Tiger Lily Cafe — Restaurant in Saint Charles

Joe was great! Greeted everyone by name or by “Miss” or “Sir” and has the nicest smile. Very kind and helped us understand what all the place has to offer! Beer, wine, coffee, yummy food and local ice cream… delicious!

My husband (also named Joe) and I were stopping through on our way to Coralville for a wedding and needed some dinner. This is exactly the kind of mom&pop place we like to stumble upon in our travels. You would never know this was here from the highway, but it’s worth the stop! The downtown area is so cute.

We both got an iced chai ($4), and my hubby ordered the Pit Beef Melt ($9) and I ordered the Avocado Club Sandwich ($9). My sandwich was good, but the melt was DELICIOUS 🤤 I’m not a fan of spicy things, and the bacon jam was flavorful with heat and complimented the beef perfectly.

It’s a very sweet atmosphere with fun music (Joe even hums along to it!) and a relaxing vibe. We discovered that Joe and his wife own this little spot and you can tell they put a lot of care and effort into it.

We ended up leaving with cookie dough bites, a locally created ice cream sandwich, vanilla mead, two local beers, and a shiny sticker for my luggage. Joe even threw in two homemade cinnamon rolls for our breakfast at the Heartland Inn tomorrow! So thoughtful. We laughed and had a good time together with the locals who were there with us...

Such a cute cafe! My husband and I were in town for a softball tournament and stumbled upon this place while looking for a coffee shop on a Saturday morning. It was jumping with live music, a few local vendors selling goods, and great vibes!

Saturday I tried a salted caramel oat milk latte and was 5/10, not much flavor but still good. Sunday I came back and ordered it with some honey, and it was much better 7/10. My husband liked his so if you like a sweeter latte, I recommend adding some extra flavor.

The avocado toast was really good! 10/10 Vegan yogurt parfait was very good 10/10 and I was surprised and grateful to see a vegan option in this small town. My husband had the bacon breakfast sandwich and claims it’s 9/10, he really liked the fresh ciabatta it comes on.

They also sell local beers which is pretty cool!

The aesthetic inside is cute and airy. They also have a back patio and some seating out front! The staff is very friendly and personable. Great service, tasty lattes, and quick breakfast bites....

Tiger lily Cafe was a beacon of hope and comfort during the Hinterland Festival. While the festival was chaotic and overwhelming, Tiger lily Cafe provided a much needed refuge and a safe haven where we could escape the heat and have access to wifi and emotionally recharge. The staff’s warmth and hospitality were unmatched, offering a calming presence in an otherwise stressful time.

Not only did they serve up fantastic food (i got the grilled cheese) and drinks(i got an iced vanilla caramel latte) (it was only $5!!), but they also boosted our morale when I needed it most. The cage atmosphere was filled with positivity, helping us get through the tough moments with a sense of community and support. Tiger lily Cafe truly went above and beyond (offering rides and free ice water), making a difficult experience so much more bearable.

Thank you, Tiger lily Cafe, for being a sanctuary during the Hinterland Festival! Your kindness and generosity will not...