Boulder, Colorado, is not only known for its stunning landscapes and love for outdoor activities but also its rich and diverse coffee culture. Coffee shops are deeply woven into the city’s fabric and play a significant role in the community. For decades, these coffee hubs have been serving up the most delightful cups of Joe, playing host to both locals and visitors seeking a warm cup of solace, a place to work, or even just a friendly chat. With an array of intriguing options to choose from, like the charming Trident Booksellers and Cafe that doubles as a bookstore or the eco-conscious Ampersand Coffee Roasters that works towards social responsibility and sustainability, Boulder’s coffee scene is as vibrant and unique as the city itself.
How We Selected These Coffee Shops
When curating this list of the 10 best coffee shops in Boulder, we had several factors in mind to ensure we’re bringing you nothing but the cream of the crop. Our selection criteria included:
- The quality of their coffee, because a coffee shop is only as good as the coffee it serves
- Online customer reviews, so we could hear directly from people who’ve experienced these places first-hand
- Online customer ratings, to get a sense of the general consensus on these coffee shops
- The environment of the space, assessing if it’s suitable for work or socializing, because a good coffee shop needs to offer more than just great coffee. Places like Skratch Labs Cafe, known for its diverse gluten-free and vegan-friendly menu, also offer catering and venue rental services, making it a versatile space for a variety of occasions.
Featured Coffee Shops
Trident Booksellers and Cafe
⭐ 4.7 out of 1058 Reviews
📍 940 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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Located in the heart of downtown Boulder, Colorado, Trident is not just an ordinary café. We are an independent, employee-owned bookstore and café, selling everything from books to art and merchandise online. Beyond offering a delicious range of coffees, teas, and an evening menu featuring beer and wine, we inject life into our café with unique events most nights of the week. Think acoustic jam sessions on our patio, writing circles led by esteemed coaches, a tantalizing fusion of country, folk and Americana from local bands, and even comedy nights promising plenty of laughs. If you’re interested in language exchange, join us every Monday evening for a free session facilitated by Nicole Silver. Truly, your continued support ensures a vibrant future for our unique café-boutique hybrid. Pay us a visit any day of the week from 7 am to 9 pm, or drop us an email at trident@indra.com. Looking forward to sharing a cup or a story with you soon!
Boxcar Coffee Roasters
⭐ 4.7 out of 932 Reviews
📍 1825 Pearl St ste b, Boulder, CO 80302
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Picture this: you’re sipping on a heavenly cup of Joe expertly and sustainably sourced and roasted on the magnificent Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Yes, at Boxcar Coffee Roasters, we are all about that good coffee life. Exciting New coffees are always coming in, keeping your taste buds tantalized and ensuring every cup is always fresh and delicious. Need a little something extra for those brewing days at home? We’ve got you covered with our setup of stellar brewing equipment.
Need more goodness in your life? Why not avoid the tragedy of running out of coffee. Our Coffee Subscriptions start at just $18 per shipment, keeping your pantry stocked with all your faves. You can choose from a rotating selection of our most exciting coffees selected by our roasting team, or if you fancy a bit of consistency, pick one of our four signature blends. We understand your preferences and are just a click away.
Not only can you enjoy your coffee brews at our Boulder cafe in Colorado, but you can now also order online. We are offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $35 and a flat rate of $5 for orders under $35. Browse our selection, choose your brew, sit back and let us bring the aroma right to your doorstep.
Welcome to your coffee dreams made real. Boxcar Coffee Roasters, where the blend is friend and the brew is true.
GABEE COFFEE
⭐ 4.8 out of 476 Reviews
📍 3040 28th St, Boulder, CO 80301
Welcome to Gabee Coffee, a place where our passion is preserving the natural flavors and enhancing the distinctive characteristics of each single origin with proper roasting skills. Our founder, Mr. Chae, is not just a coffee roaster, but an educator, cultivating a new generation of baristas and roasters whose skills have been applauded in competitions like the Korean Barista Championship and the USCC Roaster Qualifier Competition, where Mr. Chae himself recently placed third. We’re thrilled to be considered one of the top restaurants in Boulder, honored in articles such as the one recently published by Forbes. From our latte art tributes to acclaimed films like “Parasite” to our commitment to brewing using 100% certified organic coffee beans freshly roasted in house, everything we do is designed to ensure that every single cup makes our customers happy. Speaking of customers, a big thank you to the Gabee Coffee community - your regular support is the warm heart behind our fresh organic coffee. Whether you’re looking for traditionally Italian coffee, non-caffeinated latte drinks, refreshing tea-based concoctions, or even a taste of high-end specialty coffee culture, we got your cravings covered at Gabee Coffee.
