It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air, March Madness brackets are filled out, and parents interested in celebrating CU Boulder graduation need to be ready to make reservations as if they’re on Ticketmaster trying to get Taylor Swift tickets to a sold out stadium show. Reservations for graduation weekend go FAST in Boulder, so start planning today and be ready to pounce on whichever tables are available.
CU Boulder graduation is a very big deal and parents often scramble making last minute dinner reservations. Many parents didn’t visit too often and aren’t sure where to dine. Here are some ideas for excellent celebratory spots in no particular order.
Looking for fine dining with views? Your options are either Corrida, located downtown with unparalleled views of The Flatirons, or Flagstaff House, located in the foothills with expansive views of the surroundings.
Is your graduate a fan of steak? If so, Steakhouse 316 or Blackbelly are our go-to favorites.
Sushi fans will be flocking to Japango, a Boulder dining institution.
Ash Kara is one of our favorite spots downtown serving modern Israeli and mediterranean fare. They also have one of the BEST private dining rooms in the basement, so if you have a group of 20 or so and are looking for excellent food in a unique space (think swings as barstools), see if they’re available to host your group.
Spanish, or “Spain-ish” cuisine has made its way into downtown thanks to our good friends at Gemini. Our OG Spanish restaurant, Cafe Aion, has been located on The Hill for a decade and is THE place to go for paella.
New American fare always abounds and OAK at Fourteenth will definitely have something on the menu for everyone in your party. Another hot spot with something on the menu for everyone and ample room for outdoor dining is River & Woods.
A Boulder dining institution for French-inspired cuisine is Mateo. They have been holding down the east end of Pearl Street since before it was worthwhile exploring the east end of Pearl Street.
For the foodiest of foodies, it’s worth the drive up to Lyons to dine at Marigold. Just trust us on this one. Don’t sleep on Marigold if you or your graduate self-identify as foodies and have already explored the Boulder food scene.
As usual, we will not be hosting any Boulder food tours over CU graduation weekend. The town just cannot handle the extra reservations. But, we’ll certainly be exploring Denver’s food scene, so join us for an afternoon excursion in The Mile High City.