Cortado

Type: Café

Produces: Pitas & Hummus

Location: Iowa City, IA

Miles from Coop: 1

Screen Shot 2022-04-01 at 1.49.23 PM.png

Yochai Harel is the owner and operator of Cortado, an italian-style espresso bar and cafe that offers a variety of warm caffeinated beverages, fresh baked goods, and Mediterranean-style sandwiches and salads in downtown Iowa City. It's a favorite among coffee connoisseurs and students from the university.

Yochai began working in coffee shops in Tel Aviv, Israel before moving to New York and later to the Iowa City area with his growing family. He dreamed of opening his own shop with a European influence and within a few years he and co-owner Ryan O'Leary did just that. In 2017, they opened Cortados across from the Old Capitol dome off of Clinton Street and quickly established a following in the area.

As for the name?

It's one of Yochai's favorite coffee drinks.

“The cortado was how I used to get jobs,” Harel said.

“People would say, ‘Show me what you can do,’ and I would make them a cortado. The balance of it is great.” 

Cortado has since expanded, offering their house-made hummus taïm -that's delicious hummus in Hebrew - and fresh pitas at the Co-op and we're excited to have them.

hummus_sq.jpg   cortado_2.jpg

New Pi's Grocery Team Lead says about the partnership,

"Working with small businesses like Cortado is what New Pioneer is all about. Helping take a vision these local vendors have and turn them into a reality is something we take great pride in. It's been a pleasure working with Yochai and you certainly can't beat snacking on some warm Cortado pita and fresh hummus he makes."

Write-up abridged and adapted from The Gazette.

Other Local Producers

Be sure to check out these others great local producers!

Scream Frozen Desserts

Scream Frozen Desserts

When the pandemic had everyday life restricted, Kate Vigmostad began envisioning an ice cream brand to spark joy and humor while keeping a small carbon footprint with local ingredients.

Fairfield, IA

Joanna's

Joanna's

Joanna's tonic syrups are handcrafted in small batches, and made with natural ingredients to create the perfect additions to both cocktails and mocktails.

Iowa City, IA

Beau Laundry Co.

Beau Laundry Co.

Alex Beaumier started Beau Laundry Co. in 2024 to solve problems he was facing with his own laundry. After about a year of perfecting and finetuning, he created his signature Scented & Softening Wool Dryer Balls!

Marion, Iowa

La Quercia, LLC

La Quercia, LLC

Herb & Kathy set out to elevate humanely raised Iowa pork to a top-class Italian delicacy, and they’ve done just that.

Norwalk, IA

Cedar Witch Goods

Cedar Witch Goods

Katie's handmade soaps are made from scratch in small batches using high quality ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter, and mango butter.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hedge Apple Kombucha

Hedge Apple Kombucha

Lindsey and Kyle operate their kombucha micro-brewery with sustainability and harmony with the land in mind. Using locally sourced medicinal plants, they aim to celebrate 1-2 ingredients in their recipes.

Fairfield, IA

Friendly Farm

Friendly Farm

Friendly Farm is a hidden paradise in Iowa City known for a variety of divine veggies and colorful flower bouquets.

Iowa City, IA

Paha Cider

Paha Cider

After almost 20 years of homebrewing and 5 years making hard cider, Mark Westbrock decided to take his cidermaking to the next level by launching Paha Cider in Waverly, IA.

Waverly, IA