In a community full of people ready to be up and ‘at em, whether the ‘at em is roping cattle or hitting the slopes, there’s no shortage of finding the right breakfast in Routt County! If you’re looking for casual, relaxed table service with a smile, then there are a lot of great options for you to try. Freshies doesn’t just mean getting first tracks on the slopes - in Steamboat Springs it means the local restaurant with the nicest front of house staff in town. Enjoy their golden pancakes or huevos rancheros, the latter of which is on the all-day menu. The restaurant is on DoorDash if you don’t want to change out of your cozy pajamas. Also consider the Egg, a little further down Highway 40, which also serves up classic breakfast platters with their own specials: freshly squeezed, rotating juices daily and a section of the menu rooted in Venezuelan arepas. The Egg loves kids: each child is served up a bucket of dinosaurs, crayons, and a coloring page to enjoy their breakfast sojourn.

If eating breakfast is your passion, you’ll want to take your tastebuds to Yampa Valley Kitchen. The brightly patterned floral wallpaper and bistro chairs make you feel like you’re in the European countryside. Crepes, frittatas, benedicts, and local sides make up the food; their coffee and cocktail list is expansive and includes a full non-alcoholic menu with Seedlip spirits, so you can start your day feeling decadent without worrying you’ll feel sluggish. If you have a large group, reserve one of the upstairs rooms for a family meal that is better than home, as you won’t have to do the dishes. The Creekside Cafe, next to the bubbling Soda Creek, is another destination. The dark walls and tasteful art give this spot a little glamor - yes, it’s true that breakfast can have glamor. A long favorite of locals and visitors alike, the menu has a few standards that will never go away, including the Wafflelaughagus, Rancheros, and the local bacon. Pro tip: you’ll definitely want to upgrade for this delicacy, which arrives more like a side of steak than typical bacon.

Haven’t found the perfect spot yet? Johnny B Goods Diner opens at 9am promptly serving regular diner fare without the greasy spoon and with a side of love. Owners Mike and Kathy D. have run the business for years and you’re just as likely to see them behind the bar as to be seated by a young teen, mentoring them on their first job. Everything about Johnny’s, from the fifties-inspired decor to the smiles at the hostess stand, will make you feel like you’ve just come home and are happy to be there. Or perhaps you’d like to try a little adventure and are venturing out of town for a snowshoe or hike around the lakes? Set your course up County Road 129 and stop at the famous Clark Store. A true general store, the Clark store is the local post office, lending library, and gift shop, sells sundries and necessities and yes - breakfast. Famed for their buttermilk pancakes and long-on charm, you’ll be delighted with this out-of-the-way breakfast stop.

There are plenty of quick grab and go options for those of us on our way somewhere. If you’re coming from the ski resort, pull into Drunken Onion at Wildhorse Marketplace for the best breakfast burrito this side of the southern border. Choose bacon, sausages, or green chili veggie for your handheld burrito - or upgrade to a stuffed croissant. A full espresso bar makes this your one-stop shop. If it’s only caffeine that you’re after, pull into Dusky Grouse on your way downtown, across from Walgreens and next to the Retreatia check-in office. Owner Steph Traylor has created a vibe - Empire Records meets the Central Perk - and walking in the shop feels like yes, someone will be there for you. If your day takes you to the western part of the valley, then Lil House Biscuits on the west end may be your best bet. Freshly baked biscuits with twelve different ways to get them served up, plus the option for all of the toppings and meat in a bowl instead of on a biscuit for those gluten intolerant. Regardless of where you stop to fill up, you can count on Steamboat’s traditional Western hospitality rising to the fore and making you feel right at home.