Steamboat Springs is beautiful year-round, though the colors really shine during autumn. Grab a cup of local coffee as the colors change and enjoy the unmatched fall vibes that this spectacular mountain town has to offer. Cozy up in your favorite coffee shop and order your favorite seasonal specialty as you prepare for the holiday festivities that are right around the corner.
Dusky Grouse Coffee
Where? 1585 Mid Valley Drive #4
At Dusky Grouse Coffee, you’ll find delicious coffee, relaxing music, and a welcoming community. Stop by and enjoy the cozy cafe vibes on an autumn day. You’ll also be able to browse the eclectic record selection that features a rotation of some memorable albums from the past decades, as well as brand-new releases. Enjoy a cup of comforting coffee from beans from a partnered Seattle roaster, Victrola Coffee. If you’d rather sip at home, you can also purchase whole beans at the coffeehouse! Hot drinks on the menu perfectly suited for a fall day include single-origin pour-overs, espresso-based lattes, dark chocolate mochas, and warming chai lattes from Sherpa Chai in Boulder (also available in spicy). There is also a selection of Silk Road Teas, hot chocolates, and even a “Warm Hug” drink that combines rooibos tea, steamed oat milk, honey, vanilla, and a cinnamon dusting!
Big Iron Coffee Co.
Where? 635 Lincoln Avenue Suite C
Whenever you need an afternoon pick-me-up, Big Iron Coffee Co. is a great spot to add to your itinerary. The interior ambiance is cozy, inviting and features plenty of seating. The central downtown location allows guests to sightsee and peruse local shops after they enjoy their coffee. The beans are roasted locally at a site only a couple of miles away, so you know your brew is about as fresh as it can get! Sip on dirty chai teas, hazelnut lattes, vanilla cappuccinos, and more. Craft the autumnal beverage of your dreams with alternative milk options, flavor shots, and more! Children will love a warm-up of hot chocolate and there is even a selection of food options on the menu, such as an everything bagel breakfast sandwich that will keep you fueled for a bustling fall afternoon.
Causeway Coffee House
Where? 427 Oak Street
You may have a hard time deciding on what to order at Causeway Coffee House, as there are so many delicious, unique flavor combinations on the menu. Warm up on a crisp fall morning with a sopapilla latte featuring honey, vanilla, and cinnamon, or perk yourself up with a maple breve using grade-A maple syrup. The Half Way to Spain features espresso, sweetened condensed milk, steamed milk, and cocoa powder. Not in a coffee mood? Try the chai, the golden milk, and the refreshing Moroccan mint fog with vanilla syrup. The coffee house doesn’t skimp on the tea selection, with a “Tea Party for Two” option that includes an assortment of international treats. Stick around for a bite to eat, with eats and seasonal specials including waffles on a stick, breakfast sandwiches, and a selection of daily pastries.
Beard & Braid
Where? 116 9th Street
This coffee shop and bakery in downtown Steamboat Springs should be on your fall bucket list. Serving a selection of house-made pastries, as well as breakfast and lunch options — you can swing by throughout the day for a delightful experience. The shop even serves ice cream! Sip on a flat white or a drip coffee or splurge with a sherpa chai or a matcha latte. The menu also includes golden milk, steamers and hot chocolate for the little ones. Prefer your coffee cold despite the weather? Opt for a cold brew, an iced latte, or even an affogato! No judgment here. Additional popular drinks on the menu include the cinnamon toast latte, featuring warming spices and a smooth finish. The open and airy atmosphere includes an assortment of plants, which makes for a comfortable atmosphere and a relaxing spot to catch up with friends.
Riverside Cafe
📷 Photos courtesy of Riverside Cafe by Shania Du Bose Photography
Where? 1289 Lincoln Avenue (inside Bud Werner Memorial Library)
Riverside Cafe is a charming local cafe where community members and visitors can delight themselves with comforting beverages and nourishing meals. For something to sip on, try their signature house brewed Sweet or Spicy Chai, a Cardamom Cafe Au Lait made with homemade syrups & locally roasted organic Seedhouse Coffee, or one of their high quality tea blends that visitors can sip on while exploring the library’s collection, meeting a friend downstairs for a visit, or spending time on the second floor overlooking the Yampa River while working on a project. For a snack, customers can also treat themselves to a variety of baked or raw gluten free & vegan snacks such as the Superfood Fudge, Cardamom Honey Date Bar, Blueberry Banana Oat Cookies, and the Cranberry Ginger Scones. Sophie & Henry, owners and operators of the cafe, make and serve everything themselves and love to provide more meals and flavors through creating custom meals for large groups upon special order for pick up or onsite cooking.
