Excellent food and great prices. Drove up from Denver to try it out and will definitely be coming back!

Hmmm, my experience at Carelli's is kind of like the language on their menu: Italian, but not really: "Lista di Vino," which should be "Vini," since there's more than one wine (good one's, by the way); "paninis," when the Italian "panini" is already the plural of "panino".... Anyway, the place was crowded with happy customers (tables a bit too close), the service was great: friendly and prompt; the garlic bread hot, crunchy and delicious; good wines by the glass with a generous pour. Nice. Then the first courses: both salads (Caesar's and caprese) with greens not as fresh as they should be; calamari ok, but nothing extraordinary. I really looked forward to my pappardelle carbonara, but unfortunately it was not carbonara. Yes, the bacon bits were in there, but the sauce was really some sort of fixed up cream sauce (their Alfredo?), not the real egg/cheese sauce of the carbonara. The fact that you could add chicken or some other protein also gave that away. However, after adding more cheese, black pepper and red pepper flakes, it was tasty, just not that delicate carbonara I'd dreamed of. My sister's capellini vongole had too few fresh clams and too many chopped canned clams to be really good... Portions are big; you won't go hungry, but for the quality it's expensive: the cheapest pasta with just garlic and oil is $18.98.... Anyway, I had a good time because of the company and the positives I mentioned and would go again if invited; but when it's my turn to invite, I'll choose another place. read more

Carelli's -- a carb-loading dream in Boulder Carelli's is an "authentic" Italian gem tucked in the heart of Boulder, Colorado. First time in Colorado, first Italian dinner here -- the night before my Boulderthon half marathon. A city full of runners, carbs were calling. I snagged a Saturday 7 PM reservation by phone the night before (do the same -- weekends fill fast). We ended up accidentally going full vegetarian. No regrets. What we ate: * Asparagus & Leek Soup - Light, velvety, a perfect palate reset. * House Insalata - Crisp greens, zippy Italian dressing; simple but electric. * Angel Hair Alla Olio - A runner's dream: delicate pasta, swimming in olive oil and garlic, with a sprinkle-as-you-please bowl of parmesan. * Eggplant Parmigiana (my dinner partner's pick) - Bubbly cheese blanket, baked eggplant layers, comfort on a plate. Complimentary garlic bread showed up warm and buttery but leaned dry -- a little more olive oil would have taken it from good to grazie mille! Still, it paired nicely with the pasta's olive oil bath. Everything felt fresh, Italian without heaviness -- perfect for pre-race fueling. Service was friendly and unhurried; the dining room cozy without being cramped. Bottom line: If you're in Boulder (runner or not), book ahead, show up hungry, and expect honest Italian cooking with a few charming quirks. I'd happily come back on my next Colorado visit -- whether chasing a PR or just a good plate of pasta. (Visited September 27, 2025) read more

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Uniqueness: A Boulder favorite with consistently great Italian food and a welcoming atmosphere Wait Time: **** (Popular but well-managed, reservations recommended) Food Quality: ***** (Always delicious, great portions) Service: ***** (Friendly, efficient, and welcoming) Setting: ***** (Cozy yet slightly upscale, great for special occasions) Cost: **** (Reasonable pricing for the quality and experience) Carelli's is one of my absolute favorite spots in Boulder. The food is always consistently great, the service is attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming with just the right touch of upscale dining. I've celebrated birthdays, graduations, and other milestones here, and it never disappoints. It's also a perfect spot for parents visiting CU students--nice enough to feel special but still casual and reasonably priced. The pasta dishes are fantastic, the pizza is excellent, and everything always comes out fresh and flavorful. Whether you're stopping in for a casual dinner or a special occasion, Carelli's is a solid choice. Would I come back? Absolutely--this place never misses. read more

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Excellent food. Wonderful ambience. I had the gnocchi. It was delicious. We ate at the bar. The red wine was perfect.

