Durango, CO offers a wide range of dining options, with many restaurants open from early morning all the way through to a late night dinner. However, breakfast - or brunch if you prefer - hold a special place in the local food scene. Below are some of Durango’s best breakfast spots, serving up both classic and uniquely local twists on morning favorites.
Oscar’s Cafe
This 50’s style diner is complete with checkered floors, red seats, and a model train circling the restaurant. Beyond the nostalgic decor, the menu offers everything from sweet pancakes, french toast, and a huge cinnamon roll to savory omelets, breakfast burgers, and chili verde smothered burritos. Conveniently located in Town Plaza, Oscar’s offers plenty of parking and fast to-go orders.
Durango Diner
Located on Main Avenue between 9th and 10th Street in historic downtown Durango, Durango Diner - commonly known as “The Diner” - has been a local staple since the 1950s. The Diner is a small and cozy spot where you can find classic omelets, benedicts, and burgers, but it is best know for “The Cure”: hashbrowns (grated straight onto the griddle) covered in cheese, meat, eggs, and their famous green chili sauce.
Rupert’s Durango
Offering an extensive selection of menu items, Rupert’s Durango has something for everyone. Located where the long time favorite CJ’s Diner was on College Drive, they’ve taken over a reputation of traditional favorites with a Southwest Colorado twist. Scrambles, burritos, hash, huevos rancheros, pancakes, french toast, benedicts, chili bowls, salads, burgers, and sandwiches are all options with a wide selection of coffee,juice, tea, beer, and “first call cocktails”.
College Drive Cafe
College Drive Cafe has been a Durango staple since the 70s, with various names and ownership. In 2011, 2011 the current owner-operators have provided a cozy Durango atmosphere serving hearty and healthy breakfast staples. Their College Drive location (hence the name!) is a cozy place to fuel up on some homemade benedicts, scrambles, biscuits and gravy, and more. Of course, their red chili and green chili sauces - plus many more to choose from - add a great smother or dip for these classics.
Durango Doughworks
One of the largest breakfast places in town, Durango Doughworks features grab and go as well as a sit down restaurant. They specialize in doughnuts and bagels with a wide variety of flavors. Breakfast classics like skillets, oatmeal, and country fried steak can be paired with beverages such as coffee, tea, boba, and boozy options. Their grab and go options are perfect for a quick meal on the way up to the mountains!
There is much to choose from in finding your favorite breakfast spot in Durango. We look forward to sharing these locally owned and operated breakfast diners with you! Please let Max and Deven know if you have any questions about more local eateries.
If you prefer a more casual cafe atmosphere, take a look at some of Durango’s best cafes here.
