Whether you want an award-winning place to eat or a true diamond in the rough, we have the answer.
Iowa has some amazing small-town restaurants.
- Angelini’s Pizza
Angelini’s Pizza/Facebook
Angelini’s Pizza/Facebook This amazing restaurant is in the southeastern town of Keokuk. Try their pasta and fish for a real treat. They also offer incredible steaks, pizza, and giant salads.
- Ladora Bank Bistro
Ladora Bank Bistro/Facebook
Ladora Bank Bistro/Facebook This converted bank building in the tiny town of Ladora serves European-inspired gourmet food. This historic location is beautifully restored and worth the drive!
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley
Canteen Lunch in the Alley/Facebook
Canteen Lunch in the Alley/Facebook The town of Ottumwa has one of the most unique restaurants in the state. This tiny place is a true hidden gem. The food is amazing, comforting, and it’s been pleasing crowds for decades. Their traditional loose meat sandwiches are the best!
- Archie’s Waeside
Archie’s Waeside/Facebook
Archie’s Waeside/Facebook Here in the tiny northwestern town of LeMars, is the James Beard award-winning Archie’s Waeside. Try their famous dry-aged steak for an out-of-this-world experience.
- The Rusty Duck
The Rusty Duck/Facebook
The Rusty Duck/Facebook The Bacon Blue Burger is a house favorite at The Rusty Duck in Dexter. Their portions are huge; watch out for the giant breaded pork tenderloin!
- Blue Mountain Culinary Emporium
Blue Mountain Emporium/Facebook
Blue Mountain Emporium/Facebook There’s more than enough to choose from here at Blue Mountain Culinary Emporium in beautiful Orange City. They have a smokehouse, globally inspired food, and traditional favorites like pizza and BBQ.
- The Irish Shanti
Gunderburger – The Irish Shanti/Facebook
Gunderburger – The Irish Shanti/Facebook Ah, the legendary Gunderburger. Whether you’ve heard the tales of this epic burger or not, tackling one for yourself is worth the trip to Elgin.
- Teluwut Grille House & Pub
Teluwut Grille House & Pub/Facebook
Teluwut Grille House & Pub/Facebook This little family-friendly restaurant in Osage is the perfect place to stop for a burger. This place is wildly popular locally, but they love visitors. Make it a road trip!
- The Cider House
The Cider House Website
The Cider House Website This Fairfield restaurant won Iowa’s Best Burger in 2015 and they haven’t lost momentum. This fun place to eat serves up some amazing hard cider, too.
- Northwestern Steakhouse
Mark Chernesky/Flickr
Taryn/Flickr Mason City has one of the best steakhouses in the state. Northwestern serves authentic Greek-style steaks and even if you have to wait for your table, your patience will pay off.
Please tell us about your favorite small-town family restaurant in Iowa!
Angelini’s Pizza/Facebook
This amazing restaurant is in the southeastern town of Keokuk. Try their pasta and fish for a real treat. They also offer incredible steaks, pizza, and giant salads.
Ladora Bank Bistro/Facebook
This converted bank building in the tiny town of Ladora serves European-inspired gourmet food. This historic location is beautifully restored and worth the drive!
Canteen Lunch in the Alley/Facebook
The town of Ottumwa has one of the most unique restaurants in the state. This tiny place is a true hidden gem. The food is amazing, comforting, and it’s been pleasing crowds for decades. Their traditional loose meat sandwiches are the best!
Archie’s Waeside/Facebook
Here in the tiny northwestern town of LeMars, is the James Beard award-winning Archie’s Waeside. Try their famous dry-aged steak for an out-of-this-world experience.
The Rusty Duck/Facebook
The Bacon Blue Burger is a house favorite at The Rusty Duck in Dexter. Their portions are huge; watch out for the giant breaded pork tenderloin!
Blue Mountain Emporium/Facebook
There’s more than enough to choose from here at Blue Mountain Culinary Emporium in beautiful Orange City. They have a smokehouse, globally inspired food, and traditional favorites like pizza and BBQ.
Gunderburger – The Irish Shanti/Facebook
Ah, the legendary Gunderburger. Whether you’ve heard the tales of this epic burger or not, tackling one for yourself is worth the trip to Elgin.
Teluwut Grille House & Pub/Facebook
This little family-friendly restaurant in Osage is the perfect place to stop for a burger. This place is wildly popular locally, but they love visitors. Make it a road trip!
The Cider House Website
This Fairfield restaurant won Iowa’s Best Burger in 2015 and they haven’t lost momentum. This fun place to eat serves up some amazing hard cider, too.
Mark Chernesky/Flickr
Taryn/Flickr
Mason City has one of the best steakhouses in the state. Northwestern serves authentic Greek-style steaks and even if you have to wait for your table, your patience will pay off.
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