What are your favorite Iowa City area coffee houses to write in? My qualifications for a good coffee house include:
- Plenty of seating
- Available power outlets
- Decent lighting
- Free wireless internet
- Open late
I live in Coralville, actually, and I've had trouble finding a coffee shop open late in that area, nothing is open much past 9:00p.m. I'm thinking that most of the coffee houses that are open late are going to be downtown Iowa City. In Coralville, I've tried writing at Caribou Coffee on the strip, and the House of Aromas on the strip.
I'd say the ones I'm looking forward to trying in down town Iowa City include House of Aromas, the Java House, and perhaps Java Juice (although I've heard their coffee isn't the best - what do y'all think?).
So where are your favorite coffee houses in the Iowa City area to write at?
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74,446 / 50,000
Nov 12, 2007 - 10 50
I'd say House of Aromas (on Clinton) is probably my favorite. They're open fairly late, their coffee is good, and the atmosphere is nice. They also meet all of your other requirements, except when they're really crowded.
I've never liked Java House -- they aren't as friendly and they'll kick you out after an hour, even if you're a paying customer. Plus, they reserve half of the shop for "No studying, no laptops." I'm not sure what you're supposed to do there, but I don't think it's anything I'd be interested in. Their coffee is okay, I guess. Not bad, but not good enough to justify dealing with the arbitrary restrictions.
T-Spoons in the mall isn't bad. Their coffee is pretty good. But there's less seating room and I don't think they stay open very late.
Other than that, nothing really stands out. There's Capanna, Java Juice and a bunch of others. They all serve coffee, and have chairs and outlets, but I can't think of any strong reason to go to any of them.
53,469 / 50,000
Nov 12, 2007 - 11 01
Java House is my default. The lighting is not particularly bright but it's focused on the tables. It is bad on Fridays because of the live music and at peak times, but it's open late and they have comfortable seating as well as both large and small tables. It's true that you can't sit in the front, but the back's decently big. And they have, imho, the best coffee. Also delicious pastries that are 1/2 price after 8 pm.
I also like Java Juice. I don't get coffee there but they have a huge menu. The quality varies a lot. I love their hot tea, smoothies are good, and they have bubble tea and a ton of sweet coffee drinks. I LOVE the egg rolls. Apparently the wraps are bad. They have amazing cheesecake. Also there are burgers and things. Limited amount of comfy seating, private study type room, and a ton of regular tables. Brightly lit.
Capanna is really good if you like gelato. They have outlets and bright lighting and some comfy seating. They also have a lot of really sweet mocha type drinks if you like that sort of thing. They are, however, a little more expensive, and have less in the way of food.
If you're looking for something quieter, there's a coffee shop on Dubuque south of the ped mall that isn't as popular and is good. They have vegan baked goods. i also really like the Bread Garden, next to starbucks, when it isn't lunch hour. They have decent coffee and really good baked goods, plus regular food.