City Guide / Denver

Your Guide to the Best Coffee Shops in Denver

By Felicia Brower | Aug 12, 2022
Best coffee in Denver

Denver, Colorado, has an ever-expanding coffee culture where quality is key, and the beans and the people who grow them matter. The Mile High City has an incredible selection of coffee shops and cafes in every neighborhood that are perfect for getting in your daily dose of caffeine, working remotely, taking meetings, catching up with a friend, or simply changing up your scenery.

Whether you like coffee or tea or are willing to try some fun seasonal specialty drinks, we’ve put together a list of 11 coffee shops in Denver that locals love, including:

  1. Bardo Coffee House
  2. Huckleberry Roasters
  3. Aviano Coffee
  4. Dandy Lion Coffee Co.
  5. Queensberry Coffee
  6. Blue Sparrow Coffee
  7. Hudson Hill
  8. Wash Perk
  9. Corvus Coffee Roasters
  10. Weathervane Cafe
  11. Copper Door Coffee Roasters

Let’s get started!

1. Bardo Coffee House (Baker)

While many coffee shops are typically only open until mid-afternoon, Bardo Coffee House in the Baker neighborhood is one of the few in Denver open from 6 a.m. until midnight every day of the week. This coffee shop has free Wi-Fi, free customer parking near the shop, and a color laser printer available for public use, making it a perfect spot to get some late-night work done. Since the shop is located on South Broadway, it’s easy to grab some food or a drink nearby when you’re ready for a break.

2. Huckleberry Roasters (Sunnyside and Downtown Denver)

You can check out Huckleberry Roasters in two locations in Denver—Sunnyside and Dairy Block in Downtown Denver—and each offers different vibes but the same great coffee. Dairy Block is a micro-district packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and more, so you can drink and dine after your visit to the coffee shop.

Want to brew your own HUCK coffee beans at home? Order online from their extensive catalog.

3. Aviano Coffee (Cherry Creek)

Aviano’s dog-friendly patio is a big draw for coffee lovers in Cherry Creek who want to bring their furry friends to the coffee shop with them. They have two bustling locations in the neighborhood with different hours, so you can choose which Aviano location you want to visit based on how late you want to stay.

We recommend trying their affogatos, which combine coffee with Right Cream ice cream to create the perfect treat on a hot Denver day.

4. Dandy Lion Coffee Co. (Park Hill)

Part craft coffee shop and part plant shop, Dandy Lion Coffee Co. in the Park Hill neighborhood has a truly unique atmosphere. In addition to being a bright and welcoming establishment, they also have an indoor greenhouse and swing seats to bring a little whimsy to your workday or coffee date.

5. Queensberry Coffee (LoHi)

Queensberry Coffee, formerly Black Eye Coffee, is a coffee shop housed in a historic and storied building in LoHi. They recently changed their name to better reflect their evolution, but they still serve the same good coffee with the bonus of local and craft beer and wine.

Ask the baristas about their one-of-a-kind seasonal drinks, like the Hazelnut Chamomile Apricot latte.

6. Blue Sparrow Coffee (RiNo and Downtown Denver)

With their highly curated rotating roaster list, Blue Sparrow always shows their patrons that they’re getting the best beans possible. Their menu also includes espresso drinks for when you need a quick boost, refreshing specialty drinks, and fresh-baked pastries from Black Box.

Dogs are welcome on the patios of both locations, but the Backyard on Blake location in RiNo also has a rooftop where you can soak up the sun and views of the mountains and Denver’s skyline.

7. Hudson Hill (Capitol Hill)

As a coffee shop by day and cocktail bar at night, Hudson Hill is a popular place in Cap Hill to get work done. After you wrap up your workday, hang around and unwind during happy hour with some food and a drink (or two!).

Their menu changes seasonally, so while you can get tea, espresso, or even a Dalgona whipped coffee, you can also try things like the Hudson Hill Sucker Punch made with hibiscus, lemon, rosemary, and orange.

8. Wash Perk (Washington Park)

Located just a few blocks from Denver’s Washington Park, Wash Perk is a local favorite for good reason. Take a walk around one of the park’s two lakes, then head over to the cafe to enjoy their great coffee, delicious baked goods served by hospitable baristas, and spacious patio (well-behaved furry friends are welcome!).

9. Corvus Coffee Roasters (South Broadway and Denver Tech Center)

Corvus Coffee is trying to make the coffee world better for coffee lovers and growers alike. They work directly with farmers all over the world to bring back the best beans for those looking to expand their palates. Corvus Coffee is also one of the few area roasters with their own canned cold brew.

Whether you choose hot or cold, be sure to pair your brew with an incredible pastry from their sister bakery, The Fox & The Raven.

10. Weathervane Cafe (City Park West)

Weathervane in City Park West is unlike any other cafe in Denver. Located in an 1896 historic carriage house, this coffee shop doesn’t have Wi-Fi and has a one-hour limit for visits, making it an ideal place to grab a breakfast sandwich or take a quick (in-person) meeting.

To make the most of your time, order ahead and skip the line. We recommend trying their Happy Camper Latte made with espresso, smoky maple syrup, steamed milk, and a dusting of pine sugar.

11. Copper Door Coffee Roasters (Lowry, Cheesman Park, and Baker)

Copper Door Coffee Roasters is Denver’s only 100% female-owned roaster, and they’ve built up quite the reputation for their impeccable small-batch coffee. They have three cafes located around the city, including one at the Denver Botanic Gardens so you can sip while you enjoy a stroll through the flowers. Need a fun date idea? Take coffee-themed classes at their Baker location and learn about things like latte art or cupping.

Looking to move to Denver, Colorado?

If you’re planning to move to the Mile High City, Landing has fully furnished apartments with flexible lease terms in whichever neighborhood you have your eyes on. No matter where you choose in the city, your future favorite Denver coffee shop awaits.

Take a look at the available apartments in Denver and learn more about what a Landing membership can do for you today!

blog-cta-city-denver
Felicia Brower

Felicia Brower is a Denver-based freelance travel and lifestyle writer who loves to write about exploring the city and the great outdoors of Colorado. She loves the weird, wild, and wonderful and when she's not busy working, you can find her hiking, wandering around Denver, or planning her next adventure. (Let her know your suggestions!) Her work has been previously published in Atlas Obscura, AARP, Ohio Magazine, and Natural Awakenings. Connect with her on Twitter at @feliciaistyping.