Iowa, the land of corn, pigs, and nothing else right?! I love living in Iowa and the great restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg! Four different season, Iowa-nice people, and wide open spaces are just of my favorite things about living in Iowa. A lot of people think you have to travel to a big city, or even out of state, to experience really good eats. However, this just isn’t true! There are so many great places to grab a bite to eat in Iowa we’ve combined them into the Best Iowa Restaurants! I’ve even broke it up based on region! You’ll find Eastern, Central, & Western regions!
Eastern Iowa
Ox Yoke Inn – Amana, IA
- 4420 220th Trail
Since I was a young child, my family has been visiting the Amana Colonies and no trip there would be complete without a meal at the Ox Yoke Inn. German, family-style food will fill everyone up and the decor makes you feel like you’ve truly stopped into old world Germany! My personal favorite is the Chicken Schnitzel, you won’t be disappointed!
The Barrel House – Dubuque, IA
- 299 Main Street
One of the things we love most about The Barrel House is it’s proximity to the Hotel Julien in Dubuque! We love staying there while taking a few moments to get away and the ability to walk to the Barrel House is one of the things that appeals to us! The other is the amazing food! Unique twists on traditional dishes make this fun and relaxed joint stand out! Read more HERE!
7 Hills Brewery – Dubuque
- 1085 Washington Street
Yes, 7 Hills Brewery is brewing up delicious beer, but they also offer outstanding eats! In their historic factory building, you can enjoy snacks, salads, burgers, and more! The burgers are a hand crafted combination of ground short rib, ground brisket, and ground chuck! These delicious burgers are served with their amazing hand-cut fries and pair perfectly with a flight of delicious brews!
The Map Room – Cedar Rapids
- 416 Third St. SE
If you aren’t careful, you’ll miss The Map Room when driving around downtown Cedar Rapids. This hole in the wall size place is offering up BIG flavors and awesome service. Their burgers are hand made, delicious, and offer up big flavors and unique combinations. They come with delicious fries and sometimes they offer homemade sides like the quinoa salad I had during our visit! I’ve tried to recreate it and I just can’t! This spot is definitely worth a visit.
Riverview Hotel & Restaurant – Bellevue
- 100 S Riverview St.
Don’t be deceived by the outside of Riverview Hotel & Restaurant on main street in Bellevue. Head here for a huge breakfast at reasonable prices. Omelets, platters, biscuits & gravy, plus more for breakfast along with a lunch menu. With views of the river, it’s a great place to slow down and enjoy delicious food and small town charm!
Black Sheep Social Club
- 600 First St. SE
When you’re looking for a date night spot with an elevated menu & atmosphere, we highly recommend heading to Black Sheep Social Club. From appetizers like Roasted Orange Pork Belly to salads, sandwiches, and entrees, they’ve stepped up a traditional menu. They also offer specials on weekends and holidays. The historic building has been gorgeously renovated and provides for an extra special date night.
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The Montage – Cedar Falls
- 222 Main Street
Located in a historic building in downtown Cedar Falls, you’ll find the classy Montage. With a wide menu featuring steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, and more there is something for everyone on their menu. They are constantly revamping their menu, developing new and unique dishes. Plus, they have Creme Brule on their menu, so they automatically get high points from me!
Central Iowa
Block 10 at 1921 City Hall – Sheffield
- 309 Gilman St.
Block 10 at 1921 City Hall is a lunch and coffee shop located in the historic city hall of Sheffield. For lunches, you’ll find traditional menu items with unique twists on them! Their lunch menu rotates weekly, so you’ll want to make sure and follow their Facebook page. They also recently added wood-fired pizza to their menu available for lunches and every (or most) Friday nights! Their coffee drinks are also top notch and made with only the best of ingredients! Plus, the owners and their daughter (who does the cooking) are the sweetest people! Make sure to go upstairs and check out their boutique, Legion Room Loft, too!
Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse – Clear Lake
- 305 Main Ave.
Downtown Clear Lake is Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse. While they offer lunch and supper, my personal favorite is grabbing breakfast from this locally owned stop. For lunch & supper they offer a large variety of salads, sandwiches, and wraps. For dinner time, add in steak, chicken, pasta, seafood, and more! If you choose to stop for breakfast, you’ll be full for quite a while thanks to their large portions! Omelets, a variety of Benedicts, pancakes, and more! It’s all made fresh and delicious! It’s definitely worth a stop!