Carelli's is an Italian restaurant in Boulder, CO. We always make it a point to eat here when we visit from Chicago. The food is amazing. Their garlic bread is to die for. This visit's fare included Chicken Vesuvio, Chicken Marsala, Meatball Calzone, Tri-colored Tortellini, Scoozi, and Salmon Margherita. Everyone gave his/her meal a thumbs up. I had the Marsala, and it was very good, though the chicken was a tad overcooked/dry. Hubby had the calzone, which was absolutely delicious...and ginormous...easily enough for two people. Server was very nice, but he was not as attentive as he could have been. Waters were not filled; dishes were not promptly cleared, check back was late. In his defense, he appeared to have a lot of tables spread around a large dining room. Not horrible service...just not as good as it could have been. Definitely recommend, and will continue to make sure we visit when we are in the area. read more

I got a takeout order from them on a Saturday night and the food was delicious! We especially loved the tri-colored tortellini. When we got home with our food we were missing a dish and after calling the restaurant they had it ready and waiting when we came back to pick it up. The manager was very thoughtful and generous and gave us four free desserts with the missing dish. The tiramisu and chocolate cake were especially delicious. Will definitely be back! read more

My friend and I are on a girls trip to Boulder and she was so sweet to make a reservation to celebrate my birthday. We arrived a few minutes early, they checked us in, wished me a Hapoy Birthday and asked us to wait until a table was ready. We waited 15-20 minutes and it was packed. We figured this must be a really good local eatery since there were so many people here. Once seated , and again wished a Happy Birthday, we only ordered dinner, no alcoholic drinks. Our server had been kind until then and after that he forget to bring a gluten free menu, forgot my bread ( had to be reminded of both) , never came by to refill waters or my friend's coke, and basically walked by us a bunch of times and made us feel ignored. When it was time for the bill it was plunked on the table and off he went- no birthday treat or have a nice evening or thanks for coming here today to celebrate. It made us both feel really bad. Our food was so-so, she got the eggplant Parmesan and I got the chicken piccata, which tasted good but the noodles were so slippery I had a hard time eating it! Usually when going out to celebrate a birthday, a restaurant may offer a small birthday treat, but not here or at least not for me. We were unhappy with our experience here. Everywhere in the Boulder area we have had great experiences so this was disappointing. I took no pictures . read more

Excellent food and wine. Great Happy Hour. I live close to Carellis and it has great ambiance. The bartenders are very attentive and friendly. read more

Hands down...the BEST restaurant in Boulder!! Food is always wonderful! Staff is extremely nice. Our favorite!

An amazing place that is a legend in Boulder. The ambience is so beautiful and one of my wife's favorite in the state. The food is stellar Italian and the wine list is excellent. Service is always excellent without hovering or rushing. Can't go wrong here. read more

It's been lovely since our date here so May years ago when we sat by the fire. We still enjoy going and the atmosphere is both warm and comfortable while being a social and lively place. Always greeted with a smile, we do try to make reservations because they can get busy, we feel welcomed and are always seated quickly. There is a patio that is great as well when the weather permits. The food has always been the main reason we return and tonight was no exception. I ordered the papársele carbonara and my husband got the risotto funghi with a chicken breast. Both dishes were fabulous! They were well balanced, perfectly cooked and bright with seasonal vegetables. The wine is almost always the house Chianti and dessert the lemon crème brûlée. So glad we have this neighborhood gem in our neck of the woods! read more

Carelli's Of Boulder - Fettucine Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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We booked our reservation on Open Table for 9:15. We arrived a little early. We ordered our drinks, then we were informed that the kitchen was closing in 10 minutes. We quickly ordered and our meals came to our table quickly. Yay? No! The food was bland and it seemed as though the food was thrown together at the last minute to get us out. Why have a 9:15 reservation if you're going to scoot us out the door with crappy food? read more

The food is always amazing , on my last visit two nights ago. I had these amazing dishes, caprese, fettuccine Alfredo and cream brûlée. Everything was so delicious. I come at least three times a month, sometimes 5. Thanks Robbin read more

