I've been a semi-regular here throughout my college and post-grad career and I just had my last Iowa dinner here--I must say that I will miss it dearly! Food- freaking top notch, as always!! Tonight I had the vegetable rigatoni. I asked if I can add meat and I was able to add chicken to it. It was made with roasted squash alfredo sauce with a plethora of summer vegetables! I was so full but I forced myself to keep eating and spoon the rest of the sauce Into my mouth. My bf had the wood grilled salmon with black rice and wow!! Also incredible!! Then we had tiramisu and it's scrumptious. Need I say more? Service- always great! I've had to wait as long as 40 min before but the food is always worth it. Tonight we had no wait since it's summer. Our server was very friendly and super helpful when I had menu questions. I've never had an issue with service here! Ambience- casual yet romantic. Great place for a date or just hanging out with friends. Overall, I cannot recommend this place any more highly! GO HERE AND EAT THEIR FOOD! read more

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Okay so first off it took over 25 minutes for the server to take our order and the restaraunt was overall empty. When she finally came over after we had to ask for her, I asked if I could substitute a different side due to a severe allergy. She was very uneducated on the sides that contained gluten and offered options to me that I was unable to eat. I had chose a side and then asked her if it was gluten free and she said it wasn't so good thing I asked. Then when my food came out, it came with the bread on top of it and contaminated my meal. Next, the person I was with ordered a burger and our waitress never asked how she wanted it cooked. It came out practically raw with blood all over the plate and the all burger was alreayd soggy. She then took a very long time to come back to our table and didn't apologize for the mistakes. Overall, it would have been good if we had good service, the food was cooked all the way, and didn't have the food that causes an allergy on my plate. read more

The Cafe - Raw burger - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

I've ate here many times and 87% of the time I love it 5/5 service. But whenever I encounter the cafe area I am always treated with little respect. The last time my girlfriend and I went in we were in the booth right next to the counter and our waitress hardly came by to refill water and juices, ask how our meal was or if we needed anything. When we arrived there was no wait and most of the cafe section was open. Today I got short answered, side eyed along with a 3/4 cup of orange juice from the cafe. If I'm paying 5.25 for a large OJ please fill it read more

The Cafe - FILL YOUR DRINKS ‼ - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Consistently the BEST restaurant in Ames. Highly recommend. This is our go-to place for a great experience, constantly changing menu. You will not go wrong selecting The Cafe. read more

I have come here for years and have always had a great experience. Went to the cafe last week and I had a server named Addie or Addison I believe. She was absolutely terrible. I heard her talking to another server (she was tall with long dark hair) while waiting for a table and she was cussing up a storm about another server and then I later heard her talking about the old ladies at the booth over from my wife and I in a negative manner! She also didn't bring us water for about 15 minutes or so after waiting an hour on the wait list and greeted us with attitude when we asked her a question about the drink menu! So incredibly disrespectful and uncalled for!!! I don't know who hires people here but I have come here since for years and now I do not think I will return because of this young lady. read more

Favorite restaurant in Ames! Love the rotating menu and always a good drink selection and cozy environment.

The food was delicious. The atmosphere was wonderful. And the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Favorite place in Ames! Whether sitting in the dining area, or grabbing a seat at the bar or deli side, everything here is fantastic! A must try when in Ames! read more

On Saturday my family and I decided to go to The Cafe. We had never been before and it was a horrendous experience. We had a server named Addie (I saw a review about her lower, makes sense to me now.) She was the worst. Had an attitude when speaking to us and did not know Fish Tacos were on the menu! How embarrassing!!!! She was also extremely slow and did not act like she cared to be there. How this girl is still employed is beyond me. After you heard her talking about other servers and older ladies literally around a week ago??? This place SUCKS! DO NOT COME HERE! read more

Awesome place! The food is phenomenal, I've been going every weekend and never disappoints!! There was a small mishap and the server accidentally got some food on me, and they offered to dry clean my pants and paid for mine the two other people I went to lunch with's meals. The server apologized and I appreciated the kind gesture, it was no problem!! read more

I finally made it to The Cafe! Great menu items and specials but I decided to go with the Pizza! Our server was very nice and we did get Carrot Cake after. It was a lunch meeting so no time for beer or wine but I saw quite a few people Making time! read more

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My favorite place to go to when my family is in town. I wish they were open more often because their food is so consistently good and the service is amazing. read more

We ordered fish tacos and the Ancient Grain Bowl with chicken- 5/5!!! Some of the best food we have had- just delicious! Service was outstanding and the outdoor seating was perfect for a beautiful day. read more

We recently spent the weekend in Ames. When another local breakfast place was super busy (thank goodness), we decided to try The Cafe. We had the BEST brunch - it was a Sunday morning. The food was delicious. I had the bacon and sweet corn omelette. It was sooooo good. The sweetness of the corn balanced the bacon, and the omelette was light and fluffy. The potatoes were super savory with onions and peppers added. Our waitress was attentive but never pushy. We sat outside and enjoyed the atmosphere very much. So wish this restaurant were in our hometown!! read more

This is the best place to go in Ames if you are looking for a yummy brunch, fancy date night or dinner with your parents. The menu rotates seasonally and features produce from local farmers. Appetizer, entrees, honestly you can't go wrong. Try to save room for dessert-if you can save room that is! The cake and pastry selection is sweet and buttery in all the right places. If you weren't able to save room, take it to go. You won't regret it! Korean Breakfast Bowl, Shrimp and Grits and the Banana Carmel Cake are some of my all-time favorites. read more

The Cafe - I always make a point to stop by the dessert case to drool over the cakes and pastries! Banana Carmel Cake is all-time goodness - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Luv going to the cafe great services and food always friendly and great music selection.

