The 3 Best Cafés in The Amana Colonies
—PLUS a Bonus New Shop!
We get asked by people all the time if we’re adding a café to our bookstore—and we get it. Most bookstores these days do have a coffee shop setup so you can grab a cup of joe, a new book, and settle into the comfy couches for some binge reading.
Honestly, we’re so spoiled with the delicious drinks in The Amana Colonies, we don’t feel a need to add something that’s already here. (Okay, and our plumbing situation doesn’t favor it, but that’s besides the point…) Ash and I are regulars around the village cafés and we’d rather send you to one of these amazing places for that coffee, tea, boba, or whatever tickles your non-alcoholic fancy.
And then give you $5 off a New Book when you bring your drink into the bookstore!
So here’s our list of the 3 best cafés in The Amana Colonies in order of location from the entrance to Amana all the way down to Hotel Millwright (plus all the “tea” on the newest addition to our beverage crawl)!
Amana Colonies Bakery & Café
Reader Beware: you’ll go in here for one drink and leave with a bag full of goodies!
Family owned and operated—with quite literally everything made by hand—The Amana Colonies Bakery & Café is a constant temptation (and indulgence) here at BumbleBooks. Our dear friend, Victoria, has been sharing her mother’s bread and pastry recipes in the heart of Amana for over 17 years. She also has a healthy collection of ready-to-make soups, fun aprons and cookie cutters, and wall-to-wall temptations from gourmet popcorn to cinnamon twist bread.
We just had to show you the stunning architecture of this building—paired with the mouth-watering breads and goodies inside it!
There is a steady year-long drink menu, but the monthly specials are the most fun! July featured a richly-spiced Horchata iced latté, and Victoria even whipped up a special BumbleBooks-inspired cold brew for our Grand Opening in April! We’re always excited for the first week of each month to see what new concoctions are ready to pair with the endless pastries, cakes, and cookies in those glass cases just begging to be eaten.
Our obsession when it comes to the pastries: the apple dumplings. Seriously. You haven’t experienced true dumpling ecstasy until you’ve bitten into one of these bad boys! A whole apple is cored, stuffed with cinnamon sugar paste, and soaked overnight in juices and more cinnamon sugar so the whole thing is just dripping with pie-like nectar. Then she cuts the apple in half, wraps each up in a thick homemade pastry, and pops them in the oven. They’re topped with a thick glob of creamy icing and if you’re lucky enough to get one fresh from the kitchen, you’re gonna need a fork.
Upstairs over the pastry counter and bakery checkout is the coziest seating area—and yes, more German architecture we love to drool over almost as much as the food…
Do we have a picture of this phenomenal treat? No, because I ate it. “They’re sinfully delicious! Can you blame us?” Ashlyn wanted me to add to this article.
Our obsession in the drinks department: the Lotus Energy drinks! Available all year long, these are perfect for anyone who wants a brain booster without the coffee flavor (or maybe you’re just in the mood for sparkly juice).
Nikki’s Amana Sunrise on the left; Ashlyn’s GlitterBerry on the right.
Nikki’s Pick: The Amana Sunrise. It’s club soda, cherry juice, Lotus Energy, and topped with orange juice—a beautiful, refreshing burst of liquid inspiration for a day at the bookstore!
Ashlyn’s Pick: The GlitterBerry. It literally has swirls of edible glitter that amp up this magical blend of Lotus Energy, fruit juices, and club soda. Perfect for every fantasy-lover!
Chocolate Haus
One does not simply step into this wonderland and not get chocolate.
Go on. I dare you.
Another family owned-and-operated staple of Amana, The Chocolate Haus is the home of handcrafted chocolates, imported candies, and one of the most decadent coffee menus you’re going to find in a 25 mile radius. Seriously, this is a “dessert drink” location at its finest—so it’s a good thing they keep the sizing at a consistent 16 ounces!
There’s always something new every time we come in—like these sweets imported from Scandinavia
One of the super neat features of this place is the ability to place your orders and come back later to pick them up if you’re planning on walking around in the Iowa summer heat. They also provide ice packs if you need to grab-and-go but don’t want to risk your truffles turning into goop before you get to your car. I’ve also been able to ship bundles of chocolates and treats to my sister and her family in Indiana straight from the store—it’s just a small shipping fee but a big guarantee that they’ll package everything better than I would!
