It’s hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end, but it’s been an amazing year for Iowans everywhere! If you’re looking to make 2019 just as nice of a time, plan to tackle each of these restaurants that makes our 2019 Iowa Dining Bucket List. Your tastebuds will be so thankful!
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley Canteen Lunch in the Alley is one of Iowa’s most famous restaurants. This tiny counter-serve spot makes mouthwatering canteen sandwiches - Iowa’s legendary loose meat snacks. Canteen Lunch also makes some of the best pies in Iowa. You’ve got to stop by for lunch here!Read more right here!
- Starboard Market, Clear Lake
Facebook / Starboard Market
Facebook / Starboard Market Starboard Market in Clear Lake is only open for lunch, but it’s so worth the drive for a day trip. Their sandwiches are packed with fresh meats, dressings, sauces and more.Read more right here!
- Jimmy’s Bar-B-Que Pit, Boone
Tripadvisor / Init4keeps
Google Local / Asol Vorrum This Boone BBQ joint is known for their amazing brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and homemade pies. You’ll fall in love with this tiny restaurant Iowas are quietly obsessed with.Read more right here!
- Iowa River Power Restaurant, Coralville
Google Local / Iowa River Power Restaurant
Tripadvisor / Issa M. Iowa River Power Restaurant in Coralville is one of the coolest places to dine in the Hawkeye State. This former power plant is now one of the best places for a prime rib brunch.Read more right here!
- Flatted Fifths BBQ, Bellevue
Google Local / Jethro Barowski
Google Local / Trent Johnson Flatted Fifths is a BBQ and cajun restaurant in Bellevue, Iowa. This former mill is one of the best places in Iowa for brisket, seafood, and live music.Read more right here!
- Cheese Bar, Des Moines
Facebook / Cheese Bar
Google Local / Matt B. Des Moines’ Cheese Bar is heaven on earth! Their legendary mac and cheese draws Iowans from all over the state, and you’ll definitely go home with some new cheeses as a treat for yourself.Read more right here!
- Zeno’s Pizza, Marshalltown
Facebook / Zeno’s Restaurant
Google Local / Zeno’s Pizza Zeno’s Restaurant in Marshalltown is one of Iowa’s longest standing restaurants, and they’re known for making a perfect pizza. Not only do they have classic pies that are to die for, but their specialty pizzas are a meal to remember.Read more right here!
- Mosley’s, Iowa CIty
Facebook / Mosley’s
Facebook / Mosley’s Mosley’s is a BBQ restaurant in Iowa City that makes the best sausage sandwich in Iowa. Their homemade recipe is a guarded secret, but you’ll be dying to know how they pull it off after just one bite.Read more right here!
- Ladora Bank Bistro, Ladora
Facebook / Ladora Bank Bistro
Facebook / Ladora Bank Bistro The Ladora Bank Bistro is the finest small town restaurant in America. This elegant bistro has been a Hawkeye favorite for years, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable meal.Read more right here!
- Fong’s Pizza, Des Moines
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza Fong’s Pizza was opened up after one of Des Moines’ best chinese restaurants closed, and the owner kept the theme. This Chinese Pizza Parlor is a unique restaurant, and their food is out of this world.Read more right here!
- Breitbach’s Country Restaurant, Balltown
Flickr / SD Dirk
Tripadvisor / ImaLadyBiker The oldest bar in Iowa is located in Balltown, but people drive from all over for a meal here. This rural diner serves up some of the best tenderloins in the state along with homemade country style food. Read more right here!
- The Irish Shanti, Gunder
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
Facebook / The Irish Shanti The Irish Shanti is the restaurant that put Gunder on the map! Their gigantic gunderburgers inspire Iowans to drive hours to this remote corner of the state that doesn’t even have a post office. You’re sure to love these burgers.Read more right here!
Which Iowa restaurant will you visit first in 2019? Are there any that you travel to try each year? Tell us all about your 2019 Iowa dining plans in the comments below!
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley
Canteen Lunch in the Alley is one of Iowa’s most famous restaurants. This tiny counter-serve spot makes mouthwatering canteen sandwiches - Iowa’s legendary loose meat snacks. Canteen Lunch also makes some of the best pies in Iowa. You’ve got to stop by for lunch here!Read more right here!
Facebook / Starboard Market
Starboard Market in Clear Lake is only open for lunch, but it’s so worth the drive for a day trip. Their sandwiches are packed with fresh meats, dressings, sauces and more.Read more right here!
Tripadvisor / Init4keeps
Google Local / Asol Vorrum
This Boone BBQ joint is known for their amazing brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and homemade pies. You’ll fall in love with this tiny restaurant Iowas are quietly obsessed with.Read more right here!
Google Local / Iowa River Power Restaurant
Tripadvisor / Issa M.
Iowa River Power Restaurant in Coralville is one of the coolest places to dine in the Hawkeye State. This former power plant is now one of the best places for a prime rib brunch.Read more right here!
Google Local / Jethro Barowski
Google Local / Trent Johnson
Flatted Fifths is a BBQ and cajun restaurant in Bellevue, Iowa. This former mill is one of the best places in Iowa for brisket, seafood, and live music.Read more right here!
Facebook / Cheese Bar
Google Local / Matt B.
Des Moines’ Cheese Bar is heaven on earth! Their legendary mac and cheese draws Iowans from all over the state, and you’ll definitely go home with some new cheeses as a treat for yourself.Read more right here!
Facebook / Zeno’s Restaurant
Google Local / Zeno’s Pizza
Zeno’s Restaurant in Marshalltown is one of Iowa’s longest standing restaurants, and they’re known for making a perfect pizza. Not only do they have classic pies that are to die for, but their specialty pizzas are a meal to remember.Read more right here!
Facebook / Mosley’s
Mosley’s is a BBQ restaurant in Iowa City that makes the best sausage sandwich in Iowa. Their homemade recipe is a guarded secret, but you’ll be dying to know how they pull it off after just one bite.Read more right here!
Facebook / Ladora Bank Bistro
The Ladora Bank Bistro is the finest small town restaurant in America. This elegant bistro has been a Hawkeye favorite for years, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable meal.Read more right here!
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza
Fong’s Pizza was opened up after one of Des Moines’ best chinese restaurants closed, and the owner kept the theme. This Chinese Pizza Parlor is a unique restaurant, and their food is out of this world.Read more right here!
Flickr / SD Dirk
Tripadvisor / ImaLadyBiker
The oldest bar in Iowa is located in Balltown, but people drive from all over for a meal here. This rural diner serves up some of the best tenderloins in the state along with homemade country style food. Read more right here!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
The Irish Shanti is the restaurant that put Gunder on the map! Their gigantic gunderburgers inspire Iowans to drive hours to this remote corner of the state that doesn’t even have a post office. You’re sure to love these burgers.Read more right here!
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