This restaurant is one of the more popular places to go for sushi in Denver. Its menu also offers tempura, teriyaki, and a variety of traditional Japanese soups like Udon, but the sushi is the best bet. The atmosphere is often lively with patrons crowding just inside the door, friendly hostesses, waiters and waitresses buzzing around, and plenty of noise coming from the dining room. The Sushi Den is known for bringing out the local trendsetters and is the place to be seen. Lunchtime, however, is more relaxed and quiet.
Despite the tuxedo-clad wait staff this place is upscale without seeming overly pretentious. Inviting leather couches surround a cozy fireplace, making its cigar lounge a special place for enjoying a fine single malt scotch. All of their steaks come in generous portions and are large enough to share. Seafood options like salmon, tuna and lobster are worth trying. But most impressive of all is the wine list, which is extensive enough to come with CliffsNotes! Whether you're wanting to have an intimate romantic dinner or a fancy business meal, the restaurant even offers private dining and boardroom meeting facilities.
Ozo Coffee is the perfect place to unwind with a cup while visiting the busy Pearl Street Mall. There are three other Ozo locations in the city in addition to its 'Roastery' where you can also visit for wholesale purchases. As with most purveyors of fair-trade coffee beans, the proprietors here focus exclusively on how the beans come to market and how they are obtained. Nonetheless, to say they take their coffee seriously is an understatement, with glass beakers, sieves and other mad-scientist tools used to extract the perfect cup, Ozo definitely knows coffee.
What makes OAK at Fourteenth stand apart from other restaurants? It's the fact that restaurant uses an oak-fired oven and grill, giving the food that distinct, smoky taste. Ingredients used here are fresh and locally grown, and also organic. The pasta's are prepared in-house and the Kale salad is magnificent. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes with Tuna tartar and the Yuzu Guacamole is out of this world.
Boulder's sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan, donated this ornate building to the City of Boulder in the mid-1980's. Builders imported and erected more than 30 tons of material to build the structure, which was finished in 1988. It quickly assumed a prominent role in Boulder history and today it's a popular gathering place among locals. In addition to tea, this quirky little spot serves an array of exotic dishes, try the Burmese Coconut Curry and Tajik Plov or the Koresht Bodemjoon which is an Iranian eggplant and beef stew. Open for lunch and dinner, check website for full menus and other event information.
This funky pizza joint, The Sink, on University Hill is one of the best student budget spots in town. The fact that Robert Redford once worked as a janitor here during his short stint at CU is their claim to fame, yet celebrities and dignitaries continue to visit for the burgers, even President Obama once visited. The pizzeria stays open till late, making it popular with the college crowd. It offers three crust choices based on density. Food is made from scratch and they always feature the choice of 100 percent grass-fed beef. Sandwiches, pizzas, salads, calzones-oven baked pizza, you name it; you will find at the Sink.
Concertos in Chocolate may not be the most conveniently located chocolate and sweets shop in Boulder County, but it is indefinitely worth the effort of seeking out. Located just behind and next to the Gunbarrel Shopping Center, Concertos in Chocolate is a great place to get away from the city for a bit while indulging your sweet tooth. With a huge selection of freshly made truffles, caramels, toffees, confectionaries, and even marzipans and chocolate fruit, there's something for everyone at Concerts in Chocolate. The prices are affordable and packages of single, half-dozen, and dozens of chocolates are available, as well as special catering packages for events. Concertos in Chocolate truly is worth the extra drive for the best chocolate in Boulder. - Sabrina Zirakzadeh
Despite its hidden location inside the downtown Denver Club building, you don't need to be a member of some exclusive club to check it out - it is open to the public. It features a fist full of homemade salads ranging from red skin potato to caesar pasta. Its sandwiches, which in true deli tradition feature specialty names like the West Coast Manager, and the Auditor, are many and include vegetarian choices.
Amu is a small Japanese bistro and sake bar located just off of the west end of the Pearl Street Mall. Amu's location means that it is easy to get to, but just out of the way enough that it is not as busy as the rest of that popular stretch of downtown Boulder. The menu is authentic Japanese; it features sushi and sashimi and a few appetizers, perfect for a quick meal and a drink rather than a huge feast. The drink menu is impressive, including both a large selection of sake and Japanese drinks as well as wine and local brews. Another benefit is that all of the food is a la carte, so it's extremely affordable.
Vinh Xuong Bakery is a locally-run business specializing in Vietnamese and Continental cuisine. The place is famous for its healthy menu with both vegan and gluten free options. Owned by Vinh Xuong, the place was first opened by his father more than 20 years ago. They now have two outlets in Denver, one is located in Alameda Avenue and the other is in Federal Boulevard. In addition to food, the place has also gained popularity for serving arguably the best coffee in the neighborhood.
This restaurant is one of the more popular places to go for sushi in Denver. Its menu also offers tempura, teriyaki, and a variety of traditional Japanese soups like Udon, but the sushi is the best bet. The atmosphere is often lively with patrons crowding just inside the door, friendly hostesses, waiters and waitresses buzzing around, and plenty of noise coming from the dining room. The Sushi Den is known for bringing out the local trendsetters and is the place to be seen. Lunchtime, however, is more relaxed and quiet.
The Buff Restaurant, is one of Boulder's older restaurants and considered one of the best breakfast spots in town. Its named after the university mascot, and here the friendly owners offer affordable breakfasts alongside southwestern and traditional American lunches. Many of the burgers are made with Bison instead of beef, however both are available upon request, and if you've never tried Bison before, it's a healthier alternative to beef and some say tastes better! The breakfasts are delicious and huge, the staff friendly and prompt even during rushes, and overall, The Buff is simply one of the best restaurants in Boulder.