Greg Carelli & establishment don't need a review from me -- even as a bonafide Italian citizen who's lived in Italy for years/sort of grew up there & speaks fluent Italian. Nonetheless, I will write one! This restaurant is a Boulder tradition & longstanding favorite see-and-be-seen spot for Boulderites -- especially for those with money, who like to dress up a bit, or are going somewhere nice afterwards. I had a private party there some years back, & found it to be a wonderful place to celebrate, & Greg was very helpful to me in creating it. I've also attended a number of private events -- such as a wine-tasting, a big family gathering, etc. You may need a reservation to get in on the weekend nights; you may end up waiting if you don't! But also be advised that sitting at the bar is a great option -- especially if there's only two of you. The bartender will give you a pretty placemat & treat you as tho' you were at a table. Wherever you sit, the wine list is excellent. This is good Italian-American food... very closely matching real Italian food in Italy. (AND if you read my other reviews here, you'll see that I VERY RARELY say that in Colorado, or even other American cities!) Greg will be making the rounds, keeping a watchful eye and greeting those he knows. Also a very Italian thing to do! (Sadly, the now defunct 1914 in Niwot had that sort of ambiance/quality, with the wonderful owner Nick who also greeted people & was there every night. We're missing them.) So, put on your nicer, going-out-to-dinner clothes, (PLEASE take off your baseball cap!!!), bring a good appetite & be ready to enjoy somewhere more like NY, London or LA. Not quite Rome or Florence... but close. And definitely NOT typical even in snooty-foody Boulder. Buon appetito e buon divertimento! (Enjoy your meal & have fun!) read more

We always enjoy Carelli's. Great atmosphere, great food, and great service. It's one of our favorite restaurants! We keep returning year after year. read more

I enjoy the ambiance of this restaurant! My Chicken Marsala was over cooked dry with very little Marsala flavor to the dish. I'm always amazed that the wait staff doesn't ask how the food is. I would have told him but he never came to our table tilll after our party was done with the their dishes. read more

Great food, service,, and ambiance. Love the staff and how welcoming they are. The hostess, Kennedy, was especially welcoming and accommodating. Definitely will be back! read more

Great ambience, food and service. Shannon and the rest of staff rock, do a fantastic job. read more

Carelli's Of Boulder - Veal Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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We came to celebrate a birthday party. We enjoyed our meal together. It is not our first time eating at Carelli's. We love it so much. Food and drinks tasted delicious . I took the tortellini's but, I found out they don't make it over there, only the sauce service was amazing. See ya next time. Cheers read more

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If you haven't been to Carelli's, do yourself a favor and make a reservation, or just stop in. The food is incredible, the ambiance is five star, and the service is top notch! It's honestly some of the best Italian food I've had in town. The drinks are amazing and the staff is friendly and helpful! I can't wait to go back! Oh, and do not miss out on the tiramisu! So gooood! read more

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Amazing happy hour, and a great place for a dinner with colleagues. We have also celebrated a few family milestones here, and the staff is always patient with many requests for substitutions and other questions. They frequently get asked to heat up a dish that's delivered warm instead of hot, and they address the problem right away. And usually bring more garlic bread to tide us over. read more

Our Italian friends in Louisville patronize this restaurant a lot and encouraged us to try it. We have had all kinds of Italian food in all kinds of places and our favorite Italian restaurants have been in Boston and Philly and Providence, R.I., and a place in Seoul, S.Korea, lol. We go for all kinds of food but like Italian and Asian food the best. We are doing our best to try every Italian restaurant within a 45 minute drive of Boulder and are just getting started. Unfortunately, Carelli's was not what we had anticipated. Ambiance was nice and seating was good for 2 of us. We both love piccata and lasagna and both were fine, not stellar but good. I would try this place again to try other dishes and see if it grows on us, but for now we are still on a quest to find our Italian place to dine near Boulder. There seem to be lots of choices in Broomfield so we will branch out and post later. We hope to find a place that can do fresh fish and more atypical Italian dishes like some of the places in NYC and Providence, R.I. even though we are far from the ocean we love seafood. Message me if you have a suggestion on where we should try next. read more

I am not an amazing maker of meals, but come to my house for better food than this. Uninspired and downright bad was the food. On the plus side, the service was good, our waiter was nice, and they have a nice little patio with a fire-pit where you can enjoy the highly mediocre food ;0) read more

We had the absolute worst experience here. The hostess was incredibly rude, our waiter barely came to our table and rolled his eyes every time we asked for anything, and we even found hair in our food. The managers were just as bad--completely dismissive and did nothing to help. Save yourself the time and money--don't go here. read more

Wonderful 18th Birthday dinner! The Shrimp Scampi and the Pesce Asiago were outstanding! The Kale Apple salad was one of my most favorite salads ever! Service is top notch and a beautiful ambiance! Love this place! read more

