Great cafe joint with a trendy atmosphere. I had a chocolate croissant with cold brew. I'd like to try their lunch items next time as those looked delish. Check them out if you are in the mood for cafe style food or drinks. The pita bread looks good but did not try it. The service was good. read more

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I got the original falafel salad bowl with sundried tomato spread. The overall taste of the bowl was bland and very underwhelming... needed more flavor and salt in the dressing. There was very little of the sundried tomato spread (which cost extra). I also found it odd that they charged more for the bowl over the wrap, and I thought it was overpriced for what I got. Not many tables inside for dining in. Also, the menu posted on the website did not have current prices, which are now higher. read more

Today tried the Cortado restaurant and was not disappointed. Had a wonderful snickerdoodle hot coffee with delicious avocado toast. It's a nice clean cafe... order and they bring your drink & food to you. There is more on the menu that I'd like to try. read more

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Decided to try out Cortado on my lunch break. All in all, I was pretty impressed. The decor is nice, and the cafe reminds me of some of the places I'd stop in New York. The prices were a bit expensive for a sandwich and soda, but the ingredients were all fresh and delicious. The falafel was very good for a quick lunch spot, but not something I think I'll be craving. The Vietnamese sandwich was delicious, the chicken was prepared great, and there are plenty of toppings. I do feel the flavor at times was overpowered by the amount of cilantro, but that was solved easily enough by taking some off. read more

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I believe everyone should believe in something. I believe I will have another coffee. Coffee shops are plentiful in downtown IC but Cortado is not like the rest. It's got a big city vibe with both European and Mediterranean flare. They have baked pastries and fresh sandwiches, salads, and soups. And I can't wait to try their hummus and falafel my next trip. I've always enjoyed the food they've served out at IC Top Chef! The menu is definitely well executed. The shop boasts a cute little patio. I'd probably try metered parking but the closest ramp would be the Capitol Street Ramp. (1st hour free.) It was a Friday. And I did not wake up on the right side of the bed, my friends. It was decided. I needed a pick-me-up. Cortado sounded like the answer. It is not open for in-house dining currently but is for takeout and delivery via CHOMP. I had an iced cappuccino. (Delish) And a ciabatta with egg, cheese and bacon. (Also delish.) I believe I'll be having many more coffees from Cortado. You should, too! read more

I found this spot randomly when looking for a quality cafe/coffee spot with healthy lunch options. We were certainly pleased with the quality and selections. I didn't do the coffee but my friend enjoyed her iced latte. We shared an almond croissant and I must say, I'm generally not drawn to them. But THIS one just begged to be tried and it was the BEST pastry I've had, in ages. Truly so fresh, flakey and moist. I had to buy another to go as they are my moms favorite. Absolutely try them or get one for dessert, afternoon snack, or just because they are fabulous. Since we were meeting up to connect after far too long, we did a progressive lunch of sorts. The deconstructed falafel bowl was an easy choice for me as I wanted to get plenty of veg but also enjoy the classic Mediterranean flavors. These falafel are crafted very well - the herbs, spices, texture & quantity all make this salad top notch as a light but filling lunch. The thin layer of hummus underneath the salad made for a nice dressing of sorts. With the side of pita, I might have liked a bit more hummus to enjoy but ultimately had more food than I needed so truly can't complain. We split a few other treats for dessert - the cookie butter macaroon and the tiramisu parfait. The cookie was tasty, classic and certainly sweet. With a coffee alongside I think it would be a great treat to end a meal. The tiramisu was my choice and the espresso flavor I was craving paired with the creamy layers was just what I needed to end the meal. Definitely would come back another time when in the area to enjoy it all again, or maybe try more! The freshness and flavors of each item were impressive and I highly recommend you check this spot out if you haven't yet! read more

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Good healthy, flavorful food! Service was a bit slow from order to ready. Lunchtime was busy. Students were taking up all of the available seats chatting or studying - not eating which was a problem. We had to carryout when we preferred to eat in. read more

The hummus & pita is on another level. The staff are very friendly & helpful. We also got chai latte & coffee both were good. I recommend this if you are visiting this small city. read more

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The honey lavender latte was very good, cold brew was good (not great) and I liked the hummus. Everyone was friendly and the service was quick. read more

