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Local culinary pros have made this weekend ritual more fun—and delicious—than ever before. From the tastiest fried chicken to the fluffiest pancakes, here are our picks for the best brunch fare in the Denver metro area.
Editor’s note: Restaurants marked with “New” were added to our living list of best brunch spots in 2025.
Jump Ahead:
- Acova, LoHi
- Bacon Social House, multiple locations
- The Bagel Deli and Restaurant, Hampden
- The Bindery, LoHi
- BurnDown, Washington Park West
- Call Your Mother Deli, multiple locations
- Centro Mexican Kitchen, Boulder
- Church & Union, LoDo
- City, O’ City, Capitol Hill
- Denver Biscuit Company, multiple locations
- Dos Santos, multiple locations
- Early Bird, Midtown and Westminster
- Edge Restaurant & Kitchen, Downtown
- Four Friends Kitchen, Central Park
- Fox and the Hen, LoHi
- Hashtag, multiple locations
- HiRa Patisserie, Aurora
- The Jelly Cafe, Capitol Hill and University
- Le French, Southmoor Park and Virginia Village
- Lucile’s Creole Cafe, multiple locations
- Mimosas, Five Points
- Noisette Restaurant & Bakery, LoHi
- Nurture, West Highland
- Odell’s Bagel, West Highland
- Odie B’s, Cole and Sunnyside
- Onefold, City Park West and LoDo
- Ototo, Platt Park
- Sam’s No. 3, Downtown and Glendale
- Santos Café & Mexican Grill, East Colfax
- Sassafras American Eatery, West Highland
- Snooze A.M. Eatery, multiple locations
- Split Lip, RiNo
- Star Kitchen, Athmar Park
- Steuben’s, Uptown
- Stowaway Kitchen, RiNo
- Sullivan Scrap Kitchen, City Park West
- Tangerine, multiple locations
- The Universal, Sunnyside
- Urban Egg, multiple locations
- Welton Street Cafe, Five Points
- Wilde, LoHi
- Yardbird, RiNo
- Zorba’s, Congress Park
Attend 5280’s Brunch Event: Feast on savory and sweet bites from local restaurants at our annual brunch event on March 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will feature all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys and other tasty bevvies (including zero-proof options), a DJ, and more.
Best Brunch in Denver
The Bagel Deli and Restaurant | Hampden
- Where: 6439 E. Hampden Ave., Denver
- When: Every day, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Kick off a weekend of relaxation with the Bagel Deli’s unfussy food, casual ambience, and warm hospitality. Open since 1967, the restaurant boasts a menu chock-full of Jewish deli delights, from the requisite bagels with a schmear to potato latkes and mile-high pastrami sandwiches. Even simple preparations like the matzo brei, similar to scrambled eggs but with the unleavened flatbread mixed in, sing with a side of applesauce and honey. It’s fare that will warm you from the belly up.
The Bindery | LoHi
- Where: 1817 Central St., Denver
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cradling a porcelain mug of steaming joe inside the Bindery’s bright, bustling space on Central Street is a beautiful way to greet the day. The beans come from Denver’s Queen City Coffee Collective, which has been seducing local java lovers with its artisan, direct-trade coffees since 2007. The lattes, cortados, and house chais play well with chef-owner Linda Hampsten Fox’s roster of weekend brunch specialties. Get the aptly named You’ll Never Want Another Pancake Dutch Baby with vanilla bean, rum, and Chantilly cream and a side of straw potatoes (elevated hash browns) with horseradish creme. Or try the breakfast carbonara, an eye-opener studded with bacon, pork belly, a sunny-side duck egg, and Parmesan.
BurnDown | Washington Park West
- Where: 476 S. Broadway, Denver
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Discover a new side of BurnDown, a two-year-old gastropub on South Broadway, beyond its renowned happy hour and appetizer-centric evening menu. Every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this three-story venue serves up a diverse selection of brunch bites, such as the Captain’s French Toast, which features a Cap’n Crunch crust, berry cream cheese filling, and a drizzle of berry compote. If savory is more your style, try the Old Broadway Scramble—a hearty blend of crispy potatoes, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, avocado purée, and your preferred protein (bacon, sausage, pulled pork, or skirt steak). Complete your meal with an espresso martini, which is half off during brunch hours.
