17 Best Italian Restaurants in Boulder

“After much anticipation surrounding Michelin’s arrival in Colorado, my husband and I were cautiously optimistic. Many of the restaurants we’ve tried since the awards began here have been underwhelming, but Frasca Food & Wine exceeded every expectation and then some.

We dined last night and chose the Quattro Piatti Menu, which was flawless from start to finish. Every dish was an elegant expression of technique and flavor, with each ingredient perfectly prepared and thoughtfully paired. The Capesante, or Scallops, were a standout, their delicate sweetness and buttery texture elevated by nuanced accompaniments. The Tagliolini di Selvaggina, topped with the optional white truffle, was nothing short of sublime—silky, aromatic, and indulgent. The Quaglia, perfectly cooked quail, showcased impeccable skill and balance, while the dessert, Fichi, with its marriage of huckleberry and fig, was both vibrant, coconutty and comforting. The Mais, with its unexpected matcha and corn combination, came close behind as a creative and delightful surprise.

The atmosphere was equally remarkable, striking the perfect balance between elegance and warmth. Sergei, the general manager, graciously greeted us and set a welcoming tone, while Edison and Jesse, our servers, delivered impeccable service with genuine care and professionalism. Every element of the evening—from the timing of the courses to the thoughtful hospitality—was seamless.

As avid travelers who have visited over 30 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, we can confidently say that Frasca Food & Wine has earned its place among them. After five years of searching, we’ve finally found our favorite restaurant in Colorado. Frasca is a shining example of culinary excellence and hospitality, and it fully deserves the recognition it has received.“

“Stella's has a wonderful ambiance and beautiful decor. The food is absolutely delicious and so creative. Stuffed pesto gnocci and the carrot risotto were standouts. Some of the dishes are small, but that works out great if you are wanting to try a lot of different items. The lavender panna cotta my mother in law was given for her birthday treat was out of this world!

Vegetarian options: Lots of risotto and several salad options. Pesto gnocci and an eggplant steak. Desserts.“

“Cosy, intimate, providing comfort food made from fresh in-season ingredients. Surprised to find it in a collection of condos. If I lived there, I'd eat there every night. If I were forced to change anything it would be to expand red wine selection a bit and to place your fabulous bread into a less hot spot in wood fired oven.“

“The eggplant sandwich was amazing!! Very large portions of the sandwich and the cheese sticks, and both were delicious. I am so glad we discovered this inside the Avanti food hall!!
The service was great, food was prepared quickly and staff was very friendly.“

“very nice staff. a quick tasty lunch and you get a lot of good, fresh food for under 20$.“

“The fresh pasta is FABULOUS! Watching them prepare my food while we chatted was an added bonus. Fast, friendly and delicious!“

“We came to Ado’s with a group of 12 for dinner the night before our wedding. The staff was awesome and attentive, and Ado came out to speak with us. Everyone raved about the food — I had the chicken marsala and it was hands down the best I’d ever had. It was a great experience and we will certainly return next time we visit Boulder.“

“We were lucky enough to reserve a table for twelve for a celebration. The service was great. We weren't rushed even though there was a CU Football Game in the evening and Carelli's is a hot spot for pre-game dinner!!! We will always have fond memories of the best day of our lives and Carelli's was a huge part of it! Thanks again!!“

“Food has so much flavor! Took forever for the beers (tapped keg). Got it after we received dinner, but still had to pay for it. That's the only complaint. Server was great and the atmosphere was perfect to catch up with old friends“

“The whole family enjoys every thing, every time.“

“I stopped into Pasta 🍝 Jay’s for a quick bite to eat and also had an amazing lavender gin cocktail! The meatballs were delicious. I sat at the bar, everyone was friendly. The atmosphere was great and the wine list was spectacular.“

“such a good deal and great atmosphere! sam was very helpful and went out of his way to make dinner with my friends an amazing experience; our heater wasn’t working and he made sure that he brought us one that was - even though he was busy. i cannot recommend this place enough!!

Dietary restrictions: i have a nut allergy and sam + the kitchen were very vigilant to make sure that my food was safe!“

“We had a very nice lunch outside! Picture perfect weather !“

“Chill place to hang out and enjoy some coffee. Plenty of space and a variety of seating options. Reasonable prices. Plenty of place to charge if you need. T.v.s (on mute) to enjoy as well depending of your taste.

Wheelchair accessibility: Commerical entry doors not automatic tho just fyi.“

“Started with the mac and cheese absolutely delicious. Had the lasagna, AMAZING. His slow cooked ribs the meat fell completely off the bone. The lasagna was to die for definitely had an homemade taste, and as i write this we have a pizza it looks amazing i'm sure it will be just as good.“

“Great vibes. Food was wonderful. Bree (sp) was our server. Very accommodating and friendly. An asset to your organization.“