24 Best Coffee Shops in Iowa City

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

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

“Great coffee, always clean. Exceptional light.“

“What do I recommend about Press? The owners, the staff, the coffee, the atmosphere, their ethos and values. This coffee shop is a gem, I am so glad they are in my neighborhood. They support local artists and local events. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Always a delight for any book lover.“

“Great coffee, awesome books, relaxing atmosphere. They have coffee flights. A new favorite spot to hang out.“

“Iowa City Hyper Energy Bar is a solid go-to spot for a good energy drink. The drinks taste great and don’t feel heavy or artificial, which is a big plus. There’s a good variety, so it’s easy to find something you like whether you want a quick boost or something refreshing. The staff is friendly and helpful without being overbearing, and service is usually quick. The place is clean and has a relaxed, positive atmosphere. Overall, it’s a reliable spot that delivers consistent quality. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area.“

“I've been mail-ordering my Peruvian French Roast from Steve for almost a decade, and he always gets it sent whatever date I schedule. Consistently wonderful roasts, consistently excellent customer service. I don't want my coffee from anywhere else!“

“Java House Coffee in Iowa City is truly a gem. It serves the best coffee I’ve ever had.....my go-to favorite is the oat milk raspberry iced latte, a perfect balance of flavor and smoothness. No matter where we’re headed, on a trip or just out of town....we always make sure to stop by and grab our drinks from here. It’s a ritual we cherish.

The cafe has a charming, cozy atmosphere that invites you to relax and linger. Whether you’re catching up on work or simply enjoying a quiet moment, it’s the ideal place. The environment is peaceful, making it easy to focus or unwind. The staff are always warm, welcoming, and attentive, adding to the overall experience.

Their merchandise is also a delight. My wife gifted me a mug with a bike design as she knows how much I love motorcycle rides—and I surprised her with a reindeer mug, perfect for her love of wildlife and bird photography. It’s those little things that make this place stand out. They have a great selection of merchandise that reflects their brand’s quality and style. Without a doubt, this is the best coffee spot in Iowa.“

“I want through the drive through today. Very disappointed with the service. Ordered a hot latte & exlarge carmelicious. Went to window & they handed me 2 lattes. I tole them i ordered exlarge carmelicious. She poured the latte into a different cup put whip cream on it & gave it to me. Was not the same taste of my carmelicious. I go every day for coffee & not listening when the order is given at drive through. Very Disappointed!!“

“Stopped in this morning for a Snowball flight! Every sip was fantastic. We drive from Anamosa and it’s worth it every time! We will definitely continue to make this a regular stop when we are in the area. Very happy to hear about the 2nd location as well! Congratulations.“

“The was absolutely one of my bests experiences ever in a drive thru! First I ordered a burrito and when going to other locations it’s normally burnt! This was absolutely perfect! And got myself a hot chocolate! Perfectly warm! Then I get to the window and the individual at the window was absolutely amazing at their job! Absolute fenomenal customer service skills! I was there around 1:25 this afternoon! Definitely deserves acknowledgement! Asked how i was doing and my plans for the day! Had a great conversation about chicken gnocchi soup! Just overall amazing experience keep it up scooters!!!“

“Very nice place to visit, study or just rabbit coffee. Grabbing coffee is what we have done each time we are near these Java roasters. This is by far some of the best coffee around! Great service always as well! It does take a bit for a coffee order, just be patient. These people know what they are doing and the coffee is worth the wait!“

“10/10!! Jacqueline here! It was a pleasure working with starbs! Great people here that know all types of languages! Some Korean,Spanish and some sign language ? ?. Very great drinks made with love too! Ps be patient and tip your baristas ?2018-2024 ? ? ✌️ out“

“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.“

“Can’t wait to go back next time I’m in town“

“Excellent food, eclectic specials, one of the better and more creative restaurants in Iowa City“

“This Dunkin is really a fun little novelty downtown, the outside has a really fun eccentric midcentury vibe which juxtaposes the really nice modern interior. They are a really small location but manage to work through everyone pretty quick with decent quality.“

“We love to have our amazing chocolates with their women grown amazing coffee!“

“I have seen this coffee shop evolve from Capanna, to Coffee Emporium, and now Midnight Coffee. I spent a lot of time there while it was Capanna and loved it but I have to say, the changes they have made since it has become Midnight Coffee is my absolute favorite. From the great coffee, to the partnering with local pastry shops, to the new interior design, and the new Merch…..the VIBE is immaculate as people younger than me would say. Highly recommended making Midnight Coffee your new coffee spot in North Liberty and the Corridor region. They have other locations in Iowa city and tiffin as well I believe.“

“This is the best sushi I’ve had in Iowa. I’m normally in Des Moines but stopped out here recently. The waitress was great, and the flavor and freshness of the sushi was AMAZING! It’s also really affordable compared to other places that I’ve been. I’ll definitely be back.“

“Everytime I come in to pick up my coffee or wraps a few times a week, it's ready as long as I order on the app before I leave my house 5min down the road.

The drive thru can take WAY too long as it's busy almost everytime I go (unless it's like 5am) but doing PU in store has helped and staff has always been friendly!“

“Something that I appreciate about Starbucks is the consistency. This cafe is another example of making consistently good drinks. Of course not out of this world but good and familiar. I stay far away during the semester because it just so busy but during the summer this place is great and the outdoor seating is so nice. The tables are sturdy and the chairs are actually comfortable not just some rinky dink metal ones, they have a great backrest. Although I try to always support local stores seating like this outside is hard to come by for a cafe and I appreciate Starbuck's later hours.“