The holiday season is officially here! For an excellent dining experience during this busy time, check out Boulder’s several options. Whether you’re looking forward to an exquisite dinner or you’d like to indulge in a sumptuous brunch, our city won’t disappoint. Here, I highlight a few venues that will be open for the holidays:
Frasca Food and Wine
Frasca Food and Wine recently received a well-deserved Michelin star. This restaurant specializes in refined fare from northern Italy, and consistently receives accolades. If you’re looking for a truly spectacular experience, you won’t want to miss out on this venue’s holiday menus. On Christmas Eve, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes (an Italian-American tradition that features a seafood-based tasting menu). The event begins at 4pm, and you’ll want to purchase tickets soon to ensure your spot. The fun doesn’t stop there, as Frasca is also offering a New Year’s Eve menu. This celebratory event kicks off at 6:30 pm and runs until 9:30 pm. The festive tasting menu is sure to end 2023 on a high note!
Corrida
Corrida is one of Boulder’s premier restaurants. This hot spot is a Spanish-inspired steakhouse known for its sophisticated fare and extensive wine list. This year, Corrida is hosting dinner on Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24th) and New Year’s Eve (Sunday, December 31st). For these occasions, there are limited-time additions to the menu. Tapas add a special touch to your meal, and black truffle service elevates the experience on Christmas Eve. For New Year’s Eve, guests will enjoy an evening of celebration that includes a prix-fixe menu and live music. To reserve your table for either event, please visit this site.
The Kitchen American Bistro
The Kitchen American Bistro has a vibe unlike any other you’ll find. The food is excellent, and the ambiance is critical to the experience. The upstairs cocktail lounge is a must try! If you’re a fan of bold international dishes and killer cocktails, you’ll want to take your group here. Although the restaurant isn’t offering special menus for the holidays, they’re open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Make your reservations now for Christmas Eve, as a deposit is required.
OAK at Fourteenth
OAK at Fourteenth is another one of my local favorites. Located on Pearl Street, OAK at Fourteenth is a quintessential Boulder destination. This Michelin Guide restaurant is known for its innovative New American cuisine and open kitchen. This year, the restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve from 4-8 pm. The prix-fixe menu will feature four delectable courses with an optional beverage pairing. New Year’s Eve hours are 5-11 pm, with another spectacular four course prix-fixe menu. Be sure to book soon to ensure your spot!
Stella’s Cucina
We’re fortunate to have incredible Italian restaurants in Boulder. Stella’s Cucina is one of the greats, and I’m very much looking forward to the Holiday-Slay Brunch on December 16th. During this shindig, guests will enjoy a morning of campy fun hosted by four drag entertainers. This is an immersive and interactive experience, and drag queens will visit each table for a photo. Since it’s at Stella’s, you know the menu will be fantastic. You can learn more here. If that’s not your style, the restaurant will host three New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether you prefer a four course or five course meal, there are excellent options for you on the big night. You can find all the details and book your tables here.
Pizzeria Alberico
Pizzeria Alberico is owned by the Frasca Hospitality Group, and honors the Alberico family’s roots. If you’re looking for something more low-key than Frasca but still want to enjoy excellent Italian cuisine, Pizzeria Alberico is a great choice. As its name suggests, this spot is known for its wood-fired artisan pies. For Christmas Eve, the Pizzeria Alberico team invites you to join the beloved tradition of Christmas Eve at Nonna’s. From 4pm to close, patrons can enjoy a special menu (and have a ton of fun). This event requires a reservation, and you can head over to their site to book your spot.
Mateo
Mateo is a French restaurant specializing in local ingredients and exceptional wine pairings. Mateo hosts events throughout the year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. On Monday, December 25th, the restaurant is offering the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Reservations are available from 11am until 9pm. The New Year’s Eve event is running from 11pm until midnight, and you can reserve a bottle of Beau Joie to ring in the New Year.
Hotel Boulderado
Hotel Boulderado is an icon here in Boulder, and this beloved venue is hosting a buffet on the historic mezzanine on Christmas Day. The buffet will be open from 11am until 5pm and will feature a plethora of holiday classics, such as a carving station, country style holiday ham, and mushroom and chestnut soup. Festive cocktails will also be on the menu! You can visit this website to make your reservations for the mezzanine Christmas Day buffet, or check out the other holiday specials at the hotel.
Masas and Agaves
Giving an honorable mention to Masas and Agaves. Although this restaurant isn’t accepting reservations on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you can make your reservation for New Year’s Eve. If you haven’t experienced Masas before, I highly encourage you to put it on your list of restaurants to visit. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Oaxaca, Mexico, Masas offers an authentic menu and adventurous flavors. Not familiar with Oaxacan cuisine? The friendly and knowledgeable staff is more than happy to provide insight to help you get the most out of your meal and mezcal pairings.
Juingle Cocktail
Hop on over to Jingle (normally Jungle) this season! The Jungle team has gone all out to create a holiday themed concept bar, Jingle. Jingle is serving up nostalgia and hot buttered rum, and letting you air your grievances while celebrating the season with your friends.
The holiday season is a special time of year, and Boulder pulls out all the stops to make it truly magical. If you want to skip the cooking and enjoy a fantastic meal, there are plenty of choices in our beautiful city. The venues here are always a treat, and their holiday menus are sure to be incredible. Happy holidays!