15 Best Coffee Shops to Visit on International Coffee Day in Denver (September 29)
I love coffee. There’s nothing better than sitting in a cozy coffee shop or outside on its patio and enjoying a well-made cup of coffee. In fact, for those of you who read this website regularly, you’ll notice that I spend a lot of time thinking about coffee. If there’s a coffee shop in Denver or somewhere in the metro area that I’m excited by-you’ll likely find me going to check it out eventually.
Denver has a very well-developed coffee culture that has gotten even better in the past 5 years. There a number of local coffee shop concepts across town that I think are worth the visit if you get a chance. Before I share this list I will say that all of these shops have great coffee. I’ve decided to point out an additional component that makes the shop stand out in addition to a great cup of joe!
* In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please read my disclosure here.*
Cowtown Denver Newsletter
Related Posts
15 Denver Coffee Shops to Visit During International Coffee Day
#1-Best Seasonal Drink Menu–Sonder Denver
It’s really weird to me that I don’t hear more talk about Sonder Denver. Maybe that’s because the original shop is in Aurora (it’s really cute). But, there’s also a Denver location at Junction Food and Drink-a food hall I absolutely love. What makes Sonder stand out is it’s outstanding seasonal drink menu throughout the year. Sonder Denver NEVER misses when they roll out each season’s new drink menu. Last year I lost my mind when I saw that they fresh roasted marshmallows for my drink. Fresh pumpkin pure in my pumpkin latte? Hell, yes! They just make consistently incredible drinks.
#2 Best Fireplace Fixture and Overall Vibes–Vibe Coffee and Wine
If you speak Russian, watch out, many of the team members at Vibe speak Russian. But, in all seriousness, Vibe Coffee and Wine is a wonderful addition to downtown Denver. I remember when it originally opened during the waning days of COVID and it was so welcoming. I especially love the fireplace fixture in the middle of the shop. If you’re looking for a lively, fun space with students working on their homework, convention goers meeting up and locals hanging out Vibe Coffee and Wine is the space for you. I especially love their Super Food Latte offerings in particular the Golden Orange.
#3 Best Food Menu–Little Finch (16th Street Mall-Blake Street)
In my view, Little Finch, is the best out of the three concepts designed by the Olive & Finch team. They kicked it out of the ballpark in terms of the design of the space. But where Little Finch absolutely shines is in its food offerings. One of my biggest complaints about American coffee shops is that the food offerings are often very sweet. Or, only sweets are offered. Little Finch has a well-composed range of eats that are delicious and reasonably priced.
#4 Best Patio–Steam Espresso Bar (Both Locations)
This family owned coffee shop duet has build an incredibly passionate die hard fandom. For me, Steam Espresso Bar has one of the most European coffee shop experiences in town. The shops are very much an extension of the neighborhoods that they’re in and if you’re a regular-you know the other regulars who are sipping slowly on their drinks, watching their kids play or telling their dogs to calm down. It’s done what Starbucks now struggles to do-become “The Third Place” that space outside of work and home where people congregate to.
#5 Best Community Experience–Whittier Café
There are so many wonderful things to love about the Whittier Cafe. The exceptional coffee quality with beans sourced from African nations. A massive patio that’s always busing with positive energy, people and hometown Denver vibes. Every Sunday there’s even an Ethiopian Coffee ceremony around 2:00 pm in the afternoon. What could top all of that? A deep commitment to the greater Denver Community. Something that many of us deeply appreciate and care about as Denver changes due to growth and gentrification.
#6 Best Local Coffee Chain–Ziggi’s Coffee
It’s way overdue for Ziggi’s Coffee to open a location close to downtown Denver. If you’re looking for deliciously, decadent coffee drinks-Ziggi’s Coffee is the place to go to indulge. I also enjoy getting the signature chocolate covered espresso bean with certain drinks so that I can be super amped up after indulging in one of the many drinks that Ziggi’s Coffee’s team had so much fun designing.
