Carelli's

While driving back to Denver from our anniversary trip in the mountains, we had a hankering for Italian as a last meal to celebrate. The reviews on Carelli's looked good, so that's what we went with. Very boujee atmosphere, but not stuck up. The staff were all professional and they seemed to get along well with one another, which was nice to see. Cameron served us and that's one solid young man! I was wavering between the carbonara and a pizza, and Cameron swayed me to the pie side of life. I'm glad he did because the pizza was amazing. House wine was a nice chianti, which is our favorite wine, so win-win-win.

⭐ 5/5 – Boulder’s Best Italian Spot, Perfect for Any Occasion Carelli’s is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants in Boulder. I’ve been coming here for years, and the consistency in food quality, service, and overall experience is what keeps me coming back. Whether you’re looking for a nice dinner out, a spot to celebrate a special occasion, or just a solid Italian meal, this place delivers on all fronts. 🍝 The Food: 5/5 The menu has something for everyone, from classic pasta dishes to amazing pizzas and fresh seafood options. You can tell they use high-quality ingredients, and everything comes out perfectly cooked. The pasta dishes are always cooked to perfection, never overdone or undercooked. The sauces are rich and flavorful, whether you’re going for a classic marinara or a creamy Alfredo. The pizza is fantastic, with a perfectly crispy crust and just the right amount of cheese and toppings. It’s easily one of the best in Boulder. Seafood dishes and appetizers are also well-executed, which isn’t always the case at Italian places this far from the coast. Portions are generous but not overwhelming, so you leave satisfied without feeling stuffed. 🏡 The Atmosphere: 5/5 Carelli’s has a warm, inviting vibe that makes it great for any occasion. It’s nice enough for a special celebration but also casual enough for a relaxed dinner. The lighting is dim but cozy, and the décor has an upscale yet comfortable feel. If you’re looking for a place to take visiting parents, a date, or a group of friends, this is a fantastic option. 🛎️ The Service: 5/5 The service is consistently great. The staff is attentive without being overbearing, and they always seem genuinely happy to be there. Food comes out in a reasonable time, even when they’re busy, and the servers are knowledgeable about the menu. If you have dietary restrictions or need recommendations, they’re happy to help. 💰 The Verdict: Boulder’s Best Italian Spot Carelli’s is one of those places that never disappoints. The food is always on point, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service is top-notch. It’s a perfect mix of upscale and casual, making it ideal for everything from a nice dinner out to a special celebration. ✅ Consistently excellent food ✅ Great portions, fresh ingredients, and a well-balanced menu ✅ Perfect for special occasions or just a great meal ✅ Friendly, knowledgeable service ✅ Reasonable prices for the quality and experience Would I return? Absolutely—Carelli’s is a Boulder staple, and I’ll keep coming back for years to come.

Good Italian food. The service was excellent. They paid attention to every guest, even though we had a large party. The servers accommodated food allergies and special requests. Kids loved it. The design is a bit lacking but good enough for this price range and the age of this restaurant. I may come back here when in Boulder again. I will probably order something else next time and try other dishes since they have so many options. The chocolate mousse was very good and I will definitely order it again.

Cindy and Alex, are amazing! My favorite spot in Boulder- after being here for a month! The food is fresh and the atmosphere is vibrant! Thank you for such a lovely night solo

I love the caprese salad and eggplant lasagna. The Caesar salad is very mid. Lasagna is good too. Friendly waitress Nice athmosphere Good location

We just went for my mom and my birthday this evening and it was amazing! The food was on point, the service was the highlight (thank you Nick!) And they were super accommodating with my four-year-old. What a fabulous dining experience for my birthday with my family! The seafood risotto was SO GOOD! Get that if you love seafood! Really a consistent and delicious place for a nice meal. They brought us an amazing cake for our birthday and we couldn’t help but get more dessert— all of it was stellar.

Ange was amazing, so professional and such a lovely server. The food was absolutely delicious, every plate hand crafted 🔥😋🤤

The BEST restaurant in Boulder! Friendliest staff, best food, amazing ambience! JT, Cindy, Angie are our favorites. All professional yet treat us like friends! Although it’s not listed on the menu, half portions of most entrees is available at a discounted price.

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.

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 .

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!)

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!!

