Highest-rated cafes in Des Moines, according to Yelp
From the first coffee houses in the Ottoman Empire to Boston's London Coffee House, cafes have always been an egalitarian place to gather, sip, and share ideas, many of which have changed the world.
During the Enlightenment, cafes would regularly entertain the likes of Voltaire, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Newton. Later, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre would spend hours in cafes, pondering their works and holding court alongside other intellectuals.
Needless to say, coffee and cafes beget some revolutionary ideas; sipping a cup may even be a political act. When settlers dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to send a message to the British empire, tea became a British loyalist's drink, and coffee became a popular substitute. Unsurprisingly, Boston's London Coffee House opened in 1689, was soon renamed the American Coffee House. Later on in Philadelphia, Merchant Coffee House, also known as the City Tavern, would host the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Paul Revere, as well as witness an early reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Many other coffee shops steeped in history abound in the United States, including New York City's Caffe Reggio. Founded in 1927, it was the first to serve cappuccino in the country, as well as one of the first to use a La Pavoni espresso machine. New Orleans' Cafe du Monde, founded in 1862, is a fixture in the French Quarter for its coffee and beignets.
Whether it's for a cup of Joe, a heady conversation, or simply a place to start the day, cafes have become part of our personal landmarks, so where have others gone to find their refuge or perhaps their perfect dose of caffeine? Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cafes in Des Moines using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#15. Paula's Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (10 reviews)
- Address: 524 Elm St West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Papa Kerns Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 304 E 30th St Des Moines, IA 50317
- Categories: American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Victory Lane
- Rating: 3.5/5 (16 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 3801 Easton Blvd Des Moines, IA 50317
- Categories: Cafes, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#12. The Riverwalk Hub
- Rating: 3.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 215 Water St Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Cafes, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Ceviche Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (94 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 223 E Walnut Ave Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Cafes, Cuban, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Railroad Bill's Dining Car
- Rating: 4.0/5 (114 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 621 Des Moines St Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes, Diners
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Waveland Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (234 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 4708 University Ave Des Moines, IA 50311
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Mars Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (123 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 2318 University Ave Des Moines, IA 50311
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Ritual Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (148 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1301 Locust St Ste D Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#6. St. Kilda Collective
- Rating: 4.5/5 (116 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 333 5th St West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Categories: Cafes, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Trellis
- Rating: 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 909 Robert D Ray Dr Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#4. University Library Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (83 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 3506 University Ave Des Moines, IA 50311
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#3. La Mie Elevate
- Rating: 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Address: 601 Locust St Skywalk Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#2. St. Kilda Cafe & Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (449 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 300 SW 5th St Harbach Lofts Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#1. NOSH Cafe & Eatery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 424 E Locust St Des Moines, IA 50309
- Categories: Vegan, Cafes, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
