Katie and the other people are so nice and the coffee is quite good. I like Mom and pop shops not Starbucks. You know what I mean southern sports community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kiera Lee
Coffee shop in the heart of downtown Iowa City and easily one of my favorite study spots! I love how big the space is. It can accommodate a lot of students without ever feeling cramped, and there are tons of outlets which is always a huge win when you’re studying. It’s the perfect place to get work done alone or catch up with friends over lunch.
I haven’t tried a ton from the food menu yet, but the Caesar wrap is so good. They also have one of the best iced matcha lattes in Iowa City. The staff is amazing too. Everyone is so nice, cheerful, and genuinely helpful, which makes the whole place feel really welcoming.
The music is always great, the space is decorated so nicely, and I love the pencil wall. The bathrooms are clean and well kept, and they really have everything you could possibly need. They even offer a student discount, which makes it an even better spot for college students. Definitely one of my favorite places to go in Iowa City!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Liliann Boyd
Food here is great. Service is terrible. Every time I have been in the employees are SO rude, and short with customers, overall just unfriendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Mo Knows!
Super clean interior space - hence the Atmosphere. Almost to the point of sterile. lol Definitely catering to the college crowd. Observed by college-aged people, and decor/layout/wall art/space. Service was average. Not a whole lot of Customer service/forward friendliness. The coffee was decent. If not for the proximity to the hotel, the traffic business for this place might be a little on the light side. Bathrooms...Super clean.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Allie Fairman
I love pointdexters! great place to study, plenty of large tables. staff are all so friendly, and food is reasonably priced. please add cheese fries to your menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saphie
I got a chagaccino for $7.50 + tip and was surprised at how extremely sweet it was. This wasnt the fault of the barista, just that the powder was very sweet. I tried to ask if it could be remade with less sweetener/powder, this was my first time asking for a drink remade so I was pretty nervous. The barista seemed super rude and agitated (even though the store was practically empty and so she shouldnt of been overwhelmed by anything) and said thats just how the drink was. I asked if milk could be added to it to make it less sweet and then she said there's a creamer right next to me. I tried adding creamer but realized id have to add an absurd amount to make a difference in sweetness, so I politely asked if she could add milk. She slid the carton over to me and slammed the cap onto the counter- like what???
My sibling came up and asked again and she again refused to remake the drink with less/no powder, but gave a refund when my sibling asked for a refund... which I used to get myself a drink with less sugar. Lol.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Alisa Meggitt
Poindexter Coffee has long been one of my absolute favorite coffee shops in Iowa City. The atmosphere is delightful — creative, and comfortable, with a wide variety of tables and seating options that make it a superb environment for working, studying, playing Games, or meeting up with friends. It’s also in a fantastic location- easy to access From both the Pedmall and the street- and perfectly themed with a fun, quirky charm that sets it apart from other cafés in town.
For the first several years, Poindexter was my go-to spot — truly a place I loved coming to for both the coffee and the vibe. Unfortunately, over the past year or two, there seems to have been a change in management, and with it, a major shift in the culture of the shop. The current staff are consistently unfriendly and disengaged. They don’t greet customers, rarely smile, and often give off the impression that patrons are an inconvenience. It’s disheartening to walk into such a beautiful, inviting space and feel unwelcome.
It’s honestly disappointing, because Poindexter still has everything a fantastic coffee shop needs — ambiance, location, design, and quality beverages — but the customer service has completely lost its warmth and hospitality. After four years of being my favorite local coffee shop, I now find myself dreading the experience of going in.
I strongly encourage Poindexter’s leadership to invest in customer service and interpersonal skills training for the current team- Anet barristers that actually like people. Iowa City has many competing coffee shops where baristas are genuinely kind, friendly, and engaging — qualities that make all the difference. With the right staff culture, Poindexter could easily reclaim its place as the best coffee shop in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
alexander becker
Bad coffee. Was unimpressed with staff as well… avoid at all costs
Stefan Denic
I stopped into this café today and was shocked to witness a customer being refused service simply for wearing a political hat. The staff told them they wouldn’t serve them because of it. Regardless of anyone’s personal views, it was upsetting to see someone turned away over their political expression. Cafés should be welcoming spaces for everyone, and this experience left me disappointed and uncomfortable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Louisa B
I had the Almond Joy latte, hot, and it was delicious! I loved the service, loved the atmosphere and how quiet it was, loved the choices in seating, loved everything! I'll be coming back for sure!
My first coffee was overly sweet, the barista remade it with no hesitation and the second was perfect. Great and quick service.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
David Greenwood-Sanchez
I want to love this place — the coffee is excellent, the space lovely, and the service is great — but, unfortunately, the wifi is consistently terrible (as in, barely functional). I wish the owners would find a way to fix this.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ouma Lehnoud
If I can give it 0 stars I would! Nasty customer service and nasty overpriced coffee! The people working there are miserable and don’t know how to make a good latte! Save your money and time!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Benjamin Hammer
My experience this morning was “fine.” I ordered a cinnamon roll, and they were unable to warm it up. It was texturely day old and not great. My coffee was decent but they clearly use artificial maple flavoring in their maple latte, which was disappointing. Most concerning, there was ONE person taking orders and playing barista….how is that sustainable in a coffee spot attached to a hotel?!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Taylor
Great vibe and decor IF you’re just trying to grab a coffee and chat. Do not come here to study. The WiFi was so bad I had to leave… I had heard it from others but tried to give it a shot. I would have tried the food because I was hungry, but I had to give another business the monetary gain due to the poor wifi.
