16 Best Boulder Date Ideas

April 9, 2020 - Updated

Boulder has been named as the United States' happiest city, known for its gorgeous natural wonders and vibrant craft cuisine and brewery scene. After taking in city attractions such as the beautiful Flatirons craggy rock formations and the renowned Fiske Planetarium, dates can enjoy a wide variety of cuisine options throughout the city's downtown district, including acclaimed restaurants such as Mediterranean-themed The MED and farm-to-table favorite Wild Standard. Craft brewpubs such as Post Brewing Company brew their own beers on site, while restaurants such as Frasca Food and Wine are home to renowned wine lists, perfect for sharing bottles over dinner. Many of the city's restaurants are known for their one-of-a-kind architecture, from the traditional Tajikistan-style Boulder Dushanbe Tea House to the legendary Flagstaff House, located at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet above sea level.

1.Zolo Southwestern Grill

Zolo Southwestern Grill is a lively Southwestern-inspired dining destination located within the Village Boulder Shopping Center, best known for its extensive tequila library, which highlights more than 200 international varieties. The hip restaurant serves up south of the border cuisine infused with unique Coloradoan twists at lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service throughout the week, offering indoor and seasonal outdoor patio services for diners. Hearty entree options include classic Tex-Mex fare such as tamales, enchiladas, and rellenos, served up alongside modern fusion dishes such as sweet potato tacos and ancho chili-teriyaki chicken skewers. Brunch menus pair favorites such as huevos rancheros and stuffed French toast with bottomless mimosas or Mexican classics such as horchata.

2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-449-0444

2.Post Brewing Company

Post Brewing Company has been featured on the popular Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, known throughout the Boulder area for its delicious refreshing beers and elevated comfort fare. The brewpub, which offers four locations throughout the greater Boulder and Denver areas, serves up drafts of flagship ales such as its Mountain Nights Smoked Stout, GSD Everyday Ale, Ski Tan Red Lager, and Wet Hop Session IPA. Delicious crispy fried chicken dishes are prepared traditional or Nashville Hot style, all served gluten-free. Hearty dinner entrees include favorites such as shrimp and grits, cast-iron meatloaf, and chicken and waffles, while lighter sandwich fare ranges from fried chicken BLTs to blackened shrimp po'boys.

2027 13th St., Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 720-372-3341

3.Next Door American Eatery

Next Door American Eatery is a casual American-style eatery chain offering several locations throughout the American West, including a location in downtown Boulder. The informal diner is known for its affordable, sustainable fare, making it a great choice for dates on a budget and dates looking to minimize their carbon footprint alike. Menus emphasize options for diners with dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Dates can enjoy health-conscious veggie bowls, Southwest-style tagos, clever gastropub burgers, or hearty deli sandwich favorites such as Cubans and chicken salad. An impressive menu of regional beers on tap is complemented by signature margaritas, daiquiris, and zero-proof cocktails.

1035 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 720-542-8159

4.Corrida

Corrida is a sophisticated Spanish steakhouse located within Boulder's Pearl Street Mall, housed within the fourth floor of the Pearl West Building. Guests can try elevated Spanish-inspired fare at lunch, brunch, and dinner service throughout the week while enjoying gorgeous mountain views from the restaurant's dining room and seasonal deck seating. An extensive menu of tapas and pintxos are available for sharing with dates, including patatas con chorizo, croquetas de jamon, pimientos rellenos, and albondigas. High-quality cheese and charcuterie platters are also served, along with elegant prime filets, ribeyes, and seafood dishes such as wood-fired octopus with braised bacon and piquillo puree. Beverage options include gin tonics, vermouths, and imported Spanish beers.

1023 Walnut St #400, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-444-1333

5.Santo

Santo is a delicious New Mexican-style restaurant offering from executive chef Hosea Rosenberg, paying homage to his upbringing and hometown culture in Taos. The restaurant, which is named for the Spanish word for "saint," showcases a collection of hand-carved patron saint sculptures crafted by artist Leonard Salazar. Dinner service is offered seven days a week, highlighting hearty Southwestern-style entrees such as heirloom blue corn enchiladas, wood-oven-fired Manila clams cooked in mezcal and absinthe, and tacos prepared with diners' choice of braised lengua, pork adovada, and roasted vegetables. Land and sea offerings range from apple jalapeno chutney pork chops to signature smashed green chile cheeseburgers served with kennebec fries.

