Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Iowa

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Iowa? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cooper's On 5th

4.9

4.9 (138)

$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

Andy

Dined 4 days ago

Great atmosphere, the food is delicious, and the service is fantastic!

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (317)

$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

Matt

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

Great food and attentive waitstaff. Overall fun evening.

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Popular dish

Iowa Chop

CRAVE - Sioux City

4.8

4.8 (762)

$31 to $50

American

Sioux City

About the restaurant

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our server went above and beyond tonight. We asked for bread with our meal. Apparently in the entire restaurant there is no bread available, odd. The server asked the chef and returned with toasted dinner rolls to eat with our pasta. We appreciated her extra effort. Come on Crave, serve bread with dinner.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA

4.7

4.7 (1203)

$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

Darla

Dined 1 day ago

Three of us dined at Cooper's Hawk on Christmas Eve. Our service was excellent. Our food was scrumptious! Wine was devine! Dessert was decatant! Why has it been months since I have dined here?

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (781)

$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

Sid

Dined 2 days ago

Honestly the wait staff was great and kind, they just didn’t have many food options left and they kept bringing wrong drinks to the table. With as busy as it was and how large our party was I felt they did do a fantastic job and that aside, everything else was exceptional.

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4.8

4.8 (530)

$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

Fidel

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

The whole experience was great and enjoyed the service! I highly recommend the Salted Caramel Creme Brulee! Best dessert I’ve ever had!

Steventon's

4.7

4.7 (142)

$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

Tom

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

Excellent food , service and view. Our favorite place to eat out

Aura Restaurant & Lounge

4.6

4.6 (220)

$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

Mitch

Dined 6 days ago

Awesome wine dinner. Meal was delicuous and wine was superb and well paired. Very fine staff and service!

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Experience

Happy Hour Everyday!

30hop Coralville

4.9

4.9 (14)

$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

Lisa

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Thankful for reservations as we were going to event at Xtreme arena. Waitress for attentive to the time frame we had! Much appreciated!

Tribute Eatery & Bar

4.8

4.8 (14)

$30 and under

American

Coralville

About the restaurant

Tribute Eatery & Bar specializes in delightful sandwiches and putting a unique twist on timeless favorites. Step inside and you'll be warmly welcomed by our friendly staff. Come prepared with a hearty appetite to savor our delicious bites and a variety of exceptional cocktails, wines, and beers. Our venue is full of charm, vibrant energy, and a fun atmosphere, ensuring a welcoming and enjoyable experience!

Top review

Becky

Dined 6 days ago

Fernando took great care of us. French dip & fries yum! Recommend the Old Fashion.

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