The last time I was here I popped in before the place was ready for business. BUT. This shop and cafe is awesome! I mean, where else are you going to find a place where you can fulfill your cycling and coffee needs in all in one place?! Cafe Velo is it. Competitive prices on bikes, parts, and accessories. I'll be taking back the rim tape I got at Bicycle Village for $10 because I got some here for $4. Bikes from BMC, Specialized, and Cervelo will make you drool (as well as the delicious coffee)! Many of the bikes are still without prices, and that it a tad annoying. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
E D.
Fantastic coffee and neat environment but as with many wonderful and worth experiencing places, speed is not the focus. Good coffee drinks take time so be prepared to wait for your drink. Walk around the all carbon bike racks or peruse a cycling magazine. In the end the wait will be worthwhile!!!!
(5)
Cherrie L.
The staff is friendly AND they have acai bowls there which I have been searching everywhere for! I recommend everyone to try one the next time they stop by!
(5)
Maureen O.
Disappointing experience at the bike shop. I took my road bike in for service and they told me that they would be finished in 2 days. I told them I didn't need it for 5 days but it wasn't ready then either. Also, it's hard to have confidence in a service job when it is returned with deflated tires (they weren't when I took it in). This shop has few items in stock and staff are not very friendly or helpful. I wanted to give Cafe Velo a shot due to their proximity to my home and because I like the concept of combined coffee/bike shop. However, I will be returning to my regular LBS (Criterium).
(2)
Judit H.
What a cute place! I love it! Delicious coconut milk chai latte and GF sweet bread. They also have an outdoor patio and it's a bike store, all in one!
(5)
L H.
I may consider a five for this. The service was outstanding. The food was food, as were the drinks. I appreciate the free wifi. The views in the outside seating as great and it's very clean inside. It's a unique combination of a restaurant and cycle shop.
(4)
Allen C.
Who would've guessed that a bike shop would have amazing coffee? This is some of THE best Chemex-brewed coffee we've had. Two thumbs up.
(5)
Rob B.
Great customer service. Very good coffee. One of our new favorite coffee stops. The coffee is good (unless you're a fan of Starbucks - then move along, move along). Good service, expected high prices for coffee (it's the 21st century), and good coffee. Seating outside has a nice view, and the adjoined bicycle shop makes people-watching almost a full time activity.
(5)
Jessica L.
Hands down best coffee in the Springs area. My husband is now a coffee drinker because of them and we love going there together Saturday mornings. And their food is delicious! I have never been disappointed with anything I've gotten. My favorite is the Rainbow acai bowl and they're breakfast burritos are BOMB! And I'm a big fan of the mocha menu. Everything they do is awesome. Will be sad to leave them when I move
(5)
Jamie B.
It's great coffee, but why is it so slow?! 15 minutes for a single latte when I am the only person here?
(3)
Daniel R.
Friendly staff! They have a great view - perfect place to sit and hangout or do some work. Excellent lattes.
(5)
Carina G.
matcha green tea latte w/ almond milk and 1 pump of hazelnut flavor is my go-to!
(5)
Terry W.
I honestly wasn't expecting much but since it is only a mile from my work I drove up and got a mocha. WOW was I surprised I have to say it was one of the best mocha's I have had in town. It is comparable to Stir, Serano's and Colorado Coffee Merchants. I will be back again and again since they are right down the road.
(4)
Jessica N.
Excellent dirty chai - I get them everywhere and this lands in the top two I've had. Nice balance of spice and sweet. I also tasted my sister's chorizo burrito and it was very good - far, far beyond what I would have expected when my sister picked it out of the display case. They have some nice seating/tables and a fireplace.
(5)
Daniel T.
We are new to the Springs and in desperate search of a good local coffee shop. We drove out of our way to give this place a try TWICE in the last few weeks. First, the coffee is quite good. However, the customer service (both times) was just poor. Snotty teenagers running the register without a hint of smile or friendliness & not knowledgeable about the products they serve. Also consistent on both trips was an unusually long wait for 2 coffees. We might give it another try because the coffee is just that good. Will update the review if the customer service improves. Here's hoping!
(3)
Brenna R.
