Unearth The Voyage
If warm, buttery scones are your holiday love language, Iowa quietly delivers some of the coziest bites of the season. Picture frosty sidewalks, twinkling lights, and a fresh scone in your hands while the café hums with festive chatter. From classic cranberry orange to adventurous maple pecan, these spots know how to make December feel delicious. Ready to find your new favorite winter ritual?
1. Scenic Route Bakery — Des Moines
Scenic Route Bakery is where the morning feels extra merry. You step in from the cold, and the smell of butter, citrus, and cinnamon tells you the scones are fresh. Cranberry orange glistens with a light vanilla glaze, and a maple pecan crumb sings with warmth.
Order one warmed and pair it with a velvety cappuccino. The baristas kindly suggest jam or honey if you want a touch more sweetness. Grab a seat by the big windows, watch snow flurries swirl over East Village, and let that first flaky bite become your new holiday tradition.
2. The Encounter Cafe — Iowa City
The Encounter Cafe has that small town hospitality you crave when the air snaps cold. Their scones come out tender, just sweet enough, with cranberries and toasted almonds adding cheerful texture. Ask to have yours warmed, and the butter melts into every nook.
You can linger over a mug of fair trade coffee while carols play softly. Locals chat about finals and holiday plans, and you feel instantly included. If you love hearty breakfasts, add eggs, but save room for scones to go. Your afternoon self will thank you.
3. The Slow Down Coffee Co. — Des Moines
The Slow Down Coffee Co. invites you to breathe, sip, and savor. Their bakers nail texture: crisp edges, plush middles, and pockets of melty white chocolate or bright lemon zest. Ask for a warm-up, and the aromas bloom beautifully.
Settle into a window seat with a flat white and watch the day unspool peacefully. Staff give thoughtful suggestions if you want a dairy free option. Bring a friend, split two flavors, and compare notes like you are judging a festive bake off. Slowing down tastes especially good in December.
4. Main Street Cafe & Bakery — Ankeny
Main Street Cafe & Bakery knows how to do community and crumb. The scones are sturdy yet tender, with a golden crust that shatters just right. Around Christmas, cranberry orange, maple walnut, and sugar dusted classics feel like edible decorations.
Ask for them warmed and you will get that comforting bakery perfume. The cafe buzzes with neighbors swapping cookie recipes and gift ideas. Order a bottomless coffee and let the morning stretch. If you need a box for the office, they pack them neatly so you earn hero status immediately.
5. Kindred Coffee — Iowa City
Kindred Coffee feels like that welcoming friend who remembers your order. Their scones lean elegant, with spiced pear, vanilla bean, and a citrus glaze that catches the light. Warmed, the crumb turns pillowy and the spices whisper winter.
Grab a pour over and settle next to the leafy window nook. You will hear soft indie carols and the murmur of students unwinding after finals. The team gladly suggests pairings if you enjoy tea instead. Take home a bag of beans plus an extra scone, because future you will absolutely crave another bite.
6. Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure — Des Moines
Zanzibar’s has character to spare and scones that match the vibe. Expect robust flavors: cranberry pistachio with a hint of orange, or classic chocolate chip for pure comfort. They will warm it gladly, and the crumb gets wonderfully fragrant.
Order a dark roast to balance the sweetness, then tuck into a corner surrounded by coffee curios. It is the kind of place where time slips, and you leave calmer than you arrived. If you like a more rustic bake, these scones deliver. Bring cash backup, grab two, and share the second later.
7. Mammitas Coffee — Iowa City
Mammitas keeps things cheerful and unfussy, which is exactly what December needs. Their cinnamon sugar scone gives churro vibes, and the cranberry orange option stays bright without being cloying. Ask to heat it up and you will get that perfect just baked aroma.
Pair with a caramel latte or a simple Americano if you prefer. Seating is comfy for quick catch ups or solo reading sessions. The staff are attentive and ready with napkins for flaky crumbs. Grab a couple for road fuel and turn any errand run into a holiday treat.
8. Barrett’s Quality Eats — Coralville
Barrett’s Quality Eats does hearty comfort right down to the last crumb. Their gingerbread scone tastes like a cookie met a biscuit and decided to celebrate. Maple pecan brings toasted sweetness that plays well with black coffee.
Ask for them warmed and the spices glow. The space feels friendly, with families sliding into booths and staff moving swiftly. You can balance sweetness with eggs, but keep room for seconds. If you like leftovers, buy an extra and wrap it for later. It reheats surprisingly well, making tomorrow morning festive too.
9. Porch Light Coffeehouse — Ankeny
Porch Light Coffeehouse lives up to its name, glowing warm on cold evenings. Their raspberry white chocolate scone is a crowd pleaser, while orange clove nudges the holiday mood up a notch. Get it warmed and the glaze softens beautifully.
Find a comfy chair, sip a mocha, and eavesdrop on cheerful neighborhood chatter. Board games on the shelf make lingering easy. If you are gifting treats, they will box a pretty assortment. You walk out with rosy cheeks, sticky fingers, and a renewed appreciation for simple seasonal joy.
10. Sweet Oaks Bakery+Bistro — Collins
Sweet Oaks Bakery+Bistro is the definition of small town charm. The baker smiles, the case fogs with warmth, and apple cinnamon scones promise cozy nostalgia. Cranberry almond adds sparkle for the season, with just enough crunch to keep things interesting.
Ask for a warm up and a side of local honey. You will probably get a quick story about the farm that supplied it. Seating is limited, but takeaway boxes are sturdy. Drive the scenic route home, crack the window for crisp air, and nibble your way through carols.
11. Northern Vessel — Des Moines
Northern Vessel pairs precise coffee with quietly excellent bakes. The orange cardamom scone carries a delicate spice that feels elegant for the holidays. Brown sugar adds a caramel note without going heavy.
Warm it and the interior loosens into tender layers. Order a seasonal latte and settle by the bright windows, where the city looks serene under winter light. Staff dial in drinks carefully, so you can taste every note. It is an ideal stop before gift shopping downtown. Take an extra for later and feel smugly prepared.
12. Savor The Rise — Indianola
Savor The Rise makes mornings feel celebratory without trying too hard. Cherry vanilla scones taste like stocking stuffers in pastry form, while maple oat keeps things hearty. Ask to warm one and the kitchen sends back a fragrant plate.
Grab a drip coffee or a chai if you want spice. The window seats look out at a quiet square, and conversations float gently around you. It is the kind of place where strangers hold the door and compliment your scarf. Leave with a half dozen and share the cheer generously.
13. Smokey Row Coffee — Des Moines
Smokey Row balances nostalgia and liveliness in one big welcoming room. Their scones rotate, but blueberry, cinnamon chip, and cranberry orange are seasonal stalwarts. Warm yours and let the butter perfume chase away winter gloom.
It is easy to spread out with friends or park with a laptop. The staff keep lines moving and still find time for friendly banter. Grab a hot chocolate for a kiddo or your inner kid. If you need a reliable meeting spot with festive treats, this checks every box and then some.
14. Press Coffee — Iowa City
Press Coffee feels intimate, perfect for escaping the chill with something flaky and warm. Lemon poppyseed offers bright sunshine in pastry form, while cranberry white chocolate lands sweet but balanced. Ask to heat it, and the glaze softens into a glossy sheen.
Find a quiet table and let the hum of conversation set your pace. A cortado pairs beautifully if you like a snappy coffee. You can grab beans for gifting and a second scone for late night cravings. It feels like a tiny holiday hideaway downtown.
