Author: Daniel Romary

Cafe Milo is the kind of place you go when you actually want to find a seat. The dining room stretches further than you expect, the brick fireplace gives the whole space a neighborhood coffeehouse warmth, and on most afternoons you can grab a quiet table without much trouble. It is one of the rare…

The Dot Cafe Ames is the kind of spot that feels like a complete reset from the typical college town coffee shop. Tucked into a quiet corner of west Ames at 127 Dotson Drive, this women owned cafe leans into vintage charm with salt and pepper shakers on every table, floral mugs lining the shelves,…

Starbucks Ames isn’t the kind of place I usually review, since this site focuses on local coffee shops, but the Lincoln Way location deserves coverage because it’s such a staple for Iowa State students. Located directly across from campus on the corner of Lincoln Way and Lynn Ave, catty corner from the Memorial Union. This…

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…

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…

La Tosca is one of the more distinctive spots in Ames. Sitting on Welch Ave in Campustown, it manages to pull off something tricky: it works as a morning coffee shop, a lunch spot, a dinner restaurant, and a cocktail bar, all in the same space. The vibe leans classical and a little fancy, with…

Burgie’s Coffee has become a real local staple in Ames, with two locations bookending town. The North Ames location, on Stange Road, is bright, modern, and surprisingly spacious, with a real food menu, smooth coffee, and a thoughtful design that makes it work for almost any kind of visit. After visiting, it’s clear why this…

Cafe Diem is one of the most flexible coffee spots in Ames. It’s spacious, it’s open late, it has a real food menu, and it caters to just about every type of visitor, from college students cramming in groups to families out for brunch. It might not be the place I’d send a serious coffee…

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters in Ames has a reputation as one of the best coffee spots in Ames, and that holds true because Morning Bell serves the best iced vanilla latte in Ames. I have been benchmarking iced vanilla lattes across every cafe in this city, and Morning Bell is the first and only shop…