NEW: Call Your Mother Deli | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (Berkeley, Capitol Hill, Hilltop, Platt Park, and RiNo)
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
When East Coast bagel monger Call Your Mother opened its first Denver location in May 2023, crowds of carb-craving brunchers lined the 38th Avenue block of Tennyson Street for the counter-service spot’s hangover cures and Instagram-worthy appeal. So it’s no surprise that in less than two years, the self-proclaimed “Jew-ish deli” has added three more Mile High locations, with a fourth—inside RiNo’s Denver Central Market—expected to open later this month.
Soak up last night’s decisions with a Sun City (a choice of bacon, pastrami, or Impossible sausage paired with a bodega-style egg, melty American and cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of spicy honey on an everything bagel), or satisfy a sweet tooth with the Grand Villa (crunchy peanut butter, granola, and seasonal jam on a cinnamon raisin bagel). And don’t forget to take home a baker’s dozen (get the Everything, of course, but also try the Za’atar and Maple Salt & Pepper flavors), an eight-ounce container of schmear, and a fresh-baked cinnamon roll babka muffin.
NEW: Centro Mexican Kitchen | Boulder
- Where: 950 Pearl St., Boulder
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
If you end up in the People’s Republic on a weekend, you might be swayed to follow the masses to well-known brunch hotspots the Buff or Walnut Cafe. Nothing against those delightful mainstays, but the mid-morning menu at Pearl Street’s Centro is something to behold with a birria breakfast burrito, carne asada and eggs, huevos rancheros, a carnitas hash, and chilaquiles piled with refried beans, cotija cheese, and a fried egg. The beverage list is similarly loaded with Latin-inspired Bloody Marias, micheladas, and Mexican coffees, plus flights of tequilas, margs, or mimosas. It’s a wonder that Centro’s (fairly priced) brunch hasn’t been discovered yet—we walked right in on a holiday weekend when the wait at those other more well-known restaurants exceeded an hour for a small group. Take this as your cue to get over there before word gets out.
NEW: Church & Union | LoDo
- Where: 1433 17th St., Suite 150, Denver
- When: Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The first thing you should do when you set foot inside the new LoDo location of Church & Union? Look up. On the obsidian black ceiling and spilling down the support beams, you’ll find all 17,000 words of Sun Tzu’s iconic military treatise The Art of War painted in white. This striking design element is a signature of the New American eatery created by Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch, which opened its first Colorado iteration (two blocks from Union Station) last year. Given its Charlotte roots, you can expect authentic Southern specialties like a fried chicken sandwich smothered in Alabama white sauce and grits so creamy they could almost be classified as dessert, but we beg you not to overlook the classics. The traditional breakfast sammie is a standout thanks to the thick slice of sausage found inside the buttery croissant, and we love the juice selection for crafting the mimosas of our dreams.
City, O’ City | Capitol Hill
- Where: 206 E. 13th Ave., Denver
- When: Every day, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Vegetarian and vegan Denverites need not suffer through bland tofu scrambles and butter-free toast, thanks to Cap Hill’s hipster institution, City, O’ City, where the entire a.m. menu (served daily, not just on weekends) is plant-based-diet-friendly. A meatless morning meal here looks like waffles with bourbon-brined chicken-fried cauliflower. Or a sardou, a rendition of the Louisiana-style breakfast dish presented with two eggs or tofu, grilled artichoke hearts, creamed spinach, and toasted almonds. There’s even a full bar to sate all of your kombucha mimosa needs.
Denver Biscuit Company | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (Baker, Berkeley, and City Park), Aurora, Centennial, Colorado Springs, and Golden
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
Atomic Cowboy, the Denver-born day-to-night concept that brunch goers will encounter as Denver Biscuit Company, opened its first outpost in Golden in 2023, further expanding the reach of its house-made signature biscuits. Regardless of which of the seven Colorado locations you visit, we recommend centering your meal around the biscuit sandwich section of the menu. Fans of bold flavors should try the K-Mack, which has Korean fried chicken tossed in a ginger-forward sauce, pickled daikon, sesame mayo, and shredded cabbage. Pair it with a side of the crispy McHashbrowns—inspired by the spuds at the famous Golden Arches.
