Colorado Charm: 10 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Boulder

Nestled in Downtown Boulder, Colorado, Trident is a charming and unique blend of a café and a bookstore, independently owned and championed by its dedicated employees. They offer various books, coffee, tea, art, and various events to keep their community engaged. From the lively, foot-tapping Boulder Old-Time Jam sessions held on the patio every second Thursday to the warm and inspiring Community Writing Circle led by writing coach Teresa, the Trident guarantees enriching experiences to its patrons.

Boxcar Coffee Roasters is a Colorado-based café dedicated to brewing high-quality coffee. Their coffee beans are sustainably sourced and expertly roasted at the Rocky Mountain Front Range, ensuring a fresh and delicious cup every time. Aside from their regular offerings, they have a dynamic menu considering the seasonality of coffee beans.

If you're into subscriptions, a popular option is their Single Origin subscription which gives you a taste of their most exciting and freshly roasted coffees. However, Boxcar offers a Blend subscription featuring their four signature coffee blends for those keen on routine.

Boxcar Coffee Roasters is worth checking whether you're a coffee connoisseur or enjoy a daily grind.

Gabee Coffee, started by Mr. Chae, is a top-rated coffee shop in Boulder that stands for the best quality organic coffee beans. Thanks to Mr. Chae's expert roasting skills, each brew boasts a unique flavor profile and aroma. Beyond traditional Italian coffee, the shop also offers latte and tea-based refreshers.

Notably, Gabee (or Gabi) is an old South Korean term for coffee, reinforcing the brand's close connection to coffee culture. Keep an eye out for Gabee's unique latte art inspired by the Academy Award-winning Korean film, Parasite, a testament to the creativity buzzing around this shop.

Additionally, Gabee Coffee entered the spotlight even further as Mr. Chae secured 3rd place at the USCC Roaster Qualifier Competition. So, if you're searching for a coffee with a subtly rich taste in a warm-hearted community, Gabee Coffee is a must-visit!

January Coffee is a welcoming and inclusive multi-roaster specialty coffee shop located in Boulder, CO. Focused on creating a fun environment with great coffee, they serve a highlighted range of roasters from across the country with Onyx Coffee Lab as their house roaster, supplemented by two additional rotating roasters.

The shop has an interesting backstory that began in 2017 when CO-born John and Montana-native Kristi crossed paths, leading to the creation of January Coffee as a love letter and tribute to the coffee industry. The shop also has extended weekend hours and promotes a technology-free environment over the weekend.

Ampersand Coffee, based in Boulder, Colorado, fuses its passion for quality coffee with social responsibility. The company prides itself in offering a holistic coffee experience emphasizing women’s empowerment, environmental regeneration, and upward spirals. Ampersand Coffee sources ethically, promoting practices like organic farming, regenerative organic certification, and fair trade support. This way, farmers are guaranteed a minimum price safeguarding them from fluctuating market prices, and coffee growers are encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly practices.

Ampersand Coffee adopts a unique approach to environmental sustainability. Specifically, the company partners with the Smithsonian to foster initiatives like "Bird Friendly" coffee, which leverages shade-grown coffee to protect tropical forests and biodiversity. The shop also aligns with the Rainforest Alliance to promote responsible forest management and resource use.

Complementing its eco-friendly initiatives, Ampersand Coffee advocates for women's empowerment through its partnerships with organizations like the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) and Cafe Femenino, which advocate for gender equality in coffee-growing communities.

The Laughing Goat is a unique and popular coffee shop in Boulder, Colorado. It offers a distinct coffee experience at its four locations: Boulder, Pearl Street, Baby Street, and Norlin Library.

For potential visitors, this coffee place is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. It runs an accessible and informative website where you can easily skip to the content that interests you. The shop prides itself on being committed to quality and the community, reflecting the unique spirit of its Colorado home.

Beleza Coffee Bar (pronounced 'Bell-ay-za', Portuguese for 'beauty') is about much more than just coffee - it's about creating an atmosphere that inspires a chill vibe and communicates 'it's all good'. Nestled in the Community Plaza at Alpine and Broadway in Boulder, this specialty coffee shop inspires and delights the local community with finely crafted beverages and excellent service.

Fantastic roasters nationwide import high-quality coffee, offering customers rotating selections of different blends and origins. Local Colorado roaster, Sweet Bloom Coffee, is a notable anchor. Beleza's founders, Greg Lefcourt and Nafisa Ramos, bring unique expertise - Greg handles the coffee program, having been active in the specialty coffee industry since 2000, while Nafisa focuses on healthy food and drink fare.

They have intentionally switched off Wi-Fi to foster social interactions and cultivate a community atmosphere. Customers are welcome to bring their laptops and use mobile hotspots but are encouraged to be mindful of others.

Post COVID, when we were able to offer seating again after 15 months, we decided to switch off the Wi-Fi and focus more on social interactions vs. office space. This was both because of the need to have more available seating for our patrons, and because for many people the prior months were spent in front of screens, so we wanted to provide more of a community atmosphere. We have been very pleased with the outcome and have received positive feedback from our customer base as well. You are more than welcome to bring your laptop and hot spot from your phone, we just ask that you are mindful.

The OG location for OZO. The inaugural café on Arapahoe Ave. in east Boulder was launched in 2007. Driven by passion, founders Justin and Rebekah Hartman painstakingly built this establishment, marking it as both a specialty coffee haven and a vital community hub. This spot is renowned not only for its exceptional coffee but also for fostering great friendships.

The Boulder café at 10th and Pearl St., established in 2010, stands out as a top-tier coffee destination. It's a bustling hub for coffee lovers, featuring an expansive brew bar and meticulously crafted espresso drinks. Worth a visit when you're on the west side of Pearl St.