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Zera Artisan Bakery

4.8 (12 reviews)
Closed • 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Zera Artisan Bakery Photos

ZERA ARTISAN BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

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Reviews With Photos - Zera Artisan Bakery

Seating area
Allison W.

Very nice addition to downtown Waterloo! This is a calming space and great use of a former bank. Whether you are meeting a small group or coming on your own and bringing some work to do, they have a space to accommodate you. There is the main area with small tables for two, but also a couple of side rooms with bigger tables, couches, and some counter-height seating. The food menu sounds great. I only grabbed a couple of coffees to go, but they had a lot of great bakery items on display, so I will have to come back when I have more time to stay a while. The staff were very friendly. I did have to wait a couple of minutes for my drinks because they were made with care, but if you are in a hurry, ordering ahead is also an option here!

Counter
Alexander E.

I can't believe Zera has been open since April, and I just now discovered it. From the moment I walked in, I was in love. Great smell of baked goods. Tastefully renovated. Ample and varied seating options. Clean. Felt classy, but accessible. Clearly, a lot of thought went into this space. There are some really interesting drink options, too. I had the Es'pritszo, and it was extremely good, with a blend of flavors I'd never had before. My kids and I each ordered a pastry, as well, and promptly wolfed them down. Fresh and delicious. Lastly, I met one of the owners. He was very engaging and clearly passionate about good coffee. As I told him, we plan to be back at Zera! (And I'd recommend that you follow suit, if coffee or baked goods are your thing.)

Non-coffee drink from Zera.
Keagan M.

Zera is the perfect place to visit with friends, or work remotely from their comfy and cute coworking cove. The owners have done a wonderful job of making the space feel like a gathering place while also providing an area for remote workers to enjoy tasty food and drinks. The staff was friendly and the food was delicious! I ordered the chicken salad sandwich on a croissant that you could tell was made fresh. Highly recommend checking out Zera!

Sugar Bun
Kathy G.

Love this bakery! This is a new place in Waterloo. Many years ago the building was a bank. Quaint seating to sit down and enjoy a coffee and pastry. The sugar buns are amazing.

Margarita croissant.
MaryAnn B.

New bakery in Waterloo Il. What a treat of a place for coffee, tea, baked goods, sandwiches for breakfast, lunch. Extensive menu for all. Nice place to relax with a cup of coffee, a nosh. Friendly, helpful service.

Limited time drink!

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3 months ago

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6 months ago

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1 day ago

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

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3 days ago

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1 year ago

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1 month ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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10 months ago

Delicious food and the cookies are out-of-this-world! So yummy and unique flavors. Cute bakery in an old bank. Friendly staff!

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Salt and Honey Bistro

Salt and Honey Bistro

4.4
(20 reviews)
0.5 mi

What a cute spot in Waterloo! I was looking for a good stop for lunch and I'm glad I did…read more You can enter from the front or the side door, which is disabled accessible. The service was friendly and my order was accurate. The restaurant was very clean and they had several gender neutral bathrooms. They have an outdoor deck in the sun or you can choose the main dining area indoors with couches, table and chairs or half booth bench seating. It is inviting to stay awhile. There is a decent selection of coffee drinks and they have a fridge full of canned soda, water, etc. They have gluten-free products and some grab-and-go items. They also have salads, sandwiches and soups. My Santorini salad was very fresh with Kalamata olives and a honey dressing. Get extra dressing on the side because you will want more. They have an event space available for rent with big windows. It looks perfect for a shower or birthday party.

Salt & Honey has the best atmosphere, the sweetest staff, an unbeatable playlist, and truly…read moredelicious food and coffee. Every visit makes me feel so lucky to have a place like this right here in Waterloo. I highly recommend trying one of their seasonal coffees along with some favorites; the breakfast sandwich with ham & jam, cheesy bacon grits, BLT salad, or the MOCO Club. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's definitely worth a stop the next time you're looking for breakfast, coffee, or a lighter lunch.

