When visiting Golden, I knew we had to stop by Higher Grounds Cafe. It's become a tradition for me. After a nice walk by the river, my husband and I walked down Washington to have an afternoon pick me up. We pursued the seasonal menu and both decided we had to try one. I ordered the Pumpkin Spice Chai (hot) and my husband ordered a Salted Carmel Marshmallow Latte. We headed outside to savor our drinks on the deck which overlooks Washington. I absolutely loved my Chai. I wasn't sure how the pumpkin would go with the Chai flavors but it was perfect. My husband was equally pleased with his latte. The Higher Grounds Cafe isn't fancy and shows a little wear around the edges but that's just a testament to is popularity. It was crowded with students studying on this particular afternoon. I always make it a point when in Golden to visit at least once if not more. I'll be back next time. read more

Good ambiance, friendly workers and overall a lovely stop to my short stay at Golden, CO. They have free wifi, mugs for in-house coffees and neat and fun decor (the plants are SUCH a great feat). Definitely come and try for yourself. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Caramel Latte + Blueberry Muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

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Great coffee shop in downtown Golden. The staff is really friendly and take their time with each customer that comes in. We ordered a couple of bagels to go as well as a tuna salad sandwich...both were really delicious. Loved the relaxed and sunny ambiance as well and the big smiles from the employees. Definitely a spot we will be returning to next time we are in town. read more

Lovely little place for a morning coffee! Good vibes only. This place was lively with conversation when I walked in on a Saturday morning. Cool to see. Lots of locals wandering in and out. Friendly staff took our order and handed it to us before we walked away from the counter. Made-to-order and delicious. Let me set the stage: Outdoor patio seating, 45 degrees and sunny... My cappuccino was great and my partner had a house specialty of the banana bread latte that was delicious. We shared an orange and lemon scone that was soft and perfect, really. Will certainly come back next time I'm in golden. read more

Service was poor and the drink that I ordered was not great, pomegranate green tea. Sorry, but not coming back.

We came back to try Higher Grounds again because the other coffee shops in DT Golden had closed and we'd rather support a local shop then Starbucks when possible. I had the Nutcracker latte which was really nice, and my husband had the rainforest drip coffee. He said it was a good. The barista was really nice and it was just what we needed after a blustery cold afternoon of hiking! read more

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I can see why this establishment gets high marks. Stopped in for a breakfast bagel and some Joe. The bagel was really good as well as the coffee. I would give this a $$ rating. Under $12 for two breakfast bagels, 2 waters and a good size coffee seems reasonable to me. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - The view from outside. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

Ordered iced coffee. A little bitter, but pretty tasty coffee. Nice atmosphere,fast serving

I got a breakfast bagel and iced mocha here. I currently live in denver, but i grew up in a small town in Illinois. I was getting overwhelmed to all the new noise in the city and wanted to find somewhere my mind felt at ease. I drove past this place and decided to pop in for breakfast and get some studying done. The people working here were so friendly and casual I quickly became comfortable. The older gentleman working here cracked jokes and greeted regulars with sarcasm and familiarity. This place feels like home to me. Their prices are on par with most cafes but the quality is really great. I loved my iced mocha and the bagel was delicious. Their indoor seating is comfy and they have several outlets all over for charging laptops while working. They have outdoor seating with a lovely view of table mountain. They've earned a new regular, and I can't wait to stop in again soon. read more

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Great coffee, vibe and hospitality! Close walk from anywhere downtown. I will return!!!!

Preface then pro/con breakdown. Preface: I have no clue how this place currently has a 4.5 rating (summer 2021). I don't mean that b/c of a negative experience, I mean that because, objectively, this coffee shop of far sub par to the majority of other coffee shops I've been to. Pros: It has coffee. The spiced chai is 'okay'. There are many seats. Outdoor seating is limited but good (3-4 spots). Cons: Seating is cramped (like you would imagine a small restaurant, not a good coffee shop). Small interior that felt pre-2000, and not in a cool retro way. The strawberry smoothie tasted *very* fake, like a low quality syrup was used (not even a decent/high quality syrup such as starbucks); the smoothie was also mostly foam. I'm sure (i.e. I hope) it was a one time thing, but the interior smelled heavily of cleaning chemicals, as if someone left the chemicals open in the kitchen and just started work without closing them, to the point that I had to go outside simply because of the smell. My wife and I had a sub par experience but also the coffee shop itself seems only 'okay' to sit at for a little while. This is a good place to run and get a cup of joe on your way somewhere else, not great to study or chill at for a while. If passing through Golden and looking forward cute coffee shops to visit, this probably shouldn't make your list. read more

I really enjoyed this place. Good iced caramel latte, nice that they use reusable glasses. Ambience was chill, lots of tourists, lots of locals catching up, and lots of college students cramming in homework, such as myself. Good WiFi and I got a power outlet and they let me work for many hours. Baristas made a lot of small talk with customers as they came in but generally kept to themselves. read more

Coffee was great. The older man that took my order of black dark roast, and bagel was a bit irritated with my being there. And I don't know if my card slipped or if he threw it on the table (I assume the latter because there was no apology, or an oops, that followed). Anyways other than that mans attitude the coffee was decent, the other man, a younger guy was super genial, nice and inviting, and was super helpful. Coffee: 3.5/5 Bagel:3.5/5 Service: guy 1:1/5, guy 2:4.5/5 Space:4/5 nice spot and plenty of room and outlets, and a patio! read more

