Quick answers to the questions I get asked most often about Ames coffee shops. For full reviews of any cafe mentioned here, browse the Coffee Shop Reviews hub.
Where is the best coffee shop near Iowa State University?
For students at Iowa State, the most convenient options are La Tosca on Welch Avenue (campus-town), Starbucks on Lincoln Way (directly across from campus), and Cafe Beaudelaire on Lincoln Way. La Tosca has the highes rated coffee of the three, while Starbucks wins for convenience and consistent hours.
Which Ames coffee shops are open early?
Burgie’s Coffee North on Stange Road opens at 6am daily, making it the earliest-opening cafe in Ames. Cafe Milo and Morning Bell both open at 7am. The Dot Cafe opens at 8am Wednesday through Sunday and is closed Monday and Tuesday.
What coffee roasters supply Ames cafes?
Three local Iowa roasters supply most of the independent cafes in Ames:
- Morning Bell Coffee Roasters (Ames): supplies their own cafe and The Dot Cafe
- Windmill Coffee Roasters (Ames): supplies Burgie’s Coffee and Labyrinth Coffee
- Counter Culture Coffee (North Carolina, but high-end specialty): used by La Tosca
The roaster makes a real difference in the final cup, which is why cafes serving Morning Bell or Counter Culture tend to score higher on my benchmark.
Are there any drive thru coffee shops in Ames?
Burgie’s Coffee North on Stange Road has a drive thru and is the best local option for a quick coffee. 7 Brew Coffee also has a drive-thru in Ames, though as a national chain it falls outside the scope of this site.
Where can I find a coffee shop with food in Ames?
Most Ames coffee shops serve food. For full meals, The Dot Cafe has a strong brunch menu, Cafe Diem has a full sandwich and salad menu, Cafe Beaudelaire serves the famous Beirut sandwich, and Cafe Milo runs a kitchen with sandwiches, soups, and salads. Lockwood Cafe is known for crepes specifically.
What is the best coffee shop in downtown Ames?
Morning Bell Coffee Roasters at 111 Main Street is the best coffee shop in downtown Ames. They roast their own beans, serve excellent espresso, and have the highest rated iced vanilla latte in town. Cafe Diem at 229 Main Street is another downtown option with longer hours and a full food menu.
What is the best coffee shop in Ames for studying?
Cafe Milo at 4800 Mortensen Road has the most spacious seating and quietest atmosphere of any cafe in Ames, making it the best dedicated study spot. The dining room is larger than most, the brick fireplace area is comfortable for longer sessions, and the crowd stays relatively quiet. The one tradeoff: wifi is password protected, so ask at the counter when you order.
Which Ames coffee shops are closed on Mondays?
The Dot Cafe is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Cafe Beaudelaire is also closed on Mondays. Most other cafes in Ames are open seven days a week.
What is the cheapest coffee shop in Ames?
Prices across Ames cafes are roughly comparable, with most iced lattes running between $5 and $7. The Dot Cafe and Cafe Milo tend to offer reasonable prices for their quality. Starbucks and La Tosca trend slightly higher.
What is the best iced vanilla latte in Ames?
Morning Bell Coffee Roasters at 111 Main Street has the best iced vanilla latte in Ames. It is the only cafe to score a 10 out of 10 on my benchmark. La Tosca on Welch Avenue comes in second at 9 out of 10, and The Dot Cafe in west Ames takes third at 8 out of 10. See the full ranking on my iced vanilla latte roundup.Why does this site exist?
Why does this site exist?
I built ameslocalcoffee.com because I noticed nobody was actually comparing coffee in Ames side by side. Yelp reviews are scattered and inconsistent, Google reviews skew positive, and there was no honest, opinionated source for what is actually good in this town. So I started visiting every cafe, ordering the same drink, and scoring them on a 10 point system. The result is this site.
Who writes these reviews?
I’m Daniel Romary, a recent Iowa State graduate who has lived in Ames for the last four years. I write every review firsthand after actually visiting the cafe and ordering the drink. I am not paid by any of the cafes, and I publish honest opinions even when they are critical. Learn more on the About page.
Do you do paid reviews or sponsorships?
No. Every review on this site is unpaid and based on my own experience. No cafe has ever paid me to write a review, and I don’t accept free drinks in exchange for coverage. This is the entire point of the site, honest reviews from a local who actually drinks the coffee.
How can I suggest a cafe to review?
If there is a coffee shop in or around Ames that I have not yet reviewed, reach out through the contact info on my About page. I will get to it.