#7 Best Fresh Made Waffles–Stylus and Crate
There is nothing better than a freshly made waffle. Add to that a cozy atmosphere with great music playing on the record player and a super friendly team makes Stylus and Crate in Wheat Ridge a coffee shop that needs to be added to your regular rotation (pun intended). If you’re a fan of records-there’s even a nice variety of records available for purchase.
#8 Best International Menu–Convivio Café
When I tell you that I happily drive across town often to Convivio Café because it’s so wonderful-I’m not exaggerating. What makes Convivio Café stand out besides the fact that it’s a Guatemalan inspired, woman owned coffee shop-it’s the menu. I’ve never encountered the offerings on this menu anywhere in Denver or any of the many coffee shops that I’ve enjoyed across the US. It’s truly one of the most unique coffee experiences that you’ll have in town and the space is warm and inviting (as is the team)
#9 Best Shop Decor–Dandy Lion Coffee
Dandy Lion Coffee used to be in Zeppelin Station until COVID forced it to close doors and change spaces. It’s a good thing that happened because the new location has allowed the owners to design one of the cutest coffee shops in Denver. There are swings in the shop, swings (they don’t go too high) there’s also flowers and an inviting patio with a fire pit. If you’re a plant parent-this is the place for you.
#10 Best Social Good Concept–Prodigy Coffee
One of my personal missions is to do good in the world whenever possible. This could be via small gestures such as donating to a cause I care about, advocating for others or buying a meal for someone else when visiting The S.A.M.E. Cafe or enjoying Civic Center Eats Eats for All program. Prodigy Coffee helps young people learn valuable skills through a program that employs teens. The coffee is great and the shop is a great place to sit and relax at as well.
#11 Best Shop for Coffee Enthusiasts with Gluten Allergies–Rivers and Roads
If you’re living with a gluten allergy and are looking for a gluten-free coffee shop in Denver-look no further. Rivers and Roads is a completely gluten-free coffee shop that makes it easy to enjoy your favorite cup of joe and a pastry. Relax on the patio and people watch
#12 Best Coffee Shop with Ice Cream–Smith and Cannon
Smith and Cannon Coffee shop combines two of my favorite food items-coffee and ice cream. Now located in Colorado Mills Mall, you can sip a delicious cup of coffee while enjoying outlet shopping and a quintessentially Colorado shopping experience. Make sure to place an order for your favorite beans or ice cream as well (great for holiday and birthday gifts)
#13 Best Lavender Latte-The Botanical Bakery of Denver
I’m not sure when it started but I have a weird obsession with floral lattes, especially lavender lattes. There is an art to making them perfectly so that they don’t taste like soap. The Botanical Bakery has the best lavender latte in town. It also has one of the most whimsical coffee shop spaces too. The baked items are beautiful and most have edible flowers incorporated into them. They are changing locations so make sure to follow them on Instagram or sign up for their email list so that you know when they reopen and can continue to support the shop.
#14 Best Denver Coffee Shop with Mountain Locations–Unravel Coffee
The orignal Unravel Coffee is located east of the Best Buy on Colorado Boulevard in a little strip mall in the Virginia Village neighborhood. That one store has now branched out to locations in Breckenridge, Vail, Winter Park and Aspen. Great coffee, outstanding pastries and I have enjoyed visiting all of the locations except for Aspen because I haven’t visited Aspen in the past couple of years.
#15-Best Hidden Coffee Shop–The Wild
Sometimes when I visit The Wild it feels like I’m in on a secret. It’s located across the street from Union Station but you wouldn’t know it if you didn’t know where to look. It has a lovely patio, well-crafted coffee drinks and a whole different evening happy hour and night vibe. It’s also where I had one of the best customer service experiences in Denver. A couple of years ago I was on my way to the airport and stopped inside the shop for a coffee. I didn’t realize that I’D FORGOTTEN MY CREDIT CARD. I made my way across the street and boarded the Train to the Plane. When all of the sudden someone opened the door and handed my card to me. The door closed within seconds of that exchange and then the train pulled away. She’d run all the way over to find me. Epic. Yes, I did send over an email about it because-that was incredible.