Dos Santos | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (City Park West), Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Dos Santos has made a name for itself with its fun Mexican-inspired cuisine, and the brunch menu follows suit. Served on weekends, it features the usual south-of-the-border favorites like chilaquiles and breakfast tacos, but we’re partial to the Donkey Tonk, a massive grilled burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, tater tots, avocado, fried leeks, and salsa. Top it off with a michelada, a Bloody Mary–like drink that Dos Santos makes with a house lager brewed by Denver’s Station 26.
NEW: Four Friends Kitchen | Central Park
- Where: 2893 Roslyn St., Denver
- When: Every day, 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
This 10-year-old community kitchen got its start when four companions decided to create a family-friendly neighborhood eatery. A decade later, this cozy spot still feels like the modern version of a welcoming 1950s diner, with artwork of vintage planes, a polite and quick-moving waitstaff, and a glimpse into the bustling kitchen, where the team prepares Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch fare with a Colorado twist. Here, you can find Georgia-grown overnight grits, a Creole shrimp omelet served with a side of cornbread, or an andouille-sausage-stuffed po’boy with pickled green tomatoes—but you can also indulge in Denver favorites such as huevos rancheros or green-chile-smothered breakfast burritos. We like the chicken and waffles: a fluffy buttermilk waffle and crispy fried tender drizzled with smoked chili caramel syrup and served with fresh fruit. Whatever your pleasure, wash it down with a zesty Bloody Mary or a refreshing guava mint mimosa.
Fox and the Hen | LoHi
- Where: 2257 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
- When: Every day, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
When Carrie Baird, a former Top Chef contestant known for her “fancy toasts,” and Michael Fox, owner of the Denver breakfast burrito empire Dis Burrito, came together to build a brunch restaurant in LoHi, there was no question that it’d be the stuff of champions. In fact, in 2023, Fox and the Hen became the first dedicated breakfast-lunch eatery to ever make our 25 Best Restaurants list. And though we’ve sung its praises before, it bears repeating: The dishes here embrace all the best parts of American diner fare but elevate them with a whole lot of technical finesse. Get the animal-style hash brown and an egg dish—simple as that.
Hashtag | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (Central Park and Downtown) and Highlands Ranch
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
Whichever location of Hashtag you’re visiting—the original Central Park eatery, the Highlands Ranch outpost that opened November 2023, or the one in downtown Denver slated to debut in March—you’ll be treated to a wide-ranging selection of creative brunch fare from prolific Denver chef Troy Guard. Highlights of the food menu include the pork hash featuring tender adobo-seasoned pork shoulder and the hot cakes, which are available in blueberry, sea salt, or caramel apple variations. Boozy libations, such as the kombucha-spiked Fruity Cougar, are also must-orders.
HiRa Patisserie | Aurora
- Where: 10782 E. Iliff Ave., Aurora
- When: Every day, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Ethiopian native Hiwot Solomon debuted HiRa Cafe & Patisserie in 2019, introducing Denverites to the cake-and-coffee culture—and tasty breakfast dishes—of her homeland. At the small, light-filled, strip-mall spot, patrons can pair Solomon’s house-baked cakes with single-origin Ethiopian coffee, a tradition in cafes Solomon frequented in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital. But for a heartier early-day meal, we recommend the breakfast combo. The entrée comes with enkulal firfir, scrambled eggs cooked with diced jalapeño, tomato, and onion; chechebsa, pieces of flatbread seasoned with fragrant berbere, garlic, and fenugreek and drizzled with honey; and quanta firfir, morsels of torn injera soaked in a berbere-zinged sauce and mixed with bits of beef. The shareable dish is a symphony of flavors and textures worth the drive out of the city.
The Jelly Cafe | Capitol Hill and University
- Where: 600 E. 13th Ave., Denver (Capitol Hill) and 1700 E. Evans Ave., Denver (University)
- When: Monday and Thursday–Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
This charming breakfast-all-day restaurant is a local brunch classic for myriad reasons: from-scratch jams and jellies, strong coffee, and vintage-cereal-box-chic decor. But if we’re being very honest, it’s Jelly’s doughnut bites we love most. Made to order and available in eight flavors—including crème anglaise, lemon-filled, maple bacon, and cinnamon sugar—each morsel is an ode to the glorious duo of carbs and sweetness. Bonus: Gluten-free doughnut bites are also available.
