The 5 Best Coffee Shops Around Boulder

Finding a cozy coffee shop in your town or city is important if you’re a caffeine addict or like to work in public places. In Boulder, Colorado, there are a multitude of coffee shops. There are minimalistic, bright coffee shops as well as warm homey ones, perfect for a winter day. Here is a list of some of the best coffee shops around Boulder in no particular order.

1. Alpine Modern Cafe

One of the best coffee shops around Boulder is Alpine Modern. There are two locations, one is on pearl street and the other near the hill on college avenue. Alpine Modern is decorated minimally but brightly with white and warm wood accents. The menu features lighter brunch items, pastries and coffee beverages or teas. On a summer day, visit the location on the hill to take advantage of their lovely outdoor patio. The patio is even equipped with a fire pit and thick blankets for Boulder’s chillier weather.

2. Red Rock Coffeehouse

Because of it’s location in North Boulder, Red Rock Coffee House is usually less crowded than the coffee shops in downtown Boulder. The more laid-back atmosphere of Red Rock Coffee House is a welcome change, and makes the shop an ideal place to work, study, or have a conversation with a friend or colleague. There are plenty of gluten free and dairy free options to choose from, from breakfast burritos to baked goods. Red Rock Coffee House is one of the best coffee shops around Boulder because the coffee is always superb and they serve one of the best chai’s in town.

3. Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Trident Booksellers & Cafe has been caffeinating visitors and residents of Boulder since 1979. This coffee shop is one of the last remaining businesses from this time period in Boulder, and it’s age shows through in the interior of the cafe. Trident’s interior and exterior walls are covered in red brick, and in the back, behind the main seating area, there is a partially enclosed, open-air patio. The menu features a variety of espresso drinks and teas, as well as pastries. As their name suggests, in addition to serving coffee, Trident Booksellers & Cafe doubles as a small book store. The selection is not huge, but they offer literature on a wide variety of subjects.

4. Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe

One of the unique coffee shops around Boulder is Innisfree Poetry Cafe. Innisfree hosts open mic nights Tuesdays from 6 pm – 9 pm, as well as other poetry related events. To find out more about events and performances check out the event schedule on Innisfree’s website. The coffee at Innisfree is purchased ethically and sustainably, and is organic. When you order for in house rather than to-go, your drink comes in giant, white, bowl-shaped mugs that may not actually improve the flavor, but they do improve the experience. The menu also includes light and filling meals or snacks, such as pastries and breakfast bagels, with plenty of options for any dietary restriction. Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe sells books of poetry exclusively, so if you’re a lover of poetry make sure to check this place out.

5. The Laughing Goat Coffehouse

The Laughing Goat has three locations in Boulder, including one on CU’s campus in Norlin Library, one on 55th street and the largest store on pearl st. This coffeehouse sells local coffee as well as beers, art from local artists, and a wide selection of decadent pastries. There are live musical performances every night, here is a link to a schedule for these events. Something that sets this coffee shop apart from the others in Boulder is that the pearl st. location stays open until 11pm everyday. Most restaurants and coffee shops around Boulder close earlier, so this makes the laughing goat the best friend of the Boulder night owl.

We hope this list of the best coffee shops around Boulder helps you find your new favorite place to relax, chat with friends, or study. Let us know in the comments which of these coffee shops you love, and which you think we missed on this list.

None of the photos included in this article are representative of the establishments mentioned.

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