Hundreds of businesses fill the red-brick, pedestrian-only thoroughfare, which runs roughly along Pearl Street from Ninth Street on the west end to 21st Street on the east end — and radiating to the streets and alleyways that surround it.
Most of the things to see and do on Pearl Street are locally owned, bringing with them that special only-in-Boulder character — described as “nestled between the mountains and reality” just a half-hour’s drive from Denver.
Year-round, Pearl Street is a gathering place for Boulderites and visitors, where musicians and performers fill the air with festive noise, kids clamber on play installations their parents once clambered on themselves, strolling couples peer in shop windows, patios are filled with joyful diners and cocktail-havers, holiday lights put folks in a festive mood and groups perch on benches and around flower beds to watch it all go by.
Boulder Restaurants
In 2010, Bon Appetit named Boulder “America’s Foodiest Town,” and Pearl Street in particular has been hailed by Food & Wine for its focus on quality, local ingredients and innovating chefs.
You pretty much can’t go wrong on a dining trek along Pearl Street and its surrounding streets, with plenty of options to choose from including Lucile’s Creole Cafe, Pasta Jay’s, West End Tavern, Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace, The Kitchen and SALT the bistro. The street also boasts six of Boulder's 10 MICHELIN-recognized restaurants: Frasca Food & Wine has one star, Bramble & Hare lays claim to a Green Star and Cozobi Fonda Fina holds a Bib Gourmand designation. MICHELIN-recommended restaurants in the area include OAK at fourteenth, Stella's Cucina and Zoe Ma Ma.
Find a full list of Pearl Street restaurants
And for snacks and treats, don’t skip places like Peace, Love & Chocolate, Avanti F&B food hall and any of several coffeehouses (every Boulderite has their favorite!). And check out one of the state’s most popular farmers’ markets, which runs every Saturday April through November and Wednesday evenings May through October just a couple streets south of Pearl Street alongside Boulder Creek.
The Shops
It’s impossible to encapsulate the breadth of shopping opportunities on and around Pearl Street. There are several places for the city’s notoriously active population to gear up for outdoor adventures, and clothing boutiques, jewelry, activewear, kids and shoes stores keep everyone looking appropriately stylish and sporty throughout the city’s four seasons. Distinctive home goods stores, culinary and gift shops, and art galleries help put a Boulder spin on all your shopping needs.
