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The Cup
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
81 reviews for The Cup
Review Highlights
"The Cup only sells fair-trade coffee."
(in 6 reviews)
"The breakfast bagel sandwiches are always tasty too."
(in 5 reviews)
"It sits on Pearl street, so its great for people watching."
(in 7 reviews)
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81 reviews in English
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Review from Guam D.
Houston, TX
This is my favorite coffee shop ever. I've traveled a lot and haven't quite found anything like it. I'll be back in Boulder within a few weeks and you'll see me here!
I had the regular Latte. nice embiance, lots of college kids working and enjoying a cup of whatever... Indoor and outdoor seating, great for ppl watching.
They have a special local espresso bean blend that's not widely used across the US. maybe that's why it was so delicious.
Thanks for the warm hospitality. -
Review from Mr. M.
Boulder, CO
1/9/2012
This was the closest coffeehouse to my home until Atlas Purveyors moved in down the block. When I get clostrophobic in my home office, I start downtown and usually find myself walking into The Cup. The coffee is good, so is the food (if a bit pricey for coffeehouse fare).
What usually gets me headed in the other direction, though, is the cramped seating seemingly designed with the intent of discouraging people from hanging out in front of their laptops all day. For the most part it doesn't work. The place is often crowded and stiflingly hot.
Finally, while the folks behind the counter are courteous enough, there's an undeniable cliquishness to the place that includes both the staff and the regulars. It's off-putting enough that I increasingly find myself looking for a friendlier atmosphere. -
Review from Rick B.
Boulder, CO
12/21/2011
I love the cup. It has the best coffee in boulder. I always get a 12oz americano and it is usually very very good. When Thai worked there, it was always great. In fact, better than most I've ever had. One small exception was Vivace in Seattle. The only thing giving them a 4 is that when Thai is not pulling, the quality is all over the place from ok to very good. At least it's never been bad. The food is always great. I love the jalhab (jalapeño habanero) cream cheese. So good. Sammiches, quiche, blueberry coffee cake, cookies, cup cakes, milk shakes, all excellent. Microwaved eggs taste good but not into the food discombobulator. For a cafe, it's the best in boulder and one of the better in the US.
Funny, just read the other reviews, which are mostly great. Some complaints about price. I suppose if price is your thing, then go to mcdonalds. I don't mind paying a little more for organic, fair trade and superior taste. Not just a little better, a lot better. Plus americanos are cheaper than a lot of other places who's americanos are terrible. Cough, Vick's, cough. -
Review from Jessica R.
Encinitas, CA
12/20/2011 1 photo
The instant I walked through the doors, I was a fan of the vibe. Chill music and the smell of fresh brewed coffee. I love the seating options.... a few tables outside, picnic style in the middle, cozy chairs by the barista bar, and a study/social room towards the back. The walls are adorned with art and the roll-up garage door at the front of the cafe is killer.
Oh right, and then there's the coffee.... mom ordered a cappuccino and I orderd a vanilla latte. It took awhile, but it was also pretty crowded. Both absolutely delicious. Best latte I've had in awhile actually. We also split a scrumptious almond croissant, not overly sweet, which I loved! Overall, complete and total goodness. -
Review from Zach D.
Boulder, CO
12/14/2011
If you're looking for reliable wifi- avoid this place like the plague.
If you don't care about wifi- this place is great (4-5 stars). Good food, fair prices, a good amount of seating. Overall The Cup deserves all the praise it receives, but as someone who leaches off coffee shops for their Internet, I have to let it be known this particular aspect is pretty abysmal. -
Review from Shaun D.
Raleigh, NC
1/20/2012
Great espresso and friendly service.
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Review from Jann S.
Boulder, CO
1/4/2012
This place is kind of fun. It has a mix of CU students, locals, techies and tourists. It is noisy, but they do have a meeting room and a shared table. The coffee and food are so so however. Actually, the coffee is burned and harsh. Staff not exactly friendly ( but coffee shops have notoriously snotty staff) this one not excepted and that's why they get a 2 star.
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Review from Patrick S.
