Zook’s Coffee and Ice Cream

This place is great. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the coffee and smoothies are delicious, and Dave is the most caring guy ever (he’s enough of a reason to check it out). If you go, you HAVE to check out the back patio.

My husband and I stayed at the rental casita owned by Dave and Annie, (which we found to be extremely comfortable and accommodating-​found on
) who also own Zooks and the Denver Puppet Theater. We stopped in to the café for a bite one day. It was warm and cozy. Dave is very friendly and a pleasure to chat with. My husband had a really hearty breakfast sandwich that he enjoyed and I had a fantastic salad. It was enough for two meals and it had fresh avocado and the most delicious balsamic dressing. There was a puppet show going on so I didn’t get a chance to meet Annie, but I loved seeing all the kids arriving for the show! I found the prices quite reasonable. I love these little cafes with a small, hometown feel! We will definitely be stopping at Zooks for a bite and some great conversation with Dave next time we are back in Denver!!!

Based on the reviews I was super disappointed. Someone said it was eclectic, it’s more like a nursing home meets a daycare. Very Uncleanly. Coffee was gross. Ice cream was old and gross. I couldn’t get past how dirty everything was in this place and The vibe was less than desirable. I Won’t be back.

After reading the reviews for Zooks I was excited to come and get an afternoon of work done. Unfortunately I ended up eating my (cold) sandwich as quickly as I could before leaving.
Many reviewers describe the place as quirky but I don’t think that’s accurate. None of the furniture matches (thrift store finds for sure) and there’s some unnerving music playing in the main café. After getting my panini which came with a small side salad (nice bonus) I had to wander through the somewhat creepy puppet theater to find the garden in the back. It was pretty, but alas, no outlets. Additionally I forgot to ask for the wifi password before trekking out back, so I decided to just call it quits and head out.
Overall the garden could be a nice area to read a book or have a glass of wine, but I won’t be returning.

Delightful!
One star for quirkiness. No, make that two.
Three for the owner being kind, friendly and relaxed.
Four for yummy goodies which taste like (and are) homemade.
Five for the space – which has a sweet «secret» garden in the back, the puppet theater that allows children to play and explore when not in use, and the cozy interior of the shop itself.
Bonus, it’s walkable from the Highlands neighborhood.
I’ll happy return to this local biz again and again.

Well after trekking all over Denver for breakfast we settled on Zooks. Settled is the key word. The old man should close his door or get some prompt help.

Okay it’s not possible to go here and not immediately fall in love with the place. It’s homey, eclectic, the owners are goofy and fun, and the stuff they sell is NOT your average coffee house fare. VERY respectable decaf grind also, and nothing here will break the bank.
With a local IT guru maintaining their wifi, it’s clear and fast and reliable, that goes a long way with me as well at a coffee shop :-)
And there’s a puppet theater next door. Go figure!

This is my favorite coffee shop in the neighborhood, which is saying a lot considering the abundance of good ones to chose from. Dave is really friendly and his Famous Sandwich is delicious, the tea selection is amazing, and they serve little man ice cream. I know I can always find a good spot to hang out and work for a while I need to or just come in and get a quick coffee from Dave with a smile. Truly a neighborhood gem!

The owner is so nice. One morning he was just making pancakes. I hope he’s still doing it, I think it was Saturdays. There are also biscuits, scones and other pastries. I usually order a cappuccino or a latte, they are pretty decent drinks. Strong espresso. There are plenty of tables and seating. I see some people play board games or knit.
There a few parking spots and the guy will chat you up. But not overly chatty like some other coffee shops.

Reading the negative reviews about this place seriously disappoints me! Yes, it’s a unique place, and potentially not an ideal spot for those who are not open minded. I appreciate the laid back nature of the owner and employees and although it can take some time to complete the order there is no lack of interesting things to look at in the meantime. It’s a wonky little spot and a local business that is a refreshing change from the generic Starbucks on every corner. Thing is, it will be an experience no matter what — which is the spice of life in my opinion! A beautiful space, an eclectic collection of tea, and an interesting atmosphere — what more can you really ask for? And also, Dave’s Famous Sandwhich is lovely. Love it here.

