Vail Coffee Shops to Feel Like a Local

Whether you just woke up or need an afternoon pick-me-up, Vail coffee shops will welcome you for sips, bites and a slice of mountain-town life. So, grab a newspaper, pull up a chair and enjoy a warm cup of joe at one of these cozy cafes in Vail.

Couple sitting outside in Vail with coffee and crepes in the winter

1. Loaded Joe’s

This locals’ favorite serves up smooth brews morning and night. Loaded Joe’s has decadent coffee drinks to start off your day, and a bar brimming with crisp beers, fine wines and funky cocktails to end it right. Beans sourced from Seattle-based Rococo Coffee Roasting create frothy specials like the Milky Way latte, with notes of chocolate and toasty caramel. Come hungry, because you can enjoy your sips alongside a hot-and-spicy pulled-pork breakfast burrito or a sweet apple-berry smoothie. Later on, gather your friends and pop in for the Loaded Joes’ Martini with espresso vodka and rich Godiva Dark Liqueur.

Address: 242 E. Meadow Dr., Vail

2. Two Arrows Coffee Bar

Settle into this comfy community space for a hot caffeine hit or relaxing nightcap. Open until midnight,

Two Arrows Coffee Bar mixes up bold coffee beverages and complex cocktails alongside a full menu of breakfast favorites. While you’re enjoying beans sourced from Eagle’s Color Coffee Roasters, let the Two Arrows team toast up a crisp Bagel & Lox, made with Village Bagel products from the neighboring town of Edwards, piled high with tangy dill-and-caper cream cheese and buttery smoked salmon. On a hot summer day, don’t miss their famous creamy cold brew (or stop by in the evening to get it spiked). Taking a joe to-go? Consider bringing your favorite mug to make your espresso extra environmentally friendly.

Address: 225 Wall St., Unit 103A, Vail

3. Yeti’s Grind

Yeti’s Grind is a cozy morning haunt focused on coffee and casual eats like cheesy, panini-pressed sammies, saucy southwestern burritos and glazed, golden-brown baked goods. Wander inside to be charmed by the cute cartoon yetis adorning cups, signs and other mythically themed merchandise. While you’re there, sample beans from Corvus Coffee Roasters or the Yeti’s House Blend, their bright-and-rich proprietary roast. Want to spice up your order? Indulge in the Lone Star Latte, made with sweet chocolate syrup, cinnamon and a dash of cayenne, adding an extra touch of heat to your warm cup. Get it alongside the Brekkie, a gooey two-egg sammie piled high with crispy bacon, juicy red tomatoes and their elusive “yeti”-aioli.

Address: 141 E. Meadow Dr., Vail

4. Unravel Coffee

Spend a morning soaking in the striking summit views while dipping a flaky croissant in a foamy latte. Unravel Coffee, a Vail coffee shop adjacent to Gravity Haus Vail, sources all their beans from partner farms in Ethiopia. Their team combines their love of coffee with a passion for sustainability, committed to running a paper-free establishment with reusable glass jars as their to-go container option. Sip on a refreshing Nitro Cold Brew or step it up with a thick Nitro Milkshake with velvety oat milk, next to a sweet, buttery house-made pastry, rotating daily.

Address: 352 E. Meadow Dr., Vail

A latte and an espresso shot on saucers at Unravel in Vail

The Best Places in Vail to Take Your Coffee To-Go:

You got your cup, you got your book, now where should you head to enjoy it? If you want to wander, there are plenty of places to go — coffee in hand — for scenic adventure or relaxation.

Ride up Gondola One for peak-filled panoramas, with a snowcapped cappuccino in hand. Or grab a weekend roast and check out the Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show in summer. Surround yourself with blocks of warm baked goods and plenty of eclectic crafts. Wander further into Vail and Lionshead villages to peruse the shops and buy a few funky pieces.

Sit back on a village bench to watch the town wake up. Gaze at sunrise’s cotton-candy skies and listen to morning melodies from chirping birdies. Or meander along Gore Creek and hear the water whoosh for a tranquil sound bath. To get a botanical pick-me-up, go to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and take in the beauty of towering native trees and swirling mosaics of flowers while enjoying a frosty iced coffee.

Wherever you decide to bring your java, you’ll be sure to enjoy it with a side of Rocky Mountain beauty.