Denver is renowned for its thriving coffee scene, boasting a rich history deeply intertwined with the Third Wave coffee movement. This vibrant city offers a diverse selection of coffee shops, catering to every taste and preference, from classic espresso to innovative specialty drinks. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee connoisseur or simply seeking a cozy spot to enjoy a cup, Denver has something to offer. This comprehensive guide explores some of Denver’s best coffee shops, highlighting their unique offerings, ambiance, and commitment to quality.
Exploring Denver’s Coffee Culture
Denver’s coffee culture is characterized by its dedication to quality, innovation, and community. The city embraced the Third Wave coffee movement early on, emphasizing direct trade relationships with farmers, meticulous roasting techniques, and a focus on the nuanced flavors of each bean. This commitment to quality has led to a proliferation of independent coffee shops, each with its own distinct personality and approach to coffee.
Top Denver Coffee Shops to Experience
Denver’s coffee scene is brimming with exceptional cafes, each offering a unique experience. Here are some of the top-tier coffee shops that deserve a spot on your caffeine-fueled itinerary:
Boxcar Coffee Roasters
Boxcar Coffee Roasters, located in Boulder, is a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts. This roastery supplies many Denver establishments, but their cafe is a destination in itself. Enjoy single-origin espresso, a cardamom-rose latte, or a refreshing cold brew. Pair your coffee with a freshly baked croissant or peach fritter from their onsite bakery. Boxcar shares its cozy Pearl Street space with a wine and gourmet shop, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.
Huckleberry Roasters
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Huckleberry Roasters is a well-established Denver favorite with multiple locations throughout the city. Their flagship Sunnyside location offers a tranquil escape with an artsy, colorful space and a large patio. Each Huckleberry Roasters location provides equally good vibes, serving up expertly crafted coffee, including unique options like Hulikere beans from India and orange blossom-honey lattes. Their dedication to quality and community makes Huckleberry Roasters a true Denver gem.
Prodigy Coffee House
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Prodigy Coffee House in Elyria Swansea is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a community-focused non-profit with a mission to mentor young adults through their apprenticeship program. This unique concept allows aspiring baristas to learn the art and business of coffee while contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the shop. Enjoy a berry latte, white chocolate mocha, or nitro cold brew alongside a waffle or breakfast torta in their airy, cheerful space.
Dandy Lion Coffee
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Dandy Lion Coffee offers a unique experience, combining a coffee shop with a plant shop, complete with an indoor greenhouse. This innovative concept provides a tranquil and inspiring environment to enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by lush greenery. Try their Vietnamese coffee, a chicory cold brew with condensed milk, or an iced chai with toffee-nut and macadamia milk. Dandy Lion Coffee is a perfect spot to enjoy horticultural therapy while indulging in a delicious caffeine fix.
Rivers and Roads Coffee
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Rivers and Roads Coffee in Clayton, with a second location in Curtis Park, is a community-driven coffee shop that prioritizes quality and connection. They handle everything in-house, from roasting their beans to baking pastries and making syrups. Enjoy a vanilla-orange chai, chili-spiked hot chocolate, or a classic cortado alongside loaded breakfast fries or an apple-butter crumble bar. Rivers and Roads Coffee is a welcoming space where you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and connect with the local community.
Blue Sparrow Coffee
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Blue Sparrow Coffee in RiNo is a Certifiably Green cafe with a bright and intimate atmosphere. They offer courtyard and rooftop seating, providing a variety of spaces to enjoy your coffee. Blue Sparrow Coffee features rotating American and international roasters, ensuring a diverse and exciting coffee experience. Pair your coffee with a pastry from nearby Hearth Bakery and enjoy the unique ambiance of this eco-conscious cafe.
Crema Coffee House
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Crema Coffee House is a RiNo staple, known for its extensive coffee selection and delicious food offerings. They brew with beans from a rotating roster of local and national roasters, ensuring a diverse and high-quality coffee experience. Crema’s kitchen turns out specials galore, from chilaquiles to elaborate sandwiches. They also have a second location, Crema Bodega, at Denver Central Market.
Queen City Collective Coffee
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Queen City Collective Coffee in Five Points is known for its exceptional roasts, ranging from El Paraíso Community Lot from Peru to Ethiopian Guji Jigesa. Even their basic “cuppa brew” is noteworthy. Pair your coffee with a Pandemic doughnut and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this Five Points gem. Queen City Collective also has locations in Wheat Ridge, Broomfield, and Baker, which shares its space with Novel Strand Brewing Company.
Glissade Coffee Company
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Glissade Coffee Company in Aurora is a relatively new roastery owned by a Seattle-trained coffee expert. Their menu features a variety of expertly crafted coffee drinks, from pour-overs to macchiatos to nitro floats. For a special treat, try the Glissade Chill, a shaken concoction of espresso, half-and-half, and maple and vanilla syrup. Pair your coffee with a pastry from Bánh & Butter and enjoy the unique offerings of this Aurora gem. They also offer a small selection of beers and wines.
