The Top Restaurants in Eastern Iowa According to Yelp [PHOTOS]

Looking for somewhere new to eat? We have suggestions!

With the help of the review site Yelp, we put together a list of the highest-rated restaurants in 25 popular Eastern Iowa cities. All the cities included on the list had at least one restaurant on Yelp with a 4.5-star rating or higher. Here are some delicious places you can check out:

Anamosa - Las Brasas Restaurant

• 4.8-star rating on Yelp
• "The food was all amazing. They have the usual Mexican restaurant items like enchiladas and carnitas, but also some unique things like bacon wrapped shrimp and grilled fish. It was some of the best food we've had!" - Kathryn H.

Bettendorf - Smash Pizza

• 4.8-star rating on Yelp
• "This is top tier pizza. They're not playing games. I'm very picky about pizza and they nailed it here. Really good specialty pizzas. Crust is on point. Crisp, charred bubbles. Oh man yes indeed this is must have pizza. We also had peach sangria. Danger danger it was fantastic" - D B.
  

Cedar Falls - Bobby Q's Hawaiian Grill

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Just made our first stop yesterday and we will be returning so many more times. After moving from Hawaii to Iowa thinking we wouldn't have Hawaiian food again until we go back to visit was I wrong. The food was amazing and felt like I stepped back into a restaurant in Hawaii. The portion size was perfect we ordered a mini to share and it was plenty for me and my wife. Also added in a few Spam Musubis to have as well!" - Logan S.

Coralville - La Mexicana

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Outside of Dallas, this is the best Mexican food I've had. Stopped in on a whim this afternoon and I'm so glad we did. The tamales were incredible and the guacamole was so fresh. The service was fast and the restaurant was clean. You can tell that the owner really cares. Can't wait to come back!" - Hanna Y.

Davenport - Chuck's Tap

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "My brother mentioned this was a good spot to grab a hearty breakfast. So, I took my early bird parents out for breakfast & quality time. The menu has changed as they no longer serve steak, but there were plenty of other meal options to choose from. My Pops ordered the Pancake sandwich, my Mom ordered the country fried steak, eggs & hashbrowns and myself the French toast sandwich. Nothing about this joint is high class, but it's definitely worth the stop. The food is delicious homestyle cooking. Check em out Yelpers." - Ronnie B.

Decorah - Convergence CiderWorks

• 4.7-star rating on Yelp
• "Awesome cider and food! The Iron Hill Still cider is amazing - highly recommend along with the Drift Less! The food was excellent - I had the Cuban sandwich and my wife had the appetizer tray, both wonderful!" - Robert L.

Dubuque - Frannie's Barbeque

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Reminds me of home!! They even have mild sauce and lemon pepper. The chicken was fried to perfection. And the portions are well worth it. On top of that the employees are super nice and well informed on all the menu options. I recommend fried catfish or chicken it's so good." - Marlon B.

Dyersville - Brew & Brew

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Love Brew and Brew. One of the most expansive food menus at a cafe that I've seen. Offering both full breakfast and lunch menus. Along with rotating menus to keep things fresh, the service is excellent and always welcoming. The ambience inside is always warm and inviting. Appreciate what the owner have done here!"    - Zach L.

Hiawatha - Yummy Banh Mi

• 5-star rating on Yelp
• "Authentic banh mi with fresh ingredients and homemade warm bread. Fresh vegetables .. Delicious! Owner was so friendly explaining everything on menu with detail and kindly giving great recommendations. Bobo tea flavors such as mango and passion fruit abound and the service was fantastic. We will definitely be back for more!" - Dawn W.

Independence - Joe's Pizza

• 5-star rating on Yelp
• "We saw this small local owned business on yelp and decided to give it a try! We decided on the meat lovers without sausage and added pineapple. The crust held up well to the toppings and sauce, and it wasn't too thick or thin! The flavors melded together perfectly!We also shared an ice cream flight which was spoon licking and bowl licking good!" - Danielle M.

Iowa City - I Love Fufu

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "I'd never had fufu before but I read about I Love Fufu in a Iowa City dining magazine, and I wanted to try. They have multiple vegan options. I had the (vegan) spinach sauce with yam fufu, and it was amazing. Nicely spicy with a smokiness to it. Highly recommended." - Elizabeth S.

Manchester - Aunt Emmy’s

• 4.7-star rating on Yelp
• "Emmy's is such a gem in Manchester. They serve high end coffee, food and desserts. The soups and wraps are incredible and they have unique gifts and cards. My family loves this place!" - Amanda L.

Maquoketa - Copper Cardinal Pizza Pub

• 4.5-star rating on Yelp
• "Excellent food and service. Pizza is dynamite and there are options for all, including kids and vegetarians. They have a decent drink selection and an Iowa non-alcoholic beer that was quite good. We'll be back!" - River B.

