Ritual Cafe is a locally-owned and operated coffee shop in Des Moines, Iowa located in the Western Gateway. We serve coffee, espresso, tea, hemp nut smoothies, wine, beer, locally baked goods- -vegan included! In addition, we serve breakfast and a variety of panini sandwiches. We are proud to serve an all vegetarian menu.
Nestled in the heart of downtown's Gateway Park, Ritual Cafe is a cultural hub for the city of Des Moines attracting artists of all walks. Local artists rotate monthly on the wall surrounding a stage where we host an open mic for local poets monthly. Although Ritual Cafe is identified first and foremost as a coffee house serving locally roasted organic coffee, we also offer an all vegetarian menu.
Nestled in the heart of downtown's Gateway Park, Ritual Cafe is a cultural hub for the city of Des Moines attracting artists of all walks. Local artists rotate monthly on the wall surrounding a stage where we host an open mic for local poets monthly. Although Ritual Cafe is identified first and foremost as a coffee house serving locally roasted organic coffee, we also offer an all vegetarian menu.
Services
Organic oats topped off with hemp nut granola, craisins, hemp nut and drizzled with salted caramel syrup. Two steamed eggs, homemade black bean mix, shredded cheese, fresh avocado slices, and homemade salsa. Two steamed eggs, grilled peppers and onions, your choice of cheese on garlic focaccia topped of with hot sauce.
Reviews (26)
Melinda Bianchi
Jan 03, 2022
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Adriana Arellano
Dec 22, 2021
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Super good and super friendly. Came in for my first time with my 3 year olds do 9 year old they were very nice and patient while I figured out what to order. And the food was bomb! I got the quiche which was basil and tomato with a side of salsa and my 9 year old got a breakfast sandwich that had a bit of spice to it and it was delicious! My three year old got a mini bunt cake and he gave it two thumbs up which is a very good sign. Also tried the horchata latte with soy milk and I’m telling you I just found my new favorite drink. Overall it was a great experience to say the least! ❤️
Kayla K.
Oct 03, 2021
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Heidi H.
Oct 01, 2021
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Mack Shot
Aug 29, 2021
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Couldn’t pay for my drip coffee because they have a $4 minimum. Changed my drink to a quad shot plain just to meet the minimum.
Rang me up for two drinks had to refund it back to me for the drip. Nbd
Received my drink, but was served a Chai latte type drink that was really sweet…
Didn’t get to purchase my original order, nor did I receive the quad shot black plain I asked for. Just threw my $5 purchase away. Not necessarily my case, but some people in this country have diabetes, so receiving the right drink is an importance if they specify plain or no sugar, which one would think plain
Rang me up for two drinks had to refund it back to me for the drip. Nbd
Received my drink, but was served a Chai latte type drink that was really sweet…
Didn’t get to purchase my original order, nor did I receive the quad shot black plain I asked for. Just threw my $5 purchase away. Not necessarily my case, but some people in this country have diabetes, so receiving the right drink is an importance if they specify plain or no sugar, which one would think plain
Brieana F.
Jun 28, 2021
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I love the vibe of Ritual Cafe & alll the plants! If you're in the downtown area and want a chill place to grab a great drink, snack, or veggie lunch, this is the spot I'd recommend! The baristas are amazing and super friendly too! I personally love their horchata latte (it's seasonal) or a blueberry oat milk latte! Yum!
Kimberly B.
Mar 27, 2021
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Mike F.
Mar 25, 2021
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Bill H.
Mar 06, 2021
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Presenting themselves as a conscious establishment whilst simultaneously using styrofoam to go cups, excluding males from their staff, and forcing masks on customers. So much for bodily sovereignty and science. Not worth putting up the rigid politics of this establishment and the downright rude treatment from some of the staff.
Niko Meurett
Jul 05, 2020
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Brandon S.
Feb 28, 2020
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Hannie D.
Feb 27, 2020
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I wish I could give this place another star, but they need to work on some things.
The biggest thing is that the staff is sometimes grumpy. Not everyone and not all the time, but since we are in Iowa, the friendliest place I've ever been, it is a bit jarring. When they are at all busy, it seems like they just get a bit flustered and give off an antagonistic vibe.
The second thing is that they need more vegan options. For an unabashedly feminist, progressive shop, they should expect more customers who don't want to participate in the cruel diary and egg industries. I asked about
The biggest thing is that the staff is sometimes grumpy. Not everyone and not all the time, but since we are in Iowa, the friendliest place I've ever been, it is a bit jarring. When they are at all busy, it seems like they just get a bit flustered and give off an antagonistic vibe.
The second thing is that they need more vegan options. For an unabashedly feminist, progressive shop, they should expect more customers who don't want to participate in the cruel diary and egg industries. I asked about
Jac Geffert
Oct 27, 2019
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Alyssa T.
Jun 24, 2019
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Divya V.
Feb 23, 2019
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In my short 3 months of living in Des Moines - most of it buried in snow. We have made a sort of ritual (pun intended) of taking out of town guests to the sculpture park and walking over to ritual cafe after for brunch.
This place is heaven for a vegetarian like me.
The "Jess" is my favorite sandwich there. It's spicy and grilled and has creamy coleslaw to balance it out. They have a nice selection of coffee drinks as well. The portions are perfect for a light lunch. Another bonus is they can make just about any of their menu items vegan.
