I was in two-weeks ago and ordered tea because I wasn't feeling so hot. The barista recommended an excellent tea and the atmosphere was conducive to conversation. Note to other shops: I may quibble with their coffee, but I've always received excellent customer service at Mars.
Add in that they have wi-fi and comfortable booths, I'll probably be in more now that I'm a grad student starting this fall. The place has improved since my initial review.
Mars Cafe is an excellent place to get caffeinated. Alongside their fantastic coffee and espresso beverages made with Kickapoo coffee, Mars carries a selection of teas from Gong Fu and makes a delicious yerba mate lemonade. The employees are super friendly, the bathrooms are clean, and the wifi is decent. I've never had anything to eat here, but they have a selection of salads, pastries, and sandwiches.
This place also has my (somewhat worrying) #1 favorite characteristic of Iowa coffee shops - beer and wine! Basically they just have a house red and a house white, but they change up their beer selection and there's usually something interesting.
One unfortunate downside - for a college cafe, they could definitely stand to extend their hours. 10 pm isn't really that late to begin with (or maybe it is for Des Moines?), but they seem to have altered (shorter) hours very time I come in...
It is okay. Nothing special, but that is my opinion. Some people love their coffee. they get it from intelligentsia in chicago. Okay, so i am spoiled on west coast coffee and I say that stumptown and blue bottle put this place to shame. Case closed. Anyways, if you need to get some work done and can tolerate the loud music go there. Free internet is a plus.
Review Source:Pretty decent coffee place. Â Kinda dead here on a Sunday summer time. Â No students around which is good and bad. Â Get work done but no hustle and bustle that some might want. Â Selection is decent and staff is really nice. Â Parking is a pretty big issue and street parking is tough. Â Lot is behind the coffee shop but looked kinda full too. Â I'll stick to Smokey Rows which looks nicer in my opinion and has more traffic.
Review Source:I had been working at home and was getting cabin fever so I decided to try out Mars Cafe (I had heard good things).
The artistic ambiance is perfect the neighborhood - it reminds me a bit of The Varsity when it was on 25th.
I ordered a cappuccino and it was delicious. I have to admit I was a little confused as to whether I needed to wait for it at the counter or if they brought them to the table, but I should have asked :)
I also had some of the baked pastries - not too bad! Â The one thing is, this is a coffee shop so there are a lot of people meeting, etc so don't expect it to be super quiet. Pretty standard for a college coffee shop.
Love the free parking in the back.
Lively, wonderful atmosphere with great music! Great place for college students due to its proximity to Drake University. Parking can be a bitch especially if you're not much of parallel parker.
Overall it's a relaxing place to get work done, or study while sipping some coffee or tea. Also, you can get together with friends and play board games such as Monopoly, Chess, and Clue during your spare time. Did I fail to mention that local bands come here every Thursday to perform live music!
As for what coffee to get it, try the Moonwalker. It is so delicious that you'll wanna sip another one. And if you're a fan of latte's then I've heard the Sputnik is really good! Also, try the Mudslide Mocha! It started off as a special but because it sold out so fast, it will become a regular!
And FYI, brunch is very popular here. If you're a fan of the Nutella spread like I'am I encourage you to get the Nutella & Banana! I wouldn't recommend getting any of the paninis as there is nothing special about them & its a ripoff!
Once again Yelp has directed me to a glorious meal in a town I am not familiar with... Â Mars Cafe is Delicious!!!! Â
I had the bacon turkey sandwich, and the lavender-dijon dressing was out of this world!!! Â I discovered Peace Tree Red Rambler Red Ale, and lunch was a complete success. Â
On my way out the door I had the fortune of meeting the chef. Â His mentality in creating his dishes is great, and he even directed me to a local liqueur store where I could purchase some of the new and tasty beer I discovered.
Bravo!
This is one of the best cafe I have ever been to. Since it's located only a few minutes walking distance from my campus, I love to walk here and get a cup of great coffee.. I took off one star because the price is a little too expensive and the service is sometimes too slow.. I am very impatient that's y I don't really like to wait.
