Enjoying coffee is one of my favorite little pleasures in life. Give me an iced black coffee, vanilla latte, a cappuccino – I don’t have a signature go-to drink, it totally depends on my mood and the weather outside (I tend to drink cold drinks when it’s hot out and hot drinks when it’s cold out, that makes sense, right?).
Having lived in Denver for a few months now, I’ve enjoyed trying out a variety of coffee shops, mostly in my neighborhood of Capitol Hill, and today I’m sharing the ones I’ve been most impressed with and will definitely be frequenting more often.
Anecdote Cafe
This charming place is literally down the street from my apartment, and it’s one of my favorites. Acting as not only a cafe but also a bakery, bar, and creative space, day-to-day this place has a lot going on. Anecdote boasts a variety of seating options, from giant velvety booths to a long, open community bench, to single booth seats around the perimeter. Another unique touch is that the windows are actually old garage doors that can open up when it’s nice out. I love feeling a nice breeze even when I don’t want to be sitting directly outside in the sun. Lastly, they put local artists work up on display for purchase, and I’ve been so smitten with the work I’ve seen – incredibly talented artists are here in Denver.
In terms of food and drink, the owner is a pastry chef so you cannot go wrong by trying their baked goods – they ALL look delicious. I come here regularly and if I want a treat, I’ll get the blueberry scone, and for a drink, I typically get an iced double shot espresso with almond milk, and it’s perfection.
City O’ City
Technically, this is a vegan restaurant, but I ended up coming here for a networking meeting and was impressed. The interior has an eclectic vibe with exposed ducting, a dark wood bar, big windows with beaming natural light, local art, and an outdoor patio with a mural painted on the side of the building, which adds an artistic touch.
We ordered drinks inside and once they were served, we found an open table outside within the small patio space. I ordered an herbal hibiscus iced tea, and it was quite refreshing. My friend ordered an herbal chai and loved it. Will definitely come back and try more items from their menu.
Hudson Hill
Hudson Hill feels like walking into a coffee house in Brooklyn, which is fitting because the owner is a native New Yorker (makes me like the place even more #NYCnostalgia). When you walk in, you’re greeted with views of lush greenery everywhere, plants on plants on plants, and I’m here for it. The coffee house has giant floor-to-ceiling windows, so the natural light is spectacular. This place so many of my favorite interior features: brightness, muted neutrals, the jungle indoors, and an upscale character.
Hudson Hill is both a coffee shop and a cocktail bar, and I’ve experienced both kinds of drinks multiple times. The last time I was there, the cappuccino and cinnamon roll combo was a real winner.
Metropolis Coffee – Baker
Whereas all of the other coffee shops on this list are in the Capital HIll neighborhood, Metropolis Coffee isn’t – it’s not too far away in the Baker neighborhood. I found this place when I b-cycled from my apartment to the post office and walked past this place on the way back and was excited to hear that they have multiple locations (Baker, Golden Triangle, and Lower Highlands neighborhoods).
When I visit, I’m usually warm from riding a bike, so I tend to get their unsweetened iced black tea, which is so refreshing. I have had their iced coffee with almond milk, and it had a nice, bold flavor. My neighbor told me that they sell these amazing fritter doughnuts, but sadly, last time I was there they didn’t have any, so I can’t recommend them or not. Instead, I got a classic glazed doughnut, and it was scrumptious. Hopefully one day I’ll get my hands on one of their fritters.
Pablo’s Coffee on 6th
Pablo’s was the first coffee shop I visited back when my boyfriend and I were apartment searching. I immediately liked the sound of it because my boyfriend’s dad’s name is Pablo. 😊 Multiple Pablo’s Coffee shops exist in Denver, including two in Capitol Hill and one on East Colfax. The one on 6th Avenue is where I go, and it has what I’m calling a retro/eclectic aesthetic to it.
The first time I came, I got a cappuccino on a cold day, and it was creamy and smooth; the second time I came here, I got an iced black coffee, and it had a rich, bold flair to it that I enjoyed. I haven’t tried any food yet but definitely will be back again soon.
It seems like I’m just scratching the surface with exploring Denver coffee shops – what other ones should I check out? Let me know in the comments below.
xx Marah Elizabeth
