Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe

Book store · Telluride

Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe

Book store · Telluride

2

307 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435

Photos

Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by Photo courtesy of Between the Covers Bookstore
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null
Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe by null

Highlights

Cozy Telluride bookstore with 10K+ curated titles, local art, and a tucked-away café serving standout coffee and pastries for book lovers.  

Featured in Vogue
Placeholder

307 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435 Get directions

between-the-covers.com
@betweenthecoversbookstore

$$

Information

Static Map

307 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435 Get directions

+1 970 728 4504
between-the-covers.com
@betweenthecoversbookstore

$$

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@vogue

A Guide to Telluride, Colorado—America’s Most Beautiful Mountain Town | Vogue

"Telluride’s beloved independent bookstore offering a range of books from contemporary authors to local writers." - Elise Taylor

https://www.vogue.com/article/telluride-colorado-travel-guide
View Postcard for Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe
@afar

"Telluride’s literary mecca, this beloved store is stacked with more than 10,000 books at any given time. The expertly curated regional books section is a fount of the Wild West’s writing prowess, with illustrative tomes on the town’s lurid backstory (you’ll want to peruse Tomboy Bride: A Woman’s Personal Account of Life in Mining Camps of the West ). When your eyelids get heavy, head to the tiny coffee bar—squirreled away at the back of the shop—for a caffeine jolt to bolster an afternoon of reading."

The Best Shopping in Telluride
View Postcard for Between the Covers Bookstore

Andrew Kumar

Google
great atmosphere and kind service, serving solid coffee and ok drinks and Bites. I love the vibe. across 3 cappuccino, the morning crew did a much better job. breakfast burritos were good, but small. Aperol spritz was decent, but a bit sweet and lacked citrus. there is no wifi. the people are sweet and I will return

Hanieh hosseini

Google
I had the most delightful time at this charming bookstore/coffee shop on W Colorado Ave. The quality of the coffee and treats was outstanding, and the cozy seating arrangement provided a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a great book with a delicious cup of coffee. Highly recommended!

C D

Google
Delicious coffee! The line easily can grow out of the doors, it’s that good. The Cortado was worthy. Cute atmosphere and very friendly staff! I highly recommend!

Thomas Borawski

Google
Great coffee spot next to the bookstore. They had some fancy beans, but the coffee was a reasonable price and it was delicious. The actual space is very sleek and they were playing a badass Latin mix when I was there. Definitely check this place out if you're in Telluride.

Alex O'Donnell

Google
Super cute spot to get a coffee and relax. I highly recommend the pumpkin bread, which has chocolate chip morsels buried throughout (yum!). Sitting space is limited so be flexible if you plan to come here.

Psy H

Google
Great to find a coffee shop where the barista is happy to make a flat Flat White to " Australian Standards" milk temperature (65C/ 150F). Generally really hard to find in the US, so thank you!

Sienna Müller

Google
Finally a good coffee shop in Telluride! Oat milk latte was perfection. Another day I ordered a dirty chai but it was unfortunately way too spicy for my liking and I wish I had been told about that ahead of time. Also, I wish they had some more vegan options for pastries and food, but glad they at least have something! Very beautiful space and super friendly staff.

Josh Levey

Google
Nice coffee shop in the heart of Telluride with tasty coffee drinks and pastries. Shares a space with an independent book store. Comfy indoor and outdoor patio seating.
google avatar

Grace K.

Yelp
A locally owned bookstore that has big windows making the interior bright and beautiful. They do such a good job carrying a diverse selection of authors/books that represent different interests and cultures. They also make very good use of their space and I found myself spending so much time looking at all their cute gifts and books. Their cafe offers drinks at affordable prices which is rare nowadays.
google avatar

Gwen G.

Yelp
This was a great place to stop for an afternoon coffee! I got an Americano and it wasn't at all watered down. We ordered 4 coffees in total and the service was fast and friendly. I highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area.
google avatar

Katelyn Y.

