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Best Coffee Shops in Denver | Usaj Realty’s Top Picks

Best Coffee Shops in Denver | Usaj Realty’s Top Picks

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If you spend any time walking around Denver, it becomes apparent the city is powered by two very distinct but disparate beverages — coffee and craft beer.

While craft beer may get the headlines, coffee shops fuel the populace with chain stores as well as cozy, independent neighborhood cafes. Serving up everything from dark roast to lattes, Denver’s brewing scene is dominated, not by the hops, but by the beans.

At last count, Google maps identified over 100 coffee shops in Denver that focus on not only the perfect cup of coffee but also  ambiance, food, and barista charm. Whether it’s in a to-go container or a soup-size mug, nothing beats starting the day with a hot beverage in the morning with friends or family. Many of the coffee shops feature local coffee roasters like Kaladi Kabod, Novo, Corvus, Allegro, Coda and  Sweet Bloom.

From Highlands to Washington Park, Central Park to Ruby Hill, you’ll find an amazing array of coffee shops that are sure to fire up your day. Here is a list of some of the best coffee shops in Denver, in no particular order, according to members of the Usaj Realty brokerage.

Carbon Cafe

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Kira Fleischer, Broker Associate

Get your fill of coffee and a whole lot more in this all-day eatery that will fill your breakfast, brunch, and dinner needs. The amazing vibe features an array of tantalizing delights from pastries to tots to burgers (and everything in between). Featuring a full-slate of coffee and tea drinks along with cold brews, cocktails and a big-time happy hour from 3-6 p.m., you can’t go wrong at their fabulous location in LoHi.

1553 Platte St. (LoHi neighborhood)

Kaladi 

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Tori Casella, Broker Associate

With the goal of bringing a new standard of coffee quality and a place to celebrate community, Kaladi Coffee Roasters source the highest quality coffee beans from growers focusing on sustainable farming practices. As a result, this coffee is brimming with body, taste and aroma that is often lost in the products of the large chains. By employing the Fluid-bed Air Roasting technique and using the best equipment available, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cup of coffee anywhere.

1730 E. Evans (University neighborhood)

2823 S. Broadway (Englewood)

Prodigy

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Recommended by Megan Ivy, Broker Associate

More than just a coffee house, Prodigy provides meaningful work opportunities for young adults struggling to find themselves. Young adults disconnected from school and/or work are invited into a year-long apprenticeship to build skills and obtain experience to establish good work habits and meaningful careers. Serving up a variety of coffee drinks, specialty drinks, cold brews and delicious breakfast items, you’re sure to become a return customer. Don’t forget to order the hand-held waffle! Fabulous atmosphere and fun people.

3801 E. 40th Ave. (Clayton neighborhood)

Hoja

Maddy Hollar | Denver Realtor

Recommended by Maddy Hollar, Broker Associate

Hoja is a breakfast and brunch place but boasts some pretty amazing coffee. This laid-back spot is a great choice for delicious cup of joe, homemade bread and Mexican-influenced dishes. You can even get a cocktail to boot. Try their Cafe de Olla drink — it’s their house specialty and includes espresso strength Mexican cold brew, spiced piloncillo syrup, almond milk and orange.

1284 S Pearl St (Platt Park neighborhood)

Nook

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Tori Bradley, Broker Associate

Located in heart of downtown Littleton, this quaint coffee shop will get your day going properly with plenty of caffeinated drinks, breakfast sandwiches,  pastries and Little Man ice cream! Is it closer to lunch? No problem! Get your fill of tasty panini, baguette, and wrap sandwiches. They also have gluten-free options and yummy fresh juice.

2449 W. Main St. (Littleton)

Other Usaj Realty Favorites

Queensberry Rules Coffeebest coffee in denver

Embracing the working-class history and character of the LoHi Denver neighborhood, this cafe has classic good looks with an exposed brick wall, throwback cooler and interior touches that make your visit one to remember. Featuring breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch, everything is fresh and made in-house.

3408 Navajo St. (LoHi neighborhood)

Downpours

With three locations, Berkeley, Congress Park and South Pearl, this purveyor offers several local coffee roasters, Ritual chocolate, yummy breakfast burritos and pastries. The Congress Park location has a fabulous patio.

3937 Tennyson St. (Berkeley neighborhood)

1200 Clayton St. (Congress Park neighborhood)

1085 S. Pearl St. (Washington Park West neighborhood)

Whittier Cafe

Experience Denver’s only African espresso bar. All of their coffee comes from various African nations including Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee! If you’re not in the mood for coffee, enjoy beer and wine from Africa. Whitter Cafe believes in social justice and supports related causes.