I hardly ever say this about local places but... should have gone to Starbucks instead. The place was cute and comfortable feeling, but I was very disappointed with my mocha latte, which cost more than $5 and tasted like warm water. My husband got an Americano and seemed to like it though. At least he didn't complain. Not much else to say. It was underwhelming and I really wanted to like it. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - I liked the stickers on the coffee machine - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

I am in a Golden state of mind this morning! #1 Joy of the day: My daughters and I drove up here early this morning from Denver to view the sunrise from the mountains and take lifestyle pics for their business. #2 Joy of the day: Discovering this coffee shop! Higher Grounds lured me in from across the street with the scent of their fresh roasted coffee. The Guatemalan medium roasted coffee in a ceramic mug was excellent and reminded me of my visit to Chontala last year. The blueberry scone (warmed up) was soft and light. #3 Joy of the day: Soon to be discovered ... read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Blueberry scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

This is the type of place you go for the local feel, I also have to say that the outside patio isn't a bad deal either. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Bagel Sammy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

Located in the heart of the town of Golden, Colorado we arrived just off a great bike route from Denver. Cute outdoor and indoor seating options. What a lovely gentleman working the counter. This shop has just enough sweets, treats, and bites. Easy and approachable coffee selection and something for everyone. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

A decent spot for a cuppa, with free wifi and outdoor seating that's pleasant when the weather is nice. The quality of their espresso drinks, however, has been consistently bad in my experience. Even after requesting additional espresso shots my beverages on multiple occasions at Higher Grounds have been disappointingly watery and bland. For this reason I can't recommend this cafe for anyone wanting a good espresso or coffee beverage. read more

Good coffee and pastries. Very comfortable environment and great service. Wonderful place on a cold February morning.

I'm a food and coffee snob and I love this place best lattes on the planet. Thanks, Higher Ground.

I got the iced vanilla latte and it was amazing! The service was also super good and overall the environment was super nice. I would recommend to anyone going to golden read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Iced Vanilla Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

My girlfriend and I visited Higher Grounds a few times during our trip to Golden, and now we won't get coffee anywhere else! The food was great and the service was incredible. They were so welcoming and the shop itself is so cute. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Great little coffee stop right next to our hotel in downtown Golden, perfect to unwind after a hard days study, travel, whatever.

Amazing coffee shop, baked apricot and almond scone was delicious!! Will come back every time we're in golden

Very nice. Eclectic coffee shop. Old mugs, good coffee speciality coffees, and dynamite cookies. Oatmeal peanut butter monster cookie tastes like a granola bar but better cause its a cookie. read more

Great place to drop by for a quick coffee and a bite to eat without dropping the whole wallet. The opening guy is super friendly, even at their abysmal opening hour of 6am read more

Customer service & seasonal latte were amazing! Will definitely visit again. (Friend got the breakfast burrito and said that was great too!) read more

Great coffee and food (bagels, posteriors, etc.). Cool place to visit with others and catch up or get some work done.

We live this place. Great food, great coffee, great prices, and insanely awesome staff. I will always be back when traveling here.

My fiance and I were on our Christmas vacation and happened to luck out in having this place right across from our hotel. We enjoyed this place not ONCE not twice but THREE times! Loved: -the staff *Shout out to Nathan -the cute home feeling mugs -the wall decor of regular visitors or "celebrity customers" -this place has been around over 20 years -the prices of the food and awesome coffee, BETTER THAN STARBUCKS Disliked: -Leaving CO and not having this place nearby read more

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Great place to grab your morning coffee or an egg bagel, especially if you are staying at the Table Mountain Inn next store The green chili bagel is amazing and surprisingly fluffy. read more

Good coffee and a nice quiet place for the college students. The outdoor seating is a great place to see downtown Golden. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - Welcome counter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

Absolutely what I needed. Considering downtown just a couple blocks down on the weekend was busy, this place had the right mix of a calm environment to get my grad school work done and having people (mostly cyclists) stop by making it social. That said, the patio with the view of the mountains is a plus for a small break. The WiFi also worked when I was out there which is even better. read more

Higher Grounds Cafe - The view from the cafe patio. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Golden, Colorado

A great little shop which I would visit again. The coffee was excellent and the service was exceptionally friendly. We were traveling on a Friday in the Golden area but working remotely and settled here to get some work done. Relaxing, good wifi, nice people (customers and staff). Make it a stop if you're in Golden! read more

The guy behind the counter was very nice..did not look friendly but turned out to be a sweet person. Lots tea options(good brands). Coffee was good too(wife said) read more

"Good morning! Welcome....and your dog is welcome to come in, too!" Can you think of a nicer way to start the day? The coffee is rich and full of promise. Beautiful baked goods are there for the wanting. The sandwich menu is enough to bring you back again and again. Panoramic views of Table Mountain can be enjoyed from inside the cozy shop or from outside on the wrap around deck. The view and hospitality encourage you to relax and linger a moment longer. read more

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Very cute eclectic coffee place. Super nice and funny barista. Delicious double espresso macchiato. Great overall experience for my morning coffee. read more

The two gentlemen who work here....feels like going to your fav cousins home....the coffee is also AMAZING! It's warm, welcoming and I always feel greaT when I/ we leave....(not like B.F) I actually feel welcome and valued as a customer !! Favorite coffee shop in foothills ! read more

Great drip coffee, quite good americano, and good blueberry scone (the not-too-sweet, not-too-dry kind) and friendly staff with some 70s(?) music playing when we were here read more

Stopped in today to get an iced dirty chai latte! It was very tasty! I will come back the next time I'm in Golden. Both employees were extremely nice and personable! read more