Iowa’s home to some of the coolest restaurants in the Midwest. From Zombie Burger in Des Moines to Bigfoot BBQ in Arnold’s Park, if you’re looking for an over-the-top experience, you’ll find it here. Sometimes, though, you want to find a hole-in-the-wall where the regulars hang out, or a tiny romantic spot for a special date night. When that’s what you’re looking for, head to one of these small restaurants in Iowa that serve up amazing food.
- Dinky Diner, Decatur City
Facebook / RAGBRAI
Google Local / Jim Pearl The Dinky Diner is a small town landmark! This itty bitty counter serve spot is known for their tenderloins, which bring foodies from all over. On the weekends, be prepared for a wait!Address: Dinky Diner, 104 4th St, Decatur City, IA 50067
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
Google Local / Ron Lackey
Google Local / Glenda Williams Canteen Lunch in the Alley is probably Iowa’s most well-known hole in the wall. This tiny restaurant is famous for their tavern sandwiches and their mouthwatering homemade pies. It may be tempting to stuff yourself full of taverns, but if you don’t save room for at least once slice, you’ll regret it!Address: Canteen Lunch In the Alley, 112 2nd St E, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Breakfast at Berries, Le Claire
Google Local / Breakfast at Berries
Google Local / Breakfast at Berries Breakfast at Berries is new in town, but that doesn’t make this Le Claire restaurant a dud! Berries has brought fresh and flavorful breakfast food along with gigantic portions to a tiny restaurant space.Address: Breakfast At Berries, 1295 Eagle Ridge Rd, Le Claire, IA 52753
- The Lost Cuban, Cedar Rapids
Google Local / AMP
Google Local / The Lost Cuban This tiny Cedar Rapids joint serves up the best Cuban food in Iowa. Enjoy a tasty sandwich or a beans and rice dish and you’ll go home feeling like you just took a vacation.Address: The Lost Cuban, 209 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
- Lincoln Wine Bar, Mt. Vernon
Google Local / Derek Thomas
Google Local / Meghan Dowd The Lincoln Wine Bar draws one of the best crowds around! Not only does this place have an incredible selection of wines, but their wood-fired pizzas are delicious.Address: Lincoln Wine Bar, 125 1st St W, Mt Vernon, IA 52314
- Jerry’s Main Lunch, Burlington
Google Local / AMP
Google Local / Jerry’s Main Lunch Jerry’s Main Lunch is a great place to grab a quick meal in Burlington. Try a burger or stop by for a breakfast sandwich - you’ll never leave hungry. This tiny spot only has a handful of seats.Address: Jerry’s Main Lunch, 501 S Main St, Burlington, IA 52601
- Suzie Q’s Cafe, Mason City
Google Local / IA Vagabond
Facebook / Suzie Q Cafe Suzie Q’s is famous for standing out in Mason City! This bright, 50s-style diner serves up food as big as your head, and you’ll wonder how they fit it all into their tiny kitchen.Address: Suzie-Q Cafe, 3202, 14 2nd St NW, Mason City, IA 50401
- Goldie’s, Prairie City
Google Local / George Wieczorek
Google Local / Bobbi Schmidt Goldie’s is so much more than an ice cream shop! This tiny kitchen turns out one of the best tenderloins you’ll ever have. Pair it with a malt and you’re setting yourself up for the most delicious meal of the week.Address: Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, 8578, 304 W 2nd St, Prairie City, IA 50228
- Taylor’s Maid-Rite, Marshalltown
Google Local / Jon Uzel
Zomato What more can you say about an absolute legend? Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Marshalltown is the tiny restaurant that truly made it big! Pair your famous sandwich with one of their shakes and a bag of chips and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.Address: Maid-Rite, 106 S 3rd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158
- Ladora Bank Bistro
Google Local / Mary Anderson
Facebook / Ladora Bank Bistro The Ladora Bank Bistro has been racking up accolades since they opened. This tiny restaurant is set in an old town bank, and they truly kept the historic feel. The dishes they serve are some of the most flavorful you can find.Address: Ladora Bank Bistro, 811 Pacific St, Ladora, IA 52251
- Proof, Des Moines
Google Local / Proof Restaurant
Google Local / Jake Tan Proof serves up tasty modern dishes in a tiny space that’s easy to overlook. If you walk by at dinner time, though, you’ll notice the crowd! Be sure to make a reservation before heading here - it’s booked out weeks in advance during their busiest times. Address: Proof Restaurant, 1301 Locust St C, Des Moines, IA 50309
What’s your favorite small restaurant in Iowa? Tell us in the comments below!