This is a cool spot. It’s easy to miss unless you know it shares space with a distinctive puppet theatre. They do have a parking beside the building.
First, it’s a great space for meetings. They do have a free wireless, a great tea selection and sometimes cheap day old baked good. I enjoyed a jammy scone my first time there.
The guy that runs this place is very personable. Sometimes there will be dogs there, so I hope you are a dog lover. What else? They are knowledgeable about their tea. Whenever someone says «let’s meet for coffee», I inwardly groan because I don’t do coffee. Tea, a pastry, sitting down in a comfortable space, that I can do.

I stumbled upon Zook’s while running errands and I needed a pick me up. If I can find a non-​Starbucks coffee house, I will give it a try. When I entered Zook’s, I was greeted immediately upon arrival by two different employees, which was very refreshing. I had a latte that was delicious and a pastry which was also excellent. They brought the drink to me, which I really appreciated. The staff was extraordinarily and sincerely friendly. I love supporting local businesses, especially ones like Zook’s, who really appreciate the patronage they receive. They also have multiple flavors of Little Man Ice Cream, serious bonus if you’ve ever wanted Little Man but didn’t want to stand in line.

Even though I didn’t eat here I can’t recommend this place. I had a scoop of ice cream, which had a good amount of crunchy freezer burn on it indicating that it wasn’t exactly fresh. Looking around the place and observing food being made in the kitchen made me realize how filthy the food prep area is. There were dirty dishes piled up to the ceiling just sitting there, right next to food being prepped for customers. The food prep counter itself was in need of a good scrub, as was the kitchen floor. Cleanliness is the very first baby step toward great food, and this place is in dire need of it.

I was introduced to Zooks a couple of years ago (shortly after they opened, maybe) by a friend who lives a block away. I was blown away by the exuberance of Dave (the proprietor), his wife Annie (who runs the puppet theater next door) and the graceful calm of Pearl (the «slient partner» and house mascot). Excellent coffee, and Dave’s breakfast sandwich (and any other delights there) are not to be missed.
I grew up along the Front Range, but have since moved away. I only make it down 4 or 5 times a year, but stopping at Zooks is a fixed point on any of my itineraries. Dave remembers people, what they like, and their personality. He really loves people and getting to know them. He’s smart, knowledgable in a lot of subjects, and truly is a joy to be around, and he collects an awesome group of customers and friends, and has truly built them into a community.
Come for the coffee and the excellent food. Stay for the excellent conversation. You can’t go wrong here.

Sadly, my experience here was not positive. Given all of the great reviews I went by for breakfast as it’s close to home.
First, they DO NOT serve coffee – DRIP coffee, that is. Odd for a coffee shop, no? I ordered coffee and was given an Americano, without being told in advance. If they don’t get that many requests for drip then why not have a single-​serve pour-​over? It can make a fantastic cup.
When I asked for cream I was poured separated cream. That’s not necessarily spoiled but is suspect and I was given a latte instead.
I also got Dave’s Famous Breakfast sandwich. Greasy, heavy and literally made me nauseous. Seriously. Breakfast sandwiches are my favorite thing in the world. This one was a drag and I’m concerned there was a spoiled ingredient.
It’s an eclectic, funky and quirky place and the gal working was very nice. Sounds like Dave is a cool guy. But I’m decidedly not giving this place a second shot.

