This place rocks! Really good coffee and food items. I got the blueberry bagel with peanut butter and banana, it tasted so fresh! The have used books for sale in the back, it's a very cool vibe. read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Exactly as described: part book shop, part cafe. There's a variety of lunch items available including a fair amount of vegan options. Their lattes were absolutely delightful, and the boujee in me loved that they were served on these gorgeous artisan pottery mugs, just adding to all the cozy feels. If you're here for books, don't be disappointed by the selection in the front, keep going to the back of the store where you'll be greeted with many more used books. The service was also excellent. Will return! read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We wanted to try this place when I heard they sold old books! I love bookstores! We walked in and the musty smell immediately hit us. I guess that is to be expected when surrounded by a bunch of old books, so we went to order. There was one soft spoken barista, and it took a long time to get our orders. Next to the counter is a staircase that smells like strongly of rotten milk and the milk in our drinks tasted spoiled (or maybe it was just because we were smelling the gross smells?!) and we all ended up tossing them out after a few sips. It had really nice photographs hung everywhere and I love the idea of this shop but the coffee just wasn't good, the smell was icky, and the vibes were just off. read more

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I was pretty sold on this spot the very first time I walked-in. A place where you can get some work done, purchases some books/vinyl AND get some grub all at the same time.... Yeah I'll be there! Staff have always been friendly, kind and attentive every time I've stepped through there doors and I truly appreciate that they have a good selection of vegan options. read more

Iris Bookcafe is a lovely little spot. I got a decaf americano for a simple afternoon treat and found a quiet table in the back to sit and enjoy it. I loved the unique mug it was served in. There are interesting used books for sale to peruse while you grab a drink or a bite to eat. I imagine the patio is a really nice area to sit during warmer months, too. I hope I can go back soon. read more

Iris BookCafé - Decaf americano in a very cool mug. - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Cute cafe nearby Vine St! Got a turkey and avocado sandwich, as well as a chai latte with almond milk. There were a few tables sit inside, and a book shelf full of books for sale. read more

Iris BookCafé - Turkey and Avocado sandwich; Chai with almond milk - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Customer service is lacking here. There was only one staff member on a Saturday and only a handful of customers. It took us 30 min to get a chai and a $7 watered down smoothie. When we got our drinks, our turkey sandwich wasn't even made yet. read more

The space is utterly sweet, especially inviting were the outdoor tables in a little courtyard. We did not have any food or drinks. If you are looking for books like me, you may be disappointed as they seemed to be all dated books that you would find on the cheap at a garage sale. read more

After visiting Booksellers at Fountain Square I decided to pop in here because it came up when I checked Yelp for other bookstores around the area. Coming in, you immediately feel a very relaxed atmosphere. You also realize that this isn't a bookstore in the strict sense of the word. It has a small used selection of different genres spread out across the café. You may not necessarily stay for the books but you will stay for the atmosphere and probably for the café. There was loads of places to sit and looked like an amazing place to get work done! I didn't get anything at the café because I was in a bit of a rush but I would definitely like to come back and sample their menu. read more

Iris BookCafé - Various shelves spread out across the cafe and places to get work done in front and at the back of the cafe - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This place is too cute! Such a homey feel with all the books and seating I love places like this. It's relatively quiet place so perfect for studying it getting work done while enjoying some coffee/tea & a snack. There's a nice patio area outside that I can't wait to try in the summer! It's also a great place for vegetarians since there's a few options on the menu!! I had the veggie hummus sandwich which is nIce & light. It paired well with the white peony tea I tried. Can't wait to be back! read more

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Dang! We walked here from our hotel looking forward to supporting a small used bookstore and having a vegan snack. Their hours say they should be open but they're closed. I hope not permanently? read more

Iris BookCafé - Hours + Closed Sign - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Iris has been on my radar for years but never actually came in until now. Very quiet little shop to sit and work alone or in small groups, enjoy some coffee and food, or read a used book from one of the many bookcases lining the walls. I tried the cranberry scone (vegan) but it was pretty hard/dry and crumbly. I didn't notice many modern books, mostly old prints, but they are available for purchase if you find one you like. Might return. read more

