Food BEST OF BOULDER - EAST COUNTY

379 Main St., Longmont, 720-815-2888

300 S. Public Road, Lafayette, 303-443-5200

Lafayette Winner: Morning Glory Cafe

Louisville Winner: The Huckleberry Niwot Winner: Garden Gate Cafe

Originally opened in 2011 as the sister restaurant to the much loved North Boulder eatery Arugula, Tangerine has since grown to include locations in Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont. All three are bustling brunch joints with a firm hand on savory dishes like breakfast tacos and a reuben Benedict. But for those who need a little sweet to get their feet in motion, the strawberry and caramel pancakes are one of the region’s most decadent stacks.

603 Front St., Louisville, 303-666-5743

Lafayette Winner: Proto’s Pizzeria

Napoletana Longmont Winner: Urban Field Pizza and Market

Lucky Pie is a locavore and beer geek haven. There are plenty of traditional pies, but the more outlandish ones, including the banana hammock — with sausage, banana peppers, caramelized onions, mozzarella and chives — really steal the show. The pistachio hummus is also worth checking out.

150 Main St., Suite 202, Longmont, 720-633-8838

Lafayette Winner: Ghost Box Pizza

Louisville Winner: Rosati’s Pizza

Many Boulderites have unwittingly found themselves reveling over Urban Field’s pizza while enjoying a preshow slice at The Lounge in the Boulder Theater. But a visit to the homebase is key. Not only is there a full menu of outrageously good pies, but the market is always stocked with local goods including fresh bouquets, honey and produce from neighboring farms.

461 Main St., Longmont, 303-485-5020

Lafayette Winner: Ghost Box Pizza

Louisville Winner: Rosati’s Pizza

Rosalee’s is old school. Fashioning its pies in the Old World East Coast style, the place sticks to the traditions laid out by early Italian immigrants. Exquisite ingredients are paramount, with options like the bacon and ricotta proving that beauty doesn’t always favor the complex.

1380 Horizon Ave., Lafayette, 303-227-3243

Longmont Winner: Pumphouse Brewery & Redzone

Gunbarrel Winner: Avery Brewing Co.

Erie Winner: Piripi

Stem Ciders started in 2013 as an urban cidery in Denver’s RiNo district. But it was the 2018 opening of Acreage that really proved Stem was set to be a Colorado institution. Situated on one of Lafayette’s best mesas, Stem offers some of the best views of Boulder Valley. It doesn’t hurt that the place serves plates like duck confit and seared salmon, along with Stem’s full roster ciders and some taphouse exclusives.