Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Iowa

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Iowa? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. 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 2 days ago

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

September Wine Dinner

Experience

Happy Hour Everyday!

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (310)

$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

BackBayGalvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Super yummy feta tomato soup and burgers! But the highlight was our lovely server, Faye! So warm and welcoming!

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Popular dish

Iowa Chop

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive

4.8

4.8 (1115)

$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

josephinevip

Dined 1 day ago

Great service and good food/wine. It was pretty noisy on the patio but love sitting outside

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Popular dish

Caprese Flatbread

The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines

4.7

4.7 (750)

$30 and under

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

The Stuffed Olive is about the entire “Martini & Tapas Experience.” From your favorite classics to new and exciting blends you’ve never seen before, you’re sure to find a cocktail to love on our vast martini menu. Add a warm, comfortable atmosphere, great wines, beers and top-shelf spirits, and The Stuffed Olive will become your favorite place to start, end or spend your entire evening. Our tapas menu offers appetizer-sized portions of globally influenced entrees, for a sampling and sharing dining experience. Pair tasty tapas with your favorite martini for happy hour, dinner or a late-night snack. We welcome you to sit back, relax, enjoy great food, good conversation and your favorite martini. Welcome to the Stuffed Olive!

Top review

Perllavip

Dined 3 days ago

We love this place, we have been a customer for years! Food is awesome and drinks are delicious! Definitely recommend!

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4.7

4.7 (120)

$30 and under

American

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Cooper’s on 5th is a great place for Lunch & Dinner. We have had the pleasure of being West Des Moines’ first Craft Cocktail Bar. Join us for our amazing food menu & award-winning cocktail program. Classic & Reimagined Americana comfort food paired with one of Des Moines’ original & highly awarded craft cocktail programs. Great beer, wine, and martinis.

Top review

Kathy

Dined 3 days ago

the meatloaf meltdown sandwich never disappoints! great drinks. Good service.

Steventon's

4.6

4.6 (124)

$31 to $50

American

Le Claire

About the restaurant

Come, let us spoil you and treat yourself to an evening where you can relax and unwind. Steventon’s sits atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River at I-80 and the Iowa border. We offer an extensive menu of exquisitely prepared American Classics, served in a modern yet elegant atmosphere that’s hard to find in an era of cookie cutter dining. Come. Join us and experience casual sophistication where the view is only the beginning

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

While visiting from out of town, I booked a table to celebrate my husband’s birthday and requested a table by the window. When we got there (and indeed got a table by the window) there was a cute little sign that said happy birthday which was a nice touch. Ordered the lobster bisque which had nice big pieces of lobster. For entrees, we had the crab stuffed shrimp and pork ribeye. Both were delicious. We also really enjoyed the table-side flambé of Bananas Foster. Service was attentive and prompt. I saw some other reviews saying these were “Chicago” prices, but we found them reasonable actually cheaper than some of the similarly upscale restaurants where we live in Wisconsin. Will definitely be back the next time we are in town - perhaps to sit out on the beautiful outdoor terrace when it is not mosquito season!

Roots95

4.5

4.5 (23)

$30 and under

American

Johnston

About the restaurant

Welcome to ROOTS 95 Craft Kitchen and bar! Mora is taking the "Craft" part of the name very seriously. As it suggests, craft food emphasizes handcrafted, chef-driven food (versus cookie-cutter menus you see everywhere), made from fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, often with globally inspired flavors.

In addition to the entrees, you will find globally inspired pastas, handhelds, small plates & flatbreads.

Top review

Gailvip

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent in all respects! Food, service and price.

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Experience

Happy Hour

Experience

Ladies' Night every Thursday

Experience

Wine Down Wednesday

Table 32

4.6

4.6 (518)

$30 and under

American

Sioux City

About the restaurant

We have worked diligently to develop a unique atmosphere here at Table 32. Not just with our décor and physical structure of the amazing vintage backdrop of the old Creamery building dating back to the early 1900’s. We have also put our minds together to develop our food and drink menus as well as focusing on the “craft” of the recipes themselves. We are focused on real ingredients and hand crafting them into something truly delicious. Then it comes down to providing you, our guest, a fun and relaxing dining experience without all the expectations of fine dining. We are working with our staff to develop a culture that promotes great people, great fun and amazing food and drink.

Top review

reenie

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Table 32 was a great experience, went here on my birthday. Coincidentally turned 32 and ate at Table 32. The ribeye medium rare was delicious and the berry lemon drop was well enjoyed. Thank you!

30hop Coralville

4.5

4.5 (8)

$30 and under

American

Coralville

About the restaurant

At 30hop there is an unmistakable energy the moment you walk through our doors. We revel in being unique yet approachable providing constantly rotating craft beers, crave-able menu items, and an atmosphere that’s all about celebrating the good times! Visit us in Ankeny, Coralville, or Cedar Rapids. Locations in Omaha and Kansas City coming soon!

Top review

Kristin

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Service was excellent, food was delicious and so were the drinks. I’ll come here again.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - West Des Moines

4.5

4.5 (1806)

$30 and under

American

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is an American Restaurant and Steakhouse serving authentic wood-fired steaks, seafood, specialty cocktails and select wines. Join us for Happy Hour at the FIREBAR® or on the patio for drink specials and bar bites. We offer top-notch service and upscale dining at a modest price. Reserve Your Table with us today.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

Overall excellent experience. The only complaint is that the server did not know if the ribs were smoked. They indicated they were but they were not. The Ahi Tuna Superfoods salad is the best salad I have ever eaten. I order it each time I go and it has never disappointed.

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