Specialty coffee and its cafes were once an exclusive domain of urbanite hipsters. Baristas leaned toward the snobbish. Coffees hailed from unpronounceable origins, with lighter roasts, flavor notes and eye-watering prices. Perhaps most startling, if you ordered a macchiato it wasn’t served in huge “Venti” sizes drizzled in caramel. Rather, it was tiny, ornamented only by something called “latte art,” and it still cost as much as that Venti-caramel monstrosity. To the uninitiated, it was all rather perplexing.
But something has changed. Tastes have changed. What was urban has spread to the suburban. Even non-hipsters have warmed to this previously exclusive genre called specialty coffee; and it’s everywhere, springing up in multiple iterations and locations all over the Springs. Here’s where to find the best specialty coffee on the north side of Colorado Springs.
Loyal Coffee Northgate
Loyal Coffee was among the front-runners in specialty coffee in Colorado Springs. But there were questions when a second, north location was announced. Could specialty coffee, with its “tiny” drinks and lack of whipped cream toppings survive in suburbia? Would commuters and soccer moms embrace what “hipsters” had created?
“People have been particularly excited about well designed spaces and really tasty coffee in the suburbs,” says Eric Nicol, co-owner of Loyal Coffee. Yet, specialty coffee’s success has stemmed from a focus, not on the product, but the people. “The space and quality can get people in, but the community keeps people,” continues Nicol.
Loyal’s Northgate location has exceeded all expectations. “It has been beating our downtown location’s sales since summer 2022,” Nicol says. Local residents found a new, closer “third space,” while nearby office workers flooded the cafe to escape fluorescent-lit cubicles. What they’ve discovered is not only classic espresso drinks executed excellently but creations unique to Loyal — like espresso and housemade tonic. Sheer brilliance on a summer’s day.
loyalcoffee.co
11550 Ridgeline Dr., Colorado Springs, 80921
Third Space Coffee
After founding and managing this north-central cafe, owner Rowland Smith bowed out several years ago. But not before he established Third Space as a beloved, well, third space near North Academy and Vickers. The concept was made famous in coffee by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz: After home and work, the “third space” is the place you wish to find yourself, your community space.
Third Space, the cafe, has been under new ownership since 2020. Thankfully, little has changed other than now roasting their own coffees. The spacious cafe continues to offer the meeting spaces, music/theater/art venue, that famous GF pumpkin spice muffin, and social gathering hub that its loyal patrons have sought out for their own third space energized by specialty coffee.
thirdspacecoffee.com
5670 N Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, 80918
R&R Coffee
This cafe has always done its own thing, perhaps aided by its farther-flung Black Forest location. “The cafe strikes a unique amalgamation of specialty coffee and country cafe,” says Ryan Foley, longtime patron and now co-owner of Fort Collins Bean Cycle. “I never leave without a pour-over and housemade cinnamon roll.”
Ryan Wanner, R&R’s founding owner and roaster, purposed this fusion when he understood the preferences of locals for a home-style dining menu and coffee variety. Wanner humorously recalls the cafe’s earliest days when local customers demanded flavored coffee: those roasted with added flavoring, such as French Vanilla. Slowly, Wanner weened his regulars off these additives in favor of his own specialty coffees. And the roastery cafe has been thriving since 2007.
NOTE: R&R Coffee closed in 2023, but Wanner evolved his concept into Golden Pine Roasterie, now open.
rnrcoffeecafe.com
11424 Black Forest Rd., Colorado Springs, 80908
Hold Fast Coffee Co.
The cafe that was known as Peak Place since 2013 recently merged with its roastery and rebranded as Hold Fast Coffee Co. This north-central location at Academy and Montebello has been a frontrunner in providing its patrons with specialty coffee and pastry options, as well as a full menu that includes excellent wine and beer selections. This has gone a long way in “converting” the skeptics into specialty coffee believers.
Further setting itself apart, Hold Fast has assiduously expanded its wholesale accounts. Their coffee shows up all over the Springs in locations such as Bird Tree Cafe, 1979 and Wild Goose Meeting House—which is likely why you’re already familiar with their coffee. Also, ask ’em about their free local deliveries.
holdfastcoffeeco.com
2360 Montebello Square Dr., Colorado Springs, 80918
1979 Coffee
What could be termed a “second location” of Hold Fast, 1979 is the cafe of Woodmen Valley Chapel, proselytizing the benefits of specialty coffee seven days a week. The only authentic specialty coffee in northwest Springs, 1979 began when Hold Fast sent its manager Paul Brueggemann to train, equip and manage 1979’s baristas.
Years into the project, accolades are due for the cafe’s consistency. Even with Brueggemann off to other projects, 1979 continues to source beans from Hold Fast and staff, training, best practices, and the gospel of specialty coffee. Bonus? Their prices are half of anyone else.
@1979coffee
240 E Woodmen Rd., Colorado Springs 80919
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