25 Best Breakfast and Weekend Brunch Spots in Denver

Breakfast, as they say, is the most important meal of the day, so don’t waste it on boring bowls of cereal or runny eggs. Head out to one of these fantastic breakfast and brunch spots around Denver to tuck into fluffy omelets and buttermilk pancakes dripping with syrup, hearty breakfast burritos jammed with meat, cheese, peppers, and jalapeños, or healthy homemade granola topped with Greek yogurt, seeds, and fresh fruit. Whether you need a quick fuel-up before work or want to enjoy a long, lazy Sunday brunch with friends, here are some of the best places to go for breakfast or brunch in Denver. Photo: jzehnder/Fotolia

Maddie’s Restaurant is a family-friendly and fun-filled spot that was built with the owner’s zest for life in mind with bright décor, airy dining spaces, and a welcoming ambiance. Built as a tribute to her daughter, Maddie’s menu reflects the eccentric environment in which it is served, with house-crafted, freshly prepared dishes such as pancakes made with vanilla, lemon zest, and sour cream, organic granola served with fresh berries, banana brulee, Greek yogurt, and honey, challah French toast with crème anglaise, and seasonal berries, and scratch hotcakes with a choice of brulee banana walnut, blueberry, cinnamon and sugar, and Nutella. The Belgium waffles are topped with chicken, whipped cream, syrup, fresh strawberries and blueberries, and powdered sugar.

2423 S Downing Street, Denver, CO 80210, Phone: 720-389-8068 Photo: Maddie’s Restaurant

Modern Market is a chain of café-style eateries that offers freshly made sandwiches, salads, and pizzas and a breakfast menu of traditional morning dishes. Breakfast plates include organic eggs, all-natural, nitrite-free breakfast meats, roasted breakfast potatoes or mixed salad, and multigrain toast with gluten-free toast options available. Other options range from breakfast sandwiches, scrambles with a variety of fillings such as spinach, tofu, bacon, and kale, and wholegrain waffles with apple, pear, and cinnamon. Grab-and-go sandwiches and fresh salads, yogurt parfaits, and fresh fruit salads are also on offer, as well as is a selection of cold and hot beverages.

14630 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 130, Lakewood, CO 80401, Phone: 303-278-8283 Photo: Modern Market

Situated at the edge of the Highland neighborhood on the border with Berkeley, Revelry Kitchen is a casual breakfast and brunch spot that serves delightful dishes for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week. The creative menu features innovative takes on traditional plates such as churro and chilaquiles doughnuts, lobster and cauliflower hushpuppies, crusty biscuits with a slathering of chorizo gravy, and tres leches French toast with a Latin American twist. Sweet offerings include banana and Nutella, blueberry, and bacon and chocolate chip pancakes, French toast and waffle sliders, and the cuisine is accompanied by a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

4140 W 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212, Phone: 303-455-3132 Photo: Revelry Kitchen

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The Breakfast King is a 24-hour beacon of breakfast brilliance on Mississippi Avenue in South Denver. Open for early bird breakfasts and late-night dinners, the all-American diner has been tagged as offering one of the best breakfasts in America. Loyal customers return time and again for menu favorites such as the chicken-fried steak, which is served with country gravy, corned beef hash with eggs over-easy, and tender steak coated in fried batter and topped with chunks of sausage and thick country gravy. Other breakfast specialties include hash brown and eggs, huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos with ham, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs, rolled in a tortilla and smothered with cheese and green chili. Hot beverages include coffee, hot chocolate, iced tea, and sodas.

300 West Mississippi Avenue, Denver, CO 80223, Phone: 303-733-0795 Photo: Dmitrii/Fotolia

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Located in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, City O' City is a Bohemian café that serves a creative menu of traditional and vegetarian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. Classic breakfast dishes in the menu range from the Sardou, a Louisiana classic of two eggs or tofu and grilled artichoke hearts served with potatoes or quinoa, to the kimchi pancakes, which are topped with spicy kimchi, pickled carrots, and sweet soy sauce. City O' City also has a full-service bar that serves craft beers, signature cocktails, fine wines from around the world, and a selection of specialty coffees, both hot and iced.

206 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: 303-831-6443 Photo: City O' City

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The Delectable Egg has been proudly serving the greater Denver metropolitan area with comfort fare for early bird breakfast and lunch since 1982. There are several locations around the city, with some offering artists the opportunity to showcase their talent and others providing loyalty reward programs that offer free meals. The menu features favorite breakfast and brunch dishes, ranging from omelets, frittatas, breakfast sandwiches, and skillets packed with various fillings to sweeter plates such as stacks of syrupy pancakes, thick waffles smothered in cream, eggy French toast, and French-inspired crepes filled with sweet and savory selections. Things to Do in Denver

1625 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-892-5720 Photo: Delectable Egg

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Growing from the humble beginnings of a food truck known as the Biscuit Bus, the Denver Biscuit Company has expanded into one of the favorite breakfast spots in town. Now with several locations around the city, the Denver Biscuit Company serves a range of buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, including the Cordon Bleu, which features fried chicken, ham, cheese, and local Colorado honey butter, and the Sherman, which is stacked with iceberg lettuce, bacon, tomato, and an egg. The menu also features a variety of biscuit plates, such as shrimp and grits, French toast, biscuits and gravy, and giant biscuit cinnamon rolls.