Denver, CO
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
So first visit left a favorable impression other than the price...16oz cup o Joe n a herbed scone $5!!! Sheeit little doggies, this is Boulder so I am backing down.
Coffee--Uganda was hot and dark. Yum
Scone--herbed and PERFECTLY DELICIOUS.
Wi-fi--good
Surroundings---typical local coffee shop. Casual, relaxed, worn out chairs and comfortably worn.
Service--quick and cute...she gave me a $10 smile with my $5 coffee n scone. Great deal.
I may even be back when I am in town with the Doc! -
Review from Nicole C.
Boulder, CO
1/19/2012
In my opinion, this is the only place to go for coffee. Coffee is amazing, folks are great, and vide is awesome. Try the Paleo breakfast!
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Review from Alice K.
7/25/2011 1 photo
Short & sweet:
Service: 3
Coffee: 4
Wait time: 3
Price: 4
Cleanliness of bathroom: n/a
Free wi-fi: yes
I like The Cup and I would come at a much more frequent rate were it not on Pearl St. (on Pearl = parking is a hassle)
The coffee has always been fresh, the cafe is relatively clean - at least, in terms of Boulder hippieness -and it's been a relatively good place to browse the web or to chat with a friend. I wouldn't recommend it so much as a study place just because of its popularity (and it being on Pearl St, there are a lot of people continuously going in and out).
I read somewhere that the bariatas of The Cup take their espresso very seriously; I'm no pro, but my lattes have always come out beautifully, so kudos to you sirs.
Speaking of which, it's past noon and I so have not had my "morning" cup of coffee...... -
Review from Xinmiao L.
Longmont, CO
7/9/2011 1 photo
If you want something that kick your mind awake, this is the right place.
I guess I am spoiled by Starbuck's water downed coffee. The Cappuccino was Holy-I-Need-More-Cream-and-Sugar! But it was cute because they did a heart in my cup.
The Bhakti Chai...HOLY SPICINESS! Let's just keep it that way.
Overall, I liked the place. Good food and nice atmosphere. We will definitely visit place again. -
Review from Claire L.
Boulder, CO
8/26/2011
SAD PANDA LATTE ART.
Bagels & lox for days.
Jams (sometimes loud if you're a square, as for me I'm with it). -
Review from Randy S.
Los Angeles, CA
7/15/2011
Stopped in to do some work during my road trip from New York to Los Angeles.
I suppose this is Boulder's take on a bohemian coffee shop. Nicely done, and a fine spot to get some work done, but Atlas Purveyors down the street has a better tea list and more of a "fun" feel, as well as a more congenial staff. The Cup is more spacious, though. Just hop back and forth between them like I did!
Food: 16/25 stars
Ambiance: 20/25 stars
Service: 16/25 stars
Bathroom: 20/25 stars -
Review from Chad J.
Broomfield, CO
1/4/2012
Best Cup in town. They have a wide selection of Fair Trade coffees. Don't miss the monthly "cuppings".
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Review from Rayid G.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2011
good coffee. great space with lots of open area and light.
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Review from Cliff T.
5/24/2011
If I were just rating this place for it's drinks and baristas, I would rate it much higher. Unfortunately, I can't do that. See, I decided to come for lunch. The fiance and I shared a greek salad and a tuna sammie. BORING!
OK, so maybe those two items are normally boring to many of you. The main problem, and this is a Boulder problem, more than anything, but the main problem is... why is all food in Boulder so. Damn! Expensive?
Anyway, the salad and sammie were fine, I just wish they didn't cost so much.
Otherwise, this is great little coffee shop. I could see myself enjoying working on my laptop from here.
I want to try some of there exciting sounding drinks, like this pure chocolate drink they serve as a shot. -
Review from David C.
Las Vegas, NV
10/13/2011 2 photos
Had a nice cup of cap and a lox bagel. Perfect way to start my day.
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Review from Jessica P.
Portland, OR
10/1/2011
In my opinion, this is the best Boulder has to offer. The coffee is divine, the location is wonderful, and the food is always tasty. I love to sit outside, book in hand, sipping coffee and lifting my head from the pages only to people watch (the delightfully eccentric of Boulder are in no short supply)
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Review from Ian B.