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Overpriced and my dish was inedible. Broccoli and noodles...in a pan of water. What a disappointment

Our Server (Chris) was absolutely fantastic! We didn't have a reservation but we were promptly seated in the bar area. As always, the food was excellent, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service was excellent! read more

Good food but surprisingly bad service. The waiter forgot our appetizer order, let us know they were out of the special we ordered after waiting 15 minutes and brought the entree we ordered instead several minutes after everyone else was served. The waiter showed us a dessert tray and after ordering cannoli and waiting 10 minutes he let us know they were out of it. When we made the manager aware of the issues the waiter came back and let us know we weren't charged for anything we weren't served. Wow--thanks!! read more

Carelli's used to be a favorite restaurant to go to. Last night's visit was highly disappointing. The shrimp Scampi my friend and I ordered was mediocre. The portion was very small 4 shrimp and a small handful of pasta. I tasted very little garlic and there was too much lemon in the dish. It was not worth the almost $30 a plate we paid for it. Hope they will resolve this issue. read more

Was disappointed with our visit this time. To start, once we finally got seated, it was an hour before our food arrived. We had an hour to kill before we had to meet our daughter so we thought we would pop in and grab a bite. I kind of expected our server to say something about it but she just kept walking by and we patiently waited. My pasta dish was very dry and lacking flavor. I ended up pouring half of my husbands sauce into my pasta and it was much better. We ordered this gnocchi to take home to our daughter and when she opened it, we were a little taken back by the lack of gnocchi in there. I feel a little gypped for the price we paid. Seems like it is about half of what it should be. I wanted to just email the restaurant direct but they don't have an email address on their website. Sorry for the three star review, but this night was a total letdown. I know you can do better than this. Maybe this was just an off night. read more

Carelli's Of Boulder - Top is a pic of my leftover pasta & broccoli. Bottom is the gnocchi dish we ordered to go. I feel a little gypped on this one! - Italian Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Made a reservation on Saturday for Sunday night. Drive all the way down there only to find out they were closed. Woman who took my reservations never told me they were closed on Sundays read more

We had a great time with a few other friends on Carelli's lovely patio the other night. As always, the food was delicious and the garlic bread that come with the entrees yummy! Our waiter was very nice, but service was slow, I guess it's like most places these days, Carelli's is short on staff. I had the mushroom risotto, very tasty and the portion quite generous.  My friend's seafood risotto looked amazing and next time I'll have to order it! The red sangria was very fruity and refreshing, and the tiramisu perfect to end a delicious meal. Carelli's seems very consistent in offering quality food in a pleasant setting, inside and outside! read more

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Food very good. Patio is simply a gated area adjacent to the parking lot. Overall environment old school. But again quality food

reagan was awesome. I would highly recommend. great place in Boulder to go for nice events with good prices and nice people.

Gluten free Pizza and Foccacia is amazing! Beautiful restaurant with great service! Great cocktails and Wine list.

Amazing service! So sweet and always asking what they can do. Beautiful atmosphere and such yummy food!!

My wife, my daughter and her family ate dinner at Carellis last night. Everything was excellent! The girls had Lasagna, my wife had Chicken Piccata. I had the "Garbage Calzone" All were very good. The grandson had noodles, garlic bread and other snacks. The service was quiet and efficient. Highly recommend! Rog S read more

If you want affordable Italian go to Carrabba's instead. The food is much better there. Our dinner table by the closed french door was uncomfortably hot in August even after 7PM. The dining room was cooler farther in. The cocktails were fine, but the wine list (not available for preview online) short and unimaginative, with the usual crazy markup of close to 200%. Our meal was very disappointing, starting with the appetizers all the way to the main course. We didn't dare try the desserts. Most plates were swimming in the same puddle of some greasy tasteless broth: the Eggplant Stack appetizer, the Pappardelle Carbonara, and even the Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was so bad we decided to send it back. The manager came by to apologize and assure us that even though we were "not the first, or second, or even 50th to complain, that it was their unique style, and that there are some customers who apparently enjoy it" (or maybe they just don't complain). This was our first time at Carelli's and also our last. read more

Chris C. made our visit so special. It was my daughter's birthday and the power went out, but we hardly noticed because the service was so smooth. His professionalism and kindness made the night! read more