Well there are not to many places that take this great of care of the cup of coffee you are about to drink! Wonderful pour over service, with a smile! Good things come to those who wait! IF you are in a hurry this is not the place for you! But sit down and enjoy the comfy couches or the huge back room with lots of outlets for working! They also do a live Iowa Public Radio show here called Java Blend live from the Java House in Iowa City! These shows are free and are really fun to both watch and I have gotten to play one as well! The food here is great, the staff is wonderful, the bathrooms are clean, and the coffee is about as good as it comes! I love this place! read more

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This is a fantastic coffee shop with delicious drinks and good baked items. The location is convenient and located in downtown Iowa City. Their wifi is usually reliable but spotty on certain days when the shop is packed. Their pour over coffee is the best in the city in my opinion, their other drinks are delicious as well. Java House doesn't exceed in any one area but it's great because it does decent across the board. That is why it's my favorite coffee stop in town. read more

Classic coffeehouse with great vibes! There is way more seating than initially appears, but it can still get pretty busy from what I observed the couple of times I have stopped here while in Iowa City. This is the first coffee shop where I had encountered pour over coffee, and I like it! Although the pour over method is clearly not what you would want when you are in a rush, because it takes more time. I was here to relax, so I thought it was pretty neat! Grab a cup of joe here, sit back, and absorb the atmosphere of Iowa City if you get a chance. read more

If you haven't had a Banana Bread Latte at The Java House in Iowa City, you're not living your life properly. Love this place, and it's organic options! Joe read more

The Java House - Downtown - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

I love this place. I think their coffee is fantastic! I had to visit twice on my recent trip to Iowa City. We ordered a nutty caramel latte and a caramel creme latte because they were recommended by the cashier. They were spot on with their recommendations! I love when that happens! The coffee drinks were yummy. Our teens also had to sample The Java House cinnamon rolls because my teens are all about cinnamon rolls. I think the consensus was they were "ok". read more

Great spot for some excellent brew! Coffee is made while you wait and is definitely worth the time if it's busy. Good selection from drip to froofy and everything in between. My wife digs the HoCho (Hot Chocolate...yes shortened) and with good reason. Lots of area to spread out to study, sit with a book and listen to music or just catch up with friends. Essentials like free internet and newspapers are present so there's no excuse to be there and be out of the loop. Unlike those that get upset and pretend to actually care where the beans come from, most that enjoy Java House try to make coffee as non-pretentious as possible and just enjoy it. If you get upset by answers like, we're telling where we roast our beans, perhaps this isn't your spot - just know that you'll be missing out on some legit Oro Negro in a great location where you can chillax and get away for a bit. read more

Really good coffee and awesome specialty drinks. And it's not too crowded. It's a good place to study. read more

The Java House - Downtown - A vanilla latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Good coffee and yummy pastries. They have a lot to choose from, even if you don't like coffee. They have a ton of study and hang out space! I got a vanilla and lavender iced latte and it was delicious! read more

I love going to Java House in person, so I ordered Java House coffee for some holiday presents. My order was missing a bag of coffee, which is understandable given the high volume of orders they must be processing right now, but customer service responded promptly and enthusiastically. They completed my order the next day and even threw in some stickers! I really appreciate the seamless online shopping experience and can't wait to give the coffee as gifts. read more

What in tarnation is a masala chai tea? That literally translates to "tea tea masala". Whoever owns this establishment clearly is culturally incompetent. Besides the fact, the furniture is dilapidated and run down. The interior vibe is very coffee shop like, with a hint of Goodwill. Overall, their pour overs are better than Starbucks but not by much. The employees make the experience however. Ellys is a friendly face that makes my day every time I come in. Same with the nice boy Seth behind the counter. All in all--their coffee could be better, their music playlist is god awful, and their cakes could be of better quality. Great place to study... but that's if there is any room. read more

LOVE THIS PLACE. I find myself spending hours here studying and drinking either a latte or their delicious iced coffee!! read more

