We have since moved a few times but we have always served the best Italian food to Boulderites since then and continue to do so today! In August 2007 we made a great and final move to 1600 Pearl Street on the East of end of the Pearl Street Mall, where you'll be able to enjoy everything the downtown mall has to offer including our great pasta and service!
The Gondolier on Pearl Street
1600 Pearl Street #1, Boulder Colorado 80302
(303) 443-5015Feel free to give us a call to find out more about our menu, catering, and more.
or send us an Email (info@gondolieronpearl.com). We look forward to hearing from you!
Remember to come in Monday's for 15% off our Pizzas!
Check out our online specials and printable coupon here(Delivery and carryout orders can only be taken a half hour before we close!)
Fifty years ago, Gary Kugel opened the original Gondolier restaurant on Broadway and Marine St. in Boulder. The restaurant seated 60 and had a pick up window for take-out orders in the back. They even had a 3- wheeled meter maid cart for deliveries. A spaghetti dinner with meatball or sausage, salad, an antipasti, cup of Minestrone soup, bread and a drink cost just $1.50. The limited menu of spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli and pizzas had everything homemade just as they are today. The Gondolier offered some of the first Pizza’s in town as well, with the 16- inch Carnival costing just $3.10!
The majestic towering espresso machine at our entrance was made in Turin, Italy in 1904. It was purchased from the Boulder Coffee House when the Gondolier first opened in 1960. This provided wonderful espresso coffee to our customers up until 1987 when parts were no longer available for repairs and the machine was retired. Through the ‘70’s, Gary and his wife, Jan Kugel, saw their business out grow its tiny space on Broadway, and in 1980 moved it to a bigger location at 28th and Valmont. The new location quadrupled their original size, and allowed the restaurant to offer a full service bar as well as a large seating area. In 1982, the introduction of the “all-you-can-eat” spaghetti special was introduced for a price of $1.99. Over the years the “spaghetti specials” turned the Gondolier into an institution for college kids, high school sports teams, and families to visit every Tuesday and Wednesday to get their fill of homemade pasta.
In 2001 Gary and Jan retired from the daily operations of the business and their son, Nelson Kugel, took over as proprietor and Chef. Nelson, an honors graduate from the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, brought what he learned into the restaurant business. Nelson moved the restaurant over to Pearl Street; first to 17th and Pearl for 6 years, and then to its current location at 16th and Pearl in 2007.
You will still find the same homemade spaghetti, lasagna, meatballs, sausage, minestrone and pizza as it was made on the menu 50 years ago. In addition, you will find a great wine list and tapas, gourmet creations and delicious desserts. There is great pride taken by the Kugel family and staff in offering quality food and service. This has become a trade mark of the fifty years of service in Boulder.
