Groundswell Cafe
201 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Crema's Take
“Groundswell Cafe operates on a pay-it-forward model that creates genuine warmth alongside excellent coffee and standout pastries like their celebrated bread pudding. The volunteer-run team radiates authentic kindness that reviewers consistently mention, making this downtown Cedar Rapids spot feel less like a transaction and more like a community gathering place where your morning coffee comes with real human connection. Whether you're settling in for a full breakfast, a pulled pork sandwich on pretzel, or just great coffee and a pastry, you're supporting something genuinely special.”
What to expect
Classic coffee drinks done right. A slow-sit spot, good for meetings. Full breakfast, pastries, and light food on the menu. Family friendly.
Google Reviews
Hired Groundswell for a large brunch catering event. Working with Brittany was so collaborative and easy! Everyone raved about the food & the process of ordering & receiving was very smooth. Highly recommend & look forward to working with them again in the future!
We rented the communty room space for a breakfast the day after my daughter's wedding. It was perfect! We had delicious pastries, fruit salad, coffee and tea and the set up was great for people to connect. Thanks to Brittney for her help in choosing our table arrangement ahead…
This place is amazing. The man that helped us was a volunteer and he was the nicest person ever. I can't wait to go back. Also I didnt like bread pudding until I tries theirs! Beyond good.
I have the barbecue Pulled pork sandwich On a pretzel bun with the coleslaw. Amazing taste! And their coffee is pretty good too. This café is a pay it forward to eatery. That means with your tips go 100% to help feed hungry people in the community. They also have 3 event…
This place is phenomenal, I encourage anyone looking for a good place to spend money on a great breakfast to come here the food is totally fulfilling and the employees are smiling and happy and the atmosphere is very family friendly. This place should be very popular it's one of…
This place is absolutely wonderful and gets 5 stars for simply finding and maintaing a means to provide hot meals to those in dire need of sustenance and cant afford to buy food. Without foodstamps and between jobs with no income, some people dont have homes or refrigerators and…
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Café Saint Pio
★ 4.8 (523)
Tucked into a restored historic building, Café Saint Pio is the kind of…
Feedwell Kitchen and Bakery
★ 4.8 (291)
Feedwell Kitchen and Bakery is a Cedar Rapids gem where serious coffee lovers…
Uptown Coffee Company - Marion
★ 4.8 (224)
Uptown Coffee Company is a genuinely beloved neighborhood gathering spot where…
Tiffy Jo’s Diner & Energy Bar
★ 4.7 (286)
Tiffy Jo's is a full-service diner where the staff genuinely seems to be having…