30+ Local Des Moines Coffee Shops You Should Check Out!

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30+ Local Des Moines Coffee Shops You Should Check Out!

Coffee is pretty much a necessity if you are a parent. These Des Moines local coffee shops are perfect for hanging out, enjoying snacks, playing games with the kids, and getting that much-needed jolt of caffeine.  Not only do I love coffee, but I love the atmosphere when entering a local coffee shop. I love to take in all the uniqueness each cafe has to offer and support the many small businesses in our local community. Here are 30+  great coffee shops in Des Moines, IA, where you can enjoy a craft beverage, a tasty snack, or a simple cup of delicious black coffee. Bookmark these 30+ local coffee shops in the Greater Des Moines area.

5 Borough Bagels

13435 University Avenue, Clive

11101 Plum Drive, Urbandale

​The title may not give it away, but 5 Borough Bagels has some unique and delicious lattes such as a Cookie Butter Latte or Peppermint Zebra Latte. Their coffee is roasted locally by Capital City Coffee. Also offering delicious bagel flavors and house-made cream cheeses blended daily with all fresh ingredients, this is one of our favorite spots to stop and grab a New York-style bagel and coffee. Next time you are hungry and need a good cup of coffee, make a stop here.

7 Brew Coffee

15610 Hickman Rd., Clive

1020 E 1st St., Ankeny

​7 Brew Coffee is all about cultivating kindness! They offer fun coffee drinks such as the Blondie and Brunette and many more! Looking for a cold brew? They are known for some super tasty and fun cold brews. 

Best Day Coffee

404 8th Street SW, Suite A, Altoona

Best Day Coffee is newer to the Des Moines metro area in Altoona, Iowa. They are known for their frappes and the coffee is locally roasted from Black Silo in Altoona.

Blue Bean

110 N Ankeny Blvd. Ste. 200, Ankeny

6205 Merle Hay Rd Suite 120, Johnston

​Blue Bean is a modern coffee shop with two locations. They offer some of the best coffee flights in Des Moines – a great way to taste-test and find the perfect drink!  You can try four different kinds of coffee drinks on their flights, or even a tea flight! And if you’re looking for boba in Des Moines, Blue Bean serves lots of flavors with popping boba! Blue Bean also offers a membership co-working space.

Cafe Diem

229 Main Street, Ames

2005 S Ankeny Blvd Ste 700, Ankeny 

Cafe Diem has two main locations and two locations on the DMACC Ankeny Campus grounds. I love the laid-back vibe.

Chain & Spoke Coffee

515 28th St Unit 102, Des Moines

​Chain & Spoke is located in the Ingersoll area and is serving up coffee, and lattes, and can help you with your biking needs. A unique coffee option in Des Moines to check out. 

The Coffeesmith

770 Alice’s Road, Waukee

We just visited The Coffeesmith and loved it. They offer traditional espressos, coffee, and espresso specialties including a Peanut Butter Cup Mocha (yum!).  This is the place to visit if you are a young future coffee enthusiast. They have the “Little Smitty” menu which includes a Babyccino, Not-So-Hot Chocolate, and Iced Chocolate. All three include sprinkles. Win!

Coffee Cats Cafe

312 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

​Love coffee? Love cats? Coffee Cats is the place for you! Grab a delicious cup of coffee and a sweet treat from the cafe, then head to the cat lounge to snuggle some adoptable cats from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. They even offer yoga with cats! It’s the purr-fect place to make a new friend.

Corazon Coffee Roasters

516 Elm Street, West Des Moines

​Corazon Coffee Roasters roasts organic, fair-trade coffee beans right here in Des Moines!

Daisy Chain Coffee

505 E. Grand Ave. #104, Des Moines

​Daisy Chain Coffee is located in the East Village next to Raygun. They offer delicious specialty coffee and local honey.

Freedom Blend Coffee

2301 Hickman Road, Des Moines

Freedom Blend Coffee is much more than just coffee drinks. They are an enterprise of Freedom for Youth Ministries and teach job skills such as marketing, customer services, management, and more. In addition to coffee, they also serve iced drinks, tea, breakfast, and lunch options.

Friedrichs Coffee

801 Grand Ave Suite 310, Des Moines

4632 86th Street, Urbandale 

1821 2nd Street Unit 101, West Des Moines

4126 University Avenue, Des Moines

699 Walnut Street, Des Moines

Friedrichs Coffee has several locations in and around Des Moines. This is one of my favorite places to sit and work. They have a large menu of espressos, frappes, teas, and smoothies, as well as many loose teas and roasted coffee you can take home in bulk.

