The “Must Have” Guide to Coffee Shops in Iowa

I love coffee and love visiting new coffee shops and they automatically get bonus points if they are locally owned joints! I’ll pass Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts any day of the week for a mom & pop coffee shop! Thankfully, Iowa is loaded with lots of great coffee shops! I’ve collected them all here for your convenience and even categorized them by region! So, schedule a road trip to enjoy them all (not necessarily all at once) and enjoy a hot (or cold) cup of joe!

Coffee Shops in Northeast Iowa

Rustic Brew – 117 1st St NW, Hampton

Not only is this a locally owned coffee shop that serves delicious lattes, mochas, frappes, and a large variety of flavored chai tea, but it’s also a microbrewery. Start with coffee and a scone, stay for lunch with a great sandwich or their homemade special, and finish your day with a Sloberknocker (yes, that’s a beer).

Grab a Brew at Rustic Brew in Hampton, Iowa

Coffee Attic & Book Cellar – 604 Washington Ave, Iowa Falls

Grab a coffee or fresh baked muffin, relax in one of their many (and varied) seating areas, or explore the Book Cellar in the basement and get lost in a good book!

Coffee Attic in Iowa Falls, IA

Aromas – 214 N Main St , Charles City

Aromas not only brews up hot and cold coffee drinks, but also roasts their own coffee beans that can be purchased to take home and enjoy! Throw in a few baked goods and you’ve got a great morning or afternoon treat.

Aromas – Charles City, IA

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Block 10 at 1921 City Hall – 309 W Gilman, Sheffield

This coffee shop, homed in a historic city hall and fire station offers great coffee drinks and an awesome lunch menu! My personal favorites are the protein iced coffees, breakfast burrito, and turkey apple bacon salad! Plus, you can shop their boutique, Legion Room Loft, while enjoying your brew!

Block 10 @ 1921 City Hall: Where Coffee & History Collide

Black Sheep Coffee Baa – 115 E Traer St, Greene

A trip to this town of 1100 people is worth it to stop at this locally owned coffee shop! Grab the Cold Brew Shake and thank me later!

Cold Brew Shake from Black Sheep Coffee Baa

Jitters Coffee Bar & Last Ditch Roastery- 124 4th St. SW, Mason City

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3 on the Tree Coffee & Cafe- 124 1/2 N Delaware Ave, Mason City

Adjacent to Market 124, grab a delicious coffee and enjoy the nature infused space or wander through Market 124 and grab some unique home decor or other pieces! You can even paint your own pottery at Market 124!

3 on the Tree Coffee & Cafe

Inspire Cafe – 955 Washington St. #105, Dubuque

Bev & Hennies – 604 IA-57, Parkersburg

Chairish Life Coffee Shop – 626 Main Street, Ackley

Downtown Ackley is only a couple blocks long, but Chairish Life Coffee Shop is the shining star of it. This beautifully restored historic building is a great place to grab a coffee, delicious lunch, or a fresh baked good and slow down and enjoy life. They also offer goods made by local artisans for purchase. The owner is the sweetest thing too! Did I mention the super cool, rotating, antique bean combine head suspended from the ceiling?!

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Love a Latte – 1210 12th St #1721, Eldora

Sarah’s Espresso Cafe – 419 Main St – Cedar Falls

Don’t let the bar-looking location of this coffee shop deter you from visiting Sarah’s Espresso Cafe! Coffee shop by day and bar by night, the folks at Sarah’s are delivering delicious coffee and hot breakfasts including breakfast wraps and gluten-free egg bites! My personal recommendation is the cold brew with cream & the egg bites!

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Cup of Joe – 102 Main St – Cedar Falls

Cup of Joe has a great location on main street in Cedar Falls on a corner, which offers outdoor patio seating during the warmer months! It’s also across the street from the beautiful Black Hawk Hotel, but what really gets me is their daily offerings of fresh baked gluten-free treats! The fun and funky vibe inside doesn’t hurt anything either!

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Get Roasted Coffee Company – 106 W Bremer Ave, Waverly

Located on main street in Waverly Get Roasted Coffee Company is brewing delicious coffee drinks and hand crafted baked goods & lunches along with roasting medium roast single origin & custom blends. They also make as many of their syrups, creamers, soups, salads, and breakfast burritos from scratch. Plus, the super cozy atmosphere makes it a great place to hand out, relax, or catch up with friends.

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Get Roasted Coffee Company – Waverly, IA

Pioneer’s Post – 107 N Main Street – Clarksville

In an unassuming building in downtown Clarksville (population 1264) is the small treasure of Pioneer’s Post. The outside of the building is very plain with a simple sign on the door, but the renovation the owners have done inside are beautiful, cozy, and welcoming. Pioneer’s Post opened in 2023 and have a small menu, but the owners are the sweetest, the cold brew with sweet cream I had was delicious, and they have a carafe of cold water and cups available for everyone to use without having to ask! Tables and chairs are available or cozy couches and chairs. It’s worth the drive to Clarksville to give them a try!