The Java House - Downtown - Sugar cookie latte - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Memo to whoever runs this place. When you post hours online, people actually rely on them for making decisions. For example, suppose your website says you're open until 11:30. So someone, maybe some "customer" ("customers" are what well-run and honest businesses keep, FYI), shows up at 9:50 to order a hot chocolate to sit down for a few minutes and enjoy in the warmth after an extremely long work day. Why, you ask, would some fool show up at 9:50? Gee, maybe because you post hours saying you're open till 11:30. But then, surprise surprise, after the drink and a bite to eat are already ordered and paid for, the barista walks by saying that you're closing in 5 minutes. Because apparently there are Special Secret Hours during Spring Break (extra bonus hint: this occurred the Friday of the week *before* spring break). And then, five minutes later, 1/4 of the hot chocolate consumed, your poor customer is kicked out. The rest of the hot chocolate is thrown away, because, as noted, the entire point of ordering the thing was to take 20 lousy minutes sitting down with a nice warm drink at the end of an extremely long and tiring day. But apparently that's too much to ask for from this ridiculous town in which everything secretly shuts down when the alcoholic undergraduates are gone off sexually assaulting one another in Fort Lauderdale or whatever it is they do on spring break, and all the businesses are run by incompetent dishonest morons who sell people things and then throw them out before they can be consumed. I almost called my credit card company to see if they would reverse the charge on the stupid hot chocolate. But that seemed even more petty than this yelp review. This yelp review (and never again patronizing your dumpster fire of a business), on the other hand, seems exactly the right amount of petty. read more

Java House on E Washington is probably one of the best places in downtown Iowa City for enjoying a well-made, single-origin pourover, as long as you don't mind a little coffee roaster mystery mixed in for good measure. The very successful brainchild of a coffee-loving local, Tara C., who journeyed to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1990s determined to bring coffeehouse culture and quality roasted beans to the Midwest, she seems largely to have filled a niche and now operates 9 Java Houses (or Huts, in the case of the kiosks) either on the University of Iowa campus (6) or in the downtown area and its surroundings (3). At one time, JH also operated a coffee spot inside the independently owned Prairie Lights bookstore, but this is not the case anymore (PL's current cafe operators serve Stumptown Coffee, in case you are keeping score). This location is close to the Sheraton, the public library, and the pedestrian mall brimming with good shops, bars, and restaurants (like One Twenty-Six and Atlas). It opened early in terms of Java House's storied history (October 1994) and remains I think its flagship, so if you're new to town or just passing through, I'd recommend beginning here before branching out to another location. Fair Grounds Coffeehouse, on nearby S. Dubuque St, serves coffee roasted locally in town by Cafe del Sol, while High Ground Cafe, on E Market St, offers coffee pourovers and espresso service using Kickapoo Coffee, a highly regarded small-batch roaster in Wisconsin. Confused enough already? You should be! Coffeehouses are big business in university towns like Iowa City, and I would imagine that after 22 years of continuous operation, Java House has a bit of a reputation to uphold and no doubt a couple of skeletons in the closet that are best kept hidden. Fortunately, you as a coffee consumer don't need to worry about all this insider intrigue; all you need to do is choose a good cup. My advice is to steer clear of the house blends (Giant of the Earth, American Gothic, St. Louis Blues) and flavored options (the less said on this subject the better) and stick with "for here" 16 oz. pourovers from their Organic and Conversation Brews lists, which vary daily. They are made right next to the payment screen on a 9-cup station where each station has a number and seasonal art card/postcard for you to follow the status of your brew (Halloween movies were the theme when I visited). Basically, they will fill your cup (to-go or a large white mug) to the top unless you cry "uncle" to save room for cream or sugar (why you would do this for a good single-origin eludes me, though). If you have experience at any of the Philz coffee spots in the San Francisco bay area, Java House's made-to-order pourover menu will seem familiar, although with fewer blends to choose from that at Philz. On two recent morning visits (JH opens bright and early at 6 am), I got swift service, found perfect seating (the place is awash in antique furnture and hip artwork), and best of all enjoyed excellent cups of coffee: a Nicaraguan single-origin organic and a superb Kenyan single-origin, which (based on its 94 Coffee Review rating) may have been courtesy of Madison's top-rated roaster, JBC, their outstanding Ichamama Nyeri. But then again, maybe the 5-lb. JBC bag clandestinely spotted behind the counter was just there for show, to confuse caffeinated snoopers like myself. So, mystery solved? Truth be told, I don't really care. It was enough to get well-made coffee at reasonable prices (ca. $3.50 for the organic, around $4 after tax for the conversation brew) and while the hefty 16oz. white ceramic mugs aren't exactly elegant ways to showcase coffee of this quality (akin to drinking a Napa mountain Zinfandel out of a Dixie cup), who am I to judge? I'll enjoy a $5 cup of coffee in hand-thrown, unglazed ceramic cups at Sightglass or Four Barrel, but the next time I'm in Iowa City, I won't hesitate to return here - early enough to avoid the crowds - waiting in line for another well-made cup. Thanks, Java House, for keeping the coffee house tradition alive and well in yet another American town! read more

