Not only are these award-winning restaurants all owned and operated by women, they’re also located in some of Iowa’s most charming small towns. Take a delicious road trip to dine local, support women-owned businesses and explore the state’s lesser-known destinations.
1. La Rana Bistro, Decorah
This intimate 34-seat restaurant is located in a historic building in the heart of downtown Decorah. Owner and chef Carina Cavagnaro incorporates French, Mediterranean and Asian flavors into Midwest favorites – serving up dishes like braised pork fettuccine and quiches made with local eggs and produce. Carina brings nearly 20 years of experience to La Rana and is committed to creating a thriving community where local farmers, businesses, staff and patrons feel celebrated and enlivened. The eatery is open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended.
2. Bricktown Bakery, Nevada
“When you say donuts, people smile,” said Paula Feltner, owner of Bricktown Bakery in Nevada. On a typical Saturday, Bricktown Bakery sells out of almost 1,500 donuts ranging from long johns to old-fashioned cake donuts. Looking for something beyond donuts? Check out the restaurant’s Fried Pie Friday (flavored hand pies) or flash-brewed coffee. You can sample more of Paula’s flavors at Bricktown Popcorn, her gourmet popcorn shop in the historic corner building next door. Bricktown Bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday.
3. Savor The Rise, Indianola
Deja Keppler, owner of Savor the Rise in Indianola, introduced her community to baked goods they didn’t yet know they loved at her Farmer’s Market stand. In a matter of weeks, people lined up before she was open in search of a “surprise egg biscuit,” a cheddar-chive biscuit with a hard-boiled egg nestled inside and a side of homemade buffalo sauce. She used that momentum to open a storefront on Indianola’s town square selling artisan bread, pastries, fresh private label olive oils and other specialty items. The eatery is open Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch.
4. The Back Forty, Macedonia
Owner Amy Parker is truly a cornerstone of her community. She purchased a longstanding main street restaurant in 2019 as a labor of love, wanting to ensure the small town of Macedonia didn’t lose their restaurant. From there, Amy helped transform the former bar and grill into a destination spot serving classic comfort food like hot beef, mashed potatoes and lasagna. Today, The Back Forty consistently draws regular patrons from as far as 75 miles away. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
5. The Landmark Bistro, Grundy Center
“We are not a stop along the way, we are the destination,” proclaims The Landmark Bistro in Grundy Center. They are indeed a landmark and much of the credit goes to the owner/operator Jill Krausman. The Landmark Bistro was selected for the 99 Counties, 99 Restaurants list and has been on the Iowa Pork Producers’ Best Tenderloins list. Make sure to come back often so you can try each of the dishes named after Jill’s grandkids. It’s open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
6. One Eleven Public House, Knoxville
Mindi Sudman, co-owner and general manager of One Eleven Public House in Knoxville, has made sure her gastropub has an ambiance with just a “little bit of swank.” The culinary team creates upscale comfort food using “local fares and wares.” The eatery also features 16 craft beers on tap, classic cocktails and a self-described “artistic” wine list. Mindi also owns and operates Curious Rebellion, a vintage home goods store, as well as a marketing company. One Eleven Public House is open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
7. Beans and Beignets, Earlham
After Nina Easley lost her husband Jeff to cancer in 2020, she knew she needed to bring joy to the people around her. With deep roots in Earlham, she took over a space in the historic Bricker-Price Block, dusted off a family recipe and started making authentic New Orleans-style beignets. She paired them with locally roasted coffee - and Beans and Beignets was born. Those who know her say she feeds the soul of the community with a space to gather and enjoy varied breakfast and lunch fare, as well as a selection of ice cream specialties. It’s open daily for breakfast and lunch.
