No matter the season, it’s always a good day for coffee. It is one of the most versatile drinks and can be consumed hot or cold, sweet or bitter, frothy or frozen. The flavor combinations are seemingly endless.
Colorado Springs loves its coffee. If you find yourself craving a cup of java, let the following list inspire your next coffee adventure.
The Exchange
526 South Tejon St | 719.635.0277 | https://theexchangeontejon.com/
Located downtown, The Exchange offers a respite from work, shopping, and the hustle and bustle of city life. The lively music, smell of coffee, and youthful vibe draws you in. This two-story space is filled with a combination of seating choices like armchairs, couches, and dining tables to enjoy during your visit. One of their coffee specialties is a flight that includes four-ounce samples of the following: Cafecito, Cinnamon Roll Zombie, Mocha, and Café Con Leche. If you prefer an adult beverage, The Exchange has a full bar and mimosa flights, as well. This gem also offers entertainment and special events such as open mic nights, live music, and game nights.
Urban Steam American Bistro
1025 Sierra Madre St. | 719.473.7832 | https://www.urbansteam.com/
Urban Steam roasts their beans in house and proudly embraces their location near the historic railroad depot. The theme of the restaurant is based around steam engines and the railroad history of Colorado Springs. They offer a large indoor seating space as well as a shaded outdoor patio. Their coffee menu covers the essentials along with various craft coffees to choose from. For anyone looking for a delicious cocktail, the full bar offers several options. Urban Steam also has a food menu that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re a fan of brunch, they offer brunch specials every weekend from 8am-2pm.
Switchback Coffee Roasters
330 N. Institute St. & 909 E Moreno Ave | 719.345.2807 | https://switchbackroasters.com/
With two locations serving Colorado Springs, Switchback Coffee Roasters are doing amazing things. Switchback has created relationships with farmers and use local ingredients/products to bring its customers the highest quality coffee and food. They are also passionate about educating their customers about coffee from seed to cup. Both locations offer great spaces to enjoy a great cup of coffee along with their breakfast and lunch offerings.
Loyal Coffee C.S.CO.
408 S. Nevada Ave & 11550 Ridgeline Dr. | 719.235.5080 | https://loyalcoffee.co/
Loyal Coffee is barista owned and operated. Both locations are beautifully decorated and very on-trend. The coffee menu offers something for everyone, and they provide a daily roast menu. They have a small but mighty food menu with breakfast items like toast, yogurt and granola, and breakfast sandwiches that pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee. Loyal Coffee proudly roasts their coffee offsite and sells their beans in store, online, and wholesale to local restaurants. In addition to their coffee and tea menu, they also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.
Story Coffee Company
120 E Bijou & 2752 W Colorado Ave | 719.494.3102 | https://www.storycoffeecompany.com/
Story Coffee Company started with a dream and a Tiny House Coffee Shop. Located in Acacia Park, it’s the world’s first Tiny House Coffee Shop where you can go inside. Their design is so impressive that it was named Most Beautiful Coffee Shop in Colorado by Architectural Digest Magazine. Story Coffee Company roasts their own beans and have created their own line of coffee that can be purchased in their stores and online. Because of their low overhead, they are able to donate a portion of all sales to the Marian House to help clothe and feed the homeless. The next time you head downtown, stop in to admire the shop and enjoy a cup of coffee in the park.
Solar Roast Coffee
134 N Tejon St. | 719.344.9064 | https://solarroast.com/
The name says it all. The owners of Solar Roast Coffee, brothers Mike and David Harktop, designed and built the world’s only solar powered coffee roaster. Based out of Pueblo, they use Colorado’s abundant sunshine to roast their beans low and slow, creating a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. At their Tejon location, they created a vibrant space filled with music and art. They also have a food menu that offers pastries, quiche, and other items. Located on the busy corner of Tejon and Bijou, Solar Roast has an outdoor patio where you can enjoy your coffee along with the sights and sounds of downtown.
Jives Coffee Lounge
16 Colbrunn Ct. | 719.725.4193 | https://jivescoffeelounge.com/
Jives' motto is Coffee, Music, Life. Complete with a piano and a stage full of instruments, it seems like a concert could break out at any moment. The musical décor and eclectic furnishings provide a warm and charming atmosphere. There is also a shaded outdoor patio that overlooks Bancroft Park to enjoy your coffee with a view. Owners Dored and Lana are super friendly and make their patrons feel like family. Jives makes a rich, full-bodied, and well-balanced cup of coffee. Along with a vast beverage menu, Jives also offers a highly rated food menu with breakfast and lunch options.
Wayfinder Coffee Company
6140 Austin Bluffs Pkwy | 719.264.2386 | https://wayfindercoffeeco.com/
Wayfinder Coffee Company is a beautiful coffee shop with a very high-end feel. The centerpiece of the space is a large wooden structure that houses the coffee and beverage bar. As you stand in line to order, there are many tempting desserts, muffins, and savory items in their glass bakery case to choose from. If you arrive with a bigger appetite, they have a food menu that offers breakfast, lunch, tapas, and daily specials. Their in-house roasted coffee is strong and rich, with notes of dark chocolate. They also offer beer, wine, and homemade sodas. There is an array of seating options to choose from as well as a large outdoor deck. Wayfinder also hosts events like live music, wine tastings, and singles nights.