If eating your way through Iowa this year sounds like something right up your alley, read on. We’ve pulled together twelve bucket list restaurants scattered around Iowa, one for each month of the year. If you are looking for some of the best restaurants in Iowa, we’re pretty sure you’ll find a few hidden gems here.

1. January - Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
Dirk DBQ / Flickr
Breitbach's Country Dining, 563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073, USA
Dirk DBQ / Flickr
As Iowa's oldest bar and restaurant, a meal at Breitbach's isn't an experience you want to miss! You just can't beat the authentic rich history you'll find here.
2. February - Proof, Des Moines
Proof / Facebook
Proof Restaurant, 1301 Locust St C, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Proof / Facebook
Go all out for February with an advance reservation at Proof Restaurant in Des Moines. This elite establishment is one of the best options in Iowa if you want to take your meal to the next level. The "Proof" is in how satisfied your tummy is after your meal.
3. March - The Lighthouse Inn, Cedar Rapids
LIGHTHOUSE INN SUPPER CLUB / Facebook
Lighthouse Inn, 6905 Mt Vernon Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, USA
LIGHTHOUSE INN SUPPER CLUB / Facebook
Take a spring drive through Iowa and stop for a meal at one of Iowa's oldest restaurants. Built in 1912 this famous Iowa restaurant has some stories to tell.
4. April - Rastrelli's Italian Restaurant, Clinton
Jacky Deboer / Google Maps
Rastrelli's, 238 Main Ave, Clinton, IA 52732, USA
American Marketing & Publishing / Google Maps
Italian is on the menu this month. Specifically, Rastrelli's. Pizza. Pasta. Cheesecake. Need we say more?
5. May - La Regia Taqueria, Iowa City
marianne satinsky / Google Maps
La Regia Taqueria, 436 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
La Regia Taqueria / Facebook
Cinco de Mayo calls for some Mexican cuisine, and we know just the place. Not only is La Regia Taqueria a Mexican restaurant serving up authentic, tasty dishes, but it's also a market where you can buy specialty items and ingredients for your own cocina.
6. June - Smokey's Lost Bar & Grill, Delhi
Lake Delhi Iowa / Facebook
Smokey’s Lost Bar and Grill, 22392 255th St, Delhi, IA 52223, USA
Smokey's Lost Bar & Grill / Facebook
How about a meal on the beach to kick off summer? Yes, really. You CAN do that in Iowa. This summertime hangout has limited hours in the off-season so be sure to check their hours before stopping by.
7. July - Barn Happy, Cedar Falls
Barn Happy / Facebook
Barn Happy, 11310 University Ave, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, USA
Barn Happy / Facebook
Fit in a little shopping with your brunch or lunch meal at Barn Happy. This little deli is in a hundred-year-old barn, and there are some fun, unique gift items to be purchased here as well.
8. August - The Tangled Wood, Bettendorf
The Tangled Wood / Facebook
The Tangled Wood, 3636 Tanglewood Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA
Management / Tripadvisor
Including its patio, this might just be Iowa's largest restaurant - a whopping 15,400 square feet. And just look at that meat platter!
9. September - Bluff Lake Catfish Farm
Jeremy Murphy / Google Maps
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, 9301 95th Ave, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Bluff Lake Catfish Farm / Facebook
Dine on fresh-caught fish while enjoying a view of a waterfall. Does it get better than this? The Bluff Lake Catfish Farm has limited winter hours, be sure to check for availability before swimming up for a bite to eat.
10. October - Baxa's Sutliff Store and Tavern, Lisbon
Baxa's Sutliff Store And Tavern / Facebook
Baxa's Sutliff Store & Tavern, 5546 130th St NE, Lisbon, IA 52253, USA
Baxa's Sutliff Store And Tavern / Facebook
For a restaurant with a view, Baxa's can't be beaten! Dine overlooking the historic Sutliff Bridge. The food is great, too!
11. November - The Machine Shed, Davenport
Machine Shed Restaurant / Facebook
Machine Shed Restaurant Davenport, 7250 Northwest Blvd, Davenport, IA 52806, USA
Machine Shed Restaurant / Facebook
Fill up on some of Iowa's best pork dishes at the Machine Shed in Davenport. You can eat pig for breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. And it's all good.
12. December - Taylor's Maid-Rite, Marshalltown
Taylor's Maid-Rite / Facebook
Taylor's Maid-Rite, 106 S 3rd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158, USA
Michael Haviland / Google Maps
December's a busy month, and fast food might be just what you need to make it through. Try a loose meat sandwich from Taylor's Maid-Rite in Marshalltown.

Iowa has some pretty cool places to eat don’t you think? From home-style cooking, like your grandma would make to fine dining, each has something unique to offer. How many of these have you already tried? And what do you think are the best restaurants in Iowa? Share your favorites with a comment.

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More bucket list worthy restaurants in Iowa

Chris Muras | November 29, 2022

What are the best restaurants near Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

Cedar Rapids has some amazing choices for sitting down to a good meal. Here are a few restaurants near Cedar Rapids we think should be on your radar:

1. Cobble Hill Restaurant: Cedar Rapids, IA.
2. Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge: Iowa, City, IA
3. Napoli's Italian Restaurant: Marion, IA.
4. Oyama Sushi & Steakhouse: Cedar Rapids, IA.
5. Iowa River Power Restaurant: Coralville, IA.
6. Vesta: Coralville, IA.
7. Breitbach's Country Dining: Sherrill, IA.
8. Oscar's Restaurant: Hiawatha, IA.
9. St. Burch Tavern: Iowa City, IA.
10. Short's Burger & Shine: Iowa City, IA.

If you are looking for the best mom-and-pop restaurants in Iowa for some good old-fashioned heart-warming food check out our list of favorites here.

What are some good restaurants in Des Moines Iowa?

Des Moines Iowa is another great place to find a scrumptious meal. Let's take look at a list of some of the best restaurants near Des Moines Iowa:

  • Harbinger: A wonderful upscale restaurant with chef-curated food.
  • Proof: A Mediterranean-style restaurant that doesn't need to "prove" how good they are - they'll show you.
  • RoCA: Fantastic tapas, delicious food, and craft cocktails - simply heaven.
  • Americana: American comfort food, chops, and steaks in a unique setting - a historic building that used to be a car dealership going back to the early 1900s.
  • Zombie Burger + Drink Lab: Best burgers around! But watch out for the zombies in this horror-themed restaurant because they might steal your burger.
  • Brazil Terra Grill: A steakhouse that will delight your tastebuds with delicious meat - what more do you need? Oh, and try the grilled caramelized pineapple!
  • Bubba: Head to Bubba's for some amazing Southern comfort food and a huge selection of whiskies.
  • Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant: The first and only (so far) Ecuadorian restaurant in Des Moines. You just have to try their seafood lunch buffet!

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