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Iowa boasts a broad array of dining options to satisfy any taste. Discover 99 restaurants (one for each county) to get you started. Happy dining!
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Antojitos Carmen
Fresh and authentic are two words that diners use to describe Antojitos Carmen, a cozy Mexican restaurant located in downtown Columbus Junction. Everything on the menu is homemade - from the salsa down to the tortillas.
Belmond Drive-In
How do these restaurant owners make 2015's best tenderloin in Iowa? A center cut pork loin sourced from a local locker is hand trimmed and cut, dipped in an egg wash and then breaded. Drive in and dive in!
Cabin Coffee Company
Step inside this charming, rustic-looking coffee shop to enjoy what some visitors say is the best coffee anywhere. Breakfast and lunch items complement the diverse beverage selections.
Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe
Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe is the definition of a jack-of-all-trades eatery. Serving soft serve ice cream and an endless list of sundaes (including apple pie and s’mores) and other ice cream creations, Goldie's was also the 2009 winner of Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin.
Hickory Park
Since its opening in 1970, this Ames institution has satisfied diners with a menu of more than 100 selections, most notably a variety of hickory-smoked meats served in generous portions.
Jamie's Coffee Mill & Deli
Fresh food, sinful sweets, great coffee and an unexpected fine gifts collection keeps diners - and shoppers - coming back to Jamie's Coffee Mill and Deli.
La Juanita's
Truly authentic Mexican isn't easy to come by in Iowa, but La Juanita’s (simply La Jua’s to locals) hits it out of the park with their affordable fare. The burritos and tacos are the specialty at this order-at-the-counter restaurant.
Linden Street Coffeehouse
"More than just coffee" is more than Linden Street Coffeehouse’s tagline - it’s a promise. Warm cinnamon rolls and tasty quiche round out the breakfast menu and delicious wraps make lunch a must. Top off your trip with some latte art or their fan-favorite, caramel macchiato.
Penn Drug Company
Penn Drug Company is Iowa's oldest family-owned drug store and old-fashioned soda fountain. Whether you’re looking for a soda, malt or a full meal – this charming, historic business is worth a trip off the interstate.
Rustic Brew
Opened in 2013 by a group of friends, Rustic Brew is as fun as it is unique. This small, family-owned restaurant is a one-of-a-kind experience that features fresh-roasted coffee, craft beer, wine, soups, sandwiches and salads. Locals highly recommend the Reuben on their homemade marble rye bread.
Stan's Drive-In
A local favorite for more than 60 years! Carhops take all orders for burgers, tenderloins and ice cream then hang the serving trays off the windows, just like in 1955. Open seasonally (roughly March-September).
The Canteen in the Alley
You and 16 of your closest friends are all it takes to fill the tiny but renowned Canteen in the Alley. The menu is equally small. Try the loose meat sandwich and homemade pie.
The Taco House
This Okoboji hot spot is a Mexican restaurant that boasts some of the best hot sauce around. The nacho plates and burritos are what dreams are made of and will make a visit worth your while. Open March through September.
Tom Thumb Drive Inn
In the mood for broasted chicken, onion rings, a massive pork tenderloin and a little 1960s nostalgia? Check out Tom Thumb Drive Inn where the flashing marquee invites diners to go back in time.