Little Owl Coffee
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Little Owl Coffee, located in LoDo’s Sugar Cube building, is a tiny but mighty coffee shop with a devoted following. They offer a farm-to-cup experience, showcasing their house roasts in classic coffee preparations. They also offer seasonal delights like the Piña Collided with espresso, pineapple, and coconut. Little Owl Coffee has two additional locations downtown and in LoHi.
Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters
Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters in Lakewood is a must-visit for coffee connoisseurs. Founder/co-owner Andy Sprenger is a two-time U.S. Brewers Cup champion and a Q Grader, a prestigious certification similar to that of a Master Sommelier. Their direct-trade roastery and tasting room, along with satellite cafes in Arvada and Westminster, reflect Sprenger’s expertise. Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters also offers tasting classes, providing a unique opportunity to deepen your coffee knowledge.
QUINCE COFFEE HOUSE
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QUINCE COFFEE HOUSE is a true community hub, offering cozy parlors, porch and backyard seating, and a calendar of community events. They roast their own beans and offer a variety of unique drinks, including their Venetian Cream and Zodiac drinks, inspired by astrological signs. QUINCE COFFEE HOUSE is a welcoming and engaging space to enjoy a cup of coffee and connect with the local community.
Hudson Hill
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Hudson Hill in Capitol Hill is a stylish combination coffee and cocktail bar, offering a variety of coffee drinks, quick breakfasts, and snacks. For a non-coffee option, try a Thai tea spritz or Golden Root turmeric latte. The owner also operates The Wild across from Union Station.
Pablo’s Coffee
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Pablo’s Coffee, with three locations, including a larger headquarters on East Colfax, is a Denver institution. Opened in 2001, their flagship 6th Avenue shop is adorned with street art and filled with plants, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. Pablo’s is known for its Danger Monkey blend and its dedication to providing a relaxing and social coffee experience.
Copper Door Coffee Roasters
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Copper Door Coffee Roasters is Denver’s first 100 percent woman-owned roasting company. They operate in charmingly rustic spaces in several locations, including Park Hill, Littleton, and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Copper Door Coffee Roasters emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity, serving unique blends like Shady Lady, created for cold brew, and special releases like Stranahan’s Whiskey Barrel Aged Ethiopian.
Middle State Coffee
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Middle State Coffee, with locations in Baker and the Highlands, is a roastery and bottle shop. Their industrial-chic space provides a welcoming environment to enjoy their expertly crafted coffee and browse their selection of natural wines. Their baristas are knowledgeable and approachable, ready to guide you through their coffee offerings.
Ti Cafe
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Ti Cafe in Baker specializes in Vietnamese coffee, offering classic preparations as well as unique options topped with a fluffy egg cloud or flan. They also offer a variety of other specialty drinks, such as ube lattes, matcha-coconut cold brews, and raspberry mochas. Pair your drink with a mooncake, sesame ball, or BBQ pork bun.
LaTinto Café
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LaTinto Café on South Broadway is affiliated with Colombian restaurant La Chiva and specializes in Colombian coffee. They brew with single-origin Colombian beans, creating drinks like the Campesino, spiked with panela syrup. Enjoy your coffee with a Colombian pastry like pan de coco, guava empanadas, or arepas con queso in their charming sitting room.
Steam Espresso Bar
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Steam Espresso Bar, with locations in Platt Park and LoHi, is known for its locally sourced coffee and funky atmosphere. They feature coffee from local microroasters and offer a selection of baked goods. Their Platt Park location features rotating artworks and garage doors that open onto a large patio, while their LoHi location occupies an old firehouse.
Corvus Coffee
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Corvus Coffee, with its flagship location on South Broadway and others in Arvada, the DTC, and Littleton, is a roastery that showcases its beans in minimalist-chic environs. They offer nitro cold brews, seasonal tonics and lattes, and the Morning Slam, a double espresso with a to-go cup of regular coffee. Their focus on single-origin coffees highlights their commitment to quality sourcing.
Conclusion: Discovering Your Perfect Denver Coffee Shop
Denver’s coffee scene offers something for every coffee lover. Whether you’re seeking a cozy neighborhood cafe, a trendy roastery, or a unique coffee experience, this diverse city has it all. Explore the city’s vibrant coffee culture, discover your new favorite cafe, and indulge in the rich flavors of Denver’s top-tier coffee shops.
FAQ
What is the Third Wave coffee movement? The Third Wave coffee movement emphasizes coffee as an artisanal product, focusing on the origin of the beans, roasting methods, and brewing techniques.
What is a Q Grader? A Q Grader is a professionally certified coffee taster, similar to a sommelier in the wine world.
Where can I find Vietnamese coffee in Denver? Several cafes in Denver specialize in Vietnamese coffee, including Dandy Lion Coffee and Ti Cafe.
Are there coffee shops in Denver that offer non-coffee drinks? Yes, many coffee shops offer alternatives like tea, juice, and even cocktails. Hudson Hill, for instance, is known for its coffee and cocktail menu.
Do any Denver coffee shops offer classes or workshops? Yes, some coffee shops, like Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters, offer tasting classes and workshops for coffee enthusiasts.
We encourage our readers to share their favorite Denver coffee shops and ask any further questions they may have about Denver’s coffee scene in the comments below!
