T. S. Eliot once wrote “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.” You can easily do that in Denver, where fresh coffee is everywhere and each neighborhood has its own relaxing café. Whether you are looking for a premium java fix or just need a place to meet with friends, here are some of the best coffee houses in Denver.

Aviano Coffee
Located in Cherry Creek, Aviano offers direct trade coffee and organic teas. They purchase coffee directly from growers to ensure the best 1% of Arabica beans. The brew bar uses a variety of brewing methods including Hario Pour-Overs, Chemex Kone, Eva Solo, Syphon and French Press. Get a pick-me-up before work or a relaxing hot tea after a day of shopping. Open 6 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 8 PM Saturday and 7 AM to 6 PM Sunday. (244 Detroit St.; 303-399-8347)

Black Eye Coffee
On warm days, this Highlands’ neighborhood café opens up the front garage door to welcome in the neighborhood. Black Eye features single origin coffees by a variety of craft roasters along with pastries, teas and homemade sodas. Located next to the Highland Tavern, warm up and wake up with an expresso before happy hour. Open 7 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday. Free WiFi. (3408 Navajo St.)

Denver Cat Company
This unique café in Berkley’s Tennyson Cultural Arts District offers something special with that cup of coffee, a lap cat. Denver’s first cat café serves exceptional Solar Coffee from Pueblo and a variety of Celestial Seasons Teas from Boulder. Pastries come from Martine’s Muffins in Denver. Enjoy the java with the café’s eight to nine resident cats. The cats come from Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue and are all available for adoption. Open from 10 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 10 AM to 8 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday and closed Mondays. Free WiFi. (3929 Tennyson St.; 303-433-3422)

French Press
This popular Lakewood café just relocated to a larger space in the Belmar Shopping District. Guest can enjoy both “drip” and French Press coffee, all of it 100% fair trade and organic from Boulder Organic Coffee Company. The kitchen serves a large menu of breakfast and lunch dishes and has gluten-free items, including buckwheat pancakes. Dine in or get coffee to go from 6:30 AM to 3 PM Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM Saturday and Sunday. There is also a second location on the east side of the metro area in Aurora. Free WiFi. (7323 W Alaska Dr.; 303-984-5447)

Marley Coffee’s Bicycle Cafés and Coffee Carts
The Rastafari bicycle carts of Marley Coffee can be found all over town, and they serve all sorts of “Lively Up Yourself” drinks. Founded by Rohan Marley, Bob’s son, Marley Coffee offers sustainably grown and ethically farmed coffee. At first it was only available in stores, but now drinkers can get expressos and cappuccinos made with premium Marley Coffee from a bike cart. Permanent carts are located in The Alliance Center in LoDo, The Citadel Building in Cherry Creek and inside Coors Field and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Bicycle carts can be found outside around the Highlands, LoDo and the 16th Street Mall and outside Sports Authority Field and Folsom Field in Boulder during football season. (The Alliance Center: 1536 Wynkoop St.; The Citadel: 3200 Cherry Creek Dr.)

Stella’s Coffee House
Considered a second home to those on South Pearl Street, Stella's charms with its dog-friendly patio and live music on weekends. Stella’s serves locally-roasted Pablo’s Coffee along with baked goods and handmade burritos. Private rooms can be rented for meetings. Coffee enthusiasts can also enjoy a caffeine buzz late into the night, because Stella’s is open until 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and until Midnight on Friday and Saturday. Free WiFi. (1476 S Pearl St.; 303-777-031)

The Unseen Bean
The Unseen Bean is owned and operated by Gerry Leary, who has been blind since birth. After a 40-year career as an auto mechanic, he trained at the West Coast Specialty Coffee Company in San Francisco before opening his roaster in Boulder. During roasting, Leary uses his sense of sound and smell to know when the beans are ready. Leary buys only the finest quality, organic, shade-tree grown, fair-trade hard Arabica beans from around the world. The café serves breakfast and lunch and is open Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 8:30 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM to 4 PM. (2052 Broadway, Boulder; 303-447-2326)

Village Roaster
When it opened in 1979, the Village Roaster was the only place in Denver to buy in-house roasted specialty coffee. Featuring coffee from all over the world, you can sample some by getting a cup of the Roast of the Day. Guests can also purchase loose and packaged teas, bulk spices, jams, chocolates and other candies. Open from 6:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM Saturday and 8 AM to 3 PM Saturday. There is a second shop located inside St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood. Free WiFi. (9255 W Alameda Ave.; 303-238-8718)

Photo via Aviano Coffee