Three words... JAZZY CHICKEN SALAD! Oh my gosh, is this sandwich delicious! I was hesitant to try it, due to the fact it had FRUIT mixed in... red grapes and raisins to be exact... and I'm not a "fruit person." But, WOW, I love this sandwich! Had it twice for lunch last week in fact. :) Another favorite is the Santa Fe Grilled Cheese. It's got a little extra kick due to the green chiles that are melted in... and it's on sourdough bread. YUM. They also have a fairly large selection of pie. Who doesn't like pie, right? And on Tuesday, it's $1.00 / slice cheaper than any other day of the week. (I think it's $2.25 / slice on Tues.) Some of the pies you've never even heard of, but be brave and try one. It's busy during the lunch rush, but you typically don't have to wait too long... and you can sit inside, or outside on the patio during nice weather days. Or, you can call ahead and order take-out. Hm... do I want some chicken salad today? read more

I really want to like this place. I keep going back hoping that I will suddenly 'see the light' and start craving their breakfasts, but I just don't, and probably never will. First of all, their potato seasoning is just plain disgusting. Every dish that comes with potatoes is instantly ruined for me with that weird, creepy orange mystery powder coloring everything I put into my mouth. It's so strong that even if it were tasty (which is isn't) it would overpower everything else on the plate. I had some kind of chunky cream cheese chive sausage scramble once(I tried to find their menu to look up what it's called and what exactly it has in it, but their site was under construction) that was just all right. I didn't particularly want to keep eating it after the first few bites. And then the next time I had this dill, veggie, English muffin sort of thing (as you can see, I seriously need online menus to write legible reviews!) which was so incredibly dill-heavy that not only did I not want to eat it after the first two bites, I was literally unable to without making myelf sick. And I couldn't turn to my side dish (the evil potatoes!) for relief. It might just be that this place's specialty is the sweeter breakfasts, which I never go for at any restaurant (I just prefer savory food in general). Their specials almost always are some kind of fancy waffle or pancake. And I've never tried those, so take this review with that particular grain of salt. Also, the service is completely unpredictable. They're always rushed and usually friendly, but they have done some pretty weird stuff, like asking us to move when we were in the middle of our meal. However, there are regulars in there who chat with their servers like old friends, so who knows? read more

Walnut Cafe is the best breakfast I've ever had. The best two breakfasts I've ever had and probably many more breakfasts because it's just soooo good. It's pretty inexpensive. $20 for two people and a lot of food. And seriously, a lot of food, the portions are huge. A side of bacon is five or six thick pieces, the biscuits are probably as big as my face, and the waffles even bigger. And they do not skimp on quality ingredients. It's perfect. Just perfect here. read more

I only really come here when I'm hungover so keep that in consideration... the restaurant is decent, but the quality of food depends on when you go and what kind of dish you order. Sometimes I am so happy with what I get (like the wraps, some omelettes, etc) and sometimes the food looks and feels so disgusting (the breakfast burrito). Very reasonable prices and I rarely have to wait, unlike most other hangover breakfast places. One thing that I really appreciate is that there are a ton of veggie options and they have options for free-range eggs, whole grain, etc (only wish they would not charge us extra for that). read more

This is one of my favorite places to grab a late breakfast or lunch. I almost always order the Eggs Marcos, which is basically scrambled eggs with bacon and cream cheese which you would never think would go well but dump on some Cholula and it is a treat! I also like the atmosphere, and you can sit on a barstool, at a table, or even outside. What I really like is the attitude of the people at Walnut cafe. Everyone is always very nice, especially Mal who is just a tiny little bundle of excellent customer service and conversation. A previous reviewer mentioned that it is a gay/lesbian place. There is a bit of an alternative vibe from these ladies working here but as a conservative heterosexual male I have never felt in anyway out of place or unwelcome. Maybe some or all of them are lesbians, I don't really care. They do a great job and make great food at reasonable prices. My only complaint is that like so many places in Boulder it closes after lunch. Otherwise I'd eat there all the time on my way home from work. read more

I'm a student at CU Boulder and love to come here for breakfast or brunch. A great cafe with super nice staff and couldn't recommend coming here more, especially if you're a student looking to eat local! read more

good food, fast service, attentive wait staff. All this in the middle of the lunch rush. foods a bit pricey, but not anything outrageous. Good place to grab a quick breakfast read more

I think Boulder's got more great breakfast places than prairie dogs, and one of our classics is the Walnut Cafe. It's a charming little place in an out-of-the-way location, not far from KGNU, Twisted Pine and some warehouses. It's got a vibe that's part hippie, part diner. But don't worry. You can enjoy granola and chai or bacon, eggs and coffee, and they make each equally well. If you find yourself near Walnut and 30th, this is a great place to start your day. read more

