Iowa’s dining scene is unique – we’ve got world famous restaurants, the Ice Cream capital of the world, a James Beard Steakhouse… and hundreds of tiny, hole in the walls that remain hometown favorites. If you’re trying to track down the best hidden Iowa restaurants, check out these best kept secrets that will be so worth driving to find.
- Hide Out, Paullina
Google Local / Joseph Wright Slegers
Google Local / Joshua Baker The Hide Out is a rural restaurant way out in Paullina, Iowa. It’s known for serving up gigantic portions of fries and the best fried chicken in O’Brien County.Address: 4811 Oak Hill Ave, Paullina, IA 51046
- Dam Bar and Grill, Lima Springs
Facebook / Dam Bar and Grill
Facebook / Dam Bar and Grill This Howard County bar and grill serves up one of the best Philly Cheesesteaks you’ll find outside of the City of Brotherly Love. Be sure to strike up a conversation at the bar - the crowd here is always up for telling great stories.Address: 106 W Main St, Lime Springs, IA 52155
- Hale Tap, Wyoming
Facebook / Hale Tap
Facebook / Hale Tap Hale Tap is a small supper club and grill where you’ll find tasty tenderloins and excellent service. As part of Jones County, you can be sure you’ll be welcome here, no matter where you’re from.Address: 5522 County Road E-45, Wyoming, IA 52362
- Wiota Steakhouse, Wiota
Facebook / Wioa Steakhouse
Facebook / Wiota Steakhouse Wiota is really in the middle of nowhere, even by Iowa standards. Still, it’s worth the drive out to Cass County for a great steak and a cold beer.Address: 302 Center St, Wiota, IA 50274
- Wolfey’s Wapsi Outback, Quasqueton
Google Local / Robert Miller
Google Local / Roger Fischels Wolfey’s is a biker bar that’s sort of a closely guarded secret. Don’t be intimidated though - make it a point to head over here on a Tuesday for some of the best taco pizza you’ll ever try.Address:101 Water St S, Quasqueton, IA 52326
- The Twisted Tail, Logan/Beebeetown
Google Local / Lorraine Gorman
Google Local / Jeff Felos The Twisted Tail might be the prime rib capital of Iowa, and so few people have made it out here! Those who dine here make the trek regularly, even though it’s way out near Omaha.Address: 2849 335th St, Logan, IA 51546
- Northwestern Steakhouse, Mason City
Google Local / Larry Rogers
Google Local / KD Mick Northwestern Steakhouse isn’t quite as much of a secret as some of these hidden Iowa restaurants, but it’s still one of the most underrated gems in the state. Their greek style steaks are sure to win you over.Address: 304 16th St NW, Mason City, IA 50401
- Barney’s, Wadena
Google Local / Wade Putnam
Facebook / Barney’s Wadena Barney’s is another rural biker bar that serves up killer tacos - who knew that was such a niche in Iowa? Make your way out here for a great meal and unforgettable company, and you’ll be sure to want to return again and again.Address: 201 N Mill St, Wadena, IA 52169
Do you love any of these Iowa classics? Be sure to spread the word – support our local businesses and help you friends find the best kept secrets in the state! When you fall in love with a hidden Iowa restaurant, you’ll be amazed you didn’t make the trip sooner.
Google Local / Joseph Wright Slegers
Google Local / Joshua Baker
The Hide Out is a rural restaurant way out in Paullina, Iowa. It’s known for serving up gigantic portions of fries and the best fried chicken in O’Brien County.Address: 4811 Oak Hill Ave, Paullina, IA 51046
Facebook / Dam Bar and Grill
This Howard County bar and grill serves up one of the best Philly Cheesesteaks you’ll find outside of the City of Brotherly Love. Be sure to strike up a conversation at the bar - the crowd here is always up for telling great stories.Address: 106 W Main St, Lime Springs, IA 52155
Facebook / Hale Tap
Hale Tap is a small supper club and grill where you’ll find tasty tenderloins and excellent service. As part of Jones County, you can be sure you’ll be welcome here, no matter where you’re from.Address: 5522 County Road E-45, Wyoming, IA 52362
Facebook / Wioa Steakhouse
Facebook / Wiota Steakhouse
Wiota is really in the middle of nowhere, even by Iowa standards. Still, it’s worth the drive out to Cass County for a great steak and a cold beer.Address: 302 Center St, Wiota, IA 50274
Google Local / Robert Miller
Google Local / Roger Fischels
Wolfey’s is a biker bar that’s sort of a closely guarded secret. Don’t be intimidated though - make it a point to head over here on a Tuesday for some of the best taco pizza you’ll ever try.Address:101 Water St S, Quasqueton, IA 52326
Google Local / Lorraine Gorman
Google Local / Jeff Felos
The Twisted Tail might be the prime rib capital of Iowa, and so few people have made it out here! Those who dine here make the trek regularly, even though it’s way out near Omaha.Address: 2849 335th St, Logan, IA 51546
Google Local / Larry Rogers
Google Local / KD Mick
Northwestern Steakhouse isn’t quite as much of a secret as some of these hidden Iowa restaurants, but it’s still one of the most underrated gems in the state. Their greek style steaks are sure to win you over.Address: 304 16th St NW, Mason City, IA 50401
Google Local / Wade Putnam
Facebook / Barney’s Wadena
Barney’s is another rural biker bar that serves up killer tacos - who knew that was such a niche in Iowa? Make your way out here for a great meal and unforgettable company, and you’ll be sure to want to return again and again.Address: 201 N Mill St, Wadena, IA 52169
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