Great Local Coffee Shops in Des Moines

Are you one of those folks whose brain isn't truly functioning until you have had a cup of Joe? Does the smell of fresh-roasted grounds make you swoon a little? Then finding a great coffee shop must be first on your list of things to do. Des Moines has several wonderful choices where you can get a good cuppa, surf the web, do a little work and maybe even satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are some places around town to check out. 

Smokey Row Coffee Company
1910 Cottage Grove

Smoky Row is a great choice if you are looking for coffee and then some. With a large menu of full-meal offerings, you can get paninis, salads, burgers and even breakfast-to-go with your cup of coffee. With a hip, dark interior, great coffee, and good food, Smokey Row is a good place to get your morning jolt or an afternoon pick-me-up. 

Mars Cafe
2318 University Avenue

If you like your coffee way out there, then take a trip to this space-themed shop and enjoy a few stars with your java. Featuring Kickapoo Coffee, a Fair Trade organization, Mars Cafe also serves breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. So, pull on your moon boots and order up a Cosmic Space egg on a Saturday morning and share a cup with Mr. Spock or R2D2.

The Village Bean Co
305 East 5th Street

For a great basic cup of coffee, The Village Bean is a fantastic option. You can get espresso, café au lait, frozen hot chocolate and even fruit smoothies made with 100 percent juice. With an eye toward supporting local talent, Village Bean lets artists display their works and even encourages them to rent the place for an artist's opening. Furthermore, if you give blood at the Blood Center across the street, you can receive a 10 percent discount. 

Grounds for Celebration
5950 University Avenue

This local place not only supplies your morning cup of dark roasted, but roasts coffee beans for other coffee shops as well – so they know how to get a good roast on a bean. You can get the whole range of coffee drinks along with fresh pastries from their own in-store bakery. And be sure to check out the art on the walls from local artists. 

You don't have to make do with instant coffee to get your caffeine fix. Check out one of these places and find out what real coffee tastes like. You might just find your new perfect chill place as well.

And don’t forget that Springs Apartments offers its own coffee bar in the clubhouse for residents. Be sure to stop in and enjoy a cup, along with some free Wi-Fi.