Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Iowa

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Iowa? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Aura Restaurant & Lounge

5.0

5 (196)

$31 to $50

American

Urbandale

About the restaurant

Lively & flavorful tapas along with vibrant cocktails offer a unique shared experience that challenges the traditional. At Aura, it's good vibes only! Our invigorating environment is the perfect place to gather friends & family.

Top review

Lynda

Dined on Sep 8, 2024

We had an awesome dinner! Quality of food is very good and dollar value for the food is great. Drinks were very pricey. Also great, but pricey. Service awesome!!! We sat outside on a beautiful night. Patio needs some work with ambiance. Indoor was nice. We may treat ourselves again on a special occasion.

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Experience

Happy Hour Everyday!

Experience

September Wine Dinner

Fleming's Steakhouse - Des Moines

4.9

4.9 (887)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine, or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply wanting to enjoy an excellent culinary experience - we will create a safe and memorable evening for you. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

Cindyvip

Dined 5 days ago

This was my first experience dining at Flemings. We were celebrating my sisters birthday and were treated to delicious champagne which was a lovely surprise. The ambience is great and it is a lovely restaurant and bar. Our waiter was terrific and we all thought our food was delicious. We all tasted my sister's mushroom soup and said it was the best soup we ever ate. I will definitely go back to a Flemings wherever they are located.

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Experience

Taste of Piedmont: 5 Course Wine Dinner

Experience

4-Course Wine Dinner featuring Far Niente

801 Chophouse – Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (3132)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, enjoy beautiful views and excellent customer service at 801 Chophouse. We value our guests and want to give you the best dining experience possible. Our restaurant has only prime USDA steaks, paired with innovative side dishes and an award-winning wine selection from around the world to create an upscale dining experience you won't find anywhere else in Iowa. 801 Chophouse is the premier steakhouse in Des Moines and even offers private dining room options. Book a reservation online or via phone today.

Top review

Timvip

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

The service was outstanding with the food matching.

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Popular dish

Sliced Prime Rib au jus

4.9

4.9 (1108)

$31 to $50

Steak

Burlington

About the restaurant

Martini's Grille is the Great American Steakhouse featuring top quality Midwest beef and pork, fresh seafood daily, and world-famous Chicken Lips! The cocktail list includes over 50 classic and designer cocktails. The panoramic view of the Mississippi is perfect for casual dining or upscale private parties and wine dinners. In addition, Martini's features a patio during the summer months and an upscale venue for private events.

Top review

Bernardvip

Dined 1 day ago

Ordered a filet and it was supposed to be prepared at medium. Had issues before and the steak was medium rare, this particular time it was closer to well done. They did prepare me another one and it was cooked correctly. Guessing that since Bart was tied up with another event in the restaurant there was no ne there to oversee what was going on.

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Popular dish

Petite Filet

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (311)

$30 and under

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar serves comfort food with local flair in a historic building on Main Street in Grinnell, Iowa. Prairie Canary was opened in September 2012 and is currently owned by Chef, Paul Durr. Located in the city of Grinnell, also known as “The Jewel of the Prairie” and home to Grinnell College, Prairie Canary provides a gathering place where guests can enjoy Midwestern flavors in an inviting, understated atmosphere that speaks to the colors and textures of the Iowa prairie.
Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is all about being local. From the name of the restaurant to the dishes on which the food is served, effort was taken to showcase local talent and area producers. Enjoy your meal on hand-thrown plates and bowls. Sit at hand-made hickory tables. Savor farm-fresh produce grown just miles away. Sip on an Iowa wine or pint of beer. We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