Boulder, CO
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee! Great owners! Yummy Treats!
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Review from Amber C.
Boulder, CO
10/2/2011
Love that sipping chocolate and the baristas are always really nice. Also kid friendly which is a definite plus!
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Review from Homer S.
Boulder, CO
9/1/2011
Tough call, The Cup. And so continues my LOVE/hate relationship with The Cup.
First, the LOVE. Killer coffee (Conscious Coffee), expertly roasted, fresh, and, when properly prepared (foreshadowing alert!), rides with the best available. Also, amazing pastries, delicious breakfast sandwiches, frequently very nice folks working and baristerizing, interesting people-watching, in a very nice and convenient location (downtown, East Pearl).
The hate? Inconsistent espresso, and occasional over-the-top snot- heads at the register, and at the espresso pull.
As to the register, get over yourself. We all did it, at one time in our lives, some/many still do. It's honest, necessary work, and when done well with a smile (some nonverbal signal that our money voluntarily given to you, is appreciated), is a golden moment in our daily lives. True fact.
Regarding the espresso: The Cortado is, by far, my favorite drink. I've had it 8 or 10 times at the Cup. 5 or 6 were pretty good, a couple were transcendent, and a few were AWFUL! The awful ones were the same price as the great ones. 20-30% failure rate. Same price.
Is it incumbent on me to point the crappy ones out to you, or is it your obligation to be certain that, if you're charging a pretty huge sum for a handcrafted drink that 1) it's really good nearly always, and 2) you know when it's not, and make sure a bad one doesn't get to me?
I'm going with the latter.
The Cup doesn't seem to be dying for customers, but since it's unlikely that I'm singled out for the two aforementioned topics of hate, my guess is that the rates of odd behavior and quality lapses are probably consistent across the customer population at large.
I'll keep trying The Cup, chasing the high of the incredible Cortados I've had there, but the gross ones don't seem to be isolated to one specific worker, since the best one, and the worst were made by the same bespectacled dude.
Today, it's The Laughing Goat or Pekoe. Not in the mood for risk-taking on a Thursday. -
Review from Emily R.
Boulder, CO
10/31/2010
The cup has a really amazing local atmosphere, even to tourists. It's very friendly and accesible, much more so than several other Pearl Street coffee shops.
They serve conscious coffee, which means you don't need to feel very guilty, and their selection of drips is one of the best in Boulder. They also serve Bhakti Chai which is delicious.
The food is also really good. Breakfast bagel sandwiches and quiches are the best I think.
The staff is super friendly, and the atmosphere is great, especially on the 300 days a year its nice enough to sit outside. -
Review from Laura S.
Boulder, CO
3/9/2011
There are an insane number of coffee shops in Boulder; I count five within a one-block radius of my office. But The Cup is my cup of choice, because barista Tai makes the best macchiato this side of Italy. True, it can be hard to find a seat, but you don't need to sit to drink a macchiato.
Also, The Cup's free wifi can be accessed next door at the Mountain Sun. Just don't let owner Kevin see you with a laptop in there; it could get ugly. -
Review from Shelly L.
9/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cute place on Pearl Street in Boulder. I enjoyed the sun and a little relaxation time on their front patio area. Their Guatemalan blend coffee is dark and delicious - and their breakfast items are pretty good as well, although the egg and cheese was too plain so I added an extra kick of tomato and basil pesto.
On a Friday morning, the place was filled with people working - the downside of that being that it's tough to find a seat...and the internet was pretty slow. But, all in all, a cozy relaxing spot for a morning coffee. -
Review from Sooichi S.
San Jose, CA
7/19/2011
It's a cool cafe with cool music and dancing staffs :-) Good wifi too.
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Review from Carrie O.
Updated - 3/31/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I had to update my review, because I had the BEST scone I've ever had in my life at The Cup, and a week later, I'm still thinking of it. Seriously, and I love scones... But this was just incredible. I'm a big fan of savory scones. I think they blow fruit scones out of the water. The green chile & cheddar scone, as well as the goat cheese & thyme scones at The Cup are SO wonderful. I had one of each, and I seriously could have eaten a bunch of them (had to stop myself). I'm going to have to try and figure out the recipe so I can make them for myself here in San Diego... Even though that's going to be dangerous ;)
Go have a scone at The Cup for me. You won't regret it. :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/25/2010
This is the kind of place that makes me miss living in Boulder. I walked in there today, and the… Read more »
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Review from Robin P.