Coffee Shops in Southeast Iowa

Brewhemia – 1202 3rd St. SE, #101, Cedar Rapids

Located in the NewBo District of downtown Cedar Rapids is this hoppin’ coffee shop! Located in a historical building and offering a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options. Sure the coffee is good, but go for the breakfast tacos, you’ll thank me later!

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Brewhemia in Cedar Rapids, IA

Brew Coffee House – 626 Franklin St, Pella

There are a lot of options for coffee in Pella, but we choose Brew House for their cold brews and cinnamon rolls! Plus, there is plenty of space to work, visit, or even hold a small meeting!

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Brew Coffee House – Pella, IA

Saints Rest Coffee – 917 Broad St, Grinnell

Saints Rest Coffee in Grinnel, IA

Moore Local – 305 S Riverview, Bellevue

Located along the Mississippi River is the beautifully renovated building of Moore Local! This coffee shop and local foods shop is quaint, serves up delicious coffee, and lots of treats with exceptional views, and incredibly nice people! Grab a coffee and enjoy a stroll along the river front!

Moore Local – Bellevue, Iowa

Coffee Shops in Southwest Iowa

The Bakery on Broadway – 312 Broadway St, Audubon

This locally owned stop is a highlight of downtown Audubon. Grab a delicious coffee, but don’t overlook the fresh baked goods every day!

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The Bakery on Broadway in Audubon, IA

Coffee Girl

Hot coffee, delicious lunches, Coffee Girl has it all and are offering it in two different locations! You can find them at 1205 7th St. in Harlan or 422 Chestnut St in Atlantic

Chicken Salad Wrap from Coffee Girl

Green Bean – 202 N Wilson Ave, Jefferson

The Market Place – 321 Main St, Manning

This isn’t just a coffee shop, but also a market full of home décor and boutique style clothing! However, the deliciously smooth espressos are still the highlight of the stop!

Queen Beans – 522 N Clark St., Carrol

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KaffeGeita – 1463 Broad St, Story City

Norwegian for The Coffee Goat, KaffeGeita is a nod to the strong Scandinavian roots of Story City. Located just a mile or so off I-35 you’ll find this adorable little shop! It’s small and quaint with several seating options and a big menu. In case you need convenience, they offer a drive through. While they offer a wide variety of options for both coffee lovers and those who don’t, I recommend the Chai Latte…it was THE BEST sugar free version, I’ve ever had!



Coffee Shops in Northwest Iowa

Coffee Tree – 730 Lake Ave N, Storm Lake

This local, downtown spot is a favorite of it’s residents, but also those who visit town! If you don’t have time to go inside, drive through and grab your favorite coffee drink!

Central Perk – 12 S 6th St. #A, Estherville

Iced coffee, ice cream, fresh baked goods, and a menu that offers lots of options for those that need to be Gluten Free! Plus, they are located downtown with lots of great shops in the area, which is a huge WIN!

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Swallow Coffeehouse – 225 W Main St, Lake Mills

Java 18 – 720 US-18, Garner

I stopped here quick on my way through town. The folks are friendly and my frappe was wonderfully blended! I didn’t realize they had a drive through until I was already inside, but that’s a great feature!

Cabin Coffee – 303 Main Ave, Clear Lake

Clear Lake isn’t the only spot you’ll find this locally owned spot! They have a large variety all over Northern Iowa including Mason City & Forest City, but they are still a small business! Palomino’s are their specialty and their even roasting up their own beans!

Breu Haus Coffee & Brewery – 1220 2nd Ave, Sheldon

A coffee shop that doubles as a Brewery?! Yes please! That’s exactly what you’ll find in Sheldon at Breu Haus Coffee & Brewery. They serve up coffee drinks, energy drinks, and micro brewed beer! Its location in a beautifully restored historic building and that makes it a great place to stop!

Breu Haus Coffee & Brewery

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Brew 126 at Marker 126 – 2339 Poplar Ave – Duncombe

Located just a few miles East of Fort Dodge, you’ll find Marker 126. While it is a truck stop/gas station at the heart, it doesn’t look like one, doesn’t smell like one, and certainly doesn’t offer the traditional truck stop fare. This newly built stop is a beautiful building with gas & diesel, but inside…you’ll find a full convenience store, boutique, and Brew 126, a full service coffee shop serving up delicious coffee drinks, acai bowls, and ice cream! My recommendation?! Go for the shaken espresso! This isn’t a traditional coffee shop stop, but it’s a must!

Coffee Shops in Iowa

No need to look any further because here you have it, the ultimate guide to coffee shops in Iowa. Sure, there are a lot more and I might have missed your favorite, but you should be able to find one or two or three in your area to try out! Tell me, which coffee shop is your favorite?!

Looking for more Iowa goodness?! Check out these articles!

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Updated 5/28/2024

2 Replies to “The “Must Have” Guide to Coffee Shops in Iowa”

  1. I travel a lot in Iowa so I appreciate the list. If you ever get a chance do you check out Deja Brew in Emmetsburg Iowa. They are also very good.

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