24 Best Coffee Shops in Iowa City

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

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

“Wonderful atmosphere -great service“

“Great coffee, always clean. Exceptional light.“

“Sidekick Coffee and Books is one of my favorite places in the world. I have been coming since they opened, and as time goes on, it just gets better and better. The coffee is the BEST. My favorite drinks are the iced Winnie the Pooh latte and the smoked salt maple latte. The food is also delicious, my favorites being the quiche and the cinnamon rolls. The staff is so kind and helpful. The atmosphere in Sidekick is extremely cozy. They have a great selection of books, toys, games, puzzles, and other gift items. It's a great place to find a perfect gift, and they wrap for free! The events are another one of my favorite things about Sidekick. They have several book clubs, author events, storytimes, trivia and more. My kids (ages 8 and 3) also love Sidekick. It's a fantastic place to bring your kids. They have ice cream, a train table, and fun cubbies to read in! I also highly recommend the summer camps. My daughter did 2 last year, and will be doing them again this summer! Katy and the staff and her staff make Sidekick a place you will want to come back to again and again.“

“Always a delight for any book lover.“

“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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“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.“

“An Iowa City institution. Coffee and pastries are on point. Usually have been pretty good at fulfilling online orders for pickup. Finding a place to sit can be tough sometimes, but if you get one, you can stay and study for a while. I just wish they still stayed open at night. It used to be a great place to hang or study at night.“

“My experience with Jake was excellent and he went out of his way to make sure my customer experience went well. He is not only polite and he cares about repeat business.

He is a great addition to Starbucks and deserves the highest compliment.“

“This is a good asian food spot in Iowa city. We have eaten here several times. The sushi is usually quite good. Sometimes the ramen is better than others. There are a lot of good vegetarian options here as well. They do serve sake. They have a very diverse menu and I'm sure we will be back again.“

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

“As a west coast coffee snob, good coffee is hard to find in the Midwest. Definitely recommend! Will be back!!!“