RD Home Cafe
Where? 912 Lincoln Avenue
RD Home Cafe is serving up espresso coffee from Illy, as well as drop coffee by Joshua Tree Coffee. The coffee shop is located in downtown Steamboat Springs at the Rumor Designs retail location. Customers can sip on organic coffees, specialty teas, as well as an assortment of local pastries perfect for fall while they explore the retail space. The café bar also offers a curated selection of wines and spirits, as well as a daily happy hour! Whether you want to cozy up with a hot latte or an old fashioned that will have you feeling warm in no time — this is a great spot to enjoy a drink. Try seasonal favorites like the peppermint mocha or a chai that features your favorite fall spices!
The Drunken Onion
📷 Photos courtesy of The Drunken Onion
Where? 685 Marketplace Plaza #5
The Drunken Onion is serving up delicious drinks at their full coffee and espresso bar. The menu features locally roasted coffee from Steamboat Coffee Company, along with selections from Numi Tea and Sanctuary Chai. If you want to take the caffeine experience home with you, you can purchase coffee by the bag, chai concentrate by the bottle, and Numi Tea by the box. Feeling peckish? You can pair your morning pick-me-up with breakfast burritos and freshly baked pastries, such as assorted scones, croissants, and quiche muffins. There are even grab-and-go oatmeal options from Share Good Foods if you’re in a rush! The baked apple, harvest nut, and blueberry cobbler are perfect for an autumnal breakfast. The Drunken Onion also has a to-die-for bread pudding on the menu, made from pastries and fruit for a truly decadent indulgence that complement a cup of hot coffee nicely.
Seedhouse Coffee Roasters
📷 Photo courtesy of Seedhouse Coffee Roasters
Where? 911 C, Lincoln Avenue
Though not a traditional coffeehouse, Steamboat’s Seedhouse Coffee Roasters is serving up blends perfect for the autumn weather. If you love waking up at home with a freshly brewed pot of local coffee, there’s no better way than with Seedhouse. Stay cozy at home with a cup in hand. The coffees feature a depth and complexity that you won’t find in the large batch blends at the chain grocery stores. At Seedhouse Coffee Roasters, specialty coffee is roasted in small batches and is 100% organic. Featured collections include the Honduras San Marcos, with notes of almond, red apple, and sugar cane, and the Ethiopia Nensebo with notes of fresh blueberry and baked peach. The espresso blend features dark chocolate, dried cherry, and pecan and is a great way to perk up in the morning while you sip on a cup. Seedhouse also sells decaf blends, so don’t let the caffeine shake you off from trying out this local roaster!
Off the Beaten Path Bookstore and Coffeehouse
📷 Photos courtesy of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore by Michanae Edwards
Where? 68 9th Street
This independent bookstore also serves up delicious coffee, as well as locally baked goods, wine, and other specialty drinks. The ambiance is perfect for a cozy fall day and as a bonus, you can go home with a few new books to dive into on a chilly evening. The bookstore and coffeehouse combo was established back in the early ’90s and has become a favorite local spot to socialize, peruse books, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee or an iced latte. The award-winning cafe serves up a variety of coffee, pastries, and even boozy options if you want to enjoy your caffeine spiked! The cafe serves up Seedhouse Coffee, which is roasted locally in town. It doesn’t get much cozier than settling in at the bookstore, so make sure you plan a trip to Off the Beaten Path this fall and winter season.
Lil’ House Country Biscuits & Coffee
Where? 2093 Curve Plaza
This quaint breakfast joint is situated in Curve Plaza, which is on Steamboat Springs’ west end. You’ll find the best biscuit sandwiches in town here, which can keep you fueled for the day ahead. Pair your sandwich with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The coffee comes in an array of creative flavor combinations, giving you something new to try every time you visit. Lil’ House’s menu features affordable cups of coffee, hot tea, and even specialty drinks such as mocha lattes, americanos, and chai tea lattes. Kiddos will love a serving of hot chocolate that’s sure to keep them warm as the weather starts to cool down. Sip on an oat milk latte or grab a breakfast burrito to go as you enjoy the fall foliage abounding around Steamboat Springs this fall season.
Emerald
📷 Photo courtesy of Emerald
Where? 700 Yampa Street, Unit A105
Emerald makes house-made muffins and breads (including keto and gluten-free options), as well as organic coffee and teas. They’re also known for some of the best sourdough sandwiches around, and for their full bar. Whatever you’re looking for this fall, you’ll find it at Emerald. Pair your cup of Joe with an almond croissant, using quality butter and without the hydrogenated oil and seed oil. Satisfy your sweet tooth while getting a boost of caffeine to keep you energized for all your activities this autumn. The shop is also pulling some delicious specialty espresso shots for when you need a quick jolt of caffeine without the added ingredients. You can even take home tins of quality loose-leaf organic and fair trade tea, for when you want to stay cozy inside and enjoy a high-quality beverage from your own kitchen.
Start Sipping Your Way Through Steamboat This Fall!
Whether you already have a go-to coffeehouse in Steamboat Springs or you’re on the hunt for your favorite local roaster, these coffee shops all have a unique offering and a welcoming ambiance. If you’re a coffee aficionado, enjoy locally roasted brews that each provide a different flavor profile that’s reflective of the surrounding region.