Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Iowa

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Iowa? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

Cooper's On 5th

4.9

4.9 (138)

$30 and under

American

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Cooper’s on 5th is a great place for Lunch & Dinner. We have had the pleasure of being West Des Moines’ first Craft Cocktail Bar. Join us for our amazing food menu & award-winning cocktail program. Classic & Reimagined Americana comfort food paired with one of Des Moines’ original & highly awarded craft cocktail programs. Great beer, wine, and martinis.

Top review

Catherine

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

If you're seeking a warm ambience and friendly servers, check out this wonderful restaurant in Valley Junction - West Des Moines!

Twin Springs Supper Club

4.9

4.9 (815)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Decorah

About the restaurant

Enjoy a tradional Supper Club experience in the scenic hills and valleys minutes from downtown Decorah. We have prepared the very best in Steaks, Chops and Seafood in the area utilizing locally sourced products. Our full service bar won't disappoint as our mixologist create some unique speciality drinks.

Top review

Abbie

Dined 7 days ago

Thank you so much for making our anniversary dinner such a great experience. The food and service were great. Happy Holidays🥂

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (317)

$30 and under

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar serves comfort food with local flair in a historic building on Main Street in Grinnell, Iowa. Prairie Canary was opened in September 2012 and is currently owned by Chef, Paul Durr. Located in the city of Grinnell, also known as “The Jewel of the Prairie” and home to Grinnell College, Prairie Canary provides a gathering place where guests can enjoy Midwestern flavors in an inviting, understated atmosphere that speaks to the colors and textures of the Iowa prairie.
Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is all about being local. From the name of the restaurant to the dishes on which the food is served, effort was taken to showcase local talent and area producers. Enjoy your meal on hand-thrown plates and bowls. Sit at hand-made hickory tables. Savor farm-fresh produce grown just miles away. Sip on an Iowa wine or pint of beer. We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

Matt

Dined on 10 Nov 2024

Great food and attentive waitstaff. Overall fun evening.

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Popular dish

Iowa Chop

Fleming's Steakhouse - Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (908)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine, or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply wanting to enjoy an excellent culinary experience - we will create a safe and memorable evening for you. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

Amy

Dined 4 days ago

Food was good but extremely overpriced. Wait staff was very attentive. Tables were tucked in very tight so not much privacy. I really like this steakhouse and have been numerous times before. Perhaps it was just extremely crowded with the holiday and the environment felt different but for some reason I felt a little abused at paying $600 to feed 5 people…no drinks involved.

801 Chophouse – Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (3182)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, enjoy beautiful views and excellent customer service at 801 Chophouse. We value our guests and want to give you the best dining experience possible. Our restaurant has only prime USDA steaks, paired with innovative side dishes and an award-winning wine selection from around the world to create an upscale dining experience you won't find anywhere else in Iowa. 801 Chophouse is the premier steakhouse in Des Moines and even offers private dining room options. Book a reservation online or via phone today.

Top review

GuillermoVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Hands down best place in Des Moines, the staff and kitchen are second to none around town.

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Popular dish

Grand Marnier Souffle

Popular dish

Sliced Prime Rib au jus

Popular dish

Roast Prime Rib

Fresko

4.8

4.8 (1189)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Des Moines

About the restaurant

“Fresko” meaning “fresh” inspires our creation of seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients. Fresko makes natural food from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. The culinary team prepares product from start to finish applying natural time honored techniques with care at every step. This enriches the flavorful and nutritious product we serve and benefits our community. Fresko believes we are what we eat and eating well means living well.

Fresko features a splendid assortment of original cocktails with a deep spirits menu and a beer program with sixteen beers on tap in addition to bottles and cans. Fresko's wine menu focuses on quality selections at a great value to our guests.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 3 days ago

Food was excellent, great service. A great place to go but especially over the holidays. We’ve been to Fresko before and will return.

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4.8

4.8 (762)

$31 to $50

American

Sioux City

About the restaurant

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Our server went above and beyond tonight. We asked for bread with our meal. Apparently in the entire restaurant there is no bread available, odd. The server asked the chef and returned with toasted dinner rolls to eat with our pasta. We appreciated her extra effort. Come on Crave, serve bread with dinner.

Alba Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (407)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Alba offers a creative culinary twist on traditional American cuisine. Dishes are prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients, the finest cuts of meat, and the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs. Our menu changes often, we invited you to join us to discover a new favorite.

Top review

Jake

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Sam and the team were excellent. Great date destination with the food, service, and ambiance hitting it out of the park!

Martini's Grille

4.8

4.8 (1122)

$31 to $50

Steak

Burlington

About the restaurant

Martini's Grille is the Great American Steakhouse featuring top quality Midwest beef and pork, fresh seafood daily, and world-famous Chicken Lips! The cocktail list includes over 50 classic and designer cocktails. The panoramic view of the Mississippi is perfect for casual dining or upscale private parties and wine dinners. In addition, Martini's features a patio during the summer months and an upscale venue for private events.

Top review

Jeanne

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

Always great food and service! They never disappoint!

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Popular dish

Petite Filet

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA

4.7

4.7 (1204)

$30 and under

American

Clive

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Laura

Dined 3 days ago

Our server Morgan was fantastic! We brought out of town guests straight here after landing in Des Moines and they were utterly delighted with the meal and service provided. Thank you!

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

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