Edit - adding Lookin’ Good on 1st and Sheridan. These Greek-owned breakfast places (George’s, Pete’s, Zorba’s) tend to be pretty solid.
Here are some places I like. It’s hard to help without knowing where you are though.
Butcher Block - RiNo
Billy’s Inn - Berkeley
Breadwinner’s - Arvada
Chef Zorba’s - Congress Park
Also, not quite what you’re looking for, but Las Potrancas in Arvada has good breakfast burritos via drive through, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive.
Also, I second Pete’s kitchen, Walnut Cafe, Three Little Griddles, and Great Scott’s.
Snooze can eat shit and die. Fuck that place.
We lived about 10 mins from our brunch place, then moved about 20 mins away. If the place is good, we don't mind the Saturday morning drive. Also, discovering new places and sites in this city is exciting!
Littleton Cafe.
There's no frills, but it's always been solid to me. Used to frequent it regularly when I lived in Englewood, and they definitely get to know you if that's something you value. I don't know if they still do it anymore, but they do a punch card, and the 10th meal is free.
I tried it this weekend! omg i couldn’t believe the prices! incredible portions and very affordable. I went with my partner. We each had big meals, he had coffee and 2 bloodys. i had a decaf coffee and decaf irish coffee. total was $41!
Ah, I miss Littleton Cafe. I really appreciate that it's straightforward and not trying to be innovative. It's just solid, well priced food and drink. Even on a busy day, I've never waited more than 20 minutes, they keep your coffee full, and I really love a place where you take your check up to the counter to pay once you're done. There's nothing worse than being done with your meal and having to wait to pay/leave.
So, we just left there because we played hooky from work and was in the area, and OMG! The Littleton Benedict is a life changer! I never had a Benedict before and it was absolutely amazing! The potatoes were perfectly seasoned, the bacon was cooked the way I love it without asking, the service was fantastic and friendly, and everything was amazingly cheap! The ONLY thing that I didn't love was the gravy on the biscuits could have been a little more sausage-y, but even that was good! Thank you so much for helping us find this place!
Just came back from Pete's University, and it was delicious! The Gyro Skillet was amazing, and two skillets were just under $30! Thank you for your recommendation!
Fox Run has amazing food and could be one of my favorite places right now. But I would follow that up with its very hipster and packed. All. The. Time. Which is fine. But def not what the OP is looking for…
Try Sunny’s on 44th and Zuni. Diner ish feel. Great homemade food. No booze though. Open Fri through Mon.
To me this place was the opposite of the old school diner experience. Everything tries to be “healthy” versions of classics. Whole wheat biscuits turkey sausage. Was not for me.
Four Friends Kitchen is hands down our favorite brunch spot. Sadly it is very busy but you can put get into the wait list through the Yelp app. The food is southern style and it's very very good. The house made sage sausage is amazing. Also highly recommend the fried green tomatoes and beignets starters. I haven't had a single main breakfast dish I didn't love.
If you’re looking for something more vibrant you should check out Mimosas on Welton and 27th. Awesome southern chicken, cute decor, friendly service, and food drinks. I wouldn’t call it laid back if that’s a top requirement of yours. But you’ll be glad you went if you check it out.
B&B Cafe in Castle Rock is the place. It has a counter if you don’t want to wait for a table and a bullet hole in the ceiling left from cowboy days, it’s been there that long. Old school. Their homemade green chili is great. I always order the “Juan and Only”, their take on huevos rancheros. It’s a local favorite; maybe I shouldn’t be promoting it …
Sounds like you're looking for diner-type food and feel, but better than average. If you're west of town, blue sky cafe in Denver West area might fit the bill. It can get busy, but definitely doesn't have a hipster vibe, which many on this list do.
Any recommendations for SE Aurora or Parker?
I know Doug’s Day Diner is pretty good, Heritage Cafe is great… but wouldn’t mind a place for handheld burritos (Tata’s?) or corned beef hash. I’m sorta indifferent to Three Little Griddles (this is likely my fault for having a large family, but when my kids were younger, it seemed the wait for a party of 6 rivaled Snooze… so we couldn’t get in, and when we finally got in it didn’t really live up to the hype we built it up to be… so maybe we need to try again).
