The Cafe

The food and staff are excellent. The meal was fantastic 😍. The wait time was a bit long but worth it.

Best food in Ames!
Coffee is also good. Staff are so kind as always.
We love this place.

Adding another review! We had late lunch here today for the first time in almost a year. Always feel good to dine in the Cafe!

This was my first time here for a late lunch. I thought the food was fantastic. I had a Turkey meatloaf sandwich with some seafood chowder. We were told the wait would be 40 minutes but it was only 15 minutes. It was after an Iowa State Men's basketball game so the wait was expected. I would eat here again!!

Update: 12 years since the first time I tried it...and still amazing.

I've lived in Iowa for the last 7 years and can say that this is easily one of the best restaurants and one of the best bakeries in the state! Their menu is seasonal and changes with what's available. They also use local produce wherever possible. I've had just about everything on the menu and can recommend just about everything. They are also a great breakfast and brunch (on the weekends) spot. You will not be disappointed!!

I was super excited to get the Fish Tacos, but they change out menu items periodically. I loved the Fish Tacos last time, but after tonight I was glad it wasn't an option. I had the Steak and Egg. The sauce is almost like a peanut sauce and it's amazing. In my opinion, it makes the whole dish all work together. My husband's was really good too. And the carrot cake is delicious, we had to get a piece to go as well as the chocolate stout cake.

Good brunch, decent Bloody Mary, okay mimosa but good overall experience. The chorizo scramble didn’t have a ton of chorizo on it but was good overall. The brioche orange French toast was good and unique. Service was average. We have been a couple times when in town and worth stopping by for brunch, especially when there isn’t a huge wait!

This place was absolutely amazing the fact that the ingredients and vegetables are all from local farmers really adds that special touch. Our only real issue was our waitress did not check on refills often and when it was done forgot repeatedly to get the refills. However, it will definitely become one of our go-to places. There are plenty of options for everyone vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

Flavors are amazing! Cute little cafe with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner options! Loved the seasonal cherry crisp topped French toast!

It's similar to Provisions, and is still very good, but it takes second place to me.

Now, this is a review not a comparison! I had French toast, so a relatively simple breakfast, which was quite good. The service was also quite good. However, I didn't have that "woah" feeling that earns a place five stars for me.

Would I go back? Certainly would! I want to try dinner next.

The Cafe is a local favorite. The food is consistently great. I've only ever had 1 meal I didn't enjoy, over the course of 10 years of dining there, and they were quick to replace the item and I was still happy in the end. Friendly staff as well! Will always go back when I'm in town. Pictured is a mimosa and the nitro cold brew and French Toast. The dessert case has a rotating selection of great treats as well!