Labyrinth Coffee is a different kind of coffee shop. Tucked into the lower level of Collegiate Presbyterian Church on Sheldon Ave, it bills itself as “Ames’ only not for profit cup of coffee,” and the whole operation lives up to the claim. All proceeds after wages and expenses go to local causes, the staff are paid a fair tipless wage, the coffee is roasted in Ames by Windmill, and the tea is sourced locally too. After visiting, I came away with a simple take: Labyrinth is one of the most thoughtful spots in Ames, and it deserves more foot traffic than it gets.
The vibe
Labyrinth’s space is genuinely unique. The cafe runs out of what was the church basement, but you wouldn’t guess it from inside. High ceilings, arched ordering windows, big light fixtures, bright green chairs throughout, and most strikingly, a labyrinth pattern actually inlaid into the hardwood floor (which is where the name comes from). It feels calm, spacious, and intentional, not at all the dim church-basement vibe you might picture.
The crowd was light when I visited, and honestly, it didn’t look like the shop gets a ton of foot traffic. That’s a shame because the space deserves it, and it also means if you’re looking for a quiet study or meeting spot, Labyrinth is one of the most consistently calm coffee shops in town. Sometimes the best spots are the ones nobody’s discovered yet.
The coffee and mission
This is where Labyrinth sets itself apart from every other Ames coffee shop. The whole operation runs as a social enterprise, with all proceeds after wages and expenses going to charitable causes that matter to the community. Tips work differently here too: staff are paid a fair tipless wage, and any tips guests leave get pooled monthly for a designated cause (recent months have supported things like the local school lunch program).
The coffee itself is roasted right here in Ames by Windmill Coffee Roasters (the same roaster that supplies Burgie’s), with fair and transparent sourcing for both their blend and single origin options. Tea is sourced locally too, from Little Woods Herbal. The flavored syrups are made in-house, which is a real touch and one Google reviewers consistently call out. The menu covers all the standards (espresso, lattes, café au lait, breve, cappuccino, mocha) plus smoothies, loose leaf tea, London fog, chai latte, matcha latte, and a kids’ menu with hot chocolate and milk flavors.
I ordered an iced vanilla latte and rated it a 5/10, fine but not a standout. The coffee here is solid and well-made, but specialty iced lattes don’t seem to be Labyrinth’s main strength. If you’re coming for the espresso program specifically, other Ames shops are doing iced lattes better. That said, the regular drip and hot drinks consistently get strong praise from reviewers, and the mocha in particular gets called out, so that’s probably what I’d get next time.
Prices are some of the most reasonable in Ames, noticeably cheaper than most downtown or Campustown spots. The not-for-profit model isn’t just talk, it shows up in the price tag.
There’s also a small lunch menu with soups that rotate weekly (recent options have included Hungarian Mushroom, Tomato Bisque, Pork Posole, and Bacon Cheddar Corn Chowder), plus salads and pastries.
Seating and practicality
Labyrinth is built for community use, and you can feel it in the layout. Plenty of seats, a real variety of table sizes, comfortable chairs, and crucially, a kids’ play area with toys, books, and soft seating cubes. That makes Labyrinth one of the few coffee shops in Ames that actually works for parents bringing young kids along, a real differentiator most shops can’t match.
A nice touch I didn’t expect: lots of board games available throughout the space. It reinforces the community hangout vibe and gives you something to do with a friend over coffee that isn’t just talking or scrolling.
Free wifi (with password), free parking in the lot out front, clean bathrooms, and friendly staff round out the practical side. The shop is closed on Sundays and only stays open until 2pm during the week.
Bottom line
Labyrinth Coffee is a hidden gem in Ames, and the kind of place worth supporting on purpose. The coffee is good, the prices are fair, the space is calm and welcoming, and every cup you buy directly supports a local cause. It’s the best Ames coffee shop for studying, working, bringing kids, or just spending money somewhere you can feel good about. Come for the not for profit story, stay for one of the quietest and most thoughtful spaces in town.
The details: Open Monday through Saturday, 7am to 2pm. Closed Sundays. Located at 159 Sheldon Ave, in the lower level of Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames. Phone: (515) 292-2063 Website: labyrinthcoffeeames.org
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