Iowa is home to some of the finest restaurants in the Midwest. When you’re born and raised here, you grow up learning how to cook, how to serve others, and how to appreciate the food you have the privilege to enjoy. That must be why we appreciate the longstanding restaurants in Iowa so much — they are as much a part of the Hawkeye State as us Iowans.
- Taylor’s Maid-Rite, Marshalltown
Facebook / Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Google Local / Michael Haviland Cliff Taylor bought the Maid-Rite franchise in 1929, and the Marshalltown location is one of the originals. The fresh ground beef and special seasoning make for the best loose meat sandwiches around.
Address: 106 S 3rd Ave., Marshalltown, IA
- Rastrelli’s, Clinton
Google Local / Jacky DeBoer
Facebook / Rastrelli’s Rastrelli’s is a longstanding icon in Clinton. This old-world style Italian eatery is known for making flavorful steaks and veal cuts, as well as their all-you-can-eat pasta buffet. Visit for a meal that will remind you of your Grandmother’s Sunday suppers.Address: 238 Main Ave., Clinton, IA 52732.
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley The Canteen has been serving up tasty sandwiches since 1927. Just under a century after first opening their doors, this little kitchen is known for making some of the best loose meat sandwiches in Iowa, and mouthwatering pies. Address: 112 2nd St. E., Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Ganzo’s, Davenport
Facebook / Ganzos Restaurant
Facebook / Ganzo’s Restaurant Ganzo’s moved to Davenport in 1969, and it has been a community icon ever since. Stop by to enjoy a taco buffet, burritos the size of your head, or the tastiest fajitas around.Address: 3923 N Marquette St., Davenport, IA 52806
- Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
Flickr / SD Dirk
Facebook / Breitbach’s Country Dining Breitbach’s is Iowa’s oldest restaurant, and it has survived two major fires only to be rebuilt and continue serving! This country restaurant was first opened in 1852.Address: 563 Balltown Rd., Sherrill, IA.
- Zeno’s, Marshalltown
Facebook / Zeno’s Marshalltown
Google Local / Zeno’s Pizza Zeno’s opened in 1952 and more than 65 years later it is still one of Iowa’s favorite pizza joints. Try their crispy thin crust and impressive topping combinations for a meal you will truly love.Address: 109-111 E Main St., Marshalltown, IA 50158
- Lighthouse Inn, Cedar Rapids
Facebook / Lighthouse Inn
Google Local / Brooke Heath The Lighthouse Inn is Iowa’s oldest supper club, and this classic Iowa establishment has been serving travelers since 1912! Stop by for their fall-off-the-bone ribs or a steak that will leave your tastebuds dreaming of your next trip out to Cedar Rapids.Address: 6905 Mt Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
What’s your favorite longstanding restaurant in Iowa? Tell us in the comments below!
Facebook / Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Google Local / Michael Haviland
Cliff Taylor bought the Maid-Rite franchise in 1929, and the Marshalltown location is one of the originals. The fresh ground beef and special seasoning make for the best loose meat sandwiches around.
Address: 106 S 3rd Ave., Marshalltown, IA
Google Local / Jacky DeBoer
Facebook / Rastrelli’s
Rastrelli’s is a longstanding icon in Clinton. This old-world style Italian eatery is known for making flavorful steaks and veal cuts, as well as their all-you-can-eat pasta buffet. Visit for a meal that will remind you of your Grandmother’s Sunday suppers.Address: 238 Main Ave., Clinton, IA 52732.
Tripadvisor / William H.
Facebook / Canteen Lunch in the Alley
The Canteen has been serving up tasty sandwiches since 1927. Just under a century after first opening their doors, this little kitchen is known for making some of the best loose meat sandwiches in Iowa, and mouthwatering pies. Address: 112 2nd St. E., Ottumwa, IA 52501
Facebook / Ganzos Restaurant
Facebook / Ganzo’s Restaurant
Ganzo’s moved to Davenport in 1969, and it has been a community icon ever since. Stop by to enjoy a taco buffet, burritos the size of your head, or the tastiest fajitas around.Address: 3923 N Marquette St., Davenport, IA 52806
Flickr / SD Dirk
Facebook / Breitbach’s Country Dining
Breitbach’s is Iowa’s oldest restaurant, and it has survived two major fires only to be rebuilt and continue serving! This country restaurant was first opened in 1852.Address: 563 Balltown Rd., Sherrill, IA.
Facebook / Zeno’s Marshalltown
Google Local / Zeno’s Pizza
Zeno’s opened in 1952 and more than 65 years later it is still one of Iowa’s favorite pizza joints. Try their crispy thin crust and impressive topping combinations for a meal you will truly love.Address: 109-111 E Main St., Marshalltown, IA 50158
Facebook / Lighthouse Inn
Google Local / Brooke Heath
The Lighthouse Inn is Iowa’s oldest supper club, and this classic Iowa establishment has been serving travelers since 1912! Stop by for their fall-off-the-bone ribs or a steak that will leave your tastebuds dreaming of your next trip out to Cedar Rapids.Address: 6905 Mt Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
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