January 2026. It's been quite a few years since I've been back and it's overdue. They have since changed ownership and have more options for their meals but still have the great counter treat options available. Overall a great experience and would be back! Coffee options were good and the Cafe Breve I had was great. Our group had breakfast this go so I ended up ordering the Denver Omelette with the smoked Gouda cheese option. It was tasty and the eggs were done perfectly. The basic cafe options here are great for any meal. And if you want to grab a coffee and treat with a few friends also a nice option. It wasn't too busy (but filled up with only a few tables open) on the Saturday morning we were there. The service was good but reminder that you have to go to the counter for all transactions but they will deliver items to your table at least and this method seems to work well for them. Ambiance is nice with the perfect small town cafe vibes. read more

See all

Really really fantastic brisket sandwich for breakfast. Coffee was good, service was nice though it's a lot of self service. Beautiful interior. read more

Kava House & Cafe - Breakfast Brisket Sandwhich - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

Stopped here the other day on my way back to Tennessee after seeing some good reviews. So glad I found this place. Like another reviewer said, a true hidden gem! It was so cute and had a much larger interior than expected. The menu won me over, great breakfast and lunch, and each item had something extra that elevated the dish. I had a hard time choosing. Settled on a "simple" hot sandwich to eat while on my drive, Turkey Bacon Cheddar with a Dijon sauce. It was perfect and a large portion. Everything that came out of the kitchen just looked made with care. Despite the large line the food was made fairly quickly. I hadn't planned on getting sweets but everything in the display looked amazing. So I got the coconut cake to share with my kid. It is one of the best cakes I've ever had! So soft and delicious, light creamy frosting. I will be back! read more

I got the worst sandwich I have eaten there! I ordered a fish sandwich, I figured it would be fried fish. I think they boiled it in water. The bun was soggy and it fell apart! It was served with 5 small potato chips. I liked the place much better when they had mismatch tables the food was great and not as expensive! The people that owned it were a lot friendlier as well. The place is pretty, but that's about it!! I will not be going back!! read more

Usually small-town diners and restaurants give huge portions for less money. Just the opposite here. no refills, expect a tip for going to the counter to order. Sadly won't be back read more

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. read more

See all

Second visit, and the desserts are outstanding. If in the area I highly recommend a stop to eat and enjoy a dessert. If you take the secondary roads it is also a nice drive from the Quad Cities. read more

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. read more

See all

This was such a gem to find on my way back to Chicago from visiting my family in Iowa. I had the half sandwich (Turkey-in-the-Garden) and salad (Cranberry-Walnut Spring) combo and it was delicious!! The salad portion was huge for it being a side and the sandwich was very good. I'd like to try something new next time I visit, but those two items were sooooo good I might just order them again!! Service was quick for it being a Saturday at peak lunch time. My table's orders arrived quickly and were perfect. The inside of this cafe is so cute!! I will definitely be visiting again!! read more

The staff were super friendly and helpful. Tables are large and outlets are plentiful. There's free wifi as well. I tried the breakfast burrito and an americano and thoroughly enjoyed both. read more

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. read more

Kava House & Cafe - Interior - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

See all

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

If you're just passing through or visiting Iowa, I highly recommend this charming spot for brunch. The food is excellent, and the staff is very friendly! The sandwiches are delicious, and the salads come in generous portions. You can't miss the baked goods--they're a must-try! It's definitely worth visiting if you're near the airport, and the cozy atmosphere adds to the experience. read more

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)! read more

Kava House & Cafe - Nut bar (the middle is marshmallow) - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

Great little place, newly remodeled with excellent food. My family enjoys lunch there often and have never had a bad meal . read more

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. read more

Kava House & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

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. read more

Kava House & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

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! read more

Kava House & Cafe - Pecan roll and frappe - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

Your most important meal of the day at Kava will start your day off right! I love the breakfast casseroles - eggs, hash browns, cheese are the staple ingredients and you get multiple options each day for sausage, veggie, chicken ranch, etc. I dream about these casseroles. The cinnamon rolls cannot be ignored either. My husband can never decide and usually gets both but beware that this is a HUGE serving!! They have wonderful flavors of coffee to enjoy with your breakfast. Their lunches are tasty, filling, and feel like your grandma made you a lunch filled with love! Their Friday burgers - HEAVEN! They have wonderful specials every Saturday night like prime rib, pork chops, meatloaf. Whatever time of day you go, you are bound to have a great meal and lovely staff to serve you! My only wish is that they were open on Sundays too! read more

Great coffee, decor is amazing I walked around the whole place taking pictures and just taking in the scene! Mismatched chairs made it feel homey, the desserts are also a must!!!! read more

See all

Thank you Yelp for helping me find this coffee shop on my drive home. I am not familiar with this area and felt is was in the middle of nowhere. The latte was amazing as was the apple coffee cake. The location is very cute as well! read more

Love this place and happy to see it doing well! The food and drinks are great. My one qualm is one part of the service, the man that cooks the sandwiches with the glasses is so so rude. Would be the perfect place without him, the rest of the staff is great. read more