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

Food was good; service was a bit slow; and the bar area was so hot it was unpleasant for dining.

omg. what has happened to Carellis? I have never been so disappointed in revisiting a restaurant that I have loved forever. Table of fivev the bill was $400. Two of of us ordered veal piccata. The veal was tough. The piccata tasteless. I ordered a side of pasta Al pesto. It was bright green and barely tasted of basil. had Caesar salad in advance. I don't think there was one egg in it. poorly dressed. I can't imagine who is doing the cooking in the kitchen. two things were good-- the olives in chili sauce from the bar. And the wine. I did not taste my companions foods, but it was the most disappointing evening of all of my revisited evenings. I do not recommend Carellis. So very very sad.

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!

The food was pretty good but the service left a lot to be desired. It was slow getting initial drinks, slow in re-filling water glasses, extremely slow in clearing table for dessert, extremely slow in in general clearing of table and getting the bill. I had the Scoozi and it would have been better if the chicken pieces had been sautéed rather than simmered. Too chewy. Crème brûlée was excellent. Appreciated being in the little nook; this was a special occasion.

Excellent vibe and beautiful scenery Sat at the bar and enjoyed the well prepared italian food And appetizers Visited twice and enjoyed the salmon pasta and Pesce Asiago Excellent service and great drinks for my companions ( I don't drink) Make a reservation and enjoy

The best regular Italian food in Boulder with a great atmosphere. A locals favorite as it's not on Pearl St

Delicious food, great ambience, excellent service. If you want an old-school Boulder experience with authentic Italian food, this place is for you.

Very attentive and friendly staff and the ambience is nice. My partner's tortellini was more soupy than saucy and my risotto was bad; I could taste the wine that had not been cooked down long enough in the rice and the lemon flavor was very overpowering. I probably won't go back because it's too pricey and we both did not finish our meals, went home, and ordered Fat Shack because it was the only thing open. Overall, the restaurant is very pretty, the service is very good, but the food was a miss for me.

An old standby for good carbonara. Lots of garlic bread, good cocktails, decent price. Still happy after all these years.

Service was superior. Food only average. Bread and appetizers were excellent. Marsala pretty bland and crusted chicken pretty average. Nice casual atmosphere

We wound up here as a last minute choice and could not be happier! Reservations for Flagstaff House for special holiday meal with an out of town guest during Christmas 2022. Massive winter storm made getting up to Flagstaff too sketchy to attempt. Found last minute availability at the Carelli's bar and LOVED IT! Friendly staff, delicious food great wine and big fire burning in cold snowy night!! Tried to go back on Christmas Eve 2023 but they were not open. We will be back!!

I signed up for Yelp just for this review. I ordered to go tonight and got inedible food. We ordered cheese manicotti and spaghetti and meatballs and both my partner and I barely ate 3 bites before throwing it away. Spaghetti "bolognese" and meatballs: Only got 2 meatballs for a $17 dish. Meatballs were dry as a bone and smelled off once opened. Sauce was watery and had no flavor. Cheese manicotti: Completely flat with broken sauce, tastes like it was sitting in a tray all night. My partner picked it up as soon as it was ready and needed to reheat it when we got home. (We live 5 minutes away). I will never be getting this food again after spending $40 on two dishes (plus tip) and we ended up ordering pizza instead. Look at the photos.

I tried to make brunch reservations for Mother's Day. I was promptly told by Chris Carelli that they were not open for lunch or on Sundays and he then promptly hung up on me. When I called back to confirm his rude behavior he simply said the "conversation was over" wow! I have been there many times for business lunches, etc and he didn't offer any options as to other times. I will never return.

Carelli's has delicious food and a warm atmosphere. The restaurant bar is always busy. It has an upscale appeal with a reasonable price point. The staff are always friendly. There is a gas fireplace in the middle of the restaurant and on cold nights it is so AWESOME! It will be freezing outside and you walk in to the smells of cooking garlic and olive oil, friendly smiles, and yummy food. The service is prompt but never overbearing. As a business owner myself, I was surprised to learn that all the managers take turns working in the kitchen. I found this out because I wanted to say hello to one of them and assumed he was in the kitchen because they were short staffed, when in fact, it is standard operating procedure for them to ensure quality and for the manager to understand what other employees might be experiencing. I am sure this also leads to better quality and relationships in the restaurant. I love it! I have frequented this restaurant for over twenty years and will always give Carelli's five stars. Erin Pass