1710 East 25th Ave. (Whittier neighborhood)

Aviano

Aviano prides itself on the creativity of their coffee beverages and the spaces they create. If the ambiance isn’t enough to get you heading to Cherry Creek, they also serve up Intelligentsia Coffee, a fantastic roasting company out of Chicago.

244 Detroit St + 215 S Paul St (Cherry Creek neighborhood)

Coffee at the Point

Coffee at The Point (The Point) is located in the heart of the historic Five Points neighborhood. The Point provides quality products and excellent customer service. Providing unparalleled focus on their clients, this coffee and wine lounge features 3,000 square feet of space, free WiFi, the luxury of free covered parking, an experienced staff, a large shaded patio and a broad menu that includes beer, wine, gelato, sandwiches, and more.  The Point is community inspired and driven as it donates 95% of space to nonprofits and other meeting groups.

710 East 26th Ave. (Five Points neighborhood)

Buzz Coffee

Buzz Cafe is conveniently located in Alamo Placita and near the historic Country Club and Cheeseman Park neighborhoods. Great coffee brews and exceptional breakfast, lunch and snack items.  Free WiFi is available with purchase, and enjoy the outdoor patio seating that is dog-friendly. Lots of nearby parking.

1229 E. 6th Ave. (Alamo Placita neighborhood)

Huckleberry Roasters


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Huckleberry has graced the Mile High City with  two locations: one in the Sunnyside neighborhood and one at the Dairy Block in downtown Denver. As a sustainable company with some darn good coffee, either of their locations are full of charm and worth a visit.

4301 N. Pecos St. (Sunnyside neighborhood)

1800 Wazee St. (LoDo neighborhood)

Sojourners Coffee & Tea

Located in Virginia Vale, Sojourners concentrates on providing great coffee and tea to the Denver community.  That means brewing espressos on the beloved Synesso Cyncra, offering French Press coffee, and individually brewing teas by the cup or pot using loose leaf teas. Sojourners uses mostly locally roasted coffee (Coda Coffee and Novo Coffee), but occasionally Sojourners brings in guest roasts from outside the Denver area. Our single leaf teas are from Teatulia, a Denver-based company, and The Tea Spot, a company from Boulder. Pastries come from Laurent Gava’s Figaro Bakery and The Last Crumb Bakery, a gluten-free baked goods provider.

1501 S. Holly St. (Virginia Vale neighborhood)

Quince Coffee House

To many, a great coffee shop is one where you can snuggle up into a corner and get some serious work knocked out, but is equally conducive to meeting clients or sitting down with a good friend to talk to. Tucked away in the East Colfax neighborhood of Denver, this hidden gem checks all those boxes and is well worth the trek. Housed in a converted old home with all the quaint charm you can imagine, enjoy the porch or backyard on a nice day. If the weather isn’t cooperating, there are three small rooms with an eclectic variety of chairs, sofas, and high top tables from which to work. Offering all the basics from great coffee and local eats to free WiFi, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff and will leave a happy customer.

1447 Quince St. (East Colfax neighborhood)

Devil’s Food Bakery & Cookery

devils food bakery denver

Devil’s Food Bakery opened on Old South Gaylord Street in 1999 serving pastries, coffee and tea. Now with an expanded facility, it serves breakfast, lunch, supper brunch and pastries, and is a favorite stop in this popular Denver neighborhood. From chicken and waffles to quinoa cakes and eggs, this cafe is bound to have an offering that satisfies your cravings.

1004 S. Gaylord St.  (Old South Gaylord Street neighborhood)

BookBar on Tennyson

OK, it serves a mean cup of coffee but also boasts a bookstore and wine bar. What’s not to like? Guided by owner Nicole Sullivan’s principle of developing community through books and beverages, BookBar offers recurring events including happy hour, storytime and book clubs. If you want to sit on their dynamite patio, reservations are strongly suggested. 

4280 Tennyson St. (Berkeley neighborhood)

Amante Coffee

This hidden gem, located in the Oxford Hotel Annex in LoDo, has a great selection of teas and coffees. Amante gets a double word score for having a low-key, cost-effective happy hour. Its proximity to Union Station keeps this place hopping.  Amante is perfect for an espresso and breakfast pastry. In the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine while people-watching from the patio or window seats.

1612 17th St. (LoDo neighborhood)

(Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in November of 2017. It has been updated and revised to reflect new information).

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