Cute little cafe - antique like and cozy! I Just got a quick iced coffee on the go this morning - so I will definitely be back for the food and desserts! My iced coffee was ok - I probably shouldn't have asked for a pump of flavoring though as it was way too sweet - I feel if I wouldn't have done that it would have been good. I definitely will retry! read more

This place is beyond amazing. I love the community here. The food breakfast casseroles, Pastries, and coffee are amazing. If you are driving to either Cedar Rapids or Coralville and thinking about finding a spot. Do yourself a favor and stop here. Its the same distance to drive into. read more

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

Kava House and Cafe is hopping! We stopped for lunch during the workweek. I had an amazing meatloaf sandwich with French onions and all the deliciousness (I need to go back right now for that sandwich.) I had a side of fresh fruit, and they left out the pineapple for me, which was pretty darn cool. (I despise pineapple. I'm weird. I know!) The only thing was that my iced chai latte tasted really weird. I wasn't a fan. But the food was on point! read more

Kava House & Cafe - Meatloaf sandwich with fresh fruit! - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

The cafe is huge, spanning the full first floor of a beautiful old four-square building. There's ample outdoor seating on the front deck and in the lawn next to the building, but the indoor seating is the cutest with mis-matched but perfectly matching dinning room tables. I ordered lunch and a couple drinks while soaking up the wifi. The Jessie's Veggie was very good - spinach-artichoke spread, onions, crisp vegetables, and fresh grilled bread were perfect. With how good it was, I was surprised that it was the only vegetarian option outside of a pb&j. I ordered a tea to start and it was just a tea bag, not loose leaf and nothing fancy. I also tried their dirty chai and was disappointed in the steamed milk - it wasn't frothed accurately which resulted in simply hot milk without that luxurious thick body of crema. So the drinks weren't great, but the food was simply delicious and the atmosphere was as cute as rural Iowa gets! read more

See all

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

A nice little boutique coffee shop hidden in a small town. The ambiance is eclectic with old dining room tables and mismatched chairs. There's a nice little comfy seating area with couches to enjoy a latte or coffee. They home make everything and it's all delicious. The menu is small but nicely varied and there's a Saturday evening dinner special that's usually very good. They have a small specialty gift item section th a t's worth browsing through with some unique finds. The staff is small town friendly and super helpful. A great place for a relaxing outing. read more

Nice coffee and sandwich shop in Swisher. Would have given 5 stars but staff not wearing masks and customers not required either. Good food with lots of sandwich and salad choices. Big coffee and drink menu including alcohol. Will be going back! read more

I've lived in Iowa (City) for 11 years now, and had never heard of this place. Today, a group of about 12 of us went to lunch here. The city seemed sleepy and quiet - but there was NO PARKING in the restaurant's lot. Or the next lot. I couldn't decide what to pay attention to, let alone order for lunch (the coffee smells good! 'And Bakery'? ICE CREAM!). I ordered the 1/2 Granny Gobbler sandwich (turkey, havarti, apples, apple butter) and 1/2 Cranberry Walnut Salad with Feta, and the price was really reasonable. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say our group's order arrived *maybe* 15 minutes later (and mind you, the place was packed from wall to wall. Remember how I said there were 12 of us?). I think everyone's order was correct - *and* they were friendly. I can't wait to take my husband here. Regularly! read more

Kava House & Cafe - 1/2 Granny Gobbler and 1/2 Cranberry Walnut Salad - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

See all

I came here with my coworkers for lunch one day. I was surprised how packed it was seeing how it seemed to be located in the middle of nowhere. The environment of this joint reminds me of a grandmother's kitchen: warm and inviting with delicious scents wafting in the air. An eclectic array of framed artwork and wooden knick knacks were displayed throughout the seating area. I think people go there more for the coffee and pastries, but since we went for lunch, my grumbling stomach demanded a substantial meal. I ordered the Reuben sandwich, which turned out to be a great choice. The beef, cheese, and sauerkraut combo seemed to melt in my mouth while the buttered and lightly toasted bread added a crunch to the mix. The meal also came with a choice of pasta salad or fruit, which was a plus. read more

Kava House & Cafe - Reuben sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Swisher, Iowa

Great place with great atmosphere. This gem is one of a kind for the area. Great specials and baked goods. Coffee selection is fantastic and is better than the chain stores. Prices are reasonable and service is quick. read more

Absolutely amazing. I've liked everything on the menu. Delicious sandwiches, drinks and treats. The only thing they lack in is breakfast. So I usually stick to the great coffee and treats in the morning. The special Saturday meals are very filling and always great tasting. I definitely recommend. read more

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

This is a gem of a place. A true oasis. From the antique wooden dining room tables and chairs to the overall interior of the building (former general store). I had a mixed green salad with chicken on it. It was delicious. The greens weren't soggy and chicken was tender and thoughtfully sliced. The black bottom cake portion was very generous. The cake was delicious, the cream cheese filling was just enough, and the frosting was a fantastic overall fudgy taste. read more

Great local food. Ambience. Kid friendly. Outdoor and indoor seating. Purchase your food up front, pick a rustic table and they deliver the food to you. Daily specials. Great ice cream read more

Fantastic entrees (and deserts) cooked fresh! I had the brisket sandwich and it was outstanding. Very cozy atmosphere as well. It's a great hidden treasure in Swisher, Iowa. read more