Le French | Southmoor Park and Virginia Village
- Where: 4901 S. Newport St., Denver (Southmoor Park) and 846 Albion St., Denver (Virginia Village)
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
At this six-year-old, Parisian-inspired bakery and cafe, Senegalese-French sisters Aminata and Rougui Dia dish out brunch comforts like perfect omelets, quiches, and tartines, and the can’t-miss fried chicken with yassa sauce (a Senegalese preparation of slow-cooked onion and lemon) over French toast. But when only a melt-in-your-mouth folded pancake will do, turn to the array of sweet and savory crêpes, which are naturally gluten-free. We like the Poulet Pistou—a bright, springy rendition stuffed with tarragon roasted chicken, plump cherry tomatoes, wilted baby spinach, basil pistou (a French pesto), and gooey Gruyère cheese.
Read More: The Best Things at Le French Aren’t French at All
Lucile’s Creole Cafe | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (Platt Park and Speer), Boulder, Erie, Fort Collins, Littleton, and Longmont
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
Outposts of this iconic Big Easy–inspired restaurant reach from Fort Collins to Littleton, with its newest location opening last year in downtown Erie. Regardless of which storefront you enter, though, you’ll always feel at home. Pair New Orleans classics like beignets and chicory coffee (a caffeine-free alternative to regular coffee with a similar but lighter aroma) for a quick and easy brunch. Or dive into the heartier shrimp and grits made with andouille sausage and red pepper, and upgrade to the jalapeño cheese grits for an extra kick.
NEW: Mimosas | Five Points
- Where: 2752 Welton St., Denver
- When: Tuesday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Even on a weekday, this cheery, orange-accented Five Points mainstay is buzzing with urban eaters communing over Southern comforts. That includes biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, bourbon maple sticky buns—and mimosas, of course (of which six of the nine house varieties are just $5 all day, Tuesday through Friday). From the Marg Mosa (featuring a splash of tequila) to the Boujee (grapefruit juice, sparkling rosé, and a brown sugar rim), there is a mimosa for every palate. And when you’re ready for food, kick back with fried green tomatoes atop a bed of bright pesto accompanied by Cajun ranch for dipping, and order the house-made shrimp and grits: a spicy mélange of Argentinian wild-caught shrimp and andouille pork sausage served over stone ground grits crested with roasted bell peppers and onions and drizzled with beurre blanc. Linger over an order of beignets piled high with powdered sugar for a truly Southern sweet ending.
Read More: At Mimosas, Cooking and Community Come From the Heart
Noisette Restaurant & Bakery | LoHi
- Where: 3254 Navajo St., Suite 100, Denver
- When: Sunday, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Chefs Tim and Lillian Lu are masters at preparing elegant, yet approachable French cuisine. On Sundays at Noisette, the husband-and-wife team extends their talents to brunch, when they offer freshly baked pastries and exquisitely plated breakfast specialties. We love the ouefs brouille, ultra-creamy soft scrambled eggs topped with maitake mushrooms and garlic scapes (it pairs perfectly with the crusty house-made baguette). Or go for the duck-and-pork sausage sandwich with steamed egg, cheese, and dijonnaise on a brioche bun made fresh daily.
Read More: Dining at Noisette Is Like Visiting Your Chic French Grandmother’s House
Nurture | West Highland
- Where: 2949 Federal Blvd., Denver
- When: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Whether you’re battling a cold or a hangover, Nest Cafe’s lineup of beverages will cure whatever ails you. Choose from options such as the Root to Rise with carrots, fresh turmeric root, raw honey, coconut cream, banana, and other immunity- and digestion-supporting ingredients, and the Superfood Steamer with collagen, blue spirulina, butterfly pea powder, vanilla bean, and monk fruit. If you’re hankering for something heartier, though, turn your attention to the food menu, which sports bites such as the Eggy Mess, a soft egg scramble, arugula, roasted garlic tomato aïoli, and microgreens on top of fresh sourdough from RiNo’s Hearth bakery.
