This roastery supplies plenty of Denver establishments, but its Boulder cafe is worth a visit. Sip some single-origin espresso or a cardamom-rose latte, enjoy a fresh-baked croissant or peach fritter from the onsite bakery, and take the time to browse — Boxcar shares its cozy Pearl Street space with wine and gourmet shop Dedalus. (A second location is set to open in the Table Mesa Shopping Center soon.)

While the flagship Sunnyside location of this well-established roastery and shop provides a quiet getaway in an artsy, colorful space with a large patio, its three siblings serve up equally good vibes along with the likes of Hulikere beans from India and orange blossom–honey lattes: Check them out in the Dairy Block development downtown as well as at 4040 Tennyson Street and 277 North Broadway.

Billing itself as a “craft coffeehouse and apprenticeship,” this Elyria Swansea nonprofit shop (with a second location in Globeville) mentors young adults from the surrounding neighborhoods in the art and business of the barista. When they’re not availing themselves of the drive-thru, regulars make themselves at home in the airy, cheery space over berry lattes, white chocolate mochas, or nitro cold brews and perhaps a waffle or breakfast torta. Feel-good vibes abound.

This community-driven Clayton shop (with a second location in Curtis Park) does everything in-house, from roasting to baking to syrup making. While it takes its coffee seriously, it also takes fun seriously — which means the crew here is as happy to pour its guests vanilla-orange chai or chili-spiked hot chocolate with marshmallows as it is cortados to go with their loaded breakfast fries or apple-butter crumble bars.

Blessed with courtyard and rooftop seating (as well as a satellite location on Platte Street), this bright yet intimate Certifiably Green cafe in RiNo features rotating American and international roasters in the espresso drinks and specialty coffees it lists in script on a large scroll of packing paper hung behind the counter — including Ireland’s Root & Branch and South Carolina’s JUNTO — while sourcing its pastries from nearby Hearth Bakery.

Along with its three siblings in Wheat Ridge, Broomfield, and Baker (which shares its space with Novel Strand Brewing Company), this Five Points shop turns out roasts with the most, be it El Paraíso Community Lot from Peru or Ethiopian Guji Jigesa; even its basic “cuppa brew” shines — especially alongside a Pandemic doughnut.

The owner of this new Aurora roastery spent a decade learning his trade in the coffee capital of the country — Seattle — and his know-how shows in everything from pour-overs to macchiatos to nitro floats. But when extra indulgence is in order, the Glissade Chill (a shaken concoction of espresso, half-and-half, and maple and vanilla syrup) delivers, paired with a pastry from Bánh & Butter. There’s also a small selection of beers and wines just for kicks.

With a following as massive as its space is tiny, this boutique-chic shop in LoDo’s Sugar Cube building offers a farm-to-cup experience in the form of all the classic showcases for house roasts — cold brews, cortados, Americanos, and so on — though it also whips up seasonal delights like the Piña Collided with espresso, pineapple, and coconut. (A second location downtown and a third in LoHi share its sleek aesthetic.)

Boasting a pair of cozy parlors, porch and backyard seating, and a calendar of community events like Drag Queen Story Hour and open mic nights, this is a true coffeehouse in every sense of the word. In addition to the standard lineup of house-roasted brews, it’s known for its Venetian Cream and its Zodiac drinks: For the “charming and diplomatic” Libra, there’s a rose-vanilla latte, while spiced mocha with white chocolate awaits the “idealistic and fiery” Scorpio.

Capitol Hill’s combination coffee and cocktail bar is a stylish day-to-night hangout serving all the usual potable suspects along with quickie breakfasts and snacks. For an alternative to joe, try a Thai tea spritz or Golden Root turmeric latte; for an alternative to this location, owner Jake Soffes runs a similarly hip operation called The Wild across from Union Station.

Now with three locations, including a larger headquarters on East Colfax, Pablo’s was a local pioneer of the Third Wave movement. Opened in 2001, the flagship 6th Avenue shop is covered with street art on the outside, filled with plants on the inside, and designed all-around for slowing down and smelling the Danger Monkey (to name its most popular blend) with a friend.

Black and white and green (in the form of plants) all over, this light, bright, industrial-chic Baker roastery supplies many a local cafe while welcoming its own customers with attitude-free service — the baristas can ably walk you through the offerings, be it a straight-up espresso or a Creamsicle latte. Bonus: Both it and its Highlands sibling double as bottle shops featuring natural wines.

Vietnamese coffee — regular or topped with a fluffy egg cloud or flan — is the delectable staple of this spruce Baker shop, though the creamy, dreamy concoctions don’t end there: ube lattes, matcha-coconut cold brews, raspberry mochas, and still other specialty drinks abound, optionally accompanied by mooncakes, sesame balls, or BBQ pork buns.

The line sometimes extends out the door at this Platt Park coffee shop, which is located just a couple of blocks from the Old South Pearl Street shopping and dining district. The coffee is sourced exclusively from local microroasters and there’s always a solid selection of baked goods, while the funky space is decorated with rotating artworks and garage doors that open onto a large patio. (A second location in LoHi is equally atmospheric, occupying an old firehouse.)

With locations in Arvada, the DTC, and Littleton (pictured) as well as its South Broadway flagship, this roastery showcases its beans in minimalist-chic environs that feel almost like art galleries. Nitro cold brews, seasonal tonics and lattes, and Morning Slams — a double espresso with a to-go cup of regular joe on the side — encapsulate its flair, while a full slate of single-origin options indicates the care it takes in sourcing.