The best restaurants in Cedar Rapids

40 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 40 places · showing the latest additions first

Fork With IT

Restaurants

Fork With It Kitchen & Bar keeps it simple in downtown Cedar Rapids with craft cocktails, cold beer, and comfort food that makes the week…

415 3rd St SE

“Fork With It Kitchen & Bar keeps it simple in downtown Cedar Rapids with craft cocktails, cold beer, and comfort food that makes the week feel easier. Grab a friend, order the pub grub, then let the drinks and conversation do their thing this week.”

Izumi Sushi & Hibachi

Restaurants

Craving a low-key feast that doesn’t skimp on freshness? At Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, it’s all-you-can-eat sushi, sizzling hibachi, and…

221 2nd Ave SE

“Craving a low-key feast that doesn’t skimp on freshness? At Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, it’s all-you-can-eat sushi, sizzling hibachi, and authentic Japanese flavors that make weeknights feel special, so rally the Cedar Rapids crew and let the chopsticks fly.”

From the Cedar Rapids newsletter, August 3, 2026

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que (To Go Only)

Restaurants

Outlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.

4755 1st Ave SE

“Outlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.”

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Restaurants

Classic Italian cuisine & wines in a white-tablecloth setting with an Old World ambiance & a patio.

500 Marion Blvd (Marion)

“Classic Italian cuisine & wines in a white-tablecloth setting with an Old World ambiance & a patio.”

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Sushi House

Restaurants

Family-run Asian eatery plating Chinese fare as well as sashimi & rolls from an open sushi bar.

2665 Edgewood Pkwy SW #100

“Family-run Asian eatery plating Chinese fare as well as sashimi & rolls from an open sushi bar.”

Up In Smoke BBQ

Restaurants

Laid-back BBQ joint serving up Texas-style beef brisket, chicken and ribs as well as other meats and sides (often served on platters or…

92 16th Ave SW

“Laid-back BBQ joint serving up Texas-style beef brisket, chicken and ribs as well as other meats and sides (often served on platters or sandwiches) along with beer, and wine.”

Emil's Hideaway

Restaurants

Dark, intimate haunt offering comfort grub such as burgers, meatloaf & pizza, plus a bar with TVs.

222 Glenbrook Dr SE

“Dark, intimate haunt offering comfort grub such as burgers, meatloaf & pizza, plus a bar with TVs.”

Cappy's Pizzeria

Restaurants

Pizzeria whipping up pizzas (Greek and New York style, Chicago and deep-dish style options available), plus beer and wine selections.

7037 C Ave NE

“Pizzeria whipping up pizzas (Greek and New York style, Chicago and deep-dish style options available), plus beer and wine selections.”

Wingstop

Restaurants

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

2360 Edgewood Rd SW #500

“Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.”

Crosby's

Restaurants

New American spot for steaks and seafood dishes in a cozy setting with outdoor seating.

1028 3rd St SE Suite #1

“New American spot for steaks and seafood dishes in a cozy setting with outdoor seating.”

Bluebird Cafe

Restaurants

Bustling neighborhood diner serving omelets, pancakes & other homestyle eats morning till night.

650 W Cherry St #9 (North Liberty)

“Bustling neighborhood diner serving omelets, pancakes & other homestyle eats morning till night.”

El Super Burrito & Lupita's

Restaurants

A mix of traditional Mexican fare & street eats like burritos & fajitas, plus in-house baked goods.

3300 Johnson Ave NW

“A mix of traditional Mexican fare & street eats like burritos & fajitas, plus in-house baked goods.”

Lucky's on 16th

Restaurants

Casual spot offering breakfast and comfort food, plus cocktails, beer, and cider.

86 16th Ave SW

“Casual spot offering breakfast and comfort food, plus cocktails, beer, and cider.”

Midtown Station

Restaurants

All-day breakfast, burgers & sandwiches in a laid-back sports-bar setting with a patio.

715 2nd Ave SE

“All-day breakfast, burgers & sandwiches in a laid-back sports-bar setting with a patio.”

It's Just Wings

Restaurants

Casual food joint serving bone-in and boneless wings in an array of sauces, plus fries.

1250 Collins Rd NE

“Casual food joint serving bone-in and boneless wings in an array of sauces, plus fries.”

Breakfast House

Restaurants

This relaxed, longstanding joint offers classic American comfort food for breakfast & lunch.

820 6th St SW

“This relaxed, longstanding joint offers classic American comfort food for breakfast & lunch.”

Need Pizza

Restaurants

Chill, roomy joint with New Haven–style pizzas & salads, plus a full bar with 30 craft beers on tap.

207 2nd Ave SE

“Chill, roomy joint with New Haven–style pizzas & salads, plus a full bar with 30 craft beers on tap.”

Willie Ray’s Q Shack

Restaurants

Casual eatery offering a menu of smoked meats, ranging from brisket and ribs, to pork, sides and sandwiches.

266 Blairs Ferry Rd NE

“Casual eatery offering a menu of smoked meats, ranging from brisket and ribs, to pork, sides and sandwiches.”

Pizza Daddy

Restaurants

Late-night pizzeria near campus serving stone-oven-fired pies, gyros & subs for takeout & delivery.

1539 1st Ave SE

“Late-night pizzeria near campus serving stone-oven-fired pies, gyros & subs for takeout & delivery.”

