Iowans Name Their Favorite Cedar Valley Restaurants [GALLERY]

Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Waverly, and surrounding area restaurants... I'm coming for you!

Years ago, when I had first moved to Iowa, I had a New Year's resolution to try a new (to me) restaurant every month for the entire year. I exceeded my goal, and have continued to support local restaurants ever since. Now, in 2026, I'm bringing back that mission, but for a specific region. This year, I want to try at least 11 restaurants in the Cedar Valley.

There are a couple of different reasons for this goal. First of all, we now have an audience in the Cedar Valley area, thanks to our morning show being broadcast on both KHAK and K92.3. And second, my best friend moved to Cedar Falls more than a year ago, and I don't get to see her nearly as much as I did when she lived 6 minutes away. Now I have a once-a-month excuse to force a visit upon her. It's a win-win!

There are a few restaurants I've had the chance to try in the last year or so, but not many. The places I've been to include:

• Cedar City Creamery, Cedar Falls
• Mulligan's Brick Oven Grill & Pub, Cedar Falls
• Patton Bar & Diner, Cedar Falls
• Roxxy, Cedar Falls

This is where YOU come in! I asked our Cedar Valley listeners to share their favorite area restaurants with me, and I got a ton of awesome suggestions (including a couple of the places I've already been!). Here are some of the recommendations from locals:

Restaurant List (Alphabetical Order)

1. AllyCatz GrubHouse - 107 S State St, Denver
2. Basal Pizza - 225 W 4th St, Waterloo
3. Beast & Bird - 314 North K Avenue, Vinton
4. Bigfoot Betty's - 419 Main St, Cedar Falls
5. Chilito's - 441 E Tower Park Dr, Waterloo
6. Costa's Sports Bar & Grill - 99 E Main St, Fairbank
7. D&K Hickory House - 315 Park Rd, Waterloo
8. Grumpy's Roadhouse - 1016 W Bremer Ave, Waverly
9. Harper's Public House - 325 Main St, Dysart
10. Highway 63 Diner - 3030 Marnie Ave, Waterloo
11. The Horny Toad American Bar & Grill - 204 Main St, Cedar Falls
12. The Iowa PrimeHouse - 202 S Cherry St, Shell Rock
13. J's Homestyle Cooking - 1724 W 31st St, Cedar Falls
14. JB’s Corner - 4014 University Ave, Waterloo
15. La Isla Mexican Grill -  6301 University Ave, Cedar Falls
16. LeRoy's - 320 Main St, Aurora
17. Montage - 222 Main St, Cedar Falls
18. Morg's Diner - 520 Mulberry St, Waterloo
19. Newton's Paradise Cafe - 128 E 4th St, Waterloo
20. The Old Stone Bistro - 203 Main St, La Porte City
21. The Other Place - 3904 Lafayette, Evansdale
22. Pablo's Mexican Grill - 310 Main St, Cedar Falls
23. Patton Bar & Diner - 317 Main St, Cedar Falls
24. Pepper's Grill & Sports Pub - 620 E 18th St, Cedar Falls
25. Sasquatch Jacks - 118 10th St SW, Waverly
26. Tata Yaya - 111 Main St, Cedar Falls
27. Urban Pie - 200 State St, Cedar Falls
28. Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill - 402 Main St, Cedar Falls
29. Z's Pizza & Diner - 211 W Bremer Ave, Waverly
30. Zsavooz Sports Lounge & Grill - 206 Brandilynn Blvd, Cedar Falls

Do you have any restaurants you think I should add to my list? Let me know by sending us a message on our station app or posting in the Facebook comments:

Get our free mobile app

READ MORE: An Eastern Iowa Pizza Place Made Midwest Living’s ‘Best Dishes of 2025′ List