15 Best Coffee Shops in Cedar Rapids, IA

Blake Walsh

Sep 23, 2022 • 11 min read

FreshSplash / iStock.com

Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa, situated on the banks of the river Cedar.

As the city is a well-known hub for arts and culture, you must enjoy the theaters and live music it has to offer.

Whether you're planning a business meeting, a catch-up with your loved ones, or a morning routine, coffee shops are ideal for such occasions.

They offer something for everyone, from delicious beverages to hearty meals and sweet treats, making them a great pit stop.

Cafes are usually designed based on different themes, and each offers a unique experience from the others.

Here are the best coffee shops in Cedar Rapids, Iowa:

Brewhemia

Brewhemia, located on 3rd Street, is one of the best coffee shops in town.

What sets it apart from other places is that by day, it's a coffee shop offering breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

As dawn approaches, it transforms into a bar serving appetizers and craft beers.

The cafe boasts stunning interiors with multiple seating options.

If you are looking for premium coffee and breakfast and lunch options, Brewhemia is the place to go.

This coffee shop serves a variety of cuisines, and it caters to the needs of vegans and people following a gluten-free diet.

While in the cafe, do not miss out on their espresso beverages.

If you're looking for something filling, try ordering a breakfast bowl with five ingredients of your choice.

Lightworks Café

If you are headed towards 7th Avenue, you should consider making a stop at Lightworks Café, a third-wave craft-oriented cafe.

It's one of the best places in the city to enjoy single-origin coffee and tea.

The cafe is a cozy place that offers a great ambiance and a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle.

It offers multiple delicacies, including their bestselling pork hash and a selection of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options.

Lightworks Café is the perfect spot for a hearty meal or a cup of your favorite coffee.

Dash Coffee Roasters

Located on 3rd Avenue Southwest, Dash Coffee Roasters is a great spot for all the coffee lovers in Cedar Rapids.

It's a great place to have a beverage or a meal, even during the early hours of the day.

The seating arrangements are set up well, offering you a comfortable place to work or chill with your friends.

While you order your favorite beverage, check out the breakfast menu and try some of Dash Coffee Roasters' delicious sandwiches.

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

Consider it kismet if you're able to drop by Kismet Coffee & Bloom on 3rd Street.

If you have a soft spot for romantic themes, this is one of the coffee shops in Cedar Rapids you cannot miss out on.

It's a cozy place with pink walls and flowers spread all over, making for the perfect date venue.

Although the coffee house does not serve breakfast or lunch, it offers a decent coffee menu with multiple options.

Kismet Coffee & Blooms' bestsellers include their cappuccino and chai latte, so be sure to try at least one of them.

Uptown Coffee Company

If you're visiting the historic Memory Hall during your time in Cedar Rapids, you should consider visiting Uptown Coffee Company on 11th Street.

The Women's Relief Corp built the coffee house in the early 1900s.

Initially, the shop served as a dry goods sundry.

Today, Uptown Coffee Company not only serves delicious coffee, but you can also enjoy fresh donuts from Donutland or opt for something from their breakfast menu.

You can enjoy your meal in the dining room or spend some me time while sipping your coffee at the back patio.

Uptown Coffee Company is the perfect spot if you are looking for a place to hang out with your friends.

The coffee house also offers Happy Hours from Tuesday to Friday, where you can enjoy some of their classic cocktails.

While you're at Uptown Coffee Company, don't forget to check out their in-house store that sells merchandise and gift cards.

The Blue Strawberry Coffee Company

If you enjoy having coffee at a place that roasts its coffee beans in-house, check out Blue Strawberry Coffee Company.

It's a coffee roastery-slash-cafe on 2nd Street Southeast.

The Blue Strawberry Coffee Company offers an extensive coffee menu—with so many options, you might confuse yourself given the sheer amount of flavors and coffee beans they have.

You can opt for single-origin brews from Costa Rica, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, and more.

The cafe also serves beverages with flavors such as chocolate raspberry, hazelnut, apple pie, strawberry, and maple nut, to name a few.