Last night I went in to get a latte so I could get some work done. I walk in and see how two baristas are running around-- on their own-- keeping calm and trying their best to get everyones orders finished and keep a smile on their face. I couldn't believe how nice they were. Even when I saw a few customers being short and rude to them they maintained a smile and kept their cool. Its honestly one of the great things I love about Java-- the people. The girl at the counter with curly hair and glasses was very nice and although there were very rude customers before me she maintained a good attitude and served me with a smile. Thats what I call excellent customer service! I believe her name was Kate. Even the barista was nice and we conversed in upbeat light conversation which is always nice. Thank you for your excellent customer care and for not letting other customers ruin your mood for future interactions. Can't wait to stop back! read more

The place is crowded but so cozy and a great place to have a cup of coffee w a friend. U can also bring ur laptop to finish up an assignment they have great internet!! Only thing that I'm sad about is that I had a spicy curry soup a weak ago and it was so good but they dont have it anymore GET THE SPICY CURRY SOUP PLZZZ read more

Coffee is great, scones are great, the place is packed (which suggests that it's really good, but which also makes it kind of annoying to try to hang out and talk over a coffee). It's best if you're looking for better stuff than Starbucks but aren't planning to try and camp out for an afternoon and surf the web. read more

Andrew T. Was a straight baller, that bro was killing it. Man he can make me coffee any day, hell he can make me anything, he was sassy but like in a sweet way. I mean, I just wanna hang out with him, dude needs a employee of the month placard, made me feel like a king. read more

Yeah, it is a coffee house. Yes, it has drip coffee, individually brewed when you order it. There are different blends of coffee, unlike StarFucks where you get one or two. The teas are excellent, and my cardamom mocha was outstanding. Blah fucking blah. Now that we got the mundane part of the review done, let's get to the REAL reason why this place deserves 5 stars. Holy muthafuckin hell. HOT GUYS GALORE!!! Why haven't any of you muthafuckers told me that Iowa City is hoarding all the hot midwestern men? And they all seem to gather at the Java House? OMG!! I was like a kid in a candy store... or, a homo in a bathhouse. Pick your analogy. Barista, I will take the skinny hipster-ish looking guy along with a side of that hunky frat boy, extra whipped please. And while you are creating this delicious combo, I will also take YOU to go for an after rendezvous. Yes, that is my husband standing next to me. No, he doesn't mind. Faaahhck man, I just want to live in Iowa City. P.S. This review marks my return to swearing and filthy language. Big fucking thank you, Java House! read more

