Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the major city of Denver is a gateway for the outdoor adventurer. Denver provides easy access to world-class skiing, hiking, and high-elevation scenery that offers breathtaking views (literally).
But the city itself is also a cultural hub, offering art, craft breweries, and an exploding food scene that keeps Denver on the move and constantly active. A nationally notable specialty coffee scene has been present in Denver for many years, in tandem with the city’s nonstop 21st Century growth.
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Denver appeals to every age and continues to be one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. The Front Range, the mountainous region that rises between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, includes most of Colorado’s largest cities expanding Denver’s influence even further. In recent years, the coffee scene has seen names come and go, but as the cities in The Front Range grow into open spaces new coffee roasters and cafes emerge, eager to supply their new communities.
Crema Coffee House
North of downtown in the vibrant arts community of RiNo (short for Riverside North), known for its colorful murals, creative spaces, and local artists, is Crema Coffee House. Denver’s OG coffee spot is as local as it gets. A no-frills cafe that still holds to its original model of being a multi-roaster shop only.
Open in 2009, Crema Coffee House has experienced a lot throughout the years, earning a deep respect and a permanent place within the Denver coffee scene. A visit to Crema will put you in a line of people that ebbs and flows between inside the building and outside on the sidewalk. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s dialed in every single time. Loyal customers have been coming for years, and the cafe offers an impressive selection of local (Denver) roasters, as well as out-of-state (and sometimes international) guest roasters. Sample this array of roasters to drink in the shop, or take beans away for home, and definitely check out the cafe’s in-house bakery and kitchen.
Being a cafe that serves numerous roasters daily is a skill and dedication that is rare to find. Fueled by local pride and love for its community, it’s not hard to see why Crema Coffee House is adored by many and has, over the last 15 years, become a Denver specialty coffee icon.
Hearth Bakery + Coffee Shop
Tucked away beneath a hot-spot Japanese sushi restaurant, you’ll find Hearth Bakery & Coffee Shop. Hearth opened quietly in the summer of 2022 and just a few blocks from the busy Arts District of RiNo. The bakery shares its space with sister brand Tablón Coffee. Tablón Coffee manages Hearth’s coffee program and pairs its coffee menu tastefully with some of the city’s best baked goods.
Specializing in roasting small batches of coffee from distinct farms, Tablón keeps their selection minimal but intentional. Behind the counter, a sleek Kees van der Westen Spirit espresso machine and locally crafted ceramic vessels reflect their commitment to quality and eco-friendliness. To-go orders come in reusable glass jars.
The staff here is talented and knowledgeable, and that’s helpful for a space with such a distinct identity. The word is out on Hearth Bakery; this place felt like an insider spot for its first year or so in business, but that’s changed fast, and today it’s one of Denver’s buzziest coffee options.
Jubilee Roasting Co.
East of Denver in Aurora, Jubilee has been a community favorite since 2016. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, walk through the doors of Jubilee you’ll find friendliness and an uplifting presence. It’s a refined and beautiful experience.
The scene is busy inside: a roasting space in the back is a hive of work, packing buckets for weekly wholesale delivery and shipping off in fully compostable bags via their online home subscription platform. Public cuppings are offered on the cafe side each week, teaching customers to discover the nuances of coffee and sharing insights on the relationship between roasters and producers.
Up front, you’ll find a creative menu full of rotating specials, often featuring products sourced from local farmers and businesses. The cafe’s colorful Origami pour-over bar is a highlight, and a great to dive deeper on featured offerings from Jubilee’s roasting program.
Jubilee holds nothing back when it comes to sourcing, roasting, and serving great coffee. This is another must-visit.
Lula Rose General Store
Another well-known staple in the Denver coffee scene is Lula Rose General Store. Lula’s is widely known for its coffee, fresh pastries, and flowers. Situated on busy Colfax Ave, it’s tough to miss this charming cafe, where sun streams in through the midcentury windows and a scent of fresh flowers mingles with coffee.
Lula Rose features several roasters based in Denver, but in 2023 they rolled out their own brand, called Gold Wax, which is roasted on a Bellwether. Expect a Gold Wax house blend and then rotating single origin coffees, alongside flowers and some great people watching out the front window. A dreamy pink La Marzocco Linea helps set the scene, and there’s much to explore in the blocks leading either direction.
Sweet Bloom
Perhaps the best known specialty coffee roaster in Colorado, Sweet Bloom has built a reputation amongst home brewers and professionals alike over the last decade. Coffee pros might recognize the brand from its presence on coffee competitions, but more casual drinkers are drawn to their exciting coffees, expertly roasted and often showing off the creative boundaries of coffee sourcing and processing.
Sweet Bloom now has three locations around the Denver area, each one offering a consistent and quality experience.
At the roastery location in Lakewood, visitors catch an industrial glimpse into what it looks like to be a specialty coffee roasting facility as it showcases the entire process from roasting to packaging, with a training lab in full operation throughout each day. Online or in line, you can expect something wonderful. If your destination is Denver, or passing through on your way to the mountains, Sweet Bloom is an absolute must-visit for locals and visitors alike.
Mango Tree
South of Denver, Mango Tree opened its cafe and roastery in the heart of a busy city block surrounded by popular bars and restaurants with great anticipation. Built out in 2021 with a focus on creating community, this has fast become one of the city’s best cafes.
Free parking and plenty of space to share has certainly helped, quickly establishing Mango Tree as a local favorite. Coffee is roasted on-site, and it feels like there’s a contagious interest amongst baristas and customers to explore and appreciate new coffees. This cafe often gets quite busy, but I’ve always been impressed by the barista team’s exceptional customer service and efficiency. Watching them crush a rush is fun.
The atmosphere created by Mango Tree brings a small-town-like feel to its cafe and its busy intersection. Jump in line with loyal locals, and come experience why this is a go-to coffee destination for so many Denver locals.
Lost Coffee
Farther south and expanding out towards the growing suburbs of Denver, Lost Coffee has quite a lot to offer. The brand’s mission is to help support women producers, local non-profits, and a love for the great outdoors.
Now with five locations dotting the Denver metro, each outpost of Lost Coffee offers a wholesome, lived-in feel. Monthly specials and small batch roasts are popular, and the staff helps create a neighborhood vibe.
My favorite Lost Coffee location is in Littleton, where Lost Coffee operates out of a beautifully repurposed gas station and auto repair shop. Natural light floods the entire space as it offers a few tables near their roasting operation. Outside, seating expands out onto the parking lot and under the old fuel pump canopy. Every inch of the space makes this a prime spot to relax and enjoy those sunny days with a friend, sipping coffee roasted just a few feet away.
Pete Milne is a coffee professional and freelance journalist based in Denver. This is Pete Milne’s first feature for Sprudge.
