University Library Cafe may be a bar, but showing up late morning before noon felt like discovering the quiet study section before the crowds arrived. The funny part? Once the food hit the table, everyone suddenly got focused and very quiet. Shhh like we are in a library! Apparently we were all majoring in comfort food with a concentration in burgers, fries, and bar food done right. Nothing fancy here, just great service, generous portions, and food that earns an A+ in comfort. You definitely will not leave hungry! read more

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Well we came back on a Sunday for breakfast and I am so glad that we did! The place was happily crowded and we lucked out with a clean and ready booth, just before the bigger crowds started rolling in! Between the bartender and the 2 folks taking orders and serving the food the place was well covered and the tables were turning over at a nice pace. It was fun to see the food parade and the crowded bar, and everyone in easy conversations. We started off with their signature LIBRARY LATTE - Vanilla Vodka, Irish Cream, RumChata, and Cold Brew Coffee for $9, these are both dangerous and delicious! My mom ordered the bacon and mushroom omelette with potatoes and a pancake $13 + 1 on the side. Kimee ordered the biscuits and gravy $11 with eggs and I got the eggs Benedict $13 with the salmon +$3 (wow) and side of potatoes. The order came out quite quickly and everyone was really happily eating in no time. Honestly this breakfast has to contend as one of the best in Des Moines! It was packed and standing room only when we left! We have plotted a new route already planning our next visit! Side note. They are still waiting on getting the beer cooler repaired. read more

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Really cramped inside so not super plus size friendly, but I was thankful to get the big booth on the corner. Amazing food, worth the price. Waitress was really busy and wasn't super attentive but she was polite and accurate with our orders so it all worked out :)) Really want to try this place out at breakfast time soon. Great Moscow mules with a ton of flavor options, one of my favorites in DSM so far (other than copper cup, of course!!). read more

University Library Cafe - View from booth in corner - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Ordered the Denver omelet. Easily the BEST Denver omelet I've ever had. Service was great and the price is hard to beat.

The waitress was awesome at recommending us a drink, did not disappoint. Very small inside, lucky we got a table. Best sandwich of my life! read more

University Library Cafe - Library Vegetarian Melt & Homemade Macaroni and Cheese - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We love coming here on the weekends for breakfast (wish they had it during the week too, but sadly just a Saturday-Sunday thing). Our go to is the breakfast burrito. Today was a cold and snowy day so it wasn't very busy but be prepared to wait since there is limited seating and they seem to have a good set of regulars as well as a rep for being a good morning place. Their have a solid line up of burgers and other typical bar food too, which is also worth coming in for. Be sure to check out the specials board! read more

University Library Cafe - Breakfast burrito. - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Stopped in for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Place is tight but was able to get a table for five. Friendly service from bartender and waitress from start to finish of meal. Heaping portions of food combined with very tasty bloody Mary's! Pro tip get the breakfast burrito or the chicken fried steak. read more

Great, reasonably priced apps, sandwiches and specials. Always good service, tucked into a small building near Drake. Good conversation and great drinks. Only problem is parking....not a lot of it, particularly since Des Moines decided to dreadfully renovate University Ave. read more

Still very good! Service and food were great, and the selection really has something for everyone. I went for a burger this time and it was one of the better burgers i've had in a while. The onion rings were homemade and tasty, and my wife had the Crab Cake Sandwich, which was amazing--and a great deal as it was stuffed full of crab with barely enough filler to hold together its deliciousness! The fries were also hot and tasty. We both got mixed drinks and they were very nicely prepared. read more

Extremely bad service in the ways of decorum, professionalism, and respect for consumer. Would not recommend unless you're EXTREMELY hungry and have a BIG wallet. The last time I talked to a service member there was very anti-LGBTQ. read more

The Library is one of those places we always take people when they are in town. The food is always great, the atmosphere is cozy and fun, and the service is great. People are kind, and everyone is there to have a laid back, fun night. The burgers are always good, but at the waitress' recommendation, we have recently tried the Turkey Sandwich and The Ruben and they are both incredible. Also, the fried cheese curds with ranch are always a must have, especially for out of towners. read more

Great breakfast Saturday & Sunday, awesome service, not a big place , but cool local restaurant & bar read more

University Library Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This was a favorite when in law school at Drake (down the street). I had dinner there yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that they still have the best rueben in town and a great selection of dark beers on tap. The Library is a real gem. read more

Their breakfast burrito ROCKS!!! And it's huge. Service is fast and excellent. Wish they were open for breakfast every morning but then again I would pack on some serious weight. read more

Tried this place for the first time last week, and I'm glad I finally went. Chicken nachos!!!! Meatloaf sandwich!!!!! read more

This is a cozy little dive with quirk and heart. This place is cool but small. If there is a loud person in the place you will get to know them whether you like it or not. The bartender was so attentive, the beer was cold and plentiful, and the grilled cheese was...meh. I nice little spot to hang out if visiting Drake University. read more

Their cheese burger is so good Love the nachos ans fries !!!!!!!!!! Good place to get a drink to read more

Awesome hole in the wall bar/cafe. We went here for brunch to try the breakfast nachos and were pleasantly surprised. We had an amazing server and the food was phenomenal. This is a smaller place so if you try to go at a busy time there will probably be a wait. read more

Took my brother in-law to the Library for lunch. He says "Best onion rings I have ever had!"