I don't drink much coffee, but if I did, I wouldn't go here to get it because the customer service is so annoying and frustrating. I find myself gritting my teeth if I have to go here. I get the hipster coffee snob vibe they are trying to project, but there is a line that Java House employees definitely cross. Instead of achieving the desired atmosphere, they are just rude as hell. The staff act like they are too good to serve you, which is their job. What isn't their job is being faux intellectual asshats that don't give a crap about customer satisfaction. read more

I'm a coffee snob - didn't mean to be but I am. I asked the barista where the beans were roasted because that stuff is interesting to me, and I was told that it is kept a secret. For any establishment selling anything, it is just odd and suspicious that they don't want to share where the product comes from. You would hope they would have pride about where these beans come from or where they are roasted. They're either ashamed that they buy coffee beans from hotel vendors OR they're going through bean distributors that are paying an unfair wage to coffee farmers. My vote? BAD BUSINESS. read more

Great place to grab a cup of coffee. Lots of plugs for your computer. Plus a patio to enjoy your morning coffee. And, the Pokestop from the Englert next door extends to the patio area so you can lure while you enjoy your coffee. Don't forget that you can park free for 1 hour in the parking garage right close by. read more

Awwwwwww. . . Hi Java House! Glad to see you're still alive and well. I'd like to formally thank you for helping fuel my sleep-deprived self through my last 2 years of undergrad, which I did at U of I. Oh yes, you housed me well during many hours of reading, Chinese study groups & small meetings with professors. The delightful staff were among my first friends in Iowa City. I was a new arrival from San Francisco, all complete with a shaved head full of wind-salted ideals. I remember snowflakes on eyelashes melting into hot, tasty coffee, warming my insides as I settled into a cozy chair. . . read more

I used to come here over 10 years ago when I lived in Iowa City and try to stop in every time I am in town, the one thing I've noticed over all these years is that the shop does not change.. it's good though, I mean if it works don't break it, right? The staff are friendly, the coffee is delicious and there's PLENTY of seating including a room that's quiet that is intended for studying. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

I went to a "the Java House" in Des Moines, it was a lot better. But I'm in Iowa City. Sunday trying to study at 10:00am, UI seemed to discourage students to hard work on school stuff so no library until 11:00am. Needing wifi and a morning drink to get awaken anyways so bf suggested the Java House. Turned out the students are a lot more motivated then the school thought to be - the Java House was very busy. The atmosphere itself reminded me of the one in Des Moines, indy try to look contemporarily city like place. Not a bad start. There were two registries open so we didn't wait long to be served - NOT! The dude who try to get our order is either new or plain incompentent of the task. I asked for a barry creme frappe and bf got a chai and bagel sandwich, for here. The order itself took him about 5 mins to type. Then "I need to give you a number", then "I can't find a number", then the girl took the number...what kind of coordination this is for a expectedly busy coffee place? Finally the chaos got taken care of. We found a bigger table to sit down. Wifi took F.O.Rever to get on, but if you're patient you will get it. There were 3 order of chai coming out about the same time, and all they did was to yell the drink (not like the name of the drink owner or something) at the store, which is okay - but what is the point of that stupid number system? We thought since we get a number, the stuff will be delivered, it was just the sandwich. So I went up and pick up my frappe and picked one out of the three iced chai standing there. "Oh, the one to go is with the frappe order". To go, that's right. I was like whatever and trying to put lid on my drink, and feeling bad cuz a bunch of other folks was trying to retrieve their drink yet was as confused as what was what on that little counter. The frappe was overfilled with creme (thanks for the generosity) so lid went on = drink spills everywhere. This blew my mind - while the customers (esp. me standing in front of them) are trying to figure out what they ordered out of the 10 drinks placed on a congested counter, one girl made this legendary looking (not) latte and had another girl taking picture for it, completely ignoring the waiting line. I was so pissed I was like, excuse me? Girls got the cue and went Oh sorry and whipped my drink. Sandwich came over eventually after all another layer the confusion - the sandwich delivering girl was given the wrong number. How ironic. After seeing her running around the place twice, I had to finally grab her. Food and drink wise - I can only say for the bagel sandwich and it was very delish! The pastry, to me, is just over priced with consider the portion. Maybe they are sooooo good but I don't think I'll come back and give another try... Who the heck manage this place? Your shop would have so much potential (you charge more than what a local Starbucks would charge but I am willing to support you b/c you no Starbucks) Your management is terrible, your staff are incapable of their job which truly boils down to your terrible management skill. I would strongly recommend you to get a management degree, not sure what you got (or you got anything at all). read more

