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    Nopalito's

    4.7 (160 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Nopalito's Photos

    NOPALITO'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Nopalito's

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    Reviews With Photos - Nopalito's

    Food area - like chipotle or qdoba
    Jessica A.

    This place should take over chipotle. It's the same idea but like a million times better + they have Tuesday and Thursday late night happy hour with BOGO house margs + every night late night free chips and salsa with any alcohol purchase?? Such a good deal. This was the best burrito I've had in years probably. The margs were also really good - the classic was especially strong. The employees were all really nice, a decent amount of tables, and really clean inside which is always important.

    Raymond J.

    Never heard of this place but drive by all the time. Looking for something quick but didn't want five guys or Panera that was next door. I was impressed by the number of people and friendly staff. Really great tasting tacos. Had the fish taco and shrimp taco. Bigger than Torchy's. I'd say a more limited menu. Good experience and I'd be back for sure

    Happy hour prices expire!?
    Ken M.

    Great food service! Great food quality! But beware at the bar. Happy hour prices going away because you close your tab after happy hour ends (but ordered during happy hour) and your bill goes up is wild.

    Quesadilla with fajitas
    Vinny E.

    Great service, casual setting, awesome theme, wholesome and fresh food. Our visit was welcoming and delicious.

    Menu
    Donna C.

    Fast casual Mexican food that is worth checking out. Order at the counter and they bring your order to the table. A full bar for those interested in more than food.

    Lunch is served
    Matt C.

    My wife and I popped into Nopalito's for the first time just a few weekends ago while we were running errands in the area. I had come across them on Yelp previously. We both love Mexican food, so figured what the heck let's give them a go?! Walking in is comparable to walking into a Chipotle-esque, order-at-the-counter set up. The key difference is that they boast a full bar with bar seating, and well, they're truly LOCAL. Cool art murals on the walls tying into the luchador-themed restaurant. I wasn't all that hungry (for once in my life), yet as soon as my wife began her order I was like, screw it I'm here let's get something. I usually judge these types of places by their burritos, however that sounded very filling looking at other patrons dishes inside the restaurant. I opted for a quesadilla and it turned out to be an excellent choice! Grilled Asada Quesadilla // comes with your choice of white or wheat tortilla, plus the meat, cheese and veggies of your desire. I got mine with guac and pico on the side. I have to admit, it was awesome. I feel like quesadillas can be fairly basic, but the meat was tender and seasoned well. We also enjoyed the chips and queso. We like to consider ourselves queso aficionados and we both found theirs to be enjoyable. A little on the runnier side for our liking, but it thickened up the more it sat. Overall, a great meal! Nopalito's should be on your hit list for a fast casual bite when you're not looking for anything fancy. Everything hit the spot, the portions were great, and I felt like the food was priced appropriately. Definitely coming back!

    Chicken Flautas and a margarita on the patio
    Tammy S.

    I needed a quick lunch in the area and had never been here before, so I decided to give it a try. The staff is super friendly and accommodating, the seating outside is a little close together but it's nice to have the outdoor choice with a view of the mountains over the parking lot. I ordered chicken flautas, which I never get, and I liked having choices of sauces and other sides - even if there is a charge for some. They were hot and tasty. The bonus to Nopalitos besides the staff being so lovely is that I also got a margarita and it was refreshing and well balanced. The bar was a nice surprise because who doesn't want the option of a cold margarita on a hot day? I will definitely go back and try other things.

    Wall over counter, nice mural

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    Dora G.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    Pretty good food! Atmosphere was great. Watched a hockey game while I ate a burrito it was a good day. Service, everyone was friendly.

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    7 months ago

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    Dora G.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Burritos are amazing, as well as the churros. I order my co workers and mine as well. Hits the spot every time. Dining in is even better!

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Decent food, friendly service. The space is fun with lots of room. Reasonably priced.

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    Dora G.

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    5 months ago

    They have amazing food with affordable prices. They also have a fun atmosphere and great happy hour.

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    6 months ago

    Great fish tacos, fresh ingredients and an owner who actually knows a thing or two about customer service! Keep it up!

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    7 months ago

    Fun vibe, great food and very friendly service. Margs were awesome. Randomly found it, first time in and I'll definitely go back.

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Love it! Good breakfast burritos and tasty quesadillas with good salsa and quac. Delicious margs.

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    1 year ago

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    Dora G.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Dora G.

