"Fort Collins' definitive breakfast — Northern Colorado's oldest restaurant, where the giant house-baked cinnamon roll has anchored Old Town's Walnut Street since 1933."
About Silver Grill Cafe
The Silver Grill Cafe sits at 218 Walnut Street in Old Town Fort Collins, and has the longest history of any restaurant in Northern Colorado. Leonidas “Flossie” Widger opened it under the Silver Grill name on 28 October 1933, on the site of an earlier lunch counter, and nearly a century on it remains a daily breakfast-and-lunch institution under longtime owners Alan and Jackie Jantzen.
For Fort Collins' other tables, compare the all-day baking and dining at Ginger and Baker, the farm-to-table cooking at The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm or the seafood at Jax Fish House.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is built around American breakfast done generously: eggs, skillets, breakfast burritos smothered in green chile, biscuits and gravy, and the dish the cafe is known for — the oversized cinnamon roll, introduced in 1986 and now sold by the thousands each month, served plain or grilled with cinnamon butter. Lunch runs to burgers, sandwiches and comfort plates. This is honest, well-priced diner food rather than chef-driven cooking, and the value is a large part of the draw.
The Room
The room wears its history openly — pressed-tin ceilings, a long counter and booths that have seen generations of Fort Collins regulars — with a patio for warm mornings. It is busy, friendly and unpretentious, the kind of place where weekend waits are part of the ritual. Service is quick and warm, geared to families, students from nearby Colorado State and visitors working their way through Old Town.
Best for Family Breakfast
A generous, all-ages breakfast and famously large cinnamon rolls make the Silver Grill an easy stop on a relaxed birthday morning in Fort Collins. The casual Old Town setting also suits a low-key first-date brunch, or a friendly team lunch over coffee and skillets.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet, white-tablecloth dinner or an evening tasting menu — the Silver Grill is a busy daytime breakfast-and-lunch diner, with weekend waits and no dinner service.
Frequently Asked
What is the Silver Grill Cafe known for?
It is Northern Colorado's oldest restaurant, open in Old Town Fort Collins since 1933, best known for its oversized house-baked cinnamon rolls alongside diner-style breakfasts and lunches.
How old is the Silver Grill Cafe?
It has operated under the Silver Grill name since 28 October 1933, when Leonidas 'Flossie' Widger opened it, making it the oldest restaurant in Northern Colorado.
What should I order?
The giant cinnamon roll is the signature — served plain or grilled with cinnamon butter — alongside the green-chile-smothered breakfast burrito and classic egg skillets.
Is it open for dinner?
No — the Silver Grill is a breakfast-and-lunch restaurant, open daily during daytime hours; it does not serve dinner.
Where is the Silver Grill Cafe located?
At 218 Walnut Street in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, in the historic downtown a short walk from College Avenue.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Silver Grill Cafe
Walk-in diner; expect weekend morning waits — go early or mid-week.
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Practical Information
Address218 Walnut St, Fort Collins
NeighbourhoodOld Town, Walnut Street
CuisineAmerican breakfast / diner
PriceDiner pricing; breakfast & lunch, cinnamon rolls extra
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingHistoric counter, booths & patio
ReservationWalk-ins welcome