NEW: Odell’s Bagel | West Highland
- Where: 3200 Irving St., Denver
- When: Thursday–Monday, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Brunch doesn’t always mean a sit-down affair. Sure, you’ll find a four-top and a few counter seats at Odell’s Bagel—the latest addition to Denver’s expanding bagel scene—but this corner spot is more about grab-and-go for those who want to brunch at home, sans dishes. The concise menu belies the attention to detail behind every item: Ordering a bagel and schmear? That bagel is hand-rolled, and the flavored cream cheese (including scallion and chili-garlic versions) is mixed in-house. But perhaps our top reason for making repeat visits is the option to mix-and-match open-faced sandwiches. Meaning we don’t have to choose between pastrami-cured lox and zingy orange marmalade—we can enjoy one of each. Just don’t expect the same menu on every visit: Chef-owner Miles Odell is committed to seasonality and local ingredients, so that tomato sandwich you loved in the fall won’t be back for a few more months. Pro tip: If it’s Friday, grab a fresh-baked challah—perfect for making French toast for your next brunch.
Read More: Will Odell’s Bagel Be Denver’s Hottest New Breakfast Spot?
NEW: Odie B’s | Cole and Sunnyside
- Where: 1350 40th St., Suite 180, Denver (Cole) and 2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver (Sunnyside)
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
Waking up just got a little easier for RiNo residents. Two-and-a-half-year-old Odie B’s in Sunnyside, whose hearty sandwiches and cheerful ambience earned it a spot on 5280’s Best Restaurants list in 2024, launched a second street-art-bedecked outpost in the Novel RiNo Building last month. At both locations, patrons can order items from the breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus, complemented by a well-curated selection of coffees, teas, cocktails, and nonalcoholic beverages, every day. Come hungry for the Odie B’s chopped cheese, a delicious mess of house-made breakfast sausage, lettuce, fancy sauce, everything seasoning, American cheese, and pickled accoutrements on an open-face hoagie. Or get the less decadent Basic, a poppyseed roll layered with bacon, scrambled eggs, a hash brown patty, and American cheese.
Onefold | City Park West and LoDo
- Where: 1420 E. 18th Ave., Denver (City Park West) and 1919 19th St., Denver (LoDo)
- When: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Until Onefold debuted its first location in the Uptown area eight years ago, fried rice wasn’t the first, or even second, thing we thought about when we contemplated a big, brunch-y bowl of carbs. But then we devoured a heaping serving of Onefold’s spectacular fried rice with lap cheong (Chinese sausage), and everything changed. The rice is toasted in duck fat—which the kitchen also uses to cook eggs and crispy hash browns—then seasoned with garlic, scallions, soy sauce, and a touch of chile oil. Garnished with sautéed slices of sweet, meaty lap cheong (or duck, ham, or bacon) and two fried eggs, it’s a satisfying surprise that we intend to eat on repeat.
NEW: Ototo | Platt Park
- Where: 1501 S. Pearl St., Denver
- When: Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
This 15-year-old Platt Park haunt, part of brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki’s revered Denver Japanese restaurant empire, is the only place in town where you can order French toast for brunch with a side of sashimi. On Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., score a reservation to load your table with early-day favorites, such as French toast made with fluffy milk bread, yuzu maple syrup, fresh fruit, and Chantilly cream, and Japanese specialities like warming root veggie curry topped with crispy fried pork katsu. Round out your meal with a Bloody Mary made with Kinjo Shiro shochu, vodka, and a house-made spicy tomato mix and some picks from the raw bar. You can’t go wrong with the nine-piece taste of sashimi, featuring thick slices of fish flown in Japan.
