The winner:
Mars Cafe, 2318 University Ave.
Mars Cafe is a hub of cultural activity in Drake’s Dogtown neighborhood, and also is considered by many to serve the best coffee in the city. In addition to busy mornings, Mars attracts plenty of customers in the evenings, for everything from study groups to live music. And in addition to exceptional coffee drinks, it also serves a long list of local and craft brews (Dinkey Wheat from Ames, Peace Tree Rye Porter from Knoxville, John’s Generation White Ale from Amana) as well as wine, for when a honey-almond- cinnamon latte just won’t cut it. “Mars Cafe is my regular spot not only because they’ve got the best coffee in town, but they are constantly aiming to keep up with their evolving crowd without alienating their regulars,” Graham Gardner said. “The diversity of Mars is what allows them to strive with such an eclectic crowd.”
