, and hammered copper sculptures inspired by a 12th-century Persian poem. The menu includes traditional Tajik dishes like shish kabob and plov in addition to options inspired by other global cuisines ranging from Malaysia and Morocco to Peru.
5. Brasserie Ten Ten
For another international experience, Brasserie Ten Ten on Walnut Street is an excellent choice. Forced to close during the pandemic, the restaurant has recently made a triumphant return—once again giving diners the opportunity to transport themselves to a classic Parisian bistro, complete with crisp white tablecloths, sophisticated décor, and essential dishes like Salade Niçoise, Bouillabaisse, and Cassoulet.
In addition to furnishing a wonderful dining experience, Brasserie Ten Ten has also often collaborated with Escoffier to offer training and experience to culinary students.
6. Stella’s Cucina
One block up the road, Stella’s Cucina brings diners a menu of pan-Italian cuisine in an exquisite Art Deco atmosphere. Stella’s dishes are representative of Italy’s many regions, and ingredients are sourced from both local Colorado and Italian producers.
Stella’s is not only popular for its food, but also for its cocktails and lively atmosphere.
The restaurant also features live music and a small dance floor, as well as a beautiful bar for patrons to enjoy craft cocktails and take in the entertainment.
7. Frasca Food & Wine
For truly special occasions, diners may choose to visit Pearl Street’s Frasca Food & Wine—a fine dining establishment specializing in cuisine from the northeast Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Partner and Master Sommelier Bobby Stucky is also a friend of Escoffier and recently spoke at the Boulder campus.
Fresca has been a fixture of the Boulder food scene for years and, in 2023, was awarded its first Michelin Star. Offering immaculately plated dishes from prix fixe and tasting menus, Frasca seeks to honor the warm hospitality and focus on great wine and high-quality local produce of its Italian inspiration.
8. OAK at Fourteenth
Another great special-occasion spot and Pearl Street mainstay is OAK at Fourteenth. In its own words, OAK serves “the best of American cuisine: woodfired, seasonal, American food and beverages that are simple, nostalgic, and artisanal”; think dry-aged ribeye with yukon potatoes, charred gem lettuces, and garlic aioli, or roast salmon with caramelized sunchoke and brussels sprouts. The restaurant changes its menu seasonally to highlight local ingredients, and offers patrons a curated wine pairing experience to elevate their meal.
OAK at Fourteenth serves up elevated American cuisine, from roast salmon to dry-aged ribeye. (Photo Credit: Lucy Beaugard)
Co-owner Brian Dayton also owns the nearby Corrida, a Spanish-inspired eatery focusing on “regenerative ranching” (responsibly sourced beef) and boasting a rooftop patio with unobstructed views of the majestic Flatirons—a series of mountainous peaks overlooking the city of Boulder.
9. Rio Grande
Those in the mood for a more laid-back dining experience might head across the street to Rio Grande, a longtime Boulder favorite serving Tex-Mex standards with a side of spectacular rooftop views. Their fresh margaritas alongside dishes like pan-seared Mahi Mahi tacos and classics like tostadas, fajitas, and chiles rellenos have been beloved by diners looking for a fun, casual, and delicious time for many years.
10. Local Breweries
Finally, no discussion of Boulder’s culinary scene would be complete without mentioning one key component—beer! With nearly 20 breweries in and around Boulder, the local beer scene has plenty for enthusiasts to explore.
Some highlights include the Avery Brewing Company, which features a taproom boasting more than 30 beers on draft alongside a full food menu, and the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery, known for its constantly rotating roster of seasonal brews, eclectic menu, and unique “karma envelope” payment system (if you can’t pay on the spot, they’ll give you an envelope so that you can mail a check later). Mountain Sun has a few locations around Boulder—including one in South Boulder, a stone’s throw away from Escoffier’s Boulder Campus.
Could You See Yourself Here?
With its bounty of wonderful restaurants combined with its easy access to a stunning natural setting, it’s no wonder Boulder ranks so highly on quality-of-life lists.
This is the environment that surrounds students in the Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs at Escoffier’s Boulder Campus as they pursue their culinary passions.
If you think you could see yourself here, check out our Boulder Campus to learn more about what Boulder—and Escoffier—could have to offer you!