Grounds for Celebration

2709 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines

6601 University Avenue, Windsor Heights

5950 University Avenue, Located at the Iowa Clinic Cafe, West Des Moines

Grounds for Celebration offers much more than just delicious coffee. You can also enjoy their pastries, baked fresh daily, as well as gelato, sandwiches, salads, and more. It’s one of my favorite places for lunch and coffee in Des Moines.

Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar

1000 Walnut St, Des Moines

Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar is situated next to the elegant lobby of Hotel Fort Des Moines and is the best place to take in some downtown Des Moines views. It’s recently renovated and beautiful inside. Hobnob calls itself a “fusion cafe” and offers imported coffee, as well as a diverse range of authentic Chinese food and a delicious line of desserts.

Horizon Line Coffee

1417 Walnut Street, Suite B, Des Moines 

Located in downtown Des Moines, Horizon Line Coffee is worth the stop! Their mission? “Serve good coffee and care about others.”  They serve high quality coffee, tea, and seasonal lattes and mocktails. Not sure what to try? Check out their coffee flight option.

La Barista Coffee

1963 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines 

La Barista Coffee has been around since 1995 and offers a convenient drive-thru, a full menu of coffee drinks, homemade pastries, and breakfast items. They are famous for their ham & cheese quiche and breakfast burritos using Graziano’s sausage.

Lightbrite Coffee Roasters

1895 SE Grimes Blvd. Suite 105, Grimes

Lightbrite Coffee Roasters is located right off Highway 141 in Grimes. They offer fresh-roasted, small-batch coffee, a great variety of seasonal drinks, and a few light food options such as scones and breakfast burritos.

Mahalo’s Coffee & Mini Donuts

4800 Mills Civic Parkway, # 105, West Des Moines 

Who doesn’t love coffee and donuts?! Mahalo’s offers delicious donuts to indulge in while you sip on their Hawaiian coffee – shipped to them within 48 hours of being roasted. They specialize in hot, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth, mini donuts, available in tons of flavors. And if donuts aren’t your thing (how can that be??) they also serve breakfast sandwiches all day. This is a great spot for kids because they can watch the mini donuts being made.

Mars Cafe

2318 University Avenue, Des Moines 

Mars Cafe is one of my favorite coffee places in Des Moines. Located in the Drake neighborhood, this is a popular hangout for college students who are studying. Mars offers delicious coffee drinks, breakfast options, paninis, desserts, smoothies, and even wine & beer.

Mars Sidebar

400 Locust Street, Suite #130, Des Moines 

If you are walking through the East Village and need a quick pick-me-up, the locally-owned Mars Cafe has a sidebar available! They offer their coffee drinks and pour-overs at this location.

Mayalu Coffee

4226 Fleur Dr, Des Moines

Mayalu Coffee is known for its local ingredients and global flavors and is a new local favorite in Des Moines. Sip on responsibly sourced coffee and enjoy the friendly service this Des Moines coffee shop provides. 

The Morning Grind Coffee

720 Prairie Street, Adel

The Morning Grind Coffee offers hot and cold drinks delicious breakfast sandwiches and other fun baked items. They also have patio seating when the weather is nice.

Northern Vessel

1201 Keo Way, Des Moines

Northern Vessel is a personal favorite of mine and they are a company that has been growing, changing, and adapting over the years. They now have a permanent location in downtown Des Moines and offer signature drinks such as Cheerio and Spanish Latte. 

PLAYgrounds Cafe

293 E Westown Parkway in Waukee

Bring your little one to play while you grab a coffee and get some work done at PLAYgrounds Cafe located in Waukee, Iowa. They offer lattes, snacks, and more. You do not need a child to visit. Feel free to stop in and grab your morning brew before you head off to work or the park.

Porch Light Coffeehouse

417 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny

Porch Light Coffeehouse is located in the newly developed Uptown Ankeny. You’ll love hanging out in this cozy, modern coffeehouse.  They offer coffee drinks and other hot drinks such as Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate. You can also enjoy specialty lattes, cold drinks, sandwiches, salads, and Coffee Rings – code for delicious mini donuts! Porch Light sells a unique selection of candy, cards, gifts, and toys, too.

Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe

315 5th St Suite 100, West Des Moines

Sip on coffee or tea while browsing this cute independent bookstore in Valley Junction. Reading in Public offers all sorts of book genres, small gifts, and more. It is a great place to purchase a gift and support local too! While you are there, pick up your very own copy of 100 Things to Do in Des Moines Before You Die!

Ritual Café

1301 Locust Street, Suite D, Des Moines 

Ritual Cafe is known for its vegetarian menu, all the time. They also serve amazing coffee and coffee drinks. They are located in Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines. It’s the perfect place to stop after visiting the Central Library or walking through Pappajohn Sculpture Park. If you visit the Des Moines Art Festival, you will want to make a stop here! 

Scenic Route Bakery

350 East Locust Street, Suite 104, Des Moines

One of my favorite coffee shops in Des Moines, Scenic Route Bakery is located in the East Village. They offer amazing coffee, tugboat coffee, pastries, and lunch items in a super cute coffee shop. A popular coffee shop located in downtown Des Moines. 

Slow Down Coffee Co.

3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

Located in the historic Highland Park neighborhood, you will not want to miss this sweet gem. Slow Down Coffee Co is a locally owned and operated specialty coffee shop that believes in slowing down. I love their delicious coffee, cozy atmosphere, community, and friendly staff. 

Smokey Row Coffee Co.

1910 Cottage Grove Avenue, Des Moines

1530 SW Vintage Parkway, Ankeny

This is a favorite of the entire family and our go-to coffee shop. We enjoy grabbing coffee, lunch, and dinner at Smokey Row. They offer some yummy pies and ice cream as well.

St. Kilda Cafe & Bakery

300 SW 5th, Des Moines

333 5th Street, West Des Moines

St. Kilda is a full-service Australian-style café & bakery serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their menu is amazing and if you are looking for a truly unique coffee beverage check out the Australian Iced Coffee.

Sugar Grove Goods

1404 Walnut Street, Dallas Center

This is a relatively new Des Moines coffee shop, located in Dallas Center, Iowa, and worth the drive. Another personal favorite coffee shop of mine! They offer delicious coffee (hello, Lavender Lattes) and Dunkers by Matt Donuts.  Sugar Grove Goods has been making goat milk soap, bath bombs, and solid lotion for years and will offer these products in their shop.

SweetDude Coffee & Cafe

9763 University Ave, Clive

SweetDude Coffee & Cafe offers coffee drinks, delicious crepes, and waffles, and is known for its cream-filled puffs. Everything is so tasty and the ambience of their coffee shop is cozy. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to be! 

The Traveling Bean Co.

Just as their company name describes, The Traveling Bean Co. is a traveling van serving up coffee all over the Des Moines area. They have a German theme since their coffee is served from a Volkswagon bus! Serving a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, fizzy teas, and other snacks, keep tabs on their Facebook page to check their locations.

Twisted Bean Coffee Company

6155 SE 14th Street, Des Moines

4504 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale

I just came across the Twisted Bean Coffee Company a few weeks ago and fell in love with their coffee and tasty pastries. Each location’s menu is a bit different but the Urbandale location offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches, smoothies, and more.

Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen

520 E Grand Ave, Des Moines

​A new coffeehouse is located in the East Village! Vibrant Coffeehouse and Kitchen has a fun vibe and is super cozy. This is a great place to come and work if you work remotely. They offer all the coffee things plus breakfast and lunch. They even serve ice cream! 

Vintage Brewhouse

1300 NW 36th St Suite 101, Ankeny

​The Vintage Brewhouse is a combination coffee house and taproom. Come for the coffeehouse vibes or enjoy a beer or cocktail. If you are looking for a cup of joe or great food, this is the place to be!

West End Cafe

22 9th Street, Des Moines

​The West End Cafe is located in the West End Architectural Salvage. They are a large cafe that offers free Wi-Fi in addition to a complete coffee bar with hot and cold espresso drinks, Italian sodas, and smoothies.

Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure

2723 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines 

Zanzibar’s is a fun adventure – I love this unique Des Moines coffee shop. A small shop where you sure will run into someone you know. They offer small-batch coffee, organic coffee, and roasted on-site, with single-origin varieties from over thirty countries. There are so many options to find your perfect cup! They also serve breakfast, snacks, and more. Choosing from the best coffee shops in Des Moines IA might be a challenge – try them all and find your favorite!