One of my favorite things to do is go to cute local coffee shops on occasion! I love the variety of coffee shops, each one having a different little pizazz and style; makes paying $5 for a coffee (kinda) worth it if it’s a cute shop with a good atmosphere. In Boulder, there is no shortage of great coffee shops, and here are a few of the best.

1. The Laughing Goat

Photo credit: Chuck N

Ah, The Laughing Goat is a favorite of the Boulder coffee scene and it makes sense why. A nice location a few blocks off of the busy Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall, the Laughing Goat is a nice little oasis. They have a tiny cute patio and a massive lobby inside—a great location if you are worried you might not find a seat anywhere else. A friendly staff, great coffee (try the Venetian Cream, a creamy cold coffee that is my particular fav) and they even offer wine and beer. They also play live music at night if you want a fun place to just hang out. It’s got a nice rustic, low-key hippie local vibe that is enjoyable to be a part of.

2. Alpine Modern Cafe

Photo credit: Paige H

Alpine Modern Cafe is a little gem of a cafe. It originated at its location on College Ave (at the top of Boulder’s ‘The Hill’ district) and has since opened up a Pearl Street location as well. The College Ave location is my personal favorite, as it’s nestled in the trees at the top of ‘The Hill’ within the streets. Its location makes it feel very quaint and easier to find parking over the Pearl Street location. It has a very modern design that feels clean and inviting, with a tinge of a rustic and mountain vibe. It has a lot of light and is a great place to meet friends or sit down and crank out some work.

3. Trident Booksellers and Cafe

Photo credit: Carlos R

Trident is another low-key favorite by many. It’s a cute bookstore that’s also a cafe, which adds a cool vibe to the place. It feels very ‘Boulder,’ and is tucked away on the east side of the Pearl Street Mall. It’s the longest-standing coffee shop of Boulder, which feels very authentic with Boulder constantly changing and growing. On top of its cute seating inside, it has a nice discreet patio in the back that is super cozy and calm. A nice place if you want to get away and feel nostalgic.

Rea McLaughlin
Rea McLaughlin is an enthusiastic soul that loves life from Colorado. She loves the Colorado sunshine and enjoys partaking in it often by going climbing, hiking or camping. She attained her BFA in Film Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she fell in love with storytelling. After living in NYC for a year to pursue film, Rea is happily back in Colorado enjoying the mountains and sunshine. One of her favorite themes to explore in her art and writing is the human spirit and human connection. When she’s not climbing or creating, Rea loves traveling to music festivals and going to Red Rocks shows. She might ask you for your birth time to check out your astrology chart too! (She is a Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, Aquarius Rising). She loves to enjoy life and squeeze the very best of out of it.
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