Mystery Diner in St. Charles: Kava Diem cafe showcases flavorful organic fare

If a fresh year means a fresh reboot on the food front with an eye to organic, healthful options that don’t stint on flavor, stepping up to fill that dining niche is Kava Diem in St. Charles. Elevating the breakfast and lunch experience are its views of the natural beauty of the Fox River from a riverside perch just west of the Illinois Street bridge.

Kava Diem, a self-titled organic river cafe, has a warm, brick interior with a variety of seating areas, fireplace, cozy couches and lots of tables, with picture-window views of the river and cityscape.

A view of the Fox River from Kava Diem in St. Charles. — The views of the Fox River can't be beat at Kava Diem in St. Charles.

We stopped in to order coffee, which is sourced from FreshGround Roasting in Geneva, selected for its single-sourced, wet-processed and sustainable coffee beans. Kava Diem calls the resulting espresso and other specialty coffee drinks “a hug in a mug.”

A decaf coffee and a mocha (right) at Kava Diem in St. Charles. — A smooth decaf coffee and a rich mocha (right) hit the spot on a chilly day, both prepared with locally roasted beans.

We enjoyed a well-crafted mocha and a smooth decaf for our carryout lunch order. The menu extends to teas, juices and a variety of beverages.

The Bacon, Egg and Yum breakfast sandwich at Kava Diem in St. Charles. — The Bacon, Egg and Yum breakfast sandwich offers a fried, pasture-raised egg, Kava maple bacon, cheddar cheese and arugula, with smoked paprika aioli on an English muffin.

My dining companion chose the Bacon, Egg and Yum breakfast sandwich, a luscious pairing of a fried, pasture-raised egg, Kava maple bacon, cheddar cheese and arugula, with smoked paprika aioli on an English muffin. It arrived with a delicious side of hash browns.

“It was tasty and filling,” he said.

The Can't Beat This salad at Kava Diem in St. Charles. — The Can't Beat This salad is prepared with maple and guajillo roasted beets, sweet orange slices, earthy goat cheese, house-made roasted walnuts, seasonal greens, and a savory citrus vinaigrette.

I chose the Can’t Beet This salad, a colorful mix of maple and guajillo roasted beets, sweet orange slices, earthy goat cheese, house-made roasted walnuts, seasonal greens, and a savory citrus vinaigrette. It would be excellent on its own, although I added the cubed grilled chicken option.

The menu offers a creative variety of wraps, salads, sandwiches, avocado toasts and burgers – from grass-fed beef to a homemade paleo veggie patty. The choices cater to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo and keto diets with ease. Breakfast extends to burritos and the inventive-sounding Bowl Me Over, with turmeric pepper rice, roasted sweet potato, fried egg, avocado, Kava maple bacon and sour cream.

The day we visited, the display case offered thick slices of banana bread and giant M&M cookies among the treats.

Kava Diem, which calls itself a community cafe and coffeehouse, is available to host private events.

It offers the Kava Kindness “Hanging Meal” program, supported by patrons, which helps anyone who is in need of a free meal or cup of coffee.

From the legume-free carrot or avocado hummus to pesto-spiked chicken salad and a sea salt honey latte, there’s delicious incentive to head back soon. The vibe is inviting, and the views can’t be beat.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Kava Diem

WHERE: 1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week

INFORMATION: 630-549-0818, www.kavadiem.com