More vegan options please! Tofu scramble was boring and unflavorful. Cute place overall! read more

Walnut Cafe - Vegan tofu scramble with two sides of fruit. Very little flavor - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

First, they got our order wrong. Our young daughter seemed okay with the french toast they brought in place of her ordered meal, so we let it slide. Next, the cinnamon roll we ordered to go with our coffee was hockey-puck-hard. I can only imagine it was very old and had been reheated multiple times. When our food arrived, the fruit was old and shriveled looking, like it had been cut and sitting out for hours. The omelette was quite greasy, the french toast was dense and flat, and my wife's dish was dripping with cheese grease. The worst part came a few bites in when my wife discovered a long, thick, black pubic-like hair embedded in her meal. Everyone at the table over 3 yrs old was repulsed and only tentatively picked at their food after that. We definitely won't be coming back. There are much better places to eat breakfast in Boulder. read more

Walnut Cafe - Long, thick, black pubic-like hair! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

A year ago I would have had nothing but wonderful things to say about the walnut cafe, but after the last two very disappointing visits it seems that I'm going to have to change my opinion of the quality of this place. The food has gone downhill; hard and fast. What I'm most disappointed in is the use of canned ingredients. I work in the industry and I know that a restaurant like this can afford to take the time to, for instance, chop up fresh green chillies every morning instead of serving canned, tasteless slop. The kitchen staff also needs to take a little more pride in what they put out, as well as whoever is on expo needs to know where to draw the line when the plate looks downright disgusting. I'm giving two stars because the coffee is still great, and also because I know that this cafe, with the necessary changes, can be delightful once again. read more

Great Food Reasonable Prices Nice friendly people who "SMILE" and treat you like you would like to be treated when you are eating out. Our waitperson filled our coffee cups at least 3 times without us asking. I had a pumpkin spice waffle with nuts that was fantastic. Enjoy! read more

The service was fast and the food came out really fast (too fast). My partner and I both ordered tofu scrambles and were a bit puzzled by how fast they came out. The cubed tofu was barely cooked and combined with tomato, spinach, and onions. The onions also could have used a lot more cooking. Aside from that the thing that it really lacked was any flavoring. While an egg scramble is great without seasoning due to the flavor of the egg, tofu has 0 natural flavor, so it's usually a given that a tofu scramble will be seasoned for flavor. I think it would help of the cooks actually tried the tofu so they knew how plain and awful it tasted, especially when combined with very "wet" vegetables like tomato and slimy spinach which served to further water down the flavor. The breakfast potatoes were delicious, but not enough to bring me back here. It looks like their traditional offerings are fine, but would not recommend this place to any other vegans due to lack of menu options. read more

The Walnut Cafe is sort of a nolstagic favorite for me. I ate here first when I was a teen and would ditch class with my BFF to drive up to Boulder and eat lunch here. When we were in Boulder recently, I was glad to learn that this place has hardly changed. Same menu items, same Dana D's Vanilla Blast (and now a version with extra espresso), same delicious pie offerings (took home banana cream) and same great prices (about $6-8 for a decent sized breakfast with sides or sandwich with chips). I went for the tempeh skillet (also a teen favorite) and it also remained relatively unchanged: a heap of tempeh pieces, vegetables, breakfast potatoes and a generous amount of cheddar cheese. I got a side of potatoes since these were the only variety I wouldn't shun for being potato filler although they weren't as crispy as I remember. The interior could use a good cleaning, however. I didn't remember the ratty, stained carpet and there were child "leavings" under our table: a crayon, crushed up crackers, some other food bits... Still dig it though for breakfast and lunch offerings. I've been through a number of the dishes and never really had a bad one. read more

I'm just one more happy customer. The service is spare, but efficient. The food is good and comes quickly. I always leave full and happy. I have been there a few times, and I have never been disappointed. The tempeh skillet is my favorite dish so far. I'm a meatatarian, but the tempeh leaves me full but not "OH god someone roll me towards my comfy pants!" kind of full. Definitely check it out, but be warned: every time I call ahead and they say the line is "like a 5 minute wait" it never is. Be patient, and enjoy your coffee and people watching. read more