We had some friends in town, and someone in our party wanted a good breakfast burrito. The Library Cafe was nearby and had good reviews, so we headed out. Just a heads up, the location is VERY small. If you have a group of more than 4 people, you will have difficulty sitting together unless you are okay with limited personal space (which we are). Our experience also started a little awkward, because we weren't sure if they would seat us or if you seat yourself (this always causes me anxiety when trying someplace new). BTW: You seat yourself! Also, it's very dark, so if you have any vision issues, it might be good to look at the menu beforehand. Once we got seated (nice and close), we were able to put in our food orders and our food came out pretty quickly! Hummus Melt w/ French Toast: This is my favorite Texas toast. Crispy on the outside, but with a soft chew and give. Coupled with a fried egg, cheese, and a bite of hummus, this sandwich was almost like biting into a pillow. It was comforting in all the right ways. The french toast uses the same bread, and wasn't overly sweet. Delicious! Smothered Burrito: My husband and our friend devoured their burritos. They were stuffed with eggs, breakfast meat, and large chunks of potatoes, then slathered in a luscious cheese sauce and solid chili. I thought my husband was going to legitimately lick his plate clean! Biscuits and Gravy: Both people who ordered these said they were really good. I didn't personally try them, but they seemed to love them! Overall, we would definitely recommend The Library Cafe for breakfast for groups of 4 or less. I want more of that dang Texas toast, and their breakfast nachos looked good as well. read more

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BEST food hands down in Des Moines. We went 3 times while we were here at my 13 year old son's request. Kelsey is such a bad ass bartender/waitress. She gave us where to go and what to do. Everything she advised us to do was on point. We are from Texas and don't complement other states often. But hands down the breakfast nachos were the best. Best qualities: small hole in the wall not overcrowded by tourist, local hideaway, beer samples, great food, did I mention great food, and they have Kelsey!!! read more

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Great spot to meet a friend, have a cold beer and a good meal. Always tasty and friendly. I bring my friends here from out of town. No fuss just a chill little restaurant and bar. read more

Cheap quality eats! We ordered via one of the menu order delivery apps. Food was prepared quicker then other places we've ordered from. This was our first time ever ordering and won't be our last! My daughter loved the mac and cheese, a classic homemade style. The burgers were huge! My husband ordered a double thinking the patties would be small. He could've gotten away with just a single. I got the nachos since they're highly rated. I'm not a huge fan of flour nachos, but the toppings were spot on! My bookworm burger, a burger topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and Mac and cheese, really hit the "want a burger but don't want to fix it myself" spot. Quality ingredients. Will order again. read more

Great service and food is good too! Small place so get there early on the weekend! Cute, friendly neighborhood!!

More craft taps than the average neighborhood bar. This small, established bar, with great food and more tap heads per square foot than seats for people...is worth your time! If you can't find something you like- stay home. read more

What a great place!! We Initially went to the dam bar witch they failed. Brought us to the library. Saved the night. Our cute waitress was awesome and had great food!!! The beer selection is awesome! We will definitely be back! read more

Walked in. First time eating here. Definitly smaller than I thought It was going to be. Really busy place to eat at so if you're fine with someone not coming over to you every second it's a great place to eat. The food was good so ide eat here again, they don't have hashbrowns so you have to get breakfast potatoes! read more

Went on a Sunday with a table of 2 around 1pm. Service was on a slower side. First time visit here. I feel this place is more like a hole in a wall joint. Ordered breakfast nachos and havarti jalapeño burger with onion rings. Breakfast nachos were packed with seasoning: eggs, sausage, and bell peppers to name a few. They don't use corn tortilla chips rather pita chips which is nice cause you don't end up with soggy chips. My understanding is that this item is one of the best in their menu set. Great nachos! I thought it was a unique dish. Yum! 5/5 Havarti jalapeño burger wasn't that special I thought. The meat is thick, well flavored and cooked well. I was expecting to have some kick with the jalapeño but was disappointed. My onion rings were also oily (but tasty). I think if this burger had sriracha mayo on the side or some banana peppers on it, it will give it some flavor that is lacking in the dish. I probably wouldn't get it again. It was decent but I was expecting more flavor and less soggy onion rings. The onion rings were thinly cut, which contributed to the sogginess. Overall, I would return here again for the nachos! read more

University Library Cafe - Havarti jalapeño burger with onion rings - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I love love love the Library. I haven't had anything that I didn't like there. They have a huge beer list (and serve it in 20oz glasses instead of regular pint glasses, so more bang for your buck), a menu featuring my favorite wings, nachos and cheeseburgers in town, and the best fries around. This place isn't big, but it's worth it if you can find a spot. Like I said above, the nachos are legendary, but I usually go for their burgers (I even chose to eat one of their burgers as my first meal after whole 30 - no regrets). I've never had an issue here. The servers are friendly and keep you hydrated and full. I'm not sure when they added it (perhaps a year or more now) but they also have brunch. It's only weekends I believe, but they have a brunch nacho that is sure to please and delight. TL; DR- just go and eat all the nachos, burgers and wings right now, what are you waiting for? read more

