A quaint coffee shop over in West Ames. This place is my absolute favorite study spot. There are plenty of tables. My favorite spot is the high top tables that face the windows. They are a great spot to wire in and get work down and they have outlets. Their drinks have a large variety. They have smoothies for when you dont need the caffeine late at night. They also have a decent variety of pastries. The part that makes Milo unique is the community. I realize it sounds cheesy so let me explain myself. All the baristas are really friendly and nice. They welcome you and do all the standard stuff, however if they recognize you the visit is even better. I guess that what I'm trying to say is. Come to Milo to try it. Then come back again and again cause it only gets better. read more

Cafe Milo - Some people see a leaf. Others see a tree, but I see coffee?? - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Their speed is absolutely terrible. Don't go here. Takes 45 min to make a drink! Absolutely a disgrace

Bright and cheerful coffee shop. My hot chocolate was so yummy that I was already making plans to come back :-D Masks are mandatory. They practise safe social distancing and health measures as well. The hours on Yelp aren't updated so check their website or call them before going. read more

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My first time traveling through this area, it's probably not globally known for its culinary excellence But the coffee and food here is really fantastic, probably the best coffee I've had in a very long time, what can I say, nice surprise read more

Ames fitness center location. Very nice space and a Wonderful smoked turkey club! I'll be back.

Delightful coffee choices. Relaxing atmosphere. The vegan wrap was delicious. Tomato basil soup delicious . read more

I brought my parents here last February (pre-COVID). There's not a lot or restaurant choice in this part of West Ames, but since Cafe Milo was one of the few places my folks haven't had a meal, we decided to drive over and check it out. The exterior of Cafe Milo is somewhat underwhelming as it sits within those square industrial park buildings many of us know so well. Inside is another story. It's an attractive space, with various homey and artistic touches, and good light. I felt comfortable right away, but not so much with my folks. I think they were leery of the noise level and a somewhat limited menu. On that note, coffee and breakfast (check out the various kinds of oatmeal) seem to be their strong suit, with decent sandwich, soup, and salad combinations for Lunch. I think my folks are used to a more hearty fare. After me offering to try to find someplace else, we finally settled down at our table and then Dad and I ordered at the counter. I thought my Pesto Turkey Caprese sandwich was really good, and both Mom and Dad enjoyed their sandwiches (same as mine plus a smoked turkey club) and our mid-day meal turned out to be a fine time together. I would gladly come back. read more

This was my go-to during the summer because well, it was the first place open during the pandemic. Buuuuuut now that everywhere else is open I have yet to even come back to Milo and didn't think it should be ranked as high. Owner is nice but coffee is very average, menu is average, wifi is average, aesthetic is underwhelming and I hear that have gotten a lot looser in terms of safety precautions. No point going back when you can go elsewhere. Hate to say it but it's true! read more

Look at how the owner responds to people who have had bad experiences. They shift the blame onto the employees and the customer. They refuse to take accountability for their actions. Now, onto their service: Coffee is awful. Nothing is ever consistent because the owner does not train appropriately, and again, does not take accountability of what it takes to run a coffee shop. Food is subpar. Service takes forever. I have worked at 3 different coffee brands and many shops throughout Iowa, service should not be THIS slow. Go to a different cafe. You will not feel welcome at this cafe. read more

We live right down the road and love this place! There coffee is great and they have great food options. My go-to is the honey nut latte with oat milk. However, today I tried the caramel turtle and it was great! Looks of allergen friendly options as well! read more

I live very close to Cafe Milo so I am here quite often. It is always a good experience. The staff is very friendly and they have some really good drinks. You can also get a free refill if you get just a drip coffee which is nice if you plan on spending some time there. It is also a great place to go to get some work done as it is generally a pretty quiet atmosphere. Overall great coffee shop in west Ames, definitely recommend checking it out! read more

Cafe Milo - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Great cosy coffee shop feel with great Chai tea lattes! Clean with plenty of different kinds of seating.

