One of the biggest trends in restaurants today is the farm-to-table concept in which restaurants source as much of their ingredients from local growers and farms, some even go as far as growing their own herbs and vegetables in house! Of course, the concept makes perfect sense in a town like Boulder, so there are numerous options to choose from. Here are the top farm-to-table restaurants in Boulder.

Black Cat Bistro

This restaurant is about as close as you can get to the farm since the chef, Eric Skokan, actually owns the farm he uses to produce the delicious dishes he produces for Black Cat Bistro in Downtown Boulder. Having their own farm lets the restaurant plan the menu from the ground up quite literally. The menu is constantly changing and is a great place to have an intimate, fresh and organic dinner.

Bramble & Hare

The sister restaurant to Black Cat Bistro, Bramble & Hare also gets theirfarm fresh menu from Black Cat Farms located just outside the city limits. This restaurant was designed with more of a casual pub feel to complement the intimate bistro next door. But make no mistake, while this might have the feel of a casual pub, lots of love goes into making these dishes.

The Kitchen/The Kitchen Next Door/The Kitchen Upstairs

This trio of restaurants on the west end of the Pearl Street mall has taken Boulder by storm. Together, they offer just about any kind of dining (or drinking) experience that one could ask for. For an upscale dinner with friends or fancy first date, try The Kitchen; for a few classy cocktails and apps with friends, visit The Kitchen Upstairs; and for those of you wanting a nice night out with friends, pop into The Kitchen Next Door. The trio was built upon the concept of community and takes into account sustainability and locally sourced ingredients.

Oak at Fourteenth

On a corner just off the Pearl Street Mall, Oak at Fourteenth doesn’t immediately jump out to passersby, but once you make it into the restaurant, you’re in for a real treat. Diners swear by the tomato braised meatballs and burrata and the shaved gala apple & kale salad (yes, their salad gets people excited). The kitchen at Oak uses locally sourced veggies and meats and makes their own pasta.

SALT Bistro

This restaurant designs “menus that honor the ingredients” and it shows in its popularity. During the week, you can get a farm-to-table lunch or dinner and on the weekends, indulge in an all-natural, gourmet brunch. SALT uses a variety of farms in the surrounding area to source their food, and even supply one of the farmers with their scraps to feed his pigs.

The next time you and your friends decide it’s time for a night dining out, use this list to pick from some of the best restaurants that Boulder has to offer and now that you’re not only supporting one local business, you’re supporting farmers and other small businesses that give these restaurants the fresh, local ingredients they need to create a wonderful dining experience and have you leaving with a full belly and a happy heart.