Despite the name and the drawing of a shirtless man bearing his fists on the front door, Black Eye Coffee is one of the more charming coffee shops you’ll find in Denver. Tucked between a row of quaint, historic homes, the north-side bistro boasts a wholesome menu of delicious brunch fare and, of course, great coffee.
After closing the doors of Black Eye’s two-year-old Capitol Hill location in October, many devotees were concerned for the original shop. The owners’ soon reassured their customers that the LOHI location would not be affected by the decision. With the neighborhood scene bringing in a consistent flow of regulars and now the Caphill closing turning over their grieving patrons, this spot should be around for a while.
Established in what used to be a tenant house, the founders of Black Eye Coffee made it a priority to preserve the blue-collar spirit of the original abode. With the exposed brick walls, antique china cabinets, potted ferns and eighteenth-century portraits of people you don’t know, the overall effect is similar to sipping coffee in the living room of an eccentric aunt who only ever listens to Mac Demarco.
Black Eye’s daily menu offers a small but affecting variety of millennial crowd-pleasers such as an avocado toast sprinkled with crushed almonds and an acai bowl of bananas, berries, peanut butter and chocolate. For those feeling bolder, the shakshuka is a wholesome dish of eggs, roasted eggplant, red peppers and tomato sauce with a side of toast. All dishes are made in-house daily.
When it comes to Black Eye’s drink menu, you really can’t go wrong. The house brew is rich and smooth and pairs perfectly with their homemade almond croissants. Other fan-favorites include the creamy cortada and the black iced tea.
Like all great neighborhood cafés, Black Eye Coffee is a comfortable space that welcomes both conversation and repose. Before it gets too cold, stop by on a nice day when the garage doors at the storefront are rolled up, airing out the shop and creating the optimal environment for warm drinks and good friends.
Black Eye Coffee is open everyday from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. 3408 Navajo St. Denver, CO 80211