I have lived in Boulder for 29 years and have tried my hardest to find a decent Italian restaurant. One that holds up to the best in NYC, SF and LA. We have great restaurants in this town after all. I have given Carelli's a couple chances and it just doesn't make the cut even close. Tonight I tried again and was so disappointed. Waited for a seat at the bar for drinks and dinner solo as my wife had a work engagement. Waited about 20 min while keeping my eye on this guy that was taking up two spots at the end of the bar. He spent the time drinking water. I ask the bartender if I could slide a chair in as there was more than enough room for two. Was told.. "sorry sir, the owner prefers his space". So long Carelli's.

I called to make a reservation and the guy on the phone hung up on me. :( won't be going there

Crazy bad service towards college students even though they're in a college town. Food's mid too.

We had a group of 11 for dinner and the food and service was terrific. Ever one of us had a delightful dinner. Even more, after I forgot my credit card, they kindly mailed it back to me without question.

Used to be an amazing Italian Restaurant. Food is now so gross you either have to send it back or throw it in the trash because that's where it belongs. Sauces that should be flavorful are watery, soggy chicken parm, arrives cold, no silverware, and SLOW. Really fell off. They pretentious and rude. Anything and everything they make can be made better at home. Skip this place

Oh goodness gracious I LOVE Carelli's. My partner and I have been here before and it was fantastic. Good service, good food, good atmosphere. But tonight I was super impressed. Service was amazing. There was a slight mix up and I got the wrong calzone flavor. Ingrid made sure to make it alright and comped the calzone. Slight mix up aside, the food was so good. We loved sitting and talking under the mood lighting. Everyone was so kind. Definitely a place to come back to any time we're in Boulder. Come here any time you're looking to take your lady or man for a nice romantic dinner. You won't be let down.

Alex and Violet were both the best! Very fast and kind service! Carellis has a very good ambience and staff!

Long time favorite slipped. Full restaurant and service slipped. Gnocchi overcooked and some crunchy. Shrimp overcooked, Caesar salad dressing was something strange. Not a good experience.

This restaurant is simply the very best in Boulder. The food quality, the service and the atmosphere. The scallopini is amazing, the wine options, and the Caesar salad are my favorite. I found that substituting the veal for the chicken parmesean lifts the taste a bit more and they make reasonable substitutions an option. You will not be disappointed.

Carelli's is a place for people who have been coming to Carelli's for 30 years and want what they want. All the classic Italian-American red sauce dishes, tons of garlic. The kind of institution that meets expectations. Spaghetti and meatballs. You know the drill. It's the surprisingly extensive list of gluten-free options that drew me in, and at this point I feel like I may need to work my way through the entire menu before I can leave a fair review. The first visit (chicken parmigiana) was a bit disappointing, but the second (shrimp scampi over linguine) was much better. Pro tip: talk to the bartender for book recommendations and excellent drinks.

From date night to business lunch Carelli's is sure to please! I've been wining and dining here since before I moved to town. On my first visit I enjoyed the massive bruschetta piled high with finely diced garlic and tomatoes (shared appetizer) and the garbage calzone (for my meal). The calzone includes a truly great and slightly sweet red sauce, meatballs, sausage, and pepperoni). If you enjoy keeping the calzone all to yourself (as I often do) it can definitely serve as a great breakfast the following day! Before I go any further I must say the wait staff have are amazing each and every visit. On my second visit (a month after my first) I had the same waiter and he remembered not only me, but also my order. Incredible! This past Friday I returned to have a celebratory dinner with my partner. We were quoted a thirty minute wait when we called and were tickled to have a much shorter wait upon arrival (you have to be present to be placed in the waiting list). Our waiter Stephan was fantastic! He made great recommendations for our libations (Pinot noir for him and a delish IPA for me). Our appetizer was of course the bruschetta! Since it comes with such a generous portion of tomatoes and garlic we were able to make even more bruschetta using the complimentary yummy warm garlic bread. By the time dinner came we were nearly at full capacity. Dinner was a shared Greek salad and of course the garbage calzone (though my partner ordered it as a 'dumpster' calzone, ha ha ha). Every bite was delicious and satisfying! Stephen packed up our leftovers with care which you better believe we are for breakfast the next day. I honestly can't wait to go back again soon!