Menu & Pricing
🍳 Signature Breakfast
• Rise and Shining - $20 (two eggs, elk or chicken sausage, potatoes, arugula, toast)
• The Bushwacker - $23 (giant biscuit, crispy chicken, jalapeño sausage gravy, eggs)
• Here's Johnny! - $22 (szechwan ham, mostarda, gruyere, eggs, hollandaise on biscuit)
• Danny Boy! - $22 (romesco, arugula, tomato, avocado, eggs on biscuit)
• Classic Benedict - $20 (poached eggs, biscuit, hollandaise, potatoes)
• Avocado Crab Benny - $26 (crab cakes, poached eggs, red pepper purée)
🥞 Iron & Griddle
• Blueberry Lemon Curd Pancakes - $19 (sweet cream, candied lemon zest)
• Montreal Waffle - $21 (pearl sugar waffle, lemon berry mascarpone)
• Classic French Toast - $15 (baguette, candied walnut, whipped butter)
• Full Stack Pancakes - $16 (three house-made cakes)
🍽️ Shared Plates
• Cinnamon French Toast Bites - $14 (sweet cream, caramel, red rum syrup)
• Chili Relleno Nachos - $18 (crispy rellenos, green chili, fried egg)
• Prosciutto & Egg Avocado Toast - $16
• Classic Hummus - $18 (house-made, carrots, cucumber, naan)
What Makes Brunch & Co. Special
Brunch & Co. occupies The Lodge at The Stanley Hotel - the very property that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining after a stay in 1974. That cinematic connection infuses the entire experience, from menu items named "Room 217" (the haunted room in King's novel) to "Here's Johnny!" The setting delivers on the promise: floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of Estes Park and the surrounding peaks.
With 293+ reviews averaging 4.1 stars, opinions split on whether the food matches the atmosphere. The Blueberry Lemon Curd Pancakes consistently draw praise - fluffy, balanced between sweet and savory, with genuine blueberry flavor. The massive house-made biscuits anchor several dishes and represent the kitchen at its best.
The vegetarian and vegan selection stands out. Multiple clearly-labeled options including the Falafel Bowl, tofu scramble, and veggie-forward benedicts make this one of the most accommodating breakfast spots in Estes Park for plant-based diners.
What to Order (Signature Dishes)
Blueberry Lemon Curd Pancakes ($19) - The standout dish. Three fluffy pancakes with sweet cream dollop and candied lemon zest. The blueberry-lemon combination hits perfectly - not too sweet, with genuine fruit flavor. Large enough to share between two people.
The Bushwacker ($23) - A towering construction: giant house-made biscuit topped with crispy chicken tenders, local sausage jalapeño gravy, two eggs, and scallions. Requires a plan of attack to eat. The biscuit is the star - soft, buttery, and clearly made in-house.
Here's Johnny! ($22) - Szechwan ham with golden raisin mostarda, two eggs, gruyere cheese, watercress, and hollandaise on a biscuit with home fries. The mostarda adds an unexpected sweet-savory kick.
Cinnamon French Toast Bites ($14) - Perfect share plate to start. Served with sweet cream, caramel, and red rum syrup. Multiple reports suggest ordering more than one for the table.
Redrum Mimosa - The Shining-themed cocktail pairs well with the theatrical setting. Blueberry and other mimosa flavors also available.
💡 Pro Tip: Arrive right at 7am opening to secure a table without reservation and pick your preferred seat. By 9am on weekends, expect a wait. The south room has the best mountain views through the bay windows.
The Honest Take
At 4.1 stars, Brunch & Co. delivers an exceptional atmosphere with inconsistent food execution. The location and Shining theming create genuine "destination brunch" appeal. When the kitchen hits - the pancakes, the biscuits, the Benedict dishes - the experience justifies the price point.
The concerns are real: some items taste pre-made rather than scratch-cooked. The potatoes and chicken tenders on certain dishes have drawn criticism for lacking fresh-made quality. Service varies significantly by visit - some mornings bring attentive servers who keep coffee flowing, others feel inattentive. The host stand can be slow to acknowledge arriving guests.
Stick to the signature items where the kitchen clearly invests effort: the house-made biscuits, the pancakes, the benedicts. Skip dishes that lean heavily on standard breakfast sides like potatoes and basic proteins.
The $10 parking fee for non-hotel guests stings, though the $5 token toward your meal softens the blow. Factor this into the overall cost when evaluating value.
Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)
Best for: The Shining fans wanting to dine where King found inspiration, special occasion brunches with panoramic views, vegetarians and vegans seeking genuine menu options, and anyone wanting a beautiful setting for morning coffee and pancakes.
Skip if: You expect every dish to be scratch-made from premium ingredients, need consistently fast service, want a quick pre-hike breakfast (the pacing is leisurely), or can't justify the parking fee for a meal.
For other Stanley Hotel dining, check The Post Mountain House for gluten-free fried chicken or Cascade's for fine dining.
Practical Information
- 📍Location: 333 E Wonderview Ave, inside The Lodge at The Stanley Hotel
- ⏰Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-1pm, Fri-Sun 7am-2pm (brunch only)
- 🚗Parking: $10 fee for non-guests, $5 token for meal discount, overflow lot available
- 📅Reservations: Recommended via OpenTable, especially weekends
- 👶Families: Kid-friendly with dedicated kids menu ($11-13)
- 🌿Dietary: Extensive vegetarian/vegan options, gluten-free available
- 💳Gratuity: 20% automatic for large parties
- 🏔️Views: Floor-to-ceiling windows with Estes Park panorama, outdoor patio available
💡 Value Tip: The Cinnamon French Toast Bites ($14) as a shared starter plus one main dish per person creates a filling meal. The pancakes and biscuit dishes are enormous - two people can share one main dish comfortably. Expect $40-50 for two people with coffee, or $70-80 with cocktails.