Coffee Shops

Iowa City is known for its writers, but all those poets and novelists need a place to work. That’s why Iowa City has one of the best coffee scenes I’ve seen in the United States.

Java House Interior, from “These 10 Unique Coffee Shops in Iowa are Perfect to Wake You Up,” Only In Your State, http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/10-coffee-shops-in-ia/

Downtown Iowa City

• Java House: The Iowa City classic. Visit once during your time here to pick up great coffee as well as tea, hot chocolate, apple cider, or one of their fantastic pastries or desserts. The walls feature prints by Mauricio Lasansky. If you want a keepsake from your trip to Iowa City, we recommend one of Java Houses’ hand-made mugs.
• Prairie Lights: The Café on the second floor of the bookstore is the place for Writers’ Workshop folks to see and be seen. Browse literary journals while you wait for your coffee (or your alcoholic drink!) to be made for you. Don’t miss the art on the walls, either; Prairie Lights’ café features a rotating array of works by area artists.
• T.Spoons: T.Spoons is a small local coffee shop in the Old Capitol Mall used by faculty and students for meetings and as a cozy study space. While I’d advise steering clear of their hot chocolate, I’m a fan of their other food and drink offerings.
• Cortado Coffee and Café: The newest coffee shop on the Iowa City scene, Cortado is inspired by its owners’ Mediterranean traditions. Check out their espresso and their Middle Eastern food selection.
• Starbucks: Can’t leave this chain off the list. While we’d love you to patronize one of our local businesses, Starbucks is a perennial favorite. Just don’t assume you’ll get a table here, our downtown location is quite small.
• High Ground Café: Outside of the Ped Mall area, it’s a short walk to High Ground Café on Market Street. But those who make the five minute walk will be rewarded. This coffee shop not only has great coffee, but a good assortment of sandwiches, smoothies, and beer. High Ground also features a larger seating space, which helps if you plan to camp out and work for a while.

Exterior of New Pioneer Co-Op, from Gemma de Choisy, “New Pioneer Food Co-Op,” Little Village Magazine, August 4, 2015, http://littlevillagemag.com/tag/new-pioneer-food-co-op/

Grocery Stores with Coffee

• Bread Garden: This grocery store has a small coffee bar with excellent quality options. Pick up some gelato or a gluten free cookie on your way out!
• New Pioneer Co-Op: An Iowa City classic location, those willing to take a five minute walk from the Ped Mall will be rewarded with excellent coffee and an assortment of hot and cold meal options made to go.

–Amy Hildreth Chen
Special Collections Instruction Librarian &
Interim English and American Literature Librarian
University of Iowa Libraries