Brunch has become a weekend tradition in most cities across America, and it should come as no surprise that Boulder is one of them. If you’re looking for the perfect place to have brunch with your family and friends, our local food scene certainly does not disappoint. Here are our top picks for brunch in Boulder:
Brasserie Ten Ten
Brasserie is a busy little bistro in downtown Boulder that serves French-inspired cuisine morning, noon, and night. You’ll have the choice of dining in the bistro’s quaint dining room or outdoors on an open-air terrace. Brunch is served at Brasserie on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm.
If you go, always order a la carte. If you’re chasing carbs, go for beignets (served covered in bacon and maple syrup) or pain au chocolat. You also can’t go wrong with crepes au brie or a simple salad. The real showstopper at Brasserie Ten Ten, however, is the French onion soup. It’s served with a baguette and gruyere, and it is by far the best onion soup in Boulder.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen is a community-based bistro in downtown Boulder. The food that is served by this small family of restaurants is delicious and locally sourced, and you can pop by for brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
When you brunch at The Kitchen, you absolutely must grab a few croissants to go. For your meal, don’t miss the Northern Lights Smoked Salmon, served with scrambled eggs, chive cream cheese, toast, greens, and capers…it will be the best thing you eat all day.
Café Aion
The fare offered by Café Aion is also made of locally-sourced ingredients from our very own farmers and ranchers. It’s traditional tapas served in a friendly atmosphere, and if you’re looking for brunch, you’ll find it here on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm.
At Café Aion, brunch is meant to be shared amongst friends and neighbors. Beginning in April, the menu will change to reflect that. You’ll find large paella dishes of eggs, potatoes, peppers, and chorizo or harissa. When you’re passing that around, don’t forget to grab some freshly-fried donut holes to share, as well.
Oak at 14th
Oak is everything you could hope for in a local eatery. It’s very true to its rustic Colorado roots, but the vibe is also quite contemporary – perfectly suited for Boulder’s extremely discerning tastes in dining and ambiance. Although there is no formal brunch selection, the hours and menu are a good match for a late breakfast or early lunch. Their hours extend well into the night, but for this mid-day meal, go for the menu that is served from 11:30am to 2:30pm.
If you choose Oak at 14th to satisfy your craving for brunch, try the fried pickles and lamb shawarma sandwich.
Tangerine
The menus at Tangerine are inspired by traditional American cuisine. All of your favorite dishes have been responsibly prepared using fresh, local ingredients. Brunch is served daily from 7am to 2:30pm, making this the perfect spot for that mid-week pick-me-up.
Don’t walk away from Tangerine without trying the corned beef hash, which is topped with two eggs (sunny side up) and served with house-made butter pickles. While you’re at it, treat yourself to a side of greens.
Foolish Craig’s
Foolish Craig’s is where you go when you want a good old fashioned down home meal. This fun and quirky eatery has been a downtown favorite since 1998 and has been featured on
While Guy Fieri says you should go for the warm toasted oatmeal stout bread and BLT guacamole, we say that you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The same items are served daily from 8am to 5pm, so there’s no need to rush. Brunch will still be waiting for you when you get there.
Zolo Grill
Zolo Grill brings delicious southwestern cuisine to Boulder, and they do it in a way that makes you feel like you are a part of their family. The atmosphere is inviting, and if you go just once, we guarantee you’ll be hooked. One thing is for sure: you’ve never tasted a brunch like this one.
Brunch is served at Zolo on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. We suggest ordering the duck confit hash with a side of their incredible pplewood smoked bacon. If duck is not your flavor, go for the butternut squash – Poblano tamales.
Mateo
Mateo is an owner-operated restaurant in Boulder that offers simple meals inspired by the Provence region in Europe. The menu is seasonal, but one thing about this eatery never changes: every dish served here is downright mouth-watering.
You can grab brunch at Mateo on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. When you go, get the Mateo Sunshine Burger. To say that it is the best cheeseburger in Boulder is a severe understatement. It’s topped with gruyere, cheddar, and blue cheeses, then covered with a fried egg. You won’t believe what you’re tasting.
Pizzeria Locale
Forget everything you know about pizza. What you will find at Pizzeria Locale is nothing like that. These chefs are bringing classic Napoletana pies to Boulder, and they are doing it with the very best local ingredients.
This is another eatery that does not advertise a formal brunch menu, but because it opens at 11:30am every day of the week, it’s still the perfect spot for anyone who is looking for an early lunch. It’s too hard to choose a favorite menu item, but here are some of our top choices: seasonal pizza, Bianca pizza, Diavolo pizza, Polpatini meatballs, Antica salad, and giardiniera. Kids seem to always love the Margherita pizza, as well…James certainly does
There is truly something for every preference on this list. We have tried them all, and promise they are all divine dining choices (…and they all serve an amazing Bloody Mary, by the way.). However, if none of these work for you, give Sushi Tora a shot on a Sunday. This eatery earns honorable mention on our list because if you’re looking for something just a bit different, it’s the perfect brunch alternative. Be sure to arrive early, and before you go, check out our suggestions for what to order.
As always, if there’s something delicious to be had in Boulder, we know about it. Check back often so we can share it with you!