From a big bowl of pho for warmth on a cold night to a family-style Italian dinner with loved ones around the table, noodles have a way of bringing people together. Focusing on traditional ingredients, these dishes have a long history of providing comfort and sustenance across cultural backgrounds.
Whether you prefer to enjoy yours with chopsticks or wrapped around a fork, these dining options across Boulder County are sure to satisfy even the strongest craving.
Basil Bowl
1302 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette
Offering a casual dining experience rich in flavor and ambiance, Basil Bowl has served
Vietnamese and Thai cuisine since 2021. Focused on fresh ingredients true to their roots, the Lafayette restaurant is a gem in the community.
Made with a full-bodied beef marrow bone broth, 10 types of pho are on the menu. Starting with rare steak, tendon, chicken or meatballs, onion and cilantro round off the bowl. Top things off with the usual suspects of bean sprouts, jalapenos and basil for a little extra zest. Vegetarian pho with tofu and kid’s size pho are also available.
Pad Thai and drunken noodles are also patron favorites. The spice level of each dish can be customized. Gluten-free diners rave about the options and care to deter cross-contamination. Enjoy a dine-in experience, or order online for pick up or delivery.
Busaba Thai
2343 Clover Basin Drive, Longmont | 133 McCaslin Blvd., Unit H, Louisville | 4800 Baseline Road, Suite A 110, Boulder | 1035 Pearl St., Unit 102, Boulder | 3120 Village Vista Drive, Suite 102, Erie
With five locations from Boulder to Erie, Busaba Thai knows a thing or two about noodles. Since 2010, this family-run series of restaurants has offered authentic Thai flavors to hungry locals.
Frequent diners return for the drunken noodles and the pad Thai. These stir-fried rice noodles offer the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Mixed with fresh vegetables like green onions and bean sprouts, each dish features a special boost of flavor, from spicy chili to tangy peanut.
In Thai cuisine, spice is king, but milder versions of these dishes and others on the menu can be requested. Busaba also offers vegetarian and gluten-free versions of these menu favorites.
Choose several dine-in locations throughout Boulder County. Take-out ordering is available online as well as delivery from popular delivery services.
Carciofi Pasta and Lounge
2020 Ionosphere St., Unit A, Longmont
One of this list’s most unique noodle concepts is Carciofi Pasta & Lounge. Perfect for date nights, get-togethers with friends and celebrations, Carciofi has been pairing pasta with hand-crafted cocktails and spirits since opening in 2022. The pasta at this Longmont spot is homemade daily and cooked fresh to the guest’s liking with locally sourced ingredients.
Many visitors build their pasta by choosing from four noodles (including zoodles) and six different sauces including pesto, spicy marinara and bolognese. Top your pasta off with veggies, meatballs or even shrimp. Dishes are served with bread to soak up the last of any delicious sauce.
Other dishes include homemade gnocchi with a sage brown butter sauce and more adventurous offerings like spaghetti al nero di seppia with squid ink spaghetti and shrimp. Pair it with a classic cocktail for a perfect meal.
Reservations are recommended for this laid-back lounge experience. Carry-out is also available.
Cimmini’s
300 2nd Ave., Niwot
Cimmini’s serves authentic Italian cuisine from scratch, offering an old-time Italian experience where conversation and love are always on the menu.
Serving Italian favorites, freshness and quality is essential for this family-run business emphasizing aromatic herbs, fresh meat and locally-sourced ingredients. Favorites include linguini with clams featuring a thyme and white wine broth, or stuffed mushrooms with a side of spaghetti. Lemon butter complements both the salmon and artichoke asparagus ravioli. Bread is a must to soak up the last bits on the plate.
Diners rave about the weekend brunch as well as lunch specials Wednesday through Sunday. Order online for pick up or make a reservation (recommended) to dine in.
Gondolier Italian Eatery
4800 Baseline Road, Unit A-104, Boulder | 1217 S Main St., Longmont
Since 1960, Gondolier has been a family institution sharing conversation over freshly made in-house pasta. With restaurants in Boulder and Longmont, these inconspicuous neighborhood locations focus on family-friendly dining.
