5 Best Cafes in Downtown, Fort Collins CO
Updated 11 October 2026 · 21 cafes in Downtown, Fort Collins CO considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide covers five cafes in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado, for anyone who wants coffee, pastries or a place to sit near the center of town. The list is ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left reviews, and 21 qualifying businesses were considered. Each entry gives the Google category, address, listed hours, accessibility details and themes that reviewers mention. Categories are shown as Google lists them, so one venue appears as a tapas bar. The order reflects public ratings and review volume only.
#1
Persimmon
★ 4.9 (375 Google reviews)Tapas bar
Representative photo, not of this business.
Persimmon, a tapas bar at 251 Jefferson St, has a 4.9 rating from 375 reviews. It is listed as open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm. Reviewers describe a warm greeting, attentive service and dessert worth saving room for. One group said three shared dishes were the right amount of food for two people. Google lists wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and toilet.
Best for: Sharing plates for two
- Address
- 251 Jefferson St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 3–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 3–9 pm
#2
Explorado Market - Gluten Free Bakery, Coffee, Café
★ 4.8 (603 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Explorado Market, a bakery and cake shop with a coffee and cafe menu, sits at 11 Old Town Square Unit 121 and is listed as open daily from 8 am to 3 pm. It carries 4.8 from 603 reviews. Reviewers describe the bakery as fully gluten free and mention a vanilla bean donut, a banana nut muffin and everything but the bagel focaccia. One visitor says they drive 45 minutes to come. The setting is described as small, cozy and natural.
Best for: Gluten-free baking and pastries
- Address
- 11 Old Town Square Unit 121, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
- Hours
- daily 8 am–3 pm
#3
Roast Coffee Shop
★ 4.9 (165 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Roast Coffee Shop, at 505 S Mason St Suite 100, is rated 4.9 from 165 reviews. Listed hours are 7 am to 3 pm on weekdays and 7 am to 2 pm on weekends. Reviewers mention espresso, a caffe mocha, a salted caramel pistachio cold brew and a ham croissant. The room is described as calm and charming, with coffee shop music and knowledgeable staff. Google lists wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet.
Best for: Cold brew and espresso in a calm room
- Address
- 505 S Mason St #100, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon 7 am–3 pm; Sat 7 am–2 pm; Sun 7 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#4
Lima Coffee Roasters - Old Town Coffee Shop
★ 4.7 (529 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Old Town location of Lima Coffee Roasters is at 302 S College Ave Suite 130 and listed as open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. It holds 4.7 from 529 reviews. Reviewers call the coffee top notch, point to a light and medium drip roast, and praise the pour over and seasonal specialty drinks. The staff are described as knowledgeable and friendly, and the shop as a nestled spot in a vibrant neighborhood.
Best for: Drip and pour over coffee
- Address
- 302 S College Ave Ste 130, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–6 pm
#5
HARBINGER COFFEE
★ 4.7 (454 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
HARBINGER COFFEE sits at 236 S College Ave and is listed as open daily from 7 am to 4 pm, with a 4.7 rating from 454 reviews. Reviewers mention a cortado, flat white and latte, and one says the beans make good espresso at home. A lavender iced coffee and an Americano are also noted, along with a few outside tables. A former local says it is still the coffee stop they visit when in town.
Best for: Lattes, cortados and beans for home
- Address
- 236 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–4 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 21 cafes in Downtown, Fort Collins CO with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Roast Coffee Shop opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Persimmon ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 375 reviews. Explorado Market - Gluten Free Bakery, Coffee, Café is second at 4.8 from 603 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Fort Collins CO are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Persimmon, at 9 pm.
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