A Coffee Roaster’s Guide to Denver’s Lower Highlands

Originally published on Life Stories.

The Lower Highlands is home to some of the best food and drink in Denver. LoHi local and Method Coffee Roasters co-founder Alex Rawal shares his favorite neighborhood spots.

By Alex Rawal

FOR MILE HIGH VIEWS: AVANTI

There’s something for everyone at Avanti. It’s a food hall concept with burgers, arepas, and the best views of Denver from the rooftop of their unique shipping container building.

3200 N Pecos St.

FOR SMALL-BATCH COFFEE: METHOD COLLECTIVE

I started Method Collective as a community-driven concept. It’s a cafe (where you can get Method coffee, which is brewed right here in LoHi) as well as a corner grocery store, meeting space, and more. In the neighborhood, I also like Black Eye, PinWheel, and Sapro Coffee. Each is different, and all are worth trying for their unique roasts, origins, and approaches to hospitality.

2011 W 32nd Ave.

FOR CLASSIC ITALIAN: SPUNTINO

LoHi has a strong Italian presence with many authentic, family-owned red sauce restaurants. Spuntino opened nearly ten years ago as a daytime cafe and gelato shop and has since become a full restaurant. Their homemade pasta is top-notch in Denver, and their happy hour is one of the best.

2639 W 32nd Ave.

FOR LAID-BACK DRINKS: THE HIGH LONESOME

It looks like a dive bar on the outside, but this dimly-lit bar is sleek and modern on the inside. Still, it has all the classic dive bar requisites: easy beer, Miller High Life, and pool.

3360 Navajo St.

FOR A COOL BREWERY: PROST BREWING COMPANY

They do excellent German beers, and you can enjoy them outside with skyline views. My go-to is the Altbier, a not-too-sweet, not-too-bitter, German-style amber ale. I prefer smaller glasses (8–10oz), so they stay cold the whole time.

2540 19th St.

FOR A LOCAL DISPENSARY: SIMPLY PURE

Simply Pure is the only black-owned dispensary in Denver. They are wonderful people, and they know their stuff.

2000 W 32nd Ave.

FOR OUTDOOR RELAXATION: CONFLUENCE PARK

Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet at this waterfront park. Snag an ice cream and walk the river trails taking in the views and the 19th-century brick warehouses. It’s the best way to spend an afternoon outdoors.

2250 15th St.