Iris BookCafe is a bookstore and cafe. It features lots of interesting reading material. There's good books for sale. It also has coffee and food. There's many healthy and vegan options. I had the drip coffee. It's about $2 for the regular size. The coffee was rich tasting. It also has a good food menu. There's many options for vegans. I had the vegan chili and chocolate chip cookie. The chili was about $5 for the regular size. It was a good amount. The chili had enough spice and didn't taste like some bland vegetable paste like many vegan chilis may be like. Iris BookCafe is fun and interesting. It has a good selection of books. The books and food makes it better than the chain coffee shops. read more

Iris BookCafé - Vegan Chili And Chocolate Chip Cookie - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

cozy vibes, feels like you're in someone's home. excellent London fog latte, fast & friendly service, several vegan options!

I liked the place. I was looking for a cafe to sit down and work quietly and this Iris book cafe was PERFECT for that. They have both indoor and outdoor space read more

Iris BookCafé - Indoors - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

A friend and I visited the Iris BookCafé on a snowy Saturday afternoon. We knew we wanted some sort of fancy coffee drink and asked for a recommendation. She recommended a Mocha and it was an excellent recommendation. The drink was delicious, very chocolatey flavored with a hint of a coffee taste still. While the barista was making our drinks, we looked around at the books for a little bit. It has a very cute atmosphere and I would definitely consider coming here if I had some work to get done. read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Do you ever hesitate to write a review because you don't want other people to start coming to a place that you enjoy so much? That's how I feel about Iris BookCafé. I actually only started coming here because of the construction at Coffee Emporium... But Iris really won me over. Iris BookCafé is simple. I'm relatively certain that the barista who is usually working is actually April Ludgate from Parks & Rec and I'm 100% okay with it. The patio or back room are great places to work or have a small meeting (or a coffee date!). I've honestly never even taken advantage of all the books, but I'm sure that this is an awesome place to enjoy for leisure as well. Great location, great coffee. You'll find me here often. read more

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Iris Book Cafe is one of those local gems I love to find in any city. Fresh local made goodness. Always some of the freshest soups salads and sandwiches. Look at the fresh vegetables and the color of that broth in the soup. Took me back to my grandmother making fresh soup straight from the garden. The salad was perfect with a mix of greens, fruit avocado and nuts. What a burst of healthy flavors and you know when you get all those colors you're getting some healthy goodness. You can even grab a book and sit a while. Only reason I hate to promote this is so it doesn't lose its quiet charm. read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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This bookstore café is so artsy and laid back. It provides a bit of peace and quiet in OTR. This is probably a good place to hangout and get some work and studying done. They have vegan and vegetarian options on their food menu. My favorite feature of this café is their courtyard. I've visited a few times and the service isn't consistent. During my most recent visit I wasn't greeted when I arrived, but overall the barista was friendly. I'll be back. read more

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Incredibly cute cafe with a nice outside seating area when it's not freezing. I enjoyed tea and soup here, would definitely come back to try more. Great place to meet up with friends or a date or just cozy up with a book. read more

I stopped in on a walk while in town visiting friends for some evening coffee. It felt very "small business" but my friend walked back to use the restroom while I waited to order my drink. The man working was talking with some guests for a good 3-5 minutes so I walked back to check out the back like my friend recommended and use the restroom while I waited. The back was like a beautiful, peaceful oasis. A beautiful place to come meet someone to talk or work, or just come alone to drink your coffee. you could tell the worker loved talking to his customers because he still was talking to the folks when we came back to try and order again. I finally got up to order and asked him if he knew how to make a cortado. He didn't but he believed he made something similar by description for his boss. So he attempted and handed me a styrofoam cup, which immediately turned me off to the drink. The drink he made me tasted like pure sugar, which he explained was how he liked it. He quickly came up with a solution to solve it by making another shot and pouring some out from the previous. I admired his ability to adapt and didn't have the heart to not drink this now. I gave it a 4 in that I would try again just for the oasis experience. read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I live pretty far away from this place but it is not an exaggeration to say that this is the best coffee shop in OTR. As a French speaker in a not very French-speaking area, this has been the only place I have found in the greater Cincy area that sells French books that aren't just textbooks for high schoolers. They don't only have French too - I saw Arabic, Italian, Spanish, a couple of Greek books. The atmosphere in the store takes you so far away from Cincy, it feels like a European bookstore in all of the best ways. There is such a wide variety of books and the layout of the store are so relaxing and make you want to just stay forever. It is far from the largest coffee shop, so grabbing a table during their busy hours may be hard. This place is a little piece of Heaven on Earth! The coffee is wonderful and priced very well. I can't wait to be able to come back here and do work and relax with a good book and a delicious cup of coffee! read more

