Over the past year and a half, I've been visiting coffee shops in Denver in an attempt to create this guide. Now, it is by no means done. I still have about 30 shops to visit and those will get added as I go, but I wanted to get the list out there, so y'all have it. With nearly 40 shops already, this list truly is the ultimate guide to Denver's coffee spots. I highly encourage you to visit them all — collect 'em like Pokemon y'all — as each one is different and unique in its own way. Let me know if you already have a favorite or if I missed one down in the comments & if you're looking for a guide to Denver's restaurants, look no further — xoxo darling, Hayden.
Allegro Coffee Roasters
Located right on Tennyson Street, Allegro is an airy spot with old school wooden floors...yes, the boards will creek under your feet. They have lots of seating options, I even grabbed a seat one afternoon in the summer, plus, more options than just coffee. Grab you a Topo! The iced latte was refreshing and barely bitter. The wifi was good and it extends onto the patio where it would be lovely to sit in the early fall.
Amethyst Coffee (Lakeside — CLOSED)
Atlas Coffees
Atlas is down in Littleton in the same shopping center as my favorite car wash. It's cute inside — with many nods to world travel — and their chocolate muffin kills me. It's a fun Saturday morning spot because people are constantly in-and-out discussing their weekend plans with the baristas.
Aviano Coffee
While technically in Wheat Ridge, I count it as Lakewood. It's really cute and big enough to always find seating. Unlike most aesthetic shops, I wouldn't describe it as airy but cozy. They do have wifi, but it's only for 180 minutes per purchase. So if you want to camp out there expect to have to buy a new item every so often. They have lots of coffee options and snacks. I went for a simple cappuccino as it was cold outside and it wasn't bitter, just rich and strong.
Where are my vegans at? Beet Box is for you! They are a completely vegan bakery/coffee shop near downtown. It's very cute, with exposed brick, plants and booths that are well-worn because they've seen friends meet to catch up on relationships, beginning business partners discuss future locations and more. I had a traditional latte with cashew milk, and it was super good. Plus, their s'mores baked good is delightful.
Bean Fosters in Littleton & Golden
I'm partial to the Littleton location of this coffee chain (there's only the two shops), but if you like the idea of being in a library, visit the Golden location. But, the Littleton location is in a sea of chains, and it just feels nice. Cozy but with lots of room to spread out and a very color-coordinated bookshelf that I can appreciate. Since the area is full of hiking spots, I like to visit after an early morning walk. Their straight-up black coffee gets my day started in the best way.
Beet Box Bakery & Cafe (CLOSED)
Black Eye Coffee Shop (NAME CHANGED: QUEENSBERRY COFFEE)
Born2Bake
Quite possibly, my favorite place in downtown Littleton, Born2Bake, seems like a home for people. Early on a Sunday morning, an old couple, who are clearly regulars, greet the barista and ask about her children. It's sweet. Not only is the coffee (and the eggnog chai in the holiday season) good, but the baked goods are A+. Get a cake pop, seriously. Also, their wifi is great!
Brew Culture Coffee
Cafe Ole
Need a perk up after you get your Colorado driver's license? Look no further than this little shop in the same shopping center as the Lakewood DMV. It's pretty small, but on a weekday afternoon, I easily got a seat. I can't speak to the wifi as I only brought a book with me. But the place is comfy and cozy, with mismatched furniture and brightly colored walls.
Crema
I cannot comment on the actual Crema coffee shop, but the location in Denver Central Market makes a mean cappuccino. Plus, it's right next to Izzio Bakery, one of my favorites. Grab a chocolate almond croissant and sit at one of the many tables in the food hall before walking around RiNo to see all the street art.
Devil's Food Bakery
The place I tell people about maybe the most is Devil's Food. The bakery is the epitome of cozy with dark walls, plenty of seating and strong wifi. Yes, the coffee is good, but really, you're here for the baked goods. The ginger cookie with giant sugar crystals is where it's at...but I've never had anything bad. Plus, the baristas are some of the most friendly in the business — I swear I always have a great convo whenever I'm in there.
This very aesthetically pleasing coffee shop off of Littleton's main thoroughfare helps a great cause and has delicious coffee. The breakfast burrito is also something to taste test. I would suggest going early in the morning if you want parking because it gets pretty insane. My only thing is the wifi can be a little sketchy, so come prepared with a book, too.
Enchanted Grounds in Littleton
If you are a gamer...of any kind...Enchanted Grounds was made for you. I go for the solid wifi and good coffee — they have a La Marzocco, so we know I'm in love. It's not the most aesthetically pleasing spot, but each time I've visited, it has been filled to the brim with people playing all different kinds of games, so there is a cool sense of community. Plus, parking is never an issue as it occupies the corner of a shopping center.