January Coffee
⭐ 4.8 out of 195 Reviews
📍 1886 30th St Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301
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At January Coffee, we’re all about kindness, inclusivity, fun, and constant learning. We’re committed to creating an environment that feels safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all. While we’re totally serious about our coffee, we never forget to have a good time. If it’s not fun, we’re not doing it right. We have new extended weekend hours from 8am to 4pm, perfect timing to grab your coffee and brunch. Speaking of brunch, we’re not just about coffee. We serve a carefully designed menu of coffee shop classics, like avocado toast and breakfast burritos, and some unique offerings too.
January Coffee has an inspiring backstory. Founded by John, a man who has worked his way from being a dishwasher in a coffee shop to an entrepreneurial coffee master, and Kristi, a music-career-aspiring-turned-barista who found a new passion in the coffee industry. Born out of a shared love for coffee, hence the name, January Coffee is our tribute to the coffee industry and the culture encompassing it.
So, come, hang out with us at 1886 30th St, Suite B in Boulder, CO or drop us a message if you have any ideas or feedback. Let’s make every day feel like the first, exciting day of the year together at January Coffee.
Ampersand Coffee Roasters
⭐ 4.8 out of 301 Reviews
📍 6560 Odell Pl c, Boulder, CO 80301
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We’re Ampersand Coffee, more than just a Boulder coffee company roasting and serving up premium Arabica coffee. We believe in creating an ultimate holistic coffee experience that includes quality coffee, women’s empowerment, environmental regeneration, and upward spirals. Being a fair trade coffee company, we ensure that farmers get fair price and their communities benefit through various projects. Our fair trade coffee also contributes to environmental sustainability, as our organic farming promotes agro-ecosystem health and encourages techniques like crop rotation and biological pest control. In partnership with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) and Cafe Femenino, we are strong advocates for women’s empowerment in the coffee lands, leading to a more sustainable coffee industry. Plus, our subscribers get a 5% discount on our products with free shipping for all orders over $25. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of coffee ranging from Bolivian and Ethiopian to Guatemalan and Honduran. You can find us in various locations, and we stand proudly rated as having the best coffee in Boulder.
The Laughing Goat
⭐ 4.6 out of 1356 Reviews
📍 1709 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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Just a skip away from content, you’ll find The Laughing Goat nestled in the heart of Boulder, Colorado. With locations fondly referred to as Pearl and Baby Norlin, we offer an inviting space to enjoy a cup of coffee and unwind. Our website is loaded with info to help you better understand our offerings. Whether you’re just browsing or have a specific coffee in mind, you’ll find our web-crawled and neatly organized content appealing. Visit https://www.thelaughinggoat.com/ and make your day a little more awesome with The Laughing Goat! Join us today and experience the joy of coffee like you’ve never done before.
Beleza Coffee Bar
⭐ 4.7 out of 343 Reviews
📍 2680 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
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Welcome to Beleza Coffee Bar - a little slice of ‘beauty’ straight from Brazil, right here in Boulder! If you’ve been looking for a chill vibe and exceptional service, you’ve found it. Our mission is simple: to inspire and delight our community with finely crafted beverages brewed from the selection of roasts imported from fantastic roasters. We’re proud to feature Sweet Bloom Coffee, a local Colorado roaster, as our anchor, along with a mix of roast profiles, origins, and blends from reputable roasters across North America (and sometimes beyond). Meet the duo behind Beleza, Greg Lefcourt and Nafisa Ramos. Greg, an active player in the specialty coffee industry since 2000, manages our coffee program while Nafisa curates the healthy food and drink fare, and a selection of locally made items and Fair Trade global goods. After COVID, we decided to switch off the Wi-Fi and be more than just an office space. We encourage social interactions and are thrilled to see the positive response from our patrons. Don’t worry, your laptop is still welcome, we just ask that you’re mindful. So, make a pit stop at the Community Plaza at Alpine and Broadway and let us share the beauty of our coffee with you.