1265 Alpine Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304, Phone: 303-442-6100

6.Roadhouse

Roadhouse is a unique dining experience housed within the historic Boulder Train Depot, located in the city's downtown district at the corner of Pearl and 30th Streets. The restaurant, which was opened in 2015, is the latest offering from the city's Roadhouse Holiday Group, known for their work at regional favorites such as Spanky's Roadhouse. Couples can dine in for brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night service throughout the week, enjoying an extensive menu of elevated American gastropub fare. Build-your-own burgers offer topping options such as jalapeno cream cheese, kimchi, and fried eggs, while gluten-free and traditional flatbread pizzas come in varieties such as truffle mushroom and prosciutto asparagus. Clever shareable appetizers such as potato chip nachos can be paired with extensive selections of craft beer, wine, and cocktails.

2366 Junction Place, Boulder, CO 80301, Phone: 303-443-2167

7.Black Cat Boulder

Black Cat Boulder was opened in 2006 by married duo Jill and Eric Skokan, named in honor of its supposedly unlucky location on downtown Boulder's 13th Street. The charming neighborhood bistro, which is housed within the Pearl Street Mall, is known for its inventive New American entree options, which are prepared with organic ingredients cultivated from the couple's Black Cat Farm facility. Three-course dinner menus highlight entree options such as oaxaca arancini and Colorado striped bass paired with elegant desserts like oeufs à la neige with poached meringue and caramel cream. Chef's tasting menus are also available, showcasing daily-rotating selections paired with premium wine offerings.

1964 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-444-5500

8.The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House

The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House is one of Boulder's top tourist attractions, known as one of the city's best spots for high-quality tea fare. The restaurant is nestled within beautiful Central Park along the banks of Boulder Creek, originally constructed according to Central Asian design traditions in Tajikistan and presented as a sister city gift to the city in 1990. Spectacular interior design elements include a mihrab motif "Tree of Life" panel series, an intricately-painted ceiling, and a series of sculptures meant to evoke the Nizami Ganjavi poem The Seven Beauties. Brunch and lunch service is offered throughout the week, highlighting Persian-style entrees such as tajik shish kabobs, chickpea kefta, and khoresh bademjan.

1770 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-442-4993

9.Riff's Urban Fare

Riff's Urban Fare is a lively restaurant offering from the team behind popular dining spot Q's Restaurant, housed within Boulder's Pearl Street Mall shopping center. The restaurant is named for the term meaning improvised refrains, mirroring the restaurant's commitment to lively, inventive fare crafted by executive chef John Platt. Entree offerings focus on land and sea fare such as parmesan garlic rosemary chicken, golden potato gnocchi, and grilled smoked pork loin with sweet pepper sofrito and Spanish olives. House specialty Colorado beef burgers can be topped with diners' choice of additions such as tender belly bacon, green chiles, or fried eggs. Clever craft cocktails highlight unique ingredients such as lavender flowers, lemongrass reduction, and turmeric shrub.

1115 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-440-6699

10.Rincon Argentino

Rincon Argentino is a traditional Argentinian-style eatery located within the Village Boulder Shopping Center, opened in 2012 by Buenos Aires natives Christian and Karly Saber. The restaurant serves up classic Argentinian empanadas and entrees prepared with market-fresh ingredients, including a commitment to serving only locally-raised, natural meats. Empanada flavors served up throughout the day range from spicy steak and ground beef options to unique flavors such as caprese, spinach, and crimini and shiitake mushroom. Gluten-free tarta pies are also served, along with traditional Milanese, lomito, and tostado sandwiches. Imported Argentinian beers are served throughout the day, as well as yerba mate teas and espresso beverages.

