It’s no secret Denver loves brunch. Each Friday we’ll divulge the newest and best brunches around. Not only to highlight our favorite spots for all your brunching needs, but also to add lists of things you crave. So pour a mimosa, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to eat.
Long gone are the days where Denver’s high altitude means mediocre baked goods. Over the last couple years the city has exploded with top-notch bakeries, and we are so here for it. From classic French pastry to traditional bread to innovative items, let this list guide you to five brunch-forward shops that have all the buttery, flaky, sweet, and savory treats one craves after a busy week.
GetRight’s
Husband-and-wife team Matt Dulin and Lindsey Judd conducted a social media campagne that had us salivating for the bakery even before the brick and mortar spot came into fruition. The idea behind GetRight’s started during the pandemic, and the two built a cottage bakery out of their home, selling bread, pastry, and plants.
With last May’s opening in Wheat Ridge, the couple has their house back as well as a lot more space to dish out baked goods such as twice-baked almond croissants, chocolate hazelnut croissant loaf, and amazing sandwiches. This is one spot you will want to get to when it opens at 8 a.m. Items constantly sell out. 6985 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, goodygetright.com
Bánh & Butter Bakery Café
Ever since meeting Thoa Nguyen years ago at her parent’s shop New Saigon Bakery in Denver, the young baker has impressed us. It started with the crepe cake, a multi-layered masterpiece she carried on when opening Bánh & Butter Bakery Café two years ago in Aurora. But now, Nguyen has even more signature items, propelled by her stint on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship in 2023.
Nguyen made it to the final four, and though she didn’t take home the title she’ll always be the winner in our books. Find out why by visiting the cafe and ordering a fresh croissant with everything bagel seasoning, a matcha flavored cruffin (a cross between a croissant and a muffin), and strawberry and vanilla cream stuffed croissants. Add on an iced Vietnamese egg coffee, and officially brunch has been conquered. 9935 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, banhandbutter.com
Poulette Bakeshop
Chefs Alen Ramos and Carolyn Nugent have been celebrated for their Parker bakery from the get go. It’s not all hype either. The husband and wife team worked for some of the world’s best chefs and restaurants, including chef Joël Robuchon, and at the now closed El Bulli in Spain and the United Kingdom’s The Fat Duck. They also built the French patisserie program at Bottega Louie in Los Angeles. Now, they’re here in Colorado, serving croissants, Hatch green chile scones, brioche buns, and so much more. Expect to wait when picking up goodies, especially on the weekend. 19585 Hess Road, Unit 107, Parker, poulettebakeshop.com
Reunion Bread
Last week we visited chef Ismael de Sousa at his RiNo bakery, located inside The Source. The goal was to try the new cookie-croissant, but we ended up leaving with a box of delightful pastries as well. One of the baker’s signature items is the golfeado, otherwise known as a Venezuelan sticky bun.
De Sousa, though born in Portugal, hails from Venezuela and his blended upbringing comes out in many of the baked goods. For example, the classic Portuguese egg tart called pastel de nata. There’s also a churro spiced croissant filled with a heavenly dulce de leche. The menu changes frequently, but there’s always something delightful on display including a line up of really good bread to take home for lunch. 3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver, reunionbread.square.site
Bakery Four
It’s hard to tell if Shawn Bergin’s bakery first became famous for the lines in front, or for the tasty food. Either way, it’s totally worth the wait in order to try the naturally leavened goodies at Bakery Four. Highlights include the cardamom bun, lemon tea cake, and butterscotch muffin. The menu constantly changes and details on the week’s line up can be found online.
Like many other local bakeries, Bergin started Bakery Four as a cottage operation in 2019. Eventually he opened a small spot in Highland before moving into a 3,00-square-foot space in Berkeley in 2021. The next move for the baker is to open Rich Spirit, a traditional bagel shop featuring the item that has helped gain Bakery Four a cult following. 4150 Tennyson St., Denver, .bakeryfour.com