Denver, CO
4/1/2009
Lots of eats in Boulder, but Yelp told me that The Cup was cheap. They weren't lying, and the website will attest to this fact.
I ordered a feta, tomato, and spinach quiche. All of the quiches looked a bit sad in the window, but once it was warmed, it was delicious. Great middle of the day lunch/snack. There's also a lot of bagels and pastries and made to order sandwiches here, but I would stick to something small. The coffee may be cheap, but the food is where they make up their profits.
Also ordered a Café Florentine. Made to perfection, and served up in a cute little cup. The Cup uses Fair Trade coffee, which just makes your heart jump, doesn't it? To be matched with the décor (pictures of human conditions around the world, which just fits the store. I'm not sure how to describe the pictures because I made it sound medieval harsh, but it's not. Just go look yourself).
I sat in the front room because I did not know there was a back room until it was too late. I shared a long table with some dudes chatting on one end, and some guy who I think I pissed off by sitting across from him. So random dude, sorry if I infringed on your personal space. I doubt you are a Yelp user, but if you are, I really am sorry! Lots of sunshine and great coffee shop "vibe." Despite having to share a table, I really enjoyed myself. Upbeat spot for writing, getting some work done, or just to chill with friends. Get here early though, if you want a table in this snug, relaxed shop.
And lastly, the staff is friendly and adorable. I was waiting at the counter for my quiche because they forgot to give it me and I thought it was still being heated. A guy who worked there finally asked me what I was waiting for, I told him, and he said next time I could just yell at him to get my stuff. Any staff that encourages me to verbally assault them for a quiche is pretty cool with me.
I will be back. -
Review from elyn t.
Boulder, CO
11/11/2007
I really like the coffee at the Cup, and I'm pretty picky about coffee. It is roasted and supplied by Conscious Coffees (http://www.consciousco...) which is also a wonderful Boulder company that also deserves five stars.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff is incredibly friendly. It is a great place to go on a Saturday morning, on the way to strolling downtown. -
Review from Daniel R.
Durango, CO
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mocha was mediocre. Neither chocolatey or coffee flavors came through.
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Review from Matt Q.
Irvine, CA
7/15/2011
I liked my coffee, the price was right and the service excellent. It has an open, art studio, garage feel. The nightly street performers on Pearl Street is a welcomed bonus.
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Review from Sarah S.
Seattle, WA
12/29/2008
There really aren't any comfortable coffee shops in Boulder that are designed for two friends to have a long talk. Keep in mind, I'm comparing this to Seattle, where coffee shops abound. After walking in to, and out of five different cafes in search of the perfect spot to enjoy some chai and conversation, we ended up at The Cup (which was on the complete opposite end of Pearl from where we started.)
The first thing I liked was that we entered from the garage door on the street. The second thing I liked was the menu of bagel options, which I wasn't in the mood for and didn't order, but appreciated anyway. The entire front room is full of tall tables and stools, and a giant tall communal table. This doesn't appear to be particularly comf for customers with children, since there isn't anything low-to-the-ground to sit on.
There is an echoey back room that was full of people on their computers and wasn't an ideal setting for some serious gossip. The front half of The Cup is where the action is, and despite the awkward seating, it's where I would park myself for some serious Boulder-people watching and a yummy cup of spicy chai.Listed in: When in Boulder...
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Review from sarah p.
Minneapolis, MN
7/6/2009
This has been my office for the day, and it's a pretty good place to work. They have great coffee (my bro says laughing cow trumps them, but i'll let you know if I agree tomorrow), good music is played throughout the day, and I think they do the best job of bringing the outside to the inside on all of Pearl Street. It's been a little warm in here today, but I heard people chatting that the ventilation isn't working, and it is, after all, a truly scorcher of a day outside.
