Find Novo Coffee at Denver International Airport for Premium Brews
Novo Coffee at Denver International Airport (DEN) has two locations—one in Concourse A Center Core and one in Concourse B Center Core—both open daily from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Founded in Denver in 2002, Novo is a locally owned specialty coffee roaster that serves freshly roasted espresso drinks, nitro cold brew, matcha lattes, and breakfast burritos at the airport. Operated in partnership with the AVE Group through DEN’s Small Business Enterprise Concessions program, Novo Coffee is widely regarded as the best coffee at Denver Airport, offering higher quality than national chains at a comparable price point.
Introduction
You’ve cleared security, found your gate, and now you need a proper cup of coffee. At Denver International Airport (DEN), most travelers head straight for a familiar chain — and most of them walk right past one of the best specialty coffee shops in the building. Novo Coffee at Denver Airport is a locally rooted roaster that has quietly earned a reputation as the top coffee stop at DEN, drawing regulars who fly through Denver specifically because of it.
Whether you have a long layover or ten minutes before boarding, this guide covers everything you need to know — where to find Novo Coffee at the airport, what to order, when it opens, and why it stands apart from the dozens of other options scattered across the concourses.
What Is Novo Coffee?
Novo Coffee is a Denver-based specialty coffee roaster that has been part of the city’s coffee culture since 2002. Built around a philosophy the company calls “Get Closer,” Novo is committed to shortening the distance between the farmers who grow their beans and the people who drink them. That means sourcing high-quality, single-origin coffees directly and maintaining close relationships with producers around the world.
The company roasts its beans on a Loring air-roaster, which is recognized as one of the more environmentally efficient roasters in the industry. Novo tastes and recalibrates its roast profiles weekly, ensuring consistency in every cup. That commitment to craft earned the roaster a Certifiably Green Denver certification — a mark of its genuine dedication to sustainable business practices.
With three retail locations in Denver’s neighborhoods — Highlands, Cheesman Park, and Downtown — plus a roastery in the Five Points district, Novo is woven into the everyday fabric of the city. The airport locations feel like a natural extension of that presence, not a watered-down airport concession. Explore a variety of things to do at Denver Airport, including enjoying a premium coffee experience at Novo Coffee while waiting for your flight.
Novo Coffee at Denver Airport: Locations and Hours
Concourse A — Center Core (West Side)
Novo Coffee Denver Airport’s first location, opened at Concourse A in October 2022, operated in partnership with The AVE Group as part of DEN’s Small Business Enterprise Concessions (SBEC) program—the first such program in the airport’s history. This was a deliberate move to give local Denver businesses a foothold at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
- Location: Concourse A, Center Core, west side
- Hours: Daily, 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Phone: (720) 474-4196
The early opening time is one of Novo’s biggest advantages at DEN. When most airport coffee shops don’t open until 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., Novo welcomes travelers at 4:00 a.m. — ideal for early morning domestic and international departures out of Concourse A.
Concourse B — Center Core
Building on the success of its first kiosk, Novo Coffee opened a second Denver Airport location at Concourse B in 2024. The expansion doubled its presence at DEN, bringing the same freshly roasted coffee and food menu to passengers flying United, Southwest, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.
- Location: Concourse B, Center Core
- Hours: Daily, 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Both airport kiosks were designed with artwork by Denver local artist Pat Milberry, giving each stand a distinctive, creative character that reflects the city’s vibrant arts scene—a thoughtful detail that makes the experience feel authentically Denver.
The Menu: What to Order at Novo Coffee Denver Airport
Espresso and Coffee Drinks
Novo Coffee at Denver Airport serves the roaster’s full coffee menu, which leans into precision and quality. The cortado is consistently praised by frequent flyers as rivaling what you’d find at a downtown specialty café. Baristas here are trained properly — they pull shots with care rather than rushing through orders.
The pour-over is available depending on the day and staffing, and it’s worth asking about. If Novo has it going, it’s arguably the finest cup of coffee you’ll find anywhere in the building.
For espresso drinks, the lattes and cappuccinos use Novo’s in-house roasted beans, which are purchased seasonally and roasted to order. The difference in flavor compared to stale chain coffee is immediately noticeable.
Cold Brew and Nitro Drinks
The cold brew-based Novo Delight has developed a following among airport regulars. Available with a nitro infusion, it delivers a smooth, creamy texture with a balanced vanilla note that isn’t cloying or overly sweet. It’s the kind of drink that makes you wish you’d found Novo on your last trip.
Matcha
Novo Coffee Denver Airport’s matcha latte is exceptional by airport standards. For matcha lovers, it consistently ranks as one of the top matcha options at DEN. If you tend to skip matcha at coffee shops because it tastes chalky or artificial, give this one a try.
Food: Breakfast Burritos, Pastries, and More
Beyond beverages, both kiosks serve fresh-baked goods and grab-and-go food items. The breakfast burrito is a standout — filling, freshly made, and perfectly suited for eating while waiting at the gate. For early morning flights, the Novo breakfast burrito paired with a cortado is one of the better pre-flight meals you can put together without leaving the concourse.
