If you’re increasingly disillusioned by the rising cost of going out to eat in metro Denver, you’re not alone. The price tag for dining out increased by 5.7% in July compared to the same month in 2023 because of increased labor and lease costs, according to federal inflation data. But plenty of restaurants are still serving great meals at a price point that won’t cause heartburn. Take Gaia Masala & Burger, which partners Hira Kunwar and Nandalal Nyaupane opened on Boulder’s University Hill in 2019 to offer a low-cost, late-night option for University of Colorado students who wanted to try comforting classics with a twist. Kunwar and Nyaupane have since expanded to Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins while keeping prices low.