Yelp
This is a lovely combination bookstore and cafe, and I highly recommend visiting if you're in Telluride! I stopped by mostly to peruse their book selection, but I noticed they had a cute selection of knickknacks and souvenirs that were different from what you get in surrounding souvenir shops, so that was a plus. The book selection had a good amount of variety too, with both backlist and recent publications available. I also got an iced salted caramel latte from the connected cafe, and it legitimately was one of the best caramel lattes I think I've ever had. It seemed like maybe it was homemade caramel sauce instead of just a flavored syrup and the difference was apparent. If I ever find myself in Telluride again, I would definitely revisit it!
google avatar

Lily C.

Yelp
I love finding independent bookstores and when I found this place, I had to go in. It's charming with the wood shelves and ladder. It houses a lot of popular NYT bestseller books and a few lesser-known authors. One thing that I usually love with independent stores is the used book sections or having more used books, unfortunately this one didn't. There are also local artists that you can buy from though so that was enjoyable to look through.
google avatar

Lily C.

Yelp
Great selection of curated books. You will find something interesting, quirky and cute here. From artsy souvenir wood postcards, board games to art supplies, you will find something to occupy the young and old for hours. Check out the cafe bar next door... has a variety of euro-cocktails like spritzes and orange wine!!! Barista is nice. The local Telluride expresso beans are lacking in personality so the coffee is not to my taste. However props to the cafe for supporting local roasters. Indoor space is good for lounging and reading and the patio has a cool mural of rugged rocks of likely the San Juan mountains.
google avatar

Alan N.

Yelp
Cool spot with a coffee shop attached! Good amount of reading and the staff are knowledgeable about their products. There is an array of different books that could be appealing to any kind of reader. There is even a good diet section with all sorts o different kinds. If that isn't your speed, there are plenty magazines to go through as well. Overall cool spot! I didn't get any coffee but my girlfriend did, she said it was very good.
google avatar

Abbey B.

Yelp
I absolutely love a coffee shop/bookstore combo. The selection of books here was great. They had the classics in hardcover editions with gorgeous covers - I wanted to buy them all. The baristas were so enthusiastic and attentive. I think one of the girls was in training and the team work these two had was super cool - love to see it! I got a dirty matcha - and the barista made sure I knew what I was getting and offered add ins, so helpful and just really cool that she went to that degree to make sure I got what I wanted. I really appreciated it! The ONLY thing, and this is coming from a girl from the south- it was freeeeezing cold in the shop. Granted we are in Telluride, in the mountains so like I get it. But maybe a heater or some blankets... or maybe I just needed to not be a dumb dumb and wear more layers hehe Would recommend coming in here to browse and grab a coffee! Had a really welcoming, community feel to it.
google avatar

Mike F.

Yelp
We spent the day hiking in Telluride last week and were looking for some morning coffee. I found this shop on Apple Maps and decided to give it a try. The espresso was amazing and creamy! We were sucked into the connected bookstore for an hour (hand-picked selections with many relevant to the area) before we had to remind ourselves that we were there to hike! We ended up back after our hike to grab Americanos for our drive out of town! I wish we could get Java there every day!
google avatar

Roger G.

Yelp
I really enjoy this place. The coffee bar has a lot of pastry selections and wonderful coffee. i didnt expect the cup to be so small, and the back porch could be more comfortable to sit and read, but thats nitpicking. Not a big bookstore, and not where youll find deals on used books...theyre all new which i prefer anyway. For a small place theyve got a great selection in just about all genres. People there were very nice.
google avatar

Susan B.

Yelp
One of the most beautifully quaint bookstores I've been to, Coffee is in the back and it was the most perfect Peppermint Mocha I've ever had. This will definitely be a place to return to. Extra credit for the yarn and knitting/crocheting supplies between the books and coffee! What a perfect blend of cozy things.

John M.

Yelp
Best thing that happened to Telluride. Amazing selection of books. Very helpful staff. The matcha hot drink is the best!
google avatar

Nikole S.

Yelp
The cutest best bookstore in Telluride! My daughters 'go to' spot! A cozy treasure in the heart of downtown! Also...the only bookstore! Lol

Jesse D.