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Salt and Honey Bistro
Acai Bowl
Acai Bowl
20 oz. Latte

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20 oz. Latte
Graphite

Graphite

4.5
(38 reviews)
7.7 mi

Graphite was a wonderful surprise and a standout dining experience in Columbia. I love that the…read morerestaurant's name is a nod to the building's history as a former schoolhouse, which now beautifully houses both the Principal Hotel and Graphite. Both feel like elevated, unexpected gems in a small town. I ordered the fried chicken dinner with the half chicken portion, and it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful with perfectly crispy, crunchy skin. The service was excellent, and our waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the evening. The restaurant itself was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The restrooms were also spotless and well maintained. It is clear that a lot of care goes into every aspect of the guest experience. My only minor criticism is the size of the drink glasses. Once ice is added, there is not much room left for the actual beverage. My parents found themselves needing refills more frequently than they typically would at other restaurants. It was not a major issue, but slightly larger glasses might make things more convenient for both guests and staff. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and will definitely be back. Graphite is a true hidden gem that offers great food, excellent service, and a unique atmosphere.

Service was good but bartender should have seen that we eat very little of the food and left the go…read morecontainer because neither one of us wanted to take it home and throw it away.... Being observant is part of great service... ambiance has a lot to come desired way to many young teenage girls running around...not what I'd expect for a couple of drinks and $100 tab! Been there three times drinks are always good but the food has been subpar every time! Had three appetizers stuffed portabella mushrooms I'd give a 3 no taste, Mac and cheese bites dry and tasteless a 2 (bought some at schnucks a few weeks ago and they were much better) the steak skewers maybe a 2.5 had so much what they called pesto which looked and tasted like wet grass, once we removed the wet grass the steak was over cooked but well seasoned... My suggestion would be to hire a new chef and decide a direction or speciality focus (Italian, American or gastro pub and stick with it! Sorry but third strike you're out, we won't be back! Until we hear you've made some major changes!

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Front dining space
Front dining space
Pork rinds starter
Pork rinds starter
The bar area + their coffee/espresso machine

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The bar area + their coffee/espresso machine
Cafe on the Abbey

Cafe on the Abbey

4.2
(70 reviews)
7.6 mi

Great place for a get together with friends on a lazy Saturday. Or if you're in the mood to read a…read morebook, it's a great place to just lay back.

Meeting friends here for brunch was a pleasant experience. The menu is varied enough to offer both…read morebreakfast and lunch options, with plenty of choices and nothing imaginative. The prices are very reasonable. When we asked about specialty coffee drinks, our server showed us an electronic tablet-- we had to pass it around to read our options. They were all very sweet concoctions named for desserts, and the ones my companions chose were indeed so pumped with syrup and flavors and sprinkles that the taste of coffee was nowhere to be found. Our food was just fine. The waffle was sweet and fluffy. The Berry Salad was exactly as described: iceberg, lettuce, berries, pecans. The berries were fresh; the chicken was heavily seasoned (mostly salty and saturated) and the poppyseed dressing was very sweet. The quiche had plenty of spinach in it but was rather rubbery (I know quiche can be tricky-- it has a really long cooking time so it can't be made to order, and rewarming does it no favors) and the potato soup was okay. Both the salad and the quiche/soup combo had a croissant on the side; they seemed similar to the ones purchased by the dozen at Costco. Mine seemed dry on the outside with a faint moldy taste in the bottom. The patio was very pleasant, and inside looked cozy. The staff did a great job of making everyone feel welcome and keeping our glasses refilled and such. There's a big parking lot adjacent, though many of the spots say they're reserved for a different business. I saw that high chairs are available. Gendered restrooms are inside. The place accepts cash and credit cards.

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Cafe on the Abbey
Cafe on the Abbey
Enjoy inside or outside on this lovely patio!

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Enjoy inside or outside on this lovely patio!

Zera Artisan Bakery - bakeries - Updated June 2026

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