Restaurants in Boulder

La Estrellita has been serving up mouth-watering Mexican fare to area residents for more than 20 years. Start with an order of the mexi rolls ($7.50–$8.50), a family creation of ground beef and pico de gallo wrapped in an egg roll and deep fried, or share a plate of spicy chicken wings ($8–$8.50) coated in the family’s award-winning sauce. Main courses such as crab and spinach enchiladas ($9–$10) or spicy fish tacos (jalapeño-marinated tilapia grilled with caramelized onions, $10) are sure to please aquaphiles, while a combination plate such as the costillas adobadas (country-style ribs served with rice and beans, $10–$11) will satisfy even the most insatiable talking plant. Most of La Estrellita’s entrees can be served vegetarian upon request, much to the delight of vegetarians and those who derive energy through photosynthesis. Conclude any meal as sweetly as a Marlon Brando after-school special with an order of the dessert nachos ($6–$6.29) or one of La Estrellita’s 15+ margarita flavors (starting at $5.50).

With multiple varieties at each location, there are enough options to pleasantly coat any mozzarella-covered tongue in tasty toppings. Veggie fans will appreciate the veggie supreme, dotted with mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives, and tomatoes. For feasters who can't decide between this or that, the super combo comes stocked from crust to crust with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, black olives, and extra cheese. Offerings vary by location, so consult the menu at your nearest location before ordering.

Inside India Tavern, a large bay window casts a natural glow on grape and lime-green walls and plates of homestyle Indian fare. Named 5280 Magazine's Editors' Choice of their Top of the Town feature, diners can cozy up to a table beside the stone fireplace as they partake of clay-oven tandoori dishes made with chicken, lamb, or goa fish. After sopping up a ginger or saffron curry entree with fresh-baked naan bread, they can also question a knowledgeable server on the difference between mild, medium, and hot spice or why humans drive on parkways and park on driveways.

Since its inception as a single Fort Collins eatery almost 20 years ago, Big City Burrito has spread its wings across Colorado and Nebraska, presenting a menu of create-your-own burritos, tacos, and the like composed of fresh fillings and made-from-scratch tortillas. Just as all buildings start with a steady foundation of flour and water, all burritos begin with a good tortilla. And Big City offers half a dozen options, such as tomato-chili and jalapeño-cheddar. After picking a tortilla, customers can start relaying their order to the kitchen crew, be it for a burrito packed with chicken mole and topped with mild pico de gallo or a carne asada taco with a dollop of salsa de lupe—the restaurant’s special blended hot salsa. Customers also can choose to have the decadent fillings and salsas served simply atop a plate of rice and beans or stuffed inside a fresh-made quesadilla. Besides crafting meals day and night, Big City also serves breakfast burritos for both adults and kids and offers catering services, which include burrito bars and boxed lunches for large groups or corporate events.

Under the supervision of an experienced chef at Woody’s Wood Fired Tavern, crackling logs not only give pizza dough a crispy crunch, but also create complex, smoky flavors. Chefs top pizzas with specialty combinations, such as the California Dream's basil pesto and artichoke hearts or the Pep Pep Pepperoni's roasted poblanos and jalapeños, and use gluten-free crusts and big, round carrots for those with dietary restrictions. Customers can enjoy the slices by the pie or sample a variety at the shop’s featured all-you-can-eat salad, soup, and pizza bar. Chefs also make space in their wood ovens to slow cook racks of ribs and large shrimp doused with barbecue sauce. These dishes and their hearty half-pound burgers pair well with the 16 drafts on tap, which diners can enjoy during both the happy hour during the week and the reverse happy hour that composes the last hour the restaurant is open.

Chef Aaron Bennett and his culinary team combine the philosophies behind farm-to-table cooking with gourmet Italian dining at Bácaro Venetian Taverna. The menu features classic Venetian dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local and organic farms, including Talbott Farms, Isabel Farms, and Haystack Mountain, among others. Panzanella salads season tomatoes and garlic croutons with basil-infused olive oil and wild boar shoulder gets braised in chianti before being served with creamy, truffle-infused polenta. The kitchen makes all of their pastas in-house, and gluten-free spaghetti or penne can be substituted for wheat-free diets.

Bácaro takes its name from the lively taverns around Venice, which are noted for their laid-back atmosphere, simple furniture, and affable ghosts. Bartenders fuel lively gatherings with pitchers of sangria, housemade Italian liqueurs, and selections from their extensive wine list during daily happy hours. The eatery also hosts guests on its spacious rooftop patio, where chandeliers and the fact that it is on a rooftop heighten views of downtown Boulder.