If I'm ever in the area, this is one of the places I stop for food. There are a couple reasons why. 1) The bakery: from the cookies which are delicious - the cherry chocolate was a favorite of one of my former bosses, to the cakes and galettes and everything in between, they make some great stuff here. 2) The Menu changes fairly often which is great. This goes for both breakfast and lunch. If you haven't tried the breakfast quesadilla when it's on the menu or the fish tacos, you are missing out. The drinks are also pretty good. Really you can't go wrong with a place like this. read more

Stopped here for breakfast this morning. Lovely space with great service. Hubby and I both had the Denver omelette which was light and fluffy and filled with delightful cheese and ham and peppers and onions. One of the best omelettes I've had in ages. The potatoes were hot and crispy and the artisan toast was a treat. Highly recommend! read more

Came to have brunch at 10:35 on a Saturday morning, we were told they couldn't serve us breakfast and they don't start lunch til 11 so we could wait 25 minutes for a lunch menu. Can't believe we couldnt get food at 1030 on a Saturday at a breakfast/lunch cafe. read more

Super cute restaurant in Ames! Staff was welcoming and friendly. Due to COVID, we sat outside as an extra precaution. Ordered the Umami burger, Chorizo skillet, and creme brûlée and everything was delicious! Super fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to go back! read more

I love their Mac n Cheese & deserts. But I want to let you know, the restaurant menu changes more frequently then anyone can think. So I only love their Mac n Cheese I have tried their sandwiches(Chicken n Veggie) not a fan! I would love going there to have deserts, mouth watering cheesecakes, My personal fav is mouuse cakes, tiramisu. No Phone network. read more

Wow! What a delicious breakfast we just had. We had the Veggie skillet and BMT omelette. Both items were fresh and cooked perfectly and Grace gave us great service. read more

Great food and very cozy atmosphere. The service was spot on. Can't wait to go back.,

Love the food at this restaurant. Have to get carrot cake but everything I have had has been delicious!

Best place in Ames, IMO. Food is great, servers are great, ambiance is great. I love the private booth setting. They hire top-notch talent. read more

Such a great atmosphere and every single member of the staff was sweet as can be. Loved the food. Desserts are amazing. Wish they would offer small portions of them so one could try MANY desserts vs just one. read more

The food is fantastic! I love their healthy options too. Cozy atmosphere and great service! read more

The Cafe - Their salads are wonderful! - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Amazing food every time i go and they have wondeful coffee!

Selection is always diverse. Always good food. Take great care of customers. And the dessert. Great location and setting. And I like the background music. read more

Excellent breakfast menu. Food is wonderful. We had the spinach and mushroom omelette and pancakes today. We love that they have a patio so we can bring our dog. read more

First visit here. Dog friendly outdoor seating. Inside is clean. Even though we were the only ones outside the service was still fast. Small selection of decent craft brews. Menu was a bit small on selection but the food was delicious. I would come back. read more

First time to eat here. Excellent service even though busy. Can sit outside or at bar. The big green with tofu was awesome!! Probably didn't need to add the pan fried sweet and salted tofu since the walnuts was meaty enough. They even asked if I wanted to take off the cheese and assumed correctly that I was vegan . How considerate!! What a plus! The bread was amazing! My wife said her fish tacos were amazing and the beans and rice were out of this world!!! Will definitely keep coming back. read more

The Cafe - Big green salad with added tofu - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Extremely local and fresh ingredients make for an ever changing menu and delights! Staff is always very professional and welcoming!

Omg, such delicious and fresh tasting food. I had the oatmeal and my boyfriend had the breakfast sandwich. the cappuccino and orange juice were so good! Definitely recommend. Also it is not too pricey for the college students around town read more

The Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Stopped at The Cafe to get my absolute favorite breakfast, farm fresh eggs. This always comes out still hot and exactly how I like it. We asked our server, Kelsey, if we could split the meal and to our surprise she was able to bring it out on two separate plates already split in the back! It was a great surprise and we were so grateful for how attentive Kelsey was. She was energetic and well versed, being able to answer all of our questions even though she mentioned that she's relatively new so we were blown away. The Cafe never disappoints and I take all of my friends from out of town to this Ames staple! read more

Website mentions a chicken fried steak. Came in to a small booth with a BRUNCH menu with like 8 choices to choose from and none of them chicken fried steak. Did not eat anything. Tea was good tho. Asked for unsweet tea with Sweet N Low sweetener. Waitress did not know what "Sweet N Low" sweetener was. Very disappointed in first time experience as I left a cafe hungry. :-( read more

Really love the Cafe Great food, wonderful spot to meet your friends good atmosphere Highly recommend

Great place in Ames for a fancy breakfast. They an amazing coffee program and please don't skip the peanut butter pie.

A piece of carrot cake and some avocado toast with some coffee and I'm set. I'm from Chicago and we have a plethora of amazing breakfast and this is the best breakfast I've ever had. Great service, cute spot, and stellar breakfast! read more

The Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Ames - and also vies for position on my list of favorite restaurants anywhere. I make it a point to go here whenever I'm in town. The cork tables, the undertones of class combined with rustic food makes this a unique staple of North Ames. The cucumber martini is just one example of the Cafe's ability to combine the nicer things with a comfortable charm. And FYI, the Cafe does have a bar. It's tucked away behind the dining area. Sure, it's a little confusing at first but that's part of what makes it a special place. Once you're in the know, you'll be even more of a fan. read more