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    2 years ago

    I've become a lunchtime regular here when I'm in Boulder. It's a refined Qdoba; similar ordering and serving formula but a little nicer.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Truly one of my favorite places in all of Boulder. Great portions, tasty food and drinks!

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    4 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Nopalito's

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, There is corn tacos soft & hard shell, bowls, lot of ingredients that are gluten free. Chicken, pork, beef and barbacoa are all gluten free. Thank you for reaching out.

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    Yes, but must be on a leash.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Cozobi Fonda Fina

    Cozobi Fonda Fina

    4.7
    (87 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    An exceptional experience, from beginning to end. The chef, Johnny Curiel, has a Michelin star and…read moreis a James Beard nominated cook, and it shows. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the beautiful bar is the centerpiece of this gorgeous restaurant. The atmosphere is a lovely combination of elegance and dining comfort. The waitstaff is beautifully trained, and everyone who works here seems to be very proud of the food and ambiance. We started with a tuna crudo which was one of the stars of the meal. The tuna was delicious and the broth was heavenly. We ordered pork taco and a beef taco, both so tasty. For our entree, we had the snapper in tomato broth. I'm still thinking about it! As soon as you know you're going to Boulder, book a reservation. Even is all you can get is an 8:45, take it! This was without a doubt the best dining experience we enjoyed in Boulder. My only regret is that I didn't book at least 3 meals here during our stay! I won't make that mistake again! Cozobi Fonda Fina is simply that good!

    My husband and I live in southern California and initially wasn't excited to eat at what our local…read morefriend classified as an "upscale Mexican" restaurant. I'm quite the foodie and cook for multiple friend groups so I was skeptical. When we walked in on a Tuesday evening near closing time, I noticed the Bib Gourmand plaque on the wall, mention of Michelin star sister restaurant, Alma and at least 6 parties still seated. Let's talk about the food now. Our party of 3 ordered alot which included: -camote (that ricotta and fennel pairing-oh my!), -caesar salad (huge portion and the BEST I've ever had; even better than any tableside caesar) -yellowtail carpaccio (many renditions of this in LA, but this made me want to eat the whole plate and slurp the sauce!) -tostada (incredible. I wanted more) -carne asada taco (divine cut of meat, hands down the best I've had), --- -pork taco (my husband ordered it and said it was the best he's had) -red snapper (I've had this all over Baja Mexico w very fond memories, but THIS one was a tip the bowl kind of dish) cooked to perfection w abeautiful flavors in the sauce. - mushroom entree. (ordered by our friend, and had a few bites. This dish was way larger than I expected! it looked like a garden box of shrooms. Flavors were delightful. We finished every crumb on our plate. I was extremely surprised with every dish we had, as I found myself swooning into another dimension of pleasure and slight jealousy with every bite. I haven't been WOWED by Mexican flavors at all (in LA or OC ), but only since my trip to Tulúm. I can taste the intention of each flavor combination, freshness of the corn, I really can go on and on. I can still remember being impressed beyond belief, and saying out loud, "THIS is what I want Mexican food to taste like". Prices were so reasonable. Entree portions were hefty and fullfilling. Staff was friendly and knowledgable about the menu and brand story. Hoping and wishing that one day they'll open up a location? chef's kiss to this place. Will try Alma and others when back in CO.

    Photos
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    Costra de NY strip - Steak taco with a layer of crispy cheese
    Costra de NY strip - Steak taco with a layer of crispy cheese
    Cozobi Fonda Fina

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    Centro Mexican Kitchen

    Centro Mexican Kitchen

    3.8
    (842 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Vegetarian friendly

    Dinner here is alway fun and especially so when it is supporting a cause like this night. The…read morerestaurant was part of downtown Boulder's effort to Dine Out For Ukraine. We took the opportunity to join in. The staff was welcoming and one of our favorite tables out on the patio was available. We started with drinks and though they were out of my husband's favorite beer, the one they suggested worked just as well. We started with a collection of small plates and added some other ones too. I liked their take on gazpacho with crunchy bits of toasted sourdough and micro cilantro on top. Give me cilantro on anything and I am always happy. I know this is not universal though, so know that it is in there. My husband had the tuna crudo taco plate, 3 tacos on blue corn tortillas. He also had a dish of rice and beans to supplement the taco plate. I think I would have that taco plate myself next time though I always have enjoyed the grilled fish tacos I had again this time. The yellow corn tortillas are grilled which gives them extra stability to build your own taco with a bowl full of ingredients. I love that I can use as much or as little of the collection on each tortilla. Note, tonight the cauliflower bites were very, very spicy but not the rest of the slaw. And to top the meal off just perfectly, we had the churros yet again. Their preparation makes this dish one of our favorite desserts in Boulder. A nice time for a nice cause. I'm glad there is so much support with our dining options here, for help to a country fighting for its existence.