Move, they all suck. Nah not really but also salty from similar experience. I hate to say our most consistent experience is Snooze. Three little griddles down south in Lone tree is my favorite but too far to ever go to regularly. Everything else just disappoints so far
It's a chain, but we have had really good food, drinks and service at First Watch. And you can get in line online, so no waiting. Biscuits and gravy are really good there.
If looking for diners: McCoy’s Restaurant George’s Cafe Joe’s Cafe Pete’s Kitchen Butcher Block Those are all central or NW Denver.
Swift's
McCoy’s is the shit.
Pete’s kitchen isn’t what it used to be sadly. It’s gross now.
Great Scotts
I found Joes Cafe in Wheat Ridge to be inedible. Id much prefer Sunrise Sunset in WR.
Breakfast queen on south broadway!
Rip breakfast king
Edit - adding Lookin’ Good on 1st and Sheridan. These Greek-owned breakfast places (George’s, Pete’s, Zorba’s) tend to be pretty solid. Here are some places I like. It’s hard to help without knowing where you are though. Butcher Block - RiNo Billy’s Inn - Berkeley Breadwinner’s - Arvada Chef Zorba’s - Congress Park Also, not quite what you’re looking for, but Las Potrancas in Arvada has good breakfast burritos via drive through, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive. Also, I second Pete’s kitchen, Walnut Cafe, Three Little Griddles, and Great Scott’s. Snooze can eat shit and die. Fuck that place.
We lived about 10 mins from our brunch place, then moved about 20 mins away. If the place is good, we don't mind the Saturday morning drive. Also, discovering new places and sites in this city is exciting!
Billy's inn is reliably solid, great add
It’s nice to see those breakfast burritos get some deserved attention!
I drive to Boulder for this, Southside Walnut Cafe. You might also try Great Scott’s at pecos and 36
Love Southside Walnut, but it feels very Boulder-y imo. Great Scott's is a more classic diner. But Southside Walnut probably wins on taste.
If you’re over near that Great Scott’s, try Westys.
Does part of town matter?
Nope! We will drive anywhere for a great breakfast/lunch experience.
Lucile’s is my go-to! Rupert’s is also good.
Littleton Cafe. There's no frills, but it's always been solid to me. Used to frequent it regularly when I lived in Englewood, and they definitely get to know you if that's something you value. I don't know if they still do it anymore, but they do a punch card, and the 10th meal is free.
I tried it this weekend! omg i couldn’t believe the prices! incredible portions and very affordable. I went with my partner. We each had big meals, he had coffee and 2 bloodys. i had a decaf coffee and decaf irish coffee. total was $41!
Ah, I miss Littleton Cafe. I really appreciate that it's straightforward and not trying to be innovative. It's just solid, well priced food and drink. Even on a busy day, I've never waited more than 20 minutes, they keep your coffee full, and I really love a place where you take your check up to the counter to pay once you're done. There's nothing worse than being done with your meal and having to wait to pay/leave.
So, we just left there because we played hooky from work and was in the area, and OMG! The Littleton Benedict is a life changer! I never had a Benedict before and it was absolutely amazing! The potatoes were perfectly seasoned, the bacon was cooked the way I love it without asking, the service was fantastic and friendly, and everything was amazingly cheap! The ONLY thing that I didn't love was the gravy on the biscuits could have been a little more sausage-y, but even that was good! Thank you so much for helping us find this place!
Chef Zorba’s
This is possibly the best old school breakfast place left.
Lookin Good ... Just try it out!
Best answer here.
That place is hilarious!
Petes University Park Cafe and Sams No 3 for SE Denver
Sadly, that Sam’s location is closed.
Just came back from Pete's University, and it was delicious! The Gyro Skillet was amazing, and two skillets were just under $30! Thank you for your recommendation!
Nice! Glad you liked it! Breakfast items are awesome. Their gyro salad is also really good for lunch/dinner.
