Iowa is full of incredible restaurants, and new ones are opening throughout the state every day. While it’s fun to try something new, sometimes you just want to enjoy a classic restaurant. If you’re looking for Midwestern comfort food, head to any of the famous Iowa restaurants and you’re sure to have a great meal. Just don’t be surprised if you’re not the only one who had the same idea!
- Hickory Park, Ames
Tripadvisor / Init4keeps
Facebook / Hickory Park Hickory Park is a legendary smokehouse that practically invented BBQ. Stop in for a burger, some ribs, pulled pork, or brisket and your tastebuds will be so happy. Don’t forget to save room for an old-fashioned ice cream sundae.
- Iowa River Power Restaurant, Coraville
Tripadvisor / William B.
Tripadvisor / Alan Light Iowa River Power Restaurant is always packed at dinner time while Iowans enjoy a great meal with a view! Their Sunday Prime Rib Brunch Buffet has made this restored power plant one of the most famous restaurants in Iowa and you’ll want to have a reservation to guarantee your spot. Otherwise, you might be waiting for a long while.
- The General Store Pub, Anamosa
Facebook / The General Store Pub
TripAdvisor / DiscTrav77 The riverfront General Store Pub can get super busy when the weather is nice and everyone wants to dine out on the patio. Even if you have to wait for your table, it’s worth it. Dig into classic comfort food like cheeseburgers and breaded pork tenderloins and you’ll feel right at home.
- Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, Maquoketa
Google Local / Jeremy Murphy
Facebook / Bluff Lake Catfish Farm Bluff Lake Catfish Farm is one of the most scenic restaurants in Iowa. Good thing, too — because it’s likely that you’ll have to wait for your table if you stop by on a busy night. Their signature endless fried catfish is one of the most popular meals in the state! That’s okay, though, you can browse their charming shop and enjoy scenic waterfall views while you wait.
- Butch’s River Rock Cafe, Mt. Pleasant
Facebook / River Rock Cafe
Tripadvisor / MD K Butch’s River Rock Cafe is tucked away on a back road that makes it tricky to track down — yet somehow, there’s always a crowd here. While Iowans treat Butch’s like a best-kept secret, the word got out, and now the Cafe is packed when the weather is nice. Their Midwestern comfort food is so worth the wait!
- Fong’s Pizza, Multiple Locations
Facebook / Fongs Pizza
Google Local / Dillon Coil Fong Pizza is a famous Iowa restaurant that’s known for its unique blend of Chinese food and, well, pizza. It’s a popular spot for celebrations and gets crowded on the weekends, so work time into your plans for a little bit of a wait.
- Hamburg Inn No. 2, Iowa City
Wikimedia Commons/Farragutful
Flickr / Sali Sasaki The Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a famous Iowa restaurant that’s known for their enormous portions. Visit for breakfast, but be prepared to wait for your table. If you stop by at lunch or dinner time, you might find a smaller crowd. Be sure to save room for some of their iconic pie.
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley Canteen Lunch in the Alley is a tiny counter-serve restaurant that’s packed at lunchtime! The service is quick and the iconic taverns are always perfectly made, which helps this tiny restaurant with a handful of stools feed a crowd.
- Unkie’s, Thor
Google Street View
Google Local / Bruce Watnem Unkie’s Entertainer is a top destination for prime rib fans. They don’t take reservations, so be ready to wait for this melt-in-your-mouth meal if you arrive at peak dinner time.
- Northwestern Steakhouse, Mason City
Facebook / Norhwestern Steakhouse
Tripadvisor / Kristababe Northwestern Steakhouse is located on the outskirts of Mason City. This Greek-style steakhouse serves up outrageously tasty cuts of beef, but it’s a small spot that’s often crowded. Any wait is so worth it after your first bite of their mouthwatering steaks.
Have you dined at these iconic Iowa restaurants? Tell us your favorite spots in the comments below!
Tripadvisor / Init4keeps
Facebook / Hickory Park
Hickory Park is a legendary smokehouse that practically invented BBQ. Stop in for a burger, some ribs, pulled pork, or brisket and your tastebuds will be so happy. Don’t forget to save room for an old-fashioned ice cream sundae.
Tripadvisor / William B.
Tripadvisor / Alan Light
Iowa River Power Restaurant is always packed at dinner time while Iowans enjoy a great meal with a view! Their Sunday Prime Rib Brunch Buffet has made this restored power plant one of the most famous restaurants in Iowa and you’ll want to have a reservation to guarantee your spot. Otherwise, you might be waiting for a long while.
Facebook / The General Store Pub
TripAdvisor / DiscTrav77
The riverfront General Store Pub can get super busy when the weather is nice and everyone wants to dine out on the patio. Even if you have to wait for your table, it’s worth it. Dig into classic comfort food like cheeseburgers and breaded pork tenderloins and you’ll feel right at home.
Google Local / Jeremy Murphy
Facebook / Bluff Lake Catfish Farm
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm is one of the most scenic restaurants in Iowa. Good thing, too — because it’s likely that you’ll have to wait for your table if you stop by on a busy night. Their signature endless fried catfish is one of the most popular meals in the state! That’s okay, though, you can browse their charming shop and enjoy scenic waterfall views while you wait.
Facebook / River Rock Cafe
Tripadvisor / MD K
Butch’s River Rock Cafe is tucked away on a back road that makes it tricky to track down — yet somehow, there’s always a crowd here. While Iowans treat Butch’s like a best-kept secret, the word got out, and now the Cafe is packed when the weather is nice. Their Midwestern comfort food is so worth the wait!
Facebook / Fongs Pizza
Google Local / Dillon Coil
Fong Pizza is a famous Iowa restaurant that’s known for its unique blend of Chinese food and, well, pizza. It’s a popular spot for celebrations and gets crowded on the weekends, so work time into your plans for a little bit of a wait.
Wikimedia Commons/Farragutful
Flickr / Sali Sasaki
The Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a famous Iowa restaurant that’s known for their enormous portions. Visit for breakfast, but be prepared to wait for your table. If you stop by at lunch or dinner time, you might find a smaller crowd. Be sure to save room for some of their iconic pie.
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley
Canteen Lunch in the Alley is a tiny counter-serve restaurant that’s packed at lunchtime! The service is quick and the iconic taverns are always perfectly made, which helps this tiny restaurant with a handful of stools feed a crowd.
Google Street View
Google Local / Bruce Watnem
Unkie’s Entertainer is a top destination for prime rib fans. They don’t take reservations, so be ready to wait for this melt-in-your-mouth meal if you arrive at peak dinner time.
Facebook / Norhwestern Steakhouse
Tripadvisor / Kristababe
Northwestern Steakhouse is located on the outskirts of Mason City. This Greek-style steakhouse serves up outrageously tasty cuts of beef, but it’s a small spot that’s often crowded. Any wait is so worth it after your first bite of their mouthwatering steaks.
For more dining suggestions in the Hawkeye State, read The 14 Restaurants You’ll Want To Eat At In Iowa In 2020 and start checking them off of your list!
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Address: Hickory Park, 1404 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USAAddress: 501 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, USAAddress: General Store Pub, 12612 Stone City Rd, Anamosa, IA 52205, USAAddress: Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USAAddress: 1529 253rd St, Mt Pleasant, IA 52641, USAAddress: Fong’s Pizza, 223 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USAAddress: 214 N Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52245, USAAddress: Canteen Lunch In the Alley Owner Scott & Janice Pierce, 112 2nd St E, Ottumwa, IA 52501, USAAddress: 222 N Ann St, Thor, IA 50591, USAAddress: 304 16th St NW, Mason City, IA 50401, USA
