These are my favorite coffee shops in Denver

I’m a local who’s frequented countless coffee shops in Denver. In fact, before becoming a writer, I worked behind espresso machines for six years. So, sure — I’m a bit of a coffee snob. But thankfully, this city has no shortage of incredible cafes.

In this guide, I share charming places to catch up with friends and great options for remote workers (which serve boozy beverages come happy hour). Plus, you’ll discover shops with food menus, where to find the best roasters in town, and much more!

24 Best Denver Coffee Shops

Dandy Lion Coffee Co. 

A coffee and boutique plant shop by some of Denver’s favorite chefs.

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📍 Google Maps

Dandy Lion Coffee Co. is a hidden gem, tucked away in an industrial part of Northeast Park Hill. The coffee and boutique plant shop concept comes from the creative minds of Duc and Dominique Huynh. They opened the charming cafe in 2022, and quickly, locals have fallen in love with their Instagrammable aesthetic. 

Snap a pic while swinging and sipping a lavender latte, and for lunch, stop by its sister establishment, Vinh Xuong Bakery. It’s one of the top rated restaurants in Denver, serving banh mi sandwiches and Thai iced tea. 

Blue Sparrow Coffee

Top-notch espresso drinks featuring beans from some of the world’s best roasters.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 303-800-2633

The baristas at Blue Sparrow Coffee sure know how to dial in their espresso. Single-origin flavor notes shine in their classic beverages, each poured with beautiful latte art. Featured roasters from around the world rotate, providing new flavor experiences with each visit. 

Blue Sparrow Coffee has locations in RiNo and LoHi, both celebrated as some of the best Denver neighborhoods. 

Queen City Collective Coffee

Both commuters and remote workers can appreciate these convenient cafes.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 728-9209

With ethical sourcing and quality roasts, Queen City Collective Coffee is a favorite among locals. Commuters appreciate that its Five Points cafe is just steps from the light rail station, one of the best ways to get around Denver. 

Meanwhile, its Baker location resides within Town Hall Collaborative — which features a bar and offers an easy transition into happy hour. Locations have also recently opened in Wheat Ridge (my go-to spot, given its dog-friendly patio) and Berkeley.

Aviano Coffee

The Cherry Creek community gathers here for delicious coffee drinks and warm ambiance.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 399-8347

When wandering the streets of Cherry Creek, you may come across not one, but two Aviano Coffee cafes. Less than a quarter-mile apart, these coffee shops are known for their ambiance as much as their beverages. 

Spacious patios and warm bistro lights make them welcoming gathering places from morning to afternoon. Stop here the next time you visit Cherry Creek Shopping Center, one of Denver’s biggest malls.

Convivio Café

Practice your Spanish at this bilingual cafe in the West Highlands, offering an assortment of Guatemalan foods and drinks. 

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website 

Convivio Café opened in the West Highland neighborhood in 2022. Since then, it’s been one of my go-to coffee shops in Denver. It truly checks all of the boxes: a charming atmosphere, stellar food and drinks, and a friendly staff.

What makes Convivio unique is that it’s a bilingual cafe. Your barista will likely greet you with “hola” or “buenos días.” You’re welcome to respond in Spanish, but there’s no pressure. Personally, my Spanish is a bit rusty and I order in English — but maybe I should make better use of my Duolingo app! 

Regardless, you’ll love the menu at Convivio. My go-to order is an oat milk cardamom latte (made with in-house syrup) and a champurrada, a traditional Guatemalan cookie that’s perfect for dunking in coffee. For lunch, don’t miss out on the delicious tostada trio! 

Thump Coffee

Modern digs with coffee classics and a tasty food menu.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 456-6648

Originally hailing from Bend, Oregon, Thump Coffee has a singular location in downtown Denver. You’ll find its modern, spacious cafe in the Cheesman Park neighborhood. 

Remote workers hang out on their laptops, sipping beverages and noshing on items from the lengthy food menu. Grab a breakfast sandwich or an in-house baked good when you stop by. They may be a bit pricey but are well worth the splurge. 

Corvus Coffee Roasters

Exotic flavors from single-origin beans and more creative combinations.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 715-1740

City locals and suburbanites rave about Corvus Coffee, an award-winning establishment founded in 2010. Its five coffee shops are located on South Broadway, in the Denver Tech Center (DTC), RiNo, Arvada, and Littleton. 

