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These brunch restaurants are the best in FoCo

Aubree Miller, Life and Culture Editor

September 3, 2025

Collegian | Julia Percy

Collegian File Photo

Fort Collins has no shortage of restaurants and cafes, with many offering a breakfast and brunch spread. Next time you’re looking to try something new, check out these local options.

Silver Grill Cafe

A tried-and-true Fort Collins classic, Silver Grill Cafe offers an array of all-American breakfast options, along with a full lunch menu. Silver Grill has been around since 1933, but their signature cinnamon rolls didn’t come until the mid-1980s when then-owner, John Arnolfo, wanted to cash in on the ongoing cinnamon roll craze, according to Silver Grill’s website. Business started booming, and the restaurant doubled in size, Silver Grill says, and they now serve over 12,000 cinnamon rolls each month. Their signature rolls also become cinnamon roll french toast, a decadent breakfast option to pair with their wide variety of sides, or to add onto a more classic breakfast like their meat and two eggs.

With an espresso bar, a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options and cinnamon rolls to-go, all wrapped up in a vintage-feeling atmosphere, Silver Grill Cafe is an Old Town gem that has something for everyone and has stood the test of time.

Philippe French Bistro

Chef and owner of Philippe French Bistro, Philippe Boutinet, was inspired to pursue cooking at the age of 13 when he became an apprentice chef in his hometown of Cognac, France, according to their website. Opened in 2022, Philippe has been focused on traditional French cuisine and offers a brunch menu leaning on the savory side. They offer brunch and dinner options with a new dinner special each Friday.

Cafe Bluebird

Another American breakfast spot, Cafe Bluebird’s proximity to Colorado State University’s campus makes it an excellent option for those living in residence halls or for those with a break in between classes. Located on Laurel Street, Bluebird opened in 1982, according to owner Inky Evenson. Evenson began as a server at the cafe in 2002 and bought the restaurant in 2018. With a cozy atmosphere and variety of house-made breads, meats and sauces, Bluebird offers a quaint breakfast experience, something akin to a small town diner. They have a full lunch and breakfast menu, including a variety of crepe and benedict options.

Rainbow Restaurant

Considered one of Fort Collins’ best vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurants, Rainbow Restaurant’s roots go back to the 1960s and have been family-owned and operated, according to their website. With a varying menu and inspiration from many different cuisines, Rainbow offers a unique breakfast experience with close proximity to CSU’s campus.

Snooze A.M. Eatery

Though not a restaurant local to Fort Collins, Snooze A.M. Eatery offers a wide array of breakfast and lunch options alongside a bright, mid-century modern atmosphere. There is a location in Old Town, though Snooze began with two brothers in Denver in 2006, according to their website. It has grown to have locations in 11 states, with a focus on sustainability, like through their switch to paper straws in 2018 and the purchase of 50% of their electricity from renewable sources in 2025. Whether looking for a unique flavor of pancakes or their signature Bloody Mary, Snooze offers something for everyone’s tastes.

Reach Aubree Miller at life@collegian.com or on social media @aubreem07.

About the Contributor

Aubree Miller, Life & Culture Editor

Aubree Miller is incredibly excited to become the life and culture editor of The Collegian, especially considering the honor of being the third editor to ever do so. They are incredibly honored to cover the Colorado State University and Fort Collins communities and bring light and levity to an often hectic news cycle. Community is what has made The Collegian Miller’s home at CSU, and they hope to be able to provide that same community, joy and light with its readers. Miller is in their third year pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and media communication, along with two minors in women and gender studies and ethnic studies. They started at The Collegian as a reporter for the life and culture, arts and entertainment and news desks, later spending their sophomore year as news editor. Miller recently spent a summer in Washington, D.C., as an intern for NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, where they helped organize a national convention and worked alongside some of the top journalists in the nation. As the incoming president of CSU’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, a member of the First Generation JMC group and a student organizer of CSU’s NLGJA chapter, they are dedicated to uplifting student journalism wherever possible, as well as the CSU and Fort Collins communities as a whole. Outside of journalism, they are involved with the Academic Advancement Center as well as CSU’s Fostering Success Program as a peer mentor. Whether it be an event thrown by a Cultural Resource Center or a new small business in town, the life and culture desk covers and encompasses just that: the life, joy, light and culture that make Fort Collins and CSU the incredible places they are. With an interest in investigative reporting and uplifting the stories of marginalized communities, Miller is invested in making the world a better place — no matter how small or large. Miller is from Aurora, Colorado, as well as Superior, Wisconsin, and enjoys scouring eBay for vintage Coach bags, reading, crocheting, hunting for the best vanilla ice cream and taking photos of their cat.

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