We come here weekly. Due to a few things- the La Mie Breakfast Sandwich (brunch), the Library Burger, the Rueben , and last but now least Michael. He's honestly the best waiter we've ever had. We met him 2+ years ago when we first came to the Library. He's so personable and sweet. It's not only the food but also the people. Don't skip on it. It's a hidden gem. read more

I LOVE THE LIBRARY! We love coming here whether it's for beers, breakfast, or nachos! This place is so versatile and offers to serve a variety of needs, and there's great service to boot! I love the breakfast, and we stopped the other night for beers and nachos. My beer didn't taste quite right because they had just switched taps, and the bartender noticed (I didn't have to say anything), and he poured me a new one. Our nachos were the hamburger flavored ones. I loved the banana peppers on it! Mmmm And you can't beat breakfast! Add The Library to your list! read more

University Library Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Best Nachos in Des Moines! The Library is a Drake Institution. No, not a place to study, unless you like studying an extensive craft beer list. I frequented the Library a lot in college. By day for great bar food, by night for tasty beverages and socializing. The Library is rather small but cozy with both booths and ample bar seating. The food has elevated since operations were taken over by the Full Court Press hospitality group. But trust me when I say they didn't mess with the important stuff, the award winning nachos and the atmosphere. This is a great lunch spot or after work watering hole. Friendly service them and now. Check it out! read more

University Library Cafe - Love seeing murals piping up in the neighborhood. - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fabulous food always made fresh. This is our favorite go to place. Best nachos and Reuben's in town.

Located in an unassuming small building this place oozes nostalgia and familiarity. It's small with a short bar and a few booths. The beer selection is surprisingly large and TVs are tuned to sports. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger that was prepared perfectly and a slight up charge of onion rings. I was very impressed that the kitchen can do a burger this well in a small area. This is definitely one of the metros better burger joints. read more

Holy breakfast burrito. This small, friendly and charmingly slightly dive bar serves up some delicious drafts and bites. I walked in just in time to see a plate of steaming cheesy goodness delivered to a nearby table and immediately knew what I was going to order. Their Breakfast Burrito is a hefty size and loaded with all the fixins'. A friend and I decided to split it with a side of French Toast and it was a solid combo. The service is pleasant and the company is close, without being overly crowded. Feels local and loved. Great spot to stop when you're in the Drake neighborhood! read more

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Friday night...place is packed! The wait for a table was too long, so we hovered around the bar waiting for 2 spots. After a few minutes, we snagged 2 chairs and continued our alcohol imbibing for the night. The list of beers is way too long to choose what you might like. And with all the local beers, I decided to try a sampler. Four small pours of local brews. I'll be honest, I don't remember all of them: Coco stout, a local brew from Boomtown, a red ale, and a Hefe type beer. I thoroughly enjoyed them all, taking a break from the IPA's tonight. Service was on point despite the place being so busy. read more

The hubs and I were visiting Drake with our son for a football camp and stopped in for lunch. What a treat! Awesome homemade Mac n Cheese and we had the corned beef sandwich and sausage sandwiches - both were excellent! And the bourbon list and beer choices are superb! But best of all was the staff. So friendly - Mike and Tommy the bartender were the best! If our kid decides to go to school here we will be regulars! 5 stars! read more

Wonderful environment to grab a quick drink or some grub with friends! The only time I have ever been here was for a meeting and it was awesome! The beer selection is out of this world good, for a small bar! The Library is not huge so you might have a hard time finding a seat if it's busy, but lucky for us we showed up early and stayed late! We got a really comfy booth in the back! Like I said the Beer menu was great, I tried multiple regional craft Ipa's I have never had before, they also carry local brews as well! The food looks amazing but I did not have any.. I hear they have the best nachos in town! I will be back for sure to try those! Our waitress Ms. Hutchinson was amazing and polite and took care of us all night! She ruled as does this bar! If I lived closer or had my own driver I would be here a lot more! read more

Walked down for a quick bite while visiting Drake. Food and service were great. Close quarters made it even more enjoyable as all the other customers seemed be having the same great experience. If and when back in Des Moines, will definitely stop by again (even if not in the vicinity). read more

I met the girls here for brunch last Sunday. Ive driven by lots and have always been curious. It's pretty cozy on the inside, more so than I expected. Everyone ordered the hummus sandwich, I went with one of the specials- seafood omelette with a side of maple bacon sausage. It was a lot of food for the price.. 8.99 I think? It was gross. Extremely rare is the time when I won't eat food, even if it's not good.. I couldn't eat this. I ate some of my toast and potatoes but the omelette and sausage.. Bleh. I would certainly come back because the service was good, prices are reasonable, and clearly I'm missing out on the hummus sandwich. read more

University Library Cafe - Seafood omelette and maple sausage - Cafes Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa