Amante Coffee at the Oxford — Restaurant in Denver

If you want to experience the perfect blend of old-school Denver charm and European coffeehouse sophistication, Amante Coffee at The Oxford Hotel is a hidden gem that absolutely deserves its five stars — and probably a few bonus ones for good measure.

From the moment you walk in, the energy is different. You can feel the history of The Oxford itself — polished wood, brass accents, a touch of timeless class — but Amante brings this smooth, modern warmth that immediately grounds you. The baristas move with that unspoken confidence of people who love what they do. You can tell they’re not just slinging drinks; they’re crafting them.

Let’s start with the vanilla latte, because, honestly, it’s one of the best I’ve ever had in Denver — and I’ve tried them all. It’s that perfect middle ground between sweet and bold. The espresso has depth, that roasted richness you can taste before it even hits your tongue, and the vanilla isn’t that artificial syrupy nonsense most places drown you in. It’s balanced, silky, and perfectly frothed — the kind of drink that makes you pause for a second mid-conversation just to appreciate it.

And then there’s the scone. I wasn’t expecting much — it’s a coffee shop pastry, right? Wrong. This one was buttery, flaky, with a tender crumb that walks that line between delicate and hearty. Slightly warm, just sweet enough, with that homemade feel that makes you wonder if there’s a baker hiding in the back who takes pastry way too seriously (and thank God for that). Paired with the latte, it’s an elite-level breakfast duo.

The vibe at Amante is that perfect mix of European café meets Denver urban sophistication. You’ll see everyone here — hotel guests in robes grabbing their morning fix, downtown professionals in sharp suits quietly answering emails, and the occasional creative type lost in a sketchbook or novel. The playlist hums low and smooth, the lighting is flattering, and the service is as consistent as it gets.

I’ve been to a lot of coffee spots downtown, but what makes this one stand out is its location and experience. It’s tucked right into the heart of Denver’s historic Oxford Hotel — a setting that feels like a movie scene. Whether you’re starting your morning, taking a mid-day coffee break, or just people-watching from one of the corner seats, it’s an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re part of something special.

If you’re in downtown Denver and haven’t been to Amante at The Oxford yet — go. Order the vanilla latte and the scone. Take a breath, slow down, and just enjoy being in one of the best-kept coffee secrets in the city.

Five stars, easy. This is the kind of place that makes you fall back in love with coffee...

I've been here so many times, that several of the people know who I am and exactly what I want. I get the neighborhood discount even. Typically 1-2 times per week when I come downtown. But something weird happened recently that soured me, and I don't think I'll go back.

I started noticing that the latte tastes too much like milk. Like I couldn't taste the coffee anymore. Just tasted like a hot milk drink. So, one day I place my order as usual, and just as the person making the drinks is about to grab my cup to make it, I ask if they can leave some room in it (less milk = more coffee taste), and they said, "Well, I'll try, but I'm kind of on autopilot here". Which they then ignored and poured the milk to the brim just 30 seconds later, resulting in the same thing. I don't need more espresso, I just wanted less milk. Is that really so demanding? I don't get it. Like I've literally been here a hundred times and the one time I make a special request it's shot down.

That was a few weeks ago and I've not been back, and I probably won't. I even went to Pigtrain this morning in Union Station and woah... so much better in terms of coffee taste level. I don't want to give this place a low rating, because it is a great place with great tasting coffee, but I know for sure something changed and I was just trying to get back to the taste I'm used to.

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I absolutely loved Amante. I was there on a work trip and I didn’t even bother trying to find a better cafe. I bought both Espresso and Cortado at least once if not twice a day for a week while I was there in Denver and every one was absolutely delicious. I brought my portable Espresso machine on the trip as I always do when I travel to the USA, and this time it just ended up taking up space in my luggage. The atmosphere is great, the staff are great, the location is great. What amazed me even more is that I was served by 4 or 5 different Barista and each was consistently good. Sure, I could say that one was slightly better that the other, but regardless It is the first time ever I have been to a cafe and had such a positive experience. I would recommend Amante to anyone wanting a proper coffee. Your La Marzocca machine is a star, but only a great director can make it sing. Very well done. Keep it up. I look forward to drinking more of your coffees next time I...