The Pub on the Cedar – Charles City
- 101 N Jackson St.
With river views and patio seating, The Pub on the Cedar is a great spot to enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner. They offer an extensive menu of appetizers, full entrees, salads, pizzas, burgers, & sandwiches. Two of my favorites are their sweet potato puffs (with dipping sauce) and the Raspberry Chicken Salad. It’s even better when you can enjoy it on the patio! We think you’ll love it too!
God Fuel – Hampton
- 703 Central Ave. W
One of my favorite spots to grab lunch is God Fuel in Hampton. Everything they offer on their menu is gluten-free and dairy-free. The owners took an old gas station and renovated into a beautiful airy restaurant that offers the freshest food like shrimp tacos, rice bowls, toasts, smoothies, and fresh pressed juices.
Cancun by the Lake – Clear Lake
We’re always a sucker for great Mexican food and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Cancun by the Lake. A traditional of Mexican classics like enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, tacos, and more! The service by the staff is top notch as well! Plus, the view of city park and the lake in the background from the top floor adds to the greatness of this locally owned place!
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George’s Pizza & Steakhouse – Pella
- 626 Franklin Street
George’s Pizza & Steakhouse has been a part of Pella’s downtown district since 1974 and serving up delicious food and award winning pizza since then! And while George’s is known best for it’s pizza, they have a wide menu of sandwiches, pasta, salads, and Greek food! My personal favorite is the Gyro Platter. It doesn’t matter if you Italian or Greek, you’ll love whatever you order!
The Boulevard – Clear Lake
Located along I-35 in Clear Lake, you’ll find The Boulevard. From the first step that you’ll take into the restaurant to leaving with a full belly, you’ll enjoy your visit. The owner has decorated and crafted a unique experience from the decor to the unique menu. Start your visit with a handcrafted drink from the bar or a starter like their delicious sauteed Brussel sprouts or fried calamari. Then, pick from salads, flat breads, fish, steak, pasta, or burgers. It’s all delicious and you won’t be disappointed by the flavorful meals or the exceptional service.
Western Iowa
El Adobe Restaurant – Audubon
- 320 Broadway St.
Great Mexican food and even better Italian food can be found at El Adobe Restaurant in Audubon. Yes, the name suggests Mexican and you’ll find the good stuff here with even better margaritas, but what might surprise you is the delicious and authentic Italian food as well! It’s well worth the drive to this adorable western Iowa community!
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Yesterday’s Restaurant- Arnold’s Park
- 131 W. Broadway St.
A classic supper club is what you’re going to find at Yesterday’s Restaurant in Arnold’s Park. Not only is the decor traditional supper club, the menu is supper club with a twist. From steaks to pasta, seafood, and more, you’ll find something to curb your hunger. Things like Oscar Chicken will have you blown away and add their house-cut homemade curly fries and you won’t have room for dessert! The staff is sweet and great at what they do! It’s a definitely must in the Okoboji area!
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Langers Bar & Grill – Sheldon
- 207 Eighth St.
Langers Bar & Grill in Sheldon has one of the widest and extensive menus offering pasta, steaks, burgers, fish, and more! And the thing that sets them apart from others?! It’s the garlic parmesan fries for me and their gourmet cheesecakes! They are definitely worth the drive to northwest Iowa!
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Visit one of the Best Iowa Restaurants
Whether you’re looking for Mexican food, a great cheesecake, comfort food, or food that is is using locally sourced, fresh ingredients, you’ll find all of that in Iowa. Make sure to stop in the small towns and big cities alike as you never know what you might find! What restaurant do you think should make the list of Best Iowa Restaurants?!
Updated 11/18/2024
Thanks for the ideas! I haven’t been to any of these restaurants before.
They are so good! Let me know when you’re coming for a visit and I’ll buy the turtle cheesecake! 😉
Oooooooh, schnitzel and spaetzle. Delish! That is always the first thing my college kiddos ask me to make when they’re home for the weekend. I love seeing chicken as an option, especially in the middle of pork country!
I’m impressed that you can homemake schnitzel and spaetzle!
Ironically I’ve never been to The Barrel House! I should probably change that!
I LOVED the fish & chips!
These all look so delicious, but I think the one I would most like to try is the chicken schnitzel! Yum!
This schnitzel is sooooo good and definitely one of all time favorite meals!!