They do have a back room with lots of outlets and a cellphone booth to encourage people to stop yacking away in public. much appreciated.
The Cup sees a ton of action, and the food looks great, although, I haven't tried it YET....that lox and bagel is calling my name.Listed in: Road Trip to Boulder
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Review from Ali M.
Boulder, CO
10/9/2007 1 photo
The Cup is clean, dog friendly, and one of the less-expensive cafes in the area (a large- and I'm talkin' LARGE coffee is 2 bucks even, tax included). All of the coffee is fair trade and organic, and damn good too!
The sliding glass storefront makes it airy and bright inside, and a great place to people watch.
There is also a really tempting selection of pastries, cakes, fruit salads, and sandwiches that I've never tried, and the guys that work there are hot to boot. -
Review from Andrew N.
Atlanta, GA
11/18/2008
How much I wish this place was located near my office in Atlanta!
The coffee was great, well priced, and plentiful.
The food options were fantastic. All of those baked goodies looked too tempting, but not in that waxy--this-item-will-look-the-same-in-100-years sort of way.
The music wasn't too loud and well selected (the did play the Pure Funk CD).
The internet was fast, and so my Sunday was very productive.
The next time I'm in Boulder, you can expect my return to "the cup". -
Review from nini t.
San Francisco, CA
3/9/2010
OMG...these guys are caffeinated drink masters! Came here this morning, looking for some take out breakfast. After consulting Yelp, I settled on this place because it was a reasonable walk from our hotel and had the best reviews, which are well deserved.
It was packed around 10:30am on a Tuesday. The staffer behind the register was very helpful, when I asked about their chai. The Cup makes one of the BEST chai lattes I've ever had. They have two different chais to choose from. I went with the sweeter option, but it was still packed with a spicy flavor, unlike the way too sweet chai you usually find at most cafes. The barista also created a very pretty leaf pattern with the foam, so bonus points for that. I ordered a green tea for my bf and they had a page of teas to choose from, with around 4 or 5 different greens alone.
Their bagel sandwiches hit the spot, although the bagels weren't the best quality. Definitely come here for the drinks and the great vibe. I could see myself working on my laptop, writing Yelp reviews at this cafe. Oh...and they make delicious banana bread as well. They had samples at the register and I couldn't stop nibbling while I was waiting for my order. I ended up buying a slice to go. -
Review from Grace W.
Cupertino, CA
6/4/2011
Great coffee! Especially their mocha which is made with free trade, organic chocolate.
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Review from Alex G.
Boulder, CO
10/17/2008
A fabulous cup of coffee in a fabulous atmosphere. Not to mention a menu that caters to a breakfast and light lunch crowd. Try a panani with grilled vegetables, pesto and goatcheese on multigrain, or satisfy a sweet tooth with one of their many pastries.
Perfectly blended coffee drinks, artfully poured into your cup to enjoy while surfing the web or people watching. -
Review from Lou P.
2/25/2009 8 Check-ins Here
I worked a block from the Cup. The coffee and food is great quality and consistent. The staff is friendly and efficient. It's a great place to meet a friend to catch up, or bury one's nose in a laptop to get some work done.
The Cup is unpretentious and fun. Now that my office is a mile away, I'll still take time to visit the Cup frequently. -
Review from Chloe K.
Boulder, CO
6/9/2008
Ah yes...the Cup.. I work two doors down from this fine establishment. I love the people who work there and the couple who owns the shop. They're great.
Delicious food, great sandwiches, yummy yummy bread, near perfect coffee drinks etc...however, they are slow like molasseses...in addition, sometimes the inconsistency of the Baristas is frustrating.
I know when I walk in, even if there are two people behind the counter..I will always have to wait at LEAST 10 minutes sometimes more than that. Maybe they need to drink more of there own terrific coffee that is all FAIR TRADE!!!!
I'll keep going back..I'll just set aside time warp Cup time. -
Review from Ron B.
2/23/2010
I'm a tea guy, so it's hard for me to judge these places fairly since most never have the tea menu to compare with their coffee. That said, it was somewhat sparse, but some unique blends I'd not seen elsewhere (in Denver, anyway) and that's always fun.
A place I'd visit again.
