Zera Artisan Bakery — Restaurant in Waterloo

Zera Artisan Bakery is an absolute gem. Their menu—especially the seasonal offerings—is packed with thoughtfully crafted, homemade, top-tier artisan breads and coffee drinks. Choosing just one item felt nearly impossible!

From their flaky, playful strudels to the warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls, everything looked and smelled incredible. My husband ordered a coffee cream–filled croissant-style pastry, and I tried an apple cider doughnut on a friend’s recommendation. I’d never had one before, and holy cow—it was ridiculously good.

We also explored their seasonal coffee menu. I got the Ember (a seasonal specialty) and a brown sugar latte, my friend went with the London Fog, and my husband chose a mocha. Every drink was perfectly balanced and full of flavor—comforting, cozy, and clearly made with care.

The vibe at Zera is just as memorable as the food and drinks. The space is clean, eclectic, and inviting, with unique touches throughout. There's a bright sunroom seating area, a cozy nook by the register, an open floor plan, and even a quirky seating space inside an old vault. It’s a brilliant use of space, and the smell of fresh baking wafting through the air is pure magic.

I’m so grateful I was in town for a wedding, or I might have missed this experience entirely. Heading back to Tennessee, I’m genuinely sad I can’t bring a piece of Zera with me. Already looking for an...

The moment I opened the door and crossed the threshold, I was warmly welcomed. Sweet, kind voices greeted me right away, instantly making me feel at home. And if that wasn’t enough, the incredible smell of fresh baked goods and coffee beckoned me in from the street—it was like being wrapped in a cozy, delicious hug.

I was planning to order a chai, but the seasonal selection of sage and rose caught my eye. Then the golden perfection of gooey butter cake screamed my name from under the glass case—impossible to resist!

After placing my order, I took a little tour of the space. So many adorable seating vignettes, games available, and quiet corners to enjoy your sips and bites solo. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged.

When my order arrived, I was wowed by the presentation—coffee and treat perfectly displayed on personalized boards. The coffee? Subtly flavored and absolutely delicious. And that gooey butter cake? Exactly what this St. Louis girl expected—pure perfection.

Definitely will be back!

Enjoying life one sip, one bite, and one small town at a time....

I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve visited because we pretty much go once a week to feed our sourdough addiction. Some might balk at the $10 price tag for a loaf, but as someone familiar with the effort involved in sourdough baking, I find it’s a fair price. (Sometimes day-old loaves are available, and they’re a mere $5.)

There were some service kinks shortly after they opened, but I’m happy to report that those just seemed to be initial growing pains that have worked themselves out.

The decor is thoughtful, beautiful and unique. The staff is friendly. Their sourdough is some of the best I’ve ever tasted. My 8-year-old loves their bagels so much that he usually chooses one over the sweet treats.The morning bun has such a lovely hint of citrus. The cookies are not cloyingly sweet and have great flavor combos; my husband’s favorite is the X Factor, and mine is the Baby Bougie.

Regardless if you’re local to Waterloo or just passing through, Zera is a...