Connoisseurs are drawn to its small-batch reserve coffees, packaged with vibrant, artistic labels. Though in my opinion, there’s nothing more decadent on their menu than the Chicory cold brew infused with cream and vanilla bean. 

Prodigy Coffee House

A social enterprise with a mission to train and mentor marginalized youths.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 441-3187

A registered non-profit, Prodigy Coffee House is one the city’s most unique coffee shops. Through an apprenticeship program, this cafe supports marginalized youths in their local communities. 

At its Globeville and Elyria Swansea shops, baristas learn skills and adopt mindsets that forward their potential. Good coffee and an even greater mission — what’s not to love? 

Huckleberry Roasters

A sustainable shop loved by locals and visitors alike.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (866) 558-2201

Affectionately known as “Huck” by regulars, Huckleberry Roasters is a sustainable coffee business with a focus on community. In 2013, locals in the Sunnyside neighborhood welcomed this craft coffee shop’s flagship location. 

Shortly following, its Union Station cafe opened in the bustling Dairy Block micro-district. Specifically, it resides in the lobby of one of the best hotels in the Mile High City. After a recent expansion, you’ll also find shops in Baker and Wheat Ridge, plus outposts along Tennyson Street and Larimer Square.

Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters 

Pour-over coffees featuring beans from around the world.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 261-5954

The artisan roasters and expert baristas at Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters are truly some of the best in Denver. Part of what makes its product impeccable is the fact that here, you won’t find drip coffee. Rather, all beans are brewed by hand, pour-over style. 

The good news: you’ll experience bold aromas and flavor nuances that will elevate your whole perception of coffee. The bad news: this isn’t the spot to hit if you’re rushing to work, as quality like this takes a bit more time than the drive-thru lane. More good news: their pastries are top-notch, so enjoy one of those while you wait. 

Crema Coffee House

Two cafes with different atmospheres but similar city surroundings.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 +52 985 102 9047

The “OG” Crema Coffee House is small and laid back, bustling with hipster regulars in the morning hours. Down the road, its Bodega location is one of many eateries inside Denver Central Market. The vibe here is exciting, but loud and maybe not the best atmosphere for remote workers. 

One commonality between the two coffee shops, though, is their city surroundings. Less than a quarter-mile apart, these RiNo establishments are surrounded by vibrant street art. Walking these colorful alleys is fun — even better with a coffee in hand.

Copper Door Coffee Roasters

Lovely locations and lattes featuring house-made syrups.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 432-1891

Copper Door Coffee Roasters has a shop in Littleton, plus three locations throughout the city. Find them in Lowry, Park Hill, and Cheesman Park. The last mentioned is pictured above and happens to reside right outside the Denver Botanic Gardens, one of the top things to do in Colorado. 

Aside from lovely surroundings, these shops feature equally charming interiors. The food and beverage menus impress, too. Whether ordered hot or iced, house-made syrups create especially delicious lattes. 

The Molecule Effect

Trendy digs and even trendier beverages, plus fun community events.

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📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 350-4065

Trendy and fun, The Molecule Effect is a favorite among Wash Park and Lincoln Park locals. Both of these coffee shops serve classic and contemporary coffee beverages. One of the most unique options is a flavorful nitro cold brew featuring bourbon-aged beans. 

Later in the day, patrons enjoy coffee cocktails, along with local beer and wine. Frequently, the Denver cafes host live music, First Friday art events, and comedy nights. 

Rivers and Roads Coffee

Fresh bread, pastries, coffee, and more are lovingly crafted in-house.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 343-3084

Rivers and Roads’ two locations are some of the best coffee shops in northern Denver. Menus at its Five Points and Clayton cafes rotate, featuring house-made pastries, flavored syrups, and more. It takes pride as a Colorado coffee roastery centered on community. You’re sure to be warmly welcomed here, too. 

Steam Espresso Bar 

Exceptional baristas and unique settings — including a renovated firehouse.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 455-4595

Steam Espresso Bar first appeared in the Platt Park neighborhood and recently opened its second coffee shop in the Highlands. The latter is set in a renovated, historic firehouse. Certain elements of the original building have been preserved, creating a unique ambiance. 

Along with that, the service is stellar. Expect rich, complex espresso, lovely latte art, and a wide selection of delicious, locally-made pastries. 

