9 Best Coffee Shops In Colorado Springs That Locals Actually Love

Colorado Springs has no shortage of places to hand you a cup of coffee. What it does have — if you know where to look — is a handful of spots that take it seriously. Whether you're chasing a precise single-origin pour-over or just want somewhere to open a laptop without feeling rushed, this list skips the chains and gets straight to what's worth your morning.

Where the Coffee People Go

1. Loyal Coffee

Credit: Loyal Coffee

The first thing you notice at Loyal Coffee is the quiet confidence of the place — no blaring playlist, no gimmicks, just the hiss of an espresso machine and staff who can actually explain why the beans they're pouring this week taste different from last week's. They rotate single-origin offerings regularly, and the pour-overs are the reason to visit. On S Nevada Ave just south of downtown, it's the kind of room where an hour disappears fast. Order the Colombia pour-over and sit by the window.

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2. Switchback Coffee Roasters

Credit: Switchback Coffee Roasters

Switchback Coffee Roasters is the place North End regulars point visitors toward when they want the real answer. They roast their own beans on-site — you can often catch the smell of it from the sidewalk on Institute Street — and the Ethiopian espresso has that bright, almost citrusy quality that makes you slow down and pay attention. The breakfast sandwich on sourdough is one of the better versions in the city. Grab one early; they move fast and this spot fills up by mid-morning on weekends.

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3. Story Coffee Company

Credit: Story Coffee Company

Story Coffee sits on E Bijou in a spot small enough that there's no hiding a bad shot. It's a walk-up counter operation — street parking, meters, no fuss — and the whole experience has a satisfying efficiency to it: fresh-ground espresso, friendly faces, out the door in five minutes with something that's genuinely good in your hand. The lattes here have drawn comparisons to the best in the state, which is a bold claim, but not one regulars seem to argue with. Cash-friendly, quick, worth a stop. ENTRY_1: Denver Biscuit Co. brought its Tejon Street energy to Colorado Springs and didn't dial anything back. The biscuits arrive golden and impossibly tall, the kind that require two hands and a plan. Cold brew is on the menu and worth getting alongside whatever you're eating. The space has a downtown-casual feel — lively, a little loud at peak hours, the kind of place where a table next to strangers doesn't feel awkward. Eggs are generous on the cheese. The strawberry jam that comes with the biscuits is not an afterthought. ENTRY_2: Black Bear Diner on Academy is the kind of place that leans into its own size — portions, space, personality, all of it oversized in the best way. The dining room fills up during the holidays and the staff manages it well. Dwan is one of the servers worth getting if you're lucky on your visit. The chicken dinner and the fish are the moves according to regulars, though the burger and prime rib are worth watching for on future visits. Go early on weekends; it's a neighborhood staple that draws a real crowd. ENTRY_3: Fat Sully's shares an address with Denver Biscuit Co. on S Tejon, which is either a great coincidence or a very efficient building. The pizza is New York-influenced — big, honest slices, nothing precious about it — and the room carries the same relaxed downtown energy as its neighbor. People who are picky about their pizza tend to come around. The drinks and atmosphere earn as much enthusiasm in the reviews as the food itself. Good for a quick lunch or a late-afternoon slice when you don't want to overthink it. ENTRY_4: Voodoo Brewing sits out on Garden of the Gods Road, which means you're probably passing it on the way to or from the park — and that's exactly when to stop. The inside is large and a little unexpectedly cool, with decor that has more personality than a typical brewpub. The Powder Run vanilla beer is the one people buy cans of on the way out. Burgers and pizza cover the food side of things. Fair warning: the metal barstools are not built for long stays, so plan accordingly or claim one of the better seats early.

Biscuits, Booths, and Big Plates

4. Denver Biscuit Co. - Colorado Springs

Credit: Denver Biscuit Co.

Denver Biscuit Co. brought its Tejon Street energy to Colorado Springs and didn't dial anything back. The biscuits arrive golden and impossibly tall, the kind that require two hands and a plan. Cold brew is on the menu and worth getting alongside whatever you're eating. The space has a downtown-casual feel — lively, a little loud at peak hours, the kind of place where a table next to strangers doesn't feel awkward. Eggs are generous on the cheese. The strawberry jam that comes with the biscuits is not an afterthought.

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5. Black Bear Diner Colorado Springs - Academy

Credit: Black Bear Diner Colorado Springs

Black Bear Diner on Academy is the kind of place that leans into its own size — portions, space, personality, all of it oversized in the best way. The dining room fills up during the holidays and the staff manages it well. Dwan is one of the servers worth getting if you're lucky on your visit. The chicken dinner and the fish are the moves according to regulars, though the burger and prime rib are worth watching for on future visits. Go early on weekends; it's a neighborhood staple that draws a real crowd.

Pizza, Beer, and the Good Kind of Wrong Turn

6. Fat Sully's NY Pizza - Colorado Springs

Credit: Fat Sully's NY Pizza

Fat Sully's shares an address with Denver Biscuit Co. on S Tejon, which is either a great coincidence or a very efficient building. The pizza is New York-influenced — big, honest slices, nothing precious about it — and the room carries the same relaxed downtown energy as its neighbor. People who are picky about their pizza tend to come around. The drinks and atmosphere earn as much enthusiasm in the reviews as the food itself. Good for a quick lunch or a late-afternoon slice when you don't want to overthink it.

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7. Voodoo Brewing -Colorado Springs

Credit: Voodoo Brewing

Voodoo Brewing sits out on Garden of the Gods Road, which means you're probably passing it on the way to or from the park — and that's exactly when to stop. The inside is large and a little unexpectedly cool, with decor that has more personality than a typical brewpub. The Powder Run vanilla beer is the one people buy cans of on the way out. Burgers and pizza cover the food side of things. Fair warning: the metal barstools are not built for long stays, so plan accordingly or claim one of the better seats early. ENTRY_8: Colorado Mountain Brewery at Interquest is a bit of a trek from downtown, but the Pikes Peak backdrop you can see from the area makes it feel earned. The space is cozy in a way that pulls off the high-ceilings-plus-warmth trick, and it's reliably packed enough that you know it's not running on location alone. Get the bison burger — it comes up constantly for a reason, juicy and well-seasoned, one of the better burgers on the north end of the city. The cider pork chops are the sleeper pick if you want something different.

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8. Colorado Mountain Brewery

Credit: Colorado Mountain Brewery

Colorado Mountain Brewery at Interquest is a bit of a trek from downtown, but the Pikes Peak backdrop you can see from the area makes it feel earned. The space is cozy in a way that pulls off the high-ceilings-plus-warmth trick, and it's reliably packed enough that you know it's not running on location alone. Get the bison burger — it comes up constantly for a reason, juicy and well-seasoned, one of the better burgers on the north end of the city. The cider pork chops are the sleeper pick if you want something different.

New spots keep opening on the west side and in the Old Colorado City corridor — we'll update this list as things shake out. In the meantime: which of these do you already have a regular order at, and what is it? Drop it in the comments — that's more useful to the next reader than anything we could write.