Grounds for Celebration, West Des Moines

When George Rivera-Davis first tasted coffee from beans grown on his uncle’s farm in Panama, he was amazed—it tasted nothing like the brown liquid he’d been taught to call coffee in Des Moines. Inspired by the delicious brew, he ventured into the coffee business. Now, George and his wife, Jan—herself a certified tea blender—grow their own coffee in Panama with the aid of their family, bringing gourmet brews to Des Moines through their award-winning coffee shop and café, Grounds for Celebration. Grounds for Celebration’s coffee connoisseurs roast beans onsite before brewing fresh cups of java, blending espresso creations, and flavoring lattes with Monin syrup and Ghirardelli chocolate. Thirsty patrons can also opt for yerba mate, chai, and smoothies, or venture into Jan’s area of expertise and gulp tea in varieties that range from gunpowder green to ginger peach.

While sipping from steaming mugs, patrons can also munch croissants and cinnamon rolls baked fresh each day. At midday, they fortify themselves for afternoon paperclip jousts with lunch sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Some take their time to savor natural, from-scratch gelato while sitting amid the café’s local art and connecting devices to free WiFi.