Every mother and mother figure are as diverse as what we call them, and there’s no one-size-fits-all Mother’s Day celebration. So this year, on Sunday, May 11, we won’t delegate moms into a basic brunch category.
Instead, we rounded up a list of restaurant suggestions based on your mom’s style. After all, we all know they’re not regular moms. They’re cool moms. They’re hungry moms. They’re classy moms, and they deserve to eat somewhere that matches their energy.
From elegant hideaways to a bold brunch spot, here’s where to take her this year. At the end of the day, what matters most is making that person feel known, appreciated, and full all at once.
Music-Loving Mama’s Will Sing For Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club
This modern jazz and supper club in RiNo was built around the idea that music and dining can share the spotlight. After 10 years the idea has been proven to be true. Every night live jazz performances take place, paired with a refined, seasonal menu. If you’re celebrating a mom who’d appreciate a sultry saxophone solo with her entrée, this is the spot.
On Mother’s Day, saxophonist and composer Adam Gang takes the stage with his band for two 75-minute sets at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. While the music flows, guests enjoy a three-course dinner ($98 per person) with a curated lineup of vibrant, thoughtful dishes to select from.
Start with the Ora King Salmon Sashimi, layered with honeydew, pickled strawberries, sweet soy, fresno chili, agua fresca, and bubu arare (tiny rice crackers from Japan), paired with a brut rosé. For the main course, the Curry Gnocchi stands out with Indian batata vada style gnocchi and foraged mushrooms, all swimming in a red curry. The dish also comes with roasted romanesco and lime coconut yogurt, and matched with a glass of Gessamí blanco. For dessert, the Matcha Cake is a whimsical showstopper just like mom, though this sweet comes packed with lavender-elderberry buttercream, strawberry meringue, and pistachio crumble.
To make it even more special, go all in for the curated wine pairings ($45 per person), or a spirit-free pairing ($23 per person). Make a reservation, this event will sell out. If it does, we’re sure your mom wouldn’t mind a visit on another day. 1330 27th St., Denver, nocturnejazz.com
Cool Moms Eat Alfresco at Del Frisco’s Grille On Mother’s Day
If your Mother’s Day celebration calls for sunshine and a little rooftop glamour, Del Frisco’s Grille in Cherry Creek delivers. The stylish spot offers an upscale spin on American classics, and remains a prime location for sipping something bright and breezy while enjoying warm spring air and a view.
The menu is stacked with crowd-pleasers, but if your mom leans sweet at brunch, the Strawberry Cobbler French Toast ($16) is the move. After all, it’s made with brioche and comes stuffed with mascarpone and topped with strawberries. The full menu is also available all day, with plenty of savory options from appetizers and salads to sandwiches to steaks.
On the hearty side, order the Braised Short Rib ($40), a dish served over creamy polenta with oven-dried tomatoes and balsamic cipollini onions. For Mother’s Day, the menu features the Prime Pair entrée. It includes an eight-ounce filet mignon served alongside a jumbo lump crab cake and finished with Cajun-lobster cream sauce. There’s also a featured cocktail for the occasion. Enter the Desert Rose, a crisp, floral mix of Lalo Tequila Blanco, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and prickly pear, as light and pretty as your mama.
Should the weather not cooperate, don’t let that deter you since the restaurant has plenty of indoor seating too. Reservations can be made, starting with Mother’s Day brunch at 11 a.m., flowing into the every-day happy hour at 3:30 p.m., and wrapping up with dinner service through 9:15 p.m. 100 St. Paul St. Suite 140, Denver, delfriscosgrille.com
Take a Mother’s Day Staycation and Party at the Vibrant Mister Oso
For the moms who are the life of the party, Mister Oso complements that vibe with bold colors and flavors, and a backdrop perfect for a selfie. With tropical decor that leans playful and a menu inspired by the cuisines of Mexico and South America, this Latin-forward concept from the Culinary Creative Group is anything but shy.
Awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, Mister Oso has grown from its original RiNo location. Now you can visit the Washington Park outpost and a brand-new spot in Boulder, making it easy to find no matter where you’re celebrating.
The best bite to share comes in the form of the build-your-own taco menu. The line up features house-smoked meats, such as the Beef Brisket Carnitas ($18), packed with confit and smoked brisket, Death Bear salsa macha, avocado salsa verde, pickled mustard seed, charred onion, and cilantro. But don’t stop at tacos, the Coconut Rice ($11) won’t easily be forgotten. It’s made with onion, pickled fresno peppers, cilantro, and lime, which you should absolutely squeeze over everything. Add on an order of Guacamole ($14), layered with pumpkin seed, sesame, and pistachio salsa, or the Empanadas ($15), stuffed with barbecue chicken, mozzarella, avocado, and poblano crema, and you’ve got a spread worthy of the occasion.
The beverage program also brings its own energy. Expect everything from high-impact group cocktails to creative non-alcoholic options that feel just as festive. If the mom in your life is the type to celebrate Mother’s Day with bold flavors, good vibes, and a killer playlist in the background, Mister Oso is calling. Check your preferred location for varying operating hours. Various locations, misterosodenver.com
Sporty Moms Love Omni Interlocken
Golf might get all the Father’s Day glory, but let’s not overlook the moms who love a tee time just as much. For a Mother’s Day with scenic views and a side of self-care, Omni Interlocken in Broomfield checks all the boxes. Head to this 27-hole championship course. With more than 400 feet of elevation changes and three separate nine-hole layouts combined for a variety of play. Really, there’s nothing better.
