The holidays are a time to come together, be merry, and well, to eat. We love ourselves some piles of pancakes, ladles of Hollandaise and mimosas that just won’t quit. Permissive and indulgent, brunch is a sovereign meal unlike any other. So what better time to celebrate the holidays than at brunch o’clock?
Whether it’s during the holiday season or an ordinary, non-festivity-focused Saturday or Sunday, these three women-owned (bonus points!) Denver restaurants guarantee you the brunch you want—nay, the brunch you deserve. We love taking a field-trip to hit the spots that aren't in our usual rotation; and why not make a day of it to mark some shopping off your list? Grab a yummy brunch, shop Denver local, and treat the family and yourself for the meal that’s so good, it straddles the a.m. and the p.m.
The Bindery
Beautifully melding both style and substance, The Bindery is a decidedly chic LoHi brunch destination whose food might taste even better than it looks. (And it all looks pretty darn amazing.) Like the hybrid market/restaurants popular in Europe that the restaurant is modeled after, The Bindery combines creative, fine dining dishes with a grab-and-go style bakery that you’ll want to make repeat trips back to. Meaning you have to somehow make your way past the mouthwatering cinnamon rolls and chocolate croissants in the pastry case if you want to linger over duck confit hash and vanilla bean and rum Dutch babies.
Chef/Owner Linda Hampsten Fox drew inspiration for The Bindery from her daughter Emma, even naming a brunch dish after her. La Emmabella is a nod to one of Emma’s favorite childhood dishes—because yes, this child liked quail eggs in brioche with truffle butter at age six. “I named that dish after her when we opened and she had just left for college,” Linda says. “That way I could hear her name all weekend long—it’s my love letter to her.”
Weekend brunch: 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; 1817 Central St., 303-993-2364; TheBinderyDenver.com
Bistro Vendôme
When Bistro Vendôme announced it was leaving its longtime home in Larimer Square after nearly two decades, people were understandably panicked. Would they forever lose their favorite omelet and fresh-baked pastries? But after saying a brief au revoir at New Year’s Day brunch, Bistro reopened in Park Hill in February, debuting a fresh menu and a fresh look.
Chef/owner Jennifer Jasinski and executive chef Jeremy Wolgamott created new items for brunch, like the pillowy souffle pancakes with blackberry syrup and creamy lobster bisque—all best washed down with a white cranberry or blood orange mimosa. Moody velvet banquettes, stenciled floors and stunning, drop-your-lemon-crêpe-worthy wallpaper, add to the wow factor and have devoted customers cheersing to another 20 years.
Weekend brunch: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; 2267 Kearney St., 303-825-3232; BistroVendome.com
Le French
When a Michelin-starred baker moves to Denver and opens a Parisian-style bakery and bistro, people take note. And take note they have of Le French, the Belleview Station restaurant from Senegalese French sisters Aminata and Rougui Dia, which has been charming south Denver brunchers since it opened in 2019.
With loads of brunch offerings on the menu—we’re talking everything from crêpe Suzette with citrus marmalade and mascarpone Chantilly cream to classic steak and eggs with bearnaise aioli and peppercorn sauce to a roasted pork belly benedict in brioche—it’s impossible to leave here hungry. But save room for (or take home) one of the deliciously flakey croissants, gorgeous macarons or mini tarts—or better yet; all of the above.
Weekend brunch: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 4901 S. Newport St., 720-710-8963; LeFrenchDenver.com