Grounds for Celebration: Des Moines' neighborhood coffee roaster since 1994

Before there was a coffee shop on every corner, there was Grounds for Celebration. It opened in 1994 as one of the first coffee shops in the Des Moines metro, and it has been roasting its own beans ever since. On the first day of 2026, Grounds changed hands for the first time, and the new owners are keeping the same idea at the center: fresh-roasted coffee and a cozy place for the neighborhood to gather.

The coffee

Every cup is brewed from coffee roasted in-house. Order a drip brew, a latte, a cappuccino, an Americano, a cafe au lait, or a French press. Right now, customers are loving the cold brew lattes, so start there if you're not sure. Not a coffee drinker? There are more than 15 loose-leaf teas, from black and green to white, herbal, and flavored, plus Italian sodas, hot chocolate, and frosties.

What to eat

The cinnamon rolls are the move. The house-made quiche, in meat or veggie, comes with fresh fruit and is a regular favorite too. There are breakfast sandwiches on biscuits, English muffins, and ciabatta, plus muffins, scones, and danishes. For later in the day, grab a cookie, a Scotcharoo, or a slice of the famous carrot cake with nuts. There are vegan cookies too.

Take some home

Grounds sells its coffee by the pound, so you can brew it at home. The lineup includes single origins like Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Tanzanian Peaberry, Guatemalan Antigua, and Papua New Guinea, along with house blends like the espresso blend, Butch's Blend, Dan's Special, Emily's Treat, and Luna Tango, plus a decaf and flavored coffees. Gift cards work at all three shops, which makes them an easy holiday gift.

Three places to find it

The Beaverdale shop on Beaver Avenue is the neighborhood original, with local art on the walls. There's also a shop on University Avenue in Windsor Heights and a weekday location inside the Iowa Clinic in West Des Moines.

Go: 2709 Beaver Ave, Des Moines (Beaverdale) · Mon to Fri 6:30am to 6pm, Sat and Sun 7am to 5pm · 515-255-4863 Also: 6601 University Ave, Windsor Heights · 5950 University Ave, West Des Moines (Iowa Clinic, weekdays)