Plus, the whole event is framed by sweeping views of the mountains. Add on the full-service Mokara Spa, and mom will not only have fun but get pampered too.
Of course there’s a dining option to match. Start with a steaming Silver Canyon coffee at Trail & Trade, or linger over brunch until 2 p.m.on weekends at The Camper. Between rounds, the patio at Fairway, located inside the clubhouse, offers a relaxed spot to refuel. But for dinner, the gastropub Shep’s stands out with a focus on beer and locally-sourced ingredients on the menu. It also has a family-style Sunday supper ($26 per person), the perfect style of meal for Mother’s Day. 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield, omnihotels.com/hotels/denver-interlocken
Bring Your Mountain Mama to Sauce On the Blue
If you have an adventurer mom who loves a little getaway in the Rockies, Sauce On the Blue should be at the top of the list for Mother’s Day. The Italian pizzeria sits along the Blue River in Silverthorne, offering not only a lovely drive there, but gorgeous views too. If you’re bringing the whole family, reserve a private yurt, which seats six to 25 people.
As for the food, most of the dishes can be made for one or family style. Start with one of the restaurant’s signature pizzas. The Carnivoro comes with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, applewood smoked bacon, and red sauce. A 10-inch pie runs $20, and the 16-inch clocks in at $31.
The Rainbow Trout ($37 single, $52 family) comes with a delightful white wine, cream, and caper sauce, and paired with baby spinach, mashed potatoes, and fresh vegetables on the side. Go local with the Colorado Choice Lamb Sirloin 8-ounce ($46), which features a cabernet demi gláce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and vegetables.
Add on a hike before to help get mom’s appetite going, or simply stroll around town. Whether you’re planning a midday mountain escape or a sunset dinner by the river, the timing is just right.
Sauce On the Blue is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 358 Blue River Pkwy., Silverthorne, sauceontheblue.com
For the Mom Who Truly Loves Brunch
Of course we can’t put out a Mother’s Day list without brunch options. There’s a reason so many places offer the meal. Here’s a quick list of some specials on May 11.
La Marca Prosecco Brunch at Wonderyard Garden + Table
Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with beautiful brunch spread and sparkling wine drinks by La Marca Prosecco. Enjoy Mimosas, Bloody Marys, luxurious Benedicts, and a special S’mores Waffle in Wonderyard’s garden-inspired ambiance. Not only that, for the occasion the interactive Bloom Bar offers personalized floral keepsakes for purchase. Reservations are not required but are highly recommended, available here. 2200 Larimer St., Denver, wonderyard.com
Mother’s Day Dining and Tea at Local Jones
Located in Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, Local Jones has whipped up classic brunch and lunch specials for Mother’s Day, alongside the standard morning menu. Think smoked salmon Benedict with a roasted tomato hollandaise, a lump crab meat omelet, and indulgent French toast.
The hotel will also host an elegant Mother’s Day Tea on Sunday, May 11, in the hotel’s Arbor Room. Fill up on scones, savory bites, and petit fours. Seatings are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and priced at $70 per adult and $35 per child (12 and under). Reservations can be made here. 245 Columbine St., Denver, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
Saverina’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet
On Sunday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., chef Christian Graves and his team at Saverina created an epic brunch buffet. Look for an avocado toast bar, prime rib station, seafood tower, and classic brunch staples like eggs, potatoes, French toast, dessert, and more. Adults run $89 per person and it’s $35 for kids.
If you want to amp up the Mother’s Day points even more, Saverina’s hotel, the Kimpton Claret, made a Spring Escape Package complete with two hydrating facials, a champagne welcome amenity, deluxe accommodations and brunch at Saverina for two (or credit for brunch if doing it on Mother’s Day). 6985 E. Chenango Ave., Denver, saverinadenver.com
Urban Farmer is For Mothers
Head to Downtown Denver for another Mother’s Day brunch buffet, hosted at Urban Farmer from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu sounds pretty epic and includes deviled eggs, fresh oysters, waffle bar, roasted lamb, prime rib, pastries, and plenty of fresh fruit, to name a few items. The set price runs $85 per adult and $45 for kids aged 3 to 12. Add on bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s for $25 per adult. 1659 Wazee St., Denver, urbanfarmersteakhouse.com
Stay Home With American Elm
Why go out when you can bring the celebration home? Choose Am Elm Mother’s Day at Home, a $120 kit that serves 4 adults. Inside you’ll find a choice of quiche, either ham and smoked cheddar or feta and spinach. There’s biscuits and gravy with either mushroom or sausage gravy, as well as bacon, sausage, or toast. For a sweet treat, enjoy the berries and cream topped with honey comb candy. This set up is perfect if you want to bring mom brunch without the crowds, or want to celebrate a new mom who isn’t ready to leave the house with the baby. 4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver, amelm.com
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