From fresh, farm-to-table fare to creative cocktails, Boulder County culinary pros never fail to amaze us with their delicious creations.
If you’re looking for a new place to eat or drink this spring and summer, consider checking out one of these new (and newly reimagined!) restaurants, eateries, bars and coffee shops.
Postino
Boulder, prepare to meet your new favorite hangout: Postino.
Postino is a wine bar, but it’s far from stuffy. In fact, it has the perfect laid-back vibe and whimsical, vintage decor for any occasion, whether a girls’ night out on the town, a co-worker happy hour or a romantic date night. In addition to an expertly curated list of wines-by-the-glass and bottles, Postino also has tons of craft beer on tap and in cans.
On the food front, Postino’s many varieties of bruschetta are the stars of the show — from classics like tomato, basil and mozzarella to more adventurous pairings, like ricotta, dates and pistachio. But this eatery also shines when it comes to hearty salads and mouthwatering paninis. Postino’s “snacky things,” aka appetizers, are also delicious and innovative, ranging from fan-favorite meatballs and goat cheese to sweet potato wedges served with a zippy Calabrian chili tahini.
The concept started back in 2015, with the opening of the first-ever Postino in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. Since then, the brand has expanded to several other Colorado spots, as well as Arizona, Texas, California and Georgia.
Located right downtown, at 1468 Pearl St., Postino’s expansive patio is also a prime people-watching spot. So order a glass of wine and a bruschetta board, kick back, relax and enjoy yourself as the weather warms up in Boulder.
Marigold
Tucked into an assuming spot along Main Street in Lyons is Marigold, a tiny restaurant that packs a big punch. Marigold is the brainchild of chef Theo Adley, an alum of fine-dining establishments like Frasca in Boulder and The Little Nell in Aspen. Now, he’s decided to open up his own eatery and, wow, does he deliver.
On a recent Friday evening, the intimate 40-seat restaurant (504 Main St.) was buzzing with diners enjoying market-driven cuisine with Northern Italian and Southern French touches. From farm-fresh radishes served atop wildly flavorful espelette butter to a thick, hummus-like white bean puree drizzled with olive oil, Marigold’s small plates along are worth making the quick drive up to Lyons. But don’t stop there: Also be sure to save room for the pan-roasted morel mushrooms, served wth nettles, ricotta and fennel pollen, as well as the crave-worthy bucatini pasta with prawns scallop bagna cauda and peas.
Marigold’s drink list also shines, with a short but impactful list of craft cocktails like the Le Club 55, made with a strawberry rhubarb gimlet and cardamon biters. The wine list is also robust and, in addition to traditional reds and whites from France and Italy, features some refreshing pet-nats, orange wines and even a cider.
Be sure to make a reservation, as this cozy spot with impressive fare fills up fast.
Pizzeria Alberico
If you’ve lived in Boulder long, you’ve likely had the pleasure of biting into a crispy Neopolitan-style pizza at Pizzeria Locale on Pearl Street. Though Pizzeria Locale is technically gone, don’t worry, as the team at Frasca Hospitality Group has opened a new concept in the same space: Pizzera Alberico. After 12 years of Pizzeria Locale, owners Bobby Stuckey, Peter Hoglund and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson decided it was time for a refresh. The update included a dining room redesign and a new moniker, inspired by the maiden name of Stuckey’s wife, Danette.
“While we will continue to point to Campania’s capital city of Naples, the restaurant is a nod to Dick Alberico, Danette’s father,” according to an email newsletter announcing the change. “A steady man with a huge heart, he’s the type that can find his way around anywhere and figure out anything—like how to add a seat to the table when an unexpected guest or friend shows up.”
Pizzeria Alberico’s menu includes new and old favorites, such as diavola pizza, topped with San Marzano tomato, salame piccante, smoked mozzarella, pecorino romano, basil, calabrian chili and garlic oil. The restaurant also has a new full bar, complete with Italian-inspired craft cocktails and wines from Southern Italy.
Mangia Panino at Avanti Boulder
Avanti Boulder, the beloved, multi-story food hall situated right on Pearl Street, is welcoming a new concept: Mangia Panino. Led by Jeremiah Harvey, the new Italian deli will be located on the food hall’s first floor in the site formerly occupied by Rye Society.
“During the pandemic, I really got into bread making, just like the rest of the country, and I can’t wait to share my focaccia-based sandwiches with our guests,” says Harvey. “Mangia means ‘eat’ in Italian and it’s a phrase I constantly heard from my mom growing up so I wanted to incorporate my heritage into this concept.”
Menu items include sandwiches piled high with ingredients like herbed ricotta, mozzarella and roast-turkey prosciutto. You can also chow down on pasta made from locally sourced grain, as well as smaller bites like crispy polenta fries and a kale salad.
Read More: Catching Up With Chef Byron Gomez
Chameleon at Rosetta Hall
Chameleon is the newest concept to open inside Rosetta Hall, the globally inspired food hall located at 1109 Walnut St.
Denver chef Dave Hadley is behind Chameleon’s menu, which includes Indian dishes like samosa, korma kabobs, dosas, coconut curry striped bass, crispy cauliflower and lamb vindaloo.
Urban Field Pizza and Market
Venture up Highway 119 to Longmont for a bite of some of the world’s best pizza at Urban Field Pizza and Market. No, seriously: Chef Nick Swanson just finished seventh in the world for best square pizza at this year’s International Pizza Expo. Situated right on Main Street on the ground floor of Longmont’s new South Main Station apartment building, Urban Field serves up expertly prepared pizzas, as well as pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches and appetizers.
Even better? They’ve got something for everyone on the menu, as they offer gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese. And if you don’t want to wait to be able to make the trip to Longmont, you can enjoy Urban Field’s pies the next time you visit the Boulder Theater. The Lounge, located right next door, is now serving a special Urban Field menu—and you can take your pizza (and drinks!) with you into your show.
Read More: Bellota is North Boulder’s Delicious New Restaurant
Küper Wine Bar
Another new Longmont option: Küper Wine Bar, a sophisticated and stylish space at 600 Longs Peak Avenue, Unit H, with an impressive wine list, live music and even a monthly wine club. Opened by longtime Longmont residents Julie and Doug Oldfield, Küper is designed to help make wine less intimidating. Here, guests can learn the ins and outs of wine from a variety of regions, at their own pace and while having fun.
Choose from curated wine flights, wines by the glass, bottles and a seasonal wine spritz; Küper also has a handful of beers on the menu, as well as tasty food options ranging from charcuterie boards to roasted hazelnuts.
Read More: New Boulder Restaurant: Stella’s Cucina
Cristos Coffee
This beloved Erie coffee shop recently opened a Boulder outpost at 2052 Broadway. Stop in Cristos Coffee for fresh beans roasted in-house, as well as lattes, teas, pastries, cold brew, burritos, monthly specials and events.
Pasta Press
Order pasta by the pound—as well as pasta entrees, sauces, salads, desserts and breads—at Pasta Press, a new downtown Boulder eatery at 1811 11th St. Pasta Press is primarily a takeaway concept—meaning you’ll order pasta or hot entrees to eat at home—but does have a small seating area for eat-in dining, too. They make their pasta fresh daily using flour imported from Italy.
