Denver runs on good coffee. The city has a serious community of independent roasters, and some of the best cups are poured in small, quiet rooms far from the tourist trail. This list is our pick of where to start the day, from a quick espresso to a sit-down breakfast before the drive to the mountains.
The ranking is our curated list, judged on the quality of the coffee and food and how pleasant each café is to spend time in, and cross-checked with the live Google rating shown next to each place.
The Denver Moments Index
The 11 best cafés in Denver, curated.
A curated list, cross-checked with the MICHELIN Guide where it applies. Beside each one, its rating on Google Maps, live, and a tap to Yelp and Tripadvisor to compare. Prefer the crowd's view? Sort by Google rating.
11 cafés
01
Photo: Corvus Coffee Roasters · Google Corvus Coffee Roasters
Specialty coffee · South Broadway
One of Denver's most respected roasters, with its flagship on South Broadway and cafés in Uptown and RiNo. Ask what's on the single-origin bar and take your time.
- Quick coffee
- Coffee nerds
- Work-friendly
02
Photo: Sweet Bloom Coffee · Google Sweet Bloom Coffee
Specialty coffee · Lakewood
A west-side roaster that coffee professionals swear by, known for light, expressive roasts. The Lakewood roastery café sits conveniently on the way to the mountains.
- Coffee nerds
- On the way to the mountains
03
Photo: Ben Blue · Google Novo Coffee
Specialty coffee · Congress Park
A Denver roaster since the early days of the city's coffee scene, with cafés downtown, in Congress Park and near Cheesman Park. Dependable, friendly and well made every time.
- Quick coffee
- Work-friendly
04
Photo: Middle State Coffee · Google Middle State Coffee
Specialty coffee · Highlands
A thoughtful roaster with cafés in the Highlands and Baker, and natural wine on the shelves for later. Calm rooms that invite a second cup.
- Work-friendly
- Coffee nerds
05
Photo: Aviano Coffee Cherry Creek North · Google Aviano Coffee
Specialty coffee · Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek's favorite espresso bar, with two locations in the shopping district. The right pause between boutiques.
- Quick coffee
- Shopping break
06
Photo: Zachary Epps · Google Pigtrain Coffee Co.
Specialty coffee · Union Station
The coffee counter inside Union Station's Great Hall. Take your cup to one of the hall's armchairs before a train or a walk through LoDo.
- Quick coffee
- Train travel
07
Photo: Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen (Five Points) · Google Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen
Bakeries, bagels & breakfast · Five Points
Denver's answer to a New York bagel, made with water treated to match New York's famous tap. Go early for lox and a schmear.
- Sit-down breakfast
- Grab-and-go
- Families
08
Photo: Mercantile · Google Mercantile Dining & Provision
Bakeries, bagels & breakfast · Union Station
By day, Union Station's market and café, with pastries, sandwiches and good coffee. The best breakfast in town if you're sleeping upstairs at The Crawford.
- Pastries
- Sit-down breakfast
- Train travel
09
Photo: Gk · Google Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Bakeries, bagels & breakfast · Union Station
The Denver-born brunch spot known for pancake flights and long weekend lines. The Union Station location makes a cheerful start to a day downtown.
- Sit-down breakfast
- Families
- Brunch
10
Photo: Olive & Finch · Google Olive & Finch
Bakeries, bagels & breakfast · Union Station
A bright all-day café and bakery with a branch inside Union Station. Healthy bowls, good pastries and quick counter service.
- Healthy
- Pastries
- Quick bite
11
Photo: Hudson Hill · Google Hudson Hill
Coffee by day, drinks by night · Capitol Hill
Coffee in the morning, cocktails and natural wine at night, in one well-designed room on 13th Avenue. Ideal when you can't decide what kind of stop you need.
- Work-friendly
- Cocktails
- Date night
Good to know
Union Station is the easiest breakfast hub in the city: Pigtrain, Mercantile, Snooze and Olive & Finch are all under one roof, beside the A Line train to the airport. If you're catching a flight, it's a pleasant place to wait.
Driving west to the ski areas? Sweet Bloom in Lakewood is close to the start of the drive, and our chauffeurs are happy to stop for coffee on the way. Stops on request are part of every private transfer to the mountains.
Weekend brunch lines are real, especially at Snooze. Go before 9 am or on a weekday. For a full day plan, pair your coffee with our list of things to do in Denver or a neighborhood walk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coffee shop in Denver?
Our first pick is Corvus Coffee Roasters on South Broadway, for the quality of its roasting and its single-origin bar. Sweet Bloom and Novo are close behind.
Where can I get breakfast near Union Station?
Inside the station itself: Mercantile Dining & Provision, Snooze, Olive & Finch and Pigtrain Coffee Co. are all in or beside the Great Hall.
Where is the best bagel in Denver?
Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen in Five Points, which treats its water to match New York's tap.
Can we stop for coffee on the way to the mountains?
Yes. Stops on request are included in every mountain transfer, so tell your chauffeur where you'd like to pause.