My sister confirms that everything always arrives in great shape, by the way. The only complaint she has involves the “child piranhas” who swoop in and empty the box before she has a chance to see what’s in it! 😆
Almost all the truffles, toffees, and other goodies come in a variety of chocolates to choose from to match your personal palette: white, milk, and dark
Our obsession(s) when it comes to the chocolates: it is a very close tie between the almond crunch toffees and the cappuccino-chip affogato. The almond crunch is definitely more wallet-friendly since it’s priced by weight (and you really should only get one piece…if you’re behavaing…), and it melts in your mouth without straining your teeth. Buttery, rich, and no stickiness at all—PLUS you can pick from dark, milk, or white chocolate options! (Don’t quote me, but I believe there is also a sugar-free option!)
The affogato is available for all the ice cream flavors (available seasonally), but we have to recommend the cappuccino chip. It’s a whole experience. Sometimes, it’s a whole lunch. One (or two) scoops of ice cream topped with a fresh shot of espresso amps up the flavor to new heights and makes any coffee lover come back for more!
Nikki’s Turtle Mocha (because Ashlyn chugged hers!), complete with a super-fun “crazy” straw 😎
Our obsession in the drinks department: the mochas. It’s a chocolate shop, after all. Need I say more?
In case I do, here’s the (not so) skinny: the mocha sauce is handcrafted every day the same way the truffles, fudges, caramels…everything, really, are. And that means you’re basically drinking a liquid form of cocoa goodness that would make a certain fictional factory owner weep.
Nikki’s Pick: Iced Turtle Mocha. Chocolate, caramel, and espresso goodness make this an instant classic.
Ashlyn’s Pick: Iced White Chocolate Raspberry Mocha. Definitely get the white chocolate version even if you’re not a fan of the stuff, because it pulls the raspberry flavor like nothing else!
Edelweiss
Confession time: we probably spend more time (and money) at this location simply because it’s only a 2-minute walk from the bookstore!
Located inside the Amana Colonies Visitor’s Center—which is a super neat rehabbed corn crib from the original 1860s settlement period—this grab n’ go café is home to a rotating seasonal menu of lattes and imported teas.
Rustic and charming is the vibe—sweet and delicious is the flavor!
Got the kids with you? Entertain them with some popping boba! And now you can add fresh fruit to any drink, so if you’re needing to rehydrate the little ones with a special treat, this is the place to jazz up the juice and earn some bonus points with the brood.
Our Overall Obsession: Waiting for our drinks is never a bore thanks to the museum displays, t-shirt shop, jewelry stands, and brochures! You’ll have no problems finding something fun to do (or to wear) in the colonies while Kayleigh and/or Alicia whip up your order. Even though we live and work here, Ash and I are always finding something new to explore!
Our side obsession: This one is a hit or miss depending on the day, but…if you love thick, gooey cinnamon rolls or buttery-flaky rum cakes, you might just get lucky on your visit to Edelweiss! Best bet is to make a morning visit, as these quick breakfast treats vanish fairly quickly.
Nikki’s Pick: Grand Stand (iced with almond milk). This is a seasonal item but definitely one I’ll be begging them to make again! A rich blend of mocha, hazelnut, and shortbread, this celebration of one of the Iowa State Fair’s biggest pulls is my happiness in a cup.
You’re bound to find us sipping one of these bad boys down in the bookstore 🤩
Ashlyn’s Pick: Funnel Cake. Vanilla, salted caramel, and white mocha blend in a surprisingly not-too-sweet rendition of the state fair staple dessert! We both expected to be overwhelmed with sugar given its namesake (and again, we’re not fans of white chocolate), but this latte surprised us with how gosh-darn good it is. If I weren’t so obsessed with the Grand Stand’s hazelnut notes, I’d be sipping this on the daily, too!
**BONUS NEW SHOP**
There’s a new addition to the villages that I couldn’t be prouder to announce (and brag about):
Genesis Studio Spa
Originating in Waterloo, Iowa, this new luxury in The Amana Colonies still offers its renowned sugaring hair removal, reflexology, and facial services…but now has a stunningly gorgeous tea room and bulk herbs shop!
Lyn will help you customize everything you need for some seriously relaxing self-care—from calming teas to soothing body care and more…
Located only four buildings up from the bookstore and right next to The Guest House Motel, GSS offers a unique, first-class experience in custom blending your own personal tea. There’s plenty of room for you and your family/friends to sit down and enjoy a nice pot together, or you can settle into the serenity with your own tea service and one of our books.
Even if you’re just passing through, this is a must-see for its breathtaking indoor fantasy garden filled with calming aromas, sparkling lights, and ethereal music. Why not take a moment to rest your feet and rejuvenate a while?