Always excited to try new spots in Colorado Springs -- well, new to us, at least! Cafe Velo is one of the few places in COS with acai breakfast bowls, so away we went on a lazy weekend morning. First of all, very interesting concept -- the store, as others have described, is half bicycle shop and half coffee shop. As such, the aroma is a mix of rubber, some cyclists' sweat, and coffee. Not unpleasant per se, just different. I agree with other comments that this is not a place to come cozy up and read or chat quietly. More of a place to stop off after a bike ride or on your way elsewhere. Great coffee -- the house specialty cortado was delicious and beautifully presented. The americano shined equally bright with espresso from Ozo roasters out of Boulder. Decent selection of breakfast burritos; the chorizo was delicious! Same goes for the acai bowl. Only "dislike" is it took 20-30 minutes to get our coffee, and a few minutes after that to get our food. There was a steady stream of clients that died off a bit and the poor boy behind the counter could catch up. But really? Almost a half hour to get coffee on a weekend?
(3)
Andy A.
Cafe Velo is leading the peloton of coffee shops and bike shops here is Colorado, completely amazing!
(5)
Tommy W.
Went in for lunch today, and the service is usually great! But the guy in the black Famous hat was rude and inattentive! I was pretty off put by the entire transaction! Up your customer service game!
(3)
Dave K.
Excellent coffee and the rice crispie caramel bars are the next thing to ambrosia! Superb bike technicians too.
(5)
Victoria M.
Woohoo indeed! Best the Springs has to offer. Got a tip from the owner of Crema in Denver and could not be happier. The espresso is delish. Finally a place that knows exactly how to make double ristretto drinks. Three espresso beverages plus one drip coffee and everyone left extremely pleased. Success. Atmosphere is great with couches and high tops for computer work. Bravo for a unique take on a bike shop with espresso done very right.
(5)
Josh E.
Awesome coffee and bike shop. Actual REAL coffee and latte's with getting to have an awesome bike shop right there. Love it.
(5)
Lisa B.
I live on the west side and was a bit apprehensive about driving so far for coffee. After my first double shot vanilla latte, I have become not only a believer, but a regular! The baristas are talented and the staff friendly. The food is fresh and healthy - Love the tabbouleh! Easily my new favorite spot, and since it is right off the highway, the drive is no longer an issue.
(5)
Lyle L.
If you like bicycles, come here, otherwise take the extra 2 min drive to the loaf-n-jug gas station and get some crappy burnt-tasting coffee like you can get at any other gas station... I ordered a medium hot mocha at 165º because I don't like very hot coffee, and the idiot working, made it so hot, that on a 20º-ish day I felt like I was going to die of scald burns with... The coffee was probably around (or hotter than) 190º, which for some is OK, but if you specifically ask for a cooler coffee, you deserve to get a coffee at least somewhere near the specifically asked for temp... Plus after tasting the coffee, I thought I was going to vomit because of the taste of it... It tasted like some weird coffee drink that whoever made it, didn't know what they are doing. The management needs to rethink they way it is run, because the kid that was barista-ing didn't know what he was doing, and was more focused on making a sub-par (crappy) pour design, than making a palatable drink.
(2)
Corey G.
I bought my new road bike a few months back. Great information and educated staff. Thank you
(5)
Gerry P.
First, awesome Ozo coffee; the best espressos! And a relaxing place to hang out and read or watch sports. The view from the patio of the mountains is great. The bikes and repair knowledge is as good as it gets. The road bikes and mountain bike selection is top notch. All in all the shop has a great vibe.
(5)
Tony H.
Best coffee in Colorado Springs...bar none. Friendly service, good food and tons of cool bikes!
(5)
Jo L.
I've popped in here a few times, strictly for the latte. . . .of which I am now a huge fan. It tastes fabulous! Coffee does not have to be harsh or bitter (I'm talking to you Starbucks. Mainly I've had the latte. And the barista/artist tops it off with one of those righteous little designs in the foam. A leaf, a tree, it's pretty flippin' cool. Sometimes it amazes me how psyched I can get over small stuff, but I just love the latte foam art! The people working in the cafe seem pleasant and helpful. I'm not much of a bicycle person. I DID have a pretty nice 12 speed Schwinn back in 1986. That probably gives you an idea of how much I know about bikes so I won't even attempt to critique the bike shop. BUT they had a ginormous selection of gear and bikes. Wow.
