Good food and drink tastes even better in a unique setting. At these restaurants, it’s all about the vibe, because why eat Mexican food in a mediocre setting when you can eat Mexican food next to a 30-foot waterfall and a taco puppet show?
From sipping a Mai Tai on the beach to hoisting a stein in Bavaria, these spots will take you to another place and time, no plane ticket or time machine required.
When you want to go: To tea in Tajikistan
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Probably the most transportive spot in town, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is, to put it as eloquently as we can, freaking stunning. It all started in the 1980s, on an oh-so-Boulder quest for peace and harmony via a sister city. Our latitude twin Dushanbe, Tajikistan, got the nod, and 40 generous Tajik artisans got to work hand-carving and painting the work-of-art teahouse to commemorate the sister city bond.
It was then disassembled, packed up, shipped here and rebuilt before it eventually opened to the public in 1998. You could stare at the carved plaster panels, colorful tiles, dozen cedar columns and centerpiece fountain for hours and still not see everything, so instead of taking up a table all day, you’ll probably want to make multiple trips here. The 100-plus teas and Michelin-recommended global menu aren’t too shabby, either. 1770 13th St., Boulder, boulderteahouse.com
When you want to go: To a tropical beach
Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant & Bar
It’s hard to believe that just a few years back, this thatch-roofed, puffer fish light-filled bar was just another Outback Steakhouse. But the steaks have been swapped for spam musubi and the Bloomin’ Onions have been replaced by mango shrimp at Longmont’s first tiki bar.
Here, you can sip Mai Tais and Zombies and gaze upon all kinds of quirky nautical decor—including a massive pirate ship bar. Grab a frozen piña colada and pretend you’re on an island somewhere—not 5,000 feet above sea level in the middle of a snowstorm. 1315 Dry Creek Dr., Longmont, swaylostiki.com
When you want to go: Back in time
The Sink
To experience Boulder, like to really, truly experience Boulder, you have to go to The Sink. The cartoon-, art-, graffiti- and scribble-covered walls and ceilings should probably be deemed a historic landmark, and not just because the divey pizza and beer joint is where Robert Redford worked as a janitor in the 1950s. (But he really did!)
Some of the wall murals, including the iconic Sink Angel and Sink Devil, were painted by beatnik artists, and there’s no better place than inside these hallowed walls to transport you back to Boulder as it used to be. Enjoy more than 100 years of history in a single meal (or two). 1165 13th St., Boulder, thesink.com
When you want to go: To Mexico, but with puppets and South Park characters
Casa Bonita
Stepping into the 50-year-old pink palace isn’t just like visiting another place, it’s like entering an entirely different dimension. One where teenagers dive off 30-foot waterfalls, taco puppets hold court, South Park’s Cartman always mans a table and a guy named Black Bart has a mysterious cave.
If this sounds kind of strange, well, it is, but it’s also downright magical. Plan on spending a few hours exploring the 52,000-square-foot wonderland, maybe not raving about the food and raising your table flag for sopaipillas at least twice. 6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, casabonitadenver.com
When you want to go: To a European pub, preferably during Oktoberfest
Bohemian Biergarten
Sometimes you just need to hoist a stein full of Hefeweizen in a rustic old tavern where lederhosen and dirndls are perfectly acceptable attire. Noticing Boulder’s lack of European-style pubs, a Czech Republic native got to work filling the jägerschnitzel-sized hole in Boulder’s eating and drinking scene.
The result is Bohemian Biergarten, an early 20th-century inspired European gastropub, complete with tables and chairs carved from 150-year-old reclaimed lumber, vintage light fixtures and authentic German glassware. Prost! 2017 13th St., Boulder, bohemianbiergarten.com
When you want to go: To the Japanese countryside
Domo
When the weather’s nice and spring has sprung, Domo’s tranquil, cherry tree-filled garden might be the best table in town. But even in the deadest of winter, Domo’s Japanese farmhouse-style interior makes nearby Colfax Avenue feel a million miles away.
Loaded with a museum’s worth of Japanese fans, dishes, tools and other artifacts, and anchored by an old cotton tree from the property, it’s impossible not to feel at peace in this very special setting. The traditional Japanese fare of curry, dipping udon noodles and katsu don is just as delectable as the atmosphere. 1365 Osage St., Denver, facebook.com/domorestaurantdenver
When you want to go: Back to mid-century Rome
Stella’s Cucina
Stella’s nondescript gray door and ho-hum entry probably won’t have you expecting much out of the Italian bistro. But once you walk through the hallway that leads to the dining room, your jaw will be on the floor.
The super-chic, art deco-inspired room is unlike any place in town, with style on par with the most cosmopolitan cities. There’s a lot of curves, white and sheen, but there’s also a whole lot of good food and drink—Stella’s Cucina comes with the Michelin Guide’s recommendation, too. 1123 Walnut St., Boulder, stellascucina.com
