Cafe Diem

4.6 ( 613 reviews )
Checking... 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM See Hours
$1–10
229 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, United States
+1 515-956-3556
Cafe Diem, nestled at 229 Main St, Ames, IA, is a delightful café that stands out for its inviting atmosphere and exceptional dining options. Regulars rave about its strong drinks, with the Au Lait, Cappuccino, and Espresso topping the favorites list, making it a haven for coffee connoisseurs like Elizabeth Campbell, who appreciates the quality and consistency of the offerings. The food menu does not disappoint either; the Chicken Salad Sandwich and the Black Bean Burger receive high praise for their flavor and presentation. Customers like Joseph Brown and Molly B express delight in the delectable sandwiches, complimenting their freshness and taste. Molly’s highlight was the iced strawberry cold foam matcha latte, illustrating how Cafe Diem is not just about traditional coffee but also innovative beverages that cater to diverse palates. The café offers a calming setting, making it ideal for studying or casual meet-ups. Dan Evans emphasizes the great customer service and cozy environment, while Luigi Lover1972 describes it as a perfect spot for friends to unwind and draw. Overall, Cafe Diem is more than a café; it’s a community hub where quality food and drinks meet warm hospitality, making it a must-visit in Ames.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Good for solo dining
    • Good for working on laptop
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Quiet
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
    • Popular with university students
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Paid street parking
    • Somewhat difficult to find a space

Reviews For Cafe Diem

Dan Evans
Jun 1,2025
Turned out to be a solid experience as I needed to find a place for about 90 minutes between meetings in downtown Ames on a Friday. Great customer service, tasty lunch (chicken salad sandwich), good WiFi, and quiet safe setting.
Luigi Lover1972
Apr 10,2025
Really awesome place to go with friends to chat. Me and my friend Toby went to go draw and it was really fun. Amazing banana smoothie. Truly a wonderful place to relax with also a lovely vibe
Elizabeth Campbell
Apr 8,2025
Great place!! I come here every time my family and I visit Iowa and it is probably one of the best coffee places out there and I am a huge coffee connoisseur. I think my favorite thing to get is probably the chai, but everything there is really good. Highly highly recommend!
Molly B
Mar 28,2025
Today, I had the best drink I have ever had, and it was at Cafe Diem. I indulged in the iced strawberry cold foam matcha latte. It was perfect. Cafe Diem is a great place to study or catch up with a friend. It is so cozy and the baristas are very friendly. I also had the pleasure of having a chicken salad sandwich. Thank you to whoever cheffed that up! New favorite coffee shop in Ames!
Joseph Brown
Mar 11,2025
Delectable dishes! Rueben sandwich and the Black Bean burger were great. Very flavorful and the chips were good. Baby carrots are straight from the store but that’s the expectation and it is nice to have that option. I’ll come back.
zachiga
Mar 6,2025
Lovely place if you want an amazing coffee or smoothie! My girlfriend had a coffee that was amazing and I had a smoothie with banana and strawberry. I’m not a big coffee guy, but I’d rate 5/5 simply for having something for us non-coffee people! Definitely will return! Bonus points for playing some Zach Bryan and other hits that fit the mood.
Melinda
Feb 26,2025
Came here for a quick breakfast and really loved everything! We both got breakfast sandwiches and coffee. I got the seasonal Bourbon Caramel Cold Brew with Coconut Foam. Both the food and drinks came out quickly. The sandwiches were super tasty and filling. The ingredients tasted fresh. Love the little bit of outdoor seating that they had since the weather was nice! Some cool merch inside, too!
Michaela Vileta
Feb 22,2025
One of my go-to coffee shops in Ames! I personally love their cold brew and different drip coffee brews they offer. Awesome place to come study or meet up with others -- lots of different seating options (booths, tables chairs, large tables, single tables) which makes it nice to have such a variety of options. The baristas are always SO sweet and kind and will give you recommendations on their favorite drinks food is good too! Cinnamon rolls are HUGE. If they have the tiramisu when you go, it is a must have.

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