The best coffee shops in Des Moines

Des Moines has a genuinely good independent coffee scene, local roasters, careful espresso, and cafes worth lingering in. Skip the drive-thru chains. Here's where to go, sorted by what you actually want out of the visit.

For serious coffee

If the coffee itself is the point, start with Horizon Line in the West End arts district downtown, a minimalist bar that roasts its own beans and takes its pour-overs seriously. Northern Vessel on Keo Way is the sleek, modern counterpart, they don't roast, they curate top international roasters, and their bottled oat-milk cold brew latte has a following. And the veteran is Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure on Ingersoll, roasting small batches on-site since 1993 in an art-filled room with a patio.

The local roasters

A few Des Moines names roast and pour their own. Grounds for Celebration has cafes in Beaverdale, Windsor Heights, and West Des Moines. Friedrichs has been around since 1991 and roasts its own beans. And in Valley Junction, Corazon is a small-batch, organic-leaning roaster with a retail shop (limited cafe hours, so check before you go).

For getting work done

Need a table, WiFi, and no one rushing you? Mars Cafe in the Drake neighborhood is the space-themed, student-and-laptop classic that helped start the city's third-wave scene, and it pours beer and wine when the day turns. The Slow Down in Highland Park is the warm, community-minded neighborhood pick. And Chain & Spoke near Roosevelt is a coffee shop and bike shop in one, a genuinely Des Moines mashup.

For the pastry (and the vibe)

Scenic Route Bakery in the East Village is the pastry-forward pick, croissants and morning buns worth the trip, plus good espresso and room to sit. Also in the East Village, tiny Daisy Chain, tucked next to Raygun, is the cozy, dog-friendly spot for a careful espresso drink. And out in Valley Junction, St. Kilda is the all-day cafe-bakery-bar with fresh pastries and Counter Culture espresso.

The quick cheat sheet

• Best pure coffee: Horizon Line, Northern Vessel, Zanzibar's
• Local roasters: Grounds for Celebration, Friedrichs, Corazon, Zanzibar's
• Laptop-friendly: Mars Cafe (Drake), The Slow Down (Highland Park), Chain & Spoke
• Pastries: Scenic Route, St. Kilda
• Cozy neighborhood spot: Daisy Chain (East Village)

Fueling up before a day out? This pairs with our guide to the best restaurants in Des Moines and, when you want it later in the day, the best brunch in town.

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