Thick-cut homemade spaghetti noodles are a Gondolier favorite, served with a choice of sauce including pesto and spicy marinara. The mix, a combination of rich tomato sauce, olive oil and garlic, is a favorite of many patrons (including me). More classic dishes like spaghetti carbonara and spaghetti and meatballs are also on the menu.
Most dishes can be served gluten-free and they also offer “un pasta” made of carrots, green onions, red bell peppers and zucchini for veggie lovers. Dine in-house for that family-friendly experience or order carry out. Local delivery is also available.
Kim’s Food To Go
1121 Broadway, Boulder
Also called pho xao, Kim’s is known for their stir-fried pho — a Vietnamese dish of noodles stir-fried until crispy and usually served with a sauce based on ginger, oyster, fish and soy. These homemade noodles are offered with beef (recommended), shrimp, chicken, tofu or a combo served with traditional vegetables.
Known as a staple on the Hill, Kim’s offers a more traditional pho if the crispy version isn’t your thing. Choose from standards like pork, chicken or beef for those who love a rich broth and tender noodle.
Diners rave about the generous serving size, often having enough for a second meal while binging a show. With only a few tables, this is more of a to-go spot as the name suggests. Kim’s offers local delivery and is open later for the night crowd.
Il Pastaio
3075 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
With an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, II Pastaio has been a local favorite for satisfying the craving for Italian since opening in 2000. All pasta and sauces are made in-house, including gluten-free options.
Whatever shape you fancy, from tube-shaped rigatoni to wide pappardelle, they serve it all with a variety of sauces for a wide range of tastes, from the spicy arrabbiata to pomodoro. Noodles are cut fresh from dough for each dish. They feature 14 types of pillowy ravioli including salmon, lamb and even bison for those who enjoy this traditional Italian dish.
You can’t go wrong stopping by for lunch. The buffet features three different types of lasagna, vegetables and other Italian favorites leaving you full for the rest of the day.
This Italian eatery is only open Monday through Friday: weekends are for family, the owners say. The restaurant recommends making a reservation for dine-in table service for dinner. Takeaway is also available.
Mason’s Dumplings
3060 Pearl St. Unit 112, Boulder
While the pan-fried, boiled and steamed dumplings are the main draw at Mason’s, the pork belly noodles will have you returning for more. Made with local farm fresh pork and stewed in house-made chicken broth, your mouth will water at the sight of a steamy bowl.
Expect the usual pickled veggies, baby bok choy and green onions simmering in the broth. Noodles are also available with Angus beef or fine minced pork shoulder and shiitake mushrooms. Local ingredients are picked up daily and cooked to perfection ensuring freshness in every dish.
Opening in Boulder in 2022 after success in California and Aurora, Mason’s should be high on the list for any dumpling enthusiast. Order for delivery or carry out, or dine in for the full experience.
The Kazoku
2939 17th Ave., Longmont
If you are looking for authentic Japanese ramen, you’ll find it at Kazoku.
Family-owned since 2013, this hidden treasure in Longmont has built a reputation as one of the best places to find a bit of Japan in this landlocked state. Offering a wide selection of broth ramen in spicy, miso or shoyu broth, a big bowl of comfort awaits you. The menu features umami-rich flavors with traditional pork, tempura shrimp and tofu for a variety of palates.
If ramen isn’t for everyone you are dining with, there are plenty of other items to choose from including poke bowls and rice-based dishes. Carry out for a meal at home or enjoy some sake when you dine in.
Sachi Sushi
7980 Niwot Rd., Niwot
Your Sunday plans should include dining in or takeout from Sachi Sushi. The Sunday ramen feature brings many diners to this hidden gem inside the Niwot Market for Osaka-style food.
Chef Tsukasa Hibino takes pride in serving authentic food true to his Japanese heritage. Serving Kyushu-style ramen, several versions are available every Sunday including shoyu, shio and spicy miso.
Start your meal with nigiri sushi, sashimi, maki or a specialty roll served individually to complement the ramen. Monday through Saturday, they feature Udon noodle dishes in a rich broth in four flavors from curry chicken to fried tofu.
Watch your food be prepared as you wait from one of the casual dine-in tables or take some time to grab a drink or other essentials from the market. Carry-out is also available.