Cafe Beaudelaire has been a Campustown institution in Ames since 1990, founded by Brazilian born owner Claudio Gianello, and it shows the moment you walk in. The walls are covered in international currency from around the world, the ceiling is strung with flags from dozens of countries, and the menu blends Brazilian heritage with American classics and a full bar program. After my visit, I left with a clear take: Beaudelaire is at its best when you come for brunch with family or a drink with friends. It’s not the place I’d go to grab a quick coffee or get work done, but for a sit down meal with character, there’s nothing else like it in Ames.
The vibe
Beaudelaire’s vibe is unlike anywhere else in town. The walls are completely covered in dollar bills and currency from around the world (a tradition where visitors tape up bills from their travels), and international flags hang from the ceiling alongside vintage signs and a Brazilian beer ad above the entrance. It feels lived-in and a little chaotic in the best way, this is a place with real history.
The crowd skews older than most Campustown spots, which is part of the charm. Beaudelaire pulls a regular base of longtime Ames residents, alumni stopping back in town, and locals who have been coming for years. It’s not a college student bar despite the location, it’s a place where adults eat dinner and have a drink.
The coffee and food
One important heads-up from my visit: the espresso machine was down when I was there, so I can’t fairly review the coffee. The menu does list locally roasted bean coffee drinks (house coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, mocha), but specialty coffee clearly isn’t the main draw here. If you’re coming primarily for an iced vanilla latte, this isn’t the spot. Other shops in town are doing that better.
The food is where Beaudelaire really lives, and the menu is genuinely unique to Ames. The standout claim to fame is the Spanish Burger, named Iowa’s Best Burger in 2018, a real credential you’ll see celebrated on the wall inside. The broader menu blends Brazilian dishes (the brasilian burger, beaudelaire bauru sandwich, brasilian fries, yucca fries, empanadas) with American classics and Gree -inspired options like gyros and Greek salads. Prices lean a bit higher than your average Ames lunch spot, mid teens for most sandwiches and entrees, low twenties for steak dishes.
I ordered the Beirut, a grilled pita with roast beef, muenster, tomato, mozzarella, arugula, mayo, and a fried egg. Honest verdict: it wasn’t my thing. The flavors didn’t quite land for me. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad sandwich, plenty of people clearly love it, but it’s a reminder that Beaudelaire’s menu is specific and not everything will hit for everyone. Reviewers consistently praise the burgers, the yucca fries, and the brunch dishes (steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy with chorizo gravy), so if I went back, that’s where I’d go.
The bar program is another real draw. Brazilian inspired cocktails like caipirinhas, mojitos, and Brazilian daiquiris made with cachaça, $7 wine specials, a big draft beer selection, and daily drink specials posted on the menu. Weekend brunch from 9:30am to 2pm is genuinely worth a visit on its own.
Seating and practicality
Beaudelaire is not a study spot. The tables are small, the music and bar atmosphere don’t lend themselves to focused work, and outlets are sparse. The vibe is conversation and meals, not laptops. If you do want to bring work, the outdoor seating along the sidewalk might be the only realistic option, and even then, this just isn’t designed for a long work session.
Where Beaudelaire shines is sit down meals with company. Plenty of two tops and four tops, a comfortable bar area, and outdoor seating in nice weather. It works equally well for a casual brunch with family, a lunch with friends, or an evening drink at the bar.
One practical heads up from my visit: only two staff members were working the lunch rush, and my food took about 20 minutes to come out. The pace at Beaudelaire is more “leisurely sit down meal” than “quick lunch grab,” so don’t come here on a tight schedule. If you’ve got a 30 minute window between classes or meetings, you’ll feel rushed.
A few practical notes: parking is metered on Lincoln Way, no free lot. The space is on the smaller side, so peak weekend brunch hours can mean a wait. Beaudelaire is closed on Mondays, which is worth knowing if you’re planning a visit.
Bottom line
Cafe Beaudelaire is one of the most distinctive spots in Ames, and its identity is clear: a Brazilian American restaurant and bar that’s been here long enough to be a real institution. Come for the award winning burger, the weekend brunch, the eclectic vibes, and the international beer and cocktail menu. Don’t come for the coffee or to get work done. The crowd tends to be a little older, the prices a little higher, and the atmosphere a lot more lived in than most Campustown options. It’s worth visiting once just to experience it.
The details: Open Tuesday through Sunday, hours vary (closed Mondays). 11am to 9pm Tue-Thu, 11am to 10pm Friday, 10am to 10pm Saturday, 10am to 9pm Sunday. Weekend brunch 9:30am to 2pm. Located at 2504 Lincoln Way in Campustown, Ames. Phone: (515) 292-7429 Website: cafebeaudelaire.com
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