Rio Burritos

Restaurants

Casual, family-friendly eatery focusing on burritos, tacos and other Mexican favorites with a relaxed vibe.

5001 1st Ave NE 104 104

“Casual, family-friendly eatery focusing on burritos, tacos and other Mexican favorites with a relaxed vibe.”

Leonardo's

Restaurants

Lively, 1970s-style joint with red banquettes, a sunken central bar & a menu of pizzas & burgers.

2228 16th Ave SW

“Lively, 1970s-style joint with red banquettes, a sunken central bar & a menu of pizzas & burgers.”

Napoli's Italian Restaurant SW

Restaurants

Relaxed Italian eatery at Westdale Town Center fixing up comfort food such as tomato basil soup, fettuccine alfredo, and bread with oil.

2360 Edgewood Rd SW Ste 600

“Relaxed Italian eatery at Westdale Town Center fixing up comfort food such as tomato basil soup, fettuccine alfredo, and bread with oil.”

Chicago Grill

Restaurants

Casual eatery serving fried catfish and chicken wings along with burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and hot dogs.

824 6th St SW

“Casual eatery serving fried catfish and chicken wings along with burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and hot dogs.”

Ohana Poke Shop

Restaurants

Casual, counter-service eatery serving fish and tofu, plus chicken and pork belly in build-your-own bowls.

2931 7th Ave (Marion)

“Casual, counter-service eatery serving fish and tofu, plus chicken and pork belly in build-your-own bowls.”

Tiffy Jo’s Diner & Energy Bar

Restaurants

Casual eatery for breakfast fare like pancakes, biscuits and gravy and French toast, plus lunch dishes.

2727 6th St SW

“Casual eatery for breakfast fare like pancakes, biscuits and gravy and French toast, plus lunch dishes.”

Cruz's Cafe

Restaurants

Neighborhood cafe, diner and breakfast spot, serving eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles and other American classics in a cozy space with…

568 Boyson Rd NE #190

“Neighborhood cafe, diner and breakfast spot, serving eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles and other American classics in a cozy space with friendly service.”

Vino's Ristorante

Restaurants

Intimate, dimly lit restaurant in a strip mall offering classic Italian fare, wine & cocktails.

3611 1st Ave SE

“Intimate, dimly lit restaurant in a strip mall offering classic Italian fare, wine & cocktails.”

Pickle Palace

Restaurants

Multi-level eatery featuring fried chicken and other comfort foods, plus a full bar and a rooftop terrace.

101 1st Ave SW

“Multi-level eatery featuring fried chicken and other comfort foods, plus a full bar and a rooftop terrace.”

Buffalo Wild Wings

Restaurants

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

1100 Blairs Ferry Rd NE Suite 101 #101

“Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.”

Tomaso's Pizza

Restaurants

Snug, rustic quick-serve parlor offering thin-crust & deep-dish pizzas plus wings.

2706 1st Ave SE

“Snug, rustic quick-serve parlor offering thin-crust & deep-dish pizzas plus wings.”

LP - Street Food

Restaurants

Global pub eats & full bar are offered in a relaxed setting with TV sports & low lighting.

302 3rd Ave SW

“Global pub eats & full bar are offered in a relaxed setting with TV sports & low lighting.”

Pho House

Restaurants

Vietnamese restaurant featuring noodles, bubble tea and crab rangoons, plus pho soup dishes.

5300 Fountains Dr NE #108

“Vietnamese restaurant featuring noodles, bubble tea and crab rangoons, plus pho soup dishes.”

Breakfast Barn and Lunch House

Restaurants

Comfy breakfast spot serving eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and more plus lunch.

3980 Center Point Rd NE

“Comfy breakfast spot serving eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and more plus lunch.”

The Inn Restaurant and Bar

Restaurants

Casual stop known for pizza and fried chicken, plus lunch specials and beer.

175 Jacolyn Dr NW

“Casual stop known for pizza and fried chicken, plus lunch specials and beer.”

The Pedaler's Fork

Restaurants

Relaxed eatery and bar decorated with bikes that dishes up beers and burgers, as well as a weekend brunch buffet.

2010 Sylvia Ave NE

“Relaxed eatery and bar decorated with bikes that dishes up beers and burgers, as well as a weekend brunch buffet.”

Hacienda Las Glorias | Mexican

Restaurants

Restaurant & cantina doling out familiar Mexican eats & margaritas in a casual setting.

715 1st Ave SW

“Restaurant & cantina doling out familiar Mexican eats & margaritas in a casual setting.”

Mai Pho Restaurant

Restaurants

Casual, colorful eatery serving familiar Vietnamese dishes such as pho & stir-fries with lemongrass.

2315 Edgewood Rd SW

“Casual, colorful eatery serving familiar Vietnamese dishes such as pho & stir-fries with lemongrass.”

El Paraiso | Mexican Bar & Grill

Restaurants

Cozy restaurant serving Mexican dishes and cocktails, including popular margaritas.

4199 Williams Blvd SW

“Cozy restaurant serving Mexican dishes and cocktails, including popular margaritas.”

Los Compadres Mexican Bar And Grill

Restaurants

Welcoming venue for homestyle cooking & perks such as tableside guacamole & ample lunch specials.

448 33rd Ave SW

“Welcoming venue for homestyle cooking & perks such as tableside guacamole & ample lunch specials.”

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