Iowa is a foodie state, that’s for sure! And while we may be known for our wholesome, country diners and midwestern steakhouses, sometimes we like to get a little creative with our food. Check out these quirky Iowa restaurants below and make it a goal to visit each of them!
- Fong’s Pizza, Des Moines and Ankeny
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza When you just can’t decide what you want for dinner… you want to visit this quirky Iowa restaurant. Combine Chinese food and Pizza at this unique eatery with locations in Ankeny and Des Moines. Try the Crab Rangoon Pizza - it might be the best dish ever invented in Iowa! Read more about it right here
- Vinny Vannucchi’s, Dubuque
Tripadvsior / Vinny Vanucchi’s
Tripadvisor / Vinny Vanucchi’s Vinny Vanucchi’s is more than just an Italian restaurant! While, yes, they do serve up the most delicious homemade, hearty meals, there’s something unqiue about this spot. It used to be a jail, and you can still dine in the upstairs jail cell! How cool is that? Read more about it right here
- Miss Spenser’s Tea Room, New Virginia
Facebook / Miss Spenser’s of Longview Farms
Facebook / Miss Spenser’s of Longview Farms Miss Spenser’s Special-Teas is a tea room located on Longview Farms in New Virginia. This charming tea room will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook! Try their afternoon tea and sample savories, sweets, pastries and tea sandwiches whil eyou try many varities of their famous teas. Read more about it right here
- Iowa River Power Restaurant, Coralville
Google Maps
Flickr / Alan Light This historic restaurant was built from a restored Power Plant right on the Iowa River. From the dining room, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the river itself! They serve up a delicious tenderloin and some of the best steaks in the area, so your meal will be as amazing as your view. Read more about it right here
- Candyland Station, Grinnell
Tripadvisor / Dave D.
Tripadvisor / Dave D. This old fashioned Soda Fountain serves up simple sandwiches, burgers and salads, and the best ice cream sundaes you’ll ever try! If you’re looking for a real throwback, take your family to this unique treasure in Grinnell. Read more about it right here
- 360 Steakhouse, Council Bluffs
Facebook / Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Facebook / Harrah’s Council Bluffs 360 Steakhouse was named one of America’s most stunning restaurants by OpenTable, and for good reason! The view from this restaurant shows off Council Bluffs and Omaha’s skyline, plus views of the river and gorgeous surrounding green space. Plus, they serve up delicious steaks in an elegant environment that completely redefines the words “date night”! Read more about it right here
- Capes Cafe, Des Moines Social Club
Tripadvisor / Des Moines Social Club
Facebook / Capes Cafe Capes Cafe is a superhero and comic book themed cafe located in the Des Moines Social Club. Stop by here in the morning before work for a coffee, comic book, and a muffin, or enjoy a late night snack after class, as it’s open until 10 pm! Read more about it right here
- Galleria de Paco & Catacomb Lounge, Waterloo
Facebook / Galleria de Paco
Facebook / Galleria de Paco Galleria de Paco is the most uniquely decorated spot in Iowa, for sure! The ceiling is painted like the Sistine Chapel, and the rest of the restaurant is decorated with incredible, inspiring art! Combine that with delicious midwestern food (like the best steaks in town!) and a swnaky jazz bar with creative cocktails, and you’ve got one of the best dining experiences in the state at this quirky Iowa restaurant. Read more about it right here
- Zombie Burger, Des Moines + elsewhere
Tripadvisor / maxneo0
Facebook / Zombie Burger and Drink Lab Zombie Burger is an apocalypse themed restaurant that might have Iowa’s most extensive burger list! Make it a goal to try them all… before someone eats your brains! You can find this funky burger joint in Des Moines, Ankeny, Coral Ridge, and Jordan Creek. Read more about it right here
- Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill, Altoona
Facebook / Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill
Facebook / Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill Altoona is hiding one of the best secrets in Iowa - an underwater themed bowling alley and restaurant! The details here are impressive - even the ball return machines are modeled after underwater creatures. The experience you’ll have here is absolutely unforgettable!
What’s your favorite quirky restaurant in Iowa? Share with us in the comments below!
Facebook / Fong’s Pizza
When you just can’t decide what you want for dinner… you want to visit this quirky Iowa restaurant. Combine Chinese food and Pizza at this unique eatery with locations in Ankeny and Des Moines. Try the Crab Rangoon Pizza - it might be the best dish ever invented in Iowa! Read more about it right here
Tripadvsior / Vinny Vanucchi’s
Tripadvisor / Vinny Vanucchi’s
Vinny Vanucchi’s is more than just an Italian restaurant! While, yes, they do serve up the most delicious homemade, hearty meals, there’s something unqiue about this spot. It used to be a jail, and you can still dine in the upstairs jail cell! How cool is that? Read more about it right here
Facebook / Miss Spenser’s of Longview Farms
Miss Spenser’s Special-Teas is a tea room located on Longview Farms in New Virginia. This charming tea room will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook! Try their afternoon tea and sample savories, sweets, pastries and tea sandwiches whil eyou try many varities of their famous teas. Read more about it right here
Google Maps
Flickr / Alan Light
This historic restaurant was built from a restored Power Plant right on the Iowa River. From the dining room, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the river itself! They serve up a delicious tenderloin and some of the best steaks in the area, so your meal will be as amazing as your view. Read more about it right here
Tripadvisor / Dave D.
This old fashioned Soda Fountain serves up simple sandwiches, burgers and salads, and the best ice cream sundaes you’ll ever try! If you’re looking for a real throwback, take your family to this unique treasure in Grinnell. Read more about it right here
Facebook / Harrah’s Council Bluffs
360 Steakhouse was named one of America’s most stunning restaurants by OpenTable, and for good reason! The view from this restaurant shows off Council Bluffs and Omaha’s skyline, plus views of the river and gorgeous surrounding green space. Plus, they serve up delicious steaks in an elegant environment that completely redefines the words “date night”! Read more about it right here
Tripadvisor / Des Moines Social Club
Facebook / Capes Cafe
Capes Cafe is a superhero and comic book themed cafe located in the Des Moines Social Club. Stop by here in the morning before work for a coffee, comic book, and a muffin, or enjoy a late night snack after class, as it’s open until 10 pm! Read more about it right here
Facebook / Galleria de Paco
Galleria de Paco is the most uniquely decorated spot in Iowa, for sure! The ceiling is painted like the Sistine Chapel, and the rest of the restaurant is decorated with incredible, inspiring art! Combine that with delicious midwestern food (like the best steaks in town!) and a swnaky jazz bar with creative cocktails, and you’ve got one of the best dining experiences in the state at this quirky Iowa restaurant. Read more about it right here
Tripadvisor / maxneo0
Facebook / Zombie Burger and Drink Lab
Zombie Burger is an apocalypse themed restaurant that might have Iowa’s most extensive burger list! Make it a goal to try them all… before someone eats your brains! You can find this funky burger joint in Des Moines, Ankeny, Coral Ridge, and Jordan Creek. Read more about it right here
Facebook / Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill
Altoona is hiding one of the best secrets in Iowa - an underwater themed bowling alley and restaurant! The details here are impressive - even the ball return machines are modeled after underwater creatures. The experience you’ll have here is absolutely unforgettable!
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