Read More: Newly Reopened Ototo Is Demanding Attention in Platt Park
NEW: Sam’s No. 3 | Downtown and Glendale
- Where: 1500 Curtis St., Denver (Downtown) and 435 S. Cherry St., Glendale
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
Since 1927, Sam’s No. 3 has slung straightforward American, Greek, and Mexican staples that are always fast, hot—and in massive portions. For example, the Kitchen Sink omelet is a twist on the fan-fave burrito—a giant packed with bacon, ham, sausage, gyro meat, onion, bell pepper, tomato, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese and served alongside a heaping bowl of the diner’s famous pork green chile. Pair it with hash browns and a Sam’s 3 Alarm Bloody—a 20-ouncer made with the diner’s “top secret” Bloody Mary mix, Sriracha, and two kinds of Sam’s hot sauces. If you’re into the simpler things, the all-day joint serves a killer Denver omelet that comes with a triple stack of pancakes. Or take a swing at one of 26 breakfast burritos. Our go-to is the Colorado bison burrito, which is loaded with perfectly cooked protein, bacon, fresh jalapeños, and two kinds of cheeses.
Santos Café & Mexican Grill | East Colfax
- Where: 1141 Syracuse St., Denver
- When: Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
We love this diner near the Denver-Aurora border for its rib-sticking Mexican fare and its reasonable prices. Everything from the tamales to the pancakes to the chilaquiles (which you should order with carnitas and a combination of red and green chile) hits the spot without breaking the bank. The specialty lattes—think: dulce de leche or strawberries and cream—are also worth a try. If you’ve gathered a crowd, tackle the giant concha and hot cocoa you might’ve seen on local foodies’ social media feeds, but be warned: It easily serves more than 10 people.
NEW: Sassafras American Eatery | West Highland
- Where: 3927 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
- When: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Nestled inside two joint Victorian houses in the Highlands, 13-year-old Sassafras charms with brick-lined walls and intimate dining nooks straight out of Gilmore Girls. But it’s the comfort-driven menu that keeps regulars coming back. Indulge in the Deep South Benedict—pulled pork and collard greens stacked atop crispy cornbread—or the breakfast po’ boy, packed with bacon, eggs, and arugula on a warm French roll with dipping gravy on the side. In the warmer months, grab a seat on one of the patios or the rooftop and sip your way through the sprawling Bloody Mary menu, featuring Cajun-spiced options that pair perfectly with the hearty fare.
Snooze A.M. Eatery | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (literally everywhere), Arvada, Boulder, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Lone Tree, and Westminster
- When: Hours vary location to location. Check here.
From stacked Bennys and decadent pancakes to boozy cocktails, this Denver-born chain has all of the greatest hits of early-day fare. Plus, because Snooze is also committed to sustainability practices like earth-friendly packaging, carbon sequestering, and waste reduction, diners can indulge in the house-mascarpone-laden OMG French Toast and breakfast tacos with green chile hollandaise while feeling a little less guilty about their impact on the planet.
Split Lip | RiNo
- Where: 3560 Chestnut Place, Denver
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
When nothing but the crispiest, juiciest fried bird in town will do, mosey to RiNo’s Number Thirty Eight, where Split Lip has been slinging sandwiches and regionally inspired burgers since 2021. Grab a bevvie from one of the warehouse’s many drink portals and nosh on finger-licking specialties like the fiery-as-you-like hot chicken sandwich, which comes in your choice of sauce (if you’re a heat-seeker, go for the XXX) and layered with slaw and pickles. For those with a sweet tooth, the brunch-centric plate of fried chicken over a house-crafted funnel cake is an absolute must-try.
Star Kitchen | Athmar Park
- Where: 2917 W. Mississippi Ave., Denver
- When: Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Star Kitchen on Mississippi Avenue has some of 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. Plus, Star Kitchen has a liquor license—should you need something stronger than tea. Too hungry to wait? The Chinese restaurant’s menu is also available for takeout, so you can pick up barbecue-pork-stuffed buns, egg custard tarts, and other popular dishes to enjoy at home.
Stowaway Kitchen | RiNo
- Where: 2528 Walnut St., Suite 104, Denver
- When: Thursday–Monday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Stowaway Kitchen’s rotating menu is always a thoughtful nod to the best of the seasons and the creativity of its chefs. Our past favorite dishes include the Japanese asa-gohan (traditional breakfast), grilled salted salmon served with rice, a poached egg, avocado, toasted nori, and a carrot and ginger slaw, and a freshly milled wild-grain waffle with salted caramel apples and an oat and almond crisp. Don’t forget to grab a gluten-free cookie or brownie on your way out the door.
