best coffee in colorado springs

10 Best Coffee Shops in Colorado Springs [2024]

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Coffee is king! We all love a good cup of joe whether it’s a cold, snowy day during the Colorado winters or a warm, sunny Colorado summer’s day. Colorado Springs is home to some of the best coffee shops in all of Colorado. If you’re looking for a local coffee shop with unique vibes and a great place to absorb the beauty of Colorado Springs, check this list of the 10 best coffee shops Colorado Springs!

If you’re in search of live music or just a great spot with friendly service to read a good book, the Colorado Springs coffee scene has something for everyone. From an iced latte to oat milk mocha’s to just a plain ole black coffee, you will certainly be able to find whatever it is that your looking for at one of the coffee shops I believe to be the best 10 in town (or close to it).

Coffee culture has taken over the world, and I can’t complain about that. There is just something special about sitting in a cozy coffee shop, tickling your taste buds with premium coffee and enjoying the beauty of the city of Colorado Springs. If you are visiting Colorado Springs for the first, there are plenty of fun things to do. One of my favorite agenda items is simply coffee-shop hopping!

So let’s dive in!

1. Wayfinder Coffee Co. – 6140 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. Suite 150

best coffee in colorado springs

Wayfinder is our family’s absolute favorite coffee shop in all of Coloardo Springs! The ambience screams adventure as soon as you walk in the door. Established in 2018, Wayfinder Coffee Co. “aims to transport you to a favorite memory, help you indulge in a personal coffee ritual, or create a new experience inspired by our global perspective.” There coffee origins come from all the world (Kenya, Brazil, Columbia and Guatemala) so they are sure to provide a variety of blends suitable for coffee connoisseurs. 

Not only they do they have delicious coffee and an amazing atmosphere, Wayfinder is a popular spot for outdoor seating as their outdoor patio faces Pike’s Peak.

2. Loyal Coffee – 2 Locations (408 S. Nevada Ave & 11550 Ridgeline Drive)

best coffee in colorado springs

Loyal might be the most popular coffee destination of this entire list. And there is certainly good reason for that! Loyal Coffee “is a barista owned and operated coffee company roasting and brewing coffee we love, for people we love, in the city we love.” Loyal roasts their own coffee via their “Loyal Coffee Clubhouse” so you’re sure to get the freshest cup of joe possible. 

With two locations, one downtown and another in Northgate, Loyal has become a staple for that high-end coffee consumer desiring the the best atmosphere combined with top notch coffee. One of the things I love most about Loyal is that both locations have incredible views whether you are inside or outside. The downtown location is in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs while the Northgate location has a picture-perfect view of Pike’s Peak. 

3. Switchback Coffee Roasters (330 N Institute Street & 909 E Moreno Avenue)

best coffee in colorado springs

Switchback Coffee Roasters is another local favorite due to their desire for “quality and consistency” in their coffee as well as their mission aimed to bring people together despite their differences. Their coffee selections range from Columbian & Ethiopian to Rwandan and Mexican batches. Switchback also has a variety of foods ranging from avocado toast and bagels to granola and french toast. The food is absolutely delicious too!

Switchback values their relationship with the farmers they partner with which truly shows how much they care about not just the quality of their product, but also the quality of the people providing the product. Their mission is a very admirable one!

4. Building Three – (2727 North Cascade Ave)

best coffee in colorado springs

This was actually the very first coffee shop I went to when we moved to Colorado Springs in 2022! Located in Lincoln center, a former school building, Building Three was created in 2014 with the “desire to serve the community, offer exceptional roasted coffees through a positive atmosphere, and extend a connection from the farmer to the consumer through a seed-to-cup model.” 

Building Three also values the highest quality coffee beans for their customers, so they truly treasure their farming partners throughout the process. Rarely will you be able to find a set at this bustling coffee joint, however, despite a plentiful amount of seating. That’s simply due to the fact that the coffee tastes amazing, it’s centrally located, and the experience you receive at B3 is unlike most coffee shops. Building Three is the perfect place to experience something different!

5. Wild Goose Meeting House (401 N Tejon St)

best coffee in colorado springs

If you’re looking for live music, latte art and a true experience for coffee enthusiasts, look no further than Wild Goose Meeting House. Owned in tandem with Good Neighbors Meeting House, Wild Goose is known for its cozy atmosphere perfect for their regular community events like Beer and Hymns and art pieces from local artists.

