Best Brunch Spots in Boulder, Colorado!

My best friends from college & I are planning a return trip this fall to our trusty alma mater: the towering institution that is CU Boulder.  Most of us stayed there long past graduation, as we loved the town so much, & while we’re planning our trip….one thing is at the top of our minds: “Where are we going to EAT??!”  Boulder has soooo many great restaurants, & we spent soooo much time in all of them (hello The Sink!): we can’t wait to eat our way through town.  Boulder brunches in particular are quite legendary, as are Boulder hangovers, so here we’ll tour some of the “Best Brunch Spots in Boulder, Colorado!” 

Pearl Street is the “heart” of Boulder, along with the popular college area “The Hill,” & you’ll find great brunch spots in both places.

Map of Boulder Brunch Spots

Overview of “Nice” Boulder Brunch Spots

I think you can pretty much divide Boulder brunch spots up into two categories: 1) “Nicer” establishments where you need to dress up a little bit, & 2) “Divier” spots where you can literally roll out of bed & go handle your hangover. 

Click on the name of any restaurant below & you’ll be guided to their breakfast menu.

1. Lucile’s Creole Cafe = BEIGNETS on Pearl Street!!  A block away from the Hotel Boulderado & the bustle of Pearl Street is one of Boulder’s longest-running breakfast institutions: the Southern-creole inspired Lucile’s. Come early ~ there’s always a wait.  Hours: 7AM-2PM, Mon-Friday, 8AM-2PM Sat & Sunday.
2. Jill’s at the St. Julien = Sunday Brunch Extravaganza with Bottomless Mimosa’s!  Jill’s is the most high-end option in town, located inside the posh St. Julien Hotel, right on Pearl Street. They serve breakfast daily, but their $42 Weekend Brunch is the stand-out, with two seatings at 10AM & 12PM. Hours: 7AM-11AM Daily, Weekend Brunch = Two Seatings 10AM/12PM.  
3. Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse = The Most Unique Breakfast in Town ~ in the Most Unique Building.  Serving brunch on weekends only, every item here has an international flair to it: from Mexican Chilaquiles to a Green-Tea infused Benedict. Breakfast for adventurers! Hours: Saturday & Sundays ONLY: 9AM-3PM.
4. Greenbriar Inn = Brunch in the Garden….in North Boulder.  Brunch is only offered on Sundays here, & you’ll need to drive a bit north of Boulder: but once you’re at the Greenbriar, sit back on their garden patio with a bellini & enjoy a classic American breakfast in a lovely setting.  Hours: 10AM-1PM.  
5. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery = Hip Breakfast on Pearl Street with Outdoor Patio.  Grab their Signature Pancake Flight or hearty Breakfast Burrito & people-watch to your heart’s content on always-busyPearl Street.  Hours: 7AM-3PM Mon-Friday, 7AM-4PM Sat & Sunday.  
6. River & Woods = Weekend Brunch in a Cozy Setting.  Have breakfast with a side of log-cabin vibes in Central Boulder.  Hours: Saturday & Sunday ONLY, 10AM-1:30PM.  

Photos of “Nice” Boulder Brunch Spots

Just one word comes to mind when thinking of Lucile’s Creole Cafe in Boulder: BEIGNETS!! It’s always busy here, so come early or grab a coffee & prepare to wait.

The St. Julien is one of the finest hotels in Boulder, & their restaurant Jill’s serves breakfast daily from 7-11AM.

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is one of the prettiest, most unique buildings in all of Boulder ~ & their weekend brunch is not to be missed (starting at 9AM Sat & Sun).

Set in North Boulder on 20 acres, the Greenbriar Inn is a great spot for special occasions, as you’ll be dining in a beautiful garden setting ~ or in the winter, in front of a cozy fire.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery on Pearl Street is one of the “new kids on the block” for Boulder breakfasts, & it’s a hip spot to people-watch & grab some good grub.

Overview of “Divier” Boulder Brunch Spots

1. The Buff = THE Classic Boulder Breakfast Institution.  This is one of the BEST breakfast menus in Boulder: not only do they have all the basics covered, but they’ve got plenty of sweet selections, a bevy of Benedicts, & a taste of more exotic fare. See where University students AND professors have been coming for years. Hours: 7AM-2PM DAILY.
2. Le Peep = The Old-Standby, Feel-Good Diner.  Le Peep’s has been around for over 20 years, & it’s as unpretentious as you can get: with straight-forward, tasty breakfast fare. Hours: 7AM-2PM Mon-Friday, 7AM-2:30PM Sat & Sunday.
3. Foolish Craig’s = Popular with the College Crowd.  Foolish Craig’s was around back in my time, & their HUGE breakfast menu is the main reason we returned weekend after weekend for group brunches ~ there’s something for everyone here. Hours: 8AM-2PM DAILY.
4. Walnut Cafe = Unpretentious with Long-Standing Delicious Breakfasts.  They’ve got two locations now ~ one on Walnut Street, the other on South Broadway, & you can count on getting a great breakfast here. Plus: they’ve got gluten-free options too. Hours: Mon-Friday, 8AM-2PM, Sat & Sunday 7:30AM-3PM.  
5. Village Coffee Shop = Local’s Favorite on Folsom. Known as one of the best “hole-in-the-wall” diners in the U.S., this is a no-nonsense place for breakfast in Boulder.  Hours: 7AM-2PM DAILY.  
6. Dot’s Diner on the Hill = One of the ONLY Brunch Spots on the Hill! Simple & straight-forward: that’s what you’ll get from Dot’s. There’s also another location off of Valmont, in Central Boulder. Hours: 7AM-3:30PM DAILY. 

Photos of “Divier” Boulder Brunch Spots

The Buff is a Boulder breakfast institution, & though it’s not a total dive ~ it’s still a fairly casual spot to grab breakfast in Boulder.

Le Peep existed back in my day as a great breakfast spot, & it still does today: & it looks like not much has changed with their decor! Which is kind of a great thing..

Foolish Craig’s has been a popular brunch spot for 20+ years, & it’s a popular spot with the college crowd.

The Walnut Cafe has two locations in Boulder, & is another Boulder breakfast institution.

Now this is a true diner, in every sense of the word: Boulder’s Village Coffee Shop is more a local’s spot than a tourist hangout, & you’ll meet all kinds of characters in this tiny little breakfast joint.

Dot’s Diner on the Hill is one of the ONLY brunch spots on “The Hill,” & you can expect to find plenty of hungover college students here on any given day of the week.

Best Brunch Spots in Boulder, Colorado

That rounds up my list of the best brunch spots in Boulder.  If you’re looking for more Colorado trip inspiration, check out my guide to Great Sand Dune National Park, located south of Colorado Springs.  And with ski season around the corner, look for some great ski-in/ski-out hotels in two of my favorite Colorado resorts: Beaver Creek & Breckenridge.

xoxo Noelia

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