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Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar, Grinnell, IA

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9
4.9
318 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
11:30 pm
Booked 5 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
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!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Farm-to-table, Comfort Food
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (641) 236-0205
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Paul Durr
  • Area
    Des Moines
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 318 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Iowa

    Best Overall

  • Iowa

    Best Food

  • Iowa

    Best Service

  • Iowa

    Best Ambience

  • Iowa

    Best Value

  • Iowa

    Innovative

  • Iowa

    Healthy

  • Iowa

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Iowa

    American

  • Des Moines

    Best Overall

  • Des Moines

    Best Food

  • Des Moines

    Best Service

  • Des Moines

    Best Ambience

  • Des Moines

    Best Value

  • Des Moines

    Innovative

  • Des Moines

    Good for groups

  • Des Moines

    Healthy

  • Des Moines

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Des Moines

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is a "gem of a restaurant" located in historic downtown Grinnell. Known for its "excellent service" and "outstanding" food, this eatery offers a vibrant atmosphere with unique, chef-prepared dishes. Highlights include the Brussels sprouts appetizer, Canary Salad, and a variety of flavorful entrées. Perfect for family dining.

318 Reviews
  1. Matt

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and attentive waitstaff. Overall fun evening.

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  2. Melanie

    Des Moines

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This is a great local option in Grinnell. We have enjoyed many meals there. The food is good and there are unique options. And you are supporting local versus bigger chain restaurants. I will continue to go to Prairie Canary for my restaurant choice in this community. They work hard to make it a good experience.

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  3. LISA

    Northern MI

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Noisy. Other than that, pretty good. Great service. Very large portions.

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  4. Vicki

    Des Moines

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 11 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great dining experience. Molly waited our table and she never made us feel like she was in a hurry, but also checked on us as needed.

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  5. Kim

    Hawaii

    49 reviews

    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on 4 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Love this restaurant! Food is always fantastic and so is the service. The strawberry salad with salmon, the tomato and feta soup, Brussels sprouts, burger- all terrific. The noise level is a little high, but the decor is great. Overall great place for lunch and dinner.

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  6. Shari

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our table had 4 different entrees, 2 appetizers, and 2 desserts. All were excellent!

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  7. Larry

    Des Moines

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Another excellent dinner at Prairie Canary! We had the NY Strip special with truffle fries and fresh asparagus. Everything was cooked to perfection and tasted great! Our guests had the Thai Curry Shrimp and Parchment Mahi-Mahi, and they also commented on how good the food was for them. For appetizers we had the Vietnamese Egg Rolls and the Brussel Sprouts. I do not really like Brussel sprouts and yet I really liked these. The egg rolls were crunchy on the outside and yet soft and delicious on the inside. Our server, Allie, got our order 100% accurate and timed everything, plus kept our drinks refilled and checked in at just the right intervals. She was friendly, answered all our questions about the menu and served us with great hospitality. Our guests asked on the way home - how soon will we come back? I assured them it would not be too long!

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  8. Frank and Sharri

    Des Moines

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 September 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    From the moment we stepped into this charming eatery, it was clear we were in for a treat. The ambiance exudes a vibrant energy that's perfect for those seeking a lively dining experience. However, for my birthday lunch, my husband and I were looking for a more tranquil setting, so we opted to dine in the outdoor seating area proved to be a delightful choice, offering a serene atmosphere that complemented the pleasant weather. Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the food. In all my culinary adventures, I've never encountered a place that so masterfully blends unique flavors to create truly unforgettable dishes. Each bite is a journey of taste, pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine while remaining undeniably delicious. The lunch menu is a testament to the chef's creativity. While you'll find familiar comfort foods, they're elevated with unexpected twists that tantalize the taste buds. Take, for instance, their grilled cheese sandwich - a dish that left an indelible mark on my palate. Picture this: perfectly toasted bread encasing a heavenly combination of melted cheeses, including tangy goat cheese, paired with a house-made strawberry rhubarb jam. The interplay of savory and sweet creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your tongue. I highly recommend pairing it with their apple salad - a refreshing side that perfectly balances the richness of the sandwich. My husband's choice, the Canary burger, was equally impressive. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and topped with gourmet ingredients, it's clear why this is a menu favorite. The Canary salad that accompanied it was a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients that complemented the burger beautifully. What truly sets this place apart is their commitment to quality and innovation. Each dish feels carefully crafted, with flavors that are both bold and harmonious. The lunch prices are on par with other local establishments, but the value lies in the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the cuisine.

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  9. BackBayGal

    Greater Boston

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 31 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Super yummy feta tomato soup and burgers! But the highlight was our lovely server, Faye! So warm and welcoming!

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  10. Carla

    Des Moines

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 25 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The menu was fantastic. I wanted to try several entrees. The food was great. We will be back!

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FAQs

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is rated 4.9 stars by 318 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
11:30 pm
Booked 5 times today
Google Map for Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

924 Main Street, Grinnell, IA 50112

Additional information

  • Area
    Des Moines
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Farm-to-table, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Paul Durr
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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