Iris is one of my favorite places in town to get away and work or relax. They have great coffees and teas, and the food is okay. Iris isn't a place you go out of your way to eat a meal at, but if you find yourself needing a place to work over meal hours, or a retreat, the food is still good. Inside, Iris' walls are lined with old books you can grab and read while you sit and enjoy some coffee. Outside, they have a beautiful and quiet outdoor space that is surprisingly large considering this place is smack in the middle of the bustling Main St. I have been to both get work done and as a place to crack open a book. read more

Iris BookCafé - Love their courtyard! - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

A beautiful oasis in the middle of OTR! When I first moved to Over the Rhine there was little here. Especially within walking distance to my house. I actually stumbled upon this place by accident thinking it was a bookstore when I was walking by. Turns out it kind of is, but it is also one of the best little coffee/tea shops in Cincinnati. They do have a limited menu but here is a little taste of what they offer: avocado turkey sammis, veggie sammis, potato leek soup, pumpkin bread, cookies. Nothing too fancy but like I always say simple food executed properly is the best food. The soups here are incredible. I am not even a soup person. I ordered a bowl on a whim as a snack and now I'm addicted to them. Like the others are saying you really can't go wrong with anything you order. Everything is home made here. Now for the teas! My favorite part! I would say they have about 20 different teas to choose from. All of them come from Essencha (one of the best tea houses in the city). Aromatic, whether sweet or savory they are all delish! I got the sunburst tea, which is a mango floral flavored tea and it was SO GOOD! My friend got the chai tea latte which I have never had before. I tried it and melted down into my seat thinking oh wow that must be what heaven tastes like. Now for the atmosphere. The walls are a pale nude/gray which is griege? It is a beautiful soothing color. The bookshelves are filled with interesting stories, records, magazines all the way up to the ceiling. They have one minimal art exhibit hanging throughout the building that is always gorg! The tables are sleek and modern but still cozy. I would call the decor contemporary because it still feels homey but it's very trendy. Oh and don't forget the back patio!! I swore I would never use this word but here comes the word vomit: THIS PLACE IS A HIDDEN GEM! To escape the concrete jungle of what is downtown. Come here and sit on this patio surrounded by vines and greenery and you will feel better instantly. A perfect place to go and read, or get some work done. Come see this beautiful Oasis for yourself, I promise you will not be disappointed. read more

Came upon this place by accident today while out looking for coffee but grew more and more pleasantly surprised as I looked around and saw the vegan/vegetarian food and drink offerings. It's has a small window front and is pretty non descript, but once inside there's an eclectic, almost grunge feel. The lighting is mostly natural light, which I prefer. The customer service left A LOT to be desired, despite its atmosphere and menu. I stood looking at the menu for a couple of minutes without being greeted and only got assistance when I spoke. I excitedly told her this was my first visit. She answered my questions but in a way that made me feel dumb for asking. As I expressed delight in the menu, she was very apathetic and non responsive. As soon as I paid, she exited to the back area and didn't even ask if I needed anything else. I would so love to try some food there so I will plan to return ONCE more. Let's hope the customer service has improved by then. read more

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If you're looking for something that's a kind of like your hipster coffee shop/cafe, but also kind of different in that it doesn't just cater to hipsters, Iris is your spot. Their walls are lined floor to ceiling with books and not only does that make it cozy (sound dampening), but you can pretend like you're Belle, being presented to a magnificent library of books by the Beast. Except without the glorious crystal lighting. It's not like your dusty old library, but it's not like the worn and torn, well-loved book collection either. They've got a bit of everything and it's so much fun to just walk around and check the titles out. They're sorted by category so it's fun to just browse and see if you can find something new. The interior is a lot bigger than it looks on the outside; even though it's a slender building, it almost feels like a labyrinth inside as the walls cut in here and there and you wander around in and out of tons of books and quietly chatting friends. The best part about Iris? Their soup. And I hate soup. Go for the soup. GO!!! read more

