The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
As much as we adore American-style waffles, Bennies, and bloodies, the Denver metro area has a bounty of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries producing early-day specialities from around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for Vietnamese coffee and pastries or a full English breakfast, there’s a spot in town to satisfy your appetite for international brunch.
If you love: Chinese food
Go to: Star Kitchen on Mississippi Avenue for the best dim sum in town. You’ll wait for a table on weekend mornings (brunch is served every day but Wednesday), but the pan-fried turnip cake with XO sauce, shrimp-stuffed eggplant, and congee with pork and preserved egg are worth it. Star also has a liquor license should you need something stronger than tea. 2917 W. Mississippi Ave.
If you love: English food
Go to: The British Bulldog because if you’re going to spend your weekend mornings watching Premier League matches, you may as well do so over a full English breakfast—two eggs, a banger (sausage), rashers (back bacon), mushrooms, beans, fried tomato, and toast—at this 13-year-old Five Points pub. 2052 Stout St.
If you love: Ethiopian food
Go to: Colfax Avenue’s Africana Cafe, which opens at 10 a.m. daily to serve traditional breakfasts such as the fried-egg-topped ful (crushed fava beans spiked with onion, jalapeño, olive oil, and tomato) and chechebsa, a comforting dish similar to a savory bread pudding that’s infused with berbere-spiced butter. 5091 E. Colfax Ave.
If you love: Vietnamese pastries
Go to: Bánh & Butter Bakery Café in Aurora, pastry chef Thoa Nguyen’s ode to her Vietnamese roots and the Asian flavors she grew up eating. There, you’ll find ultra-flaky cruffins—croissant-muffin hybrids in flavors such as vanilla bean brûlée, pâté, and matcha—photogenic crêpe cakes, baguette sandwiches, and other must-haves to pair with the shop’s Vietnamese coffee. 9935 E. Colfax Ave.
If you love: Turkish food
Go to: Elephant Fusion Café & Bakery in Boulder, one of the only places on the Front Range where you can get a spread of Turkish breakfast dishes (Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m.). The multi-plate meal comes with house-made bread for you to eat with honey and clotted cream, hummus, jam, beef sausage, halva, olives, and other accoutrements. 4800 Baseline Rd., Ste. A109, Boulder
If you love: Armenian food
Go to: House of Bread on South Parker Road to be mesmerized by cases lined with pastries, breads, and other goodies commonly eaten in Armenia and Georgia, including baklava, mante (meat-filled dumplings in tomato sauce), lahmajun (thin flatbread topped with ground beef, cheese, or za’atar), and ajarski khachapuri—a football-shaped bread boat filled with feta, mozzarella, and two eggs, then baked until golden. 2020 S. Parker Rd
If you love: Spanish food
Go to: Corrida in Boulder, where brunch is served with azure mountain views. Chef Samuel McCandless’ offerings include tortilla de patatas, a traditional Spanish egg and potato omelet, and queso asado, grilled Caña de Cabra goat cheese served with satsuma mandarin, local honey, and fennel pollen. Pair either with one of the eatery’s signature Gin Tonics, such as the Bright with elderflower tonic and watermelon radish. 1023 Walnut St., Ste. 400, Boulder
Read More
A Denver Brunch for Every Budget
The Best Places to Brunch in Denver
