Sip by Sip: A Guide to Coffee in Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, there is a coffee shop for every kind of morning.

Coffee is a year round thing here. It is the iced latte after a summer hike, the pumpkin drink on a crisp October morning, and the warm cup you hold while the snow falls over Pikes Peak. And lately, the coffee scene keeps growing, with new shops opening and small cafes finding their people all over town.

So instead of crowning one winner, this guide is about what makes each place special. Every shop below comes with its best feature, from a zero waste lounge to a cafe built for Incline hikers, so you can choose based on the kind of day you are having.

Hours, menus, and seasonal drinks change, so it is always worth checking before you go. Ready to sip your way through the Springs? Let’s take a look.

Downtown and Central

Downtown is the most walkable part of the Springs, with the Tejon Street corridor, Acacia Park, and the New South End all within a short stroll. It sits right next to the Old North End and Colorado College to the north, and close to Ivywild, Hillside, and the Westside neighborhoods. Weidner Field and its new restaurants and shops are nearby, so a coffee stop can easily turn into a full day. Parking is a mix of street meters and garages, so give yourself a few extra minutes and check the signs. Here is where we stop by...

The Best Coffee & Lounge

This one is a personal favorite. It pairs handcrafted coffee with a lounge feel, so it works for a morning latte, an afternoon work session, or an evening drink with live music.

📍 Where: 401 N. Tejon St, downtown, with a second location at 115 S. 25th St in Old Colorado City

⭐ Best known for: Coffee by day and cocktails by night, with a food menu that includes vegan options and a lively events calendar

☕ Try this: The menu also features chilaquiles, pupusas, and seasonal drinks like a caramel apple chai.

📅 Good to know: Hours differ by location and day of the week, and events like Friday salsa and bachata lessons can change, so check before you go.

The Exchange

A longtime downtown favorite that has watched the neighborhood grow up around it. It works for coffee, breakfast, or brunch, and it has a bar when the day calls for one.

📍 Where: 526 S. Tejon St, near the Trolley Block and the New South End

⭐ Best known for: A relaxed coffee, brunch, and bar combination, and the winner of the 2026 People’s Choice Award for best coffee shop from Springs Magazine readers

☕ Try this: Pastelito Wednesdays, a Cuban coffee and a pastry for $5

📅 Good to know: The Wednesday special and weekend live music can change, so check the schedule first.

Cinchona

A simple, polished stop for coffee lovers who care about where the beans come from. It is also a good pick if matcha is more your speed.

📍 Where: 2 S. Wahsatch Ave, Suite 100

⭐ Best known for: Single origin coffee and matcha

☕ Try this: A single origin pour or a matcha latte

📅 Good to know: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., which makes it a good early stop.

Loyal Coffee

Loyal calls its team “barista built,” and the bright, lively cafes show it. The coffee comes from its own roastery, and the toasts make it easy to turn a latte into breakfast.

📍 Where: 408 S. Nevada Ave downtown, with a second cafe at 11550 Ridgeline Dr on the north side

⭐ Best known for: Its own roastery and specialty toasts, and a Silver pick in the Gazette’s Best of the Springs

☕ Try this: A specialty toast with your latte. Loyal has also made an oatmeal cookie latte with house made oat syrup in past falls, so ask if it is back.

📅 Good to know: Seasonal drinks rotate, so the menu may differ from past years.

Homa Cafe + Bar

Tucked into the first floor of the Kinship Landing boutique hotel, Homa is a friendly stop for travelers and locals alike. It has been open for about five years and has the feel of a neighborhood hangout.

📍 Where: 415 S. Nevada Ave, downtown

⭐ Best known for: A flexible menu with coffee, beer, bowls, sandwiches, and sweets, all under one roof

☕ Try this: A healthy bowl or a hearty sandwich with your coffee

📅 Good to know: Menu and hours can change, so check before you head over.

Iris Insight: Pick one area and make a morning of it. Loyal and Homa sit just steps apart on S. Nevada, so you can park once and sample two very different spots without ever getting back in the car.

Old Colorado City and the Westside

Old Colorado City is the Springs’ historic district, with brick storefronts, galleries, and small shops along W. Colorado Ave. It borders the Westside and sits about 15 minutes from Manitou Springs and Garden of the Gods, which makes it a great base for a day on the west side. Bancroft Park hosts community events, so it is worth checking the calendar before you visit. Most of the street is walkable, with parking on the street and in nearby lots. Grab a cup and wander with us. Here is where we stop by...

Jives Coffee Lounge

A cozy corner space where the motto is “coffee, music and life.” It is the kind of place that feels as good in the evening as it does in the morning.

📍 Where: 16 Colbrunn Court, Old Colorado City

⭐ Best known for: Live music on a small stage in the evenings, in a comfortable lounge setting

☕ Try this: An evening visit when the music is playing

📅 Good to know: Live music nights vary, so check the schedule for who is on stage.

Frankly Coffee

A small specialty shop that keeps things simple and good, with pastries baked locally to go with your cup.

