This piece is from the CU Independent’s opinion section. Any opinions or views do not represent the CU Independent.
College football games, concerts and cram sessions all have a few things in common: students, late nights and the need for some grub. With the school year kicking off, here are some restaurants that are open late near the University of Colorado Boulder’s campus.
Gaia Masala & Burger
Gaia Masala & Burger, Aug. 20, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Did someone say cheese fries, but better? Gaia Masala & Burger is centrally located on The Hill on 13th Street in Boulder. Most importantly, they serve chicken masala cheese fries, or the perfect late-night snack. The restaurant is a short walk from the main campus and offers a variety of Indian dishes. Some of the dishes are traditional, others fuse with food of different cuisines. Gaia Masala & Burger is open late, until 3 a.m. every morning. Prices for most dishes are around $15 to $20, but sides such as the garlic naan can serve as a cheaper option. For a meal, the chicken biryani, Ralphie burger, tikka masala cheesesteak and chicken tikka masala calzone are all popular options.
Fat Shack
Fat Shack, Aug. 20, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Conveniently, or perhaps not for your wallet, Fat Shack is next door to Gaia Masala & Burger on The Hill. Most nights, Fat Shack is open until 3 a.m. On Mondays and Sundays, they are open until 1 a.m. From “munchies” to “fat sandwiches”, Fat Shack is a good option for everyone wanting a quick bite or a full meal. Popular “munchies” are the cheese fries, onion rings, mac and cheese bites and fried pickles. They typically range from $5 to $10. For a heavier meal, their sandwiches and burgers are around $9 to $15. Fat Shack also offers sweet treats, like deep fried Oreos and plenty of flavors of milkshakes.
Cosmo’s Pizza
Cosmo’s Pizza, Aug. 20, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Craving something quick, but you live near Williams Village? Cosmo’s Pizza is the answer. Sunday through Thursday, the pizza joint is open until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, they extend their hours until 2 a.m. Pizza is available both by the slice and by order for a full pizza. They offer a fixed menu of special pizzas, as well as the option to make your own. Additionally, there are calzones, bread sticks and salads. Depending on the toppings, a slice of pizza is about $7. One of the best things about Cosmo’s? The slices are huge and aren’t complete without a side of Cosmo’s signature spicy ranch. In late November 2025, the city of Boulder approved a student housing project for CU Boulder, which will result in the Cosmo’s Pizza on 30th Street to close in the future.
D.P. Dough
D.P. Dough, Aug. 20, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
D.P. Dough is another classic, late-night option on The Hill, located on College Avenue. They are open until 4 a.m. every day of the week. The bulk of their menu offers a variety of calzones, with classic Italian cuisine inspired calzones filled with pepperoni, eggplant, ricotta and more. They branch out to use flavors inspired by barbecue, hamburgers and buffalo sandwiches as well. The calzones are about $10 to $15. Another popular option at D.P. Dough are their Cheese Stix, Garlic Parm Stix and Roni Rolls. The “Stix” are bread sticks topped with different ingredients. The Roni Rolls are similar to garlic knots filled with pepperoni.
Bova’s Market & Grill
Bova’s Market and Grill, Aug. 20, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Bova’s Market & Grill is the place for everyone, located on 28th Street and Colorado Avenue. Bova’s is open every day until 2 a.m. with the exception of Sundays when they close at midnight. The market sells prepackaged snacks and beverages and more. For a hot meal, the grill has gyros, burgers, fries and chicken fingers. You can’t go without getting the Bova’s Special, or a grilled cheese filled with chicken fingers and three types of sauce. Bova’s offers both meat and vegetarian options, with prices for handhelds typically falling in the range of $10 to $15. The location on 28th Street will close on September 12, but the establishment plans to reopen on 13th Street on The Hill.
Contact CU Independent Managing Editor Ainsley Coogan at ainsley.coogan@colorado.edu
