Planning a Colorado road trip around cafes? If the thought hadn’t occurred to you, let’s feed your wanderlust (and caffeine cravings) a bit, shall we? The state has earned its place as the fourth in Thrillist’s list of the most beautiful U.S. states, a placement that feels almost too modest when you witness its peaks vaulting upward to meet the sky. It’s also home to a highway so arresting it’s earned the name the Million Dollar Highway, one of the prettiest in America. But between its charming mountain towns and scenic byways, a handful of cafes have managed to make the state’s natural splendor even more captivating.
Views and vittles engage in a sort of friendly standoff in the Centennial State. Steam rises from handcrafted lattes against backdrops of rugged ridgelines. Flaky pastries arrive at tables overlooking valleys where morning light pools honeyed and golden. After all, when you’re surrounded by geography this commanding, your coffee had better be exceptional, your breakfast worth the winding drive, and the atmosphere worthy of the altitude.
So we rounded up cafes from blog posts and news articles, and looked at visitor experiences and locals’ recommendations from sites like Tripadvisor and Reddit to find the best. These five cafes turn what could be simple refueling stops into destinations unto themselves — the icing on top of an already enviable cake, or better yet, a darn good reason to take the long way home.
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Adam’s Mountain Cafe, Manitou Springs
Adam’s Mountain Cafe with mountain backdrop – @daveinreallifetx / Instagram
For a place that’s been feeding Manitou Springs for 28 years, Adam’s Mountain Cafe has earned the right to make demands of its diners — namely, that they slow down. The philosophy here follows the Slow Food movement, with local producers supplying the ingredients and a menu that’s 60% vegetarian and 30% vegan. Owner Farley McDonough puts it plainly in The Maverick Observer: “I’m just going to make sure that whatever we cook, whatever we prepare, is going to be fresh, it’s going to be clean, and it’s going to be made with integrity.”
Breakfast runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, but it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot at their outdoor patio, where Pikes Peak rises in full view behind the town’s foothills. Fruit arrives cut fresh to order, and organic eggs transform into Huevos Rancheros — a house special. For something sweet, try their Orange Almond French Toast to make the early rise feel worthwhile.
Plus, the cafe has the option to invite strangers to become temporary breakfast companions! One visitor notes, “We loved the ‘community table’ option where you can choose to sit and have others join the table.” Pair any of it with their house-made chai or a bloody Mary from the full bar.
The Egg of Estes, Estes Park
The Egg of Estes with The Rockies just behind – The Egg of Estes / Facebook
There’s no missing The Egg. Ask anyone in Estes Park for recommendations on where to eat, and it will probably come up. It’s a breakfast spot that shares its gateway town with Rocky Mountain National Park, and it doesn’t get more perfect than that.
The Egg understands its role and plays it well: To provide a reliable, substantial breakfast that turns a good day in the Rockies into a great one, using AA-grade fresh Colorado eggs from local chicken farmers (really a non-negotiable standard when your name is literally The Egg). The menu delivers on an egg-centric promise with an execution that earns repeat visits from tourists who hardly have time for one, especially in such a storybook place where elk roam freely — and you might see an elk or two with your meal.
A person who managed to squeeze in two visits during a brief stay praised the eggs benedict and what they call “the fluffiest omelet ever!” The kitchen sources locally whenever Colorado farmers can deliver, and supplements this haul with thoughtful choices like Perricone Farms organic orange juice and the house “Egg”sessory Hot Sauce, a thick red ripened jalapeño blend from New Mexico that adds zest without overwhelming.
Train Cars Coffee and Kava, Nederland
Interiors of the cafe with three patrons seated – @zac_heiliger / Instagram
Located in a quirky mountain town just outside of Boulder at 8,236 feet elevation, Train Cars Coffee & Kava occupies three railcars, each one over a century old. Nederland anchors the midpoint of the Peak to Peak Highway, and these train cars have marked that spot since the late 1970s.
A stop to admire the converted railcars is worth it for the novelty alone. One of them, the 1906 Pullman Coach, was one of the last wooden dining cars before steel became standard. The 1872 Circus Car began life carrying mail on a Union Pacific line before a circus converted it into a rolling billboard; the original circus paint is still visible. The 1910 caboose survived active duty until a catastrophic flood in 1965 submerged it, and it retired to Wallstreet, Colorado, and later to Nederland, where it now serves coffee in its idyllic perch in the Caribou Village Shopping Center.
Its interesting history and gorgeous locale aren’t all that carry this cozy little cafe: The locally roasted coffee holds its own, and the kava java, delivering the shop’s specialties in one iced glass, lets you sample both drinks without making the difficult choice of choosing only one. Order the breakfast burrito to pair with it, along with the shop’s self-proclaimed world-famous powdered mini donuts. And just like that, you have yourself the perfect morning.
Bon Ton’s Cafe, Colorado Springs
Bon Ton Cafe’s leafy patio with the cafe’s signage over the archway – Bon Ton’s Cafe / Facebook
Every cafe list like this needs its token American diner, and there’s no more worthy place to occupy it than Bon Ton’s Cafe in the Old Colorado City neighborhood of Colorado Springs. It’s held down its position for over 30 years, long enough to become the neighborhood’s unofficial gathering spot. The menu arrives printed on newsprint — a small touch that immediately sets the tone before you’ve even ordered.
What to get? Ask your server, and they may point you to anything containing the green chili, preferably the breakfast burrito, which has rightfully climbed its way up to fame, though the chili makes an appearance throughout the menu in ways that justify multiple visits.
Breakfast and lunch are available all day until 3 p.m. In Bon Ton’s, however, the early bird gets the worm — in this case, the best deals with specials offered only until 8:30 a.m. Sweets like pancakes and stuffed French toast are also available. And of course, lots and lots of green chili. Weather permitting, settle down on one of the most beautiful patios, where you can dine amidst stunning mountain scenery.
Mountain View Coffee Bar, Breckenridge
Inside store with branded coffee mugs and bagged coffee beans – @mountainviewcoffeebar / Instagram
Breckenridge has no shortage of coffee shops, as evident when you walk through its Main Street and find it crammed full of charming cafes enough to caffeinate a small army. But Mountain View Coffee Bar stands out with an edge its name promises — a direct view of Peak 8. A Yelp reviewer who claimed that this cafe was their go-to when in town described it: “When we first got to the top of the stairs, we turned around only to find the beautiful scenery of all the mountains behind us.”
It’s worth noting the coffee, too, roasted in-house and not one to let the view outshine it. The ambiance is lovely, with a lived-in and creative feel that permeates the space. If, however, it’s too chilly out and the mountain views aren’t enticing enough to keep you planted, there’s a fireplace that’s sure to do the job as you settle in with a homemade pastry.
Methodology
A cup of coffee with latte art on a marble surface – Berna Namoglu/Shutterstock
The best cafes would, of course, ultimately be subjective. A huge part of the charm is the discovery of hidden gems as you explore remote corners and perhaps find a tiny mom-and-pop place that’s endured generations in the area, or find yourself drawn in by a delectable scent wafting through the air as you walk through town. But some beloved places don’t stay secret long, especially with the internet.
Local bloggers write about their favorite cafes, and some even make it to news articles. Cafes on this list were rounded up from multiple sources, particularly if they made repeat appearances. This is also supplemented with Tripadvisor rankings and Reddit comments to get more personal opinions from locals and visitors alike. These cafes are the ones people recommend with enthusiasm. As such, while taste is always personal, the sheer consistency of praise makes it clear these five cafes have earned their place among Colorado’s most destination-worthy stops.
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Read the original article on Islands.