Breakfast in Boulder

(And Brunch, Too!)

Kick start a day of adventure with a quick breakfast bite, a famous breakfast Boulder dish, or a leisurely brunch that stretches well into the afternoon. Here are just a few of Boulder’s best breakfast spots.

Local Favorites | Brunch | Unique Eats | Grab 'n Go

Longtime Local Favorites

• The Buff Big crowds have been lining up for breakfast at the Buff for nearly a quarter century now. Notice the staff t-shirts that read “Eat in the Buff” and the wall of clocks set to 4:20.
  Try: The Saddlebags — fluffy flapjacks with sausage or bacon cooked right in.
• Walnut Café A diverse menu that will please everyone and a sunny interior have kept Walnut Café on Boulder’s best breakfast lists for years.
  Try: Duzer’s Breakfast Burrito, named after travel TV personality and local hero Ryan Van Duzer.
• Dot’s Diner If it’s a classic diner breakfast you want, Dot’s does not disappoint. You’ll be among tables of old friends gathering their regular meet-ups over eggs and coffee.
  Try: The Farmer’s Eggs come with a giant biscuit and plenty of hash browns.
• Village Coffee Shop Amid the din of hungry college kids and an open kitchen, you’ll devour golden hashbrowns, fluffy eggs and hearty pancakes — just the basics, perfectly delivered diner-style.
  Try: Go ahead and treat yourself to the chicken-fried steak with brown gravy and eggs.
• Parkway Cafe This understated Mexican café draws a loyal crowd who come for the authentic Latin dishes as well as traditional pancakes and eggs.
  Try: The nopales con huevo, an egg scramble that involves cactus strips, tomatoes, cheese, beans and tortillas.
• Foolish Craig’s Come hungry and expect big portions of creative breakfast dishes, served in a fun, bar-like atmosphere.
  Try: The Homer (D’oh!) crepes, with roasted red peppers, olives, artichokes, spinach, feta and more.

Leisurely Brunch

How could anyone possibly improve on the concept of brunch? Have it in Boulder, where the views are killer and the vibes are chill.

• Chautauqua Dining Hall Right at the foot of the Flatirons, this historic venue has a large veranda open on warm days and the menu is supplied by the chef’s own farm.
  Try: The crispy Brussels sprouts and eggs raclette, with cheese fondue, fingerling potatoes, ham and two poached eggs.
• Centro An enviable patio ringed with fluttering aspen trees and a view of the action on Pearl Street makes this a favorite weekend spot.
• Try: The Loaded Local Bloody Mary, with Colorado spirits and veggies, and the relleno and egg dish with a side of burnt grapefruit.
• Café Aion This off-the-beaten-path gem is famous for its locally sourced and delicately spiced Spanish cuisine.
  Try: The frittata with olives, feta, kale, crisp potatoes and bravas sauce. Plus a pot of OZO coffee to fire you up for the day.
• Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse If you can tear your eyes from the spectacular carvings, painting, sculptures and fountains that decorate this Persian teahouse (gifted to Boulder by its sister city in Tajikistan), order from the exotic world menu.
  Try: Lapsang Souchong Benedict, where poached eggs are joined by Lapsang Souchong tea-flavored sausage over an English muffin, with hollandaise and potatoes.

Unique Eats

From refined to creative, these eateries are anything but your ordinary breakfast joints.

• Alpine Modern This mountain-chic spot in a neighborhood close to the University of Colorado serves healthy, hearty deliciousness and some of the best coffee around.
  Try: The gluten-free and vegan quinoa porridge, with banana, cinnamon, coconut, almond milk and pumpkin seeds.
• Tangerine This cheery little spot tucked into the corner of a strip mall is punctuated with bursts of orange décor and a menu that’s just as energizing.
  Try: The Brioche French toast with spiced pear sauce, pecans and cinnamon butter or the pancake of the day.
• Lucile’s In a creaky, charming old house near downtown, Lucile’s has been pleasing palates with Creole specialties for nearly 40 years now.
• Try: Start with beignets, then move on to Eggs Sardou, which involves creamed spinach, Gulf shrimp, poached eggs and hollandaise. And DO NOT forget the biscuit on the side.
• Snooze An A.M. Eatery This hot Pearl Street joint took Boulder’s breakfast scene by storm when it opened a few years ago, and you can still expect a line most mornings — but the wait is well worth it.
  Try: The pineapple upside-down pancakes, with caramelized pineapple chunks, housemade vanilla crème anglaise and cinnamon butter.

Grab 'n Go

If you’re hot to trot, here’s where to stop for a quick yet delicious bite.

• Blackbelly Boulder’s chefs from other restaurants are known to stop by Top Chef champion Hosea Rosenberg’s restaurant daily for some morning deliciousness.
  Try: Butcher’s Breakfast Burrito — farm eggs, Hatch green chile, tater tots and butcher's choice of meat.
• Rush Bowl All-natural, wholesome ingredients are whipped into a frozen treat and sprinkled with granola and honey. They are impossible to stop eating.
  Try: The Yoga Bowl — mango, pineapple, banana, green tea, fat-free frozen yogurt, vanilla soy or fat-free milk, topped with granola and honey.
• Moe’s Bagels A breakfast standby in Boulder for decades, this humble bagel shop hits the spot, especially after too many craft brews the night before.
  Try: Spinach parmesan bagel with sun-dried tomato spread.
• Salvaggio’s This no-frills old-school Italian deli isn’t where you go for warm-and-fuzzy service, but it is where you go for insanely delicious breakfast sammies.
  Try: The steak, egg and hash brown breakfast sandwich.
• Boulder Farmers' Market Saturday mornings at 8am the market opens to serve eager locals and chefs. Grab a bite and sprawl out on the Central Park lawn next to Boulder Creek.
  Try: A crepe from the Vietnamese vendor, Savory Saigon, in the food court area, or simply opt for loaf of artisan bread, honey and cheese to enjoy Continental style.