This place gets a 4 star rating for being exactly what it looks like: an old school diner. It's really UN-fancy in this place, and many would consider it too outdated for a good meal. But, I remember the days when you'd go out for decent coffee and a cheap meal, and someone would know your name when you walked in the door. This is like that. Cheap, fresh food served by happy, smiling people. It feels like my neighborhood even though I don't live in this neck of the woods. They have updated the menu since I was last here 10+ years ago. Now, they offer things like scrambled tofu and veggie sausage for our vegetarian friends. But the basics are the same. It's mostly (75%) breakfast served all day, but they do have a page of lunch options they serve after 10:30am. Coffee is basic, good, and regularly refilled. Don't bring your restaurant snob friends with you, they'll be unhappy. read more

Dot's Diner - Cheap for a healthy breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

See all

I've been going here a lifetime the atmosphere is great feels like a true diner in the food is even better! It's a great breakfast place in Boulder that's not pretentious, A classic diner The tuna melt is tremendous. The bacon is unique and really good. And you can't go wrong with the French toast. It's the kind of nice place where you can eat by yourself and no one cares to look at you. (peaceful in that way) The service is good and the employees are respectful. This is a wholesome place where people have been working there for years. Working in customer service myself always remember that your waiter deals with a lot of rude people so it's not that hard to make their day. read more

I liked breakfast . Very tasty pancakes. jam tastes amazing. pleasant atmosphere. Thank you.

We are charging our Leaf and down the street we find Dot's. Great place to stop for a bite and some cheer as our car charges!

From the outside, and when you first walk in, Dot's looks like your typical, not-so-special diner. But, when you open the menu, you can tell this place is different. Like, really different! The prices are great- all around 5 or 6 bucks. The selection is amazing- everything from big, greasy plated of biscuits/gravy, ***vegan sausage(!), home made granola and yogurt. Organic Coffee, Tofu Scramble***... yum! It took so long to decide,m but I settled on the blueberry pancakes. These aren't your typical frozen-blueberries/ 5 berries per cake blueberry pancakes. No Ma'am, These were loaded with fresh berries! So good. ***Try the vegetarian tofu ranchero- listed under huevos rancheros: scrambled tofu, tortillas, avocado, black beans*** I am grateful that I live 2 blocks away, though I fear getting very, very fat! read more

Dot's Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Quintessential Boulder breakfast joint. Hippie vibe big time. My all time favorite breakfast spot in Colorado. Farmer's skillet is the best. Service is laid-back, quality food and good prices. Prepare to wait at peak breakfast hours on weekend mornings. Great place to take out of towner's. I'm always saying this about places I rate, but I like to recommend places that capture the local flavor and culture. Everyplace is unique and when you find spots that offer a distilled experience of some of the qualities that characterize the locale-you should post them on Yelp for travelers such as me to find... read more

Service was quick and efficient but they don't really make an effort to talk to the customer. Food was simple but delicious. I had the Ham and Swiss on Sourdough. Husband had the Farmer Scramble. Nice portion, not too much. He says coffee was delicious (he's picky) My maté was a bit cold but good. Nice spot for a quick breakfast, nothing fancy but you get real food. It's quite small so not recommended for group larger than 4. read more

This is not the Dots I grew up on! New owners, dirty as hell and wretched smells in the air. Where are the gigantic yummy biscuits and fabulous peppery potatoes? So sad!!! Is Dot's on the hill still the same? German pancake? read more

Another especially good thing is happening at Dot's: gluten free options are available AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!! Toast, french toast, and other bread-y items on the menu all can be ordered gluten-free. Other breakfast/lunch restaurants in town charge anywhere from $1-$2 extra for the gluten-free option. And Dot's prices are lower than many of the other breakfast/lunch places already. This is very generous. I don't go to Dot's very often, but I think I will go there more, because I like their attitude. You can read about the food in my other review and in the many other reviews. Today, as usual, the food we ordered was excellent. The daily omelet specials are reliably delicious. I just had to say something. That is all I have to say. read more

I have been to Dots a few times and have yet to be disappointed in going! I am always able to get a table or booth right away when I walking in which is really nice. They have both paper menus and a QR code that you can scan to view an online menu. Both menus are easy to navigate and easy to see all the options. The only reason I give a 4 instead of 5 star is that there is a lot less variety on the menu when compared to other restaurants. The food comes in large quantities and is delicious! I personally recommend the AM sandwich with avocado! You can pay the bill by walking up to the register, or your receipt will have a QR code to pay on your phone as well! Overall great experience! read more

Nice service, good bacon. Got a turkey sandwich, and got barely two slices of very thin turkey - it's all bread and cheese! read more

