Andrew Hyde lives in Boulder, Colorado and travels frequently.

Best Breakfast In Boulder

Here is my definitive list of the best breakfast spots in Boulder, Colorado.

This post was updated on November 9th, 2011 to reflect new additions and closures.  Happy eating Boulder!

  1. Brasserie 1010
    Weekends only, but all the foodies and late night restaurateurs choose this spot for nursing hangovers.  Inspired menu, great prices and french press coffee.  Almost never a wait and always great service.

  2. The Pinyon 
    A new addition to the list.  Weekends only.  It is kinda a locals secret at this point with a table open all morning.  Bottomless drinks and the best fried chicken you have ever had.  Seriously, that is the best chicken you will ever have.
    Fried Chicken at The Pinyon

    3. The Pinyon closed down, much to our dismay.

  3. Snooze 
    Lots of skepticism about the opening of Denver based Snooze in Boulder.  They hit it out of the park.  Phenomenal pancakes (even gluten free).  Best meal for your money downtown.  If there is a line, head to the Pinyon.  If there isn’t, enjoy.
    Snooze Boulder Pancakes
  4. Centro 
    Centro is a special brunch treat.  Located on Boulders West End Centro has the best enchilada in town.  Habanero salsa with chips will wake you up faster than their great coffee with horchata.  Part of the great Big Red F circle, Centro delivers.  Weekends only.
  5. Burnt Toast
    Burnt Toast Restaurant“Burnt toast, cold coffee and surely service” is some solid copy writing.  By far my favorite menu in Boulder.  Always tasty, and is home to the best bacon in Boulder.  Some of my friends have had bad experiences/ slow food times.  I hear there is a new chef, and the food lately has been fantastic.  As an added bonus, they will substitute some fresh fruit for toast at no charge.     Burnt Toast closed down, to many of our displeasure. What a fantastic place that was.
  6. The Buff Restaurant
    Their chorizo scramble with green chile is amazing.  I ordered it during a business meeting once, and had sweat forming on my brow. Definitely one of the hottest, tastiest things in Boulder.  .99 mimosas too.
  7. The Kitchen
    Quality food, great staff.  Would be higher on my list, but with the gluten allergy, there isn’t much variety.  Always a quality meal.
  8. South Side Walnut Cafe/ Walnut Cafe
    There is just something special about the Walnut.  Great menu, tons of vegan options and plenty of Boulder snark. Gluten free toast too!
  9. Lucile’s
    This is my family’s favorite breakfast spot in Boulder.  Almost nothing to hate about Lucile’s.  Quirky, quality, friendly and tasty creole cooking, but can be challenging if you have allergies.
  10. Dots Diner
    “Where the folks get their yolks” is the slogan.  This is as hippy as you can get.  Unique omelets and I hear their biscuits are amazing.  I’ve always had a great meal here.
  11. Village Coffee Shop
    Solid place. Highly recommended by my friends, gluten free options and Boulder’s most diner like experience. Awesome culture.
  12. Foolish Craig’s Cafe
    Great omelets, one of the only places that serves sprouts in its breakfast menu.

What did I leave out?  Where am I wrong?

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Comments

26 responses to “Best Breakfast In Boulder”

  1. Dave Michels Avatar
    Dave Michels

    Great List. I haven't tried them all, but I love the Village Coffee Shop and have loved it for over 20 years.

    What I find sad is the special occaision Brunch is no longer available in Boulder. For years it was the Broker – Karen's in the Country had a decent one for a while, but to my knowledge there is no brunch available any more. Sad.

  2. msitarzewski Avatar
    msitarzewski

    Nice list… I enjoyed “Burnt Toast” but the service is indeed truly awful. The only one you left out that should be there (in my opinion) is The Original Pancake House. My favorite bacon, anywhere.

  3. msitarzewski Avatar
    msitarzewski

    I liked the food at “Burnt Toast” but the service was miserable, indeed. I'd add to the list The Original Pancake House. It has my favorite bacon, anywhere.

  4. Danny Avatar
    Danny

    I am a big fan of the Egg and I. Even though it is a local chain (started in 1987 in Ft. Collins) they have great food and pretty good hazelnut coffee. Cordon Blue Skillet is my favorite dish.

  5. Dr. Ding Avatar
    Dr. Ding

    Turley's FTW! Try The Borgia latte.

  6. Jamie Avatar
    Jamie

    Q's Restaurant at the Boulderado. Lots of great things if you can eat gluten, but plenty if you can't. Radda has a nice brunch, although they did inexplicably replace their fabulous pancetta with regular bacon.

  7. trotzke Avatar
    trotzke

    Appropriate that there is no website for dots. It was great food though… looking forward to a trip back.

