25 Best Coffee Shops in Iowa (2025 Guide)

Main Street Cafe & Bakery offers an expansive menu catering to various dietary needs and preferences with different snacks, salads, sandwiches, soups, and desserts displayed prominently on the display cases. The friendly staff provide attentive service while ensuring quick order fulfillment at the counter area followed by seat placement anywhere that suits the customer best. For a comfortable dining experience in what feels like an industrial yet modern setting, it caters well to larger groups and families. Notably, their cakes are praised for being moist but one reviewer mentioned they were overly sweet; thus, finding a more balanced flavor profile could enhance the overall enjoyment even further.

Smokey Row Coffee offers a warm and cozy environment with plenty of seating options indoors and out. Known for its delicious coffee drinks and pastries, it also serves various non-coffee items such as ice cream. The place has managed to retain popularity despite occasional issues like underlabeled hot drinks, but overall provides an inviting spot for studying or casual dining in a vibrant setting.

Horizon Line Coffee offers an inviting environment with its clean, open space and limited seating, perfect for enjoying coffee in reusable glass mason jars. The friendly atmosphere and kind baristas make each visit special, along with the delightful experience of tasting exceptionally smooth matcha and other lattes that are both delicious and environmentally conscious. Savoring savory scones or simply taking to-go cups enhances the overall enjoyable trip to Horizon Line Coffee.

The Encounter Café offers a delightful dining experience with its warm and vibrant ambience, great coffee, delicious food, and attentive service. Patrons appreciate the ample seating and space for groups to gather or study comfortably. However, there have been instances where the atmosphere could feel more like an academic library than a casual café during peak times. Despite these minor drawbacks, Encounter remains a standout choice with much to recommend its consistently high ratings.

Brewhemia stands out with its diverse seating options, catering to various needs and preferences in the downtown area. Offering a broad menu choice for coffee, food, and other drinks, it's a go-to spot for both casual dining and meetings. The place maintains character while serving up high-quality offerings such as the egg croissant sandwich or bacon burrito, all of which are well-received by regulars. Recently updated, Brewhemia continues to be popular for its breakfast experiences, with many ordering ahead online to make the most of their visit.

Porch Light Coffeehouse offers an inviting atmosphere with its uniquely designed tables for personal spaces or collaborative work/study sessions. The coffee is highly praised, and the aroma hits right upon arrival. It’s well-known among patrons for its diverse light food options and creative beverages. Additionally, the place includes a cozy fireplace, various decorations, and occasional board games, making it a popular spot even when not serving drinks.

Crêpes de Luxe Café stands out with its French-inspired ambiance and delightful crepes made fresh daily by the owner. Guests appreciate not only the sumptuous flavors but also the personalized touches like creating butterfly-shaped crepes for young diners, making every visit memorable. The café offers a variety of savory and sweet options that cater to diverse tastes while maintaining affordability, ensuring it's worth visiting multiple times. For those needing parking, street spots are conveniently available around the main square area, though finding one might require some walking.

Charlotte's Coffee House offers a cozy brick and mortar setting that feels perfect for lounging with friends. The staff provides quick service in this clean environment, blending rustic charm with modern amenities. Offering a variety of food options including breakfast burritos and paninis, along with scones and unique candy bar lattes, it attracts both locals and visitors alike. Despite being quite busy, the fast service ensures customers still enjoy an engaging experience where they'd be likely to return again.

Scenic Route Bakery offers an inviting atmosphere with its clean and trendy decor. Customers appreciate the quick service and friendly staff, along with its extensive selection of pastries and sweet bakery items to pair with espresso or enjoy on their own. The place also serves lunch sandwiches and is known for standout offerings like the Honey Bee latte and Pseudo Cheese Steak sandwich. Despite occasional busier hours, there's ample seating with free Wi-Fi available for a comfortable visit.

Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure offers an inviting ambiance with its historic charm and serene greenery inside. The coffee quality is exceptional, whether one opts for the latest brew or gets a French press of their choice. Staff are friendly and provide great recommendations, creating a welcoming atmosphere where diverse customers feel valued. Despite not fitting typical coffee shop profiles, this place excels in providing both caffeine delight and a relaxing environment.

Cup of Joe offers an inviting atmosphere with its vintage aesthetic and attentive staff who greet visitors with smiles. Perfect for enjoying coffee in the revitalized downtown area, patrons can also savor unique drinks and delicious bakery items made on-site. The café's friendly vibe and homemade treats make it a go-to spot for both regulars and new comers alike, maintaining a special place in many hearts.

Atomic Coffee Bar seems to offer quality coffee and energy drinks with a loyal customer base, though it has faced issues such as long wait times and unfriendly staff in the past. Friendly service often moves through lines quickly, although there are occasional problems, including some staff having rude attitudes or charging extra for light ice. Despite these challenges, the place maintains high ratings for its great coffee and energy drinks. Recent improvements might have addressed some of the previous complaints.