Sullivan Scrap Kitchen | City Park West
- Where: 1740 E. 17th Ave., Denver
- When: Thursday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Even though brunching at Sullivan Scrap Kitchen means technically eating leftovers—the underutilized ingredients from chef-owner Terence Rogers’ catering service, TBD Foods—the team’s commitment to sustainability and seasonal flavors make the dishes some of the best in town. Look for the smoked-trout-topped eggs Benedict, which are composed of toasted house bread, cured fish filets, local mixed greens, sous vide eggs, and fennel pollen Hollandaise sauce, and the green chile migas, crispy corn tortilla chips and two eggs smothered in New Mexico–style green chile, pinto beans, roasted chile pico de gallo, onions, house hot sauce, lime cotija cheese, and red chile crema.
Tangerine | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont
- When: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Since chef Alec Schuler opened Tangerine in north Boulder in 2011, the restaurant has expanded its breakfast empire to Lafayette and Longmont. The generously portioned corned beef hash—peppered with giant chunks of the tangy brisket, bacon bits, strands of caramelized onion, and crispy, gently charred potatoes—is a staple at all three locations. Brimming with salty, fatty, and starchy flavors, it’s rib-sticking sustenance at its best.
NEW: The Universal | Sunnyside
- Where: 2911 W. 38th Ave., Denver
- When: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
If you think grits are a mushy, bland breakfast filler, you clearly haven’t eaten at the Universal. The nearly 13-year-old, early-day staple puts a Colorado spin on the Southern porridge with its pork green chile version, which also stars two eggs, avocado, sour cream, greens, and pico de gallo. The daily grits specials get even more inventive toppings: pork belly, Thai coconut curry, barbacoa, teriyaki salmon with pineapple salsa. Even the breakfast burrito swaps out potatoes for al dente organic heirloom Anson Mills grits. The weekend brunch menu contains plenty more savory options, including cornbread rancheros and the HIBL (poached eggs, homemade pork sausage, and hollandaise on a biscuit). Whatever you order—and whether you eat inside the industrial-chic space or score a table on the small patio—add a thick, fluffy, plate-size blueberry pancake for dessert.
Urban Egg | Multiple locations
- Where: Locations in Denver (Cherry Creek, LoDo, and Southmoor Park), Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Johnstown
- When: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (and 2:30 p.m. on the weekends), this daytime eatery offers a sunny atmosphere for early birds. The sweet-and-savory corned beef hash made with shredded potatoes, peppers, and a jalapeño bacon chutney is the perfect canvas for a runny yolk. Larger appetites can take on the massive avocado-and-cheddar chicken melt, stacked high with avocado, cheese, bacon, tomato, onion, and basil pesto aïoli. Wash it all down with a glass of the Cure juice: Depending on your hangover preferences, enjoy the vitamins from the pineapple, orange juice, and coconut water straight up, or add a shot of in-house pineapple-infused vodka for some hair of the dog, rightfully dubbed “the Cause.”
NEW: Welton Street Cafe | Five Points
- Where: 2883 Welton St., Denver
- When: Saturday–Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
After a nearly three-year hiatus, Welton Street Cafe reopened in late 2024 in spacious new digs with double dining capacity two blocks away from the establishment’s previous home at 2736 Welton Street. The storied restaurant, which Flynn and Mona Dickerson opened in 1986 and is now operated by four of their six children, is one of the only longstanding Black-owned restaurants remaining in historic Five Points. With help from the local community, including more than $117,000 raised via GoFundMe, the Dickersons are back to serving the soul food and Caribbean staples that nourished Denverites for more than 35 years, including their famous fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and pates (island-style pastries). Welton Street also now offers a small selection of brunch options; don’t miss the shrimp and grits or the chicken and waffles.
Read More: Welton Street Cafe is Five Points’ Soul Survivor
Wilde | LoHi
- Where: 3618 Tejon St., Denver
- When: Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Despite Wilde’s moniker, this beach-chic, light-drenched hangout in the quiet northwest corner of LoHi generally isn’t filled with rowdy brunchers (although it does offer bottomless mimosas). Instead, pink and aqua decor sets a serene scene for eats inspired by chef-owner Lydie Lovett’s native San Diego. Pull up a velvet-covered chair—and, if you’re working, pull out your laptop—to enjoy her french-fry-stuffed Baja breakfast burrito or the Caliquiles, a take on chilaquiles with house-made corn chips. Both pair delightfully with the Champagne Coast’s blend of blood orange juice, bubbly, tequila, and lime juice. Fans of Lovett’s Chicken Rebel concept, which formerly occupied the space, will be happy to see its signature sous vide, shatteringly crisp fried bird, in a few menu items, too.