3237 E Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 303-377-7900 Photo: Denver Biscuit Company

Located in an elegant corner of the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Ellyngton’s is a stylishly appointed and beautifully decorated restaurant that serves power breakfasts, business lunches, and a legendary Dom Perignon Sunday Brunch, at which the champagne flows untapped. Serving a brunch buffet spread that is just as sumptuous as the surroundings, Ellyngton’s features made-to-order omelet and waffle stations, pastry stations overflowing with freshly baked, mouthwatering pastries, cakes, and other sweet treats, carvery sections heaving with prime cut meats and vegetables, and fresh seafood tables of sushi and salads. The award-winning cuisine is served with a selection of fresh fruit juices, mimosas, Champagne, and house-roasted coffee varieties.

321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-297-3111 Photo: acarapi/Fotolia

The Four Friends Kitchen is a friendly Stapleton stop that attracts consistent crowds who come to enjoy a variety of Southern-tinged delights with several variations on the standard grits dishes. The restaurant has a bright and modern dining room and a lovely rooftop patio for spring and summertime dining and presents a menu of home-kitchen favorites and breakfast staples such as smoked brisket hash and eggs, biscuits and gravy, and scratch buttermilk pancakes with fresh whipped butter and warm maple syrup. Other delights include berries and cream French toast and a Southwestern breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, chorizo, blended cheese, refried beans, BBQ house potatoes, and red chili ranchero sauce.

2893 Roslyn Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-388-8299 Photo: Four Friends Kitchen

The Gallop Café is a casual, family-friendly eatery on 32nd Avenue that serves hearty breakfasts, light lunches, freshly baked pastries, cakes, and sweet treats, and an extensive list of libations in a vibrant setting. The small, intimate café presents a menu of bistro-style fare and delicious daily specials such as made-from-scratch soups and gourmet sandwiches, healthy shakes, and smoothies. Traditional breakfast and brunch fare includes croissants, sandwiches, wraps, blueberry French toast, smoked pork hash, eggs Benedict, and three-egg omelets with a variety of fillings. Lighter bites include fresh bagels and avocado toast, house-made granola and yogurt with dried fruits, toasted almonds, and banana slices, and hot cereal with dried cherries and toasted almonds.

2401 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211, Phone: 303-455-5650 Photo: Gallop Cafe

The Jelly Café is a peppy coffee shop and breakfast spot based on Cap Hill that offers a sweet way to start the day. Boasting bright, quirky décor, leatherette booths, and a casual breakfast bar and stools, the casual café offers a range of breakfast favorites from pancakes and eggs Benny to hashes and Bloody Marys. Other breakfast treats include a variety of buttermilk pancakes, French toast, corn flake French toast, bananas Foster French toast, eggs Benedict and scrambles, and rich and creamy biscuits and gravy. The Jelly Café has two locations in Denver, on East Evans Avenue and in Capitol Hill, both of which are open for breakfast and lunch daily.

600 E 13th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: 303-831-6301 Photo: Jelly Cafe

Originally founded in a beautiful pale-yellow Victorian house off Pearl Street in Boulder, Lucile's Creole Café has been bringing delicious Southern Creole cooking to Denver for the past 38 years. The quaint eatery attracts loyal crowds for their delightful breakfast specialties and mouthwateringly warm beignets, which can be enjoyed in the homey interior or out on the lovely porch and patio, which boasts breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. The menu features creative takes on traditional dishes such as New Orleans praline waffles with pecans, fruit, and fresh whipped cream; eggs Sardou served with creamed spinach, fresh Gulf shrimp, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce; and blackened Atlantic salmon cooked Cajun style and served with two eggs, grits or potatoes, and a buttermilk biscuit. A cozy lounge next to the dining room is a comfortable spot for sipping Bloody Marys while you wait for a table.

275 S Logan Street, Denver, CO 80209, Phone: 303-282-6258 Photo: Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Masterpiece Deli LoHi is a bright counter-service style deli that serves classic sandwiches and wraps, fresh salads, a selection of braised, cured and roasted meats, and a variety of sides for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast dishes include healthy options like oatmeal and fresh fruit, house-made granola and yogurt, smoothies, fresh bagels, and English muffins. Chef Brunson creates gourmet sandwiches packed with a variety of fillings, from meat and cheese to vegetables and chili, topped with house-made sauces and spreads and served on fresh, locally baked bread. The friendly café offers daily lunch and dinner specials with lavish ingredients such prosciutto, duck confit, and foie gras.