I tried their caramel mocha, rocketfuel (mocha + coffee + lots of caffeine), skylab (mint + mocha), Appollo (white chocolate mocha).. I guess that's it.. I tried their mint tea and some other which I can't really remember and bought a few packet of tea leafs as a gift for my aunt from Malaysia since she loves tea!!! The tea is really good.. it's not some cheap tea leafs that you get in walmart.. Some of it is organic and you can only get in their shop..
As for the coffee, starbucks totally lost to them!!! From the smell of their coffee beans.. you can even feel the coffee beans they used are "good stuff"!!! I believe the workers there are all well-trained to make you a cup of good coffee.. The way they pour the steam milk with the caffeine.. is totally different.. you will always see your drinks with a tea leaf on it.. or even a heart shape.. they will not simply make a cup of coffee for you even though there is a line waiting for the coffee (that's y you have to wait)... I will recommend RocketFuel to people who really needs caffeine for the day.. You will definitely become "hyper" after a sip of it!!!! (that's what happen to me)
I came here once for a networking event... I guess they are way too busy.. the coffee wasn't that good on that day.. but it's good on the other days.. this also another reason that made me took off a star...
There are bands playing almost every Thursday.. For music lovers.. you can choose to buy a cup of coffee and listen to some great local musics.. :)
Probably one of the few "third wave" shops in Des Moines. They use Black Cat Intelligentsia beans for their espresso drinks so you can expect a certain baseline quality from that fact alone. Â The barista was not the most efficient and overall her approach was on the sloppy side (it's clear she knew how to pull a shot appropriately, but wasn't paying as much attention for my order.) Â The latte "art" was on the interpretive side, but it was the first place in DSM that has even tried it. Overall, I'm glad to know Mars is bringing good coffee to the area. Keep it up.
Review Source:We passed through Iowa on a road trip and popped in here for a late lunch. The experience was wonderful.
The place has a nice vibe to it; on a Friday afternoon it was pretty much to capacity, mostly students from the look of it.
I ordered the turkey pesto panini. It was grilled perfectly and was delicious. Unfortunately, I didn't want to get uncomfortably full for the drive; I didn't order anything else... but the menu looks like it has a good variety. They have beer, wine, Â and coffee, too; something for any mood that you might be in.
If I ever have to pass through Iowa again, I would definitely make it a point to stop in here.
I had the caramel latte here which I enjoyed. Â The coffee was served to me without a lid and the coffee was almost running over the rim of the cup. Â Thankfully the coffee was not too hot that I could sip my drink to a reasonable level to put my own lid on it before walking out of this coffee shop. Â Service was only okay. I received my coffee quickly but the girl working the cashier was not the friendliest. Â This place has free wifi which is why I think the place was filled with students and their laptops. Â The decor was very cute and very futuristic probably to keep on point with their "Mars" theme. Prices were comparable to other shops in the area and almost the same as Starbucks prices!
Review Source:Love this place! It is a great place to meet friends day or night or to bring books to study. Â The atmosphere is great, and there is tons of personality! Â The food/coffee aren't bad and the people working there are always friendly. Â There is live music there in the evening on certain nights of the week. It is a hot spot that I miss having moved away from Des Moines.
Review Source:1. LOCAL: Locally owned coffee shops are always the way to go, and this one gets two huge thumbs up.
2. AWESOME AMBIENCE: I refer to Mars as "caffeination station" or "procrastination station". While sometimes I am able to get work done, most usually I end up drinking far too much and using the caffeine buzz to people watch and surf the web. If you appreciate music, you are in luck: the cafe often has live tunes in the evening and the staff keeps great indie records spinning throughout the day. Â
3. QUALITY CAFFEINE: All the barista's know what's up and brew a great cup of coffee/tea and pull perfect shots of espresso. Their iced green tea is some of the best I've ever had, and happy hour is sure to tickle the beer lover in us all.
4. BREAKFAST DELIGHT: Eat the Solarz ... it's a breakfast sandwich that is delicious all day! All of their breakfast sammies are delicious, and they've got a great affordable brunch on the weekend.
