5 Must-Visit Coffee Shops outside denver: Local Cafes Worth the Trip
Denver's coffee culture pulses with creativity. Inside historic buildings and modern shops are spaces to connect with friends over quality coffee. Each cup tells a story of craft, community, and Colorado's character.
Colorado's mountain views and culture create the perfect backdrop for its coffee scene. Denver's coffee culture pursues quality, with roasters and cafes pushing boundaries in technique and flavor. Denver’s coffee scene reflects its beer and food scene, as roasters, breweries, and restaurants share a focus on technique and flavor.
Whether you're a local seeking a new weekend spot or a visitor wanting good coffee around, this guide is for you! We've compiled five cafes just outside of Denver worth the trip.
January Coffee
Boulder
Known for: Their rotating selection of guest roasters from across the US
January Coffee is a multi-roaster specialty coffee shop serving a curated selection of roasters from around the country, handcrafted signature drinks and high-quality teas. Their menu is inspired by Australian coffee culture and offer everything from toast to breakfast burritos, with vegan and gluten-free options available too!
Founded by couple Kristi Persinger and John Imig, their ethos is built on their love to prepare, taste and enjoy coffee with others. They put a huge amount of focus on building a community in and around the shop. They also aim to connect the dots from farm to cup, from the producers, roasters and baristas.
what to know before you go
Hours: Monday-Friday 7-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 8-4pm
Location: 1886 30th St., Ste B, Boulder, CO 80301
Coffee program: January Coffee features Onyx Coffee Lab as their house espresso, plus two additional rotating roasters that change throughout the year
Must-try: Their breakfast burritos and avocado toast receive consistent praise
Top tip: Wi-Fi is free during weekdays (limited to 2 hours per visit), but weekends are designated for "unplugging" to encourage conversations and togetherness
Alpine Modern
Boulder
Known for: High-design cafe experience in a historic cabin that dates back to 1923
True to its name, Alpine Modern brings a sleek, streamlined aesthetic to Boulder's cafe scene. Their mission is “to create spaces for human connection” through serving outstanding coffee, providing genuine, neighborhood hospitality to delight and nourish the soul and building thoughtfully designed cafes.
Alpine Modern standards out for its thoughtful design elements that pay homage to mountain culture whilst embracing contemporary aesthetics. They have an extensive brunch menu, with everything from avo toast to quinoa bowls!
What To Know Before You Go
Location: 904 College Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
History: This beautiful historic cabin was Boulder's neighborhood grocery store since 1923 before becoming Alpine Modern
What to Expect: Craft coffees and teas, alongside breakfast, brunch, and lunch options
Top tip: It's conveniently located near the University of Colorado campus, making it popular with students during the academic year and tourists in summer
Cafe 13
Golden
Known for: Enormous house-made cinnamon rolls
Nestled in Golden's historic Armory building just one block west of Washington Avenue, Cafe 13 has established itself as "Golden's Living Room" - a local hub for both residents and visitors. It's the perfect starting point for a day exploring Golden's outdoor activities or historic downtown.
Cafe 13 has become well-known for their brunch menu (they do lunch too), where you can make the choice between Aussie Scramble, the breakfast Burrito or the Golden Plate Special. Most of their menu is gluten-free and they have a couple of vegan options too.
What To Know Before You Go
Hours: Open daily from 6:30am to 3:00pm serving breakfast all day and lunch starting at 11am
Location: 1301 Arapahoe St., Ste 110, Golden, CO 80401
Must-Try: Their famous cinnamon rolls and house-made pastries
Tip: The cafe gets extremely busy on weekends, but they have a beautiful patio where you can enjoy pastries and drinks while waiting
Canyon Coffee
Golden
Known for: Chorizo breakfast burritos and their sourdough baked goods.
For those willing to venture slightly off the beaten path, Canyon Coffee offers a rewarding detour into Coal Creek Canyon. Located just off Highway 72, this local favorite serves coffee, bakery items, and breakfast and lunch options that make it worth the scenic drive.
Canyon Coffee exemplifies the hidden gems you can discover when exploring Colorado's mountain communities. This small, female-owned coffee shop specialises in all things sourdough from cinnamon rolls to scones and muffins. Plan to combine your visit with a scenic drive or outdoor adventure in the surrounding area.
What To Know Before You Go
Hours: Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Sunday 6am-4pm, Thursday 6am-6pm
Location: 30509 Hwy 72, Golden, CO 80403
Coffee Program: They source espresso beans from Red Silo roasters and drip coffee beans from Redemption Road
Tip: If you're traveling up Coal Creek Canyon, it's on the right; if you're heading down, it's on the left near the intersection of Twin Spruce and Hwy 72
Wake & Take
Aurora
Known for: European-inspired cafe experience with an urban, trendy atmosphere
This European-style cafe has quickly gained a devoted following since opening in 2020. Wake & Take isn't just known for delicious coffee (recognized as some of the best in Aurora) but also for creating an authentic European café atmosphere that transports visitors away from the ordinary.
Wake & Take offers a range of freshly baked goods, lunch and a delicious breakfast, such as Ukrainian pancakes, Polish pierogi and Armenian khachapuri.
What to Know Before You Go:
Hours: Open daily from 7am-7pm, with extended hours until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It is also available for private event rentals from 7pm-12am
Location: 2337 S Blackhawk St #115c, Aurora, CO 80014
Specialty: Variety of homemade pastries including Italian and Greek varieties, plus European beer and wine
Top tip: Try their specialty lattes, which showcase creative flavor combinations
Planning Your Trip
To make the most of your Denver-area cafe exploration:
You might want to consider location clustering: Golden's Cafe 13 and Canyon Coffee could be combined in a single day trip west of Denver, while Boulder's January Coffee and Alpine Modern could be a great pairing.
Time your visits: Most of these cafes are busiest on weekend mornings. For a more relaxed experience, you might want to consider mid-week visits or afternoons.
Bring a reusable cup: Most Colorado cafes offer discounts for bringing your own cup (and it's better for the environment).
Ask baristas for recommendations: Colorado's coffee professionals are passionate and knowledgeable - they'll often suggest signature drinks or seasonal specials not to miss.
Pair with local activities: Each cafe is situated near outdoor recreation opportunities or cultural attractions that can complement your coffee experience.
These five cafes showcase the diversity and quality of Denver area’s coffee culture from historic buildings to European influences, there is something for everyone.
Plan your visits, bring your appetite, and prepare to discover why these cafes are truly worth the trip! You can check out more gems like these from all around the world by downloading the Pao App.
