You can find them near Drake, in East Village, or downtown in Capitol Square! You’ll find lots of hipster baristas and artsy folk, as well as student athletes or business people frequenting their spaces. Mars Cafe has multiple locations for their same wonderful java. Located right off the interstate, and on prominent corner with sparkling marquee lights, you can’t miss this historic cafe! They are home to your classic black coffee, fun loose-leaf teas, and plenty of sweets to keep your mouth in tastebud heaven. Smokey Row has got to be one of the oldest and most well known met-up spaces in Des Moines. An all around great space to grab a coffee to go, or sit and read for a while before visiting the downtown shops! His signature honey latte, similarly, includes honey from his bees.

Now inhabiting the space adjacent to RayGun in the East Village, Daisy Chain Coffee just celebrated their 2 year anniversary last November! Owner Daniel brings a friendly and calm atmosphere to this tiny space, and you can purchase honey sticks and beeswax candles of his own creation.

You’ll have to settle for street metered parking, or the parking garage on Grand for free parking with a walk. Intelligentsia coffee, anyone!? Plus, you can find fresh baked goods and hot lunch options, too! There’s lots of natural light, it’s just a few blocks away from the Iowa Capitol building, and you can grab your iced coffee to go and wander the boutiques of East Village or walk across the river to downtown. Although it wasn’t their coffee that pulled me in ( the homemade Rosemary Lemonade is to die for!) they have caffeine in bulk. My first and forever love was the classic Scenic Route Bakery in East Village.

Horizon line coffee