The 25 Best Things I Ate At Iowa Restaurants in 2025 [GALLERY]

The holiday season is a great time to show some extra support for local businesses. That's why I decided to run down some of the very best things I ate from Iowa restaurants this year!

Now, before we get to the list, you should know that I live in Cedar Rapids. Because of that, many of the restaurants on my list are in the Cedar Rapids area. BUT, there are a few outside of Linn County, including one way over in West Des Moines!

In no particular order, here are 25 of the BEST menu items I ate at local restaurants this year:

The 25 Best Things I Ate At Iowa Restaurants in 2025

In no particular order, here are 25 of the BEST menu items I ate at local restaurants this year in Eastern Iowa (and one in West Des Moines!):

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

GALLERY INFORMATION

Pancakes from Lucky's on 16th in Cedar Rapids
Clawrence Burger (Crab Rangoon Burger) from Boondocks in Anamosa
Iowa City Roll from Oyama Sushi & Steakhouse in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City
Fried Pickles from Raging Ryno's in Cedar Rapids
Spinach Artichoke Dip from Goldfinch Tap + Eatery in Marion
Sausage Breakfast Burrito from Cafe Saint Pio in Cedar Rapids
Pig Out Nachos from The Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids/Monticello
Garlic Chicken Pizza from BIT Brewery in Central City
Pimento Cheese Dip from LP Street Food in Cedar Rapids
Smoked Cheddar Mac from Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher
Roasted Street Corn Dip from Midtown Station in Cedar Rapids
Caesar Salad with Fried Chicken from Pullman Bar & Diner in Iowa City
Cinnamon Roll French Toast from Czech Town Station in Cedar Rapids
Smoked Margherita Pizza from Lincoln Wine Bar in Mount Vernon
Nachos from Bushwood Sports Bar & Grill in Cedar Rapids
Sunday Breakfast Buffet from Sally's on Broadway in Springville
Fried Chicken Sandwich from Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City/Swisher
Korean BBQ from MIX Sushi in Marion
Chicken Gyro from O's Grill in Cedar Rapids
Pesto Rice Bowl from Stack Wellness Cafe in Cedar Rapids/Coralville
Corned Beef & Cabbage Burger from The Map Room in Cedar Rapids
Breakfast Eggrolls from The Breakfast Club in West Des Moines
Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread from Cellar 19 Wine & Deli in Cedar Rapids
Garlic Parmesan Wings from The Vine Tavern & Eatery in Coralville/Iowa City
Rolls from Napoli's Italian Restaurant in Cedar Rapids/Marion

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The Top Places to Eat in Waterloo & Cedar Falls

Using Google Reviews, we took a look at some of the highest-rated eateries within Waterloo & Cedar Falls! These are the local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, ice cream shops, and other eateries that have a 4.6-star rating and above and at least 100 total reviews on Google:

Gallery Credit: Courtlin