(4)
Kelly V.
Beautiful coffee shop with awesome ambiance and plenty of space to work, catch up, or relax. The iced latte was AWESOME - best I've had in Colorado!! Food is from Taste of Life in Monument, all organic & delicious. There is also a running trail that connects to the Santa Fe trail at the base of the Compassion development behind the shop.
(5)
Alex F.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! The best coffee i've ever had in the Springs! I love the Ozo beans they use and their espresso machine is the Lamborghini of all espresso machines. They carry top notch specialized, BMC, and Cervelo bikes, a little something for everyone whether you're a road cyclist or a mountain biker. I will definitely be a regular here!
(5)
Dara H.
This place has a "big city" feel to it that I really enjoyed. The customer service was stellar, they really made a point to make me feel welcome, knowing it was my first time here. And, maybe best of all, they have almond milk and coconut milk as alternatives, so I was able to get a latte - much appreciated! I'm not a biker but can see why someone who is would get an extra kick from it as well.
(5)
Lizzy G.
Best coffee in town! Great comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff. The coffee is delicious and the food is wonderful. So glad to have a coffee shop on the northern part of town!
(5)
Brett G.
What this neighborhood of the city needed was a gourmet coffee shop. I really enjoy coming here. I don't even own a bike and will probably never buy one, especially the fancy pro-style bikes they sell here. Income for the coffee. Hand crafted drinks made to order. None of that mass produced Charbucks production. They buy locally roasted beans, so they are fresh. They grind the beans to order and they have skilled workers who hand tamp the espresso and pour the shot based upon time, temperature, and color. Craft coffee! Their baristas can make latte art with the milk and espresso so you know they steam the ilk correctly! They will serve up different styles of brew too, many different pour over styles. I am to 4 stars from 5 only because I've never had good, or really even useful, speed on their Internet connection. It is complimentary, so I ought not complain, but there seems to be a standard of speed that should exist for public wifi connections. UPDATE 12/12/12: Five stars, I've been in a number of times since first posting this and the interwebz are as fast as they claim in the follow-up comment. Thanks Cafe, not sure what was going on with my computers but there is no issue any longer.
(5)
Becca S.
The açai bowl is every bit as good as it looks. Stand-out coffee, cool ambiance, knowledgeable and friendly staff. I'll be back soon. This place is reason enough to go hike or bike the nearby Fox Run park.
(5)
Kevin G.
Amazing coffee shop... Great atmosphere and great baristas that actually know about coffee and how to make coffee... The real deal...
(5)
Joel H.
Nice place! My eyebrow raised a little bit at the whole "coffee shop meets bike shop" idea.. I was MOSTLY just looking for the coffee shop as a place to sip my coffee and hop on ye olde internet to get some things done. I didn't know how comfortable the atmosphere in this place was going to be. I am far from disappointed. I ordered the bold drip for the day (Columbian, I think, but hard to remember.. delicious enough to drink it black, however), and the breakfast burrito with bacon and green chilies. Everything is very reasonably priced, and the burrito was delicious -- granted, it took a little bit of time for it to actually come out, but that's pretty much par for the course for ANY coffee shop EVER, lol. Not sure what their policy is on refills.. I would have asked, but one cup of coffee will easily be more than enough for me as of late :P so there you go. Staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and the woman at the counter was very sweet and patient when it came to helping me decide what I was going to be getting. So, to sum up: Food - delicious, drip coffee - awesome, atmosphere - very comfy, staff - super friendly. It may not be one of those swanky hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, but it has a uniqueness all of it's own,and I definitely recommend it. I mean really, imagine if I came here for the bikes, too!
(5)
Greg M.
Great and I mean great espresso and a great environment for hanging out and seeing beautiful bikes and enjoying views of the front range.
(4)
Wendy V.
Cafe Velo's cappuccino is the best in town, hands down. They take care to use awesome ingredients, including well-roasted beans and delicious filtered water.
