Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kava House & Cafe

    4.6 (72 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Order Kava House & Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Kava House & Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    KAVA HOUSE & CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Kava House & Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lee L.

    Charming restaurant in a small town between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City - far more refined in appearance than I what I was accustomed to when I grew up in small-town Iowa. The food offerings are still classically American, but a little elevated. Kava House is open for all meals Tuesday-Saturday (I made this unfortunate discovery when I tried to stop by for Sunday brunch). I haven't tried their breakfasts personally, but my parents and their neighbors are always talking about their breakfast casseroles. I've been here for lunch, and they offer a nice variety of hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Next to the counter where you place your order there is a large dessert case with numerous tempting sweets. The restaurant is decorated in what I'd call rural America chic, very quaint. The large windows offer plenty of natural light and the high ceilings give it an airy and open feel. The food is very good. I especially like their pineapple chicken salad sandwich with a side of their house-made pasta salad, which is bowtie pasta in a kind of vinaigrette dressing. Service is friendly, prices are reasonable. Parking is on the street and we've never had to walk more than a block. You have to ascend a short flight of stairs to get to the front door, which was just a little of challenge for my elderly mother but she said it's worth the effort.

    Frozen hot cocoa
    Alex D.

    Just the cutest restaurant with the tastiest food. Midwest charm at its fine. We come every year for the Christmas festival in Swisher and it is one of our best holiday traditions! Service: Prompt and friendly. Order at the counter. Food: sandwich and soup, bakery and hot drinks. We got the turkey in the garden 12.50 which is a savory tasty. Then we got the granny gobbler which is a tasty/sweet with a refreshing twist of granny apple. Their beans are a smoky rich flavor that are so much more than beans and the zuppa soup was hearty. The frozen hot cocoa is always a hit for our son and as a bonus it's rich but not overly sweet. TLDR:We come here every year and plan on keeping this tradition. I can't more highly recommend this restaurant.

    Interior
    Helga M.

    It's good food! Warm, inviting, wonderful small town coffee/diner. Pride of providing wholesome food & large size, delicious cake/pastries. Love getting a big mug for my tea, real silverware & a smile from the staff. Perfect for catching up with friends. Catching up on a local history book or browse for small gifts. Well worth of getting off the interstate and drive 5 minutes to this small town.

    Nut bar (the middle is marshmallow)
    Andrea K.

    This place is SO charming! With unique dining tables, rustic decor, and a variety of seating, it is so warm and inviting. My friend and I stopped in around 10am on a weekday and were able to order and grab a table with ease. It looks like it can get busy in there at other hours based on the instruction at the door that read that staff will assign tables after you order when it is busy. Otherwise, you are welcome to grab a table before you order when it is slower. We found a cozy corner to enjoy a cranberry scone, nut bar, and bacon breakfast special alongside a cup of coffee and a dirty spiced chai tea. The dirty chai was delicious with the little extra spunk from the espresso. The scone was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I didn't get a chance to try the breakfast special because my friend enjoyed it so much that it did not last very long. We loved this place and have committed to returning again soon (and often)!

    Debbie F.

    On the recommendation we tried the Kava House while on a Roadtrip. It was amazing! I absolutely love the warm, homey environment. It is very welcoming and unpretentious. The mismatched chairs, tables, light fixtures, etc make it feel like Grandma's kitchen. I enjoyed thee brisket sandwich with pasta salad. My partner in crime had aa very filling bowl of piizza soup. We both left wishing we had saved room for the gorgeous desserts... but maybe needy time.

    Laiken W.

    The BEST cinnamon rolls in the country. I lived in the Bay Area for a while and would wake up at the crack of dawn to wait in a 40 person line at Devils Teeth Bakery for a cinnamon roll, Kava House's are better (and there's no line!). The people are friendly. The place is super cozy and inviting. And the food and coffee is top-notch. I'm all for supporting this local business.

    Pecan roll and frappe
    Emjay A.

    Very cute and rustic and delicious food. I would go every day if I could!! If you're looking for a small town feel this is the place!

    Brittany S.

    If this house were a human it'd probably be slightly chunky like a sweet old grandma and I'd want to pinch it's cheeks and listen to its stories. Kava House is as cute and cozy as it gets - better yet, it's located in the middle of nowhere which adds to the charm. What to expect? An older building with tall ceilings, tons of wooden dining room tables and a large patio with covered tables. The menu? Multiple coffee drink options, baked goods, salads, soups and sandwiches. I thoroughly enjoyed my hot beef sandwich and salad combo ($9) along with a cup of coffee. The tea selection could use a little work. This seems like the perfect spot for tea pots - - think about it ;) The service was very friendly, wifi is strong and parking is ample. Highly recommend if you find yourself in the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area.

    All American!
    Matt U.

