12 Best Cafes in Iowa City

“The cold brew here is seriously so good! It’s super smooth, refreshing, and has a really nice coffee flavor without being overly bitter. Definitely one of the better cold brews I’ve had, and I’ll absolutely be coming back for another. The atmosphere and friendly service make it even better!“

“Wonderful place with sustainable vegan coffees and pastries. You gotta try the BamBam coffee! Convenient walk up window!“

“The Encounter Café is a true gem in Iowa City! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of charm. The servers were incredibly kind and attentive, providing excellent service that made the whole experience feel personal and uplifting. The cinnamon rolls were out of this world—fluffy, fresh, and perfectly sweet—easily the best I’ve ever had. Their coffee was fresh and flavorful, and every dish we tried from the breakfast menu was outstanding, made with quality ingredients and served hot. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, delicious breakfast spot in Iowa City, The Encounter Café is a must-visit.“

“Found this “gem” a month ago. Great food. Only disappointing thing is this past Thursday
we brought our 93 yr mother who was visiting from Ohio. Got her out of the car, up and in the door…. Sign said “Open”. Got her inside only to be told, we’re closing @ 2.“

“My wife and I went to the Black Angel for a late lunch about 4 pm today. We split a beef brisket sandwich with each us having a bowl of chicken tortilla soup. The soup was lukewarm and had to be reheated which was promptly and courteously done, as was all service rendered. This was our only complaint. Everything was excellent. Best Chicken Tortilla soup (not too spicy) ever had, The sandwich was great too. Yum!“

“Best Cuban Sandwich I’ve ever had! Horchata is amazing and the atmosphere is warm and inviting! I love this place!!“

“Found this place looking for a healthy menu while we were driving past Iowa City to Chicago. So glad we made the stop. Great location to see the University and enjoy some great food. I had the Açaí bowl and it was amazing, my husband had the turkey wrap which was a healthy choice for him 😊. The staff was super pleasant. Would definitely make this a stop if in Iowa City or just driving through. Love small businesses ❤️“

“I have previously disliked the dentist due to trauma to my front teeth and anxiety surrounding visits. This was the first office I felt so confident in and they were SO friendly. Everyone here is amazing and they also do FANTASTIC work. Dr. Shaw takes his time to make sure your teeth and comfort are 100%!!“

“One of several Iowa City locations. My husband is the pickiest coffee snob but their Americano gets his approval. He also buys their bags of coffee beans. I love drinking Lotus energy drinks and they have 3 or 4 with clever 'power plant' names like Infrared and Ultraviolet. Huge RK treats, rich fudgy brownies, tiramisu, scones, muffins, cookies, soups, salads, sandwiches. Mismatched furniture with couches, side tables, different types of chairs and several seating areas. A casual, laid back atmosphere.“

“Wonderful atmosphere -great service“

“On Wednesday afternoon, 03/04/2026, some guy tried to drive through Scooter’s in a big pickup truck, pulling a U-Haul trailer. Of course, it was obvious to everyone but him that this was NOT a good idea. Scooter’s traffic was backed up. Two employees did a FABULOUS job of taking care of customers as the driver of the pickup and his passenger unhooked the U-Haul and got out of the way. Those girls!!!!! One was outside taking orders, running inside and getting them from the barista. Then they delivered them to each customer. The customers had to back out of the driveway since they couldn’t get out the drive-through. It was a sight to see! Kudos to those girls for successfully taking on a challenge that was totally unavoidable and out of their control.“