1575 Central St, Denver, CO 80211, Phone: 303-561-3354 Photo: Masterpiece Deli LoHi

Located on Tower Road, the Moonlight Diner is an authentic boxcar-shaped diner adorned with old-time memorabilia that serves a menu of classic diner food. The charming eatery takes customers back in time with a selection of traditional breakfast dishes, such as homemade meatloaf and corned beef hash, liver and onions, chicken-fried steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, and biscuits with sausage and gravy. Sweet treats on the menu include banana bread French toast, banana walnut, blueberry pancakes, and stacks of syrupy waffles as well as three-egg omelets and skillets for hungry diners. The delicious cuisine is accompanied by freshly roasted and brewed coffee, which can be enjoyed in-house or on the go, a variety of tea blends, fresh fruit juices, and sodas.

6703, 6250 Tower Rd, Denver, CO 80249, Phone: 303-307-1750 Photo: Moonlight Diner

Morning Collective is a casual breakfast/brunch joint on South Broadway in the Rosedale neighborhood that serves creative breakfast and lunch dishes along with signature cocktails and house-roasted coffee in a retro-chic setting. The café boasts goldenrod patterned wallpaper reminiscent of homes from the 1950s and ‘60s and quirky tables and chairs, and Executive Chef Joseph Strelnik produces a menu of creative breakfast plates called Daily Breads, which include made-from-scratch pancakes and French toast, with varieties such as stuffed s’mores, pistachio tres leches, banana hazelnut and strawberry cheesecake. The Benedict selections include the Stacked Three Lil Pigs Benedict, which consists of pork belly, aged cheddar cheese, smoked ham, and bacon hollandaise, while healthy choices include the Healthy Bowl, which is packed with organic greens, olive oil roasted breakfast potatoes, seasonal veggies, two poached cage-free eggs, and pistachio pesto.

2160 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210, Phone: 303-953-9943 Photo: Morning Collective

Located in Uptown Denver, Onefold is a quaint farmhouse-style eatery that serves globally inspired breakfasts and creative café fare for lunch along with freshly baked pastries, cakes and treats, and house-roasted coffee. Boasting a cozy, chic atmosphere, Onefold opens early every day for breakfast and offers a menu of classic cuisine, such as crepes with seasonal berries, Noosa yogurt, and real maple syrup, breakfast burritos, eggs and hash browns fried in rich duck fat, and breakfast congee of rice porridge cooked in chicken stock and served with poached eggs, green onions, duck confit, tamari soy sauce, salted ginger, and chili oil. Drinks include freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh coconut juice, coffee and tea, Vietnamese coffee, and mimosas.

1429 E 18th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218, Phone: 303-954-0877 Photo: Onefold

Pete’s Kitchen is a comfortable, reliable, and unpretentious café that is open 24/7 and serves simple comfort food throughout the day and night. The classic Greek family-owned and operated diner has been a staple in the community for decades, with traditional dishes like breakfast burritos, enormous sandwiches, wraps and gyros, burgers, chicken-fried steak and fries, fish and chips, shrimp baskets, and chicken kabobs, along with a range of sides such as tortillas, hash browns, dolmades, onion rings, salsa, corned beef hash, and golden fries. Pete’s makes its own hot sauces, which pair perfectly with creamy breakfast potatoes or juicy hamburgers, and beverages range from hot coffee and tea to fresh fruit juices and sodas.

1962 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 303-321-3139 Photo: Pete’s Kitchen

ProsperOats is an open and bright outlet that serves healthy choices for wholesome, quick breakfasts such as customizable oatmeal, oatmeal/quinoa blends, yogurt and acai bowls, build-your-own breakfast bowls with granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit, along with locally roasted coffee and tea to stay or go. Hot breakfast cereals feature steel-cut oats topped with a wide variety of dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other ingredients such as coconut, Colorado honey, maple syrup, agave, and raw sugar. Savory options range from sesame soy, chokecherry vinaigrette, and creamy lemon-garlic, and yogurt bowls are made with plain, fat-free Greek yogurt. Bowls can be combined with any three of the ingredients from nuts, dried fruits, granola, cheese, fresh fruits, seeds, and veggies as well as avocado, bacon, egg, protein powder, ground flax, chia, or hemp seeds to create delicious and healthy bowls.