One of my very favorite spots in the city. I go for the soup (it is THE BEST EVER) and steamed milk+honey drinks. I could stay in there all day though, flipping through books. read more

Iris offers a nice escape from the busy noise of OTR. It's shelves filled with books and rotating art collection give it a nice eclectic vibe. The coffee is decent, the tea is good and I've only tried a couple of different soups here, but they were good as well. Like most others, the patio is my favorite area to hang out here. read more

Oh boy, Iris is awesome. I think I am just repeating what the other reviewers are saying when I write this but it is a really, really enjoyable place. It is right by my house which is already a huge plus because I can walk down the road one block if I am in need of a good coffee, latte or any other concoction they have going on in this Cafe. Iris does a great job of continuing the trend of using local products and vendors that I am seeing a lot recently including Shadeau Breads located right across the street. The food and coffee are delicious, a little more than average pricing, but nothing outrageous. The taste alone makes up for the price. I am more than willing to pay more for a good cup of joe if the cup of joe is actually good...make sense? The only items of food that I have ordered here so far have been bagels, (good) and the egg salad sandwich (decent, could use more salt and pepper). They are vegan friendly and even don't have real butter, instead using a vegan substitute, which tastes exactly like butter is is much more healthy. The real treat however is not the coffee and food that makes this coffee shop special. The real joy is what lies around you swallowing you up and engulfing you, making you part of the store. That is, the thousands of books, records, DVD's and other great old school novelty items around for browsing and for sale. This is an excellent addition that gives you something to do when the questionable wi-fi isn't working (bookworm is the password by the way). Besides, there isn't anything wrong with going back a little while when phones and computers weren't around and people actually read books. Believe me, there are so many different kinds of books you aren't likely to be bored. The labyrinth of a building winds all the way to the back where there is some secret seating and an outdoor area that reminds me of something straight out of the movie Ferngully. The outside is a perfect area for inspiration, in fact the entire cafe is as well, making it a great place for writers, artist, and others to get some work done. It is usually pretty quiet inside and some sort of Indie music will most likely be playing setting you up for an outstanding coffee shop atmosphere. I've never had a problem with the staff. They will be usually sitting out in one of the booths when you walk in, which really doesn't make for a good first impression but once you realize that this place isn't any ordinary coffee shop and is more of a chill hang out spot then it won't bother you so much. All I can say is that if places like this keep popping up in OTR, with so much character and so much originality I won't know what to do with myself. Hopefully though, it comes to that point because Iris is one of a kind. read more

Iris BookCafé - One many book shelves. - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Lovely, clean, quiet space for coffee and more. A hidden gem in the hidden gem of Cincinnati.

Nice place to go chill and read a book, study or simply just hangout. They have vegan food options and their prices are affordable. I come here once I finish teaching yoga. read more

An adorable outdoor patio, and a relaxing place to get a coffee or bagel. Tried three items today with a friend: a bialy bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon on an everything bagel, and a hot chocolate. All 3 items were delicious, especially the hot chocolate. Our bill was only $12, a steal for OTR. Dog friendly in the patio as well! read more

I don't know how this place has 5 star reviews, or maybe it once was deserving of that rating. But my experience last week grossed me out. I didn't venture past the counter into the back space but I was ready to get out as soon as my tea was brewed. I didn't try to food. Why not? Because the front room was dirty and the tables looked like they have never been replaced. Bottomed our cushions and warped tables. The book shelves with used records and books needed major dusting. I'm down with cluttered dusty record stores, but I don't feel like dining in them and that's the vibe this place gave. read more

Came in on Sunday for the first time in about two years. I remember Iris being a very cozy spot downtown with great, healthy food choices. If you want a cutesy place with vegan pastries, smoothies, coffee, lunch, books, records... Well, here it is! There is a beautiful outdoor area for the warmer days, but the space inside is just as nice. Our mistake was bringing in 6 people to eat lunch when only 1 person was working. They were out of a couple things that we were interested in, but overall the menu was still full and was able to satisfy everyone. We sat in the back room and had to wait about half on hour for our food, so I wouldn't recommend coming here if you are on a time crunch! The food itself is good! I tried the veggie chili as well as the cream of asparagus soup and both were pretty tasty. I would also totally recommend coming and simply finding a good book to buy because you have a TON of options! read more