Marion - West End Diner

• 4.8-star rating on Yelp
• "Excellent drinks and breakfast burritos! If you're looking for a delicious breakfast or brunch with a turtle latte to hit the spot, you've come to the right place! Service is friendly and the ambiance is casual but fun" - Lizzie L.

Monticello - Grand China

• 4.6-star rating on Yelp
• "This was an amazing find. I was visiting from California and the food from Grand China was better than most I've had back home. The broccoli beef and egg drop soup were fantastic. It is a must try and reasonably priced." - Terri I.

Mount Pleasant - Jefferson Street Grill

• 4.5-star rating on Yelp
• "Great burger. Very flavorful without the grease. Waffle fries and ranch side did the trick. Best hamburger joint in SE Iowa IMO. Give it a try!" - Tim G.

Mount Vernon - Big's BBQ & Brew Pub

• 4.5-star rating on Yelp
• "HIDDEN GEM
  Wow! the smell from the moment you walk in the door speaks for itself. We visited this town today and we're driving around looking for somewhere to eat for 20 minutes and we stumbled upon this place. What a hidden gem! Cool decor and lots of conversation pieces. The service was great, friendly and the options of different meats/dishes was great! They had a lot of cool beers to try and some cute desserts too. Will definitely be coming back, and pointing bbq lovers to this cool spot!" - Dani G.

North Liberty - Taste Place

• 4.8-star rating on Yelp
• "Happy Chinese New Year 2024! I ordered after work for take home and they were timely before the rush. This will be another great option for take out after work to grab. I was excited they had more traditional options instead of the Americanized dishes.We tried shredded hot and sour potatoes, spicy mapo tofu with ground pork, eggplant potatoes green peppers in brown sauce, and cucumber with garlic. All were pretty tasty. Excited to try their other dishes like dandan noodles, sliced beef in hot chili oil, and fried beef with cumin." - Erica L.

Ottumwa - Garnacheria Y Taqueria Ebenezer

• 5-star rating on Yelp
• "Came with the family and enjoyed a beef chimichanga (the beef is fantastic), bean/rice/cheese burrito and fish tacos. Probably the best Mexican food you can get in the areas! Would highly highly recommend!" K S.

Solon - Uncle Sang Sushi & Kitchen

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Delicious sushi! Bento boxes are amazing and a great deal. Kids menu has unique options but also burger and chicken strips for picky eaters. Phenomenal service and a super cute, clean atmosphere. Highly recommend!" - Bridget L.

Vinton - Rondavoo Lounge & Deli

• 4.9-star rating on Yelp
• "Another winner found on Yelp! Crossing through the farmland of Iowa we found this cozy restaurant with a bar and an all American kitchen. They are known for Broasted Chicken so we went for the 2 piece dinner with coleslaw, a roll and fried potato wedges. All was very good, the coleslaw was outstanding (homemade dressing)... very generous... our 2 piece turned into 3 piece because the cook felt the pieces were too small.
  The service was great! Just a wonderful small Iowa restaurant with lots of hometown character." - Pat B.

Washington - Panda Palace

• 4.6-star rating on Yelp
• "One of the best Chinese restaurants in Iowa!
  The hot and sour soup is the best I have eaten, and the entrees are big and full of flavor. Kung Pao Chicken was delicious, as was the Szechuan chicken. Definitely worth the drive from Iowa City or Mount Pleasant areas." - Todd M.

Waterloo - Balkan Cafe & Grocery

• 5-star rating on Yelp
• "Delicious food, clean dining area all run by very nice people. Never had Bosian food before but the lady at the counter was happy to explain everything. Her mother is the cook/baker. We got the grilled meat platter which was served with fries and a unique homemade pita. Huge potions for an extremely reasonable price.The sausage and pita were my favorite. I would definitely come back and encourage anyone who hasn't tried Bosian food to give this place a chance."         - E.M. V.

Waverly - Red Fox BBQ Restaurant

• 5-star rating on Yelp
• "Delicious and mouth-watering food to be found at this restaurant! Highly recommended! I enjoyed BBQ Chicken and tender Beef Brisket. Cowboy beans and stuffed mashed potatoes were my sides and I recommend them highly. This place is GREAT!!! Service is friendly and quick. The ambiance is perfect for a comfortable meal. Bring the family! Check the menu and make it a point to try this place, you will not be disappointed." - Jeffrey W.

Williamsburg - Mi Casa Authentic Mexican Grill

• 4.8-star rating on Yelp
• "If you're in the Williamsburg area and looking for a place to eat, this is it! Love this place. Fast, friendly, and very accommodating. This is our go-to place to eat. The food has always been good and the drinks are awesome. I especially like their Mi Casa Blue Margarita - oh yum." - LeAnn S.