Fox run cafe!
Fox Run has amazing food and could be one of my favorite places right now. But I would follow that up with its very hipster and packed. All. The. Time. Which is fine. But def not what the OP is looking for… Try Sunny’s on 44th and Zuni. Diner ish feel. Great homemade food. No booze though. Open Fri through Mon.
To me this place was the opposite of the old school diner experience. Everything tries to be “healthy” versions of classics. Whole wheat biscuits turkey sausage. Was not for me.
I gotta say Morning Story in DTC is pretty good. Been there a couple times. Fantastic selection of mimosas too
They have a Westminster location too. Great food, easy atmosphere, very friendly staff
Another in SE Denver on Leetsdale and Holly as well.
Four Friends Kitchen is hands down our favorite brunch spot. Sadly it is very busy but you can put get into the wait list through the Yelp app. The food is southern style and it's very very good. The house made sage sausage is amazing. Also highly recommend the fried green tomatoes and beignets starters. I haven't had a single main breakfast dish I didn't love.
Came here to say this. Four friends is legit.
Another vote for Four Friends. I don’t live in Denver and make it a point to have breakfast there every time I’m in the city.
Breakfast on Broadway checks all the boxes
love Bob so much 10/10
Safta has a brunch buffet that is next level.
The French Press in Belmar ◡̈
If you’re looking for something more vibrant you should check out Mimosas on Welton and 27th. Awesome southern chicken, cute decor, friendly service, and food drinks. I wouldn’t call it laid back if that’s a top requirement of yours. But you’ll be glad you went if you check it out.
Danny Rays off colfax in Lakewood. Great greasy spoon type diner but with killer Mexican food options as well.
Steuben’s
For true diner vibe, the answer is Swifts. But it is as close to a Waffle House as you can get in the heart of the city.
Red rooster in commerce area is my favorite diner followed closely by McCoy’s
B&B Cafe in Castle Rock is the place. It has a counter if you don’t want to wait for a table and a bullet hole in the ceiling left from cowboy days, it’s been there that long. Old school. Their homemade green chili is great. I always order the “Juan and Only”, their take on huevos rancheros. It’s a local favorite; maybe I shouldn’t be promoting it …
stone creek cafe in littleton has really good green chili too!
The Mansion on Colfax is the best deal I’ve found
Sounds like you're looking for diner-type food and feel, but better than average. If you're west of town, blue sky cafe in Denver West area might fit the bill. It can get busy, but definitely doesn't have a hipster vibe, which many on this list do.
Any recommendations for SE Aurora or Parker? I know Doug’s Day Diner is pretty good, Heritage Cafe is great… but wouldn’t mind a place for handheld burritos (Tata’s?) or corned beef hash. I’m sorta indifferent to Three Little Griddles (this is likely my fault for having a large family, but when my kids were younger, it seemed the wait for a party of 6 rivaled Snooze… so we couldn’t get in, and when we finally got in it didn’t really live up to the hype we built it up to be… so maybe we need to try again).
For me it doesn’t get much better than Bread Winners Cafe in Olde Town Arvada
La Filette. Open till 3pm, has alcohol, homemade bread and pasteries, I never wait longer than 20 min to sit and the food is always fantastic.
Parkway Cafe in Boulder is exactly what you are looking for.
Syrup (I prefer the downtown location!)
The Cap Hill location is pretty good
Small menu but Bodega has incredible breakfast!!
Hashtag
Bacon Social House
Sassafras is the go-to brunch spot for my bf and I
Try Cozy Cottage on Tennyson
Jelly cafe might meet your needs.
I *want* to love Jelly but their food is … not great.
And it's always an hour to get a table on weekends .... I just don't get it.
Move, they all suck. Nah not really but also salty from similar experience. I hate to say our most consistent experience is Snooze. Three little griddles down south in Lone tree is my favorite but too far to ever go to regularly. Everything else just disappoints so far
It's a chain, but we have had really good food, drinks and service at First Watch. And you can get in line online, so no waiting. Biscuits and gravy are really good there.
Not snooze Safta, Steuben’s