Best Coffee Shops in Boulder (2025)

The East Pearl stalwart where baristas brew with Boxcar’s altitude-specific Boilermakr method. Recognized by Bon Appétit and profiled by Sprudge, and named Best Coffee Shop in Boulder Weekly’s 2025 readers’ poll, it remains the city’s precision cup.

A homegrown roaster pouring since 2007, OZO anchors Boulder’s scene with dialed-in espresso and community programs. Winner of Best Coffee Roaster in Boulder Weekly 2025 and long praised by Eater Denver, it’s essential Boulder coffee culture.

Employee-owned and serving since 1980, Trident blends literary heartbeat and specialty coffee with nightly events. Condé Nast Traveler highlights it among downtown favorites, and locals swear by the back patio for conversation and culture.

A downtown fixture known for live music, open mics, and a lively study-meet scene. Frequently recommended by travel editors, including Condé Nast Traveler, it’s where caffeine meets Boulder’s artsy, late-afternoon energy.

Design-forward cafe in a stone cottage near Chautauqua mixing strong coffee with Nordic-accented bites. Featured by 5280 and industry outlets, Alpine Modern captures Boulder’s modern-mountain aesthetic without losing warmth.

Roaster-run bar with a light-roast, single-origin bent and careful pour-overs. Readers put Verb on the podium in Boulder Weekly’s 2025 Best Coffee Roaster category, and locals praise its focused, nerd-friendly approach.

A bright, inclusive multi-roaster bar pouring Onyx and other top names alongside seasonal signatures. Boulder Weekly profiled January’s mission to be a gateway for curious drinkers—plus, weekend unplugging keeps the room conversational.

A tiny roastery-cafe with bike-delivered beans and a loyal following. Daily Coffee News chronicled its milkman-by-bicycle ethos; today the morning hours and house roasts make it a beloved stop for cyclists and purists alike.

North Boulder’s newcomer from twin local owners, blending Japanese-influenced snacks with house-roasted coffee. Boulder Reporting Lab covered its opening and community goals, filling the void after a longtime neighborhood cafe closed.

South Boulder’s coffee-and-plant shop from the team behind McDevitt Taco Supply. Serving drinks with locally roasted beans and a low-key, daytime vibe, it’s a sweet stop before trails or the library.

Part cafe, part community venue by the creek with late hours most days. Hosts circles, talks, and small performances; a very Boulder blend of caffeine and civic life that locals use as a third place.