In town for a bit, trying to find some good local breakfast on a Sunday morning. It was nearly full at around 11:00am so it seems to have a good following, but there are plenty of seats and we didn't have to wait for 2. Sat ouside (seating is on the walkway outside a strip mall -- nothing picturesque by any means). Service was fine, nothing great, nothing bad. The OJ is not from concentrate so that was nice. The food was meh. I really wanted breakfast potatoes and I wasn't impressed at all. They weren't flavored well and it was just kind of mushy, no nice crunchy texture as good breakfast potatoes should have (gourmet hash browns shall we say). I got the vegetarian omelet with some added spinach. It was fine, but something about the quality of the omelet wasn't appealing, I couldn't place my finger on it. It was good sized. The fresh fruit was good but small. The plate was about $8 and comes with your choice of 2 sides which is nice. I felt like the prices were good for the portion and fair for the quality of food, I just wasn't impressed. I've seen plenty of other cheap breakfast places do much more for the same price. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it -- but if you find yourself nearby or want to go for whatever reason you're not going to have a horrible experience. It just isn't anything worth mentioning IMO. Just as an FYI, it's a gay/lesbian joint -- if that intrigues you or scares you. It means little to me except that the waitresses are dressed up with fairy wings and glitter. Adds to the atmosphere I guess. Oh and one other thing I liked about them: they had a bowl of water out for dogs -- that's thoughtful. read more

The Walnut Cafe is definitely just ok, if you want a great experience (when it isn't a Sunday morning after church!) then head to the sister Southside Walnut Cafe...it's only ten minutes away from this location and honestly way better! Here we had to wait ages for a server, and then even longer for the food, and it was so clear we got the 'end' of the food even though they didn't close for another hour. Little greasy pieces of breakfast potatoes, brown bananas in the fruit cup....really not impressed. The omelette was good which is the only reason they earned a second star. Plus I pay and the hostess can't be bothered to say goodbye/thank you. Check out the Southside instead, it has a way better vibe, the food comes out super quick and it's fresh....and you'll always get a thank you! read more

The Walnut Cafe is a Boulder treasure. There are three total locations (Walnut, South Side, and Mini) but the true experience will always be at the first location on Walnut Street for me. I started going to The Nut, as my family called it, when I was little. It was a frequently visited breakfast or lunch spot for us. I would ALWAYS get the vegetarian Sloppy Joe. I am normally not a huge fan, which is fine because veggy sloppy joes are rare; their version is simply phenomenal though. It uses garden burger and tempeh, the BBQ sauce is superb and the sloppy is big enough for anyones appetite. I always add a cup of soup to my lunch as well, and I have never encountered a soup here that I do not like. Add potato chips and a pickle on the side and I am one happy camper. For breakfast I usually get the Boulder Scramble (vegan tofu scramble) or the Big Dill Eggs served over potatoes. Both are wonderful. While I have never partaken in Pie Die (Tuesdays!) with them, they do make delicious pies in all sorts of wonderful flavors. Other items to try on the menu: Sante Fe Grilled Cheese, Chocolate Bhakti Chai (you know you want it). The only downside to this location is that it gets quite busy, especially in the mornings. This can mean long waits and noisy atmosphere. The staff, however, always keeps up no matter how busy. Four stars for great service and vegetarian options! read more

I miss this place so much! When I went to CU (class of 2009) I came here weekly for 3 years :) and only got the blueberry cornbread pancakes and a slice of pie to go! The pancakes are fluffy but with the perfect amount of crispyness on the outside. Adding their blueberry cornbread to pancakes was genius. I love cornbread and love the texture the cornmeal adds to the pancake. Generous amount of blueberries too! I didn't know what chess pie was until this place. I grew up in California and it's a traditional southern pie. Ever since I tried it at WC I bought the cookbook they sell with the recipe in it and make it every thanksgiving now for my family. They love it! The apple and stardust were my other favorites - they didn't have stardust on the menu often enough :( Tried the bread pudding once and it was amazing! Honestly you have to get dessert here!! Awesome espresso bar definitely try one of their coffee drinks! Friendly staff - they recognize the regulars :) read more

My boyfriend and I had brunch here a few weeks ago at the tail end of a month-long trip. We'd been kind of missing our local brunch spot at home, and hoping we could get something delicious and reasonably priced. The wait was only about 10 minutes on a Saturday, which we thought was pretty good. My boyfriend ordered the BANANA WALNUT FRENCH TOAST (amazing!) and I had the BIG DILL EGGS. I was a little nervous because I'm a big fan of classic eggs florentine and wasn't sure about the twist, but my risk was rewarded and it was delicious! Oh and for your side, order the blueberry cornbread. It's so tasty on its own, and a perfect sweet complement to the savory eggs. Finally, the ambiance is very colorful and warm, we felt right at home. Everything was wonderful (and reasonably priced), but my biggest thanks goes to the owner Dana. I left a beloved ring on the sink in the bathroom, and didn't realize until the next day after I'd flown home. I called and she cheerfully agreed to mail it (First Class) back to me in NJ. Thanks again, Dana! We'll definitely be back on our next trip to Boulder : ) read more

