There are restaurants you enjoy and then there are restaurants you think about long after you’ve left. Stowaway Kitchen in Denver is one of those places for me.
When I first visited Denver a couple of years ago for a work conference, breakfast at Stowaway Kitchen became one of the highlights of the trip. So when I recently returned to the city for a similar conference (if not the same one), I didn’t spend much time deciding where my first breakfast would be.
I already knew.
Walking back through the doors felt familiar in such a pleasant way. There’s something that feels so good about returning to a place you’ve genuinely enjoyed before. You aren’t chasing a recommendation or hoping the internet got it right because you already know you’re in good hands.
The start of this second visit as always came with caffeine. Coffee and a latte to be specific.
I ordered a honey oat milk Iced Latte ($6.75) alongside a hot Batch Brew Coffee ($4.00) because choosing between iced and hot has never really been one of my strengths. The latte was smooth with the faintest hint of sweetness from the honey, while the batch brew was the simple coffee with a bit of a burnt aftertaste in every sip.
Then came the food.
The Yuzu Kinako Meringue Waffle ($15) immediately caught my attention. Built on their freshly milled Einkorn sourdough waffle and topped with yuzu curd cream, Italian meringue, kinako graham cracker crumble, and served with maple syrup, it was every bit as beautiful as it was delicious. The bright citrus from the yuzu balanced the sweetness perfectly, while the meringue kept each bite feeling light rather than heavy. The waffle itself had a wonderful texture that made it feel substantial without becoming dense.
It was the kind of breakfast that reminds you how creative morning food can be.
Alongside it, I ordered the Black Rice Porridge ($14).
Made with coconut milk, passionfruit, champagne mango, and coconut flakes, it was fresh, colorful, and unlike most breakfast bowls you’ll come across. I enjoyed it overall, though I found it a bit saltier than I remembered from my previous visit. For my taste, dialing the salt back slightly would have allowed the fruit and coconut to shine even more.
Still, it remained a thoughtfully prepared dish that offered something different from the usual oatmeal, chia seed pudding, or yogurt bowl.
One thing I appreciated most about returning to Stowaway Kitchen wasn’t whether every bite matched my memory perfectly. It was realizing that the restaurant still delivered what made me enjoy them the first time. Thoughtful cooking, great coffee, and a breakfast that feels like someone truly cares about every plate that leaves the kitchen.
Returning to a favorite restaurant while traveling is always a little risky. Sometimes memories are better left as memories. Thankfully, Stowaway Kitchen reminded me that some places really are worth coming back to.
Follow Them.
Address: 2528 Walnut St #104, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (720) 583-5481
Hours: Thursday through Monday – 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Social: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.
