Courtlin Tried Two New Cedar Rapids Restaurants This Weekend [PHOTOS]

Slowly but surely, I'm checking restaurants off of my "must-try" list!

Late last year, after writing an article outlining all of the new restaurants that opened in Eastern Iowa in 2021, I put together a list in my phone of all the places that I wanted to visit in early 2022. So far, I've checked off Barrel House in Marion, Crosby's in Cedar Rapids, Cliff's Dive Bar & Grill, and La Casita. This weekend I was able to check out two more local places, one that serves sushi and one that serves breakfast!

Let's start with the sushi! Izumi Sushi & Hibachi opened in the former Wasabi location at 221 2nd Avenue SE in Downtown Cedar Rapids back in November, and I've been excited to try it ever since I found out about the all-you-can-eat option. Unfortunately, I wasn't nearly hungry enough to do that on Friday night, but I did get to enjoy one of the 37 specialty rolls that the restaurant had to offer. I had number 36, the Fireball Roll, plus we ordered the Cheese Rangoons.

The service at Izumi Sushi was great, and so was the food! I'm looking forward to going back to try the all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner (I'll be sure to fast beforehand next time).

The other restaurant I tried over the weekend was a little place called Cruz's Café. Cruz's Café is inside the former Riley's Café at 568 Boyson Road NE in Cedar Rapids, and like Izumi, it also opened in November of 2021. I've been hearing great things about their breakfast, so that's where we went Sunday morning. I was being boring so I just went with a basic breakfast, but my friends ordered the Rueben and the chicken & waffles. Everything was great!

Cruz's Café is another place that I want revisit soon. There are all sorts of other things I want to try, like the breakfast quesadilla and the GIANT mimosa! I'll definitely be back.

Have you tried any new local restaurants lately? We'd love to hear your recommendations! Let us know in the comments.