What a pleasant surprise Cortado was. Having never been in here, we stopped by Sunday afternoon. First impressions were that this was not your normal hipster, dark, brooding, coffee shop which is dimly lit and filled with dark furniture. Cortado it bright, modern, vibrant. Whereas some coffee shops provide an atmosphere suitable for quit reflection (or napping), Cortado felt more like an upbeat, have a laugh, kind of a place. The service was fast and the coffee was good. Their beverage menu isnt extensive, but offers enough variety to appease even the most choosy of customers. I also had my very first macaroon from their selection of 10 or so different flavors. All in all, a good coffee shop which isnt designed for the customer to sit for hours at a time, but rather for a nice conversation while you take a load off. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Do yourself a flavor and get a mochacchino here. Buttery, smooth and always hits the spot! Thsi place is in the center of downtown Iowa City, has a bustling, yet cool atmosphere with bright lighting. The staff are friendly too! read more

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Great little spot in the heart of downtown Iowa City. I came here for a mid-morning breakfast and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the items I ordered, the tasteful decor surrounding me, and the attentiveness of the staff. I ordered an "Ultimate Croissant" and their namesake, the cortado. The drink came out quickly and was just what I expect from a cortado, smooth. I sipped it slowly while I enjoyed my sandwich, a simple yet well put together breakfast croissant. The staff were friendly and responded quickly to requests. The environment was more lively as compared to other cafes in the area and the decor was tastefully modern. Bathroom was clean and well kept. Overall I enjoyed my visit and will be coming back in the future. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

The barista working at 9am on Wednesday today made me the BEST oatmeal cookie latte I have ever gotten from Cortado. It was absolutely amazing! read more

There is an abundance of great coffeeshops/cafes in Iowa City. I do have a special place for Cortado. When I'm lucky enough to find a quick parking spot, it's already gonna be a great break in Cortado. The space is modern and spacious. Their coffe is always on point. I have recently transitioned to tea and this is where I was most recently disappointed. Stash tea bags. Maybe they'll consider loose leaf tea in a pot after this review? Who knows? They have a fluffy egg sandwich which I haven't found anywhere else in IC. They deliberately chose not to provide wifi. I appreciate this. The clients who come here enjoy their coffee, tea, pastry, sandwich etc over a good conversation with friends and family. read more

Came in to get some work done and really liked the big windows in the front letting in a lot of sunlight. I do wish the would offer discounted coffee refills. Overall I think I will be coming in again if im around the area. Beware No WiFi read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Chocolate croissant - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

3 star = A Okay per Yelp but C+ / B- in my book. I'm not knocking Cortado, just wasn't impressed by the sour espresso pull nor the texture of my...cortado. Really - it's the beverage for which the place is named and the taste and texture was unimpressive. Furthermore I had a near miss of destroying my clothes because the lid didn't fit. Sorry but that's not A-grade work. read more

Beautiful coffee shop and cafe. Staff was friendly and wonderful, and they even gave my friend a free refill of hot water for her tea, which is always a bonus. Croissants are amazing. Closest thing to a European pastry I've found in Iowa, and I think $2.40 is reasonable for one. In fact, I thought all of their prices were pretty good, and their menu includes a surprisingly large variety of food items. Do not miss their chocolate chip cookies--they're so good I'm pretty sure it's impossible to just eat one. They don't have wifi, which some people might find annoying. I actually find it a pleasant excuse to drink my coffee and have actual conversations. That being said, my latte was honestly the thing I found least impressive about the whole experience. It wasn't bad by any means, but it just tasted average and was not hot. More like lukewarm. Considering everything else is working its favor, I'll absolutely be back to give Cortado a second try. read more

This place is a great addition to Clinton Street in Iowa City! In addition to serving up some great coffee, I think the thing that stands out to me most is that the business owner is always out and about, introducing himself to customers and making recommendations. They also hosted a few musical acts during Mission Creek, which was really cool! I've tried the cortado, the mochaccino (which was unique and yummy) and split a cranberry muffin with my dining partner. I love having so many coffee shop options in Iowa City, and visiting Cortado has been a great way to change things up. I'm also looking forward to trying their home made hummus and pitas, which they just started serving over the lunch hour. Needless to say, I'll be back. read more

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The guy at the bookstore overheard us talking about finding someplace for breakfast and steered us to Cortado Coffee & Cafe. Good selection of coffees, iced and hot. We each had different breakfast sandwiches. All were fine, better than average. Freshly made. Quick service. I had the Ultimate Wrap. Nothing negative to report. read more

