If you're looking for the best place to spend an evening in Des Moines, this is it! I'm really starting to love the energy here. The cashier was incredibly friendly and gave me a great introduction to the menu it was such a warm, welcoming start to my visit. I grabbed a spot in a quiet area and went with a Homemade Small Caramel Latte. It was exactly what I was looking for and totally hit the spot. Whether you're looking for a friendly face or just a great place to sit back and enjoy a high-quality coffee, this place is a 10/10. I'm definitely making this a regular stop! read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Homemade small caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

What a cute coffee shop! I loved their Hiland latte. I also appreciate a more environmentally conscious business. There are lots of tables and games and books! Super inviting atmosphere. read more

My son got The Jake, and I got Honey Cinnamon Latte. Delish! Great vibe and ample seating. read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Interior wall - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Love it here!! This place is a hidden gem.. they have lots of coffee options including a menu based on dogs that visited the store! I got the cortado and my friend got an iced latte with blueberry syrup per the dog menu (sounds interesting but we actually both loved it!!). There's plenty of tables and lots of stores nearby if you want to grab your drink to-go and walk the block. read more

We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon. There was no wait. My parents had one small hot sea salt caramel latte and I had one medium cold lavender honey latte. The latter was very weak in which none of the flavors were present. I could barely taste lavender, honey, and espresso. read more

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Great coffee shop to get some work done in with great coffee, food, and ambiance. Lots of art and local products. read more

The Slow Down Coffee - I got the honey cinnamon iced latte and the trail mix protein bites. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I came to The Slow Down Coffee from online local recommendations and I'm glad I did! This place opens every day. :) Walking in, it's very spacious with a variety amount of seating available for dine in customers. I would love to note that the aesthetic was very home-like. This cafe is quite a busy location so be prepared for a little crowd. I really love the layout of the coffee bar, as it's very spacious and reminds me a bit like Morning Bell Coffee Roasters. Ordering my coffee was quick and simple as I have ordered the vanilla latte. The barista was kind to have brought it to my table and the latte had a mini latte art, which was a joy. Everything about this place is a great meeting space, study space, or a place to just enjoy your coffee. If interested, they also have a little shop for you to browse at the front. My only complaint is the location. Depending on the time you go, 6th street has some really bad traffic and finding parking is a bit hard. Overall, I can't wait for my next visit at Slow Down Coffee! Will certainly bring a friend next time. read more

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I visited here on a busy Saturday morning and there was a line past the door, but I ordered within 10-15 minutes. I got an iced vanilla chai. The barista was kind and took time to make sure she got my group's orders correct. Our drinks were made quickly. My chai had a lot of cinnamon flavor to it. Seating was hard to come by, but eventually we pulled a few chairs together. There were lots of people studying, reading, playing games, and doing puzzles. They have several merch items and small business items for sale as you wait in line. read more

So many good things to say about The Slow Down Coffee Co.! Where to start.... The menu is fantastic. When I visit a coffee shop for what I call "fancy coffee," I typically get a latte, and The Slow Down does it right. My coffee drinks are well made, taste great, and served by the nicest baristas. Also on the menu are fresh pastries and desserts from local bakers. Love that! Great service, too! Always efficient and friendly. The vibe and atmosphere at The Slow Down Coffee Co. is also welcoming. It always feels good. What I also appreciate about The Slow Down is how supportive they are of the community! Art from local artists is on display, they host game nights, fundraising, and are a safe, inclusive, and welcoming spot for the LGBTQ community. What are you waiting for? Go check them out! read more

This is my first time here and I just happened to stumble upon the place. It's so cute and cozy! There's so much space for seating and hanging out. It's got a great community vibe as well as feels very accepting and inclusive. I got a brown sugar cardamom latte and it was really good. It seems like they have a lot of homemade syrups! I am not normally a coffee fan (because I'll get headaches) but this was a really good drink. The staff are all incredibly friendly and welcoming, and service was pretty speedy. I'll definitely have to come back! read more

AMAZING local coffee shop. Very cozy, with great ambiance and a friendly staff. They have a chocolate orange coffee right now that I can't get enough of, and their lavender lemonade was delicious too. There is a small selection of cookies/sweets near the front counter. When you first walk in you'll see a small area with some books, coffee beans, tea, etc for purchase. I boughtsome Costa Rican coffee beans for home that smelled and tasted very fresh. I also purchased a coffee table book. The curation is really good, and they have simple paper handle bags that make your purchase easy for gifting. Definitely recommend this coffee shop! Wish it was on my way to work so I could get an orange latte every day. read more