(5)
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Address :11550 Ridgeline Dr,Ste 102
Colorado Springs, CO, 80921
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Good for Working : Yes
Tim K.
The last time I was here I popped in before the place was ready for business. BUT. This shop and cafe is awesome! I mean, where else are you going to find a place where you can fulfill your cycling and coffee needs in all in one place?! Cafe Velo is it. Competitive prices on bikes, parts, and accessories. I'll be taking back the rim tape I got at Bicycle Village for $10 because I got some here for $4. Bikes from BMC, Specialized, and Cervelo will make you drool (as well as the delicious coffee)! Many of the bikes are still without prices, and that it a tad annoying. I'll definitely be back.
(4)E D.
Fantastic coffee and neat environment but as with many wonderful and worth experiencing places, speed is not the focus. Good coffee drinks take time so be prepared to wait for your drink. Walk around the all carbon bike racks or peruse a cycling magazine. In the end the wait will be worthwhile!!!!
(5)Cherrie L.
The staff is friendly AND they have acai bowls there which I have been searching everywhere for! I recommend everyone to try one the next time they stop by!
(5)Maureen O.
Disappointing experience at the bike shop. I took my road bike in for service and they told me that they would be finished in 2 days. I told them I didn't need it for 5 days but it wasn't ready then either. Also, it's hard to have confidence in a service job when it is returned with deflated tires (they weren't when I took it in). This shop has few items in stock and staff are not very friendly or helpful. I wanted to give Cafe Velo a shot due to their proximity to my home and because I like the concept of combined coffee/bike shop. However, I will be returning to my regular LBS (Criterium).
(2)Judit H.
What a cute place! I love it! Delicious coconut milk chai latte and GF sweet bread. They also have an outdoor patio and it's a bike store, all in one!
(5)L H.
I may consider a five for this. The service was outstanding. The food was food, as were the drinks. I appreciate the free wifi. The views in the outside seating as great and it's very clean inside. It's a unique combination of a restaurant and cycle shop.
(4)Allen C.
Who would've guessed that a bike shop would have amazing coffee? This is some of THE best Chemex-brewed coffee we've had. Two thumbs up.
(5)Rob B.
Great customer service. Very good coffee. One of our new favorite coffee stops. The coffee is good (unless you're a fan of Starbucks - then move along, move along). Good service, expected high prices for coffee (it's the 21st century), and good coffee. Seating outside has a nice view, and the adjoined bicycle shop makes people-watching almost a full time activity.
(5)Jessica L.
Hands down best coffee in the Springs area. My husband is now a coffee drinker because of them and we love going there together Saturday mornings. And their food is delicious! I have never been disappointed with anything I've gotten. My favorite is the Rainbow acai bowl and they're breakfast burritos are BOMB! And I'm a big fan of the mocha menu. Everything they do is awesome. Will be sad to leave them when I move
(5)Jamie B.
It's great coffee, but why is it so slow?! 15 minutes for a single latte when I am the only person here?
(3)Daniel R.
Friendly staff! They have a great view - perfect place to sit and hangout or do some work. Excellent lattes.
(5)Carina G.
matcha green tea latte w/ almond milk and 1 pump of hazelnut flavor is my go-to!
(5)Terry W.
I honestly wasn't expecting much but since it is only a mile from my work I drove up and got a mocha. WOW was I surprised I have to say it was one of the best mocha's I have had in town. It is comparable to Stir, Serano's and Colorado Coffee Merchants. I will be back again and again since they are right down the road.
(4)Jessica N.
Excellent dirty chai - I get them everywhere and this lands in the top two I've had. Nice balance of spice and sweet. I also tasted my sister's chorizo burrito and it was very good - far, far beyond what I would have expected when my sister picked it out of the display case. They have some nice seating/tables and a fireplace.
(5)Daniel T.
We are new to the Springs and in desperate search of a good local coffee shop. We drove out of our way to give this place a try TWICE in the last few weeks. First, the coffee is quite good. However, the customer service (both times) was just poor. Snotty teenagers running the register without a hint of smile or friendliness & not knowledgeable about the products they serve. Also consistent on both trips was an unusually long wait for 2 coffees. We might give it another try because the coffee is just that good. Will update the review if the customer service improves. Here's hoping!