Yelp
This is the only business in Telluride where we had a negative experience. We were in Telluride for 3 days and with every other business we were greeted warmly and given prompt service. As other reviewers have indicated, the young lady in the back who serves espresso really looked as if she didn't want to be there and was not very welcoming. To top it off, as my family was walking out there was a white couple in front of us and the middle aged white male behind the counter thanked the couple for coming. As we walked by he arrogantly turned his head and didn't say anything. So to sum up, the service is rude overall and at least one of the staff discriminates. Hopefully they will read this review and enact some changes.
google avatar

DavidandMelissa J.

Yelp
Golden Milk Latte with 3 shots espresso...uh-maze-ing!!! Service is perdonable and excellent. Highly recommend.
google avatar

Claire P.

Yelp
This place is charming! The books create a sense of creativity, inspiration and coziness. The coffee shop is in the back, and it's comfortable. Great selection of teas and baked goods on top of great coffee. I loved hanging out here all afternoon writing a paper! P.S. The "Love Potion" tea is AMAZING!!
google avatar

Brittney M.

Yelp
Great lavender matcha tea latte! Staff was so nice and it made my wait in line worth it!
google avatar

Steven Y.

Yelp
For a town the size of Telluride this is just an amazing bookstore. We stopped in this morning for a visit and I was impressed with the selection of books they have. Whether you are looking for fiction, hiking guides, history or cookbooks you will definitely find some real gems here. I looked extensively at the local book selection and found some great books about the history or Telluride. The hiking and outdoor section was right next to the local section and I had a great time looking at all the options and dreaming about my next trip and some possible hiking in the area. The cookbook section was great. They had multiple copies of all the most popular cookbooks on the market and then some clever unique choices that I had not see before. If I had a local store like this, I would be blessed as I honestly think that this local bookstore would give the large box booksellers a run for their money if they were located in the same area.
google avatar

Luca C.

Yelp
You enter the bookstore partly out of genuine interest for the printed pages, and partly because of the snow and the post-ski cold. You browse through the magazines, then the books, when all of a sudden you're at the back of the place and you find yourself in a nice, little, cozy tea-room, with more books, a couch, a couple armchairs, and a relaxed, familiar setting. What more can you ask for: a nice hot chocolate topped with cream??? Et voila. Best place in town to indulge while cheating yourself into believing you're an intellectual (who else would spend half an hour in a bookstore after all).
google avatar

Robert R.

Yelp
Telluride has a very low patience for snobs. I am an espresso snob. This is the best espresso drink spot in town. And to my surprise the taste of the espresso is at a barista standard that you would expect in the best coffee shops in LA or NY. They clearly take maintenance and cleaning of their espresso machine very seriously. Other places in town have lost the art of what is required to pull a good shot. Great iced lattes, hot lattes, and straight espresso shots. Recommendation: 12oz 2-shot iced latte. Add brown sugar before espresso is poured onto ice if you are looking for some sweet mixed with the coffee flavor.
google avatar

Susan J.

Yelp
They are so nice here. They didn't mind when I walked in from the Bluegrass Festival just to use the bathroom and wash my hands! Not sure about the book selection, but the bathroom gets five stars ;)
google avatar

Berto W.

Yelp
Super surly service at the espresso bar. The barista did not seem happy to be there. Just an overall unpleasant experience and not at all what I expect from the town Telluride where everyone else has been awesome.
google avatar

Josh K.

Yelp
I'm giving this place 5 stars because of service. Both in the bookstore and the espresso bar they were so kind to us. My littlest child had to use the bathroom and they were super accommodating. The bookstore is fun for a small-town. My wife and I had the cold brew from the espresso bar and it was slightly bitter. Not as smooth as most cold brew but still very good.

Joan M.

Yelp
I love Between the Covers! The days when the bookstore was the heart of a town? It still is in Telluride. The helpful, knowledgable, friendly staff, the impeccable selection of books and more, and the clean, rustic, cozy space make for a spot where you will want to spend time every time you're in Telluride.
google avatar

J J.