Stopped into The Slow Down Coffee for my first Coffee Hop visit. Had an amazing smoked sea salt caramel latte and a blueberry pinwheel that the barista recommended that tasted like it was freshly baked...thus explaining the bites taken out of it in the picture ;) The staff were amazing and knew regular customers by name and looked out for all the men not wearing hats and gloves today lol read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Blueberry Pinwheel and Smoked Sea Salt Caramel Latte with Oatmilk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

My good friend Carly introduced me to this café and I just love it. Their coffee never gives me jitters so you know they have some good stuff. I follow them on Instagram and I have seen how big of a contribution they are to the community.THIS speaks volumes about a business. I honestly have tried various of their drinks and LOVE from their hot teas to their iced coffee. Once you walk in you will be transported into a array of greenery that are also for sale from the art terrarium and other artists goodies. Not to mention their fridge of delicious local packaged food to eat there or grab on the go. Don't get me started they have GLUTEN-FREE BAKED GOODS that are to dieeeeee for, from @thistlessumit. Everything is affordable and you will be sure to find something you love. Definitely recommend to any coffee/ tea connoisseur you won't be disappointed. read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Vanilla matcha latte, taco salad and thistle summits gf cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Went back to Slow Down today & again, affirmed why I love my drive from Ames to DSM to buy coffee from here. I've talked to one of the owners, Drew, a few times & hearing him talk about the heartbeat behind him & his wife opening up slow down and the community connections it's brought- makes me want to buy! more! coffee! I love people who love their neighborhood, talk about a real local coffee shop. Also evident in their prices- $5.75 for an iced 16 ounce flavored latte with oat milk....not many places can beat that pricing! If you come down here for the coffee but don't want to sit, try shopping/browsing at DSM Mercantile a few windows down. I love the vibe (plants, seating, mural)! I love the place. read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Seating area (and my friend Sydney) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Slow down for this coffee, guys! Loved it! Tasty coffee with all your favorite drinks. Ordered the Cinnamon Honey Latte, oak milk - with my friend and it was made just right. I love they offer plant milk options! And syrups are vegan as well. Spent $11.xx for two drinks and gratuity. Cute shop that offers roasted beans and loose leaf teas. Tons of local merch as well. I appreciate that the owners have a heart for community and supporting other makers! Our barista was a sweet gal that had a great personality and loved to chat. Employees were masked. Patrons were masked but ok to be unmasked to enjoy Java goodness! Seating is limited inside during COVID19 season. Maybe 10 seats max in house. They will offer outdoor seating once warmer. The authentic wood floor really caught my attention. Love the decor and ambiance. Their giant plant shelf for Art Terrarium goods is a HUGE convo piece and makes you want to buy. Overall it was a nice experience. And I'm glad to see Highland Park has a really cool coffee shop. Highly recommend! read more

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This was a delightful stop in the middle of a long road trip. The mach wasn't life changing, but it was enjoyable. I was super hungry and wanted something tasty, and with a good amount of fiber. Man, I can't remember exactly what that box was called ... something like "summer grill out box". It was baked beans, and a variety of summer salads. It was crisp and fresh, and well balanced. There were a bunch of options that all look good. I wish these were being made and stocked in my city! read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I live in Ankeny and work downtown so this is a perfect spot to stop on my way to work. Street parking and spots alongside the building are usually open. The busy intersection nearby makes getting to the store a little more hectic, so just be wary when crossing the street! I snagged a spot in the window to relax a while before work. Mornings are busy! The staff is incredibly friendly. I tried an almond croissant and OMG, they slice it open and put almond paste ALL OVER INSIDE. DROOL. It wasn't dry at all. Amazing. Happiness. I also visited another time and had been wanting a jade plant for my home, and guess what? They also sell plants! They work with other local businesses and artists to collaborate and support each other, which I LOVE. The plants are healthy, displayed nicely, and are reasonably priced. They also once invited a Des Moines based games group called The Rook Room to host a pop-up last winter and I bought a delightfully difficult puzzle as a Christmas present for my roommate. It was art from a local artist and the puzzle was made locally too. What a fun way to support local! And lastly, I should probably mention the coffee. I like Americanos, and I think they do a fine job on those (water first, shots on top!). For a while they didn't have a size larger than 16 oz., so I was disappointed because I can down a 20 oz. like no one's business. Those missing 4 oz. often left me wanting. However, after I posted a similar review on Google, they heard me and began offering 20 oz! Now that is great customer service, guys! They really care! All in all, this is a terrific local business in a historic location owned by two hardworking, caring, and amazing business owners Drew and Kara Kelso. read more

