Top Dining Options In Longmont

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 15, 2014 7:00 am EST

(credit: Sushi Leo)

Longmont is a surprisingly creative town, with lots of amazing restaurants and dining options that make the drive to this beautiful little town totally worth it. There is a large variety of ethnic restaurants from Mexican to Japanese, Thai, Creole and more, along with plenty of down-home, southern, American and other more regional offerings. The drive from Denver to Longmont is really only about 40 minutes, and when you are enjoying food this good, you'll be happy to make that trip. Whether you live in the Boulder or Longmont area, or are looking for a reason to visit, here are some of the best dining options in the Longmont area.

Comida Cantina
721 Confidence Drive
Longmont, CO 80504
(720) 204-6455
www.eatcomida.com

If you enjoy fresh, traditional Mexican street food, then you can't go wrong with a visit to Comida Cantina. The Comida team rolls all around Denver and Boulder with a popular pink food truck, affectionately named Tina, bringing tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and gorditas to the streets for any hungry people it meets along the way. If you are in the Longmont area, however, you can stop in at the Cantina for all of the same food, served at your table in a lovely sit-down, full-service restaurant. The food is fresh and authentic, all home-made and truly reflects the variety and flavors of Mexico. Enjoy the street tacos with everything from grilled skirt steak to marinated fish, jalapeno grits, shrimp or slow-cooked pork shoulder. Affordably priced, and so delicious, you'll be visiting Comida Cantina again and again.

Urban Thai
2030 Ionosphere St
Longmont, CO 80504
(303) 719-7916
www.urbanthaicafe.com

Urban Thai offers up very authentic Thai cuisine prepared by Thai chefs who really understand the delicacies and nature of the ingredients. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable and chic, providing the perfect atmosphere for a wonderful meal with a friend or loved one. All of the traditional Thai dishes are there, including Pad Kra Pao (stir-fried holy basil with crushed chili), Sam Ros (crispy meat with sweat, sour and spicy sauce,) Panang Curry, Tom Yum Soup and, of course, Pad Thai. The menu is actually quite large, so you will have a lot to choose from, just be sure to save some room for dessert. You can enjoy Urban Thai coconut ice cream, fried banana or mango pudding, among many others.

Sushi Leo
2315 Clover Basin Drive
Longmont, CO 80503
(303) 678-0553
www.sushileo.net

Owner/Chef Mori brings the freshest ingredients and traditional sushi recipes to the Longmont area in this amazing hidden gem. Since 2010, Sushi Leo has been flying in fresh fish from all over the world and providing a huge menu filled with lots of sushi, Japanese curry, katsu meats and many other wonderful dishes for every palate. Every classic form of sushi is on the menu, but what really makes each sushi restaurant different and special are the various rolls and house rolls that are unique to each chef. Try the Pokihama Roll with yellowtail, apple, pine nuts, poki sauce, sprouts and tobiko, or the Ragin Cajun with green chili temp stuffed with spicy crawfish, lettuce, avocado, cucumber and cream cheese. There is also the Longmont Roll with salmon, avocado, tobiko and eel with eel sauce, or the Galaxy Roll, which is a California Roll wrapped in salmon and tempura fried. If that doesn't get you hungry for sushi, then nothing will.

Cheese Importers
103 Main St.
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 772-9599
www.cheeseimporters.com

Cheese Importers is not a "traditional restaurant" but it very much deserves to be on this list. This Colorado-owned business started more than 30 years ago, bringing amazing imported cheeses, cured meats, oils, spices, chocolates and other specialty foods to the Longmont area. Today, there are more than 350 different cheeses to choose from, a classic European Marketplace feel and an incredible French Café that will make you think you have hopped a plane and left the United States. Grab a seat in the Bistro and enjoy a traditional Parisian breakfast with a basket of fresh bread, butter, jam, coffee or tea. Or enjoy the breakfast cheese plate with French Brie, berries and a baguette. The quiche here is also something special, and the quiche du jour is always delicious and fresh. With salads, sandwiches, soups and even small plates with tastings of all the best cheese, this is a must-stop for any cheese lover in Colorado.

Lucile's Creole Café
518 Kimbark St.
Longmont, CO 80501
(303) 774-9814
www.luciles.com

Brunch in Longmont begins at Lucile's Creole Café. With all of the best flavors of traditional creole and southern cooking, you'll fill up on some amazing food, even if you may have to wait a little for a table. Try the Eggs Pontchartrain with pan-fried mountain trout, béarnaise sauce and the best grits and biscuits in town. Or go with the Eggs Rockefeller with fried oysters and Rockefeller sauce. No matter what, make sure you order at least one serving of the traditional New Orleans-style beignets. They come piping hot and are served four to an order. Actually, order at least two, because you'll definitely want more than one of these light, flaky, sweet donuts. You can also get a really great cup of coffee here with Lucile's own chicory coffee blend, or try the homemade hot chocolate for a sweet pick-me-up to start the day.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.