The Absolute Best Brunch in Denver Right Now

Denver's top spots for bottomless mimosas, whipped feta toast, biscuit sandwiches, and more.

Fox Run Cafe | Photo courtesy of Hard Knoch PR
Fox Run Cafe | Photo courtesy of Hard Knoch PR

Every Saturday and Sunday, the senses tingle for bottomless mimosas, and restaurants around Denver hum with the gentle sounds of syrup poured over pancakes and the peppy crackle of cooking bacon. Denver teems with brunch options, whether you want to soak up the sun on a patio while sipping a Bloody Mary or whether you want to huddle with your crew in a corner booth getting the cheers boomerang just right.

And sure—as far as the eye can see standard spots will always sling breakfast and lunch fare with eggs, toast, and sweet treats, but there’s also plenty of dim sum, huevos rancheros, and congee for those ready to branch out on new brunch adventures. Hungry yet? Check out any of these phenomenal spots for a brunch to remember (depending on mimosa consumption of course).

Fox Run Cafe
Photo courtesy of Hard Knoch PR

Fox Run Cafe

Congress Park
$$$$

Two words: FoxRun Potatoes. This menu side hits just as hard as any main dish. Speaking of mains, they won't disappoint. The Pork and Egg Breakfast Sandwich is a classic; the Whipped Feta Toast is creamy and smooth, and the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are simply to die for. Consider a side of River Bear bacon or a drizzle of house hot sauce for a brunch well-spent.

Ash'kara

LoHi
$$$$

How does smooth hummus; whipped feta; warm, fluffy pitas; buttermilk pancakes; and flavorful shakshuka sound? At Ash’Karabrunch is much more than eggs and flapjacks. Dip and sip your way through various spreads and cocktails spanning brunch standards like bloodys and mimosas to special cocktails like The Big Chill with Family Jones gin, lemon, Aperol, and aquafaba.
How to book: Reserve via Tock

The Bindery

LoHi
$$$$

Known for exquisite New American fare, brunch at The Bindery holds the same quality you’d expect from lunch or dinner at The Bindery. Thoughtfully crafted dishes like Gingerbread Waffles and Breakfast Carbonara tantalize the senses—and make you wonder if really any dish can make it onto the brunch menu with the right amount of love and creativity. Alongside a sizable menu, you’ll find a full drink list complete with a selection of Bloody Marys and “Hair of the Dog” cocktails like the Breakfast Manhattan.
How to book: Reserve via Tock

Sassafras American Eatery
Sassafras American Eatery | Bochen Chen/Flickr

Sassafras American Eatery

West Highland & Golden
$$$$

Indulgence is the name of the game at Sassafras, which has two locations serving up sweet and savory Southern food like the Chicken Pimento Biscuit (with country gravy rich with duck fat); a fried green tomato Benedict, and the cheesy Breakfast Mac with cornbread croutons. If you’re feeling courageous, check out the massive 24-ounce bloody Mary or one of the many unique mimosa variations. Just don’t miss the hot and doughy, sugar-dusted beignets with a side of jam.

The Lobby

Ballpark
$$$$

The Lobby’s menu fills the need for bubbles, bloodys, mimosas, and delightful eats. Tater tot and chicken nugget brunch dishes? Check. Donut holes in churro dust and a side of chocolate sauce? Check. Or maybe you’re more into a red potato hash topped with over-easy eggs. It has all the brunch staples, from omelets to Benedicts to biscuits, and obviously a killer drink menu to boot. Whatever your pleasure, this is the place to go for something different, exciting, and always satisfying.

Available for Reservations

Denver Biscuit Company

Multiple locations
$$$$

Leave your gluten-averse friends at home because everything here is served on a fluffy, house-made biscuit: towering biscuit sandwiches with fat-boy fillings like fried chicken and pork belly, biscuit French toast, biscuits and gravy, biscuit pot pie, and shrimp and grits served in a biscuit bowl. You get the idea. There's also a full bar, complete with Bloodys and mimosas for washing down all those carbs.

Lucile’s

Multiple locations
$$$$

This Boulder-based family business has built a mini empire out of the impeccable Creole food it's been dishing out for over three decades. For Southern transplants—or anyone who can appreciate brunch with a side of collards doused with hot pepper vinegar—Lucile's should be your number one pick. From the giant, flaky buttermilk biscuits that accompany most plates to favorites like Eggs Sardou and Shrimp and Grits and surprising dishes like the Cajun Breakfast with meaty red beans, Lucile's is the move when your stomach is running on empty.