This place used to be a favorite of mine in cincy, foods always good and they have a beautiful outdoor space. But after my last visit i do not know if ill be back anytime soon. My food was still great but customer service really leaves a lot to be desired. My friends and I after waiting for a few minutes to be greeted at the front were met with "what do you need", the worker spoke with us briefly and it seemed to her like us coming in was a huge inconvenience, literally waited 20-30 for a cold sandwich to come out...I would totally understand if they were busy but there was one other person in the store. All in all I was extremely disappointed, probably won't be back for awhile :( read more

FAVORITE coffee shop. Most affordable too if all downtown coffee. A wonderful outdoor seating area. GREAT food; my favorite is the egg salad sandwich. It's all made in house, and it tastes wonderful. A whole bunch of vegan options. Everyone will find something they'd like. The owner is also very nice. I can't say enough good things about this place read more

I am a fan of Iris Book Cafe! These are the reasons: 1) great ambience/seats; 2) great coffee, tea, and soup;3) great services and great guests! My husband is an artist and I am a graduate student. We love visiting this coffee shop on the weekends. There I usually do my writing and reading, and my husband does his drawing. We usually stay there for at least 3 hours since it is layback and just a nice place to hang out. This coffee shop is surrounded by all kinds of books, including photography, fiction, poetry, play, philosophy, travel, etc. You can buy books (most of them are used books) from the shelves too. This coffee shop is also a gallery, too. There is always an exhibition there. So you can imagine why my husband and I love staying there. We have tried different beverages there. All of them are good! Mocha is great. It has a nicely balanced flavor of coffee and chocolate. Chai Latte is great too! What I like about it is that it is not too sweet. They also brew nice teas made from loose tea leaves. Moroccan tea is nice--very soothing and refreshing. This coffee shop also serves a variety of soup! We tried a Russian soup one time and that was phenomenal! I bet they have a great soup chef! I will try other soups in the future for sure! This coffee shop also have great services. I know two women working there, and they are both very nice. They take our orders promptly and bring our beverages to our table. Overall, we will continue to visit this coffee shop regularly! :) read more

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Favorite spot: outside seating in the back Favorite drink: Fruit smoothie (mangos, strawberries, soy milk, and orange juice) Favorite barista: they're all awesome! Favorite soup: vegan chili It's about time I leave a review for one of the coolest bookstores and chill spots in Cincinnati. I try to make it down to Iris's once a week, when I need a break from the overcrowded Clifton coffee shops, or when I'm in need of some quality people watching and a different atmosphere to study in. Their menu incorporates foods from a number of local businesses, including ice cream from Aglamesis Bro's, as well as sandwiches, soups, and a wide variety of hot and cold drinks of their own. Their smoothies are amazing! I usually stick with one of the fresh scones, which I've been told are made by the owner, and a mug of the Sumatra coffee. I wouldn't come specifically for their food, but if I'm here at lunchtime, I treat myself to a hot bowl of soup or a sandwich every once in a while. They have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, so I usually feel like I have a couple of options. Besides being surrounded on all sides by shelves upon shelves of books, there is also an exciting art or photography display coloring the walls. Since I've been coming to Iris's, they have changed the artwork three times, each one interesting and worldly in its own respect. The outside seating in the back is my favorite during spring and fall and there is plenty of comfortable seating indoors as well. It can be a little cold in the back during the winter months, but they usually have space heaters to help cozy things up. As a regular, I don't have many complaints about Iris's. The music can be a bit loud in the front at times, but you can either ask for them to turn it down or move to the back where it is much quieter. In the winter, the back is cold but, again, they usually have space heaters. I recommend Iris's to anyone looking for a chill spot in Cincinnati to read some books, drink a cup or coffee, get some studying/work done, or meet up with friends! read more

My roommate and I love this place. We used to go every Sunday to have lunch and study. I've tried several of their teas and have never been disappointed. Their food is great as well. I especially love the peanut noodle bowl! Great atmosphere as well! read more

Iris BookCafé - Bookstores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Friendly staff, cool courtyard, tasty sandwiches, beautiful art, and a great selection of books. I picked up a book published by MOMA to use in my classroom for only $8, which would probably cost around $100 new! read more