The Cafe

Melinda Bianchi

2024-04

Grabbed a coffee and explored the area while we waited. They have a texting system to let you know when your table is ready. The restaurant has a café area with coffee, various prepared quick bites, and desserts. The rest of the restaurant is spacious. And, the staff was extremely welcoming, patient, and helpful. This is a huge deal to me because more often than not, the staff can ruin an establishment. Not here! They were great from the moment we walked in to the moment we left.The vanilla brevé I got was pretty tasty. The food we got for lunch was even better! Portions are pretty hefty yet prices were not insane. They were out of some of the things I wanted to try so that's a good sign. We'll just have to come earlier next time!

Josh Edwards

2024-04

6 Stars. Nestled in the heart of Ames is The Café, a local gem where the ambiance is as inviting as the flavors are exhilarating. Upon entering, one is greeted by the timeless charm of its brick walls and understated décor, promising an experience rooted in simplicity and quality.Our lunch at The Café was nothing short of remarkable. We started with a robust, perfectly seared cheeseburger, its charred exterior giving way to juicy tenderness, balanced with crisp lettuce and a ripe tomato, all sandwiched between a freshly baked bun. The burger was accompanied by a side of house-made chips, delivering a satisfying crunch with each bite.Then, there was the beautifully crafted chicken sandwich, bursting with flavor, nestled in a pillowy bun, and served alongside a zesty side salad that perfectly complemented the rich spices of the chicken. The side of corn salad offered a fresh, sweet contrast that was both refreshing and palate-cleansing.Lastly, the quintessentially comforting mac and cheese was a standout, with a top layer gratinated to golden perfection, revealing a molten heart of creamy pasta underneath. Paired with a side of mixed greens, the dish achieved a balance between indulgence and freshness.In all, The Café in Ames delivers an outstanding culinary experience, where each dish is a testament to their commitment to fresh ingredients and culinary craft. This is a must-visit spot for anyone seeking the heart and soul of local cooking. PROTIP: lots of parking in back. Use the door and go to the front.

Mathew Stephens

2024-04

What a wonderful hidden gem! While a little more spendy than surrounding restaurants, you truly get what you pay for. We started with the feta dip and bread, which was fabulous. Many Iowan beers to choose from, and a good selection of cocktails for a good price. The start of the show for us was the recently added chicken torta - as pictured, it’s massive, and the elote side salad was the perfect match. Next time we’re in the area, we will be back!

Larry Hollar

2024-01

Wow, the bakery case was full of desirable goodies. The beef bourginan sandwich was delicious. Very. Their home made potato chips were tremendous. Normally house made chips fall way short, not these tender goodies. Popular and rightfully so.

Manda

2024-04

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Rob Pento

2023-06

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chris zacker

2024-04

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Erica Seltz

2024-04

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Lydia Venjohn

2023-07

My favorite restaurant in Ames! Good quality food for the win. I love that they are a cafe, bakery and restaurant- all the good things in one place. I recently ordered the Somerset salad and wow!! Let’s just say my plate was cleaned when they cleared the table. A must try if you’re visiting.

Allison Wright

2023-05

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Mark J. Young

2023-10

The Cafe in Ames, Iowa embodies a breakfast haven with an array of delectable choices. The standout breakfast sandwich, cradled in a soft English muffin, offers a perfect blend of flavors, while the Denver omelette, accompanied by well-seasoned potatoes, showcases a hearty and delightful meal. A sweet interlude is provided by the incredible sticky bun, its rich, gooey texture mingling wonderfully with the gentle warmth of the fresh hot coffee. Each bite seems to evoke the quaint charm and heartwarming essence of Ames. With such an inviting atmosphere and delicious offerings, it’s a place highly recommended for those seeking a gratifying morning repast.

Damian Houk

2023-12

The Cafe had a great feel & ambiance about it, the service was average. Wife ordered the Croque Madame and a mimosa. The sandwich was very tasty (tried it myself!) and the mimosa was average. I personally ordered the Shrimp & Grits. My original ordered arrived and looked good, however the sunny side up egg seemed extremely undercooked for my liking. After waiting several minutes for our sever to return to check on things, I was able to send it back for a freshly prepared dish that was much more to my liking. The grits were good, the shrimp was ok but definitely not a favorite dish for me.

