Boulder, Colorado
front entrance
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Boulder is now one of my favorite cities! You drive through the town and see mountains in one direction and modern buildings in another. There are trendy restaurants, open shopping areas, parks, creeks, evergreen trees, and sculptures scattered in between. It is a sensory overload for me. Love it!
One building that stands out from all others is the elaborate Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Photos do not do it justice. It is an artistic structure designed in bright blues, yellows, greens, reds, golds, etc. and the more you gaze at the details – the more you see. No two panels or cedar columns are alike. The entire place is handcrafted, carved, and painted with beautiful intricate patterns that are traditional in Persian Art.
handcrafted ceiling & cedar columns
Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan and this teahouse was actually constructed there and sent as a gift to Boulder, their “sister city.” It was completely built by hand without the use of any power tools whatsoever. It was finished, disassembled, crated up and sent to Boulder to be rebuilt. The teahouse stands today as a symbol of friendship and to remind the citizens of Boulder to value cultural diversity, global cooperation and international friendship.
pained ceiling
posing out front
Besides just being a gorgeous building, Dushanbe Teahouse is one of my absolute favorite places to eat when visiting Boulder. I have never found iced chai tea anywhere that can compare to the spicy deliciousness of the ones served here. I have had the privilege of dining here for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and have sampled many of their tasty and somewhat unusual dishes.
You can choose to be seated indoors and enjoy the building’s architecture and beautiful plants and fountains. You can also choose to be seated outside under flowering trellises or canopies and enjoy the outdoor sights. The teahouse is a work of art to enjoy either way.
The menu is very diverse! Try Kookoo Sabzi (a Persian omelette with baba ghanoush and rice), a Honduran Beleada (tortilla, black beans, eggs, cheese, and avocado), Chickpea Kufteh (chickpea croquettes with Persian tomato sauce, greens and pomegranate) or maybe delicious Indian Samosas (with spicy potatoes and peas).
outside by the creek
samosas
hummus and veggies
lunch special
selfie
For the more traditional diners – try the Hummus, Whole Wheat Chai Pancakes, Russian Beet Salad, or American Breakfast (complete with a homemade pop tart). There is also a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and pastas on the menu but I am always game to try something new and different. The desserts have always been especially good with my favorites being their Tangerine Tea Gingerbread and Mexican Chocolate Cake (which packs quite a chili pepper punch!).
Mexican chocolate cake
chai pancakes
breakfast
Their drink menu is extensive with wines and cocktails but I keep going back for the chai tea…..it is just too delicious to pass up. If you want something different, try one of their Blooming Teas – where a flowery dried tea ball is actually dropped into your clear glass of hot water and the artisan tea literally “blooms” as it steeps. It is quite an unusual drink, to say the least.
blooming tea
One of my favorite trips to Dushanbe Teahouse was last October when the Boulder Farmer’s Market was being held on a gorgeous Saturday morning. The whole area in front of and around Dushanbe is filled with booths and stalls selling various products: plants, flowers, granola, fruits & vegetables, soaps, jams & jellies, honey, goat cheese, breads, artisan crafts, T-shirts, etc. It is truly a sight to behold! My morning was filled with sights, sounds, scents and tastes from this wonderful market. What a fantastic and memorable way to spend an autumn day in Boulder – a stroll through the Farmer’s Market and then brunch at Dushanbe with good friends and family. Life doesn’t get much better.
fall flowers
Farmer’s Market
colorful mums
goat
squash
turnips
carrots
watermelon radishes
colorful beets
Southern Savvy 
I recall what caught my attention first was the name, Dushanbe. In Farsi, that means Monday, so naturally I firgured it’s a Persian tea house. But then the architect of it blew me away. I hear you talking about Boulder frequently so I will definitely visit this place if I’m ever there.
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I think I remember hearing that the name meant “Monday.” It is a wonderful place and so unlike any building I have ever seen.
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Great post! This is one of the many reasons to love Boulder. I can’t wait to go back and visit again.
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We will be there soon! 🙂
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The Persian chickpea kufteh is definitely my favorite thing on the menu. And the chai tea, of course.
The last two times I have been to the tea house the service was pretty terrible….I am hoping that was not he norm. It’s still one of my favorite places too 😊
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That is sad to hear. Write a Trip Advisor review and see if you get a reply. Management needs to know!
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The Dushanbe Teahouse is such a unique restaurant and I would have felt as though I had missed out if I had not visited it during my trip to Boulder. They have a menu with so much variety and the decor on the inside grabs your attention. The Farmers Market outside the restaurant is full of beautiful fruits and vegetables as well as gorgeous flowers. An amazing place to relax and take in the sights.
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I have such fond memories of that day! The Farmer’s Market was so much fun to see….quite unlike The one in Dallas.
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Boulder is also one of my favorite cities! The tea house is amazing and the chai tea delicious! Your blog brought back wonderful memories of a fun girls’ weekend.
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We had such a wonderful time there in Boulder – no wonder we remember this with such fondness! I enjoyed making these memories 🙂 Time for another girls’ trip!!
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