The coffee is burnt nine times out of ten, and to make things mysterious they will not reveal the origins of their beans. Their teas are spectacular to say the least, as are their baked goods. Every barista there is a sexy emo-type that wants nothing more than to drink the beverages they are slinging and smoke a bit of the gange. As with any coffee house there is a large deposit of smugness floating in the strata. I recommend meeting friends here to count North Face logos, not attending the crunchy live music events and definitely avoid looking at the Lasanskys. read more

I seek fine espresso. This may be one of the better ones in iowa city, but the attitude of the baristas can ruin the experience. Perhaps they're simply short-sighted in understanding the role of "un cafe". Grateful my local Mars Cafe and Zanzibar (Des Moines) provide an excellent espresso experience. read more

Great coffee but the internet is consistently bad and it's hard to find a table. Lets start with the fare. Coffee is phenomenal. It is pour over, so you will have to wait a while while yours drips down but its well worth the wait. Get a Giant of the Earth, my favorite coffee roast in town! Pastries are expensive but good. The downside is this place is really popular. People park for hours so its not uncommon to not be able to find a seat. Additionally the internet is AWFUL. Without hyperbole its maybe the worst location in terms of wifi consistency. This is a deal breaker for me with regards to studying here. That said, if you are just looking to hang out and get some wonderful coffee check it out! read more

This is one of the best coffee houses I've visited. Ever. The Java House is a gem. The coffee quality is top-notch and the service is good. You can choose from an espresso drink or their drip coffee, which is made by the cup so you can choose from a variety of blends and it's always fresh. It's a college town, so be ready for it to be packed with students writing/typing/talking away. There are plenty of places to sit, but spots with a table are hard to come by because of the students. If you don't need to sit and work, take your coffee to go and go people-watch on the ped mall! read more

Try an ice tea with a little heavy cream! A secret ingredient to quench your thirst! Girl at the counter on Wednesday afternoon was awesome even though her manger was not kind. read more

The SPACE here is fantastic. I would have liked more window seating overall, but the food was good, and there is so much seating. If you like to have your own table and just power through, this is the place for you. The ordering system is very confusing, however, with the drinks going under a 1-10 numbering system that does not seem to be announced once it "comes up." The labels above have cool pictures, but on the first try I didn't realize that they had this odd system until my coffee was cold. The staff is super personal, but the system seems too complex to manage. read more

Had a Mediterranean chicken melt and it was DELICIOUS! Great customer service! Thank you

I get why Java House is popular. It was one of the first independent coffee shops in Iowa City, and offers a warmer and more inviting experience than Starbucks or (shudder) Caribou. It also does made to order pour over coffee, which is a fantastic change from what you'll get at Starbucks. Fresh coffee is the best coffee. The atmosphere is quirky, which I appreciate. The lamps on the table are a nice touch that add charm, and overall the setting is one that is inviting and unique. I can understand why Java House is routinely listed as one of the best college coffee shops, etc. It's a good place to get work done. And the coffee itself is above average. I've never tried the espresso drinks, but the pour over is well done and the baristas working the pour over station are appropriately attentive. They even have a Kyoto cold press tower on display, but I'm not sure if they ever use it. And yet, I don't come here often, and I've been trying to figure out why. If this were my only option for coffee in Iowa City aside from Starbucks, then I bet I would visit a lot, and be satisfied. But there are multiple options that I prefer in Iowa City (High Ground; Prairie Lights Times Cafe) and Coralville (Waterstreet; Press Coffee Company). One reason could be the beans: at the other locations, I know where the beans come from and how they were sourced, whereas at Java House that information isn't disclosed. It could also be the traffic: at Java House, it often feels like a rush or assembly line, where internet use is curtailed so that the next customer can be cycled through the door. In short, this place is a cool independent coffee shop that reflects the character of Iowa City. But I don't think it's the best coffee, or coffee shop, in town. read more