Jake Fogt

2021-05

I can't for the life of me think of a better steak than what I had here. Honestly felt like the price should have been more with the quality. The atmosphere was great and reminded me of my visit to Europe a few years back. Highly recommend! Waitress and staff were friendly and polite.

Mark Haney

2023-05

First time there. Am from out of town. Sat at the bar to get a quick seat. Kelsey was a great help with the menu and was perfectly friendly. Korean steak and eggs was excellent. Steak was PERFECTLY on point. You could cut it with a fork it was so tender. The fried rice had a couple bites of strong salt as if someone dumped and didn't stir and it was a bit salty overall, but otherwise all the flavors combined well. Definitely worth having again.

Christa K

2023-06

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Christian Jackson

2022-05

The Cafe earns its rating of being the best restaurant in Ames. Unrivaled ambience, sharp service, and great food. We went for dinner and the lighting/music was truly immaculate.The portion sizes are smaller than average - but are as satiating as ever. I recommend the Korean Steak & Eggs.The highlight of my visit was none other than the carrot cake. Quite possibly the best I've ever had!The Cafe is fantastic, period. Couldn't recommend it more!!

Ryan Sherry

2023-05

Nice place, had James Brown paying. That’s a plus. Food was good, nice clean place. Definitely not a small town old school café. It’s a more modern café.Not a place to bring a date if you don’t plan on dating them long. They might get the wrong message. A little too nice for short term. Love

Ryan Kent

2023-05

The Cafe is an institution in Ames. They have a constantly rotating menu of seasonal dishes from Midwest classics to Asian influences, and every dish they make is delicious. I’ve never had a bad meal or even a bad bite. They integrate their wood fired oven into many of their dishes. The best carrot cake you’ll ever have. I’ve had fish tacos around the world, and somehow I’m always comparing to the Cafe. If it’s not the best restaurant in Iowa, it’s in the top 5.

Jennifer

2022-05

Their food never disappoints, one of my favorite places to eat! I like that they change up the menu so I can try new things and that they have a kids menu. Remember to get a dessert (or 2) to take home if you are too full after eating as the desserts are terrific too!

nxrazhalisa

2024-04

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Robyn Anderson

2023-12

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Justin Walsh

2023-05

If you have a palette, there’s nothing you can say poorly about The Cafe.Typically eat on the bistro side (lunch) because their deli sandwiches are the best around. But today decided to order MAHI Taco’s.It’s been a few years since I’ve had these delicious, tasty tacos from the sea. And I can’t wait to go back next week and have them again!Our server(s) - we went back later that night for some libations - were both fantastic.A parade of hands for this gem, located in small-town, America. Kudos, Cafe.

Amber Asklund

2021-05

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.

Roger Willroth

2024-01

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Tom Zarifis

2024-03

Had the Creole Salmon and it was absolutely amazing!! Grilled perfectly and just the right char flavor, with a blue crab remoulade on top. Was on a bed of tosted white corn grits that were delicious. Along with great mix of vegetables. All the flavors combined so well together! For appetizer had the Baked Feta!!! Highly recommend everything that I had!!

Jim Crabb

2020-05

First trip to the Cafe, have to say it probably deserves its reputation. I had a 25 min wait for a table on a Tuesday night.For starters I tried the Chicken Livers, which were cooked in sherrie, and came topped with rosemary I believe. Very tasty!I tried the Cafe burger, which was done well, maybe overpriced for a single patty burger, but done well...The service is very good, the building is very well laid out IMHO.

J K

2023-05

The steak was amazing! Kimchi fried rice and egg was good too. However, all the foods are a little bit salty. (Especially on the fries and eggs) Please use less salt! Your food itself is already good:))

Malkijah Rashad

2023-05

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Julia B.

2023-07

Was in town for business nearby and decided to stop in for a quick breakfast on a Thursday around 7:15am. Was seated right away and the waitress was friendly. The cappuccino was delicious and the avocado toast was really good. It’s kind of hard to mess up avocado toast…lol. It had some grapes in a little bowl and sliced pineapple on the other side. I can’t eat pineapple but it looked really good. The lighting was very low, kind of dark in there (hence the dark pictures) and they were having issues with their payment system but all in all it was a decent place.

Ebenezer Chelliah

2023-05

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!!