Ritual Café Marks 20 Years as Downtown Des Moines Staple
Some of the Ritual Cafe staff pre-Covid-19 times. Photo by Tar Macias / Hola Iowa
By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Iowa
Twenty years ago, when Denise Diaz opened Ritual Café in downtown Des Moines, the area was starkly different. Empty lots and abandoned buildings outnumbered people. There was no Central Library, no Western Gateway Park or festivals, and the Art Center hadn’t built the Sculpture Park. Yet, Diaz had hope and a vision for a place that would bring people together in a way Des Moines had never seen before.
In 2005 Ritual Café became the first place to fuse Mexican flavors with expertly brewed espresso, introducing horchata lattes and Mayan mochas to Central Iowa. On any given day the café pulses with activity. It is a common place for meetings, a quick lunch, or working while sipping on a signature coffee or nutrient-rich smoothie.
Long-time patrons appreciate it as a safe space where they feel seen, heard, and respected. Jerry Battles, one of the first to order their double iced toddy when the “OPEN” sign first illuminated the space, remains a loyal customer. “I am so grateful to have found, in Ritual Café, my own personal sanctuary where I can go anytime, and know that I will always feel better as soon as I walk in the door. Over the past 20 years, several of the most incredibly bright, awesome souls I’ve ever had the pleasure and honor of knowing have come into my life, first as baristas, and then as friends.”
Tom Smull agrees. “Her coffee has the perfect roast, making delicious drinks, but more than that, the lovely, welcoming staff make you feel at home. I like their progressive beliefs and how they push the community to do the right thing, not the easy thing. Ritual attracts a diverse and interesting clientele, stimulating intelligent and lively interactions.”
Diaz, who describes herself as an “old school” coffee artisan, prefers roasting her beans by hand using a roaster instead of computerized equipment. Weathering economic downturns, a pandemic shutdown, and the ever-shifting landscape of doing business post-Covid, have forced the café to adapt and innovate. Through it all, Diaz’s passion for quality and authenticity in her menu offerings, plus her commitment to community have kept the doors open and the espresso flowing. Ritual Café’s resilience points to a legacy that can last another two decades or more. While Diaz dreams of retirement, the café’s deep connection to the city suggests a thriving future, perhaps by a former customer who once found solace and connection within the walls of this special place.
Ritual Café’s 20-Year Anniversary Fiesta is March 20 from noon to 3 PM at 1301 Locust St. with drink specials and food from Reyes Tamales. Follow Ritual Café on Facebook for details about the celebration and other events and deals.