Katie and the other people are so nice and the coffee is quite good. I like Mom and pop shops not Starbucks. You know what I mean southern sports community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee shop in the heart of downtown Iowa City and easily one of my favorite study spots! I love how big the space is. It can accommodate a lot of students without ever feeling cramped, and there are tons of outlets which is always a huge win when you’re studying. It’s the perfect place to get work done alone or catch up with friends over lunch.
I haven’t tried a ton from the food menu yet, but the Caesar wrap is so good. They also have one of the best iced matcha lattes in Iowa City. The staff is amazing too. Everyone is so nice, cheerful, and genuinely helpful, which makes the whole place feel really welcoming.
The music is always great, the space is decorated so nicely, and I love the pencil wall. The bathrooms are clean and well kept, and they really have everything you could possibly need. They even offer a student discount, which makes it an even better spot for college students. Definitely one of my favorite places to go in Iowa City!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food here is great. Service is terrible. Every time I have been in the employees are SO rude, and short with customers, overall just unfriendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Super clean interior space - hence the Atmosphere. Almost to the point of sterile. lol Definitely catering to the college crowd. Observed by college-aged people, and decor/layout/wall art/space. Service was average. Not a whole lot of Customer service/forward friendliness. The coffee was decent. If not for the proximity to the hotel, the traffic business for this place might be a little on the light side. Bathrooms...Super clean.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
I love pointdexters! great place to study, plenty of large tables. staff are all so friendly, and food is reasonably priced. please add cheese fries to your menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got a chagaccino for $7.50 + tip and was surprised at how extremely sweet it was. This wasnt the fault of the barista, just that the powder was very sweet. I tried to ask if it could be remade with less sweetener/powder, this was my first time asking for a drink remade so I was pretty nervous. The barista seemed super rude and agitated (even though the store was practically empty and so she shouldnt of been overwhelmed by anything) and said thats just how the drink was. I asked if milk could be added to it to make it less sweet and then she said there's a creamer right next to me. I tried adding creamer but realized id have to add an absurd amount to make a difference in sweetness, so I politely asked if she could add milk. She slid the carton over to me and slammed the cap onto the counter- like what???
My sibling came up and asked again and she again refused to remake the drink with less/no powder, but gave a refund when my sibling asked for a refund... which I used to get myself a drink with less sugar. Lol.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Poindexter Coffee has long been one of my absolute favorite coffee shops in Iowa City. The atmosphere is delightful — creative, and comfortable, with a wide variety of tables and seating options that make it a superb environment for working, studying, playing Games, or meeting up with friends. It’s also in a fantastic location- easy to access From both the Pedmall and the street- and perfectly themed with a fun, quirky charm that sets it apart from other cafés in town.
For the first several years, Poindexter was my go-to spot — truly a place I loved coming to for both the coffee and the vibe. Unfortunately, over the past year or two, there seems to have been a change in management, and with it, a major shift in the culture of the shop. The current staff are consistently unfriendly and disengaged. They don’t greet customers, rarely smile, and often give off the impression that patrons are an inconvenience. It’s disheartening to walk into such a beautiful, inviting space and feel unwelcome.
It’s honestly disappointing, because Poindexter still has everything a fantastic coffee shop needs — ambiance, location, design, and quality beverages — but the customer service has completely lost its warmth and hospitality. After four years of being my favorite local coffee shop, I now find myself dreading the experience of going in.
I strongly encourage Poindexter’s leadership to invest in customer service and interpersonal skills training for the current team- Anet barristers that actually like people.
Iowa City has many competing coffee shops where baristas are genuinely kind, friendly, and engaging — qualities that make all the difference. With the right staff culture, Poindexter could easily reclaim its place as the best coffee shop in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Bad coffee. Was unimpressed with staff as well… avoid at all costs
I stopped into this café today and was shocked to witness a customer being refused service simply for wearing a political hat. The staff told them they wouldn’t serve them because of it. Regardless of anyone’s personal views, it was upsetting to see someone turned away over their political expression. Cafés should be welcoming spaces for everyone, and this experience left me disappointed and uncomfortable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had the Almond Joy latte, hot, and it was delicious! I loved the service, loved the atmosphere and how quiet it was, loved the choices in seating, loved everything! I'll be coming back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My first coffee was overly sweet, the barista remade it with no hesitation and the second was perfect. Great and quick service.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I want to love this place — the coffee is excellent, the space lovely, and the service is great — but, unfortunately, the wifi is consistently terrible (as in, barely functional). I wish the owners would find a way to fix this.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I can give it 0 stars I would! Nasty customer service and nasty overpriced coffee! The people working there are miserable and don’t know how to make a good latte!
Save your money and time!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My experience this morning was “fine.” I ordered a cinnamon roll, and they were unable to warm it up. It was texturely day old and not great. My coffee was decent but they clearly use artificial maple flavoring in their maple latte, which was disappointing. Most concerning, there was ONE person taking orders and playing barista….how is that sustainable in a coffee spot attached to a hotel?!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Great vibe and decor IF you’re just trying to grab a coffee and chat. Do not come here to study. The WiFi was so bad I had to leave… I had heard it from others but tried to give it a shot. I would have tried the food because I was hungry, but I had to give another business the monetary gain due to the poor wifi.
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