Yelp
Thank you for this opportunity to be enlightened. Thorough knowledge at the front end led to the purchase of not only a book but also a coffee behind your doors. Even though the atmosphere was busy outside of the main door, the calmness and serenity experienced while perusing your shelves created a wanting in my soul to return and explore. Thank You!
google avatar

Laura A.

Yelp
Five stars for a reason baby! First...a book store succeeding in any small town is a gift. Second...the Chai Latte with almond milk was perfect. A little cinnamon, nutmeg and truvia added for my taste. The service was lovely and friendly.
google avatar

Mr B.

Yelp
Awesome hidden cafe and courtyard few know about with outdoor seating, top notch scones and tea selection. Not a lot of variety but the few options there are the best I found in Telluride. The bookstore is old school and impressive. During the mushroom festival they displayed a huge amount of books I've never seen in varying degree of interest on the topic - kids hardback toddler all the way to super technical and PhD quality authorship. Easily one could spend an hour or more here pursuing the shelves, sipping loose leaf chai latte and looking up at the mountain views.
google avatar

Tiffany D.

Yelp
Nothing for me, but I am very specific in book taste. They did have something for the music lover, a decent selection of best sellers and a small children's section. I would recommend if you have no expectations of finding "the perfect book".

CityPixie Q.

Yelp
I wanted to love this local bookstore, but the first time I went, I ordered a hot chocolate, settled in with a book, and they closed within 10 min. I said, nicely, "I wish you had let me know you were closing before you sold me a beverage." The girl completely ignored me. On the second visit, I hustled into town to get there before their posted closing time to buy some cards. Made it with 15 minutes to spare, but the closed sign was in the window. I looked in and saw the woman 10 feet away at the register. She glanced at me and then went back to what she was doing without any acknowledgement. A little better customer service would go a long way here.
google avatar

Jody G.

Yelp
Great coffee (well, latte for me) and an even better peach ginger scone. This adorable and friendly place is right in the back of a wonderful bookstore.... and behind the coffee shop is a lovely little sitting area. Good morning!
google avatar

Joanna B.

Yelp
This is my favorite place for either some computer work or sassy conversation about town gossip with the barista on the clock. Plenty of books. They'll order you one if you need it. And the coffee is delicious. Try the undertow. It definitely has a sweet kick, but is an interesting alternative to a latte or just grabbing a quick shot. Make sure you tip your baristas! They're good folks.
google avatar

Allison T.

Yelp
Absolutely packed in here during the holidays. I love how concise their organization system is - it really makes you want to try out new book genres. Great local section & a coffee shop in the back (which I didn't get around to trying as I was watching my caffeine consumption). Gift certificates are available & they also have a good little section of signed-by-author-copies on a table near the front.
google avatar

Sally P.

Yelp
Fantastic little coffeeshop/bookstore hybrid. I found much respite here during the hot mid-day sun during Telluride Bluegrass Festival 2014, both in the coffee-refuel and OMG-CLEAN-RESTROOM senses. I got a Shot in the Dark and read for over an hour on two separate occasions. Rather then shooing me along during my read-for-free-and-don't-buy-a-book sessions, the wonderful barista and I chatted about Cheryl Strayed. I felt caffeinated, cleaned, and comforted, all wrapped up in one bundle of soothing, air conditioned bliss. Definitely make this a recharging stop on your Telluride-centric adventures!
google avatar

Pat B.

Yelp
We love Between the Covers. Creaky old wood floors, a good selection of local books mixed with new releases, a good kids section and some odds and ends. The coffee shop is tiny, but a good place to get a hot drink and overhear the locals discussing the town gossip. In the summer, there is a small patio where you can enjoy a cup and the newspaper.
google avatar

Jamie R.

Yelp
Excellent bookstore. Love the staff picks, with a one line comment why. This is an easy place to browse. Staff go to lengths to display titles that correspond to the latest goings on in town. At the back there is an intimate coffee shop. Be sure to ask for the greeting card "naughty box," if you are in the mood for a bit of raunch. All in good fun.
google avatar

David G.

