English Breakfast

Sure, it’s known for the elevation and proximity to the mountains, but Denver climbs the ranks of foodie hot-spots every year. As more chefs and restaurateurs set their eye on the area to leave their inventive, delicious mark, the inevitable crowd follows (and often returns for second helpings). This good, sometimes fancy, food isn’t just for dinner though; with so much to do in the Mile High city, it’s best to start your day in a big way—by satisfying your palate. Here, breakfast isn’t just a task to complete in the morning—it’s a near ritual that’s to be savored with friends, and an art to be admired when done well. So where is Denver hiding all of these great eateries? Here is our list of Denver’s top five breakfast spots.

Lucile’s Creole Cafe

For more than 30 years, Lucile’s has been serving Louisiana-style breakfasts just like mom used to make (if mom was Southern). Pick your seat in one of the dining rooms spread around this creaky-floored old house (it’s smack in the middle of a neighborhood), and treat yourself to red beans and collard greens with a side of butter-melting pan biscuits spread with jam. For the main course, choose any of the authentic dishes, like eggs Sardou—poached eggs over artichoke bottoms with creamed spinach and hollandaise sauce, and you’ll feel as Southern as if dining on Bourbon Street. 275 S. Logan St., 303.282.6258

Pete’s University Cafe

On the corner of Evans and University, Pete’s might as well be an honorary part of the University of Denver. Sitting inside on any given day, especially weekend mornings, the ratio of students to anyone else is high. But it’s not just the proximity to campus or strength of coffee that make this pseudo diner so popular. The menu incorporates just about any combination of breakfast foods you might be hungry for (Denver egg skillets, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, stuffed French toast, eggs Mazatlan, etc…) and the hot plates are brought out quickly. Overly accommodating without being overly greasy, Pete’s is a place for when you know you want something classic to satisfy. 2345 E. Evans Ave., 303.733.7376

Beast + Bottle

Located in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, Beast + Bottle is run by the brother-sister team of Paul and Aileen Reilly, whose foremost goal with their eatery is to empower diners with the knowledge of where their food comes from and how it’s sourced. In a time and place (read: all over Colorado) where the history of the food on their plate is becoming increasingly important to people, Beast + Bottle has found their market. And even if you don’t normally think about how your breakfast started off, it’s nothing less than nice to know that the pork shoulder tostada you’re munching on (or Arctic char eggs Benedict) was sourced from farmers who the Reillys know personally, and who treat the animals with respect. Don’t feel like a complicated-sounding plate this early in the day? You can keep it simple here too, with pumpkin waffles and a Beastly Bloody Mary. Enjoy. 719 E. 17th Ave., 303.623.3223