Adrienne Birge
We had a wonderful coffee and breakfast experience this morning at Zera Artisan Bakery and it absolutely lived up to the hype! I ordered a mocha with peppermint added along with the everything bagel sandwich, and both were fantastic—rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. My husband had a caramel latte and the caprese croissant, which he loved just as much. Everything we tried was delicious, and it was honestly hard to choose because all of the pastries looked amazing. We ended up taking some home to enjoy later! The café itself has a warm, cozy, and inviting ambience that makes you want to sit and linger awhile. Zera Artisan Bakery is definitely a must-stop if you’re looking for a great local café. We highly recommend it to anyone in the area!
… moreMichele Baty
I drove about 30 miles to this stop on the Southern Illinois Coffee Trail and it was well worth the drive! I had a latte with oat milk…lavender and honey…delicious and beautifully presented. The toasted everything bagel was delicious. Service was super friendly and the quiet music provided the perfect setting to sit and study.
… moreCathy Crippen
Nothing like having coffee and pastries inside of the bank vault ! I kept waiting for Matt Dillon to come and put me in jail ! Food is great. Coffee is wonderful. Many varieties to choose from. Atmosphere is great, a nice place for relaxing or chatting with friends and family.
… moreLaura Myers
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. Explore everything!
… moreSam Fitch
The winter drink menu is what caught our eye when looking for a coffee break while exploring Route 3. Stars Hollow theme is so fun! I’m often skeptical about flavored coffees since they can taste so fake and overly sweet but whatever they use tastes so natural and real. Beautifully decorated/renovated building too. 10 out of 10 delicious coffee and experience. Can’t wait to come back!
… moreSam AboShwareb
Ohhhh my god! What a perfect place! It’s soo hard to impress me with coffee and food! Best Han and cheese croissant I’ve ever had! Coffee is great for who likes stronger taste of coffee!
The place is also super cute. They have fancy dominos Chinese checkers and couple other games. I’m jealous I don’t own this place
You have got to try it! But be aware! When you walk in and see their pastry you’ll fall in love!
… moreNicholas Misiak
I have been going to this bakery at least once just about every day since I moved downtown and I have never had a bad experience. The place is clean and extremely inviting, but the real star of the show is the passion that goes into all the wonderful beverages and baked goods that are available for a great price. The staff are all so kind and can brighten up the darkest of days! I’m so thankful this place exists!
… moreangel celaya
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 excuse to return!
… moreDaphne Edwards (Mammaduck)
Cute coffee shop and bakery. Pastries are huge share them with a friend. Coffees come pretty strong make sure to stir them to get a good mix. All in all an adorable place.
… moreAubree Schreder
Absolute favorite coffee shop in Waterloo! The coffee is ALWAYS good (and I get a plain latte each time so thats saying something!) and the owners are the kindest people you’ll meet. Wish I could give it 10/5 stars, it’s that good!
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