My boyfriend and I came for a late breakfast and coffees. We both ordered a breakfast bagel sandwich, very reasonable priced ($3.95). It tasted good, but nothing special. I would say it's equivalent to a bagel sandwich at Dunkin' Donuts. I got a hot vanilla latte and my boyfriend got an iced mocha, both okay. I enjoy supporting small businesses so would prefer coming here instead of a chain. However, I would be coming for the convenience (located a minute from my boyfriend's place) versus the love for their food/drinks. On another note, it seems like a great place to study for a student! read more

Cafe Milo - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

My daughter lives nearby and every time I come to cafe milo, I have a great experience. The staff is always friendly and helpful with recommendations. Today I had a breakfast bowl which was really yummy with fresh tomatoes and spinach added. Also had a cappuccino and later a cold brew which were both delicious. I like my coffee and rich and strong and that's what I got. Spent a couple hours working on my laptop. The barista helped me with the wifi password and the environment was very nice to sit and work. Bathroom was very clean too. Will return for sure whenever I come to visit!! read more

Cafe Milo - Cappuccino - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

The vibe is very chill, quiet but not uncomfortably so. The service was friendly and fast. Everything tasted good. Prices seem kinda high but overall a good experience. read more

This is the only coffee shop i can walk to from home and would frequently take walks with our kids here, but we will not be returning after seeing their complete lack of care for the community by not even enforcing mask usage for their staff. I was horrified to walk in today and see a full cafe with 1 employee wearing a mask and 1 patron. We walked out. Completely irresponsible and says a lot about the business and owners. read more

I have only been to this coffee shop one time, but I would like to return someday for sure. I did not get anything to eat or snack on. I only got a coffee. I hung out for about an hour to do some work while enjoying my coffee. I liked the vibe, it seemed to be a pretty relaxed place, heavy on the studying atmosphere. I found it to be "light and airy".The staff were very friendly. This was definitely more of a college student crowd, but I also didn't feel unwelcome or out of place, despite me being ummm... older than most of the customers here. Restrooms are single-user gendered. I will return again and grab a photo or two, and maybe a light meal as well. It looks like they have more vegetarian options than most places, so that is cool :) read more

Ate there today and had the BEST sandwich I have ever had(Spice Italian). Add to it, an amazing side salad with dried cranberries.......the bomb. Then to finish things up a chocolate muffin and then an an awesome tropical smoothie! If you are anywhere near there check it out. You will not be disappointed. I promise. Abbi, you knocked it out of the park girl!! read more

I typically come here for meetings and I thoroughly enjoy their honeynut latte. It's my special treat I get for myself maybe twice a month. It's a little pricey here but worth it. It gets relatively busy during the day with students but great place to have a meeting not very loud even for how busy it gets. read more

Cafe Milo - Honeynut latte - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Great place in west ames for coffee, I meet customers here and regroup here as well. Food is good and just as well for coffee. read more

Cafe Milo - Nice lounge area - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

I've gone here a couple times, and I've always enjoyed it! This coffee shop feels spacious and while it can fit a lot of people, it doesn't feel noisy or crowded. I think the amount of space is my favorite thing- and the natural lighting. They've got a great selection of drinks and snacks. I often get the Miel latte and recently I also tried the HoneyNut latte which was also great. I haven't tried their plain coffee yet which is usually how determine the quality of coffee shop brews...even still, I can recommend their lattes! My husband also says they have the best chai latte in town. This coffee shop is now open for dine-in but even still the staff has taken precautions to make sure people stay healthy. read more

Call me a fan of Cafe Milo. Cafe Milo is a contemporary cafe in Ames' growing west side, tucked in a new mixed use development off Highway 30 at South Dakota Avenue. The decor comprised of birch-and-black table and chairs with several four-tops that are popular with Iowa State students and researchers doing small group work. Several comfortable salon chairs are scattered throughout the dining area. The floor is a stained concrete which gives the place an urban loft feel. I've visited Cafe Milo twice as of this review. On both occasions I was served quickly by cheerful staff. (Both visits were on Sunday afternoons, so I can't say how this place copes with being slammed). Free, fast wi-fi is provided. More outlets would be nice, but what wi-fi equipped cafe doesn't need more outlets? I'm a latte fan and I find the espresso drinks here are fine, comparable to a "double tall nonfat" I might get a Starbucks. And the brewed coffee is robust. Thus, the coffee is passable for a coffee freak (not bland), but at the same time probably won't make you hearken back to that trip to Milan you took. On the food side, I've only tried items off the lunch menu: the shaved turkey club and the garlic reuben. Both were delicious. Expect to pay around $6.95 for a sandwich which comes with a choice of chips or a piece of fruit (apple or banana). Prefer a side salad instead of chips or fruit? Add a $1. Care for soup instead? Add a $1.50. One small criticism (which doesn't prevent my fandom) is that the concrete floor allows you to see every last crumb, bit of dirt, and general scattered fragments of life that make their way into the cafe. I know they must sweep here, but I sat near the same table one week to the next and feel certain that no broom had been under it for more some time. When you start to recognize the debris under your favorite spot, week to week, that's not a good sign. Don't get me wrong. This place is not unsanitary. It's just noticeable that they need to step up the sweeping. In sum, I recommend Cafe Milo. It's a calm, centering place. A good place to get a coffee and a bite, do a bit of work or read, or just be around people. read more

