Back in June, Karen Broussard of GlutenFreeTravelsite.com contributed a great post about The 10 Easiest Places to Travel Gluten Free. After spending a vacation in Boulder, Colorado, I am not only adding it to this list, I’m putting it at the top. Boulder may not be as big a city or destination as the others, but it is without a doubt one of the easiest places to eat gluten free. To boot, Boulder is all about local and sustainable food. Being able to have both meal after meal while on vacation was culinary nirvana for me!
With respect to gluten free, the Boulder food scene just gets it. Pretty much every server I spoke with was well versed in what gluten free means, the importance of preventing cross contamination, which items on the menu are safe to eat, and/or how they could be altered to be safe to eat. And, almost every restaurant we visited either labeled menu items gluten free or provided a disclaimer that most dishes could be tailored to be gluten free. They weren’t empty promises!
I have no doubt that other Boulder restaurants are equally deserving of making this list, but these are the restaurants I patronized and can personally vouch for receiving safe and accommodating gluten free service, as well as food made from high quality ingredients purchased from local and sustainable sources.
Jill’s at the St. Julien Hotel – This was my first meal in Boulder, as we stayed at the St. Julien and ate our first breakfast at Jill’s. The moment I mentioned my gluten free needs, I knew I was okay. Instead of getting a blank stare of misunderstanding, I received a different, but welcoming stare. The one that says you don’t need to explain any further, I know exactly what gluten free means and how to handle your request. I enjoyed a beautiful cage-free egg omelet with fruit and, yes, one of the best pieces of gluten free toast I have ever had.
Salt The Bistro – Located on Boulder’s Pearl Street mall, Salt is a wonderful lunch spot and I’m sure the dinner scene is just as good. I had a vegetarian tasting plate featuring the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs in season and grown on local area farms and a glass of sparkling wine to match. A perfect pairing while seated on the patio watching the Pearl Street scene.
The Kitchen – Prior to leaving for my trip, I reached out to my friends and family in Boulder to ask for restaurant recommendations. The Kitchen was at the top of everyone’s list and for good reason. The establishment’s commitment to quality ingredients and supporting local farmers and growers is evident at every turn of the dining experience. In addition to a lovely farm to fork dining experience, our waiter knew exactly what I could and couldn’t have (mostly could) without having to ask the chef or manager and served my plate in advance and separately from all others (in order to prevent cross contamination).
Q’s at the Hotel Boulderado – Located in Boulder’s historic hotel, Q’s is a phenomenal brunch spot. The freshest produce and meats from local farms. Locally-produced artisanal products, including yogurt and teas. Interesting twists on classic dishes. A lovely experience.
Tangerine – Let’s just say the 45 minute wait was worth it. Think hearty diner food with healthful twists and ingredients and a fun, energetic vibe. The hearty portions of inventive dishes, such as beans and greens, eggs on salad and multiple variations of eggs Benedict, are perfect for Boulderites to fuel up after their morning hikes and bike rides. We fueled up after a steep and beautiful hike in Chautaqua Park. While we didn’t indulge, the concoctions from the smoothie and juice bar looked fantastic as well.
Poppy’s Pizza & Grill – Located in Estes Park, a town 45 minutes north of Boulder and at the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, I mention this eatery for an interesting dish they serve to accommodate the gluten free. The staple of the menu, as it’s name suggests, are homemade pizzas. For the gluten free, they will prepare any of their unique pizza topping combinations over a bed of shredded zucchini (in lieu of the crust) to make a casserole-like dish (each prepared in its own dish). A nice alternative to the regular standbys we gluten free have to rely on.
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