Wild Goose is right in the middle of the tree-lined streets of downtown Colorado Springs. They also have a full menu chock full of delicious treats, as well as, beer and wine on top for those evening date nights. This is a true coffee lounge with an experience available for every kind of person. 

6. Kairos Coffee House (505 Popes Bluff Trail)

Kairos Coffee House is the perfect atmosphere on the way to Garden of the Gods for that quick pick-me-up prior to venturing into the beauty of the park. Located on Popes Bluff Trails, Kairos offers a quaint, old-world feeling that is ideal for the coffee-loving community. Situate yourself in front of the fireplace with beautiful views of Pike’s Peak and enjoy “coffee, connection and comfort”. 

The atmosphere of Kairos allows for recharging and reconnecting. There truly is no better experience for coffee lovers to sit in a quiet coffee shops with great drinks and and a nice outdoor seating area. This is one of my personal favorites due to the proximity to Garden of the Gods. Grab that cold brew and head to the trails!

7. Story Coffee Company (120 E Bijou & 2752 W Colorado Ave)

best coffee in colorado springs

If you’re in search of a unique coffee house, look no further than Story Coffee Company. Located at Acacia Park, with a second location in Old Colorado City, Story Coffee Company is a great stop as your venturing through downtown of OCC. Their location downtown was created with a tiny house that provides a unique experience and a great cup of coffee. The best thing about Story is their proximity to the numerous parades and outdoor events that occur on Tejon avenue. 

When visiting OCC, the open doors create a seamless experience with the outdoor culture of the neighborhood. Story is truly a unique Colorado Springs coffee shop.

8. The Exchange on Tejon (526 South Tejon)

The Exchange, also located in downtown, offers an amazing breakfast to go with that steaming cup of coffee. As a cozy cafe, this is not just a coffee bar. The Exchange also provides specialty drinks like a Cafecito and a full menu that includes breakfast and lunch options. Moreover, you can satisfy your adult beverage needs with their unique cocktails, beer and wine offerings as well.

The upstairs loft offers plentiful seating and a low-light ambience ideal for business people and students. This is another of my personal favorites because you can sit for hours taking in the awesome interior decor while enjoying a good book and delicious food.

9. Hold Fast Coffee Co. (2360 Montebello Square Dr Suite H1)

best coffee in colorado springs

Hold Fast, formerly named Peak Place Coffeehouse, is situated near N. Academy and N. Union in Northeast Colorado Springs. Hold Fast offers a monthly club subscription for their high quality coffee selections from places like Ethiopia and Guatemala. Hold Fast also offers a plentiful selection of breakfast and lunch choices of your choosing. Personally, I recommend the Baked Brie. 

Having been here multiple times, the customer service never fails. From smiling faces to genuine conversations, Hold Fast is a great place to strike up a conversation with a friend or a new acquaintance! In addition, they are one of the best roasters of beans in the area. 

10. Red Dog Coffee – (739 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs)

If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, head west to Manitou Springs for a quaint little coffee shop right in the heart of main street in Manitou. They don’t just offer coffee though. They also offer America’s dessert – ice cream! If you’re in the mood for a tasty treat, check out their assortment of baked goods as well! Manitou Springs offers a plentiful assortment cozy cafes, but Red Dog tops the list.

Red Dog is one of the few coffee shops you can visit early in the morning through the early evening as their hours are 7:00a to 6:00p on weekdays, extending closing time to 7:00p on weekends.

Honorable Mention

The Human Bean in Woodland Park – Ideal for that escape down Highway 24 towards the ski mountains.

Urban Steam American Bistro – More of a restaurant than coffee shop, but fantastic food!

The Principal’s Office in Ivywild – Coffee shop inside of a one-of-a-kind food hall in a former school.

Third Space Coffee – Huge seating area, but generally extremely busy. 

Mission Coffee Roasters – Co-working and private room rentals are available in addition to a common seating area.

There you have it! These are my 10 favorite coffee shops (plus a few extras) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With the sweeping views of the landscapes and mountains surrounding Colorado Springs, you really can’t go wrong with any of these choices. The only mistake you can make is choosing the hotel-provided coffee selections rather than visiting one or more of these preferred coffee shops.

john claborn author

About the Author

John Claborn

Hi! I’m John. Author of the post you just read. I like to write about all things adventure. Mostly things to help people live more adventurous lives and care for their families in a more meaningful way. By day, I’m a COO. By night, I’m a rad dad of 4 kids that I don’t deserve and a husband to a woman I can’t understand how I got. My goal is to show freedom to people through adventure and experiences.

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