  8. Adam Hevenor Avatar
    Adam Hevenor

    Another vote for Q's. Good option if you don't want to wait for Lucile's. Deli Zone has a good breakfast sandwich if your in need of something quick and greasy (very greasy). Walnut Cafe has a nice breakfast vibe as well and some really good hot drinks.

  9. Trek Light Seth Avatar
    Trek Light Seth

    I'd also throw in a nod for the North Boulder Cafe up on North Broadway. Being from New England I've got a soft spot for the more laid back, greasy diner thing (like the Village Coffee Shop mentioned above) when it comes to breakfast. NBC is always a good place to go to avoid the crowds…good food and good service with a dash of Boulder weirdness. You gotta love a breakfast place that turns into a Chinese restaurant later in the day.

  10. poorgeek Avatar
    poorgeek

    I know its not technically in Boulder, but the Huckleberry in old town Louisville is a must try. The sausage gravy and biscuits, potato latkas, and well, everything is fantastic! It's where I go when I miss my mom's breakfasts.

  11. Kynthia Avatar
    Kynthia

    i was sitting in the basemar shopping center parking lot the other day staring into space while i drank some much needed coffee, and i realized that i actually have not officially lived in boulder for ten years, which made me feel very old, and makes my opinion here much less authoritative than it could be, BUT…

    i'm pretty sure turley's would still make a list like this for me, despite the fact that i think their growth has gone to their heads in not all good ways, which i first suspected after realizing that they had changed their recipe for eggs florentine, which periodically makes me sad to this day.

    they used to have a tasty tofu scramble, though, which is probably gluten free.
    i'm gearing up to make a gluten-free, dairy-free banana pudding sometime soon, and if it works out, maybe i'll bring the show to boulder and we can trade for bacon.
    you make me want to try burnt toast, which is surely a sentence i never expected to compose.

    hurray for branding that reminds us to never interpret out of context!

  12. Allergy Doc Avatar
    Allergy Doc

    Tnx) Great) I'll use it, if you agree..

  13. meghann Avatar
    meghann

    Lucky's up in North Boulder also has that 50's diner feel and hilarious waitresses to boot.

    Tucked away off Broadway at Quince.

    I shouldn't be sharing, 'cause one of the reasons it's so great is that it is secret. However, they do deserve to hit the list and it's about time NoBo gets its merited recognition.

  14. max191 Avatar
    max191

    Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful.
    regards
    charcoal grill

  15. meeker43 Avatar
    meeker43

    Thanks for the list! We agree with almost all of the recommendations and will try out the ones we haven't. I wish there were more personal sites like this on the internet. Keep it going!

  16. meeker43 Avatar
    meeker43

    Thanks for the list! We agree with almost all of the recommendations and will try out the ones we haven't. I wish there were more personal sites like this on the internet. Keep it going!

  17. Ebutulis Avatar
    Ebutulis

    Thanks for this post!!! It was extremely helpful…. seeing as I have celiac's as well its been quite the challenge learning to travel and find GF/DF foods. Is it ok if I link to you in my blog. http://www.glutenfree363.com
    Best of Luck in your travels:)

  18. crystal pendant lights Avatar
    crystal pendant lights

    I’m so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.

  19. Ebutulis Avatar
    Ebutulis

    Andrew,

    Thank you so much for this information. I enjoyed both the Buff and Burnt Toast, now Cafe Aion. I referred to your blog and reviews in my post at Glutenfree363.com. Thank you so much for your great blog that I can share with others!!!

  20. Daniel Burns Avatar
    Daniel Burns

    Gotta try the Pinyon for breakfast now.

  21. Dave Burdick Avatar
    Dave Burdick

    Highly recommend the donuts and coffee at Pinyon, too! And I’m a fan of my neighbors, Tangerine. 

  22. molly Avatar
    molly

    Le Peep! Awesome gluten free waffles and pancakes.

  23. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    So glad to find your post. We checked out Pinyon today for the first time – that fried chicken, pancake and bacon brunch is AMAZING! So was the smoked trout potato pancake dish. And it was doubly awesome to have most of the outside to ourselves while Snooze and Foolish Craig’s were insane across the street.

  24. Jill A Kitchen Avatar
    Jill A Kitchen

    So glad to find your post. We checked out Pinyon today for the first time – that fried chicken, pancake and bacon brunch is AMAZING! So was the smoked trout potato pancake dish. And it was doubly awesome to have most of the outside to ourselves while Snooze and Foolish Craig’s were insane across the street.

  25. NULL Avatar
    NULL

    Glad to hear!

  26. larry Avatar
    larry

    I am so tired of gluten free dairy free fake breakfast junk. Is there any normal breakfast food out there???

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