Global Goods & Coffee (CLOSED)
Griffin Coffee
A relatively new shop in Edgewater, Griffin has it going on. Their nitro cold brew got me through a long afternoon of writing...and it came in a turquoise ball jar so we good, ya know? Plenty of seating and white metal chairs with good wifi welcome you to sit for a spell. The barista when I visited was so sweet too.
Ground Up Coffee
Hello Coffee
This is another shop that you kind of have to seek out or have someone tell you about. I stumbled upon it on Google Maps and decided to test it out...boy was I happy! It's very cute, but the most important thing is the extensive latte menu. The concoction they put together are delicious...especially the thin mint. Plus, good wifi and plenty of seating options!
HOJA
HOJA is such a good cafe. Like truly. It's off South Pearl next to a Duffeyroll, and I just love it. The place is bright and dishes up delicious foods — the burrito is a must-try. I have never sat outside (they have a back patio), but when I visited literally, everyone went to sit out there while I chose a sunny booth spot. Make sure to get an iced cafe de olla — it's iced coffee with cinnamon and orange that will excite your tastebuds. Plus, look at it...it's so pretty.
Honey Hill
Huckleberry Roasters in Dairy Block
Milk Market is its own insane, beautiful, food-filled thing, but inside it is a location of Huckleberry. They roast their own beans over near Sunnyside, but this spot has cute red tiles and a huge counter for sitting and enjoying the space. A latte is always a good option and grab a crepe from a few stalls over to tide you over!
Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters
On a corner in downtown Arvada, Hudson Bay has plenty of seats and wifi so you can't get stuff done. I had a foamy cappuccino that was just the right amount of coffee meets milk. Just look at that cloud of foam!
Link Coffee Bar (CLOSED)
Looking for the most Instagramable coffee shop in Denver? Look no further. Located in a former gas station, Lula Rose comes complete with a pale pink La Marzocco. It's just perfect for photos. The latte I had was excellent, not bitter at all. I sat by one of the big windows and just read my book — the place is oddly peaceful on a weekday afternoon.
Mojo Coffee
Nixon's Coffee
Nook Coffee
In downtown Littleton, inside a cheese shop (which, also visit), Nook is good when you need to get something done in a cute surrounding. They have these big, wooden picnic tables where you can set up shop and sip your latte. The baked goods are spot on, and the people who own the shop are super sweet.
Novo Coffee on Sixth
Pinwheel Coffee
Queen City Collective Coffee in Five Points
Located in the Five Points part of town, Queen City is downright perfect. With plenty of natural light, good coffee, great wifi and a summer patio, it's just an all-around good spot. Plus, it's near one of my favorite museums (the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center) and easily walkable from the RTD stop (30th & Downing).
Riize Coffee
In an industrial section of Littleton — south of the downtown — that I stumbled upon Riize is cute. With these cool black hexagon tiles that run from the bar down onto the floor, it's a quiet spot with big communal tables. There are tons of outlets, and they have excellent wifi, plus, kind baristas. They have a bunch of chai options too — yaaas!
Right off Santa Fe, you wouldn't know how cute this shop was from the outside. But once you walk in its dark walls, great coffee and plenty of seating. The cappuccino comes with cute art, and it's just a solid option. I like coming here before I head downtown (I park at an RTD station and take the train into actual downtown).
Session Coffee (CLOSED)
Sertinos Coffee
Solid Grounds Coffee (CLOSED)
Sonder
If you love that minimalist, bright white, Pinterest coffee shop vibe, Sonder is for you. It's located in Aurora, in the bottom of a fairly new apartment complex, but it's kind of a haven for cute coffee shops in this part of Denver. Their wifi is good, there's plenty of parking, and they have a killer seasonal menu. I visited in the summer and had a sunflower latte, I don't even know if I loved it, but I loved that it was an option.
Steam Espresso Bar
One of my all-time favorite shops in Denver, I highly recommend to anyone in the Platt Park area. It's on the corner of South Pearl and Colorado in a skinny building. With exposed brick, reclaimed wood tables, and a good patio for spring/summer sittin', the shop gives off good community vibes. The drinks are done well — nothing too bitter — and the wifi is solid. On a spring day, I couldn't get seating inside when I first got there but then moved inside about an hour later, so it really just depends on the day/time.
Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters
Located in Lakewood off Colfax, Sweet Bloom is adorable. It's in an unsuspecting building kind of off-the-beaten-path, but when you walk in, it's a little oasis. They have a fair amount of seating, good wifi, and a really solid cappuccino — super creamy. They roast their own beans and sell them on-site — pick 'em up in a real cute bag. It does close pretty early, so plan ahead for that. The atmosphere is industrial chic, with lots of hanging plants — kind of like most aesthetic shops around the Mile High City.
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