The mountain town of Estes Park boasts a vast dining scene, from local eateries tucked away in unassuming buildings to eye-catching patio tables along the waterfront. When it comes to fueling up with the most important meal of the day, Estes Park more than delivers. From the perfect omelet to a towering stack of pancakes to a refreshing mimosa, brunch is celebrated with full force in Estes Park. Fuel up before hitting one of the many nearby hiking trails, or simply make one of these top five Estes Park brunch restaurants a stop as you explore the city’s charming downtown!
Mountain Home Café
Tucked away in an unassuming shopping area, this Estes Park brunch restaurant can be easily overlooked. However, those in the know make this a favorite brunch destination. The Migas here is a favorite, with eggs, veggies, jalapenos, cheese, refried beans, and salsa all wrapped up in sauteed corn tortillas. They also offer a variety of items from the griddle, homestyle favorites, skillets, omelets, and benedicts. Choose among several mimosa options or get your caffeine boost with an iced coffee or iced chai.
The Egg of Estes
Situated on Elkhorn Ave, The Egg of Estes is a convenient spot to grab Estes Park brunch. Their large portions will give you all the fuel needed for powering up a challenging trail, and with a 6am opening time seven days a week, it’s easy to get an early start if desired. The Egg of Estes boasts a broad menu, with everything from healthy classics like avocado toast to indulgent items from the griddle. Their apple cinnamon pancake is a sweet tooth favorite, made with whole wheat flour, granola, and fresh apple slices and topped with cinnamon butter. As the eatery’s name suggests, there are also a plethora of egg options at this locale for your Estes Park brunch. Choose among scrambles, omelets, benedicts, and skillets, all offering hearty platters that are sure to power you along on the day’s adventures. Wash it all down with a Bloody Mary, Eggceptional Merry, or Mimosa.
Notchtop Bakery & Café
Named for Notchtop Mountain in adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park, this eatery prides itself on using naturally grown, fresh local ingredients for its brunch dishes. Everything here is made from scratch, down to the detail of slow roasting their turkey, pork, beef, and chicken. Tucked away in Upper Stanley Village Shopping Center, most visitors wouldn’t know to give this place a second look. However, it’s brunch dishes are well worth the wait: it offers the best brunch in Estes Park! Their Rocky Mountain trout & eggs is a favorite, served with fresh Rocky Mountain fish, two eggs, homestyle potatoes, and toast. They also offer an assortment of delicious benedict, of which the dragon’s egg rock is a star. This unique combo includes green chili pancakes topped with chorizo, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and cheddar, topped with two poached eggs and smothered in hollandaise sauce.
Claire’s Restaurant & Bar
This family owned and operated business often features locally grown produce in their dishes, especially during summer months when items are sourced from the Estes Park farmer’s market. Claire’s is known for their tasty benedicts as well as comfort food favorites such as biscuits & gravy and chicken & waffles. And for those who relish in starting the day out with something to satisfy the sweet tooth, the items from the griddle at Claire’s will hit the spot. They offer a delicious Pain Perdu, a New Orleans style French Toast, battered, grilled, and topped with fresh berries and powdered sugar. Their blueberry lemon pancakes are also excellent, filled with fresh berries and drizzled with lemon curd. Wash it all down with a Bloody Mary, choosing from options such as the Bacon Bloody Mary or Horseradish Mary. With 2-for-1 mimosas every day until 2:00pm, Claire’s is a great place to raise a glass to your Estes Park vacation!
Big Horn Restaurant
Situated along the west end of downtown, Big Horn Restaurant is easily accessible from downtown Estes Park. With a 6 AM opening time, it’s easy to grab something early if you’re headed out on the trail or wait until a later hour for a more relaxed start to the day. Big Horn offers an excellent breakfast burrito, stuffed with eggs, cheese, refried beans, and potatoes and smothered in homemade pork green chili. The country fried steak or chicken is another favorite, smothered in sausage gravy and served with eggs, hashbrowns or grits, and toast or a biscuit. Wash it all down with a mimosa, glass of champagne, or a glass of fresh seasonal fruit juice.
Enjoy the Best Brunch in Estes Park!
Stay near all the best Estes Park brunch restaurants when you make one of these luxury cabins on Lake Estes your home base! Contact us at Mountain Village at Lake Estes to learn more.