5 Affordable Cafes in Downtown, Des Moines IA
Updated 29 September 2026 · 5 cafes in Downtown, Des Moines IA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five affordable cafes in and around Downtown Des Moines, including the East Village. They are ranked by Google rating, weighted by the number of reviews, so a long record of feedback carries more weight than a few scores. It suits office workers, students and visitors who want a good coffee, a quick bite or a place to work for an hour. Each entry uses the listed hours, address and features and what reviewers mention.
#1
Daisy Chain Coffee
★ 4.9 (339 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Daisy Chain Coffee at 505 E Grand Ave #104 in the East Village opens at 7:30 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends, closing at 4 pm. Reviewers mention drinks sweetened with fresh local honey and coffee they rate highly. It is listed as cozy, quiet and good for laptop work, with Wi-Fi. One reviewer found the service uneven and the space less suited to families.
Best for: Honey lattes in the East Village
- Address
- 505 E Grand Ave #104, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30 am–4 pm; Mon 7:30 am–4 pm; Sat 8 am–4 pm; Sun 8 am–4 pm; Thu 7:30 am–4 pm; Tue 7:30 am–4 pm; Wed 7:30 am–4 pm
#2
Plain Talk Books & Coffee
★ 4.6 (332 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Plain Talk Books & Coffee at 602 E Grand Ave is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. It is a coffee shop and bookstore with an extensive food menu, including sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention reasonable sandwich prices, well-placed outlets and quiet music for working, and call it a charming hybrid. Live music and outdoor seating are also listed.
Best for: Lunch among the bookshelves
- Address
- 602 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–7 pm
#3
Mars Cafe
★ 4.5 (307 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Mars Cafe at 2318 University Ave opens at 6 am on weekdays and 7 am on weekends, closing at 7 pm. It identifies as Black-owned and serves coffee, beer, breakfast and lunch, with happy-hour drinks and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention creative seasonal lattes where the coffee still comes through, and staff who offered to remake a drink a customer did not enjoy. It is also a favoured student study spot.
Best for: Seasonal lattes near campus
- Address
- 2318 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States
- Hours
- Fri 6 am–7 pm; Mon 6 am–7 pm; Sat 7 am–7 pm; Sun 7 am–7 pm; Thu 6 am–7 pm; Tue 6 am–7 pm; Wed 6 am–7 pm
#4
Starbucks Coffee Company
★ 4.4 (654 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Starbucks Coffee Company at 909 Locust St is open daily from 5 am to 7 pm, with a drive-through, outdoor seating and delivery. Reviewers mention quick greetings, orders taken fast and a clean facility, and some regulars say they choose it over other locations. One longtime reviewer misses a couch that has since been removed.
Best for: Early-morning downtown coffee
- Address
- 909 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- daily 5 am–7 pm
#5
Starbucks
★ 4.1 (158 Google reviews)Coffee shop$1–10 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Starbucks at 420 Court Ave is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm and sits inside another store. Reviewers mention a small but comfortable space with big windows facing nearby buildings, reasonable wait times and accurate orders. Drinks they mention include an iced vanilla sweet cream cold brew and a pumpkin spice chai. Wi-Fi and seating are listed.
Best for: Quick coffee on Court Avenue
- Address
- 420 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–7 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 cafes in Downtown, Des Moines IA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then Google price range of ₹600 or less per person, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Mars Cafe opens at 6 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Daisy Chain Coffee ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 339 reviews. Plain Talk Books & Coffee is second at 4.6 from 332 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Des Moines IA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Plain Talk Books & Coffee, at 7 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Daisy Chain Coffee $1–10; Plain Talk Books & Coffee $10–20; Mars Cafe $1–10; Starbucks Coffee Company $1–10; Starbucks $1–10.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Plain Talk Books & Coffee, Mars Cafe, Starbucks Coffee Company and Starbucks.
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