📍 Where: 727 1/2 W. Colorado Ave, Old Colorado City

⭐ Best known for: A small, focused specialty menu with locally baked pastries

☕ Try this: A local pastry with your coffee

📅 Good to know: It is a small space, so expect a cozy stop and not a big seating area.

La Baguette Bakery and Cafe

A true Old Colorado City classic that has been open for more than 40 years. It is a cafe where people actually want to stay awhile, with the breads and pastries regulars expect.

📍 Where: 2417 W. Colorado Ave, Old Colorado City

⭐ Best known for: Fresh breads and pastries, and a French onion soup the Gazette calls the city’s most beloved

☕ Try this: A pastry with your coffee, and the French onion soup on a chilly day

📅 Good to know: Hours and the soup menu may vary by season, so check ahead.

Old North End

This is one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city, known for tree lined streets and historic homes. It sits just north of downtown and Colorado College, near Monument Valley Park, with Patty Jewett and the Roswell area close by. The coffee spots here are small and neighborhood focused, so plan on a relaxed stop and not a big crowd. It is a good one to pair with a walk or a drive through the area. Slow down and settle in. Here is where we stop by...

STIR Coffee and Cocktails

A neighborhood spot that covers both ends of the day, with coffee in the morning and cocktails when you are ready to unwind.

📍 Where: 2330 N. Wahsatch Ave, Old North End

⭐ Best known for: Coffee and cocktails in a neighborhood setting

☕ Try this: A morning coffee, or come back later for something stronger

📅 Good to know: Hours and menu change, so check before you go.

ROHR Coffee

A newer neighborhood favorite near Patty Jewett Reservoir that opened in 2024 and quickly built a following, thanks in part to its signature drink.

📍 Where: 1020 E. Jefferson St, near Patty Jewett Reservoir

⭐ Best known for: The signature ROHR latte, made with peanut butter, white chocolate, and white espresso

☕ Try this: The ROHR latte

📅 Good to know: It is a small neighborhood shop, so check hours before you plan a stop.

Iris Insight: Coffee shops are one of my favorite ways to get to know a neighborhood. Spend a morning at the local spot, notice who walks in, and you will learn more about the feel of a place than any listing can tell you.

The North Side

The north side is more spread out, so this is the part of the guide where you will want to drive. These shops sit near Northgate, Briargate, and the Academy and Ridgeline corridors, close to newer neighborhoods like Flying Horse, Cordera, and Wolf Ranch. It is also near the Air Force Academy’s North Gate and has easy access to I-25. Parking is simple, with lots at nearly every stop, and many of these cafes are great for working or meeting a friend. Hop in the car, because here is where we stop by...

Wayfinder Coffee Co.

World maps and travel posters set the mood at Wayfinder. By day it is a coffee shop with house roasted single origin beans and pastries. In the evening, it turns into a wine bar.

📍 Where: 6140 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Suite 150

⭐ Best known for: Globally sourced coffee by day, plus wine tastings and jazz in the evening. It earned Gold in the Gazette’s Best of the Springs.

☕ Try this: A pastry with your coffee, or come back for the evening wine and tapas

📅 Good to know: Wine tastings and jazz nights are scheduled, so check before you go.

Hold Fast Coffee Co.

A roastery and small cafe that has built a following well beyond Colorado Springs, with customers around the country. It also hosts classes if you want to learn more about coffee.

📍 Where: 2360 Montebello Square Dr, Suite H1

⭐ Best known for: Distinctive roasts with a loyal nationwide wholesale following, plus classes and seasonal menus

☕ Try this: Liege waffles on weekends, and whatever seasonal drink is on the menu

📅 Good to know: Seasonal menus change a few times a year, and waffles are a weekend treat.

Mission Coffee Roasters

A Northgate area roaster that puts community first. Mission regularly hosts fundraisers for local nonprofits, schools, and churches.

📍 Where: 11641 Ridgeline Dr, Suite 170, Northgate area

⭐ Best known for: A coffee roaster with a community minded approach and regular fundraisers

☕ Try this: A cup of their roasted coffee, and ask about the current fundraiser

📅 Good to know: Fundraiser schedules vary, so check for what is running now.

KB Coffee and Bakery

Colorful, themed drinks are the thing here, and the fall menu is especially fun.

📍 Where: 1802 Dominion Way

⭐ Best known for: Colorful themed drinks and fresh baked goods

☕ Try this: The toasted pumpkin latte, part of the 2026 fall menu

📅 Good to know: Seasonal menus rotate, so the fall drink may change by the next season.

Fresh Pours, New Spots

Every shop in this section opened between December 2025 and August 2026, so each one is still finding its rhythm. They are spread across downtown near Weidner Field, near Colorado College, and in Manitou Springs, which is about 15 minutes from downtown. Hours, menus, and events can change in the first months, so it is a good idea to check their social pages before you go. Visiting a new place early is a great way to support it, and you may become a regular before your friends do. These are the newcomers, and here is where we stop by...