Snooze

Multiple locations
$$$$

Since opening in 2006, this Colorado-born chain has developed a cult following among brunch fans. The menu features a plethora of breakfast goodies—some traditional, some crazy. Breakfast pot pie, breakfast tacos, and prosciutto Benedicts are just a small sampling of the indulgences that await. Just FYI: Snooze might be as well-known for its long wait times as it is for the popular pancake flights, but the good news is that you can now join the waitlist virtually via Yelp. Just find the location nearest you and skip right to mimosa-time.

Star Kitchen

Athmar Park
$$$$

If you think brunch is defined by eggs, pancakes, and waffles, you're missing out on some very important options—namely, dim sum. Star Kitchen typically draws crowds for its weekend brunch, where steamed buns, dumplings, and noodles complement dishes like chicken feet and leeks with pork blood. While the wait can stretch to half-an-hour on some days, no one will question whether or not it was worth it when those precious carts arrive at the table. Show up hungry and ready to say “yes” to whatever dishes cruise by the table.

Jelly

Capitol Hill & University
$$$$

With a color-splashed interior and walls adorned with retro cereal boxes, this spot (and its second location near DU) has style covered. It’s about more than good looks though: For one, there are the donut holes filled in flavors like maple bacon, Thai peanut, and salted caramel. Stomach-filling entrees include Corned Beef Hash with caramelized onions and red potatoes; breakfast burrito fat with pulled pork, a Southern biscuit with sausage gravy—or any pancake, French toast, or scramble options. Even better? Friends looking for some sweet and savory gluten-free carbs can find a treasure trove of brunch love here.

Urban Egg

Multiple locations
$$$$

With eight locations from the Springs to Ft. Collins, this locally born brunch favorite is quickly becoming a statewide go-to. The menu is loaded with brunch faves like Benedicts, biscuits and gravy, three different types of avocado toast, award-winning cinnamon swirl pancakes, and stuffed French toast. Urban Egg’s brunch beverage game goes hard with mimosas and Bloodys, plus fresh juices and coffees to rival those at any coffee shop.

Mimosas

Five Points
$$$$

This Five Points destination serves up decadent brunch thanks to chef Corey Smith, who brings a bit of New Orleans to the menu in the form of beignets served with lemon curd, as well as panko-crusted, fried green tomatoes with black peppercorn ranch dressing. Along with other delectable, Southern combos like shrimp and grits, this spot has a lock on its namesake beverage with an array of mimosa flavors all available by the flight (capped by a breakfast shot, if you’re feeling adventurous).

Available for Reservations

Bacon Social House

Multiple locations
$$$$

It’s clearly all about the bacon at Bacon Social House. With menu items like bacon cheddar biscuits loaded with peppery sausage gravy; breakfast hash loaded with thick-cut bacon, sweet potatoes, hatch chiles, and caramelized onion; and bacon-infused vodka in the Bloody Marys. Whatever you do, don’t skip the bacon flight, which comes with six flavors of bacon and a pair of shears so you can share with the table. With a new location on South Broadway, there are now three stellar options for getting your bacon fix in town.

Available for Reservations

Sam's No. 3

Multiple locations
$$$$

This down-to-earth cafe with three locations (Glendale, Aurora, and downtown) has what you need to cure your hangover. The extensive, 16-page menu has seemingly everything—from American diner classics to plates overflowing with Greek and Mexican cuisine. There's even an entire page dedicated to breakfast burritos, which are as big as your head and covered in Sam’s famous green chile sauce and a ton of cheese, per Denver tradition. Prepare to do absolutely nothing after brunch.

OneFold

Uptown & Union Station
$$$$

OneFold’s take on the ubiquitous breakfast burrito adds indulgent potatoes fried in duck fat to the mix. There are also breakfast tacos (adorned with griddled mozzarella) and crepes, but what you’re really here for are the bacon fried rice and congee. Bacon fried rice is pretty self-explanatory, although Onefold’s is topped with eggs fried in duck fat, giving the whole dish an added layer of savory depth. For the congee, OneFold adds duck confit, a poached egg, green onions, tamari, salted ginger, and a generous swirl of chile. Order a Vietnamese iced coffee to wash everything down.

Erica Buehler is a Denver-based freelance writer. Follow her @e_buehler on Instagram and @e_buehler_ on Twitter for more updates on Denver food and other Mile High shenanigans.
Molly Martin is a freelance writer in Denver, Colorado who is always on the lookout for fun things to do. Follow her Mile High adventures @mollydbu on Twitter and Instagram.