Denver’s best independent coffeehouses, according to Lane

Top 10 Coffee Shops in Denver

…in no particular order

By Lane Walsh of Dwell Real Estate on Friday, January 4th, 2013

We are literally buzzing with excitement after visiting coffee shops all over the Denver area and sampling their fresh-brewed wares. Thanks to all who made suggestions on our Facebook page – read on to see if your favorite made the list! Did we miss your favorite haunt? Leave a comment and we’ll be sure to head their way! Just a side note – we gave points for ambiance as well as flavor profile. Serious fun.

TOP 10 COFFEESHOPS IN DENVER…in no particular order

1. Crema Coffee House (The coffee enthusiast’s coffee house of choice)

2. KJ’s Coffee Bar (Quaint and unassuming; a solid choice)

3. St. Marks Coffee House (Our favorite high school haunt holds up to time; coffee is swell and people watching is tops)

4. Buchi Cafe Cubano (Cafe con leche…do it)

5. Drip Denver (Their cappuccino is art and the baristas are the nicest in town)

6. The Laughing Latte (Best location, and a mean Chai for our tea drinking pals)

7. Hooked on Colfax (Best name, and the perfect spot for students or writers to park it for a while)

8. Happy Coffee (Strongest drip coffee and totally hip(ster) atmosphere)

9. Aviano Coffee (Come for the Brew Bar, stay for the desserts)

10. Black Eye Coffee Shop (Gorgeous digs, smoothest latte)

And three more that are worth the drive…

11. Lost Coffee in Castle Rock (A consistently good cup of coffee or espresso…what a rare delight)

12. Bean Fosters in Golden (Feel good coffee in real mugs surrounded by a flesh-and-blood used bookstore)

13. Solid Grounds in Littleton (Great espresso in a bigger, squishier version of your own living room)

Metropolis Coffee, Denver CO

A Denver morning… 9 degrees outside steamy hot coffee inside! I just drove by Sports Authority Field taking my son to work. Big time fans camped out all night for primo tailgate parking for the Broncos game today. Gotta love those die hard fans. Go Brrrrr..oncos!

Ancient Grounds Coffeehouse, Seattle WA

One of the best things about local, independent coffeehouses is the unique experience they offer their communities. In Seattle, for example, Ancient Grounds is the epitome of self-expression.  Fommer’s (www.frommers.com) said “Ancient Grounds is hands down the coolest and most unusual espresso bar in Seattle.”  No THAT says something being in the hometown of Starbuck’s.

Rolland, the owner, is deeply passionate about his coffee and his ancient artifacts from around the world.  The masks from various native culture surround the space and make one feel comfortably observed.

Inside Ancient Grounds, Seattle WA

In our conversation, he shared his biggest challenge in owning a coffeehouse ~ good, trustworthy staff.  He has opted to run the entire business himself.  He is open Tuesday-Saturday and takes a two days to refresh.  In between preparing espressos for the customers that come in from his 1st Avenue location in Downtown, he trades his artifacts online with people he has met in his international travels.

According to him: the best part of his coffeehouse?  The people.  He fully enjoys being of service in the world.  Rolland even hand-writes thank you notes to his guests and customers, personal and from the heart.  He called it his “integrity homework”.  How does it get any better than this?  :)

One pointer he would give to a someone considering opening a new coffeehouse is to diversify the offerings, even if it is to merge it with a business completely different from coffee.  After 14 years of operating Ancient Grounds, it should prove to be some sound advise.

You can find Rolland at:

1220 1st Avenue 

Seattle, WA 98101‎

(206) 749-0747

To integrity!

Lisa

America’s Best Coffeehouse Competition debuted at CoffeeFest Seattle 2012

Although I spend most of an average day immersed in coffee culture and coffeehouses, CoffeeFest Seattle was the first industry event I have ever attended.  I was surrounded by people who speak my language and share my passion.  It was absolutely invigorating!  Or … maybe that energy came from all the espressos and lattes I sampled while navigating through the rows and rows of exhibitors.

The CoffeeFest is held every four months and rotates between Seattle, Chicago and New York City.  This  event featured the first annual America’s Best Coffeehouse Competition, sponsored by DaVinci Gourmet.   According to The Gourmet Retailer, it took 60 days to determine the top coffeehouses in the western U.S. with a “60-day process of elimination by secret shopper evaluation and public vote”.  Eight semifinalist coffeehouses were chosen based on ratings in categories like customer service, drink quality, ambiance, cleanliness, organization and efficiency.

This is what its about … real people!

My Coffee House has terrific food & coffee & they’re ever so caring

From an editorial in The Laconia Daily Sun, Laconia, NH (photo from Yelp)

To the editor,

This is the season that soup is quite warming, that is unless you drop it.
I was leaving one of my favorite lunch stops, My Coffee House, when I went to reposition my hand and the bag slipped and crashed right by the entryway. Shrimp and Roasted Corn Chowder poured out from the bag — my four dollar lunch, gone. Scooping to get up what I can, the owner of the store leans over my shoulder and says, “We’ll get you another one”.
I am so grateful I had to write this letter to the paper to give a public, “Thank You!”
Not only does My Coffee House have terrific food and coffee but the family owned business is ever so caring! It is not a surprise they are in their 4th year open! I’ll continue to get my lunch, especially the yummy soup from the family of John and Cheryl, and their son Brandon, Morin, at My Coffee House in Laconia. I had already left the store, so for them to be so nice deserves public attention. 
Valerie Kimball
Laconia