I’ve been going to Zooks for over a year now after some friends who live in the neighborhood introduced me. I love the eclectic charm, the gorgeous garden, Annie’s photography on the walls, and the patience Dave has with my dietary restrictions. He’s great if I come in and ask for a salad with lots of protein and no wheat products, and just whips up whatever strikes his fancy. It’s always delicious and safe for me to eat.
I’ve always gone in off hours during weekdays when it’s relatively quiet, but brought my 6, 10 and 13yo nephews there on a weekend and they were enthralled. They loved walking through the garden, they got to peek in at the puppet theater, and they enjoyed talking with Dave about the kinds of tea he had and picking out their own pots. We had a beautiful hour or two, sharing pots of tea and seeing if it tasted any better if we held our pinkies out or in. The vote was tied.
Dave is as good with kids as he is with adults, and he talked with them as if they were the intelligent, interesting people they are, and was happy to tell them about the differences between types of tea and why some are better with milk or sugar or lemon and why some are best plain. He also has a good feel for what kids like to eat, and when the youngest got a little fussy, he just asked him what he really, really wanted, and when that turned out to be grilled cheese and nothing else, that’s what came out to him on a plate a few minutes later.
I like supporting a local, owner-​operated business and Dave, Annie and Pearl (the silent partner) make it feel comfortable and interesting. There’s no corporate feel to it and I like being able to enjoy some coffee and whatever’s cooking that day while looking around at something created by a couple of creative, talented people.

I have confession to make. Most of my friends know this about me and think that it is curious, but when we eat out together they wait for it. Here it is: when I eat or drink something that is fantastic, singularly excellent, I cuss. Not like, «That’s an ‘effing good shake,» but I just drop the F-​bomb. I don’t yell it out or anything, I just say it. I can’t fake it either, because it’s obvious that I am. It’s a spontaneous reaction to amazing food. What makes this odd is that I just don’t cuss a lot. Hardly ever. I’m a teacher and that’s a habit you don’t want to cultivate, you know what I mean?
What does this have to do with Zook’s? Well, I shoot the F-​word out there a lot. When Dave makes fresh buscuits: F — . When Dave makes pancakes and bacon: F — . When Dave pulls homemade scones from the oven and brings one over to me, one bite and it’s F — . Latte? F — . Americano? F — .
The point is, Dave makes some really good eats and drinks. Cussing good food. The fact that there is a puppet theater attached to the coffee house and children moving about sometimes makes this problematic. I do my best to stifle my taste bud joy and I don’t think the kids have heard anything. My wife just shakes her head.
The space is great. Very comfy chairs to read in, books, mostly about gardening and baking, are there to browse through, newspapers to read, tables to work at, free and fast wifi, the bathrooms are clean with plenty of space, the patio out back is an Eden, the puppet theater is really cool, but best of all is Dave himself. He is just a really nice guy. Smart, funny, and happy all the time. He really wants you to enjoy yourself and is always up for a chat. Altogether a great experience right here in the ‘hood.
So you can’t go wrong heading to Zook’s. Have something to eat, something to drink, and talk up Dave for awhile, and you’ll walk away feeling better about your day.

ZERO STARS! Our order consisted of 3 sandwiches at lunch before a puppet show. It took 20 minutes to get our food and when the waitress brought our food to the table, she says my ham sandwich fell on the floor as she was bringing it to me and that another one was being made for me. Less than a minute later, she brings a «new» ham sandwich. It was cut in half and as I was eating one half, I noticed the other half had chips on the inside of it. Curious, I opened the sandwich up to find dirt, hair and all other sorts of nasty stuff hanging out on the sandwich. The cook/​owner picked up the half of the ham sandwich that fell on the floor and put it on my plate and served it to me. HE DID NOT MAKE ANOTHER SANDWICH!!! Also, the dirty dishes area is right next to clean glass and the water station. I will never go here again. Disgusting!

Cute little spot with a very nice owner, Dave. The menu offers lots of drink and food options, and you can play board games while you enjoy them. I’ve only tried two things, but am excited to go back to try more.
Vietnamese coffee: Good. A more mild version of the traditional drink. About twice the size with coffee that’s not as strong.
Breakfast sandwich: Delicious. Grilled sourdough bread, peppered bacon, lots of cheese, and scrambled egg (and chipotle mayo for people who like that).
As an added bonus, there’s a friendly and fluffy resident cat, Sully, who will come to greet you in the parking lot. He has a cathouse equipped with a heated blanket.

Love Zook’s!
As good as it gets for tea, coffee, and whimsy.