OZO Coffee | Arapahoe
⭐ 4.6 out of 643 Reviews
📍 5340 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
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Situated right in Boulder, Colorado, OZO Coffee eagerly welcomes coffee enthusiasts into its warm and buzzing Espresso Cafes, also located in Longmont. A mainstay in the community since 2007, OZO Coffee prides itself on a strong commitment to service, quality, sustainable practices, and most importantly, a deep-rooted passion for coffee. Not just limited to their in-person experience, OZO offers fresh-to-order roasting. Place your orders before Wednesday at 2pm, and it’s prepared for you the next week. Of course, we know that life happens and you may miss this cut-off. No worries, any orders that come in after the deadline will be handled the week after.
OZO also shows gratitude to their community by offering various coffee classes. Whether you are dipping toes into the world of coffee, an espresso enthusiast eager to perfect latte art, or well-versed and looking to explore different production methods - OZO equips you with the knowledge you need to enhance your coffee experience.
To make sure you never run out of coffee, OZO has a fully customizable subscription offering. Whether you want it delivered to your home or office, prefer a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule - OZO caters to your needs. You even get to pick your favorite blend or let OZO surprise you with their Roaster’s Choice. On top of all these, gift cards, custom merchandise, and brewing equipment are all available to further enhance your coffee journey. So, why not become a part of the OZO Coffee family?
OZO Coffee | West Pearl
⭐ 4.6 out of 825 Reviews
📍 1015 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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Welcome to OZO Coffee Company, a passionate coffee roaster and retail operator making its mark from Boulder, Colorado. Since our flagship coffee shop opened in 2007, we’ve been dedicated to serving quality coffee that not only tastes excellent but also uplifts the community and the environment. Our mission? To connect diverse communities through coffee. Because while coffee is our passion, so is investing ethically in our supply chain, contributing locally and globally, and ensuring that our cafes are welcoming spaces. But we don’t stop at coffee - our offerings also include a stylish Charcoal Gray Zip-Up Hoodie, made from a comfortable blend of cotton and polyester. Keep an eye out on our website for regular updates about our coffee offerings, events, job openings, and even home brew guides to perfect your pour-over or French press technique. We also provide a robust Office Coffee Program to keep your team caffeinated and productive, currently servicing the Denver-Boulder Metro Area. Waiting for you in Boulder and Longmont, we’re excited to show you why we’re an integral part of the Colorado coffee scene.
The Charm of Boulder’s Past
Nestled in the heart of Colorado, Boulder is home to a vibrant population of approximately 107,000 residents. This city’s rich history is peppered with captivating stories of the Wild West and the Gold Rush era, making it a melting pot of historical significance. Interestingly, Boulder also enjoys a robust relationship with coffee, with its residents being known coffee enthusiasts. Over the years, the city has seen a steady growth in the number of coffee shops, each offering unique brews and experiences to its customers.
Reflecting on Boulder’s Coffee Culture
Boulder boasts a diverse range of coffee spots that attract people from all walks of life. Whether you’re a student seeking a quiet study nook, a professional looking for a quick caffeine fix, or a tourist exploring the local coffee culture, you’ll find a spot that caters to your taste and mood. Here, we explore the top 10 coffee shops that have shaped Boulder’s thriving coffee scene and have become popular hangouts for locals and visitors alike.
Boulder’s coffee scene is a dynamic reflection of its diverse population. The variety of coffee shops in the city, each with its unique personality and offerings, demonstrates how Boulder has embraced coffee culture and integrated it into daily life. From quaint, cozy corners serving artisanal brews to bustling, modern cafés perfect for networking, Boulder offers a coffee experience for everyone.
Savor The Coffee Scene
The city’s vibrant coffee scene has something for everyone - the coffee connoisseur, the casual coffee drinker, and the curious tourist. As you navigate through the city, you’ll notice the integral role that these coffee shops play in community bonding and socialization. So, next time you’re in Boulder, don’t miss out on this essential Boulder experience. Visit these coffee shops, find your favorite, and immerse yourself in the delightful blend of caffeine, culture, and camaraderie.
