For decades coffee shops have acted as the perfect place to meet up with friends, get work done, and enjoy a dose of caffeine. A cozy cafe is also great when you want to stay warm while the cold winds are blowing and the taste of snow or rain is in the air..
Boulder has no shortage of coffee shops and cafes. A few have been around for decades and still remain a local favorite. Others just rolled up onto the scene, already making a name around town. From classic cafes to new hot spots to unique menus, these seven spaces in Boulder really stand out.
Cookies and Hygge at Süti & Co
Boulder’s quaint Scandinavian-style cafe abounds with bright light, calming colors and vibes, and handmade shortbread cookies. Süti (pronounced shoo-tee) is an ode to having a little sweet treat at the end of the day, said owner Andrea Uzarowski, who was raised in Denmark and trained at noma, the famed, decades-old restaurant in Copenhagen.
Suti is set in a historic cottage just off of Pearl Street, and consists of two rooms to sip tea or coffee in, plus outdoor seating. To drink, try the Cardamom Orange Latte and pair it with any of the delicious pastries and a signature shortbread cookie. Each cookie is named after someone in Uzarowski’s life like Chloe, a lemon zest, rose petal, and pistachio sweet, or Oliver, a take on chocolate chip shortbread.
Overall, Süti remains a great place to practice hygge, a Danish custom of feeling cozy. Take a gander at the artisan products for sale, such as candles, mugs, and other pottery, perfect for bringing that comforting feeling home. 2031 16th St., Boulder, sutiandco.com
Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Located on the west end of Pearl Street, Trident has been a Boulder staple since 1980. Since then the community-centered shop draws customers in with books, coffee, and a cozy environment. The combo has worked so well in fact, that this place is always busy and filled up with trendy and artsy folk. Ignore the crowds and get inside. Using beans from Idle Hands Roasting Company, the coffee is excellent, and on certain nights Trident hosts events such as the Community Craft Club, Language Exchange Night, and various album release parties. 940 Pearl St., Boulder, TridentCafe.com
January Coffee
John Imig started January Coffee with his wife, Kristi Peresinger, in May of 2022. Since then the tucked-away venue has become a Boulder favorite. The plant-filled space isn’t huge, but there are plenty of tables to sit, work, or chat at. Don’t miss the Dirty Horchata, which started as a seasonal item but is now always on the menu as a fan-favorite. Also check out the Rosemary Ginger Snap Latte, the bright green Match Latte, and the One & One, which boasts a single espresso shot and macchiato.
On the weekends January becomes a Wi-Fi-free space.
“On weekends, we invite our community to unplug, connect, and be present,” said Imig. “Nothing makes us happier than seeing our space filled with conversation, laughter, reading, board games, creativity, and spontaneous connections. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge to look up from our screens and fully enjoy the moment.” 1886 30th St., Suite B, Boulder, January.Coffee
Beleza Coffee Bar
Located in North Boulder, Beleza Coffee Bar is another busy cafe with specialty lattes and artisanal, fair trade, and global goods to check out. The coffee bar was founded in the fall of 2018 by Nafisa Ramos and Greg Lefcourt, the latter being a former barista competitor.
Beleza, which means “beauty” in Portuguese, uses both local and national roasters for its beans. Seasonal drinks include a Pistachio Rose Latte and a not-too-sweet Tahini Maple Latte. This cafe does not provide Wi-Fi, but it does have plenty of multi-seat and solo tables to work at, sip, and chill. 2680 Broadway, Boulder, BelezaCoffeeBar.com
Ozo Coffee Roasters
You’ll never go wrong with Ozo, it’s been a hallmark coffee shop in Boulder since 2007. Over the years it has grown and now has multiple locations, including two on Pearl Street, one on East Arapahoe Avenue, and another in Longmont. Ozo is known for reliable coffee and friendly staff, and it’s a great place to become a regular.
Every location has solid seating, steady Wi-Fi, and sells locally-made pastries. Try the spicy Sherpa Chai or a simple latte. And if you want to go above and beyond drinking coffee, check out the classes, which include a latte art class or a barista class. Multiple locations, ozocoffee.com
Laughing Goat
The Laughing Goat opened in 2005 and remains a Boulder mainstay. Now the coffee shop has three locations. The largest resides on Pearl Street, a smaller one dubbed Baby Goat is found in east Boulder, and the third is located on CU’s campus. The Pearl Street location, which just celebrated 19 years, has plenty of seating options if you want to peer out the windows or tuck yourself into a corner with a book. For a more lively time, join the coffee spot for live music and other events.
The Baby Goat location is another solid option, especially if you want a less busy place that still offers the same quality coffee The Laughing Goat is known for. Check out its Instagram, which highlights the friendly and funny crew, and often has information on drink specials and giveaways. Multiple locations, TheLaughingGoat.com
Creature Comforts
This new coffee shop opened on the corner of Pearl Street and 17th Avenue in the fall of 2023, fitting into a perfect prime location.
“Creating a space has always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl,” said owner Jess Liu. “Green is my favorite color, and so I really wanted a location to help create a bright and airy space, with an ambience of good energy and airiness.”
This is exactly what you’ll find when visiting Creature Comforts. Plants occupy space everywhere, and the walls have huge windows and garage doors that can open when the weather is nice. When it’s chilly out, there are plenty of seats to snag and even blankets to cozy up with.
At Creature Comforts, you’ll find a lot of Asian-inspired drinks and treats, like the Black Sesame Latte and toasts served on fluffy and tender Japanese milk bread. Other must-tries include the Salted Honey Latte and the Raspberry Matcha Latte. Sit at one of the larger community tables and make a new friend, or get cozy on the couch or at one of the corner seats. The cafe is tip free too, so don’t feel bad for not leaving extra money. 1647 Pearl St., Boulder, creaturecomforts.cafe
