Enjoy Awesome Food in the Heartland
Nestled in America’s heartland and deep in Iowa’s southeast corner is the town of Keokuk. Located on the main drag is a big, but very unassuming building. It’s easy to drive past—but don’t. Inside is the Java River Café & Bakery where you can get the most awesome food!
We lived in Illinois for 9+ years, not too far from Keokuk. Our last year in the area, we enjoyed watching someone finally renovate an old, empty restaurant. We’re always on the lookout for good food so when the sign went up and the Café opened, we decided to stop.
Boy, are we ever happy with that decision! Inside the building, we found several very pleasant surprises.
Sign above the door greets cafe diners.
Location:
2528 Main Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
Contact:
(319) 524-2586
Hours:
6:30 AM - 5:30 PM, M-F
6:30 AM - 2 PM, Sat
Closed Sunday
Website:
Java River Cafe and Bakery
Pastry cases filled with homemade goodies.
Fresh, Homemade, and Delicious
First, we found Java River Café & Bakery serves up delicious food. It is freshly made daily—in-house. That not only includes sides and homemade soups served with their stellar sandwiches, it also includes yummy bakery items.
While standing in line, we were drooling over goodies in the two bakery cases. Of course, we added a gooey cinnamon roll and brownie to our lunch order. Have to have dessert, right?
Plus, the Café offers both breakfast and lunch items on their menu. Even though we have only had their lunch, we hear the breakfast is just as awesome.
This particular visit, I had a delicious wrap with pasta salad instead of a sandwich for lunch.
A quaint, farmhouse feel permeates the dining room.
Warm and Delightful Décor
Second, we found a delightfully decorated dining room. Usually, large open rooms lack coziness and warmth, but not so at Java River. Part of the renovation included adding brick walls and wood floors, giving a rustic but homey feel to the space.
Simple, clean lines of the wood table tops add a nice touch to the decor. We were told they were handmade by a local artisan too. The farmhouse style chairs and other furniture pieces are perfect for a café set in a community surrounded by farmland.
Part of the decor includes homemade items from local vendors, available for purchase.
Java River Promotes Local Vendors
Third, we found a community-minded business. Along the walls and dotting the room are furniture pieces displaying items for sale.
Owner, Tatia Davis, invited several local vendors to set up displays of their handcrafted items. Products for sale range from jewelry to home décor to some clothing pieces. All are perfect gift items.
After placing our food order and picking a table, I enjoyed browsing a bit while waiting for our meal.
Handcrafted pillows fill a quaint, old-fashioned cabinet.
Vintage items as well as handcrafted pieces add to the delightful decor.
Farmhouse style as well as seasonal items create pleasing eye-candy for diners.
Friendly, Happy Place
Lastly, we found Java River to be a very friendly, happy place. We felt welcomed, which made for a truly relaxing, extended lunch.
Friendly staff was helpful while we made selections—hard to do when there is so many good choices!
Our 1st visit led to another and another, including lunch with friends. However, it was our last visit that was so memorable. That was when we snapped a few photographs and briefly interviewed the owner, learning her story.
At the time of our last visit were preparing to move from the area and mentioned it to Tatia. She returned to our table a short time later with a bag in hand—chicken salad and a side for our trip. (Delicious and very much appreciated!)
Keokuk, you have an awesome place in your midst. Travelers, be sure to stop—and tell Tatia we said hello.
Tatia Davis, owner of the Java River Cafe & Bakery
About the Owner
Java River Café isn’t new. It has been around since 2005, but was originally located inside a local gift shop in Keokuk’s downtown area. When the owners decided to retire, their niece, Tatia Davis, bought the business.
Why? Tatia’s 1st job working in a restaurant left an impression. She dreamed of one day having her own place. Twenty years later, dreams became reality.
In 2019, she asked the question that crossed everyone’s mind in Keokuk. “What will they do with that building?” She was talking about the old, empty restaurant building on the main road.
Tatia answered that question when she bought the building. Following extensive renovation and many building upgrades, Java River Café & Bakery reopened in its new home.
**Thank you to Tatia for the interview and allowing us to photograph your business for our Worthy Detours Travel Blog. Also, thank you for your kindness in providing a bag full of chicken salad for our moving day.
Looking for more yummy foods to enjoy?
Head over to our "Places to Eat" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
