Best Coffee Shops on Denver’s Capitol Hill

The Capitol Hill area of Denver has long been the haunt of artists, bohemians and other urban, creative types. So it should come as no surprise that the Hill has among the best coffee and teahouses in the city. Whether it’s coffee al fresco on the patio of the Penn Street Perk or a cozy cup of joe while the snow falls outside of Pablo’s, the Mile-High city offers a great variety of locally-owned and operated coffee joints for all tastes. It is difficult to whittle the many choices down to a top five, but the following are the spots that offer the best java, the best environment and the best service in town.

1. Buzz Fill’er Up Cafe
1229 E. Sixth Ave.
Buzz is instantly recognizable as a former gas station, and for those of us who require bean juice like an Excursion requires regular unleaded, the place is a great place to top off the tank. Buzz serves Lion brand coffee, a yummy Kona bean in the bright and pleasant shop. To add to the appeal, they offer a drive-up window and free wireless, making it perfect for the coffee junkie on the go as well as those of the sit-and-sip variety.

2. Scooter Joe’s Coffee
726 Lincoln Street
Scooter Joe’s is housed in a reincarnated scooter shop. The Vespa-themed interior and the scooter on the roof add to the European feel of the shop. Inside, you’ll find free wifi, excellent breakfast burritos, pleasant service and coffee from local roasters. On summer days, the shop opens up the big garage doors and lets the fresh air in.

3. Pablo’s Coffee
630 E. Sixth Avenue
This little neighborhood joint roasts its coffee in-house, making it some of the freshest brew you can find in town. The shop offers a good stock of baked goods, sweets, teas and other items in a comfortably appointed corner location. The service is friendly and passionate about the coffee they brew, always willing to answer questions about the staggering variety of beans on display.

4. Penn Street Perk
1300 Pennsylvania St.
Penn Street Perk is a favorite of Denver’s hipster scene, nestled among museums and local music venues and bars. The Perk has a knowledgeable staff, high-quality coffees and free wireless as well as ample seating and historical touches like exposed brick and antiques. The building was once the garage for The Unsinkable Molly Brown’s electric car, and the place honors the local heroine with titanic trivia throughout the shop.

5. Diedrich’s
9th Avenue and Downing St.
Diedrich’s is a comfortable, late-night coffeehouse that caters especially to Denver’s gay community, but all are certainly welcome here. They offer great coffee, a wide variety of coffee drinks and juices and tasty baked goods as well as some of the best people-watching in the city. There are several large tables here, making it a great meeting place for large groups. They also have free wireless Internet. Diedrich’s is a chain with locations in California and Texas, but the feel of this Cap Hill shop is certainly comfortable enough to be a local joint.