5. MEET ME IN MARS: This is the perfect place to meet friends or classmates. Free Wifi and lots of plug-ins for you laptop if you score a booth. Be warned: you will likely run into familiar faces and are bound to make some Mars Cafe friends if you come more than once.
This is a great place with a great vibe. As cool as it was when NASA sent a chimp into space!
It's mostly a collage age crowd (drake collage is in the neighborhood) although you do get a good mix of people. Young professionals and families. Let me put it this way; your not going to feel un-hip or like a loser if your not dawning skinny jeans, or eyeliner on a guy. Wait....is that stuff sill "in"?
I can't say that the coffee here is any better then any other coffee shop in DeMo. What they do have is a great vibe and friendly service. The new food menu is hands down the best coffee shop food in DeMo. I really recommend the fresh from the farmers market saturday brunch! I will say that their lunch sandwiches could use a little more filler.
They also have WIFI as long as you make a purchase (and you should make a purchase).
Great place in DeMo and good to have it in the local options!
Support local, buy local, and grow local.
After having the strong smooth flavor of Mars' coffee and lattes you'll be spoiled for good! The green tea latte is yummy too. Food is fresh made with local bread and ingredients from Des moines own farmers market. This coffee house is good for the community, and all the guys there are easy going and fun to talk to.
Review Source:I used to frequent Mars Cafe when I lived in Des Moines. Then I moved to Chicago. I figured I'd find some place just as cooler - probably WAY cooler - than Mars Cafe; after all, it's Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest.
Three years later, nothing still has come CLOSE to Mars Cafe. I'm not just saying "well, Mars Cafe was better, but this place will do." I'm saying "Mars Cafe is literally the first place I will go the next time I visit Des Moines."
1. Drinks - it doesn't matter what you get, every single drink (and I've had most of them) are well-mixed, presented perfectly, and well-worth the price.
2. Stage - live entertainment from local jazz, blues, and other acoustic artists? Yes, please. It is a great venue with great performers.
3. Community - Mars Cafe is an essential part of the Drake University community, and the surrounding area would be missing a LOT without it.
I could list a ton more bullet points, but you have to just trust me when I say that this place speaks for itself as the best coffee shop I've been to in the Midwest. I've traveled extensively, and no matter where I go - Quad Cities, Indianapolis, Peoria, or Chicago - there is NO matching the perfect atmosphere, attitude, and sheer quality of Mars Cafe.
As a Drake student living on the west side of campus, Mars Cafe's past-25th-Street location was always a bit of a turnoff. But every time I walk in, I think, WHY AM I NOT HERE ALL THE TIME? It's well worth the walk or drive. (I've started reminding myself of that more often and my foursquare checkins have gone through the roof.)
Mars is a locally owned coffee shop that attracts Des Moines residents and Drake students alike. (If networking is your thing, it's a great place to mingle with some of the city's coolest movers and shakers. Des Moines Music Coalition's Amadeo Rossi is the mayor.) Whether you drop in and get a cosmonaut to go or you are going to spend 14 hours writing a paper and need three meals, coffee AND cocktails (...just me?) Mars is the place to go.
Highlights:
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable
They keep good hours
Most importantly, they make good coffee. They know ABOUT coffee. These people are artists, man.
Plenty of seating.
They are always innovating to make sure they are engaged in and engaging with the Des Moines and Drake communities -- whether that's through social media, live concerts or their new weekend brunch.
Go there.
Mars Cafe is perfect for what it aspires to be.
The coffee and espresso are very good. They work to train their baristas well.
The food items are also delicious, and the environment is cozy.
If you like live music, they have bands play occasionally as well.
I would definitely recommend coming here for good, quality drinks and food.
I miss Mars SOOOOOO MUCH! Â I went to school at Drake, and when I first came to Des Moines there was NOTHING on University east of 25th street, except for some empty shop on the corner that had a promising sign saying "COFFEE SHOP COMING SOON." Â About a year and a half later, the corner was still empty but this place called Mars Cafe popped up. Having always fantasized about lounging at awesome coffee shops while preparing for finals, and drinking quadruple shots at 3am, Mars made my dreams of the perfect college kid cafe. With that said, it's also suitable for all ages! In lieu of the previous entries, I shall number the ways Mars makes my day:
1. Mars has variety of seating - counter, booth, couch, tables.
2. Very delicious & affordable menu
3. Knowledgeable baristas- many of whom attended competitions and conferences to learn how to make the perfect cup. And of course they are always friendly and helpful.