Dot's Diner - Very humble turkey sandwich barely any turkey and lots of cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This is the best diner in Boulder! The staff is friendly and the food is great! I go there all the time and they are very good about making each costumer feel good and welcomed every time. I would highly recommend the baskets, they are warm and fluffy and they go great with jam or honey. read more

Dear Dot's, thanks for being yourself: an old fashioned, good old diner. There are a lot of fancy places in Boulder, and you're so down to earth and simple, it's refreshing. Thanks for having easy parking and not making me wait. Thanks for the simple coffee and easy menu. Thanks for the great people watching and quirky server. This is the kind of place I can bring my cranky dad that just likes things "the way they are supposed to be". read more

We were in town visiting relatives and went to Dot's for breakfast for the first time. The staff was friendly and attentive, our server, Isabella, was very helpful, made sure we received what we ordered and checked back frequently. She was very friendly and had a great sense of humor. The food was great and portions were generous. If we lived in Boulder this would be a frequent dining place for us. read more

I always love coming to Dot's. They have big portions, good prices, and my servers have always been friendly.

This visit had great food and bad service. We got grits, eggs, biscuit & gravy, and bacon. We got chai and coffee, also good. Our server was so-so, but here's where it gets interesting... He dropped off our bill, pretty typical. We put our card in the leather bill booklet, also typical. But then he never came back. After 20 minutes, we assumed we were supposed to pay up front... Nope. Apparently our server went on lunch without telling anyone, including his coworkers (who were very apologetic). On the bright side, I got a picture of him enjoying his unannounced break. Hilarious. read more

Dot's Diner - Our server enjoying his lunch... while we wondered where he was for 20 minutes. I should be mad, but it's kinda funny - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

I LOVE DOT'S!!!! If you like old-time diners with classic diner waitresses this is the place for you. The food is yummy, the prices low, the staff wonderful, and the atmosphere casual. My favorite things are the lunch burrito, the tofu scramble, and the chai. This place is like so many places in Boulder used to be. So, if you don't like what's happening to Boulder restaurants, come here. Other than the location Dot's hasn't changed in at least 25 years. read more

Dots is a great go to breakfast place! Good solid breakfast eats at a good price. I really like the biscuits and gravy which is usually what I order. Enjoy! read more

Hmm this place was kind of meh for us. Good food but not amazing food. Staff was friendly. Place was packed. Prices are decent but again the food is nothing special so I would not be happy if it was more. Husband had the Cafe Oulait drink and he wasn't impressed. I can see why a lot of people enjoy the friendly atmosphere though, definitely seemed like a hipster place. I gave it 3 stars cause it's worth a try. Maybe it's more up your alley. read more

Dot's Diner - Cafe Oulait - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

One of the few remaining of the original local diners in the valley. Consistently excellent food and an atmosphere that takes us back to the 60s and a more laid back comfortable lifestyle. Good value and great taste for your hard earned $$$. I hope they can survive a world of sky rocketing real estate costs for all leased properties in Boulder. Carry on Dots. read more

Pros: *LOVE the chai tea. It's not sickly sweet like dunkin donuts. Wonderful smell too. *Their biscuits are decent. They are not flaky biscuits but they remind me of buttery scones. I just wish they had a strawberry shortcake option to have homemade whipped cream and strawberries to go with it! *The pancakes are good (can't remember much about them but they were good) Cons: *Bacon is usually overcooked and dry *French Toast was dry (I've only tried once) *Hashbrowns are a little boring in flavor and consistency (could use some flavor and crunch!) *If you get biscuits and gravy, the gravy is REALLY bland. it tastes like the kind of gravy you'd use for a chicken fried steak. Really disappointing because biscuits and gravy is supposed to taste much more sausage flavor. Overall: Will definitely come back. It was an enjoyable service each time we've been. The waitress always has a nice smile on her face. Always nice to go to a diner when the servers have a great attitude and make me feel appreciated as a customer. read more

Mmmmm, Dot's. The way every greasy spoon diner should be. I've been coming to Dot's for over 15 years now and have never strayed from my regular order: the AM Breakfast Sandwich with Avocado. Each time it is just as delicious as the last and I still can't wrap my brain around how a biscuit could be this damn good. In typical diner fashion, you generally have to wait awhile for a table and you cash out at the counter. At any hour of the day, you'll see regulars posted up in groups, chatting away over hot coffee in mixed matched mugs, or solo diners reading up on the daily news. It may not look like much from the outside, or inside for that matter, but Dot's is a cant miss! read more

