The Encounter Cafe

The Encounter Cafe

376 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA

★★★★★4.8(867 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

“The Encounter Cafe is a warm-hearted Iowa City institution where the staff's genuine kindness matches the quality of their craft, from seasonal cold foam creations to their legendary cinnamon rolls that strike the perfect balance of fluffy, cinnamony indulgence without excessive sweetness. Beyond the excellent coffee, this is the kind of place that serves generous breakfast portions and creates such a genuine sense of home that locals and visitors alike consider it an absolute must-stop, even when lines wrap out the door. With an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and comforting, it's equally suited for a lingering solo coffee session or gathering with friends and family.”

What to expect

Cold brew standout, with creative signature drinks. A slow-sit spot, good for meetings. Full breakfast, pastries, and light food on the menu. Family friendly.

Signature drinksSpecialty drinksFull breakfastCold brewFamily friendlyTraditional drinksSlow sitMeetingsPastriesLight food

Google Reviews

Glory Ozioma
★★★★★6 months ago

Yo! This is the place! Great atmosphere to be around. The Staff are wonderful people that are always wearing a smile on their faces. There's this feel of home and the richness of the food. They call it The Encounter. I call it The Experience. Go and enjoy wonderful people of…

Ashley Oltman
★★★★★7 months ago

This place 👩‍🍳😚🤌 By far, the best cafe I have been to yet! Has your basic coffee drinks, with seasonal specials (try the pumpkin cold foam!), small basic breakfast/lunch menu with HUGE portions! The staff were amazingly friendly. The seating seemed like it had a good flow.…

Mariam
★★★★★7 months ago

Nothing beats their cinnamon rolls! Will always recommend it to everyone. The roll is light, fluffy, plenty of cinnamon. The icing is delicious, not too sugary, and has a very nice nutty and vanilla taste.

Tobinator The Motivator
★★★★★9 months ago

The Encounter Café is a true gem in Iowa City! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of charm. The servers were incredibly kind and attentive, providing excellent service that made the whole experience feel personal and uplifting. The cinnamon rolls were out of this…

Ronnie OB
★★★★★10 months ago

This cafe is a 'must stop' location when visiting Iowa City. The coffee is awesome, the breakfast is amazing and the staff are very friendly. The lines can get long but it is surly worth the wait.

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