Landmarks Coffee

This shop began as a food truck and now has a permanent home next to Weidner Field. The owners, Brandon and Toni Watts, call it “your local caffeine dealer,” and say the shop is about community and connection.

📍 Where: 635 S. Sierra Madre St, Suite 100, beside Weidner Field. Opened August 2026.

⭐ Best known for: Signature lattes in a brand new downtown space, built around community

☕ Try this: The Trailblazer (lavender and vanilla), the Summit (salted caramel and white mocha), or the lavender matcha

📅 Good to know: Open seven days a week, with a community 5K on Sundays at 6:45 a.m. Check the schedule for live music and events.

Misty Mountain Collective

An eco-conscious lounge that opened in December 2025, run by Dakota and Stormy Wilkerson. It doubles as a gathering space for artists and performers, with local art on the walls.

📍 Where: 705 N. Nevada Ave, one block south of Colorado College’s Ed Robson Arena

⭐ Best known for: Zero waste coffee, with reusable mugs for in cafe drinks and refundable mason jar deposits for to go orders

☕ Try this: A house syrup latte, made in small batches with herbs and natural ingredients

📅 Good to know: Open mics, poetry readings, and performances are planned, so check for events.

IncliNation Cafe

Built for the Manitou Incline crowd, this cafe is inspired by the climb. It sits about a half mile from the trailhead, so it is the perfect pre dawn stop or post hike reward. The owners also plan a companion spa and lounge called The Bailout.

📍 Where: 124 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs, about 15 minutes from downtown. Grand opening May 8, 2026.

⭐ Best known for: A full Incline experience, from pre dawn espresso to hike fuel

☕ Try this: Coffee, tea, or a boba drink, plus an OG breakfast burrito or a bowl

📅 Good to know: Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Bailout spa is expected to open around the end of 2026, so check for updates.

Small Cafes Worth Supporting

These locally owned cafes are on the east side near Palmer Park and Powers, in southeast Colorado Springs, and along North Academy. They are a bit outside the busy downtown scene, so you will want to drive, and most have easy parking. Hours at smaller shops can be shorter or change seasonally, so a quick check helps. A visit here goes a long way, because small businesses grow on neighbors who tell their friends. These are the small shops we love, and here is where we stop by...

Black Coffee

Owners Stephon Black and Susan Gates opened this shop in September 2025, hoping to be a local option in a neighborhood full of national chains. They welcome people who want to stay and work, not only grab a drink.

📍 Where: 5867 Palmer Park Blvd, inside the Sammich Shack space at Palmer Park and Powers

⭐ Best known for: A welcoming, locally owned neighborhood stop, and a place to settle in with the Wi-Fi

☕ Try this: An iced white chocolate latte with cherry cold foam, a favorite of co-owner Susan Gates

📅 Good to know: When it opened, hours were Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check for current hours.

Stompin’ Groundz

Opened in 2024 by Juelz Ramirez, who grew up in the area. The goal is a community hub, with room for meetups, book clubs, and networking groups.

📍 Where: 2050 Jet Wing Dr, southeast Colorado Springs

⭐ Best known for: A spacious community hub with all day breakfast, networking groups, and open mic nights

☕ Try this: A breakfast sandwich, or the vegan avocado toast

📅 Good to know: Events vary, so check for upcoming open mics and meetups.

Treehouse Cafe COS

A wellness focused cafe with a rotating menu of teas and coffees, great for when you want something a little different.

📍 Where: 5965 N. Academy Blvd, Suite 203

⭐ Best known for: A health and wellness focus with rotating teas and coffees

☕ Try this: Whatever is on the rotating menu

📅 Good to know: The menu rotates, so ask what is new.

Iris Insight: When you find a small shop you love, tell a friend and leave a review. A new business grows on word of mouth, and your recommendation can go a long way.

Sip by Season

Coffee in Colorado Springs changes with the weather, and that is part of the fun. Many shops rotate their menus a few times a year, so a spot you love in July may surprise you in October. Think pumpkin lattes and warm spices in the fall, cozy fireside corners in winter, patio mornings in spring, and iced drinks after a summer hike. Here is a quick guide to what to sip all year, so every season has a reason to stop by.

🍂 Fall.

KB Coffee and Bakery has a toasted pumpkin latte on its fall menu, Hold Fast releases seasonal menus, and The Best Coffee & Lounge has featured a caramel apple chai.

❄️ Winter.

Look for cozy lounges. The Best Coffee & Lounge announced an indoor fireplace and patio fire pits, which makes it a good warm up stop.

🌸 Spring.

Patio season returns. It is a good time for a morning at Old Colorado City or a pre hike stop in Manitou.

☀️ Summer.

Iced lattes and matcha are the move after a hike. Landmarks Coffee’s lavender matcha is a refreshing choice.

Could This Be Your Home?

Colorado Springs has a way of turning a simple cup of coffee into a morning adventure. There is a place for the early riser, the evening music lover, and everyone in between.

If you are thinking about making Colorado Springs home, notice which neighborhood feels like your regular coffee spot. That is often a good sign. Take the quiz and find out where you actually fit.