Walk in on a Saturday around 10 and you will find regulars at the counter, families clustered around tables, and a host quietly working the wait list.
Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Alchemy Coffee has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Alchemy Coffee. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
- Smoked salmon plate with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and a toasted bagel
- Shakshuka with feta, herbs, and warm pita
- Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
- Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
- Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
- Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.
Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.
Solo diners should head straight for the counter — the cooks will keep you entertained and the line moves fastest there.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Salt Lake City, Alchemy Coffee is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Whether you're a tourist with one weekend in town or a local with a Sunday ritual, this is a place that earns its reputation plate by plate.
Tips from the regulars
- If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free diners have real options, not just sad fruit cups.
- Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Alchemy Coffee.
Hours
Specific opening hours rotate seasonally — call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays. Most weekend brunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Alchemy Coffee open for brunch?
Specific hours rotate seasonally, but Alchemy Coffee typically opens for brunch service in the morning and serves through early afternoon. Call ahead on holidays.
Does Alchemy Coffee take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Salt Lake City are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is Alchemy Coffee kid-friendly?
Yes — Alchemy Coffee welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does Alchemy Coffee serve?
It's classified under cafe — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Salt Lake City.
Is there outdoor seating at Alchemy Coffee?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at 390 East 1700 South. Coordinates: 40.7331, -111.8799. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.