The best coffee in Des Moines
A locals' shortlist of coffee spots in Des Moines, IA — hand-vetted by neighbors on Manifest, with the practical details (wifi, outlets, noise level, day-pass pricing, signature drinks) you actually need.
Every coffee pick in Des Moines
-
Horizon Line Coffee
East VillageLocal roastery + minimalist cafe.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: quiet
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Hours: 7a–6p daily
- Roaster: Horizon Line
- Oat milk: yes
- Matcha: yes
-
Horizon Line — Drake
DrakeDrake-adjacent sibling.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
-
Smokey Row Coffee — Downtown
DowntownIconic Iowa cafe. Big tables + fast wifi.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Hours: 6a–10p daily
- Roaster: Smokey Row
- Oat milk: yes
-
Smokey Row — Pleasant Hill
Pleasant HillSuburban outpost with patio.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Mars Cafe — Drake
DrakeLate-night student cafe with strong drip.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: lively
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Hours: 7a–11p daily
-
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure
IngersollLong-running indie cafe.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Java Joe's
DowntownOpen-mic friendly downtown cafe.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: lively
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Friedrich's Coffee — Beaverdale
BeaverdaleLocal mini-chain with consistent quality.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
-
Ritual Cafe
Sherman HillAll-day vegetarian cafe.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
-
Mainframe Studios Cafe
DowntownCafe inside the largest non-profit artist space in US.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: quiet
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Scenic Route Bakery
East VillageBakery + coffee. Try the scones.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
-
St Kilda Cafe
DowntownAustralian cafe with great cortados.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: lively
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
- Matcha: yes
-
Lua Brewing
Sherman HillBrewery with morning coffee service.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
BrewHeMia
DowntownCoffee + craft beer combo.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Caribou Coffee — Court Ave
DowntownReliable chain in the heart of Court Ave.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
-
Northern Vessel — East Village
East VillageSpecialty roaster with quiet AM workspace.
- Wifi: ●●●●●
- Outlets: abundant
- Noise: quiet
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Roaster: Northern Vessel
- Oat milk: yes
-
Saint Kate Coffee Bar
DowntownHotel lobby cafe with great espresso.
- Wifi: ●●●●○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: welcome
- Oat milk: yes
-
Salt + Honey Bakery
DowntownBakery + pour-overs.
- Wifi: ●●●○○
- Outlets: some
- Noise: moderate
- Laptop policy: limited
Frequently asked: coffee in Des Moines
- Where's the best coffee in Des Moines?
- Locals on Manifest curate these as the top coffee shops: Horizon Line Coffee, Horizon Line — Drake, Smokey Row Coffee — Downtown. Full list with notes is above.
- Best Des Moines coffee shop for a 2-hour deep-work block?
- Horizon Line Coffee in East Village is the locals' deep-work pick — strong wifi, plenty of outlets and a laptop-welcome policy.
- Quietest cafes with outlets in Des Moines?
- Horizon Line Coffee (East Village) is one of the quietest curated picks in Des Moines, with outlets and a calm room.
- Where can I get coffee early in Des Moines?
- Horizon Line Coffee in East Village opens early — check posted hours: 7a–6p daily.
- Where's the best oat-milk latte in Des Moines?
- Horizon Line Coffee (East Village) is a locals' favorite for oat milk and dialed-in espresso.