Northern Vessel

Stopped in for a quick drink before a show. Service was fast and polite even though they were busy. The drinks were great and the view was pleasant as we enjoyed our coffee.

Northern Vessel is a must have. If I could go every day, I absolutely would. The staff is so friendly and so attentive. The coffee shop itself is so cozy.
What I got/have/had:
• strawberry matcha (5/5)
• honey lavender matcha (5/5)

PS: they have a health care discount!! 🩷

Found this place online when looking for coffee shops with latte art. Met TJ the owner when we walked in and he greeted us. He then came by and chatted with us while we enjoyed our drinks. Super hands on/engaging owner which we love to see! The vibe is relaxed and comfortable. My husband got the hot chocolate and said it was the best one he’s had at a shop before! I loved the lavender matcha latte. Highly recommend plus free parking near by.

I absolutely love this place. I like to call Northern Vessel my home away from home. I try and stop in once or twice a week, and it's usually the highlight of my day. I love the vibes, and it's such a fun place to get my work done. While I consider myself a regular now, all of the staff knew me by name within a week of the shop's opening. NV staff work hard to make every drink perfect, and they are so kind, attentive and positive. If something needs to be addressed (whether the coffee order isn't right, if they're low on paper towels in the bathroom or the water is low), they will always make sure to resolve any of these issues promptly. I never feel like a burden asking for something there.

I also appreciate the diversity of drink options on the menu, and I am continuously floored by the quality of the coffee. I haven't stepped foot in a Starbucks in months because I keep coming back for their high quality coffee and great hospitality. Thank you for all the amazing coffee, NV team!

Loooooove this coffee shop! Best coffee in Des Moines. The service is always top notch. The shop is an absolute vibe. You can tell TJ and the team want to make your experience one that’s above and beyond :) I will always take my coffee dates here!

I live in Ames and was in Des Moines for a weekend and I made a trip to Northern Vessel TWICE within 24 hours that weekend (and even grabbed a bottle to take home with me!) TJ and Crew have a great little spot that is an awesome environment pumping out great drinks.

There are plenty of great coffee spots in Des Moines to choose from, Northern Vessel is at the top of that list, easily.

Hands down the best coffee shop in Des Moines by far! The cheerio, Spanish latte and if they have the pumpkin spice latte are my favorites. The staff is always super friendly as well, 10/10 really well done can’t knock the place for anything. As well I love that their drinks are never blistering hot when served.

Driving through Des Moines and planned on stopping at Horizon Line but stumbled upon Northern Vessel. As someone who works in specialty coffee I usually like to try what a shop has on drip or pour over. The Ethiopian coffee from April was prepared exceptionally well on drip and I was incredibly satisfied with it!

TJ has done some fantastic work with the space! It’s aesthetically pleasing and delivers quality coffee! 10/10 recommend for anyone passing through or who lives in the area!

Super cute coffee shop. It's got a clean, minimalist feel with plants everywhere. Staff was extremely welcoming even though they were super busy. You enter into the ordering area where there's ledge seating for those who are waiting for their coffees to-go. There's also merch and other drinks for sale here. Off to the left is a table seating room. There's not a ton of space but it's enough. My chagacinno (mushroom latté) was delicious and it was not overpowered by the cacao like it is in some places. I had asked for less cacao but it's pre-mixed so they weren't able to do that. My boyfriend got a vanilla latté which was good. It tastes like they use good quality beans and milk here. I'm excited to have this new addition to the neighborhood!

Best coffee shop in Des Moines, hands down. The owners really care about their community and their customers. coffee is 10/10.

Love this spot! I'm from Ames but make time to stop in weekly! They have fantastic coffee, a great atmosphere, and incredibly generous employees.

I am 66 yrs. old and had never had a cup of coffee until this summer when I walked by the Northern Vessel booth at the DSM farmers market. I chatted with the guys working and told them I didn’t like coffee and had never drank a cup (only tasted it) in my life. They said “Try this” (cold brew latte) and it was fantastic! Now I try to go there as often as possible and it doesn’t matter who’s working…they all know my order! Everyone is so friendly and nice. I always leave happy and looking forward to my next visit.

Northern Vessel was great! TJ and the staff are amazing. Ordered a Vanilla Chai Latte and it was superb!! Highly recommend, great local coffee shop. Will be back!

Excellent local coffee shop! Had an iced mocha & an old fashioned donut, and both were quite tasty.

Northern Vessel coffee is top notch! Not only are the drinks amazing, the service is awesome too. Definitely make the time to stop in to see their beautiful space, you won’t be disappointed.

Amazing coffee and great service
TJ is a rockstar of the latte and I am just a grade school connoisseur. The flavors and notes pluck the strings of my taste buds. Cheerio, Spanish and Cold Brew Latte's are a love ballad to my soul.

The Blueberry Macha was so good! I was worried it was going to be too sweet, but it was perfectly balanced. The staff was friendly and fast, and the atmosphere was perfect for a hangout or coffee date. I will definitely be going back 😌

Coffee, espresso, and special drinks were superb! I loved the attention to detail, including the nice plating of the espresso, hefty spoon, sparkling water, and even a flower garnish! The single free refill on the coffee was a nice surprise. I enjoyed their selection of pastries too, the everything croissant with cream cheese was delicious. Staff were extremely friendly too. Keep it up :)

TJ’s enthusiasm and welcoming attitude are rivaled only by the beverage quality.

Big fan of this spot. They have great coffee, and an incredible menu that includes teas, lemonades, and various craft canned and bottled drinks. They also usually have a good variety of fresh sweet and savory pastries and treats available.

Seating is limited and pretty nontraditional for a coffee shop, highly communal raised areas in the windows, along with a central "bar" seating area where people are usually co-working and chatting. Just a handful of individual tables, and there are usually quite a few people hanging out when I stop in.

I've never had an unpleasant experience after many visits, the entire staff is very friendly and welcoming, and excited to make you a great drink.