    Hopped off the plane and came straight to Centro! I met my friends here and it ended up being the…read moreperfect spot after a long day of travel. I met my friends in a booth and it was the perfect dinner. This space is so vibey and fun! We started with a spicy margarita pitcher (because, duh) and a salsa and queso flight. The salsa flavors were delicious and have a nice variety of flavors (watch out for the hot one though!). The margarita was so tasty and not to syrupy sweet. For my entree I went with the steak tacos. These were so delicious! The amount of meat given was very generous, and it was cooked to perfection. I got mine with corn tortillas, long grain rice, cabbage escabeche, and salsa. Very delicious! The only bump was that service was a little slow, but it was a busy Friday night so I can definitely give grace to the staff -- they had a lot going on!

    Photos
    Large Group Friendly
    Large Group Friendly
    Crispy Baja Fish Taco Board
    Crispy Baja Fish Taco Board
    Bloody Mary

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    Bloody Mary
    Santo

    Santo

    4.0
    (301 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    Another fun evening at Santo for Happy Hour. We were there early enough to get our favorite seats…read morein the roomy big area along the east wall. Plenty of table space to lay out all of our food and drink choices at once to browse. My husband chose a dark lager and I had my fave Jamaica Agua Fresca, house made. We chose newer items we love though our old faves are still around too. Tonight we had the media lunas, the bbq wings and the pork adovada nachos which has quite a kick. Turns out, this was a huge portion for happy hour but we know these items travel well so we brought them home to finish tomorrow. It's always so much fun here, the staff is friendly and more than competent. The other diners tend to be friendly and those wanting to avoid the children in this family friendly spot in north Boulder can get their seats at the cool bar with so many options to drink and a staff of knowledgeable bartenders.

    Wanted a new experience, so we checked out the menu for this new restaurant and it looked tasty…read moreenough to give it a shot on a Sunday afternoon. We walked in and at first it seemed like it had a decent vibe. I had actually been to this location before when it was a different restaurant. Seems like this spot changes ownership pretty frequently, which in hindsight probably says something. Right away we noticed a bunch of tables, especially the booths, still hadn't been bussed. We were told to "sit anywhere," but the only clean tables available were high tops and we wanted a booth, so we waited for the busser, who moved at a pace that honestly felt unbelievable. He seemed to be clearing tables one cup and one plate at a time, walking each item individually back to the kitchen. It was painfully inefficient. It was obvious both he and the girl at the bar saw us standing there waiting for a booth to be cleared, but nobody seemed concerned about it. Eventually the table was finally cleared, but then it sat there dirty for a long time without being wiped down. At that point we just sat anyway, assuming someone would quickly come over and clean it once they saw guests sitting there. In most restaurants, that's standard. Not here. After waiting even longer, I finally asked for a rag so I could wipe the table down myself. The response I got back was rude: "Why don't you just sit at one of the tables that's already clear?" That pretty much sealed it for us. The vibe was off from the second we walked in, and you could feel the lack of care throughout the whole place. At that point we didn't even want to order food because it already felt like the experience was headed downhill. We got up and left. Honestly, I'm glad we did. Service and atmosphere usually reflect what's happening behind the scenes, and I had zero confidence the food experience would've been any different. After leaving, we went to El Centro instead and had a much better experience. I'd recommend choosing that over this place any day of the week. Giving people a good dining experience really isn't that complicated. Sometimes it honestly feels like restaurant staff have never gone out to eat themselves and experienced what good hospitality actually feels like. Unfortunately this place completely missed the mark. We won't be back, and I wouldn't recommend it.

    Photos
    Ambience
    Ambience
    Sopapillas
    Sopapillas
    Barbed wire fence post sculpture. So cool!