Staff is friendly and I love to look
This place is heaven for a vegetarian like me.
The "Jess" is my favorite sandwich there. It's spicy and grilled and has creamy coleslaw to balance it out. They have a nice selection of coffee drinks as well. The portions are perfect for a light lunch. Another bonus is they can make just about any of their menu items vegan.
Staff is friendly and I love to look
Saadiya R.
Feb 21, 2019
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I really enjoyed my bbq tempeh sandwich! Really yummy! I really appreciate that this place has vegetarian/vegan options! It's a cute cafe near sculpture park. This is a self service place. While I enjoyed my sandwich, my brownie which I understand is from another bakery tasted and smelled a little weird. Almost like there was some cross contamination from a savory food. I also tried the horchata which was a little too sweet for my liking. There's a minimum for using your creditcard, which is also inconvenient for a cafe/coffee shop to use. Ironically, my cashier accidentally charged me
Matt B.
Dec 22, 2018
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I came here looking to grab some breakfast, thinking that a vegetarian place must have some vegan choices. But no, not really; so I ordered off their lunch menu, and got the tempeh sandwich, which was tasty, albeit oil and insubstantial - for ~$8, I was still hungry. I enjoyed it, but was not totally satisfied.
Jennifer G.
Sep 28, 2018
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I love Ritual Cafe. It's a special, local place. The eclectic, unique, cozy, bohemian vibes make my soul feel right at home. They have local art on the walls, plants on plants, prayer flags... it's a great place to meet & catch up. They have yummy baked goods, a legit breakfast & lunch menu that is vegan and vegetarian friendly, BEER, a plethora of tea options, healthy smoothies, and last but certainly not least coffee. The black bean burritos are okay and the veggie panini is DELICIOUS. If that wasn't enough, Ritual hosts events like live music and poetry readings. Check
Smarti Gras
Sep 10, 2018
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Well I just popped in and grabbed a tall double latte after the gal at the Allspice downtown spice shop told me about this coffee shop, and felt like I had time warped over to Portland, Oregon, or downtown Seattle when I walked in. Superb tasting coffee, perfect froth, and artistically finished. The ladies there were very friendly, and I loved the international flair. This is very cozy, and I learned they serve vegan food, even though I'm a carnivore, lol.
It wasn't easy to find, sort of tucked away down an obscure downtown side street, and it was all metered parking, so bring some loose change
It wasn't easy to find, sort of tucked away down an obscure downtown side street, and it was all metered parking, so bring some loose change
Betty C.
Aug 17, 2018
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Nicole Kidman
Jul 24, 2018
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The most amazing coffee and food! Everything is vegetarian which I am not and neither is my boyfriend but we both got the most amazing sandwiches! I am also not a coffee lover it's my own issue but their coffee is to die for it's so good. I will be returning because the staff was also great. All around a nice place to eat and chill. They also had lots of local art displayed which is nice to look at while sipping coffee.
Dylan Mike White
Jul 03, 2018
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Patrick T.
Jan 04, 2018
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Been 4 years since I have reviewed Ritual, and it's still a great place to work, have a meeting, meet friends for a drink and a vegan treat! Always interesting art on the walls, and friendly baristas!
The coffee is great, and the lattes are some of my fave in town!
Also the vegan baked good they have been making for years are still top notch as well!
Great location nestled between the library and the sculpture park this would be a great place to stop in grab a drink and go sit on one of the many benches or in the grass.. Perfection!
The coffee is great, and the lattes are some of my fave in town!
Also the vegan baked good they have been making for years are still top notch as well!
Great location nestled between the library and the sculpture park this would be a great place to stop in grab a drink and go sit on one of the many benches or in the grass.. Perfection!
Mary M.
Oct 03, 2017
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Quincy V.
Jun 28, 2017
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Decent, but certainly has more potential.
Don't get me wrong, this is a reasonably priced, cozy and inviting vegetarian cafe, although there are several reasons why I didn't give them a higher rating.
I came in and ordered the tempeh sandwich with BBQ sauce, to dine in. I liked that free water was made available, so the $8.00 cost for a lunch was very inexpensive. Their online menu didn't list any prices and frankly, I was expecting to pay more, so that was a pleasant surprise.
Although it wasn't very busy, the simple sandwich took about 20 minutes to cook. The dish itself
Don't get me wrong, this is a reasonably priced, cozy and inviting vegetarian cafe, although there are several reasons why I didn't give them a higher rating.
I came in and ordered the tempeh sandwich with BBQ sauce, to dine in. I liked that free water was made available, so the $8.00 cost for a lunch was very inexpensive. Their online menu didn't list any prices and frankly, I was expecting to pay more, so that was a pleasant surprise.
Although it wasn't very busy, the simple sandwich took about 20 minutes to cook. The dish itself
Tai D.
Dec 01, 2016
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Very cozy cafe. I love the art on the walls. Got me thinking, can I get one?
Tasty drinks, free wifi and an eclectic surrounding. Very cool, very hip. I liked their Mexican hot chocolate. I'd like to try the horchata latte.
It would be nice if they had longer hours. This would make a nice place to study in the evening.
Tasty drinks, free wifi and an eclectic surrounding. Very cool, very hip. I liked their Mexican hot chocolate. I'd like to try the horchata latte.
It would be nice if they had longer hours. This would make a nice place to study in the evening.