4. Inviting to all avenues of art- there's always an interesting music selection on, a variety of live music, and art from the local scene that changes every several weeks.
5. My choice in the nasty, frigid days of february - a medium breve (steamed half & half, and espresso), an adult's hot chocolate if you add some cocoa powder to it. DELICIOUS! Â And for the blazing hot, sticky days, Mars has REALLY good & fresh iced coffee.
What more can I say: great atmosphere, an active member of the community, food/drink that does more than hit the spot. Â Mars is fabulous!
I MISS YOU MARS!
Mars Cafe is a great place for a number of things.
1) Studying
2) Meeting up with a friend or two for their $2 beers after 9pm
3) Meeting with a person or two for business
4) Dropping in quickly for a cup of coffee on your way to work
5) Getting their Twitter Tuesdays special by following them at @marscafe.
6) Lunch
Food: didn't have food...
Decor: 5
Service: 5
I love coffee shops and can be somewhat critical if the coffee shop gets the vibe wrong. Luckily, Mars Cafe gets it. Â After traveling around the city looking for a coffee shop with ambiance for a Sunday afternoon read with the Fiancee, the Mars Cafe was a good find.
The space is big and set up in a few different versatile configurations that would be good for studying solo or in a small group, reading, a date, a meeting, eating a meal or playing yo-yo. Â I saw two guys playing with yo-yos when we walked in.... it seemed to fit. Â There were some booths, a couch or two and smaller tables. Â We chose the booths. Â They were cozy.
They played upbeat coffee shop style music. Â The staff were cheerful and lacked angst that sometimes comes with cafe employees.
I had a chai. It was standard cafe style chai (which I consider to be a bit less sweet than Starbux and with more foamy milk). Â We sat down and read the paper and it was a pleasant experience except for some guy yakking loudly on his cell phone. Â Not Mars' fault so I won't count it against them. Â
I will definitely go back there to hang out and will try some food next time.
THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN ON SUNDAYS!!!!!!!
How did I love Mars Cafe when I was but a lowly undergrad living in Des Moines? Let me count the ways.
1. I loved you for your space race-inspired drinks, particularly your Buzz Aldrin (a drink known elsewhere as the sludge cup, the red eye, or even a "barb wire") and your cute little pots of tea, particularly when you'd persuade me to blend two of your delicious loose leaf teas together.
2. Your hummus sandwich kept me fueled through a number of late night paper-writing and finals cram sessions. That mixed greens salad on the side with that herby balsamic vinaigrette...yum.
3. Your wi-fi afforded me the company of sympathetic others as I studied out of the confinement of my teeny tiny dorm room, without having to stifle guffaws at various jokes on the webatrons (typically LOLcats in those days) like I would have to at, say, the library, or a less imbecile-friendly environment.
4. The ability to drink Pyramid Apricot Hefeweizen....while studying. YESSSSS.
5. Fun but not junky decor, friendly faces, and that back booth in which I so often took up residence, feet stretched across to the seat opposite... having to switch out laptop power cords with my friends when we were all laptopping.
6. Those rockin' baristas who made the fun designs in the "fancy" drinks--never touched the stuff myself, but mad props for trying to bring vestiges of the modern era into the Wayback Machine of Des Moines' "Dog Town" neighborhood...shudder to think we accommodate young people in this one horse town.
7. Honorable mention: One of the few places I actually went on a REAL date in my 4 year tenure in the city. The anomalous nature of this event alone makes the locale qualify as an historic site.
I sincerely miss this cafe and wish that I could find an equivalent in Chicago. The closest I've come is Metropolis, which is no less than amazing, but still missing that certain something. I suppose that, like NASA to Sputnik (circa 1957), the second city's cafes must grow by leaps and bounds in order to compete with Mars... in my heart.
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