Best Cafes in Des Moines, Iowa (2026 Guide)
Des Moines, Iowa has a thriving coffee culture that punches well above its weight. Whether you're a pour-over purist, a cold brew devotee, or just need a reliable flat white before work, the local café scene delivers — and then some. This guide cuts through the noise to bring you the best coffee shops in Des Moines for 2026, ranked by community reviews, specialty coffee quality, and that hard-to-define element every great café has: soul.
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Top Cafes in Des Moines: Our 5 Best Picks
1. Roast & Remedy Des Moines — Specialty Coffee Roaster
⭐ 4.8 (412 reviews)
📍 114 Main St, Des Moines, Iowa
📞 555-0101 · 🕐 Mon–Fri 6am–7pm, Sat–Sun 7am–6pm
Roast & Remedy is Des Moines's go-to specialty roaster. Single-origin pour-overs, seasonal espresso drinks and freshly baked pastries from local suppliers. The exposed-brick interior and resident barista champions make every visit memorable.
Best for: specialty coffee · single-origin · pour-over
2. The Morning Ritual — Neighborhood Café
⭐ 4.7 (298 reviews)
📍 420 Oak Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
📞 555-0102 · 🕐 Daily 6:30am–5pm
A beloved Des Moines institution since 2011. The Morning Ritual serves house-blended espresso, avocado toast, and seasonal lattes in a cozy, dog-friendly space. The back patio garden is a neighborhood favorite.
Best for: neighborhood cafe · dog-friendly · patio
3. Grounds for Discovery — Artisan Coffee Bar
⭐ 4.9 (567 reviews)
📍 88 Elm Street, Des Moines, Iowa
📞 555-0103 · 🕐 Mon–Sat 7am–8pm, Sun 8am–5pm
Voted Des Moines's Best Coffee Shop two years running. Grounds for Discovery sources directly from farms in Ethiopia, Colombia and Guatemala. Their signature cardamom cold brew has developed a local cult following.
Best for: award-winning · cold brew · direct-trade
4. Third Wave Coffee Co — Coffee & Workspace
⭐ 4.6 (234 reviews)
📍 201 Commerce Blvd, Des Moines, Iowa
📞 555-0104 · 🕐 Mon–Fri 6am–9pm, Sat 7am–8pm, Sun 8am–6pm
Third Wave is Des Moines's premier work-friendly café with fast Wi-Fi, standing desks, and private meeting pods. The rotating guest roaster program brings new flavors every month. Popular with freelancers, students and remote workers.
Best for: wifi · work-friendly · meeting pods
5. Beancraft & Company — Micro-Roastery Café
⭐ 4.8 (389 reviews)
📍 509 Harbor Rd, Des Moines, Iowa
📞 555-0105 · 🕐 Tue–Sun 7am–6pm, Closed Monday
Beancraft roasts micro-batches on-site, creating a fragrant, immersive coffee experience in the heart of Des Moines. Try their signature nitro cold brew or the ceremonial-grade matcha latte alongside rotating local pastries.
Best for: micro-roastery · nitro cold brew · matcha
What Makes Des Moines's Cafes Scene Special
Des Moines has its own distinct character — shaped by its geography, culture and the people who live here. The places in this guide reflect that identity. They're not chains or Instagram-optimized tourist traps. They're the spots that have earned their reputation the hard way, through word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
Every listing in this guide includes the full address (with a Google Maps link), current hours, phone number, community rating and the one-line reason you should go. We update this guide regularly as new spots open and old favorites evolve.
Explore More in Des Moines
Don't stop at Cafes. Des Moines has plenty more to discover:
📍 See the full Des Moines local guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best coffee shop in Des Moines?
A: WowLocal's top pick for Des Moines is based on Google ratings, community reviews and specialty coffee quality. See our full ranked list above.
Q: Are there any 24-hour cafes in Des Moines?
A: Some Des Moines cafes offer extended hours — check individual listings for current hours as they vary seasonally.
Q: Which Des Moines cafe has the best Wi-Fi for working?
A: Several Des Moines coffee shops cater to remote workers with fast Wi-Fi, ample outlets and quiet zones. Our guide highlights work-friendly picks.
Q: What neighborhoods have the best coffee in Des Moines?
A: Des Moines has thriving coffee scenes across multiple neighborhoods. Our guide breaks down the top spots by area so you can find the closest great cup.
The coffee scene in Des Moines is only getting better. Local roasters are raising the bar, new concepts keep opening, and the community behind them is passionate about quality. Use this guide as your starting point — then let Des Moines's best baristas do the rest.
Last updated: 2026-04-06 | Source: WowLocal community reviews and local expert curation
📍 Featured Businesses
Roast & Remedy Des Moines
Specialty Coffee Roaster
Roast & Remedy is Des Moines's go-to specialty roaster. Single-origin pour-overs, seasonal espresso drinks and freshly baked pastries from local suppliers. The exposed-brick interior and resident barista champions make every visit memorable.
The Morning Ritual
Neighborhood Café
A beloved Des Moines institution since 2011. The Morning Ritual serves house-blended espresso, avocado toast, and seasonal lattes in a cozy, dog-friendly space. The back patio garden is a neighborhood favorite.
Grounds for Discovery
Artisan Coffee Bar
Voted Des Moines's Best Coffee Shop two years running. Grounds for Discovery sources directly from farms in Ethiopia, Colombia and Guatemala. Their signature cardamom cold brew has developed a local cult following.
Third Wave Coffee Co
Coffee & Workspace
Third Wave is Des Moines's premier work-friendly café with fast Wi-Fi, standing desks, and private meeting pods. The rotating guest roaster program brings new flavors every month. Popular with freelancers, students and remote workers.
Beancraft & Company
Micro-Roastery Café
Beancraft roasts micro-batches on-site, creating a fragrant, immersive coffee experience in the heart of Des Moines. Try their signature nitro cold brew or the ceremonial-grade matcha latte alongside rotating local pastries.