2550 15th Street, Denver, CO 80211, Phone: 303-995-8444 Photo: ProsperOats

One of downtown Denver's most iconic restaurants, the Rialto Café has been part of the historic landscape of Denver's 16th Street Mall for nearly two decades. Set within the landmark Joslin Dry Goods Building and next to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in downtown Denver, the Rialto Café is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. It is ideally located just a few blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and the Denver Pavilions, so it attracts a vibrant crowd of locals and tourists alike. Best known for its inviting ambiance, delicious American cuisine, and excellent service, the Rialto Café serves a brunch menu of classic dishes such as stacked huevos, eggs Benedict, and smoked salmon Benedict. Also on the menu are homemade quiche, pancakes with berry compote, whipped cream ,and powdered sugar, and breakfast burritos along with a variety of beverages, hot coffee, tea, and fresh fruit juices.

2902 934 16th St, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-893-2233 Photo: Rialto Cafe

Root Down is a friendly café that aims to bring the neighborhood together through fantastic food and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The converted filling station boasts bright and quirky décor with comfortable seating and artful pieces on the walls and offers a colorful menu of globally influenced seasonal cuisine with a focus on organic, natural, and locally sourced ingredients. Tuck into hearty brunches of eggs Benedict, fried chicken and goats cheese biscuit, open-faced smoked brisket sandwich, mushroom and herb omelet, and Vietnamese almond pancakes. Root Down features an extensive wine list, thoughtful beer offerings, and specialty cocktails, including bottomless mimosas.

1600 W 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80211, Phone: 303-993-4200 Photo: Root Down

Sam’s No. 3 is a classic diner dating back to the early 1920s that features kitsch décor, leatherette booths, family-friendly menus, and a warm and welcoming ambiance. In true all-American diner style, the eatery serves up huge helpings of comfort food from breakfast through dinner, with over 100 mouthwatering items from which to choose. Weekday early-bird specials range from breakfast burritos, country-fried steak and eggs, Denver omelets, and pork chops and eggs to breakfast specials such as apple chicken sausage and eggs, fried trout and eggs, hand-rolled chili rellenos, gyros, souvlaki, and grilled ham steaks. A wide range of coffees is available, along with fresh fruit juices, sodas, mimosas, and Bloody Marys.

1500 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-534-1927 Photo: Sam's No. 3

First established in the Jefferson Park neighborhood with a second location on Colfax Avenue, Sassafras American Eatery serves a traditional Southern breakfast in a warm and welcoming setting. Sassafras puts the comfort in comfort food with a menu of sweet beignets, fluffy biscuits, and steaming bowls of buttery grits along with tempting plates like a Colorado Bayou mashup of Cajun green chile grits and chicken-fried eggs stacked on top of creamy buffalo hash. The original Jefferson Park location has comfortable outdoor patio-style seating for spring and summer dining, while the second Colfax locale offers a more retro version of the of the restaurant’s country-to-city style.

320 E Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: 303-831-6233 Photo: Sassafras American Eatery

Founded by brothers Jon and Adam Schlegel in 2006, Snooze offers an early morning dining experience like no other. Boasting several locations around the country, the family-friendly eateries have stylish décor with comfortable seating, eclectic and energetic vibes, outstanding cuisine for all tastes, and warm and welcoming service with a smile. The menu features regular favorites such as plenty of eggs dishes, from scrambles to Benedicts, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and tacos and wraps along with shining stars such as the pineapple upside-down cake pancakes, Nana’s Hot Cocoa Pancakes, and the OMG French toast. Lighter and healthier bites include egg white frittatas, quinoa breakfast bowls, house-made granola with Greek yogurt, and a fresh fall harvest salad.

700 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 303-736-6200 Photo: Snooze

Founded by Milwaukee native and longtime barman Tim Doherty in Cherry Creek in 2010, Syrup has grown from the humble beginnings of a classic pancake house to a popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch chain with several locations around the country. As the name suggests, Syrup has a fantastic offering of sweet and syrupy treats such as pancakes, waffles, and French toast with a variety of toppings. The menu ventures further though with a range of Benedicts, omelets, and egg sandwiches as well as breakfast classics like steak and eggs, breakfast burritos, breakfast pizza, and yogurt parfait with homemade granola and fresh fruit. Syrup serves an extensive list of libations, from coffee and tea to signature cocktails and specialty barista drinks.

999 18th St #105, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 720-708-5957 Photo: Paula/Fotolia

Modern yet retro, sophisticated yet sexy, classic yet trendy, The Corner Office combines a nostalgic martini bar with the chic style of a downtown loft, equipped with an intimate lounge area and a stylish and sophisticated bar. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner along with a full-service bar menu of drinks and light fare, The Corner Office never fails to disappoint, whether you pop in for a quick coffee or head over for a romantic dinner. Weekday breakfasts offers traditional dishes such as a range of Benedicts, omelets, breakfast burritos, homemade granola, and fresh fruit, while weekend brunches are more extended affairs with a menu of globally inspired cuisine and cocktails to choose from, such as fresh salads, sandwiches, eggs dishes, prime cuts of meat served with a variety of vegetable sides, and decadent desserts.

1401 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-825-6500 Photo: The Corner Office