We had a late start to the day, so my 12 year old and I didn't get here until almost noon. On a Sunday, I was afraid that would doom us to a long wait time, but we were seated immediately. I had cornmeal blueberry pancakes, which were awesome and HUGE, and my daughter had the quiche of the day with fresh fruit that really did look fresh and beautiful and a blueberry corn muffin. I had to mark one star off because refills of my coffee were slow in coming, which I know sounds a little harsh, but really, it's Sunday morning, my cup should not stay empty for longer than a few seconds! read more

Great food! Solid portions for a solid price. Friendly and helpful staff. Environment is unique and interesting, highly recommend. Had breakfast food. read more

pretty much a local hangout. fun, casual atmosphere and a fairly extensive menu. It was pretty crowded when we arrived and our party of three was a little cramped at our pub table. The food was definitely tasty. I had the veggie omelet which had a nice fresh taste to it. Good latte as well. The best part? Our bill for three came to $25. read more

Old Fashioned Comfort Food. A lot of Breakfast Dishes come with giant sides like pancakes or french toast. This is NOT a place to go to if you're trying to eat a "healthier breakfast" like you can at Tangerine or Snooze. Yes they have alternative gluten free dishes, but somehow it seems Greasier than the other joints. Most Unique Food? Try the "Big Dill Eggs." Its like a Benedict with Swiss Cheese, and Dill Sauce on Top. THAT is what I go to Walnut for, when I'm craving that. A few of the waitstaff told me that's their favorite dish. I'm personally NOT a fan of Swiss so really this is exceptional. Minus one point for the cleanliness. On more occasions than I'd like I've had to send back dirty silverware. Also their bathrooms- I don't wanna throw you under the bus here Walnut, I'll just say PLEASE DO BETTER. Your customers deserve spotless bathrooms. I've heard from a restaurant manager once, "You can always tell the cleanliness of the kitchen by the bathroom." So please improve that. read more

This restaurant was our first stop in Boulder, and boy, did they not disappoint! Everything was soooo damn good! I had the tempeh hash and my husband had the tofu scrambler, along with a side of blueberry cornbread. My meal was so good, I had to literally ask if it would be inappropriate if I licked my plate off. I did not want to miss one bite of this meal! The staff was warm and welcoming, and I loved the feel of the place. It just felt like love, ya know? Loved visiting Boulder, and Walnut Cafe was a great start to our day! read more

Great breakfast spot! I have been looking for a good GLUTEN-FREE PANCAKE spot. My dad and I ordered breakfast, and we got a side of GF buttermilk pancakes, and a side of regular buttermilk pancakes (had to taste test) and let me say that we are both pancake kind of people. They were both super fluffy and amazing. Those GF pancakes tasted just like the regular ones, and the same fluffy consistency. I asked, and they said they use Bob's Red Mill brand for their pancakes. FYI, for a tiny up-charge, you can request REAL maple syrup. read more

Walnut Cafe - Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes (super fluffy) and you can see some potatoes in the background. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Good breakfast with vegan options. Yay for a vegan option on the menu! The tempeh scramble was super tasty. Breakfast can be one of the most difficult meals to find as a vegan so I was pleased as punch. Place was super busy so we sat at the breakfast bar which was fine except I got a few kidney shots from passing staff. Service was mediocre. I think our server was a little overwhelmed as she forgot our juice and coffee until we were almost done with the food and we had to reminded her about what drinks we ordered. read more

Loved everything about this place. I visited while traveling from Austin, and it reminded me of one of my favorite haunts. For the amount of food you get, the portions are very generous. The americano I ordered fit the bill, and the huevos rancheros were excellent but more than I could get through. The wait staff was friendly and attentive. If I lived here, they'd see a lot more of me, which they may or may not be thrilled about. read more

Updating to say that although I was bombarded with responses about Boulder's pet/patio laws (thank you for the information) I would not have posted a review if the person in the Walnut Cafe simply explained that to me after I'd stood in line ages just to ask if we could have our pets outside. Instead she simply stared and me and frostily said "No". End of conversation. Love Boulder, but will stick to our usual places there and save pet trips for Denver. They've amended their patio laws. :) read more

Have been going here for a VERY long time (25 yrs or something? yikes). I've also been to their sister cafes in South Bldr and Lafayette. They've got it down. Great food? Check. Happy, helpful staff? Check. Fresh, healthy AND decadent options? Check check check. Busy during lunch, but I don't mind waiting. It's worth it. read more

