The 10 BEST Coffee Shops in Denver in 2025

Amber Everywhere contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my privacy policy for more information.

Searching for the best coffee shops and cafes in Denver, Colorado? Here’s my list, as someone from the Mile High City. 

I grew up in Lakewood, Colorado and moved back to the Denver area after college. I’m also a bit of a coffee snob, and my favorite place to work on my laptop is in a cafe with a coffee in front of me. All of that is to say that I’ve tried seemingly countless cortados throughout the Mile High City. 

I wanted to share my list of the top coffee shops in Denver. In a city with so many coffee shops to choose from, one could be forgiven for getting a little lost. Consider this my personal list of the absolute best of the best.

At these coffee shops, you can expect that the espresso will be smooth and flavorful, not burned or bitter or sour. Similarly, the milk will be properly foamed, never scalded and flat. While some of the spots on this list are better than others for taking a seat and staying a while, I’ve spent hours working at each of them on various occasions. 

The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Denver

From the cozy vibes at Crema to the chic and thoughtful decor at Little Owl, these are my favorite coffee shops in Denver. Nearly all of them are also great places to work for a few hours, in case you’re planning to whip out your laptop. 

These are the places that I go back to time and time again; I hope you love them, too!

1. Crema Coffee House

The coffee at Crema is always delicious, and it easily tops this list for me. The espresso drinks are very consistent and served up by experienced baristas who seem unfazed by the lines that can sometimes stretch out the door. Of all the places with wonderful coffee on this list, Crema stands out in my mind because it has the best food and the homiest atmosphere. 

Crema boasts a full – for a cafe – menu, including breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and salads. A note on their salads: I don’t know where they get their salad greens, but they’re some of the freshest I’ve ever had–think browsing a farmer’s market fresh. If you told me they picked them from a rooftop garden to order for each salad, I would believe you. 

Their baked goods are nothing to scoff at either. My absolute favorite treat from Crema is a cinnamon roll, which comes loaded high with cream cheese frosting. 

Crema Coffee House: The Space

The space is lovely, with loads of wood, artwork, and exposed brick and a hodgepodge of tables and chairs. Think: college town coffee shop, but elevated. There are quite a few tables, but it’s a very popular spot and can be hard to get a seat. 

You can find free parking on the streets nearby, and it’s in the River North District (RiNo), so there’s a ton to do when you finish your coffee. If you’re in the area later into the afternoon, you can pop over to Barcelona (across the street) or Improper City or Los Chingones for happy hour. 

You can find Crema Coffee House at 2862 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205.

2. Little Owl 

I used to go to Little Owl all of the time when I worked in Downtown Denver, and I can’t imagine visiting the 16th Street Mall without stopping in. When I think of Little Owl, I always think of the gorgeous flower arrangements they have next to the pickup station and the bright, clean space. 

Little Owl has an impressive selection of fresh baked goods–including donuts!–that never disappoint. My go-to order is a morning bun and a cortado, which they serve up in what feels like record time. Seriously, if you’re in a hurry, go to Little Owl. 

I’m sure great people work at all of the cafes on this list, but Little Owl stands out to me as having baristas who are genuinely good people. I’ve seen them spot a coffee for a customer whose card was declined, offer a supportive word to someone having a bad day, and they always seem to be kind to each other while they work. They’re just the type of people you want to be around.

Little Owl: The Space

Little Owl is, as their name implies, a small spot in Denver. It’s beautifully decorated, bright, and airy. If you have time to stay a while, know that their space is not set up for a long day’s work. The outdoor seating, if you can grab it, is lovely, especially on a warm summer morning. 

The adjoining hotel has a bathroom that Little Owl patrons can use, but you’ll need to ask the baristas for access. 

You can find Little Owl at 1530 16th St., Denver, CO 80202.

3. Method Collective Roasters LoHi

Method Coffee Roasters LoHi is the sort of place that makes you want to wake up early, get there right when they open, and settle in for the first few hours of your day. Of all the Denver coffee shops, Method makes the most traditional cortado–exactly what you’re expecting (ok, maybe hoping for?) when you order it. 

The food options, though tasty, can feel a bit expensive (even when compared to Boulder’s prices). This is especially true of the breakfast burritos, which are small for their price tag but good enough that I order one basically every time I go. 

Be sure to grab a “good human” cookie while you wait for your coffee if they have the jar out.

Method Collective: The Space

Located in the Highlands, Method Collective is a very cute, open air (when the weather allows) coffee shop just off of Tejon Street. There’s plenty of street parking in the neighborhood, including some all day spots if you’re willing to search for them. 

The first thing you’re likely to notice is their large garage door that they open when the weather is nice to create a large indoor-outdoor seating area. If the garage door is open, it’s probably quiet enough for you to take a phone call, if needed. This is especially true if you sit in the “outside” portion of the cafe.

You can find Method Coffee Roasters LoHi at 2011 West 32nd Ave., Denver, CO 80211.

4. Thump Coffee

If Method Collective has the most traditional cortados, Thump has the creamiest. I’m not sure if they use a particularly creamy whole milk, or if they maybe add some cream to their cortados, but they are delicious and they should keep doing it. 