I have long known of Cafe Milo's presence but have never been there as I am strictly an early morning coffee drinker and in the past had no reason to be on that side of town. For logistical reasons I started working out in the early am at the nearby Ames Racquet and Fitness location and have been going there almost daily for several weeks. I order the same thing every single time: a medium Americano to go, with "a little" room, but I do not take cream, the room is just to save myself the counsel clean up in my car later. First off, their beans are good (not off the chain good, but four stars good) and their drinks are prepared with care. The person running the register is almost always different than the person making the drink and I have had several baristas and also cashiers recognize me, comment on my regular visits, and even remind me to get out my punch card. The pricing is competitive if not on the low side; I order a hybrid "medium" at The Cafe (they don't have mediums per se), and a grande at Starbucks, and this is the lowest of the three at $2.12. The mix of folks hanging out in here each morning is different, which is what makes the place cool; everything from singing neighbors, to elderly folks, to students, to gym rats. The fireplace is AWESOME not so much for aesthetics but because it actually kicks out a fair amount of heat. Many days of late have been well below zero and waiting in proxemics of that thing is divine. I receive notices about music here on occasion also, and will definitely consider this as a lunch spot or evening hangout in the future. read more

Cafe Milo is my neighborhood favorite. They have delicious hot and cold drink options (try the espresso chocolate shake or my seasonal fav for the summer the Ronald Palmer--half red roobios tea and half lemonade YUM), no judgment for indecisiveness, and just enough snark in their employees. They have killer chicken tortilla soup, giant cookies, and plenty of very pretty salads & sandwiches. Everything seems to be acceptable as far as behaviors--random readers, studious collegians, adorable families, awkward first dates. In other words--also a fab place for people watching. Pull up a chair (I highly recommend the polka dotted comfy chairs), enjoy the free wifi, and sip on something delicious. See you at Milo!! read more

Such a cute cafe! The workers are all very sweet and my coffee is always delicious! 100% recommend!!

We stopped at Cafe Milo for a breakfast. Our lattes were very nice- hot with a good froth of milk and the breakfast bagel was good but nothing extraordinary. The fireplace was nice and cozy with chairs to sit and relax. read more

Nice Gem in West Ames I love Cafe Milo. It is tucked away by an an apartment complex in West Ames, which makes it hard to notice--but it still garner a relative amount of popularity. I used to live right in that complex, and it was wonderful to simply walk over there. When you go into the cafe, you'll see predominantly studious college students and hipsters on their laptops, reading, or simply socializing. I love the decor. There are several comfortable couches and chairs. There's even a fireplace in front of a comfy couch. Food: All of their panini/sandwiches are good choices. I personally like the grilled cheese the best. Although not as great as Stompin Ground's, they have good tomato basil soup. Their salads here are enormous! Drinks: Yum! What's nice is that there are an ample amount of coupons for drinks here. If you live around the area, you'll probably see a ton of them. Their tea selection is rare and delicious because they get it from the popular Gong Fu Tea in Des Moines, Iowa. Their smoothies are delicious. If you come here often, get a punch card! read more

Cafe Milo is a cozy coffee shop especially for those who love to stay there with their computers or have a conversation for hours. The place is spacious and modern with this fireplace in the middle of the room. It is a very nice place for study/work with many outlets, bigger tables, free wifi, and tons of natural lighting. However, it can be very crowded with students especially during midterm and final weeks. Coffee selection is pretty good but it could be a little bit inconsistent sometimes. However, their tea selection is huge. If you enter the coffee shop, you will see a shelf full of their teas on your side where you can smell each of them to choose the tea that you like the best. When I am not in the mood for coffee, I usually ask them to make a tea latte from my favorite tea from the shelf. For food, they have sandwich, soup, salad, etc. They also have cakes and humongous cookies that are delicious! read more

