6 coffee shops in Denver to fill your cup back up after Secret Garden Café’s departure
After Secret Garden Café near Cheesman Park closed suddenly on Oct. 10, coffee drinkers were left with one less java spot to enjoy drinks around the neighborhood.
But after doing some digging, here are six coffee shops in Denver that could fill the void left from Secret Garden Café’s departure:
Thump Coffee – Located at: 1201 E 13th Ave., Denver
Thump Coffee is a coffee shop that roasts its own beans and bakes all of its pastries in-house. Thump started with a flagship location and roastery in Bend, Oregon and now has one location in Colorado. With a spacious café that includes bar seating, communal tables, and outdoor seating, there are options for leisure, working, or hanging out.
Breakfast and brunch options are available after 7:30 a.m., with a rotating seasonal menu featuring a variety of toast, breakfast sandwiches and bagel sandwiches. With the baristas and workers being the center of the business, connection is at the heart of every cup served at Thump. Hours: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weathervane Café – Located at: 1725 E 17th Ave., Denver
Hungry folks can rejoice with good food and hearty breakfast sandwiches at Weathervane while also enjoying some unique and off-beat latte flavors with their house-made syrups and sodas. Weathervane has ample seating both inside and outside, and with close proximity to City Park, the café offers cozy ambiance or a short walk around the open spaces of downtown.
Friendly staff and delicious food and drink are nestled into a cozy house, with the café offering a vibe akin to grabbing coffee at your grandma’s house. Hours: Daily 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Whittier Cafe – Located at: 1710 E 25th Ave., Denver
In a busy neighborhood with lots of breakfast options, Whittier offers something special. A cozy café with ample indoor and outdoor seating, the café is nestled in the center of the Whittier neighborhood, adjacent to City Park. Whittier Café sources its coffee from various African nations and offers an East African Coffee ceremony every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Expect light bites and traditional coffee offerings from Whittier, which focus on cultivating a welcoming space driven by social justice and celebrating coffee’s traditional roots. Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Honey Hill Café – Located at: 4628 E. 23rd Ave., Denver
Located near City Park in the South Park Hill neighborhood, this café offers park views and ample indoor and outdoor seating. On nicer days, a garage door opens up the cafe to the outside and fresh air.
Situated on a corner across the street from W.H. Ferguson Park, Honey Hill Café offers a place for guests to sit and enjoy themselves for awhile. With a menu that serves both breakfast and lunch, healthy options like artisan-made seasonal breads, quinoa bowls and fresh vegetables are on the menu. They also serve a variety of fresh pastries made daily by Denver’s Spruce Bakery and their coffee is sourced locally from Pablo’s. Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Devil’s Food Bakery – Located at: 1004 S. Gaylord St., Denver
For delicious pastries and a cozy, vintage vibe, Devil’s Food Bakery can be a savory cup of coffee with some of the best pastries in Denver.
Just a few blocks south of Washington Park in a quiet neighborhood of historic homes, Devil’s Food Bakery has limited indoor and outdoor seating with a patio garden space nestled in the back. Doors can open in the front of the café on nicer days to allow air flow in the main dining space. Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Offshoots at the Gardens Café – Located at: 1005 York St., Denver
Located inside the Denver Botanic Gardens, Offshoots offers something other coffee shops can’t, a chance to enjoy your morning cup of coffee while enjoying views of the gardens.
This café is the closest comparison to the Secret Garden, however, is situated inside a garden. Ample seating offered both inside and outside allow guests to relax and take in the views while enjoying their food and beverages.
The menu offers options like burritos, breakfast bowls, sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch as well as an assortment of café drinks. Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.