Yardbird | RiNo
- Where: 2743 Blake St., Denver
- When: Friday, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Yardbird, a James Beard–nominated chain that debuted a RiNo location in July 2023, specializes in indulgence, and the brunch offerings are no exception. Build your feast around an entrée featuring the upscale brand’s signature fried bird, such as the biscuit and gravy—a buttery biscuit layered with a juicy-crunchy chicken thigh, thick bacon, a fried egg, and decadent country gravy. Then complement your savory pick with a couple selections from the bakery like crème brûlée waffles finished with strawberries and whipped cream or mini beignets stuffed with Nutella and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Yardbird is also known for its bourbon cocktails, so be sure to add an old fashioned with bacon-infused Wild Turkey or a Jim Beam–spiked Bloody Mary to your meal.
NEW: Zorba’s | Congress Park
- Where: 2626 E. 12th. Ave., Denver
- When: Every day, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
When hospitality veteran Karen LuKanic took over ownership of Zorba’s in Congress Park in 2018, she was dedicated to preserving the all-day diner’s homey atmosphere and menu of casual Greek and American fare. Since then, LuKanic—only the restaurant’s third owner since it turned on its griddles in 1979—weathered the pandemic by installing a takeout window and giving the dining room a social-distancing-friendly facelift. Despite Zorba’s polished new interior, furnished with black-and-white images of Congress Park and the restaurant over the decades, the menu remains as comforting as ever. Pro tip: Slather your pancakes or waffles with an order of the creamy banana pudding, rightfully lauded as some of the best in town. Or if you’re craving something savory, LuKanic is a big fan of the gyro melt and huevos rancheros.
Honorable Mentions: Brunch for Every Occasion
We considered all the reasons Denverites go out for brunch in order to find the ideal spot for your occasion.
Acova | LoHi
- Why: You’ve got a bunch of kids
- Where: 3651 Navajo St.
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Acova’s on-site playground is the ultimate kid-pleaser while the Highland eatery’s commitment to gluten-free fare gives all gluten-averse Denverites—and those who love them—reason to celebrate.
Bacon Social House | Multiple locations
- Why: You’re hungry for meat
- Where: Locations in Denver (Rosedale and Sunnyside) and Littleton
- When: Monday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Wednesday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Carnivores can revel in a menu full of meat at Bacon Social House, which serves flights of its signature slices, as well as bacon-laced Bloody Marys, BLTs, breakfast sandwiches, and salads.
Early Bird | Midtown and Westminster
- Why: It’s Wednesday
- Where: 1675 W. 67th Ave., Suite 300 (Midtown) and 11940 Bradburn Blvd., Suite 400, Westminster
- When: Every day, 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Diehard brunchers can enjoy loaded waffles, open-face omelets, and signature breakfast sandwiches (go for the hot chicken biscuit) every day from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at one of two Early Bird locations.
Edge Restaurant & Bar | Downtown
- Why: You’re entertaining in-laws
- Where: 1111 14th St.
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
There’s an elevated bite that’ll please even the pickiest bruncher in your family at downtown’s Edge Restaurant & Bar inside the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. Go for the fancy croque madame made with rosemary rotisserie ham and melted Gruyère sandwiched in house-made ciabatta with a sunny-side-up egg on top.
Steuben’s | Uptown
- Why: You’re hungover
- Where: 523 E. 17th Ave.
- When: Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Head to Uptown’s Steuben’s to shake off what’s left of Saturday night with an order of Steubie Snacks (powdered-sugar-coated hunks of crispy pork) and a fried-chicken-stuffed biscuit smothered in gravy.
Attend 5280’s Brunch Event: Feast on savory and sweet bites from local restaurants at our annual brunch event on March 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will feature all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys and other tasty bevvies (including zero-proof options), a DJ, and more.