Had a cappuccino with couple of business friends and spent a while having an informal meeting. One in our group spilled the coffee but the staff didn't care so we went ahead and cleaned it up. A typical coffee shop and nothing special but they do have great coffee. read more

I stopped by this spacious coffee shop the other evening. The staff are young and inexperienced and the ambience isn't great. It's probably a great place to study for hours at a table if you live in the neighborhood, but I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to get there. They have some local artist artwork on the walls and I think the vintage consignment furniture doesn't add a lot to the cement floors. The chai was really sweet, can't speak for the coffee drinks because I didn't have one but, if I go back I'll try something else. read more

I conveniently live in the West Towne Apartment complex so I can pop in when ever I want (granted I have the money). I guess you pay for the freshness and quality because it really is worth it. The staff is super friendly and inviting and can great recommendations if you aren't sure what to get. I always trust them and I'm never disappointed. I genuinely enjoy their cranberry scones w/ orange zest while sipping green tea. It's going to be my regular order. read more

I really enjoy the cozy feel of Cafe Milo. Highlights include: 1. plenty of parking 2.The lattes are excellent 3. The teas are amazing 4. Lots of seating 5. Prime people watching spot :) read more

I have been a long-time customer at Milo and especially love it on a sunny, warm morning. The food is adequate (not amazing, but edible), the coffee is good, and the tea is great -- they are the only shop in town that offers a POT of brewed tea. However, in the winter, Milo is terrible. It is FREEZING, even if you sit near the fire while it is on. The concrete floors let the cold to seep into your feet, and it is only possible to work there for a half hour or so, which means is it not worth the drive. Yesterday I wore wool socks, good boots, two shirts, my scarf, and had my coat on my lap, but my fingers were so cold I couldn't even use my computer. Extremely disappointing. read more

Not any vegan options, but that isn't out of the ordinary. However, the salad I got (spinach salad) without the cheese and chicken was great. Tons of tea options and a great environment to study. read more

Cafe Milo - Bowl of chicken tortilla soup and a house salad. - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Best coffee place in Ames! This was my go to spot all throughout undergrad- great variety of flavored espresso drinks, light lunches, and the nicest, most friendly staff! The atmosphere is super relaxed and comfortable, with plenty of couches, outlets, and good wifi for working. Get a punch card and the caramel corn mocha! read more

Cafe Milo - Strawberries and cream smoothie is perfectly sweet with delicious Irish cream! - American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

I really like the concept but every time I've gone in there's only 2 items available in the pastry case, entice your guests and show us that you have fresh pastries. The coffees great but how about a barista that smiles and engages the guest, you're the first person we start our morning with so you help set the tone for our day. read more

Stopped in this morning as an out of towner and loved this little spot! Much better alternative to the local Starbucks options and the staff was unbelievably friendly and generous! Next time I'm in town I will definitely come back! read more

Cafe Milo knows who their customers are and caters to them. They added extra extension cords and people there are really friendly. The food is good, albeit really expensive. The bathroom is clean and they won't bother you if you stay there all day and just buy a cup of tea. The atmosphere is just chill. Mostly filled with students studying. Seriously, writing this review makes me want to go there and work on my projects... read more

Excellent high-quality food and some of the nicest staff I have ever encountered. Not only do the staff allow wifi camping and accommodate larger groups, I've also had cashiers help me find my phone after I accidentally left it there and replace a drink I spilled at no cost. Prices are a little high, but I also understand that in addition to the awesome tea blends (I recommend the rooibos) I'm also paying for the high-speed complimentary internet, the access to the dozens of outlets, and the cozy atmosphere. The cafe primarily specializes in drinks (meaning that the food selection is somewhat limited) but I have had one or two of their salads and sandwiches and those have always been really good. Also: there are dozens of flavors of Italian sodas, always a plus. read more

I love Cafe Milo! They are they only coffee house in Ames that serves a POT of tea, and the tea is delicious. (My husband is a coffee drinker, and says the coffee is also great.) The staff is friendly and sunny and kind -- and they often remember your order if you are a regular. I especially like the light in Milo; with all the windows, it is a great place to work. Just two small complaints. The bagels are not very good, and as soon as they cool from toasting, are virtually inedible, like old bread. This isn't uncommon in the Midwest, though, where the bagel isn't native food. And the music can sometimes be... Jesus-y. Neither of these things stop me from going, however -- it is definitely the most comfortable coffee house in Ames, and you can tell they work hard to make it that way. read more