(3)Brenna R.
Always excited to try new spots in Colorado Springs -- well, new to us, at least! Cafe Velo is one of the few places in COS with acai breakfast bowls, so away we went on a lazy weekend morning. First of all, very interesting concept -- the store, as others have described, is half bicycle shop and half coffee shop. As such, the aroma is a mix of rubber, some cyclists' sweat, and coffee. Not unpleasant per se, just different. I agree with other comments that this is not a place to come cozy up and read or chat quietly. More of a place to stop off after a bike ride or on your way elsewhere. Great coffee -- the house specialty cortado was delicious and beautifully presented. The americano shined equally bright with espresso from Ozo roasters out of Boulder. Decent selection of breakfast burritos; the chorizo was delicious! Same goes for the acai bowl. Only "dislike" is it took 20-30 minutes to get our coffee, and a few minutes after that to get our food. There was a steady stream of clients that died off a bit and the poor boy behind the counter could catch up. But really? Almost a half hour to get coffee on a weekend?
(3)Andy A.
Cafe Velo is leading the peloton of coffee shops and bike shops here is Colorado, completely amazing!
(5)Tommy W.
Went in for lunch today, and the service is usually great! But the guy in the black Famous hat was rude and inattentive! I was pretty off put by the entire transaction! Up your customer service game!
(3)Dave K.
Excellent coffee and the rice crispie caramel bars are the next thing to ambrosia! Superb bike technicians too.
(5)Victoria M.
Woohoo indeed! Best the Springs has to offer. Got a tip from the owner of Crema in Denver and could not be happier. The espresso is delish. Finally a place that knows exactly how to make double ristretto drinks. Three espresso beverages plus one drip coffee and everyone left extremely pleased. Success. Atmosphere is great with couches and high tops for computer work. Bravo for a unique take on a bike shop with espresso done very right.
(5)Josh E.
Awesome coffee and bike shop. Actual REAL coffee and latte's with getting to have an awesome bike shop right there. Love it.
(5)Lisa B.
I live on the west side and was a bit apprehensive about driving so far for coffee. After my first double shot vanilla latte, I have become not only a believer, but a regular! The baristas are talented and the staff friendly. The food is fresh and healthy - Love the tabbouleh! Easily my new favorite spot, and since it is right off the highway, the drive is no longer an issue.
(5)Lyle L.
If you like bicycles, come here, otherwise take the extra 2 min drive to the loaf-n-jug gas station and get some crappy burnt-tasting coffee like you can get at any other gas station... I ordered a medium hot mocha at 165º because I don't like very hot coffee, and the idiot working, made it so hot, that on a 20º-ish day I felt like I was going to die of scald burns with... The coffee was probably around (or hotter than) 190º, which for some is OK, but if you specifically ask for a cooler coffee, you deserve to get a coffee at least somewhere near the specifically asked for temp... Plus after tasting the coffee, I thought I was going to vomit because of the taste of it... It tasted like some weird coffee drink that whoever made it, didn't know what they are doing. The management needs to rethink they way it is run, because the kid that was barista-ing didn't know what he was doing, and was more focused on making a sub-par (crappy) pour design, than making a palatable drink.
(2)Corey G.
I bought my new road bike a few months back. Great information and educated staff. Thank you
(5)Gerry P.
First, awesome Ozo coffee; the best espressos! And a relaxing place to hang out and read or watch sports. The view from the patio of the mountains is great. The bikes and repair knowledge is as good as it gets. The road bikes and mountain bike selection is top notch. All in all the shop has a great vibe.
(5)Tony H.
Best coffee in Colorado Springs...bar none. Friendly service, good food and tons of cool bikes!
(5)Jo L.
I've popped in here a few times, strictly for the latte. . . .of which I am now a huge fan. It tastes fabulous! Coffee does not have to be harsh or bitter (I'm talking to you Starbucks. Mainly I've had the latte. And the barista/artist tops it off with one of those righteous little designs in the foam. A leaf, a tree, it's pretty flippin' cool. Sometimes it amazes me how psyched I can get over small stuff, but I just love the latte foam art! The people working in the cafe seem pleasant and helpful. I'm not much of a bicycle person. I DID have a pretty nice 12 speed Schwinn back in 1986. That probably gives you an idea of how much I know about bikes so I won't even attempt to critique the bike shop. BUT they had a ginormous selection of gear and bikes. Wow.
