If you live in Colorado, you know Denver brunch is a must. Reservations are pretty much essential for the midday meal that draws crowds (even on weekdays, at the spots that offer that). And what makes a brunch worth waiting for? The food, of course. Brunch food always satisfies cravings, whether you’re in the mood for sweet, savory or a touch of both. But with so many places offering the basics, those that go beyond the average menu options are the ones that stand out.Excelling at boozy brunch staples like bloody Marys and mimosas is a must, too. Places that offer creative cocktails and coffee options get bonus points. These excursions often involve a group, and even if they don’t, brunch should feel like a celebration. After all, you’re combining two meals in one, right? It’s logical to want double the fun, too. If you’re looking for a good time with a side of bacon, here are the ten best brunches in Denver:
Bacon Social House:
Since starting in Sunnyside in 2014, this brunch-only spot has expanded with outposts in Littleton and on South Broadway (as well as one in Minneapolis). As the name says, bacon is the star here. From bacon flights, bacon shrimp and grits, to bacon and chocolate pancakes, everything is centered around bacon. They even have a Bloody Mary made with bacon-infused vodka. If you’re not in the mood for smoked meat, there are options, including vegetarian ones. Each location also has an outdoor patio (a rooftop one in Littleton) and a focus on bringing the fun with a friendly staff. So start with a Breakfast Shot that, you guessed it, comes with a slice of bacon.
The Bindery:
With an open, airy dining room and breezy patio, this LoHi eatery is less about party and more about elegance. At brunch, which is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each dish is unique and delicious. Taste your way through Polish family meals, the hillsides of Italy and coastal Mexico while remaining grounded in Colorado ingredients and hospitality. Don’t forget to load up on pastries to go.
Lucile’s Creole Cafe:
Open daily for breakfast and lunch only, this Louisiana-inspired favorite got its start in Boulder in 1980 and now has six locations in Colorado. Your experience here comes with a dash of Creole country kitsch. Start with powdered sugar-covered beignets and a cup of Lucile’s chicory coffee. The giant, buttery biscuits with housemade jam are a must, too. And no matter what entree you get, you can (and should) opt for half grits, half potatoes on the side. Douse it all with the housemade hot sauce, and enjoy your trip to the South.
Mimosas:
In August 2020, this eatery opened as the first effort from the food-and-beverage arm of the Flyfisher Group, a Five Points-based private equity investment firm headed by businessman Matthew Burkett that’s been focused on reinvesting in the historic neighborhood. The space is bright and cheery, with splashes of orange — including actual images of oranges on one wall — and an R&B-heavy playlist. The menu leans Southern, with such items as biscuits and gravy and a cheesy, rich take on shrimp and grits studded with slices of Andouille sausage. And of course there are mimosas — a whole list of them, available by the glass or in three flight options, alongside a selection of bubbly by the bottle.
Onefold:
If you’re over Benedicts and scrambles, Onefold is ready to make eggs interesting again. The original Uptown location opened in 2015 and quickly gained a following for such dishes as bacon fried rice (or a Chinese sausage version) topped with a duck fat-fried egg, and congee (a savory rice porridge) with rich duck confit and spicy chile oil. Even more typical options are stepped up here, like the breakfast tacos topped with griddled cheese. In late 2021, a second location at Union Station was added after a year of pandemic-related delays, so now twice as many people can enjoy this brunch favorite.
Find more Denver brunch spots at:
https://www.westword.com/restaurants/best-brunch-denver-13150895
