5 ⭐️
Apricot tea was perfect! The potato soup was amazing, seasoned just right with perfect consistency and an abundance of potatoes with bacon. I was glad they convinced me to try the homemade croutons! Superb! Rueben was delicious. Loved the whole vibe of this place! Definitely recommend!
Katy Lyn Hawk
The food is always delicious, the staff are always polite, and the prices are definitely reasonable. Not to mention best coffee in town.
Anna H
Even with the chaos of RAGBRAI, this cafe absolutely killed the welcoming atmosphere, food, and coffee. Loved visiting this local gem. Friendliest staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melvyn Randolph
We eat here often the food is fantastic the staff is amazing There is so much variety it's really a hidden gem here in Ottumwa plus I love it helps people with disabilities have and maintain jobs
Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp available on the side of the building right by the candy caboose which is another great place in the same building
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Soup, Sandwich
Samantha Rose
Friendly staff and delicious food. I'm always greeted with a welcoming smile and the service is Great!
Zack Warner
I've worked here for One year now and it has been amazing and I will recommend it to everyone best made in the house food delicious grilled cheese all the staff are
Pleasant little place! They have books for reading while you sip on coffee. Ladies behind the counter were super friendly. Ordered the omelet to go-it was made like you'd make it at home, with no additional fillers. Decently priced
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zoe Zaret
There isn't much in Ottumwa as far as history, culture, or intellectual stimulation. There was some curious goofiness in the past, when locals built a temporary palace out of coal. I still am unclear on why. It is long gone, but you can find illustrations and descriptions in this quiet cafe nearby. The manager went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and welcome, and it is great to see adults with intellectual challenges working in the community, with obvious pride in their responsibilities.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Traci Scott
A quaint little Cafe with plenty of options and good food and drinks.Prices are really good on some items and high on others - but for the most part if you want food and a drink it's going to be $9 - $12, for breakfast or lunch.
I just had the most excellent fresh out-of-the-oven biscuits and homestyle piping hot sausage gravy that tastes like Grandma's. Coal Palace Café and Books is definitely a comfort food place that you can enjoy. It is located at the previous site of Ottumwa's world renown attraction - The Coal Palace, built in 1890's and hosted hundreds of thousands of tourists. The Coal Palace Café and Books is a nod to Ottumwa's history and a definite favorite to modern diners. ...back to the biscuits and gravy - the biscuits literally came out of the oven as I ordered my half order to go, and the gravy is made with pork sausage fresh from a local meat counter. If Grandma wasn't already gone from this Earth, I would go back and check to see if she was running the kitchen there at the Coal Palace Café! Excellent, excellent!
Jessica Neely
This place is an amazing treat! It has such a variety of sandwiches and salads and sides. I love the atmosphere and the building! Service was amazing and the coffee was awesome! Highly recommend!! I had the roast beef bagel sandwich! Best sandwich I’ve had in awhile!
Ann Alexander
Turkey club sandwich was really good. It had roasted cherry tomatoes, cheese, and a special sauce. Crinkle cut fries or the fruit bowl or 4-5 other side dish offerings (lettuce salad, cottage cheese, macaroni salad to name a few). Yum! Really good service, and interesting decor. A part of Ottumwa's history. Cool atrium which still has the gigantic coal auger.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Breeding
Had Taco Salad today. No problems noticed. Will be going back to try other food items.
5 ⭐️ Apricot tea was perfect! The potato soup was amazing, seasoned just right with perfect consistency and an abundance of potatoes with bacon. I was glad they convinced me to try the homemade croutons! Superb! Rueben was delicious. Loved the whole vibe of this place! Definitely recommend!
The food is always delicious, the staff are always polite, and the prices are definitely reasonable. Not to mention best coffee in town.
Even with the chaos of RAGBRAI, this cafe absolutely killed the welcoming atmosphere, food, and coffee. Loved visiting this local gem. Friendliest staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We eat here often the food is fantastic the staff is amazing There is so much variety it's really a hidden gem here in Ottumwa plus I love it helps people with disabilities have and maintain jobs
Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp available on the side of the building right by the candy caboose which is another great place in the same building
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Salad, Soup, Sandwich
Friendly staff and delicious food. I'm always greeted with a welcoming smile and the service is Great!
I've worked here for One year now and it has been amazing and I will recommend it to everyone best made in the house food delicious grilled cheese all the staff are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Deluxe Sandwich, Assorted Tea Bags, Potato Salad, Taco Salad, White Chocolate, Turkey Melt, Breakfast Panini, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chips, French Fries, Roast Beef Bagel, Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Platter, Turkey Deluxe, Soup, Sandwich, Avocado Toast, Frappuccino, Reuben Panini, Roast Beef Bagel Sandwich
great food I recommend everyone come and visit
Pleasant little place! They have books for reading while you sip on coffee. Ladies behind the counter were super friendly. Ordered the omelet to go-it was made like you'd make it at home, with no additional fillers. Decently priced
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
There isn't much in Ottumwa as far as history, culture, or intellectual stimulation. There was some curious goofiness in the past, when locals built a temporary palace out of coal. I still am unclear on why. It is long gone, but you can find illustrations and descriptions in this quiet cafe nearby. The manager went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and welcome, and it is great to see adults with intellectual challenges working in the community, with obvious pride in their responsibilities.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
A quaint little Cafe with plenty of options and good food and drinks.Prices are really good on some items and high on others - but for the most part if you want food and a drink it's going to be $9 - $12, for breakfast or lunch.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food and good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Deluxe Sandwich
I just had the most excellent fresh out-of-the-oven biscuits and homestyle piping hot sausage gravy that tastes like Grandma's. Coal Palace Café and Books is definitely a comfort food place that you can enjoy. It is located at the previous site of Ottumwa's world renown attraction - The Coal Palace, built in 1890's and hosted hundreds of thousands of tourists. The Coal Palace Café and Books is a nod to Ottumwa's history and a definite favorite to modern diners. ...back to the biscuits and gravy - the biscuits literally came out of the oven as I ordered my half order to go, and the gravy is made with pork sausage fresh from a local meat counter. If Grandma wasn't already gone from this Earth, I would go back and check to see if she was running the kitchen there at the Coal Palace Café! Excellent, excellent!
This place is an amazing treat! It has such a variety of sandwiches and salads and sides. I love the atmosphere and the building! Service was amazing and the coffee was awesome! Highly recommend!! I had the roast beef bagel sandwich! Best sandwich I’ve had in awhile!
Turkey club sandwich was really good. It had roasted cherry tomatoes, cheese, and a special sauce. Crinkle cut fries or the fruit bowl or 4-5 other side dish offerings (lettuce salad, cottage cheese, macaroni salad to name a few). Yum! Really good service, and interesting decor. A part of Ottumwa's history. Cool atrium which still has the gigantic coal auger.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had Taco Salad today. No problems noticed. Will be going back to try other food items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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