Cafe Aion

Boulder’s culinary scene has a wealth of restaurants committed to working with the local community, bringing sustainable and high-quality ingredients to its diners in the heart of Colorado. Here are the 10 best restaurants in Boulder.
Bradford Heap brings the flavours of Southern French and Northern Italian cuisine to Colterra’s tables, with dishes such as the pan roasted Petaluma chicken breast – served with local French beans, polenta, turnips, foraged porcini mushroom jus and a white truffle essence. The restaurant’s name comes from the Latin ‘to cultivate’, highlighting its commitment to using local produce to feed the ‘body, mind and health’ of its customers. Located just on the outskirts of Boulder, the patio dining area is a perfect setting to enjoy Colterra’s fresh offerings. The restaurant is also hosting several wine evenings and events throughout October and November, including a Thanksgiving Feast for $55 per person on November 27th between 2-7pm.
Colterra, 210 Franklin St, Niwot, CO, USA +1 303-652-0777
Built into the mountainside, Flagstaff House Restaurant offers a breath-taking dining experience, overlooking the entire city. Originally built as a holiday cabin in 1929 by Hattie Bilchert, the Monettes family purchased the building in 1971 and opened it as an all-year-round fine-dining restaurant, adding the floor-to-ceiling windows to allow diners to experience the natural beauty of Boulder City Park. Still family-run, the restaurant is renowned for its impeccable, old-school service – perfect for if you’re celebrating a particularly special event. The maple bacon appetiser, pork tenderloin and sticky toffee pudding come highly recommended. The extravagance of the food is reflected in the price, but for a truly special and memorable dining experience Flagstaff should be top of your list.
Frasca’s culinary inspiration has roots in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy, a place where cultures merge and locals have a direct relationship with the land their food derives from. The menu is therefore, a blend of traditional rustic Italian fare with the sophistication of modern international influences. Frascas in Friuli are now few and far between, but originally they were meeting places for farmers to enjoy hearty meals and became synonymous with ideas of hospitality. Visit on a Monday for their weekly tasting menu, favourites include the Berkshire pork shoulder, the bombolini and the torta al cioccolato.
Frasca, 1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO, USA, +1 303-442-6966
‘Riffmaster’ John Platt spearheads the vibrant creations of Riff’s menu, artfully combining flavours to ensure a ‘thoughtful’ yet affordable dining experience in the heart of Boulder. Taking its name from jazz terminology, Riff’s creates its own interpretations of traditional American cuisine and allows diners to sample tasting plates until they find something that truly satisfies their cravings. A perfect venue for a relaxed evening with friends, recommendations include the short rib ravioli, the organic green salad – consisting of red grape, green apple, blue cheese and walnuts tossed in a light vinaigrette – and the warming apple pie served with a dash of Leopold Bros Applewood whiskey caramel.
Riff’s, 1115 Pearl St, Boulder, CO, USA, +1 303-440-6699