Cafe Diem offers a welcoming atmosphere with its cute exterior sign, attentive staff, and nice cafe feel. The friendly environment supports both casual conversations or productive work sessions. The coffee selection is impressive, along with the array of breakfast sandwiches. Customers appreciate getting personalized recommendations from their baristas about dishes to order.

Twisted Bean Coffee Company offers a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere with beautifully decorated interior, perfect for socializing or working. They provide an extensive selection of drinks along with various breakfast sandwiches and pastries that are freshly homemade. The friendly staff remember customers' preferences and always deliver outstanding service, making it a go-to spot in Des Moines. Conveniently located on Merle Hay Road, Twisted Bean stands out as a charming yet sophisticated coffee shop experience.

Café Saint Pio offers a charming, enjoyable atmosphere with top-notch service and excellent coffee. Its menu includes tasty baked goods and dishes like the BLT sandwich and iced peppermint mocha, making it a standout choice for brunch or lunch. Whether sipping drinks outside to watch shoppers go by or enjoying meals indoors, Café Saint Pio has consistently received high praise from customers who highly recommend its delightful offerings across various visits.

Dash Coffee Roasters offers an inviting atmosphere with its cozy vibe and friendly service from staff. Known for excellent coffee including pour overs, it's also praised for its great food selection at reasonably priced. Offering breakfast and lunch options alongside cake and snack choices to cater to varied preferences, Dash caters not only to coffee enthusiasts but also families with kids.

Caribou Coffee offers quick and friendly service with fast preparation times. Customers appreciate the diverse menu that ranges from coffee to full breakfast options, all priced reasonably well. The atmosphere can be lively with trivia sessions, while patrons also enjoy the convenience of pickup on their way to work. Many return for Caribou's commitment to dairy-free alternatives which have been made free for a year.

Ritual Cafe is known for its cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for both casual hangouts and quiet workspaces. The staff are incredibly friendly with excellent service, ensuring every visit feels special. Offering an extensive vegetarian menu, it's easy to find appealing options, making it a favorite among vegans and vegetarians alike. Their chai lattes stand out as particularly noteworthy, complementing the overall delightful experience at this cafe.

Press Coffee offers an inviting environment with its gorgeous exterior and warm, decorated interior. The wide variety of teas and coffee beans makes for a thorough selection. Excellent customer service adds to the welcoming atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. Conveniently offering both indoor seating and a drive-through option further caters to customers' needs.

Stone Bru Sunnybrook Dr. is a coffee shop with an inviting atmosphere that appeals to both casual and discerning patrons alike. Offering a wide range of drinks including specialty coffees like the white mocha and smoothies in addition to more conventional offerings, it provides clean facilities and friendly service across its various dining options. Despite occasional wait times for some services, the establishment consistently receives high ratings for its quality coffee, tasty food, and pleasant ambiance, making it a popular choice among those seeking a cozy place to relax or enjoy a quick breakfast on the go.

Friedrichs Coffee offers a welcoming atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Known for its great coffee, the establishment provides numerous drink choices alongside smoothies that look inviting yet haven’t been tried by patrons. Friendly staff ensure every customer feels welcome, making it an ideal spot not just for a quick caffeine fix but also as part of various business meetings or personal outings. Notably, they have a cozy fireplace option during fall and winter months adding to the overall enjoyable experience.

Java House Coffee Roasters – Downtown offers an inviting atmosphere where students and locals alike come to enjoy quality coffee, teas, pastries, and sandwiches in a friendly setting. Known for its consistent good coffee selection and welcoming environment, it has become a staple for study sessions and socializing. Even though there are occasional issues with service or pricing, the overall experience remains appealing due to its robust variety of beverages and comforting ambiance.

Panera Bread offers a welcoming environment with comfortable interiors and friendly service across various locations. Customers appreciate the wide range of sandwiches, salads, and baked goods along with consistent food quality. Despite occasional issues with freshness or taste, numerous positive reviews highlight its convenience, vegetarian options, and overall satisfaction from many who have tried it. Notably, ample parking and child-friendliness are consistently reported, making it a go-to choice for both casual diners and those dining in groups.

Pierce Street Coffee Works stands out with its welcoming atmosphere that feels both authentic and inviting. The food variety is impressive, from the fresh soups to the delicious desserts; customers often find their favorite dishes among the menu options. Staff are known for their friendly approach, helping those who might be feeling unsure about ordering. The café’s standout feature is undoubtedly the exceptional coffee, with drinks like the Funky Squirrel capturing attention as a must-try.

Freedom Blend Coffee offers an inviting environment reminiscent of rustic lodges with its unique architecture and interior design. The coffee is highly praised for its robust flavors, complemented by an extensive menu that includes breakfast bowls, quesadillas, and innovative drinks like the Punkin Spice Latte. Patrons appreciate the warm atmosphere enhanced by gentle music and friendly service, making it a beloved spot not only for drinks but also for casual gatherings. Despite occasional hiccups in order accuracy, the overall experience remains delightful, attracting both regulars and new visitors alike to enjoy their offerings.