Courtyard Cafe

W0184 Lagomarcino Hall, Ames, IA

★★★★★4.4(35 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

“Nestled on Iowa State's campus, this cafe strikes that perfect balance between grabbing a quick coffee and lingering for hours with your laptop, all while avoiding the predictability of a typical chain. The real magic happens outdoors among the Lagomarcino Hall gardens where you can pair their reliably good espresso drinks (a caramel latte here really hits) with one of their surprisingly excellent sandwiches or chocolate croissants. It's the kind of cozy, well-kept secret where quality depends on who's behind the bar, but the genuinely kind staff and inviting atmosphere make it worth the visit—just maybe skip the noon rush.”

What to expect

Classic coffee drinks done right. A slow-sit, laptop-friendly, quick-grab, outdoor seating spot, good for meetings. Pastries and light food on the menu.

Slow sitTraditional drinksMeetingsLaptop friendlyLight foodOutdoor seatingQuick grabPastries

Google Reviews

Emelia T

★★★★★a year ago

Comfy spot to study. The cafe is kind of a Starbucks and is also kind of not one, like the ones in a target. They have most Starbucks things but the food is ISU dining food, which is fine by me. The main problem I have with the cafe is that it is always so loud. They always…

Juan Steibel

★★★★★3 years ago

A university cafe with a few items, quick service. There best thing are the gardens of the lagomarcino hall to sit and have lunch outdoors (weather permitting, of course)

Christian Fernando Montes Serey

★★★★★7 years ago

A bit of "hit or miss". Quality of the coffee depends largely on who's making it. Very nice people, though.

Ana K

★★★★★7 years ago

Good and cozy. The food is really good, especially the sandwich. I love their chocolate croissant 🥐 as well as their Carmel and vanilla Latte.

Stephanie Hingtgen

★★★★★9 years ago

One of my favorite cafes on campus! It is really cozy and a well kept secret it seems :) the sandwiches are great here! Try to go anytime but noon (there is always a long line then)