    Over the past five and a half years, we've made it a point to hit as many restaurants in the area as possible. We have a lot of friends who do the same and as such, it came as a tremendous surprise the we never heard about this place which now officially owns the title of our favorite breakfast place in the area. Located about a mile off 380 in the town of Swisher, Kava house was absolutely off the charts in terms of our experience. It provided a rarely seen, and perfectly executed mix of small town charm, vibes of an urban coffeehouse and crazy good food and pastry options. My wife and both left knowing that this was our new favorite place for breakfast! Upon entering, you navigate your way through mix and match of tables and chairs. After talking to the owners, it sounds like they picked up most of these at yard sales over the past few years. And other places this sort of decor has felt very forced, but here it was the first time that I felt like it just fit. You grab a menu when you come in, order at the counter which is across the room and then sit down at your chosen table and chairs. As stated, we came for breakfast and it was oh so memorable! It consisted of a blueberry scone, a pecan roll, A piece of chicken bacon ranch egg casserole, and an after dinner mint brownie, per request of our 3 year old. The blueberry scone was pretty far and away the best one we've ever tasted. Loaded with blueberries, just the right amount of sweet and baked just right, made it really memorable. The pecan roll was also one of the better that we had in a long time. It had syrup on top of it, so the glycemic index was super high, as was the delicious factor. The casserole was surprisingly good as well, and the mint brownie was a nice treat for all who partook. The dark roast coffee I had was excellent - something that's surprisingly hard to find anymore. We didn't sample any other beverages aside from am orange juice, which our little dudes enjoyed. Drink menu is extensive and has plenty for just about anything you're interested in. We're excited to go back for lunch and or dinner. It's still way above average if it's half as good as breakfast. I seriously can't sing the praise of this place enough. Incredibly warm and inviting atmosphere that is different enough to be interesting, but not so weird that you need layered turtle necks to enter. In addition, we had conversations with three separate groups of people while eating. This was a quintessential Iowa dining experience and somewhere we're going to visit often.

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Amy H.
    5
    30
    5

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Helga M.
    0
    174
    33

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    What an amazing grilled cheese and those desserts! Yum! This is a little gem of a place to visit!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ivan R.
    78
    121
    73

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laiken W.
    37
    17
    18

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brittany S.
    4976
    3145
    23666

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt U.
    1015
    2078
    6915

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Great staff! Such a great building, love the Reuben. If your in the area I highly recommend.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Craig B.
    51
    13
    10

    3 years ago

    Great food and very nice service, definitely will go back. Desert are amazing. Eat in or pickup both worth it!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Claire M.
    48
    12
    11

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yiming Q.
    324
    15
    4

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Never a let down! Food is great, service is quick. The crab bisque is so tasty. Deserts are amazing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jacob H.
    149
    27
    17

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kava House & Cafe

    Liberty View Wine & Spirits

    Liberty View Wine & Spirits

    4.6(10 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    Wait. What? Is this guy giving a liquor store five stars? What? No. That can't be right. He must…read morehave already started drinking some of his purchases. Liquor stores. Most are dark, cramped, shady places with sticky floors that one tries to get in and out of as quickly as possible. With little time to look around, your normal trip to a liquor store is a five minute ordeal. Liberty view wine and spirits is the exact opposite. It is bright, open, inviting. The selection is overwhelming and I found myself having a hard time believing I'd already been in there 30 minutes simply looking around at all the different beers. I can't even imagine how long I would have been in there had I strolled through the numerous isles of wine and liquor. I can also tell you that the owner is incredibly nice. Even though it had been years since I had been in her gas station on the corner of 965, she immediately recognized me and made me feel welcome. I look forward to stopping by here each week to pick up something new from their incredible selection.

    There's a new liquor store in town! This place is beautiful inside you almost forget your in a…read morebeer, wine and liquor store. They are not short on options when it comes to beer choices carrying some breweries I haven't seen carried at other stores. The service is a warm welcome and a smile while ringing you up. It's a plus that they carry fire wood as well it made for a great summer night bon fire and picking up a unique six pack to top off a perfect Saturday night.

    Photos
    Liberty View Wine & Spirits - Walk-in beer cooler

    Walk-in beer cooler

    Liberty View Wine & Spirits
    Liberty View Wine & Spirits

    See all

    Bootleggin Barzini's

    Bootleggin Barzini's

    4.8(18 reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$

    New to the area and was struggling to find Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth for cooking. (Side note; if you…read morehaven't tried Noilly Prat, I highly recommend as this stuff is amazing.) After calling multiple stores, including requesting a special order from Hy-Vee two separate times only to be ignored, I about gave up. These guys came through, ordering a case of this vermouth. Customer experience matters and this experience solidifies me not only being a return customer but also recommending this business.

