Coffee, communications, and freelancing all go hand in hand. Not just as a metaphor (What Your Coffee Can Teach You About Communications) but also to fuel our creative...
Denver is a regular stop for me when I travel for work. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time navigating the Mile High City, and I can confidently say it is one of the best cities for specialty coffee in the entire country.
There is something about the crisp mountain air that makes a hot cup of coffee taste even better. The coffee community here is incredibly tight-knit, highly skilled, and deeply passionate about the craft of roasting and brewing. While the altitude presents some unique challenges for roasters, the results in the cup are consistently world-class.
Whenever I touch down at DIA, I already have my caffeine itinerary mapped out. If you find yourself in Colorado, here are my three favorite specialty coffee shops in Denver.
Corvus Coffee Roasters
📍 Location: 1740 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
The Vibe: Industrial Workshop
Corvus has been my absolute go-to spot in Denver since first visiting. Walking into their Broadway location feels like stepping into a coffee laboratory. It is moody, industrial, and centered entirely around the massive roasting operation right in the middle of the room.
The Coffee: They are pushing the boundaries of coffee processing. They work directly with farmers to source incredibly unique lots, and their baristas treat every pour-over with absolute precision. Their espresso is bright, complex, and cuts through milk beautifully.
The Souvenir: I love Corvus so much that I actually have their beans delivered all the way to my home in Hawaii.
Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters
📍 Location: 1619 Reed St, Lakewood, CO 80214
The Vibe: Bright & Welcoming
Sweet Bloom is legendary in the specialty coffee world. Located just outside the downtown core, their space is bright, airy, and incredibly welcoming. There is no pretension here, just people who are deeply passionate about sharing beautiful coffee. A must if I am ever going to return to a coffee shop.
The Coffee: As the name implies, Sweet Bloom excels at highlighting the floral and sweet notes of their coffees. Their roasting style is precise and clean. If they have a washed Ethiopian on the pour-over bar, order it immediately. It will be one of the most tea-like and vibrant cups you have ever tasted.
The Souvenir: Their Hometown Blend is a crowd-pleaser that still maintains a high level of complexity. It is a fantastic bag to bring back for your daily morning brew.
Pablo's Coffee
📍 Location: 630 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
The Vibe: The Neighborhood Staple
Pablo's is one of the original pioneers of the Denver specialty coffee scene. They have been roasting since the 1990s, and walking into their cafe feels like a warm hug. It is quirky, community-focused, and comfortably worn-in in the best way possible.
The Coffee: They lean into a slightly more developed roast profile than Corvus or Sweet Bloom, which makes their coffee incredibly comforting. Their espresso drinks are rich, chocolatey, and robust.
The Souvenir: You cannot visit Pablo's without grabbing a bag of their famous Danger Monkey blend. It is a darker, punchy roast that pulls an incredible shot on the Gaggia Classic Pro E24.
Do you own one of these coffee shops? Or own one you think should be on the list? CLICK HERE to reach out to collaborate or if you want me to edit any of the content about your spot.
Bonus Spot: Broderick
📍 Location: 1080 S Gaylord St, Denver, CO 80209
The Vibe: The Ultimate Living Room Lounge
I have to throw in a special bonus mention here. Broderick is owned by my close friend, Patrick (and our friend Tim), who I grew up with back in Hawaii. The bar is actually named after the street in San Francisco where he used to live. His apartment was always the quintessential gathering place, and he has perfectly recreated that warm, welcoming "living room" energy right in the heart of Denver's Wash Park neighborhood.
While it is primarily known as a brilliant cocktail lounge (they started out making incredible bottled craft drinks under the name Uncle Tim's Cocktails), they also operate as a neighborhood cafe serving coffee and local pastries during the day. If you are exploring the city and need a place to transition from a late-afternoon caffeine kick into an evening drink, this is the spot.
The Order: If you want the best of both worlds, you have to order their Espresso Martini. They use a locally crafted cold brew from Sati Coffee, and it is easily one of the best you will find in the city. If you stop by, grab a drink, sink into one of their plush couches, and tell them Daniel from Hawaii sent you.
The Final Cup
Denver's coffee scene punches far above its weight. Between the boundary-pushing methods at Corvus, the pristine clarity of Sweet Bloom, and the comforting history of Pablo's, it is a city that takes its coffee seriously.
Regardless of which method you choose, you need the right station to support it. I have written deep-dive guides on how I organize my own counters for both workflows:
- For the Drip Lovers: My Work From Home Guide to the Best Coffee Setup
- For the Espresso Heads: My Work From Home Guide to the Best Espresso Setup
And remember, the best brewer in the world can't save bad beans. I use Trade Coffee to ensure I always have fresh, single-origin bags ready to grind.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps fuel the coffee, the testing, and the writing. Thanks for supporting the work.
