Rainbow Restaurant Breakfast/Lunch Fort Collins — Restaurant in Fort Collins

I believe I wrote an initial review ~5 years ago when I first moved up to Fort Collins and before the renovation. I use to love Rainbow and it was my go-to when introducing people to Fort Collins or whenever going out for breakfast! I now have a seemingly unpopular opinion about the place in current times:

The renovation has taken away some of the charm that made this restaurant so unique. The more modernized theme makes it feel cold and very much like every other recent breakfast installation along the Front Range. The new ordering system makes the whole experience less personable (which may have been a goal with COVID but I do wish it was temporary). Less of a family-oriented diner, more ‘mod market’ feel. The menu has been significantly reduced, too. The dishes my partner and I use to order are no longer offered and all of the other options seem like things I could make at home. What we ordered the two times returning post-renovation were alright. We also miss the assortment of mugs they use to have. People probably could care less about this but for me it was exciting seeing which cool mug I’d get for my coffee each visit, haha.

Despite this, the outdoor space, vegan/veg options, and breakfast cocktails continue to be an attraction. The staff is very attentive, enthusiastic & friendly. Breakfast burritos are great, especially the to-go deal. I liked the idea of the bar, but again not a huge fan of the ordering system.

I wish Rainbow the best! If they choose to reintroduce old dishes to the menu I’ll be back. But for now I’ll likely only be returning during the school year for their to-go...

Was recently in Ft. Collins and had to return to this amazing, iconic Ft. Collins restaurant. Family-run, vegetarian and vegan friendly, there's nothing to not love about this place. The staff are super friendly and helpful, willing to make suggestions and do what they can to make your meal amazing. Fun specialty items on the menu include a beer mimosa (sorry to say I missed this, but want to get one next time). I had the breakfast fruit crepe. Or rather, I attempted to eat a fruit crepe. This thing was huge, easily covered the entire plate and seemingly contained the entire fruit section...there were strawberries, grapes, bananas, kiwis, blueberries...I'm not even sure what else. Every spoonful was a yummy delight of something different. The plentiful fruit was enveloped in a yogurt concoction and served with several spoonfuls of granola on top. My nieces ordered french toast (I think there were 6 pieces of bread on the single order, certainly more than either of them could eat alone) and a fruit plate, which had the most beautiful array of fruits. To drink we had herbal teas and coffee, both of which were also excellent. Pro tip: Unless you're in training to compete on Man vs Food, ask for a half portion and you will still have more than enough to eat.

I have never had a bad experience at the Rainbow. It's a Ft. Collins specialty that is not to be missed. If you haven't been there before and you're in the area, check it out. You...

I’ve worked at the Rainbow for a few months now and have therefore seen many happy customers come and leave this awesome breakfast/ lunch joint. It didn’t take more than two weeks of working here for me to realize first and foremost how great the food is; more importantly, I discovered how unique and special of a place the Rainbow is. Despite the fact that we are one of the leading restaurants in Old Town in regards to our numerous vegan options, the owners are incredibly sweet and generous people who not only take pride in the delicious food they serve their customers, but strive to make each and every persons’ experience memorable. The amount of thought that is put into every dish is apparent, and they are always trying to find new ways to operate their business sustainably. In addition to making the restaurant more sustainable, we are always looking for ideas from our awesome customers on how we can improve service and menu options. From the cute and cozy inside dining room, to the wonderful patio area outside (including the gazebo), the Rainbow can accommodate all parties and promise a great meal with friendly service. There’s a reason we have so many regulars, and continue to see familiar faces as the seasons change. So come stop by and see us, you won’t be...