My family and I had a lovely time at Barn Happy! As out-of-towners, it was awesome to visit a local spot in Cedar Falls. We were staying at an Airbnb right up the street, so it was super convenient to stop in. We were greeted at the door by the friendliest girl who told us all about the space. She shared that it used to be an old dairy barn and they had a shop & restaurant in the main barn space, an Iowa local shop out back, and an antique treasure shop upstairs. She did mention that if we wanted to dine or sit for coffee, we needed to let her know ahead of time so they could reserve a table space, so keep that in mind if you're planning to stop to eat! We stayed in the main barn area and browsed the local shop finds. They had everything from Iowa-made wine, knife sets, honey, clothing, crafts, artwork, jewelry, and Iowa-themed goodies. If you are shopping for unique local gifts, this is the spot to visit! The shop workers were SO friendly and sweet!! They also made me a delicious caramel latte to go on my way out. I would love to go back when I return to Iowa! read more

This was a great place for a quick lunch. Friendly and helpful staff, cute gift shop and yummy desserts!

This is one of the happiest places in town. They've done a good job of creating a space that feels completely seperate from your day-to-day world. I'm not at all in the target demographic and I go when I need to get away from everything - I love to look around at all the wonderful things they sell, I love the heck out of their quiches and their pies and treats are truly amazing. They have great coffee and places to sit, and its free refills. I'll bring a book or something to write in, and find a spot, and enjoy a few-hours retreat. This place is a jewel. read more

This place is one of the sweetest, friendliest and most delicious places in town! A great place to have a bite to eat and a coffee with a friend! read more

We happened to drive past on our way from CF to someplace else and this place actually caught my hubby's eye first. We made plans to go back the next day and give it a try...what a GREAT idea!!! Our lunch was we thought was Very Good! Hubby had the broccoli,ham quiche and a cup of pot pie soup. Lots of meat and veg in the quiche. Most pot pie soups Ive had are a thick creamy style this was a more loose watery style like a veggie beef, though Not watery as bland, Oh NO lots of good flavor here!! I did the coleslaw this too was not the typical for me, instead of a creamy heavier sauce this was a lighter vinaigrette type but also very good, and Flying Farmer Chicken (a chix salad with grapes, almond slivers,pineapple served with homemade bread). We quite enjoyed it..of course then we had dessert!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! For one, looking at the counter it's near impossible to make up your mind everything looks so good and so many of them are cut into easily shareable servings! I told the ladies they need a sampler platter (she said she's heard that often ) we got a slice of Rhubarb crunch and French silk! I am a huge fan of French silk and this was not anything I e had anywhere before! So Rich and thicker then the usual silk pies! (We also got a couple other to take home and try later which as I write this I have practiced great restraint and devoured yet, a brownie, snickers cheesecake German choc cake) And this is just the food the shop is also packed with tons of things made from around Iowa (mostly). Hubby and I both agreed, we only come to the area about once a year but this is a most stop from now on!!!! read more

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The food is wonderful! I almost always get the spinach roma quiche and of course dessert. It's my guilty pleasure. You won't find a greater staff, they are helpful and always happy to greet you to Barn Happy? It really is a destination you should come and see! - Laura read more

Driving past Cedar Falls and in need of lunch, I saw this place mentioned in a guidebook. I'm really glad we pulled off the highway and gave it a try. Barn Happy is essentially someone's old barn turned into a combined retail shop & eatery. You are literally pulling into someone's farmstead when you arrive. When we first walked in, I thought my husband's privates might shrink--the place was packed with older ladies with nicely coiffed hair and embroidered capris, and the place is jam-packed with Iowa-made housewares and candles and specialty foods and baby clothes and garden decor. The tables are all old dinette sets, mismatched and covered with vinyl tablecloths and spread all around the barn. It's busy and cute and almost twee and your grandma would love it. But don't let that deter you--our food was excellent. For lunch, you can choose from an assortment of sandwiches, quiche, and soup offered in various combinations. Dessert is available and you should save room for it--excellent pies, cakes, and pastries galore. Our cake was so good my 12 year old son went and asked for the recipe! Take a run upstairs to see the gorgeousness of the old barn--there are antiques for sale up there, and you get a better feel for the old structure. All in all Barn Happy is a neat experience. If you're looking for an Iowa-made gift, you'll enjoy wandering around the merchandise. if you're interested in entrepreneurship, it's neat to see how they created this successful business in their backyard. And If you like good food (who doesn't), you'll get a super lunch. read more

The mushroom soup and spinach pie were great; the decor is pure Iowa, very nicely done. Most patrons are women of a certain age (my twelve-year old son was the only male, when I took him there for lunch a couple of weeks ago). The service was good too. read more

I really enjoyed the thrift shop upstairs in the barn. I love that they focus on selling Iowa made goods along with all the yummy food to be had. I bought their cookbook just for the oatmeal coffeecake recipe. So worth it. read more

We are from Arkansas, and Barn Happy is one of our favorite lunch places when we are visiting family in the area. My 18 year old son always asks to go there...usually for the pie. read more

Just ate there yesterday and once again, the food was fresh and tasty, the coffee smelled and tasted delicious, the owner was gorgeous and friendly, and the shopping was fun! All of the wonderful women who work there are smiling, friendly, and helpful! The available seating is limited, so reservations are good for the 11-1pm slots. Hope they open more "anciliary" seating areas in the extra building (or outside) in the future! They have fresh bouquets of flowers in vases on every table (which can be purchased for the best price around...about $10 including the vase). Absolutely the BEST desserts around the area...NEVER had a disappointment here! Too bad their hours are limited....that is the one drawback...but otherwise you can't go wrong adding this to your list of fun lunch spots! read more

Wow do they know how to pack a place full of stuff! With dining tables every three feet, and tables of stuff for sale in the remaining space...wowzers! Definitely a unique Iowa shop...not sure there's anything else quite like it. The antiques upstairs are good...lots of things I've never seen before. Hot as the dickens up there, but it was 90something today, so that's to be expected. We had a slice of cake as a late snack today and it was fine...should have had a slice of pie instead, but it was a decent treat. The price of a little slice of ordinary cake floored us...seems prices have gone up since the last time I went...and portions have gone down. Have to be making a killing on desserts! Only thing we really were disappointed by was the crowding. Don't ever go on a Saturday. It's completely packed and people get pushy. Parking is challenging, but finding a place to actually stand and look is even more challenging. We left empty-handed only because there was no space to just be to pick up anything. Less "stuff" overall would help a lot. read more