Java house has great coffee, maybe the best coffee in Iowa city. Pastries are just ok if you're into that. The downtown location has very poor Wi-Fi, if you need to do some work on your computer you might as well just go somewhere else. On a side note, there's quit a bit of homeless people here as well. read more

When I lived in IC this was my favorite spot to hang. Crafty baristas making my soy lattes shine like magic. Tasty roasts all of the time and cleanest coffee shop restrooms! Always! This is a real coffee shop experience. I truly miss Java House so much being in DSM now. Don't know what you got til it's gone. read more

Mornings before people head into work can get busy. So if you are in a rush, plan accordingly. As parking in DT IC is always a b!tch too. Its down in the PedMall right near Englert theatre. Window seating, tables, lounges, chairs, couches throughout the back and and backroom. Great for WiFi and chillax. However, people fight for laptop outlets. Nice rotating wall art. Nice selection of drips as well as your normal fair of drinks and specialty ones. Average prices. I prefer the All-nighter.. 5 shots of expresso... yeah babyzzzzzz (shake jitter shake) Knowledgeable and friendly baristas. Great eats too. You can also buy beans, grounds, mugs, etc. read more

Pros: 1. Excellent selection of pour over coffee - they have a rotating conversation brew that changes every few hours throughout the day. Great way to try some solid coffee. 2. The bakery items are always excellent with great variety. Special shout out to their delightful sugar cookies. 3. Free wifi. 4. Connected with the Heirloom Salad Company to get lunch and a drink at the same time. 5. Great loose leaf tea selection - they steep it for you there on the spot. Cons: 1. I personally do not like the style of the Java House side, much prefer the clean modern look of the Heirloom Salad side. 2. Since they use loose leaf tea (see pro #5 above), they do not give you the tea to resteep later. As a side note, they can be extremely busy during the school year, but are very open during the summer with fewer students around. read more

The espresso drinks are the best in town. No one else can get a white mint mocha just right like JH can. And, java coolers make my week. Pastries are delicious, though slightly overpriced. The service is terrible. It's slow and they are often inconvenienced by you being there. Usually impossible to find a table unless you get there super early. read more

They have great studying spots and I enjoy doing group projects here. However, if you're looking for good coffee I wouldn't recommend you stop here. There are many better coffee spots to chose from in this area if you enjoy a good cup of coffee (whether it's a latte, pour over, or cappuccino). But I keep coming here for the good atmosphere they have. Just wish they had good coffee to go along with it! read more

Very spacious and delicious coffee. The pourover bar was a very cool touch and something I haven't really seen before. I also enjoyed how they got the order before I got up to the register. I got the conversation coffee, which I'm not quite sure what exactly it was, but it suited my palate fine. I would've liked to see more of a variety among the coffee, going into single origins instead of just 5 blends (ranging from very dark to somewhat light). For this reason alone, I have to knock off a star. Everything was delicious though, and the next time I'm in Iowa City, I will definitely stop by again. read more

It's ... so ... big! And yes, that IS what she said because I just said it. Their coffee and espresso taste properly brewed - no burnt flavor or bitter aftertaste. Well done, baristas. We had coffee and tea drinks and they were all done well. We liked how friendly everyone was and how cozy and extensive the seating is. If I for some reason had to move to the Midwest, I'd seriously consider Iowa City for the Java House alone. Rockin'! read more