The Weathervane Cafe 

Great coffee and hearty meals in a fun, quirky atmosphere.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website 

Set in a historic carriage house in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, The Weathervane Cafe offers a funky and fun ambiance. Vintage decor and artisan goods line the walls and shelves. Behind the counter, baristas whip up great coffee beverages and hearty meals. Try the pumpkin chia pudding, breakfast sandwiches, and other tasty options featuring local ingredients.

The Bardo Coffee House

Where families, students, and coffee connoisseurs gather from morning to night.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 485-3508

The Bardo Coffee House is a loved gathering place for Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, and Speer neighborhood residents. Cozy couches and board games keep families entertained, while late-night hours make them popular spots among students.

Open from 6 am to as late as midnight, these busy cafes have extensive menus with espresso beverages, Italian sodas, beer, wine, and more.  

Pigtrain Coffee Co. 

Set inside Union Station, this coffee shop offers a variety of nearby activities.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 460-3708

Patrons to Pigtrain Coffee Company have not one, but two lovely locations to sip their tasty beverages. In the renovated Great Hall at Union Station, you’ll find lounge seating, shuffleboard, and other local businesses. Outside in the Wynkoop Plaza lies a spacious patio, fountains, and on summer Saturday mornings, a bustling farmers market. 

With so much to do in and near Union Station, this neighborhood ranks as one of the best areas to stay in Denver. Start your morning at Pigtrain Coffee Co. and perhaps spend the entire day here, too. 

Hudson Hill 

A staff and selection that is well above par.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (303) 832-0776

When you walk into Hudson Hill, it may surprise you to see a “please wait to be seated” sign. Table service, at a coffee shop? Oh, yes — and you’re in for a treat. The staff here exceeds expectations, bringing your order to your table, refilling your water glass, and taking a moment to learn (and remember) your name. 

The trendy lounge is bustling with locals. Seating may be tight, but it adds to the feeling of community. Enjoy seasonal lattes, elevated snacks, and a daily cocktail bar happy hour. It’s one of those coffee joints you’ll never tire of revisiting. 

Whittier Cafe

This Black-owned coffee shop celebrates African culture in all its aspects.

📍 Google Maps | 📞 (720) 550-7440

Named “the activists’ coffee shop,” Whittier Cafe is a Black-owned business that celebrates coffee’s African origins. It educates the community on social justice causes, along with ancestral coffee rituals. 

Each Sunday, patrons are invited to join an Ethiopian ceremony where coffee is shared from a jebena, or traditional clay pot. Come happy hour, enjoy unique beers and wines originating from African nations.

Little Owl Coffee

Craft coffee and stellar service inside dazzling city skyrises.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website 

All three Little Owl Coffee locations lie in the heart of the city. Its newest outpost resides in trendy LoHi. Meanwhile, its Union Station cafe is on the first floor of the SugarCube Building, a luxurious skyrise apartment. 

In the Central Business District, you’ll find the Tremont location in a dazzling office lobby. If you’re staying in one of the many nearby downtown Denver hotels, head here for wonderful craft coffee, Reunion Bread Co. pastries, and stellar service.

Logan House

Locally-roasted beans, house-made syrups, and yummy breakfast items.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 515-7752

Logan House Coffee Company has four locations found in RiNo, the Central Business District, Lowry, and The Stanley Marketplace in Aurora.

Locally-roasted beans and house-made syrups come together to create delicious lattes. Among non-coffee drinkers, its spicy chai tea and decadent hot chocolate are popular choices. Pastries, breakfast burritos, and a welcoming ambiance add to the experience.

Kaladi Coffee Roasters

A long-time Denver favorite that works with coffee co-ops around the world.

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 570-2166

A staple in the Mile High City, Kaladi Coffee sits on the shelves of many local coffee shops. Their own cafes are found in Englewood and Denver’s University neighborhood. Since 2000, they’ve highlighted the delicious, nuanced flavors found in organic coffees from around the world. Enjoy a cup and maybe take a bag home, too. 

MiddleState Coffee 

Espresso milkshakes — need I say more? 

📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (720) 287-1401

Unassuming on the outside and vibrant on the inside, MiddleState Coffee is another hidden gem. Both its Baker and Highlands locations are filled with art, lush greenery, and the sounds of a lively playlist. They feature specialty coffees from globally found roasters, along with unique, flavorful beverages. Coffee fanatic or not, who could say no to an espresso milkshake? 

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Don’t stop now, foodies. There are so many more tasty eats to be found in the Mile High City. Read our best Denver restaurants guide next!