Kava House & Cafe
While heading north to the Cedar Rapids airport, we were searching online for a place to eat before our flight. On the map, we saw the Kava House & Café located about a mile off the main road.
A quick decision was made and what did we find? A hidden gem that was worth our 2-hour drive from home and a cool place off the beaten path.
So what makes this café in the small town of Swisher, Iowa so great? Let me give you four reasons….
Kava House & Cafe building in Swisher during summer with outdoor dining on the front porch.
Location:
122 2nd Street SW
Swisher, IA 52338
Contact:
(319) 857-5000
Hours:
6:30 AM - 8 PM, T-F
8 AM - 8 PM. Sat
Website:
http://kavahousecafe.com/
First, It's Made from Scratch
You won’t find pour-heat-and-serve-canned food here. Everything is made from scratch using old-fashioned recipes or those handed down in the family. That’s why everything is so delicious!
Also, the Vondraceks purchase menu ingredients from various sources, many of which are local vendors. To name a few, cheese comes from nearby Wisconsin. Other dairy needs come from a local creamery. Meat, vegetables, and other ingredients are also sourced locally when possible. Their goal is to source the best foods available.
All of Kava House’s baked goods are made on premises every day, which means delightful aroma along with freshness while dining. They are most well known for their scones—a round or triangular, flaky buttery pastry. (Definitely on my list for our next trip.)
The owner, Karen Vondracek, bakes most of the bread while a niece bakes most of the sweets you see in the showcase. Around the corner from the baked goods is a freezer filled with ice cream from the Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company in Wisconsin. Dare you to walk by either case without making a selection!
Full from lunch, we selected treats to take home. Like a kid in a candy shop, it was hard to choose but we settled on a French Lemon Bar and an After Dinner Mint Bar. Both were mouth-watering!
"Dill'icious Turkey Wrap with pasta salad and lemonade + Otto's Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Sandwich with homemade baked beans and soda, both served with veggie straws.
Second, It's "Dill'icious" Food
The Kava House & Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Both of our visits were during lunchtime. I am a wrap connoisseur and honestly, the “Dill’icious Turkey Wrap” just made top of my list, along with the pasta salad I had.
Tom is always looking for the perfect meatloaf sandwich and found it in “Otto’s Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Sandwich.” His side was homemade baked beans. Of course, I had to get a taste—and yes, those were yummy too.
Their extensive menu served daily includes sandwiches, soups, salads, beverages, and baked goods. Along with regular menu items, Friday’s “burger night” and Saturday’s dinner special are popular.
(NOTE: They are a full-service coffee shop but you’ll have to try it yourself since we don’t drink coffee. Another good reason to visit if you love coffee.)
Vintage stove serves as coffee station.
Sitting area in main dining room with checker set, antique fireplace, and photo album that depicts the Kava House & Cafe building restoration process.
Third, It's a Cool Old Building
Built in 1914, both the building’s interior and exterior required renovation. Karen and Craig’s family and friends assisted with the yearlong project which began in 2007. The Vondraceks documented the progress with photos. You can browse through the photo album during your visit at the Café.
Inside you will find antiques, including everything from tables and chairs to serving counters to lighting and accessories. There’s even an antique fireplace set in the main dining room. From beadboard ceiling to the rich old wood floor, you get a feeling of nostalgia as soon as you walk in.
Guests enjoying lunch in the main dining room.
Called “The Sewing Room,” the smaller dining room has floating shelves displaying antique sewing machines. There are child-size machines, those with hand-wheels, and a few regular machines, dated from the mid-1800’s onward.
Karen’s father donated the collection, gathered during his travels and restored using his machine shop knowledge and abilities. If you are a seamstress, this collection is a must see.
Functional miniature sewing machine inventeed for adults became children's toy.
Fourth, Awesome Outdoor Seating
Dining inside is comfortable and pleasant. You will find everything you need—ice water, utensils, napkins, etc—in both dining rooms. But for those who prefer outdoor dining in good weather, you will be pleasantly surprised.
You have two options. First, the porch running the full width of the building is set with umbrella covered tables, checkered cloths, and baskets of flowers.
The second option is “The Shed.” It was originally an old shed behind the Café that was falling down. Karen and Craig decided it needed fixed up or removed. They chose to fix it.
Moved in 2017 to it’s current location on the adjacent lawn, family and friends helped pour the pad, paint and remodel the shed. Now, customers and local towns people enjoy The Shed for fall gatherings around the fire pit, dining or just savoring ice cream outdoors.
Summer allows for outdoor dining on the Kava House's front porch. Baskets of flowers, checkered tablecloths, and umbrellas create a festive place to relax.
Renovated shed now used for outdoor dining, music, and enjoyment by locals and visitors.
So Happy We Stopped
Taking that short detour was a great decision and definitely worth it! Food was amazing. Place was charming. Staff was happy and friendly.
So, if you’re traveling toward Cedar Rapids, take the detour. Grab a menu at the door, order at counter, and find a seat. Then, it’s a short wait for delivery of delicious food to your table.
You’ll be happy you stopped at the Kava House & Café. We’re glad we did.
Sue, Kayla, and Devin are three of Kava House’s friendly staff waiting to serve you.
About the Owners
Karen and Craig Vondracek already had plenty on their plate when they contemplated opening a coffee house. Their lumber store in Swisher kept them busy, but Karen wanted to do more for her town. She wanted something that would bring a “light” to the community.
The old general store building (most locals remember it as such) had been empty for many years. Curious about the building’s history, Karen talked to the 90-year old daughter of a previous storeowner. Satisfied with what she learned, the next step was approaching the property owner to rent the space.
Instead, the idea to rent-the-building became purchase-and-renovate, which they did in 2007, opening the Kava House in 2008. What started our as coffee and pastries evolved into serving meals, baked goods, and more, becoming the Kava House & Cafe.
The menu and hours also expanded as demand for their amazing “made-from-scratch” food grew. Be sure to stop by. We are sure happy we did!!
**Thank you to Karen and Craig for the interview and allowing us to photograph your business for our Worthy Detours Travel Blog. Also, thank you for your kindness in providing our meal, beverage, and dessert.
Looking for more yummy foods to enjoy?
Head over to our "Places to Eat" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
Loved looking at your pictures and the article you wrote about Kava House again. We sold the business and the sale was final on Monday. New owners plan to keep the menu the same but decorate a little differently. We feel good about it and were ready to retire!
Hello Karen. Thanks for the update and Happy Retirement!! We are almost doing the same thing and have had to slow down on our travel. I will try to get the owner info updated but haven’t had much time to look at the site for a while. Wishing you the best.