The pastry selection rotates but typically includes items that pair well with a morning coffee.
Why Novo Coffee Stands Out at DEN
It’s Local — and It Shows
Denver International Airport has over 100 dining options spread across three concourses. Most of the coffee choices are national chains: Starbucks, Peet’s, Caribou Coffee. Novo Coffee at Denver Airport is different. It’s a small Denver business that earned its reputation in the city’s neighborhoods before ever setting foot in an airport terminal.
That local character comes through in the coffee. The beans are roasted nearby. The recipes are calibrated in-house. The kiosk designs reflect Denver’s creative community. When you order at Novo, you’re getting a genuine taste of what Denver’s specialty coffee scene looks like — not a standardized corporate formula.
It Opens Earlier Than Almost Everyone
For travelers catching early morning flights, Novo Coffee’s 4:00 a.m. opening is a significant practical advantage. Most competing coffee shops at DEN open between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. Caribou Coffee opens at 4:00 a.m. in some locations, but Novo matches that while offering a higher quality product. If you’re catching a 6:00 a.m. departure and need a real coffee before you board, Novo is your most reliable option.
Sustainability and Transparency
Novo Coffee holds a Certifiably Green Denver certification, reflecting its commitment to reducing environmental impact in how it operates and sources its coffee. The Loring air-roaster used at its Denver roastery is one of the cleanest in the industry, using significantly less energy and producing fewer emissions than conventional drum roasters.
Novo also purchases its green coffee seasonally, which keeps the roasted beans as fresh as possible. This level of supply chain attention is unusual for an airport concession and rare even among specialty roasters.
Part of Denver’s Small Business Story
The Concourse A location was part of DEN’s Small Business Enterprise Concessions program — the first of its kind at the airport. This initiative was specifically designed to open airport concessions to local, smaller businesses rather than exclusively to large national operators. Novo Coffee’s presence at DEN is part of a broader effort to reflect Denver’s actual culinary identity within the airport, not just its geography.
How to Find Novo Coffee at Denver Airport
Navigating DEN can be confusing the first time. Here’s a quick orientation:
Concourse A is typically served by United Airlines and international carriers. Once through the main security checkpoint and aboard the underground train, you’ll arrive in the Center Core of Concourse A. Novo Coffee is located on the west side of the Center Core. It’s easy to spot once you’re in the central hub area.
Concourse B handles a mix of carriers including Southwest, American, Alaska, and Delta. The Novo Coffee kiosk is also in the Center Core of Concourse B. If you’re coming in from the train, look toward the center hub as you enter.
Both locations are post-security, so you’ll need to be ticketed to access them. If you’re meeting someone at the airport without flying, the main Jeppesen Terminal has other coffee options before security.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Arrive a few minutes early. Novo takes the time to make coffee properly. During peak hours — roughly 6:00–9:00 a.m. — there can be a short wait. Plan accordingly if you have a tight connection.
Ask about the pour-over. Not every shift runs one, but when it’s available, it’s the best coffee at the airport, full stop.
Try the breakfast burrito. If you haven’t eaten, it’s worth it. It’s substantial and made fresh.
Bring your own travel mug. A tumbler keeps your drink warm longer, which matters if you’re walking a long concourse to your gate.
Check the DENPerks rewards program. Denver International Airport runs a loyalty program called DENPerks that offers cash back and gift card rewards when you spend at participating shops, including Novo Coffee. If you fly through DEN regularly, it’s worth enrolling.
Novo Coffee Denver Airport vs. Other Coffee Options at DEN
DEN has no shortage of coffee. Here’s how Novo compares to the other main options travelers encounter:
Novo Coffee vs. Starbucks: Starbucks is available in multiple concourses and stays open later (until 11:30 p.m. in Concourse C). If you need coffee after 8:00 p.m., Starbucks is your option. But for quality, Novo’s locally roasted beans and skilled baristas consistently outperform the chain.
Novo Coffee vs. Caribou Coffee: Caribou is a solid regional chain with multiple locations at DEN. It’s reliable and consistent. Novo Coffee at Denver Airport beats it on quality and local authenticity, though Caribou has more locations across all three concourses.
Novo Coffee vs. Dazbog Coffee: Another Colorado-rooted option, Dazbog offers a European-style roasting profile. Dazbog has locations in Concourse C where Novo doesn’t operate. For travelers in Concourse A or B, Novo is the clear local specialty choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
If you’re flying through Denver and care at all about the quality of your coffee, Novo Coffee at Denver Airport deserves your attention. It’s a genuine specialty roaster with deep roots in the city, an early opening time that serves early departures, and a menu broad enough to cover both your morning caffeine and your pre-flight meal. Both the Concourse A and Concourse B locations are easy to find, open daily from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and operated with the same care Novo has brought to its Denver neighborhood shops since 2002.
In an airport full of familiar chain names, Novo Coffee stands as proof that you don’t have to settle for ordinary.