The Walnut Cafe offers a wide range of tasty breakfast and lunch items perfect for lunch with a friend or two. Avoid going in a big group, though, as the wait is a bit off-putting. I only go to lunch there with my husband when he can afford to go back to work late. They have everything from the classic breakfast and lunch fare to more adventurous choices. If you don't mind having a heart attack sometime soon, the Eggs Marcos is really pretty delicious- my husband's favorite. I usually go with the Big Dill Eggs and never regret my decision. The staff is nice, but they are super busy around lunch time, so it can take a minute to get a drink refill. read more

The Walnut Cafe is a hidden gem in Boulder. I love their breakfast potatoes and the coffee bar is soo delicious! They have lots of gluten free options as well! It's a great place to sit outside and eat in the summer as well! read more

Short version: Communism meets hearty. With the socialist idea that I want to seat on a communal table with two hippies having the munchies and a single mom waiting for the dead beat dad to buy their love child breakfast, this place has awesome food! Long version: Walnut cafe is boulder defined. I don't like people, so I don't like the communal tables, they kind of gross me out and make it weird to eat. I am a fan of the food though. The place is popular and service can be tardy. You may have to wait a bit but is it worth it? Yes! it is. I never left this place feeling disappointed or scammed, but full of carbs, coffee and laughter (I laugh at weird hippies a lot). I don't like the menu with the smiling faces, its creepy. read more

I had the club sandwich, a piece of thin mint pie, and an americano. All were delish. I want to go back for their breakfast someday!

Love Walnut Cafe, you will I promise or I'll make you love it because it's fire. Literally the ultimate breakfast spot forget The Buffs mediocre service and extensive wait times. The true crown jewel of east Boulder is Walnut Cafe. Let's start with the pies because it's usually how I finish my absolutely gluttonous eating sprees. The specials are always good and the cobbler was unreal. All the other pies for regular selection are consistently amaze-balls. The pancakes are also good. Don't be a plain Jane lame. Order the granola (oatmeal? Maybe.) banana cakes. I also got chocolate chips thrown in for good measure. I'm a special snowflake. Finally for all you coffee drinkers out there all the drinks offered at the Walnut Café are absolutely unbelievable. From more traditional drinks cappuccinos and everyone's classic favorite the black coffee to Carmel infuse creations of absolute palatable bliss. Go. Go now. read more

I like there food & atmosphere. Would give them 4 stars, but they charge extra for gluten free buns/bread.

I got three words for ya: Spicy Pumpkin Waffles. Thats it . Thats all you need to know. Try 'em and you'll be in heaven until lunch, then... Big Dill Eggs! I LOVE this joint. It's my Sunday pilgrimage. I only wish and hope for a "Walnut" to open in Louisville. Also, the service is great, the food comes out hot and fast. YUMMY!! read more

I really like the theme this place is going for - very eclectic, hippie-ish vibe. Bright colors and a friendly staff. They have a very extensive menu with lots of veggie options, which is great. They offer cage-free eggs as a supplemental cost. I wish they'd just use cage-free as a default rather than an option, and just charge a little extra. My huevos rancheros was so-so. Not bad, not great. I'd return for the atmosphere, but the food, while decent, was nothing to get too excited about. read more

Walnut Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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A good place for some down-to-earth brunch. I ordered the artichoke and swiss omelette, which came with two sides, to which I opted for pancakes and a bowl of fruit. All the dishes are quite hearty, which is the perfect start to a lazy Sunday. The staff was great and energetic...overall I have only positive remarks for the Walnut Cafe! read more

Walnut Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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I cannot believe I haven't written a review for this place yet! I have been frequenting this delicious, cozy, quirky cafe for the last few years and am never disappointed! The coffee and tea drinks are always spot on: the Boulder Latte and Cambric (with almond milk!) are my favs, and the ladies here make them PERFECTLY. But let's get down to the food -- as a gluten-free vegetarian, I've never had a problem finding something to nosh on here. From the gf pancakes (YUM) and waffles, to the scrambles, breakfast potatoes, huevos rancheros, and beyond, they are all so satisfying. The hubs' favorite is the sunrise sandwich which he gets almost every time without fail and never gets bored of it. The staff here is wonderful as well -- I always grab a seat at the counter when I'm by myself and watch them work their magic. No matter how busy they get they are always friendly and helpful! We've brought many friends and family here when they are visiting from out of town, and they all still mention their experience at Walnut. As long as I'm in Boulder this spot is my go-to. I'll definitely be purchasing a Walnut Cafe onesie for the soon to be baby :) read more