Coffee on the Rocks

A tranquil mountain setting

Coffee on the Rocks

510 Moraine Ave,
Estes Park, CO 80517

970.586.5181

Recently, I told my husband, as we were exploring coffee shops in the area to get some real work done, "I just want a coffee shop that has reliable WiFi, serves great coffee, real food--not just sweets and pastries--and where, if we stay long enough, we could get a glass of wine or a good, local beer. Really. Am I asking too much?" For a while, I was pretty sure that I was and that it was just too tall an order to fill. And then, when looking for a place to write in Estes Park, I found it! Coffee on the Rocks offers its patrons well-crafted coffee, local, hand blended teas and an array of savory sandwiches, wraps and even a beautifully executed gourmet cheese and meat platter. 

While gourmet offerings are well selected, one of the peak aspects  of the coffee shop is definitely the people. Many locals appreciate the good coffee, great views and friendly service and will stop by and chat for a few minutes before moving on to their respective business. These days, talk largely revolves around the recent devastating floods that have undeniably left their mark on this resilient community which, despite serious hardships brought about by the floods, proudly remains Mountain Strong.

One of the
local duck population

The tranquil, charming coffee shop lies nestled in the heart of the Rockies, right on the road to Rocky Mountain National Park, a perfect stop for fortification before a trek on Trail Ridge Road, which, at 11,500 ft. is the highest road in the United States. Before you brave the mountain, though, plan to stay and stroll a bit around the picturesque pond or settle into one of the several Adirondacks, to be greeted by the local, well-fed duck population. (Duck food is available in the coffee shop for a dollar-a small offering to keep both children and ducks happy!)

If you are looking for a place to get some work done, as I was, while visiting Estes Park, the back room is cozy and efficient, with plenty of work space and power outlets. Even the patio is equipped with power so you can soak up the abundant Colorado sunshine and enjoy the view while you work. On chilly days or cool mountain evenings, there is a fire pit which is also near the stone platform that provides a stage for local music performances.

Coffee on the Rocks

While the menu contains the usual coffee house fare of muffins, quick breads, bagels and donuts, they also offer many savory selections that satisfy far beyond a sweet-tooth. The muffins are house made, and the lemon poppyseed muffin came garnished with an intact lemon slice baked into the top, which provides both a lovely tang and the chewy texture of caramelized citrus and is also a great way to get the considerable health benefits of lemon peel. Donuts are provided by the local Donut Haus, which is a nearby neighbor, and savory, herbed focaccia sandwich bread is also house-made. The sandwich offerings are varied enough to satisfy a craving, even for a creative sandwich aficionado and it is a real treat to sit by the water, sipping an Oskar Blues, a 90 Shilling or some other excellent, local Colorado brew. 

Well executed
Cheese Tray

Perhaps the most unique culinary offering from this charismatic coffee shop, is the Gourmet Cheese Platter, which we enjoyed as a lovely light brunch before seeking a hiking trail in the park. The platter comes in two sizes. We chose the smaller so that we could also sample sandwiches, and the platter was both generous and well-executed. We chose 5 cheeses from a generic list. My preference would be to know specifically what cheese makers were presented, but the offerings were all adequate representations of their respective genres. The white cheddar had a decent tang and texture with a long finish. We found we especially enjoyed the brie with a bit of the reduced balsamic, a walnut half and a bit of dried cranberry. Elk salami is a nice regional touch and the prosciutto rosebud rolls offered a lovely presentation and lent a heartiness to the tray. Garnished with pickled onions and olives, the tray has an unexpected elegance that is perfectly juxtaposed with the hearty and rugged beauty of the mountain setting.

On the road to
Rocky Mountain National Park 

If you are a rock hound like I am, be sure to take your coffee and stroll across the parking lot to Dick's Rock Shop and Museum. An Estes Park staple for a generation, the shop has the same owner as Coffee on the Rocks and is one of the most extensive and enjoyable rock shops I have visited.

Be sure to add Coffee on the Rocks and the nearby rock shop to your list of Musts Visits next time you are fortunate enough to visit Estes Park.