Been eating at Dot's since the late 70's when it was located on Pearl & 8th in the old gas station. Always get an iced chai with almond milk, Farmer's Eggs, plain potatoes, and a biscuit. I'd make a trip in from Lafayette today if they are offering take-out service during this virus shutdown. The wait staff have always been great and quirky, and it's cleaner in recent years with Raji as manager, and his family helping. It's unpretentious but, agreed, the bathroom needs a lot of work. Raji says he tells the owner, who is a John Denver look-alike, and easy to spot when he's there. I'd like new toilets, flooring, baseboard, wall surfaces. It's a little creepy. Several pals have told me they quit going there because it just wasn't clean enough to suit them. read more

Great Huevos Racheros! They used to operate out of a Gas Station on west Pearl St and used to have a line around the corner to eat their breakfasts. Now located just off 28th. They have been in my "good" book ever since. Kind of a dive, has *very* pierced personell, soda in cans, but the food is not to be forgotten. read more

No omelette that was being advertised on the daily specials board. Juevos Rancheros were juevos no buenos. Try anything but here!!

On a trip from California, looking for a mom and pops breakfast spot, dots is a great place for eggs etc, the only thing that threw me off was that their hash browns look more like potato wedges but apparently is a Colorado thing, flavor was good though. read more

First and last time here. My waitress was friendly, rest of staff had very indifferent vibe. Made eye contact w/one of staff and waved him over for something. He looked right at me and walked away. Bacon was paper thin, small, and cold. Hash browns were burnt, smashed, and barely shredded. Thought they would be better and cheaper from other trendy Pearl Street places but I was wrong. For the money, food and service is better at Foolish Craig's cafe on Pearl St. read more

This is my favorite Breakfast place in town and has multiple locations including one in Nederland. The Huevos Rancheros with black beans and green Chili is my go to, but I love the Farmers Eggs, and I go for the 2-13 from time to time. A very laid back and relaxing environment to enjoy a cup of Jo and catch up with an old friend. read more

The food were great/yummy but the service was a little slow. They need more waiter or waitress. It took forever to the waitress to come take our orders, but she was good at refilling our coffee. It also took forever for her to get our tickets/bills. We had to just go up to the cash register to pay for our meal. I do like the food, thinking about the wait just makes me don't want to go back. read more

See all

Uttering a discouraging word about Dot's Diner in Boulder is dangerous, as it can cause pairs of Birkenstocks and Crocs to be thrown in your general direction. But I have a few words for Dot's on 28th. First off, the good stuff. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Weird looking, in some cases, but so what? Great blueberry pancake, although I didn't find the Authentic Vermont Maple Syrup to be worth whatever extra they charged me. I was irritated by the fact that corned beef hash is not a staple on the menu. Oh sure, sometimes it shows up as a special, but it's not on the menu - and how can you call yourself a diner and not have corned beef hash? The wrapped pads of what I hope was butter isn't as good as a little dollop of something fresher, but at these prices, whose complaining? What really disappointed me was the sad order of biscuit and gravy. (I ordered the side version...so there was one bumpy mound of a biscuit and a small bowl of "gravy"). Or at least what they consider gravy and a biscuit. Maybe it's the altitude. Maybe real southern biscuits like the black mammies of my youth in Kentucky used to make are just impossible to pull off up here. The hunk of stuff I was served isn't a real biscuit. Far from round with a slightly browned top, kind of dusty, light and melt in your mouth flaky...this thing was hard on the outside and partially raw on the inside. Waddy, not flaky. (Hell, if you want flaky, look at the staff!) That sad cowpie plop of a toasted dough wad could have gotten a cattle drive cookie killed. [UPDATE: Yesterday I had lunch at Wynkoop Brewery in LoDo. It was their stout basted pot roast meal, and it included a biscuit. I didn't know what to expect, but what I got was a very reasonable facsimile of an old-fashioned flaky biscuit! So, as some comments have suggested, it truly is possible to pull it off at this altitude. Don't know what the Dot's hippies are doing for a recipe, but it's way off.] The gravy was an abomination. Soupy, thin, almost flavorless, not one speck of sausage in the whole small bowl. Like someone had poured 2% milk in with some all-purpose flour, then lightly salted and heavily peppered the result. Sad. Imitation biscuit, totally failed "gravy" (more of a sauce, really) and no corned beef hash on the menu. I think people give this place such high marks because they just don't know how to cook breakfast, or just don't want to. If you want a good Boulder breakfast, choose the Buff. However, the entire experience was saved by the presence of Frank Zappa music. They played an album side of Zappa during my visit so everything is forgiven. (I didn't look, but doubt yellow snow is on the menu.) I'm guessing St. Alfonzo wouldn't approve of the biscuit, but would dig the pancakes. read more

Simple and delicious. Dots was welcoming and the customer service was solid. They're quick to refill your coffee mug too. Thanks Dots read more