2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-442-4133

11.Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant

Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant is a delightful health-conscious restaurant offering alternative menu options for couples with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The restaurant sources all of its ingredients from nearby Lafayette farm Three Leaf Farm, focusing on organic produce, free-range eggs, and sustainably-produced meats. Lunch and dinner service are offered daily, with brunch menus available on the weekends. Couples can share small plates such as buffalo cauliflower tacos, avocado tartare, and calamari-style oyster mushrooms. Entree options draw on international influences, ranging from Creole-style polenta and Jamaican jerk tempeh to Persian-style grilled eggplant and udon noodles with Szechuan-style vegetables.

1710 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-442-1485

12.Frasca Food and Wine

Frasca Food and Wine is one of Boulder's finest Italian restaurants, taking its culinary inspiration from northeast Italy's gorgeous subalpine Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The restaurant is the vision of executive chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey, who have crafted unique quattro piatto and Friulano tradizionale-style tasting menus for couples to enjoy Mondays through Saturdays. Decadent pasta options include fava bean orecchiette, pork sausage and nettle gnocchi, and short rib gnudi with espresso. High-quality charcuterie and antipasto make for great shareable plates, while delicious desserts such as raspberry peppercorn panna cotta and white chocolate passionfruit tartes serve as perfect sweet treats. A comprehensive wine list showcases more than 200 international varieties by the glass or by the bottle.

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-442-6966

13.Flagstaff House

Flagstaff House has been named as one of America's most romantic restaurants by OpenTable, offering a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience atop gorgeous Flagstaff Mountain. The restaurant is located at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet above sea level, housed within the Flagstaff House historic building, which was originally constructed as a summer cabin home in 1929 and transformed into a restaurant in 1971. Today, the Forbes Four Star and AAA-Four Diamond restaurant is helmed by executive chef Chris Royster, known for its breathtaking New American cuisine and internationally-renowned wine list, which has received the acclaimed Wine Spectator Grand Award each year since 1983.

1138 Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-442-4640

14.The MED

The MED has been named as Boulder's best restaurant by the Best of Boulder Awards, noted as one of the city's favorite first date destinations for its high-quality shareable tapas and affordable happy hour drinks. The Mediterranean-themed restaurant has been a staple on the downtown Boulder dining scene for more than two decades, offering lunch, dinner, and early and late happy hour service throughout the week. Excellent tapas options are crafted by executive chef Corey Cunningham, focusing on flavors and traditions common to Spain, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, and Morocco. Shareable family-style paellas make great date treats, served up alongside a world-class beer, wine, and cocktail program.

1002 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 303-444-5335

15.Brasserie Ten Ten

Brasserie Ten Ten is a delightful French-style bistro in downtown Boulder, originally opened to the public in 2003. The charming bistro is best known as the home of the famed Le Grand seafood tower, which stuffs three tiers to the brim with steamed shrimp, fresh mussels, lobster salad, and raw oysters. Refined entrees such as brique poulet, steak frites, and bouillabaisse are served up throughout the week at lunch and dinner, paired with an extensive selection of Colorado craft beers, fine wines, and signature cocktails. At brunch, diners can choose from delicious plates such as duck confit hash and traditional eggs Benedict paired with housemade cinnamon rolls, eclairs, and croissants.

1011 Walnut Street, Boulder CO 80302, Phone: 303-998-1010

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16.Wild Standard

Wild Standard is the newest offering from the restaurant group behind Boulder's popular dining destinations Colterra and SALT, open for dinner and happy hour service nightly throughout the week. The farm-to-table restaurant, opened in 2015, emphasizes environmental sustainability in all of its cooking operations, making it a great choice for couples looking to minimize their environmental footprint. Sampler menus highlight delicious seafood options such as tuna poke, snow crab claws, West Coast oysters, and octopus escabeche, served up in courses with optional beverage pairings. A la carte entrees are also available, including chili pepper rockfish filets with Israeli couscous and wild Alaskan sockeye salmon prepared with locally-sourced vegetables. A high-quality beverage program focuses on biodynamic wines and cocktails named after famous women in history.

1043 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, Phone: 720-638-4800