Denver has all the staples of a city rich in coffee culture: third-wave coffee shops, small-batch roasters, and countless baristas who care enough to get to know you and your coffee beverage of choice. So where can you find the best coffee Denver has to offer?
Whether you’re visiting for a week, recently moved to the city or surrounding suburbs, or you simply want to immerse yourself in coffee culture, make sure to check out these top-notch coffee shops while you’re in Denver! Find your new favorite Denver cafe:
The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Denver:
1. Corvus Coffee
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First on our list of Denver coffee shops you have to try is Corvus. Corvus Coffee is located in the city’s southern stretches, and the shop and baristas welcome you with full cups and open arms. We felt welcomed and at home from the minute we stepped in, and our barista carried on an interesting conversation while they prepared our coffee right in front of us.
The coffee was out of this world, and it’s easy to see why — they roast their beans right in plain view of their guests, so you’re guaranteed to get just about the freshest cup possible. Couple that with the care they take to meet farmers, establish real relationships with them, and choose beans specifically for their flavor profiles, and you’ve got a recipe for outstanding coffee.
The shop has a simple, industrial look to it, and it’s super clean, well-decorated, and very inviting.
2. Black Eye Coffee
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Looking for a more vintage look and feel in your coffee experience? Black Eye Coffee will not disappoint! Their style is understated retro, and the interior is complete with reclaimed wood, vintage furniture, and neon signs that scream the 1950s. The shop has a great atmosphere that is very relaxed and welcoming.
Their coffee is excellent, and they prepare your beverage right in front of you — an essential aspect of third-wave coffee shops. The baristas are very knowledgeable and happy to share their passion for coffee and people.
Black Eye Coffee also serves beer, wine, and a nice assortment of food.
3. Commonwealth Coffee Roasters
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Commonwealth Coffee Roasters is located in the northern part of the city, and they maintain a beautifully modern and clean shop. They roast their coffee just a few feet from where you’ll be ordering, so you can bet that your coffee will be as freshly roasted and full of flavor as possible.
The baristas are incredibly passionate about what they do, and they’re abundantly friendly and welcoming to anyone coming in the door. They expertly craft a variety of stunningly delicious coffees, including their signature cereal coffees made with cereal-infused milk. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t go back to try a few different offerings — they have a new variety each week.
They don’t serve any alcohol, but they do have vegan pastries and an assortment of specialty tea, so you’re bound to find something you love! This is one of the best Denver coffee shops out there.
4. Crema Coffee House
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Crema Coffee House on Larimer Street is the place to go for coffee variety! They don’t roast their own beans, but they do source from a wide array of roasteries located all around the country. You can often get fresh coffee from New York, California, and Seattle roasteries all in one place.
The atmosphere and decor are lightly energized but cozy at the same time, so it’s a great place to relax or get some work done — just note that they don’t have outlets, so bring backup batteries or keep your work time short.
The baristas are incredibly welcoming and friendly, and they’re happy to prepare your coffee right in front of you while they talk about their craft. You can expect lots of conversation too if you choose a pour-over coffee, as they come with free refills! Did someone say “over-caffeination?”
5. Amethyst Coffee Company
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Stepping into Amethyst Coffee Company is like stepping into your home — you’ll be met with super friendly service, great conversation, and a warmth that seems to permeate everyone and everything in the place. They have four different locations, each one cozier than the last.
Amethyst roasts their own coffee, which is delicious, complex, and as fresh as coffee can be. They also carry coffee from Commonwealth Coffee, but no matter where it comes from, it’s expertly crafted right in front of you by a barista who will probably remember your name after just a visit or two.
Their Broadway location serves wine and pastries, and their other locations have some lighter fare.
6. Huckleberry Roasters
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Huckleberry Roasters has two locations in Denver, and both are sure to wow with their natural, earthy decor and warm, inviting atmosphere. The interior is like industrial-meets-nature, and few places feel quite as homey. If you’re looking for Denver coffee shops with a little character, you’ll want to check this one out.
Their baristas are extraordinarily skilled and knowledgeable, and they’re happy to talk about their passion while they prepare your coffee in front of you. Many of their delectable coffee offerings are the artwork of Shelby Williamson, Huckleberry’s world-class barista, and the first woman from the United States to compete in the World Coffee Roasting Championship.
The coffee will blow you away, and the service and relaxed atmosphere will keep you coming back for more.
7. Queen City Collective Coffee
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One of Denver’s newest roasteries, Queen City Collective Coffee will astound you with their vast array of delicious, complex, and full-flavor coffee selections. They go out of their way to meet and establish relationships with farmers, and they give special support to female coffee farmers.
In our opinion, their lighter roasts are the best of the best in Denver, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a coffee that delivers more fruity complexity and bright acidity than at Queen City.
Their two Denver locations serve a nice assortment of food and pastries, as well as coffee-based cocktails and mocktails.
8. Weathervane Cafe
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Weathervane Cafe has a unique blend of delicious, single-origin coffees that are expertly roasted by Queen City Collective as well as robust, imaginative coffee creations that include ingredients you’d never guess mix well with coffee. This coffee shop knows flavor combinations on a level we never knew existed, so if you’re looking for something unique, look no further.
The atmosphere here is about as laid back as you can get, with comfy couches, small areas perfect for working, studying, or chatting, and vintage trinkets and decorations that will warm you to the bone.
The baristas here are remarkably friendly, and they seem to love casual conversation as they prepare your coffee for you.
9. Blue Sparrow Coffee
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Blue Sparrow Coffee is perhaps the most Instagram-friendly coffee shop on our list, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they hired a professional interior designer to construct the cozy-yet-energetic decor.
The baristas in both locations are very welcoming, and we were greeted with a smile and a desire to chit-chat as soon as we walked in.
You may be surprised that Blue Sparrow doesn’t offer pour-over or French press coffee but instead specializes in drip coffee offerings. Don’t worry, they’re still out of this world! They also serve a variety of other beverages like specialty tea and homemade sodas.
10. Whittier Cafe
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Last on our list, but certainly not least, Whittier Cafe in the dead center of the city is a hub for local art, art enthusiasts, and coffee lovers all the same. Their decor is very neutral and calm, and the other coffee shop customers are just as friendly as the baristas! There will be no shortage of conversation here!
This shop specializes in African coffees, some of the fruitiest and brightest coffees in the world. The owner makes a point to meet and form relationships with African coffee farmers, and the specially sourced beans are more than worth the effort because the coffee they serve is outstanding.
Whittier serves pastries as well as beer and wine, and they host art shows and social gatherings often.
Denver Coffee: Conclusion
There you have it: the best coffee shops in Denver! We were more than happy to make our way around the city and try these different Denver coffee shops. We’re confident you’ll enjoy the atmosphere, hospitality, conversation, and, most importantly, the coffee from every single one of them. Whenever you’re in Denver, we strongly recommend visiting these coffee shops for an experience you won’t soon forget! The best coffee in Denver is just around the corner.
Looking for more great coffee shops?
- Best Coffee in San Diego: 18 Great Coffee Shops
- 10 Amazing Atlanta Coffee Shops
- Where’s the Best Place to Buy Coffee Beans in Chicago?
Featured image credit: Pixy
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