Not everyone is a fan of this little sorta greasy spoon that has its roots on West Pearl in an old converted gas station. I remember those days well. I loved Dots then and still do. So it was a pleasure to be the first ones in for breakfast. Our waitress good naturedly engaged us in an earnest dialogue about the freshness and quality of the avocados that morning, and we had at least a three to five minute discussion about them. And in the end she didn't have the best ones so she had the cook leave them out of our dish. The environs rock: most of the patrons are crotchety caricatures of the 60's and 70's characters they were 30 years ago, and still are. Love it. read more

This place seriously got me through college. Hungover? DOTS. Lazy? DOTS. Everything else? DOTS! Cheap, delicious brunch with the best effing biscuits. And their raspberry jam. It's criminal how good their food is. The breakfast burrito is perfect smothered in salsa. Southern breakfast with grits = equally as amazing and delicious, especially once I learned how to eat grits (lol). The staff was always great and I signed up for five star rewards so I'd always get texts about free entree or beverage. Although I'm no longer in Boulder, this place will always have a special place in my heart (and stomach?) Thanks Dots! read more

I arrived in Boulder in 2003 as a staunch Breakfast-Hater, but Dot's quickly changed all that. First of all, the coffee is amazing. Perfectly brewed, served with plenty of cream or milk. Mmm! So many happy mornings at Dot's sipping deliciousness and reading the Trivial Pursuit cards they leave at the table, chatting with friends, enjoying the day. I tried the blueberry pancakes the first few times I went there and thought they were good, but not necessarily great (though the coffee kept me coming back). I did not yet understand the magical breakfast wonderment of Dot's that others seemed to grasp. Then one day I ordered the "small house breakfast with vegan sausage and a biscuit." Breakfast, as I knew it, was never the same. And now, an Ode to Dot's: I love the vegan sausage. I love the biscuits and the squeezy bottle of raspberry jam. I love the crunchy, delicious potatoes. I love the perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. I love it that the waiters literally draw a little house when I order the "small house breakfast" (highly recommended) I love the music - last time I was there, the best of Johnny Cash. Um, Awesome I love the artwork I love the friendly, "real people instead of robots" waiters. I love you, Dot's. I miss you. You haunt my dreams. read more

This place won't let you leave with your hangover. They put a creative spin on many breakfast staples, creating a unique experience. Grab some cornbread while your there... it is some of the best I've had. read more

So if Brasserie Ten Ten is the place where you take a few extra minutes to tidy up before going to, Dots is most definitely the opposite. Dots is a favorite after a hard morning workout, still in workout clothes needing sustenance to later collapse on the couch watching TV or reading. It's no frills, fast and always hot and delicious and most definitely serving the best biscuits in town. I find a favorite item at almost any restaurant and will usually order the same thing. While I have tried several items at Dots, my favorite is the Farmer's Scramble. A combo of scrambled eggs, onions, peppers, sausage (they score major bonus points for also offering vegan/vegetarian sausage), avocado, tomato. Served with delicious home fries and that big, buttery, fluffy biscuit. Oh, it's good news for a hungry tummy! I like both the Hill and 28th street locations, it's a different feel at each one, but both equally as good! Now, breakfast is good anytime...and it may be 10:30 at night, but I am thinking about that fried egg sandwich that I eye every time I visit Dots....maybe it will have to be included in my next new breakfast adventure! read more

Dot's is great for breakfast. I love the breakfast burrito, christmas style (with both the green and red chille) Delicious! I have been to the one On the Hill as well, but I found it loud and more crammed when seated and darker inside, so I decided to put my review for this location instead since I prefer a quieter more roomy setting. It is very cozy in here and cute. The wait staff is always friendly and service is fast. I have no complaints. The decor has neat old pics of Boulder back in the day and it is very bright and colorful with a fun retro diner feel. Highly recommend! Great Food! read more

Don't get me wrong - I've been a Dot's fan for decades - back to the original far west Pearl location. It had been a while and... WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO THE BISCUITS? Thinking my one disappointment was a fluke, I returned... My biscuit was not only not crispy, it was cold to the touch inside. Are they microwaving them from frozen or what? My son's Huevos Rancheros had a slightly burned tortilla - something that just would not have happened in the dear old dot's days. I'm not dumping this one yet. It was my favorite breakfast haven for far too long. But something has gone wrong in the kitchen there, and the standards are just not where they used to be. read more

Omg. This place was awesome!!! Options for everyone. Blackberry jam was amazing. I will definitely be going back the next time I'm in town.

I've had many a great breakfast at Dot's, and there's something on the menu for everyone, be they, like myself, a fan of the traditional dinor breakfast or looking for something a little more, well, Boulder. I love the fact that their grill is out in the open, so the smell of potatoes and bacon fills the restaurant. The best way to start the day is with a giant pot of mate and their fresh-made hash browns. read more