Yelp
They have the best tea selection in town, for a coffee shop :) They also have great hours (open Sunday night) and book selection. I bought a couple books on mushrooms while I was there for the 2007 Jazz Festival. Why mushrooms -well they have an annual Fungifest in August. Friendly as well.
google avatar

Marla M.

Yelp
I love Telluride and I stop daily when I am here at Between the Covers. I crave this gem of a bookstore when I am back in Orange County. It is so special! They have a phenomenal selection of books in every category. The three sections I frequent are the children's, Local Telluride, and Cookbook areas. Everyone that works there is lovely. I bring my two small, loud kids in and they always accommodate us with a smile. The best part is the coffee bar in the back of the store. We spend loads of time in this cozy little nook. I love chatting with the locals and employees. They brew a great cup of coffee, I am a huge fan of their Iced Coffee and Americano. They cold brew the iced coffee for 24 hours. It is rich and fabulous!!! My kids and husband love the baked goodies. They need to bring the cakes back in :) Also love that they are open in the evenings. So fun to go to a wonderful restaurant apres ski and then to BTC for coffee.

Aliya P.

Yelp
A beautiful bookstore and coffee shop. They have many great books and great coffee as well. Very cozy and in a great location!
google avatar

Richard N.

Yelp
A wonderful place. Stopped in while camping to look for a (much needed) book that I had unfortunately left at home. While they didn't have it, the owner did a search and found the name of the local that purchased it last year....and offered to call him to see if I could borrow it! If that's not the best customer service ever, I don't know what is. The world needs more business like this!
google avatar

Kewl K.

Yelp
I came here only for the coffee and as an espresso snob this was very good. Alternative milks too!
google avatar

Jay J.

Yelp
The only bookstore in town but a cool one. Pretty good magazine selection as well. And definitely the coolest logo I have ever seen for any bookstore --
google avatar

Jamaica B.

Yelp
I could live here. Super cozy, good selection of new & classic books, and delicious coffee.
google avatar

Sarah N.

Yelp
We didn't buy anything here, but we spent half an hour browsing. BTC is a lovely, welcoming little bookstore. Narrow, deep room but with high airy ceilings and natural lighting, it also comes with a comfy seating area in the back area by the café. The chick working the café counter smiled at us, making us feel even more relaxed. For its tiny size, it looks like it has all the genres and subject matter of any larger bookstore.
google avatar

Rhonda S.

Yelp
A store that is hard to leave. Small, but well laid out and good displays that keep you in there forever! I love my big stores in the city but this bookstore has the merchandise and charm to boot. Probably my favorite store along with the dog store at the other end of town. Both have so many items to look at you stay far longer than you planned. Well staffed and I only had to wait a minute for help even though it was busy.
google avatar

Julie M.

Yelp
Love the selection of fun, unexpected books and activities for both kids and adults. The outdoor space at the back of the store is a lovely place to enjoy a drink and the view. Also, nicest bathroom in Telluride.
google avatar

Angi B.

Yelp
Best latte I've ever had. I want to take them back to Florida with me!! Great service, fantastic coffee!! My husband had a hot chocolate every time I went too and that was also superb.
google avatar

Richie D.

Yelp
Nice coffee spot where you can check out the books. Try the iced coffee it's real good. The iced tea and cinnamon buns are good too.

Linda L.

Yelp
Terrific little bookstore with a delightful coffee shop tucked in the back. The book we bought as a present was wrapped for free and the service in the coffee shop was very friendly. I highly recommend the strawberry rhubarb hand pie!

Ann T.

Yelp
This is a bookshop and coffee bar in the back. Came for coffee and besides delicious flat white or late (forgot what I ordered- was soooo badly hit by altitude sickness) I've got a coolest exchange of mind with the barista, a cool chick from Arizona on her way to Costa Rica! Interior is super cozy and visitors seem all local- good sign! Means they keep coming back for more :) Bookshop looked interesting as well but I didn't have time to explore that part.

Julie D.

Yelp
Well laid out/organized, small, quaint small town bookstore. Love it! And love the coffee shop in the back. We had a great cappuccino and a latte, and we are self-proclaimed coffee snobs.