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, Coffee Garden 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.
The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Coffee Garden. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
- Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
- Steel-cut oats with brown sugar, toasted nuts, and stewed fruit
- Huevos rancheros with corn tortillas, refried beans, and salsa verde
- Croque madame with béchamel, gruyère, and a fried egg
- Bottomless mimosa flight (90-minute limit, weekends only)
- Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
It's a tight room, with maybe a dozen tables and a handful of counter seats facing the open kitchen, where you can watch the line cooks work.
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.
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, Coffee Garden 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. It is not the cheapest brunch in town, nor the trendiest — but it might be the most consistent, and that counts for a lot on a Sunday morning.
Tips from the regulars
- 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 Coffee Garden.
- Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
- Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
Hours
| Mon | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
| Wed | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
| Thu | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
| Fri | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
| Sat | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
| Sun | Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00 |
Frequently asked questions
What time does Coffee Garden open for brunch?
Posted hours are: Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 07:00-21:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.
Does Coffee Garden 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 Coffee Garden kid-friendly?
Yes — Coffee Garden 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 Coffee Garden serve?
It's classified under coffee_shop, tea — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Salt Lake City.
Is there outdoor seating at Coffee Garden?
Yes — outdoor seating is available, weather permitting.
Location
Located at 878 East 900 South. Coordinates: 40.7495, -111.8658. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.