Stillwater Coffee Co

Stillwater Coffee Co is one of the best coffee houses in the area because here, you can sip your favorite coffee while enjoying live music performances.

The beverages at Stillwater Coffee Co are named after icons like Van Halen, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and more.

If you happen to be a fan, you are in for a treat.

The coffee house also offers plenty of breakfast and brunch options to choose from.

Stillwater Coffee Co's relaxed environment is something that you will surely enjoy.

What's more, the place also has a bar that serves your favorite drinks.

Roasters NewBo

Located on 3rd Street, Roasters NewBo roasts their coffee beans in-house, and they are known for serving some of the best coffee in town.

Go for the cappuccino or try their dirty chai, which is one of the best items they offer.

Roasters NewBo makes its own coffee syrup, and they offer multiple flavors like autumn, pumpkin spice, and more.

You can enjoy their coffee without worrying about dietary restrictions, as they offer vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options.

Additionally, Roasters NewBo offers plenty of gluten-free options, including delicious cookies.

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Do you enjoy coffee with freshly baked goods like bread, cookies, or sandwiches?

If so, you should head to Great Harvest Bread Co. on Lindale Drive Northeast.

This coffee shop has satisfied caffeine lovers for over 30 years.

While they also serve non-coffee beverages, their strong suit would have to be their baked goods.

Great Harvest Bread Co. uses whole grains and traditional methods to create soft, delicious bread.

You should try their sweets, which are always prepared fresh in their bakery.

They also offer vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options if you are following dietary restrictions.

Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee is a premium coffee house on Edgewood Road Southwest.

It's best known for serving premium handcrafted and high-quality food and beverages.

The cafe is also renowned for offering some of the best lattes and mochas in town.

Caribou Coffee uses only high-quality coffee beans that are roasted by experts.

While you are sipping your favorite beverage, do not forget to have a look at their food menu.

The coffee house serves multiple food items, including baked products, breakfast sandwiches, and snacks.

The Coffee Emporium

The Coffee Emporium is located on 3rd Avenue Southeast.

This coffee house has been catering to the needs of coffee lovers for over 18 years, and they have no plan of stopping soon.

It's a buzzing place in the city's heart that allows you to enjoy your coffee in peace and comfort.

Along with coffee, the Coffee Emporium is also known for serving magnificent sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.

Mikhael's Restaurant

Mikhael's Restaurant is a premium family-owned dining space on 6th Street Southwest.

It has been serving delicious coffee since 1983.

The restaurant is a cozy space with lively interiors and a great crowd.

In addition to coffee, Mikhael's Restaurant also offers breakfast, lunch, and a kids' menu.

Some must-try items are the cappuccino, omelets, pancakes, and fries.

Panera Bread

If you are in search of a hot cup of coffee to go with some mouth-watering food, Panera Bread is one of the top places to try in Cedar Rapids.

It's a bakery and coffee house that serves delicious beverages and freshly prepared baked goods.

At Panera Bread, the food preparation does not include artificial preservatives, artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors.

The place is great for having coffee, sandwiches, or salads, all of which are freshly prepared.

Check out its stores on Council Street Northeast and Edgewood Road Southwest.

Cafe Saint Pio

Cafe Saint Pio is a coffee shop located on 16th Avenue Southwest.

It's a quiet, cozy place that lets you enjoy your coffee in peace.

Cafe Saint Pio has a simple look inspired by cafes from the past, and the overall ambiance feels great.

While ordering your favorite coffee, do not forget to check out the baked goods section.

You can always find muffins, cookies, and pastries, all of which are freshly baked.

Kava House & Cafe

Kava House & Cafe specializes in serving coffee with a wide variety of flavors.

It was first established in 1914 and has been a popular destination for coffee lovers since.

The coffee shop serves various drinks, including chai tea, frappes, lattes, and smoothies.

Kava House & Cafe is one of the few coffee houses in town that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After a hearty meal, you can check out the pastry section to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Final Thoughts

The best coffee shops in Cedar Rapids, Iowa each have a unique ambiance and a menu worth trying.

You can find cafes that offer a wide range of caffeinated beverages, while many other coffee shops also serve full meals and freshly baked goods.

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