Where is the Best Coffee in Denver, Colorado?
Common Grounds has two locations, and while different, they’re both great examples of an urban coffee house. The Highlands location (the original) is still funky and comfortable, with sometimes wacky art and a variety of local musicians, and the Downtown location is convenient, cool, and absolutely non-corporate (hear that, Starbucks?). I’ve always found the staff friendly at both shops, and they make great coffee. I’ve never found either place dirty, and if things are a little cluttered, its certainly because of the brisk business that Common Grounds does. You can’t go wrong with Common Grounds.Pros + Funky, unassuming atmosphere, no pressure to be cool and hipCons – Highlands location has somewhat limited seating
Kaladi’s has the best coffee and espresso in town, but it’s a bit grungy on the inside and the staff acts like you’re interrupting their conversation when you come in. It also seems that they try to make you feel as unwelcome as possible in the hour before they close, as they start sweeping the whole place and putting up the chairs 30 mins BEFORE they’re actually closed. The whole place needs a thorough deep cleaning and the baristas need an attitude adjustment (unless they’re disgruntled because the management is bad, in which case the management needs an attitude adjustment), but I keep going because of the great coffee and the fact that they use and sell fair-trade, shade-grown coffee (it saves the birds!). Just don’t plan on hanging out there.Pros + Good espressoCons – No parking, service with a frown, seems dirty
