Hello all! I’m back to discuss my favorite thing – Iowa City’s coffeeshops! There are so many, that you will never run out of places to study, hang out with friends, or people-watch. Here are some of the places I tried ranked on a scale of 1-5 (1 worst, 5 best)

1. Starbucks: 3/5. There are a few different locations on campus and one downtown, which makes getting caffeine quite easy! I always like a good refresher or cake pop, but actually studying there is not for me. It is busy practically any time I go to the one downtown and not much room to sit down. The ones on campus are generally easier to study in because they are located in study areas. Starbucks is also ridiculously overpriced and kind of overrated.
2. Tru Coffee 2/5. I have personally only been to Tru once and tried one thing, but many people I know love their coffees and food, so I need to go again and try some more things! Their shop is super cute with lots of plants and friendly staff. My chai was served in a cute little Mason jar. However, it tasted kind of watered down and a little too cinnamony for me.
3. Java House 2/5. Cute art on the walls and nice dim lighting. However, every time I have gone, I find their coffee too bitter despite always getting the sweet stuff. Their caramel latte was good, though. Also a bit on the pricier side. They have great cinnamon rolls!
4. Fix! Coffee. 4/5. My best-kept secret cafe. It is on the second floor of the Chauncey and Film Scene. Lovely view of Iowa City and gets plenty of sunlight. Offers a student discount early in the fall semester and the baristas are so friendly! They have great chai for a fair price and I love the glasses they pour the drinks in. I like to spend hours here.
5. Mammita’s 3/5. A cute little coffee shop my roommate worked at! HUGE drinks for the price and great food! Their horchata is so gooddddd. I haven’t been here enough to rate it higher, so I’m staying relatively neutral.
6. Prairie Lights 3/5. A cute little cafe tucked into the famous Prairie Lights bookstore. A great place to study or read a book and support a local business! They have good iced/warm chai and fun seasonal drinks. The only problem is they exclusively take cash which I do not often have on hand. Relatively cheap drinks!
7. Encounter Cafe 5/5. Worth the long line!! This place is super popular for its drinks and delicious breakfast menu. Their chai is easily the best I’ve ever had, especially with vanilla pumps! The interior is very cute and sort of farm-themed.

There are many other coffee shops that I have not yet had the chance to visit, but they are all great places to explore and support since Iowa City is home to hundreds of small businesses. Feel free to check them out during your next visit!

-Solenn