The Slow Down Coffee - The insanely difficult puzzle purchased from the Rook Room pop-up. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The shop is really open and they have some local businesses there to buy so it is super great for staying local and shopping. I got a small latte the last time I went in, and it was alright. I would say it's about 75/25 on if you get a great drink or if it tastes a little burnt. Great place for meeting up with friends and having coffee dates. The area offers a lot of great shops so a perfect stop off for a day of exploring. read more

They need to get new portrait posters. I had to sit facing one of the most egregious and it really put me off my coffee, or maybe the bitter coffee affected my mood, hard to tell. read more

I'm so glad someone finally had the idea to put a great coffee shop on the Northside. This place is super cute and full of plants, cinnamon roll Sundays and some great art work! The coffee is great and they have a wide variety of options available! If you're on the north side and looking for americanos, lattes, and seasonal coffee bevvies, the Slow Down is a great option with a chill vibe. Pro tip : go on Sundays and get cinnamon rolls too!! read more

Yummy lattes awesome books and plants and really helpful baristas. Cute decor and logo merchandise read more

Love the vibe of Slow Down laid back with excellent coffee. They have local products to buy as well. Service is friendly and efficient. What more can you want? read more

Cozy atmosphere. Yummy specially espresso drinks. Hip vibe. In an up-and-coming part of Des Moines.

The Slow Down is a new coffee shop in the Highland Park area, with great coffee options and an inviting atmosphere (as pictured). I got a small honey cinnamon latte with oat-milk. They are currently doing carry out only due to Covid-19, but it's worth stopping by to get a cup of coffee to-go! Currently, they are partnering with the Art Terrarium, a houseplant store, and have a variety of plants available for purchase, or to look at while you're waiting for your coffee. I would recommend stopping in! read more

The Slow Down Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

My favorite coffee shop in Des Moines!! Great espresso and the homemade syrups are delicious. They have a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. I love that they host so many types of events/groups each month. Also, the sweets from Thistle and Summit and grab n' go snacks from New World Cafe are the perfect treat or light lunch. read more

A perfect coffee shop environment. The coffee tastes good, the workers are friendly and the atmosphere is everything you're looking for in a local shop. Will definitely be back read more

Excellent coffee! Friendly service, cozy atmosphere :) Cool shop in the highland area of north side DSM read more

I liked the flavor of my mocha. There is a bakery next door and outdoor seating too. The location is nice and a well-kept secret!

Wonderful employees, great tasting coffee, really warm and chill atmosphere. I drive out of my way to get a coffee from here.

We're just shy of a five minute drive from the Slow Down and I wish we lived closer. Excellent service, cool vibes, and great coffee drinks. Don't sleep on their baked goods! The cinnamon rolls and snickerdoodle sandwiches are amazing. read more

Have been following the progress since they decided to make this happen last year. Congratulations to the folks who managed to do all this and survive the pandemic last year. Great to see them partner with other businesses and offer plants and local products. Had the honey cinnamon latte with oat milk - great! Thanks for masking! I really appreciate your taking of your customers and your staff! read more

Lovely place with great coffee done well, croissants were spot on and all within a good vibe environment. The shop also offers local teas and grab'ngo selections of light fare beautifully executed. read more

Nice place to go chill with friends and family. Good coffee and unique snacks. Good feel.

Super friendly service, plenty of free street parking, ample outlets and table...not to mention they serve a couple pastries and lunch items like salads. Ideal study or hangout ambiance. The chai latte was way, way too sweet, but I'll give their drinks another shot. read more

Been to Slow Down Coffee twice this year. The coffee, atmosphere, and hospitality were superb both times. Last week I tried the a vegan salad (I'm not vegan), it was excellent at covering my hunger that morning... and again at home the following evening. read more

Cute new coffee shop in north DSM! Many drink options (I went for an iced chai latte - amazing)! Plenty of seating if you need to work on your laptop, read a book, or chat with a friend. The staff is very friendly and willing to help. Loved the relaxing atmosphere and delicious drink. Will definitely return! read more

A great neighborhood business that is passionate about their craft and community. Have been meaning to make it here since they opened and can promise you we will be back way more often. Such a great experience. read more

This is a nice coffee shop. They sell local items from other small businesses and allow little shops to do pop-ups all the time. I have a feeling this little neighborhood is soon going to be the new "it" place! read more

Super cute inside, plus the owner was kind and welcoming. I'll definitely be going back. The iced pumpkin latte is delicious!

Delicious cold brew, lattes! We shared a muffin and pinwheel pastry as well and they were both delicious. Friendly barista! We stopped on our way out of town after stopping in Des Moines on a road trip and would definitely recommend and will be going back on the way back home! read more