Maybe that doesn’t sound like what you want in your cortado? You’d be wrong. 

Also, the cortados are served with a side of sparkling water on a beautiful little slab of wood. I know this is a popular way to serve cortados these days, but I’ll go on record saying that Thump was the first place I saw this trend all of the way back in 2018.  

Thump Coffee: The Space

The setup is made for working remotely, though they do limit their wifi so you might need to tether. They have long tables that will vaguely remind you of a college library and also give you lots of room to spread out your papers and notebooks and laptop. 

It’s an ideal space for meeting up with a friend and working remotely together for a few hours. If you’re a college admissions counselor and you happen to be reading this, this would be a great place to post up and do interviews for a few hours.  

The location is great, too, with loads of free parking in the area (unlimited if you go a few blocks east down any of the side streets, just be sure to check the street sweeping signs). They have some great, but a bit pricey, food options at Thump. 

If I’m in this part of town for the day, I usually will grab lunch at Rocky Fin Poke, a 7 minute walk, or at The Corner Beet, a 5 minute walk. If, while you’re out walking around, you happen to want a doughnut, the locally famous Voodoo Doughnut shop is just a few minutes away from Rocky Fin.  

You can find Thump Coffee at 1201 E 13th Ave., Denver, CO 80218.

5. Novo Coffee

The coffee at Novo is good both in the conventional sense–great coffee at reasonable prices–and in more subtle ways. For instance, I can’t prove it, but I think they might put a little magic in their chai. It’s the best chai latte I’ve ever had, but I can’t put my finger on what, exactly, makes it stand out. 

I also can’t prove it, but the espresso at Novo seems somehow more caffeinated than standard espresso. 

Expect to wait a few minutes for your coffee at this busy cafe, which I usually attribute to the nearly constant line and fairly large menu. If there happens to be an issue with your order, the staff at Novo is unusually quick to fix the problem. 

In the many, many mornings I’ve wandered into Novo, I’ve had issues with my drink maybe 2-3 times, and each time it was promptly corrected. No attitude. No fuss. If you’re looking for a model of customer service that makes for happy coffee lovers, find your way to Novo. 

Novo Coffee: The Space

Novo is also located just off the 16th Street Mall, but it’s further from Union Station so less centrally located if you’re just buzzing through downtown. 

Immediately, you’ll sense that this coffee shop is a favorite for people who work in the area; it’s not uncommon to see a crowd that is mostly sporting business casual attire. The interior is somewhat reminiscent of a cafe at an art museum, with knick knacks on high shelves and a polished concrete floor. 

The tables are comfortably large, perfect for firing off a few emails or writing for a while. 

You can find Novo Coffee at 1600 Glenarm Pl., Denver, CO 80202.

6. Sweet Bloom 

If I had to summarize Sweet Bloom in a word, it would be precise. These guys know what they’re doing, and they have the awards to prove it. Believe me when I say that this little coffee shop punches above its weight. The owner of Sweet Bloom, Andy Sprenger, holds titles such as two-time US Brewers Cup Champion and runner-up in the World Brewers Cup Championship.

They’re even more prolific as roasters; I’ve seen Sweet Bloom beans as far away as Cork, Ireland. 

Sweet Bloom: The Space

While they have a few cafe locations, their tasting room and roastery in Lakewood will always be my favorite. You would almost certainly never bump into Sweet Bloom in Lakewood. It’s on an otherwise very quiet residential street a few blocks from the infamous Casa Bonita Mexican restaurant–as featured in South Park (season 7, episode 11). 

Everyone there specifically sought it out. 

Accordingly, if you’re coming to work for a few hours, be aware that they don’t have many food options and there’s not much in the area. 

It seems like they’re always changing the interior of the space, but in its current iteration there’s usually enough seating for everyone who wants to visit. It can also be quite loud in the cafe, as it is an active roastery, so definitely don’t plan to take any important calls here. I asked a friend to sum up what he likes most about Sweet Bloom and he said, “I just like it.” I couldn’t agree more. 

You can find Sweet Bloom at 1619 N. Reed St., Lakewood, CO 80214.

7. Corvus Coffee

Corvus Coffee is for the hipsters, and I mean that in the best way possible. This cafe is outright in its pretension, while backing it up with seriously great coffee. They roast their own beans, allowing them to fine tune every aspect of your cortado or cold brew. 

Cold coffee lovers, Corvus is the spot for you. This coffee shop is famous for its nitro cold brew, which is served in a snifter glass. For the true aficionados, they also have a Kyoto Japanese slow drip cold brew that you can try. 

Finally, I wouldn’t normally say this about a coffee shop, but inside the cafe Corvus has some pretty great merch. It’s really the only time I think I’ve ever been tempted to buy a mug from a coffee shop in Denver. 

Corvus Coffee: The Space

A friend first introduced me to Corvus Coffee many years ago and, because of its south Denver location, I didn’t make it there very often.