Cortado is a great addition to Iowa City. It definitely reminds me of a coffee shop you would find in a large city. I appreciate the modern feel and the drink options are great if you like coffee--not too many sweet, frozen, flavored drinks etc (or in other words great alternative to starbucks). I had an Americano and appreciated that it was strong but not too bitter. I am only giving Cortado four stars because I really wish they had wifi. I do appreciate that without wifi people are actually interacting more and you can get a seat because people aren't sitting in the same spot for several hours. However, since it is in the middle of campus it would be great if you could at least get on the network for a limited time (say 30 minutes). I just wanted to grab something quickly off of a cloud drive to look over while I was having my coffee and I couldn't access it so I had to leave before I was done. Other than the wifi issue, this is a great spot and I'm so glad they opened! read more

Ordered rosemary fries, absolutely no seasoning not even salt present. Sandwich was okay, nothing special. Overall over priced for an average taste. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - "Rosemary fries" - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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I've been to Cortado a few times since it opened. I usually don't like to post a less-positive review unless I tried going multiple times and had similar experiences. Sad to say, Cortado is one of those places. The location is very good, in the heart of downtown. The interior is simple but modern. They have a good set of menu (I haven't tried their food so I will only mention the drink portion of the menu). I tried their espresso and cortado when I first visited and it was so sour and bitter (I'm an espresso drinker) and so the cortado was also pretty off-tasting. I could not finish even half of the drink. The second time I was there, it was better! So I know they have potential because when someone makes it right, the taste is great! I just wish it was consistent from visit to visit. The tea bag options they have is decent too. I also wish the staff could be more friendly and patient. As someone who works in customer service, I know it is crucial to have smiling faces and be patient to customers who have never been in your shop before. It leaves a strong first impression. For me, I felt un-welcomed and felt like I HAD to know what I wanted the exact moment I stepped near the counter. I wasn't even standing at the register or holding up a line. I said I needed some time to look over the menu and the employee seemed so grumpy and annoyed! I probably hadn't even taken more than 2-3 minutes tops. I don't know if he was having a bad day, but that's still no reason to be grumpy to customers. I only had one pleasant overall experience from my visit to Cortado so far. I really want to like Cortado, but from my multiple experiences so far, it's not on the top of my list to go and visit regularly. I hope my experience will be better and more consistent next time I'm there! read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cup of tea & macarons - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Food was average at best. My group got 4 lunch items when the store was completely empty and all 4 orders came out 4 minutes apart... wouldn't go back. Wouldn't recommend. You won't hate it, but you certainly won't love it. read more

Ordering never takes more than 5 min. Chicken Caesar salad and the hummus plate with chicken shawarma are my favorites. The coffee is consistently great. read more

There are definite pros and cons to this place. I'll start with the bad. First, one of the two owners is very grumpy looking all the time. It's as though he's mad at you for buying food and drink from his establishment. I feel like I've done something wrong whenever he delivers me my food or takes my order -- I will look in the window to see if he's working before actually going in. The other owner and a lot of the other front staff seem pleasant, however. Second, the food and coffee are inconsistent. I've had cappuccinos where the milk temp is lukewarm at best (40-50 degrees C max), and others that are perfect. I've had over-baked and stale tasting almond croissants, and others that are delicious. Finally, no WiFi as mentioned in other places, and too much clutter and random signage/posters for what is supposed to be a sleek looking interior. For the good, however, when the food and coffee is done right, it is delicious! The Iowan sandwich is awesome, as are the croissants when not over-baked. Espresso drinks are tasty when they get the temperature right. If I felt welcome there and it had better consistency, I would go much more often and make it my top choice for my go-to coffee shop. As it is, however, I still have it as fourth-best behind Java House, Encounter Cafe, and Starbucks. read more

Cute cafe conveniently located downtown. Their coffee is always good, and their food is freshly made - their cookies come piping hot straight from the oven! They have a full menu of sandwiches and salads, which tend to be a little on the expensive side and don't come with a lot of toppings or customizable options. It's still a great place for a fresh lunch. Their hummus is excellent! They also serve beer and more recently have introduced coffee cocktails - I am excited to try these! read more

Not just a great coffee and espresso bar! Lots of interesting food options. My Cortado was fantastic. More on the bite in the flavor than some- serious classic Italian espresso! One of the better options in all of Iowa espresso wise. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