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    Barbed wire fence post sculpture. So cool!
    Efrain's of Boulder Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

    Efrain's of Boulder Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

    3.9
    (517 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    I drive down to Boulder from Fort Collins once a month just to eat an Efrain burrito and walk…read morethrough McGuckin's. What a fun way to spend the afternoon, my favorite Chile Verde burrito in the world. chips and salsa are great starters as is the Dos Equis

    I had been to the Lafayette location more than a decade ago and never returned. It simply did not…read moresuit me at all. I recently saw that a different family group operated this one in a very convenient part of Boulder so I decided to give it a try. A favorite classic family run restaurant with a similar menu had closed in 2014 after being in operation for 20 years. We missed that sort of menu. This is it, all the way to type of sopapillas and the classic plates with rice and beans , sauce and melted cheese. The family appeal carries through from hosts to servers to clearing staff. The menu is large though it appears that most only vary by central item. The entrees all come with the same sides and a sauce. Next time I will ask for light sauce as it pretty much buried my tamales. They need to stand out and shine and I love the taste of masa. The server was right on the spot with our drinks and we had a comfortable and clean booth. Chips and salsa were at the table as we were seated. They are plainer than some in town but still fresh and classic and free, just like Casa Alvarez, our old classic. The place was buzzing with customers young and old a perfect place for a comfortable and swiftly served meal. The space filled up quickly and though they have an enclosed patio and an open patio, not a soul for takers including us, on a 30° degree evening with a "breeze" so there was a line for tables as we left. We'll be back in a warmer weather and customize our plates a bit. It's friendly and filling and for anyone. And easy on the wallet too. Nice to have a family friendly spot like this in an easy to park shopping center with McGuckins in the lead.

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    Bar at Efrain's
    Bar at Efrain's
    Street Street Style Tacos (3)
    Street Street Style Tacos (3)
    Enclosed patio was pleasant.

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    Enclosed patio was pleasant.
    Wapos

    Wapos

    4.0
    (143 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Jean today was the best! First time at this North Boulder restaurant and it was tasty! Location is…read moreright off Broadway in a cool Boho art district thing. Other shops around too and they have a nice big patio, and a cool bar window table thing! Interior is best described as beach house which is a cool vibe on a sunny day. Lots of beer and drink options and happy hour, I just got a Tecate after my hike but I'll try a Marg next! They have a lot of options food wise but I went conservative with a chicken smothered burrito and enjoyed it! I'd recommend getting the sour cream and guac, and I got some rice on the side too. Free chips & salsa which is awesome! Everything tasted homemade and filling, and the sauces were flavorful with a zing but not overly spicy. Jean was very nice and service was great, very fast and attentive. Can't wait to go again and try something new!

    What an awesome spot. Authentic food, kind staff and great service. The patio has heat lamps and is…read moredog friendly which is awesome. It's so cute. Tucked away right by the mountains. Overall the food was great. The chili verde burrito was the perfect amount of spice and the carnitas were awesome. Fajitas were great, incredible flavor and the shrimp was delicious. The only thing that wasn't great was the queso. It was practically flavorless so we mixed it with salsa which helped a ton. Overall great experience and we will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Chips and salsa
    Chips and salsa
    Side window

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    Side window
    Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

    Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

    3.3
    (689 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Sunday early afternoon on the rooftop was a nice experience. Not too busy and two of us were seated…read moreright away and our waiter was quick and attentive. We started with a couple of tasty Big Tex Margaritas made with Cuervo tradicional silver, orange liqueur, fresh squeezed citrus. Lunch included fresh guacamole with crispy warm chips, baked Chile Rellenos, carnitas tacos with a side of rice and black beans. The Rellenos were topped with spicy green chili sauce and were delicious. The tacos were a bit dry but better with picante sauce. Overall it was a pleasant experience and we'll be back.

    Haven't been to Rio Grande in many years. Used to go all the time back in the day. It was nice to…read moresee they remodeled and gave it a fresh makeover, because it used to be pretty run down. The strawberry margarita was always my favorite. They cut you off after three, but honestly, since they've changed the recipe from what it used to be, I didn't even order more than one this time. It really lacked the strawberry flavor it used to have. The queso tasted more like 7-Eleven nacho cheese than anything good. The guacamole was still solid, but I guess it's hard to screw up avocados and spices. I had the shrimp and crab enchiladas, which were fair. Nothing special. Everybody else felt their food was just okay too. Really disappointing for what Rio used to be. Service was good though. That's about the only reason I'm giving this 3 stars.

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    Indoor seating
    Indoor seating
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    Nopalito's - mexican - Updated August 2026

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