Facebook / RAGBRAI
Google Local / Jim Pearl
The Dinky Diner is a small town landmark! This itty bitty counter serve spot is known for their tenderloins, which bring foodies from all over. On the weekends, be prepared for a wait!Address: Dinky Diner, 104 4th St, Decatur City, IA 50067
Google Local / Ron Lackey
Google Local / Glenda Williams
Canteen Lunch in the Alley is probably Iowa’s most well-known hole in the wall. This tiny restaurant is famous for their tavern sandwiches and their mouthwatering homemade pies. It may be tempting to stuff yourself full of taverns, but if you don’t save room for at least once slice, you’ll regret it!Address: Canteen Lunch In the Alley, 112 2nd St E, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Google Local / Breakfast at Berries
Breakfast at Berries is new in town, but that doesn’t make this Le Claire restaurant a dud! Berries has brought fresh and flavorful breakfast food along with gigantic portions to a tiny restaurant space.Address: Breakfast At Berries, 1295 Eagle Ridge Rd, Le Claire, IA 52753
Google Local / AMP
Google Local / The Lost Cuban
This tiny Cedar Rapids joint serves up the best Cuban food in Iowa. Enjoy a tasty sandwich or a beans and rice dish and you’ll go home feeling like you just took a vacation.Address: The Lost Cuban, 209 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Google Local / Derek Thomas
Google Local / Meghan Dowd
The Lincoln Wine Bar draws one of the best crowds around! Not only does this place have an incredible selection of wines, but their wood-fired pizzas are delicious.Address: Lincoln Wine Bar, 125 1st St W, Mt Vernon, IA 52314
Google Local / Jerry’s Main Lunch
Jerry’s Main Lunch is a great place to grab a quick meal in Burlington. Try a burger or stop by for a breakfast sandwich - you’ll never leave hungry. This tiny spot only has a handful of seats.Address: Jerry’s Main Lunch, 501 S Main St, Burlington, IA 52601
Google Local / IA Vagabond
Facebook / Suzie Q Cafe
Suzie Q’s is famous for standing out in Mason City! This bright, 50s-style diner serves up food as big as your head, and you’ll wonder how they fit it all into their tiny kitchen.Address: Suzie-Q Cafe, 3202, 14 2nd St NW, Mason City, IA 50401
Google Local / George Wieczorek
Google Local / Bobbi Schmidt
Goldie’s is so much more than an ice cream shop! This tiny kitchen turns out one of the best tenderloins you’ll ever have. Pair it with a malt and you’re setting yourself up for the most delicious meal of the week.Address: Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, 8578, 304 W 2nd St, Prairie City, IA 50228
Google Local / Jon Uzel
Zomato
What more can you say about an absolute legend? Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Marshalltown is the tiny restaurant that truly made it big! Pair your famous sandwich with one of their shakes and a bag of chips and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.Address: Maid-Rite, 106 S 3rd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Google Local / Mary Anderson
Facebook / Ladora Bank Bistro
The Ladora Bank Bistro has been racking up accolades since they opened. This tiny restaurant is set in an old town bank, and they truly kept the historic feel. The dishes they serve are some of the most flavorful you can find.Address: Ladora Bank Bistro, 811 Pacific St, Ladora, IA 52251
Google Local / Proof Restaurant
Google Local / Jake Tan
Proof serves up tasty modern dishes in a tiny space that’s easy to overlook. If you walk by at dinner time, though, you’ll notice the crowd! Be sure to make a reservation before heading here - it’s booked out weeks in advance during their busiest times. Address: Proof Restaurant, 1301 Locust St C, Des Moines, IA 50309
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