The interior at Corvus Coffee is a little dark, but it’s the perfect place to duck into to get a little work done during the week. They have a few outlets around, a decently large seating area, and great treats to keep you from getting too hungry. 

They have their own small parking lot behind the cafe, but it could fill up. If this happens, just drive into the nearby neighborhood and street park a block or two away. 

You can find Corvus Coffee at 1740 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210.

8. Port Side 

I scarcely visit Denver without stopping at Port Side, as it’s one of my favorite spots in the city for a coffee and breakfast sandwich. The cortados and other coffee drinks at Port Side are always strong, though they don’t do anything too fancy. 

My favorite thing about Port Side is their egg breakfast sandwiches, which are served on a very fluffy roll with cheese. Always ask for their homemade hot sauce, which I believe to be habanero flavored. It’s not particularly easy to find a great coffee shop or a breakfast sandwich in Denver, so it’s pretty special that Port Side does both so well. 

Port Side: The Space

Set in artsy and vibrant RiNo, Port Side is a great little cafe that’s off the beaten path of Denver coffee shops. On a clear summer morning, I love to sit outside and watch the world go by from their small patio. The interior is cozy and small, with a few tables where you can sit and work during the day. 

Street parking is available in the area, but you may need to circle the block a few times to find a spot in the early morning or late afternoon. 

You can find Port Side at 2500 Larimer St #103, Denver, CO 80205.

9. Improper City

For those planning to work remotely, you can hardly do better than Improper City – and that’s how it found its way onto this list. The coffee, while nowhere near as special as the other cafes on this list, is decent and perfect for staying focused while getting a little work done. 

Improper City: The Space

Set up like a hip coworking space with a phone booth, swings, and plentiful tables with outlets, Improper City is perfect for setting up for the day. The space gets natural light from the large windows at the front of the space, perfect for enjoying the Colorado sunshine. 

As the day turns into evening, Improper City transforms into a vibe more similar to a coworking space at happy hour. There are food trucks and games outside, lots of people chatting about startups and Denver businesses in Patagonia vests, and cocktails and local brews served at the bar. 

You can find Improper City at 3201 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205. 

10. Convivio Café

Convivio Café is a women-owned bilingual cafe in Denver that is owned and operated by Guatemalan immigrants. 

The cafe’s concept is based on the Guatemalan convivio or “get together where we’re all welcome.” The staff are friendly and welcoming, the space is open and community-centric, and the menu includes a variety of Latin American dishes. 

Unlike the chic and modern coffee shops on this list like Little Owl or Thump, Convivio Café serves up cafe del dia (black coffee), cafe con leche (lattes), and artisanal teas. Your coffee may come with some extra flavor and spice, like cardamom, cinnamon, or caramel. 

If you’ve been looking for a place to practice your Spanish, Convivio Café is definitely the spot for you!

Convivio Café: The Space

Convivio Café is another unique spot in Denver to grab a cup of coffee, set in the increasingly popular Berkeley neighborhood. Community is at the heart of everything at Convivo Café, and creating a welcoming space that celebrates the diversity of Denver’s neighborhoods is one of the cafe’s core values. 

This cafe would be a great place to get a little work done, enjoy lunch or a coffee with friends, or just try something new. Street parking is available near the cafe, just check signs to be sure there’s no street sweeping before you park. 

You can find Convivio Café at 4935 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212.

FAQs: Best Coffee Shops in Denver

Still have questions about Denver’s best coffee shops? Here are the answers to common queries from other travelers and coffee aficionados. 

Where can I work remotely in Denver?

Most Denver locals prefer to work remotely at the fabulous coffee shops throughout the city. Crema, Thump, Novo, and Improper City are all great places to work remotely in Denver. You can also work remotely from Union Station, where there are desks and couches available for you to sit on. 

What’s the best roaster in the Denver area?

The best roaster in the Denver area is Sweet Bloom, a coffee shop and roaster set in suburban Lakewood. You can visit their cafe or coffee shops using their beans as far away as Cork, Ireland. Corvus is also a great roaster in the area, and they have a few coffee shops in the Denver Metro Area. 

Which Denver Area coffee shops are open late?

There are a few Denver coffee shops that are known for being open late, making them favorites among students in the area. Near the Platte Park area is Stella’s Coffee Haus, a wonderful little spot with a distinctly academic feel that reminds me of Northampton, Massachusetts and is open daily until 10pm. Nearer central Denver is The Bardo Coffee House, a late night favorite that is open nightly until 12am. 

Conclusion: Best Coffee Shops in Denver

Denver is home to some pretty wonderful coffee shops, from its serious cafes to those catering to a remote work crowd. Throughout the city and into the suburbs, you can find great cortados, lattes, and cold brews in a homey or chic atmosphere. 

Despite Denver’s general lack of great bakeries (there are, of course, a few exceptions!), a few of these coffee shops even manage to source some wonderful pastries and baked goods. Crema makes their own amazing cinnamon rolls and other treats, while Little Owl sources original fare like olive oil cake with yuzu and hibiscus icing. 

Whether you’re just passing through Denver or moving to Colorado, I hope you find your new favorite coffee shop on this list!