Frank and Sharri

Dined 7 days ago

From the moment we stepped into this charming eatery, it was clear we were in for a treat. The ambiance exudes a vibrant energy that's perfect for those seeking a lively dining experience. However, for my birthday lunch, my husband and I were looking for a more tranquil setting, so we opted to dine in the outdoor seating area proved to be a delightful choice, offering a serene atmosphere that complemented the pleasant weather. Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the food. In all my culinary adventures, I've never encountered a place that so masterfully blends unique flavors to create truly unforgettable dishes. Each bite is a journey of taste, pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine while remaining undeniably delicious. The lunch menu is a testament to the chef's creativity. While you'll find familiar comfort foods, they're elevated with unexpected twists that tantalize the taste buds. Take, for instance, their grilled cheese sandwich - a dish that left an indelible mark on my palate. Picture this: perfectly toasted bread encasing a heavenly combination of melted cheeses, including tangy goat cheese, paired with a house-made strawberry rhubarb jam. The interplay of savory and sweet creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your tongue. I highly recommend pairing it with their apple salad - a refreshing side that perfectly balances the richness of the sandwich. My husband's choice, the Canary burger, was equally impressive. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and topped with gourmet ingredients, it's clear why this is a menu favorite. The Canary salad that accompanied it was a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients that complemented the burger beautifully. What truly sets this place apart is their commitment to quality and innovation. Each dish feels carefully crafted, with flavors that are both bold and harmonious. The lunch prices are on par with other local establishments, but the value lies in the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the cuisine.

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Popular dish

Iowa Chop

Bar Nico

4.8

4.8 (72)

$30 and under

Mexican

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Our restaurant's mantra is "Sin Maiz, No Hay Pais" meaning "without corn there is no country" as such, our tortillas are hand ground in house from heirloom organic Mexican corn varietals - made daily & cooked to order. As a result of our corn obsession, we have no flour in house & are a completely gluten-free kitchen.

Top review

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent gluten free food with vegan options! I had sweet potato tacos and churros with chips as appetizer :) Everything was delicious and service was fantastic.

Twin Springs Supper Club

4.8

4.8 (789)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Decorah

About the restaurant

Enjoy a tradional Supper Club experience in the scenic hills and valleys minutes from downtown Decorah. We have prepared the very best in Steaks, Chops and Seafood in the area utilizing locally sourced products. Our full service bar won't disappoint as our mixologist create some unique speciality drinks.

Top review

Jon

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

A great place to dine anytime you want a outstanding steak.

Fresko

4.8

4.8 (1156)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Des Moines

About the restaurant

“Fresko” meaning “fresh” inspires our creation of seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients. Fresko makes natural food from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. The culinary team prepares product from start to finish applying natural time honored techniques with care at every step. This enriches the flavorful and nutritious product we serve and benefits our community. Fresko believes we are what we eat and eating well means living well.

Fresko features a splendid assortment of original cocktails with a deep spirits menu and a beer program with sixteen beers on tap in addition to bottles and cans. Fresko's wine menu focuses on quality selections at a great value to our guests.

Top review

Kirbyvip

Dined 4 days ago

Visiting from out of town and found Fresco. Sure glad we did! Delicious food, great beverages and outstanding service. Emily is awesome! Thank you!

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Splash Seafood Bar and Grill

4.8

4.8 (1945)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

DiRoNA award winning Splash Seafood Bar & Grill serves only the freshest seafood flown in daily and expertly prepared in both traditional and contemporary styles. Splash Seafood bar and Grill also serve the Midwest's finest cuts of steaks and chops with the same care as they give the seafood. Be pampered by the highly experienced wait staff in one of Des Moines most unique and elegant dining rooms surrounded by whimsical wall murals as well as 9 large salt water aquariums. Splash Seafood offers an extensive wine list, recognized with an Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, as well as a full bar specializing in tropical drinks. Also enjoy a more laid back atmosphere in the raw bar, Splash Oyster Bar & Seafood Market, just across the hallway from Splash Seafood. Enjoy all the fresh oysters and shellfish that the raw bar has to offer as well as the full menu from Splash Seafood. Also be sure to take advantage of the raw bars Seafood Market to enjoy the freshest seafood at home.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Aug 20, 2024

Totally worth it! My husband and I have never had a bad meal! So very delicious!

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Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive

4.8

4.8 (1123)

$30 and under

American

Clive

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Karenvip

Dined 2 days ago

Probably one of our favorite places to go for a night out. Everything is top notch.

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Popular dish

Caprese Flatbread

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