(4)Kelly V.
Beautiful coffee shop with awesome ambiance and plenty of space to work, catch up, or relax. The iced latte was AWESOME - best I've had in Colorado!! Food is from Taste of Life in Monument, all organic & delicious. There is also a running trail that connects to the Santa Fe trail at the base of the Compassion development behind the shop.
(5)Alex F.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! The best coffee i've ever had in the Springs! I love the Ozo beans they use and their espresso machine is the Lamborghini of all espresso machines. They carry top notch specialized, BMC, and Cervelo bikes, a little something for everyone whether you're a road cyclist or a mountain biker. I will definitely be a regular here!
(5)Dara H.
This place has a "big city" feel to it that I really enjoyed. The customer service was stellar, they really made a point to make me feel welcome, knowing it was my first time here. And, maybe best of all, they have almond milk and coconut milk as alternatives, so I was able to get a latte - much appreciated! I'm not a biker but can see why someone who is would get an extra kick from it as well.
(5)Lizzy G.
Best coffee in town! Great comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff. The coffee is delicious and the food is wonderful. So glad to have a coffee shop on the northern part of town!
(5)Brett G.
What this neighborhood of the city needed was a gourmet coffee shop. I really enjoy coming here. I don't even own a bike and will probably never buy one, especially the fancy pro-style bikes they sell here. Income for the coffee. Hand crafted drinks made to order. None of that mass produced Charbucks production. They buy locally roasted beans, so they are fresh. They grind the beans to order and they have skilled workers who hand tamp the espresso and pour the shot based upon time, temperature, and color. Craft coffee! Their baristas can make latte art with the milk and espresso so you know they steam the ilk correctly! They will serve up different styles of brew too, many different pour over styles. I am to 4 stars from 5 only because I've never had good, or really even useful, speed on their Internet connection. It is complimentary, so I ought not complain, but there seems to be a standard of speed that should exist for public wifi connections. UPDATE 12/12/12: Five stars, I've been in a number of times since first posting this and the interwebz are as fast as they claim in the follow-up comment. Thanks Cafe, not sure what was going on with my computers but there is no issue any longer.
(5)Becca S.
The açai bowl is every bit as good as it looks. Stand-out coffee, cool ambiance, knowledgeable and friendly staff. I'll be back soon. This place is reason enough to go hike or bike the nearby Fox Run park.
(5)Kevin G.
Amazing coffee shop... Great atmosphere and great baristas that actually know about coffee and how to make coffee... The real deal...
(5)Joel H.
Nice place! My eyebrow raised a little bit at the whole "coffee shop meets bike shop" idea.. I was MOSTLY just looking for the coffee shop as a place to sip my coffee and hop on ye olde internet to get some things done. I didn't know how comfortable the atmosphere in this place was going to be. I am far from disappointed. I ordered the bold drip for the day (Columbian, I think, but hard to remember.. delicious enough to drink it black, however), and the breakfast burrito with bacon and green chilies. Everything is very reasonably priced, and the burrito was delicious -- granted, it took a little bit of time for it to actually come out, but that's pretty much par for the course for ANY coffee shop EVER, lol. Not sure what their policy is on refills.. I would have asked, but one cup of coffee will easily be more than enough for me as of late :P so there you go. Staff was extremely friendly and attentive, and the woman at the counter was very sweet and patient when it came to helping me decide what I was going to be getting. So, to sum up: Food - delicious, drip coffee - awesome, atmosphere - very comfy, staff - super friendly. It may not be one of those swanky hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, but it has a uniqueness all of it's own,and I definitely recommend it. I mean really, imagine if I came here for the bikes, too!
(5)Greg M.
Great and I mean great espresso and a great environment for hanging out and seeing beautiful bikes and enjoying views of the front range.
(4)Wendy V.
Cafe Velo's cappuccino is the best in town, hands down. They take care to use awesome ingredients, including well-roasted beans and delicious filtered water.
(5)