The laid back, fresh, and open vibe of this place stood out to me as a refreshingly unique from the other many coffee shops in Iowa City. Instead of a typically cozy atmosphere, the space seemed comfortable in a modern way with exposed beams, colorful walls, and simple furniture. The cold brew I got was also different in a good way with a festively sweet flavor of its own. The barista offered a great pastry recommendation as well: my almond croissant was flaky and buttery but not too sweet. This place may be my new favorite study spot, although I couldn't find a WiFi connection... but if you bring your own tumbler or mug, you get a 15-cent discount! read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

This coffee shop is the perfect addition to Iowa City! Cold brew coffee with Godiva chocolate, matcha lattes, and vegan muffins are just a few of the goodies they have. They have macaroons flown in from FRANCE and croissants from a French pastry chef in New York City, all a must try! Extremely convenient location, just steps from all of the shops and boutiques. I wish this coffee shop was around while I was attending the University, but I will definitely return each time I visit Iowa City! read more

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First stop, I had a chocolate croissant and a Lionbridge Ale for a total of 6 bucks and change. Great deal! Second stop, I had a iced hot chocolate that proved to be pretty bitter and not worth the price ($5ish). I also came to get some work done, only to find out they don't have wifi. Come on Cortado, GET WIFI. read more

Kaj: Amazing! They have a good range of things to eat and great drinks. The best part was the chocolate almond croissant! That had a layer of chocolate and a layer of almond pudding! Leif: I had the chocolate croissant It's the best croissant I've EVER HAD!!!!!! There was thin layer of chocolate ,it was so yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) read more

Best cappuccino I've had in a year. Cool atmo and they serve actual food! Four stars only bc it's not super comfy. Back to five bc of their bathrooms, tho. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Super dry capps make this girl super happy. - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

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Go to Cortado now for a chocolate almond croissant. Don't walk, run. I swear it taste like it is hand crafted by the gods. I'm not a big chocolate person, but this had just the right amount to fix my sweet tooth. I promise you won't be disappointed. Go now! read more

I stopped in and was pleasantly surprised. The barista was super friendly and very kind. She gave me a couple of recommendations of what I should try for lunch. I think the atmosphere was very warm and cozy. My coffee was wonderful and falafel wrap was delicious. I saw someone order a half salad and hummus plate...it looked amazing. When I'm in Iowa City I wouldn't mind stopping by, again. Think I'll stop in for breakfast next time! read more

Was walking around downtown, looking for something good to eat. We were standing outside and a couple told us that we have to eat here. We got two sandwiches to go. They were absolutely delicious. Would recommend this place to anyone. read more

Lovely atmosphere and good service. Had the ultimate breakfast croissant and a latte and I thought it was really good. Would definitely come back. read more

Cortado Mediterranean Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

The coffee and food product is top-notch (and let's face it - Mid-Western coffee has a long way to go). Cortado rises above many. The ambience is a negative. We felt like we were in a cafeteria or fast-food joint. It somewhat overshadowed the nice service ware and fine coffee. read more

I'm so happy a coffee house like Cortado opened up in Iowa City! Love the modern, clean feel on the inside! As far as what you pay for - I've only tried the iced vanilla latte, chocolate croissant, and almond croissant; the croissants are some of the best I have ever tasted! It's worth a trip to eat these delicious pastries in itself! The latte is also good; not the best I've ever had, but a nice change from the chain coffee shops located in Iowa city. Overall, highly recommend! read more

Love Cortado!! Amazing coffee and amazing service! Every time we go in we feel warm and welcomed!! Caramel lattes are my favorite and the pour over coffee is 2nd favorite. The coffee is so good that creamer isn't needed! The food is also delicious! Love coming here! read more

Ok good things, one of the new kids on the block, as in opened in January. Have Fonte coffee from Seattle because they say it's good but also because that company hooked them up with their business gear. Have messenger coffee roasters coffee now. Yesterday I had a cold brew that was made from their messenger coffee and it was tasty. Took it to go. Today I had a cappuccino and a crossiant and they where tasty. Bad thing, no wifi. After the fact of buying my vapo and crossiant I asked if they had public wifi, the gal said no. It's my bad for not checking before hand. Had I known they had no wifi, I would have most definitely gives and found another cafe/coffee shop. I am about the whole "but local" thing, but no wifi will almost always change my mind. And yes that's the picky thing i'm going to complain about. read more