Simplicity is a theme for many Boulder bars, but it's a basic rule at Cafe Aion, a low-profile tapas bar among the college bars on University Hill. Aion covers beer, wine, spirits and original cocktails including a jalapeño margarita, but the highlight here, given the restaurant's Spanish influences, is the sangria. As well as the house sangria – "red wine, fresh fruit and secrets" – there's a daily special, which can include unexpected varieties such as watermelon and cucumber.

A reprieve from the numerous burrito and pizza joints on the Hill (a neighborhood that borders the University of Colorado campus), Cafe Aion is worth seeking out. Chef Dakota Soifer earned the title of champion on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” and commands an excellent menu in Boulder that features fresh, local ingredients and Spanish-inspired cuisine. View this post on Instagram

Cafe Aion offers a cozy retreat with its Spanish-inspired menu, focusing on tapas and small plates that encourage sharing. Their roasted beet and citrus salad is a beautiful marriage of sweet and tangy flavors, garnished with local cheese and nuts, making it a perfect example of how Cafe Aion brings the essence of Colorado produce to Mediterranean dishes.

Cafe Aion is far from pretentious but it’s a bit nicer than many of the fast and casual joints on The Hill. Exposed brick walls and hardwood floors set a hip and elegant mood in a friendly environment where you can enjoy traditional Spanish and Moroccan tapas. Per the Mediterranean culture, the vibe is informal and the food is meant to be shared.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Boulder, this restaurant offers a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere that sets the perfect backdrop for a casual dining experience. One of the highlights of my visit was the extensive drink menu. From craft cocktails to a carefully curated wine selection, Cafe Aion truly knows how to please any palate.

Cafe Aion is a cozy restaurant that offers a delightful blend of Spanish and Mediterranean flavors. The menu features a variety of tapas, paellas, and other small plates, all made with fresh, local ingredients. The warm, inviting decor with its rustic wood accents and open kitchen creates a welcoming atmosphere.

Such multi-starred fine dining as Frasca, Oak at Fourteenth, Corrida, Salt, Black Cat, The Kitchen, Blackbelly and Santo (the latter two owned by Top Chef winner Hosea Rosenberg) and Cafe Aion (the short list!) are in Boulder, as well as myriad lesser-known, yet very worthy, dining spots.

Chef Dakota Soifer probably would never have opened his restaurant had it not been for the success of The Kitchen. So in that way, you can consider Café Aion a ‘legacy’ restaurant, born from the foundation created by another, says Lacroix.

Cafe Aion’s Spanish-Moroccan menu is light without being boring, and the lamb meatballs might be the best use of ground animal on the Hill. Also: their brunch doesn’t suck, which is rarer than it should be in Boulder.

Other recommended eateries offering a variety of vegan choices include Sherpa’s Restaurant, Cafe Aion, T/aco, China Gourmet, Centro Mexican Kitchen, Illegal Pete’s, Gelato Boy and the Corner Cafe on the Hill.

Café Aion 1235 Pennsylvania Ave., 303-993-8131; cafeaion.com. Tapas and Spanish-inspired dishes. Open Tues-Sun for lunch, Tues-Sat for dinner, and brunch Sat-Sun.

This blue-themed eatery is one of the best brunch places in Boulder, with its Spanish and Moroccan-inspired dishes such as shakshuka, an egg plate, and paella.

Cafe Aion: on the Hill so you wouldn't have to walk downtown, good food and atmosphere, very non-collegey even though it is in college-land.