17 Best Italian Restaurants in Boulder

“Did the tasting menu and it was fantastic. Some of the cocktails were a little “meh”, and so I’d be more likely to do wine there in the future. The caviar on corn cake—one of the three starters—was probably the best bite of food I’ve had this year.

The crudo (the second course) seemed a bit lacking to me, but others at the table really liked it. Otherwise, everything was perfect.“

“My family and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Basta, and it was a truly wonderful experience. It's not often you find a restaurant that can impress a diverse group including my wife, my mother, and my mother-in-law, but Basta did so with ease.

We started our meal with a selection of appetizers that set a high bar for the rest of the evening. The burrata was incredibly fresh and creamy, a perfect complement to the rich, smoky flavor of the olives. But the real star was the focaccia bread—warm, airy, and with just the right amount of salt, it was impossible to stop at just one piece.

For our main courses, we chose two pizzas and a vegetable dish. The zucchini was a fantastic addition, with the fresh, crisp vegetable elevated by the vibrant basil romanesco and the satisfying crunch of the breadcrumbs. The clam pizza was a delightful surprise, with the briny clams and a hint of lemon perfectly balanced against the smoky, blistered crust from the wood-fired oven. The Daisy pizza was a testament to the restaurant's philosophy of using high-quality ingredients; simple yet perfect, with a wonderfully flavorful tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella.

To finish our meal, we decided to indulge in all of their desserts, and we were not disappointed. Each one was a perfect ending to our dinner. The Campfire vanilla ice cream had a unique, smoky sweetness that was balanced by the vibrant and refreshing orange and beet sorbet. The sweet corn ice cream was an unexpected and delicious highlight, while the rich chocolate budino with pistachio butter was pure decadence. And of course, the donuts were a warm, fluffy, and perfect final touch.

Basta’s combination of a warm, inviting atmosphere and truly incredible food made for a special and memorable night. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable, adding to the overall great experience. We left feeling completely satisfied and already talking about when we could return. I highly recommend Basta for any occasion, whether it's a date night or a special family gathering.

Special thank you to Suzanne and Chef Alex for creating such a special evening.“

“I LOVE this place. The service is impeccable. They remember their regulars, greet us with warmth, and give little perks.

They change the menu frequently and I was so sad then they removed the Truffle Beef Tartare - it was hands down the best tartare I’ve ever had AND one of the best dishes. Ever. I would do anything to have that back on the menu. Even if it’s just a “call back menu” of the locals favorites or something like that… as long as it includes that dish. I have dreams about it. SO GOOD!!

The current tartare is still pretty good. 😌

The pistachio crème brûlée is also a 🏆 🍮“

“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$.“

“Carellis is the only upscale restaurant with an attractive decor outside of downtown, so that alone makes it worth going to. The food is consistently good, the portions are large, the waitstaff was very attentive. I appreciate when the waiter comes by in a timely manner to check that everything came out ok. The biggest disadvantage to this restaurant is limited free available parking and sometimes you can't even get in without a reservation. But overall, I recommend it.“

“Food: best chicken parm and handmade pasta I’ve ever had. I substituted pappardelle for penne and Arabiatta for Alfredo.
Salads were excellent as were the charcuterie options.

Service: we sat at the bar and loved hanging out with Jessica, the bartender.

Atmosphere: great vibe, music and bar seating

Highly recommend“

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

“Karaoke!!! You want to sing come on by and they will fire up the mike. And don't forget about the unbelievable food. Just outstanding.“

“Angelo's is a regular stop for us. Their cheese steaks and Italian hoagie ("The Torresdale") are the closest I've found in Boulder to traditional Philly fare. The Fairmount is their delicious veggie sandwich option. Prices are fair for Boulder. Staff are friendly and the whole restaurant is clean and inviting.“

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

“This was the first time my husband and I ate at Pasta Jays. The food was amazing and the service was top notch from all of the staff! But a special shout out to our Hostess Suraela and our waitress Kaytee. We can’t wait to come back and try other dishes!“

“When I sat at the bar tonight Kinley was my bartender and she was GREAT. She was friendly, personable, and efficient. I was having a bad day and came in on a whim to relax. Not only did I relax, but I also had a couple great drinks and fun conversation. Thanks Kinley! I’ll be back soon!“

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

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

“Amazing selection, excellent service, wonderful atmosphere... This is my favorite coffee shop on the entire front range. Sweets and pastries available, they also have a bar! The outdoor seating is perfect for bicyclists about to embark, or returning from epic climbing.“