    On day seven hundred of social distancing, I needed booze…read more (Ok... really it was day 18. Our supply was low and the weekend was near. Plus I have kids, that I am attempting to 'school' in some fashion during this who pandemic thing. I knew I lacked patience as a human... I now know with absolute certainty I do as a teacher, too. And before you ask-- while I do not believe it is drinking alone when your kids are there-- this is for afterwards. Call it a reward for a job well done? Or perhaps a beverage to wash away the stresses of the day.) I started to explore my potential zero contact options in the area. I realllllly wanted to order online and drive on over to have it loaded in my vehicle. I tend to linger when buying adult beverages and don't make up my mind in a timely manner. There are just SO many options, ya know?! I thought I'd end up using my local grocery store for this beer... margarita... rum... liquid sanity run. But alas, Bootleggin Barzini's allows you to order online! Right on. #supportsmallbusinesses Well, their selection is superb. (I knew that already though, having frequented this biz at least a dozen times before-- pre-pandemic.) But what surprised me is while a lot of their inventory was OBVIOUSLY not online, they had a lot of local craft beers and not so local craft beers ready for purchase. (Even some Big Grove ones I didn't even know were a thing.) I filled my cart. Had the option to pay in person or online. (Hello. Zero contact.) And then the option of picking up anytime between 11-10P. I selected my time. Showed up then. A co-owner was waiting outside the door for me... loaded my liquid rewards in my SUV and away I went. I think their pricing is always a bit high but that being said, whether it is offering carryout booze or having a supremely knowledgeable staff member talking beer with you-- the service is high at Bootleggin Barzini's. Always. They also have adult beverages that you can't find elsewhere in the area... so take that into account for the extra couple of dollars per six pack. I know I'll be back.

    Photos
    Bootleggin Barzini's
    Bootleggin Barzini's
    Bootleggin Barzini's

    See all

    Hyvee Wine And Spirits

    Hyvee Wine And Spirits

    4.0(4 reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    This is a grocery store with an absolute CRAP wine section. DO NOT RECOMMEND, if you want a nice…read morebottle of wine. Besides that it's a grocery store nothing fancy.. Service was fine, not busy.

    At first I was hesitant to enter the Hyvee spirits room. Figured it would be akin to Kmart having a…read moreliquor store and.with Barzini's and Jon's in town, why venture from greatness - dead wrong says I. This place is serious about libations! The manager here is a connoisseur of finer beverages and the place shows it. Upon entering you're greeted by plenty of wine. Highfaluntin bottles to three buck chuck and all things in between. To the back right is an amazing selection of larger bottles of microbrews that range from light to dark, to fruity to holly. Second only to Jon's and a couple spots in Seattle in variety and with a taste for any palate. To the left in the back are the six packs that again range from known to mysterious. The management is making a concerted effort to rotate the selection and seriously, it's rad. They're building the Iowa microbrew selection and have a great variety of regional and beyond brews. Best part is they'll often sell them individually. Liquor selection is good, however, the best part is that the manager will take requests. He's got some great connections and scores some tough regional favorites. Overall, I've been very impressed with the selection and service. A close second to Jon's and on par with Barzini's. Well played Hyvee!

    Photos
    Hyvee Wine And Spirits
    Hyvee Wine And Spirits

    See all

    Johncy's Liquor Store

    Johncy's Liquor Store

    4.3(15 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    JOHNCY! Now that I have your attention, it should be direct at Johncy's. This place is legit and a…read moregreat spot to get your classy liquors, designer beers or a 40 of your favorite rubbing alcohol substitute. I went into Johncy's with low expectations, anticipating an array of slim Jim's, beast light and many items I normally find in my grocers freezer, but came out a better man having learned the joys that lied within! I discovered that Johncy's was not simply a crappy store with a hilarious name, but rather a promised land of potations fit for a king or working class hero, which ever showed up first! Enough with the thesaurus.com words - fact is, the selection of solid microbrewery beers here is excellent. A step down from John's (seriously who isn't), but on par with any other place in town, if not even half a step up given the excellent variety for purchase. It was a lot like looking at the menu at Reds on any given night, but where the bottles were at your beck and call rather than only spoken to through a waiter. We didn't venture far from the beer aisles, but the wine and liquor selection seemed fine. Prices were very reasonable for the quality stuff you're buying and with a selection that's ever revolving, you've got plenty to choose from. Great place to grab brews for the game or brews to impress the boss!

    As liquor stores in The NL go, this one is by far the best. If you need alcohol, beer, wine,…read morespirits, mixers, drinks, whiskey, vodka, rum, cordials, scotch, schnapps, brandies, liquors, stop in! Good diverse selection, and for the most place, price decent pricing on their stuff. Beer & wine selection isn't the biggest I've ever seen, but I guarantee you, that you can find something there that most ppl at your part will agree on drinking. Staff is always friendly, and if you need help, they'll usually try to help. I prefer to shop here over the liquor store attached to Corridor Convenience.

    Photos
    Johncy's Liquor Store
    Johncy's Liquor Store
    Johncy's Liquor Store

    See all

    Kava House & Cafe - bakeries - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...