The best restaurants in Waterloo
47 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Pinned in Waterloo today
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Two pinned places a day in Waterloo — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →Paid placements are always marked.
Subway
RestaurantsCasual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.
Subway
RestaurantsMontage
RestaurantsMontage blends casual sophistication with creative, contemporary plates and Midwest comfort, all in the heart of downtown. Locals love the…
Montage
RestaurantsApplebee's Grill + Bar
RestaurantsFull-service chain bar & grill providing hearty American eats in an informal setting.
Applebee's Grill + Bar
RestaurantsVilla Italian
RestaurantsCraving something beyond the usual slice, Villa Italian is slinging calzones stuffed with Grande mozzarella, four-topping stromboli, and…
Villa Italian
RestaurantsVillage Inn
RestaurantsFamily-friendly chain serving homestyle American classics such as chicken-fried steak & pot pie.
Village Inn
RestaurantsPapa Murphy's | Take 'N' Bake Pizza
RestaurantsChain outlet offering build-your-own takeaway pizzas, to be cooked at home.
Papa Murphy's | Take 'N' Bake Pizza
RestaurantsCooper's Taproom
RestaurantsCooper’s Taproom brings a rotating lineup of Iowa craft beers, an iconic bar, and great food to the start of College Hill. Expect karaoke…
Cooper's Taproom
RestaurantsSakura Japanese SteakHouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsWhether you crave clean, well-made rolls or a hibachi plate that hits the table hot and satisfying, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar…
Sakura Japanese SteakHouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsGolf Lab
RestaurantsWhen winter hits or the wind is doing Cedar Valley things, Golf Lab keeps the swings alive with comfy simulator bays and crisp ball data.…
Golf Lab
RestaurantsTexas Roadhouse
RestaurantsLively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.
Texas Roadhouse
RestaurantsThe Other Place
RestaurantsWhen you need a reliable sports bar hangout with legit pies, The Other Place delivers with classic American grill vibes, double decker…
The Other Place
RestaurantsFamous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsOutlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsPepperJax Grill
RestaurantsPepperJax Grill is the move when a legit cheesesteak or quick build-your-own bowl sounds right, cooked in front of you by the grill crew.…
PepperJax Grill
RestaurantsCottonwood Canyon
RestaurantsCottonwood Canyon roasts its beans here in Cedar Falls, then serves them alongside Caribbean comfort like jerk chicken and curry bowls.…
Cottonwood Canyon
RestaurantsTaco John's
RestaurantsFast-food chain featuring Mexican-inspired tacos, burritos, nachos & breakfast fare.
Taco John's
RestaurantsHuHot Mongolian Grill
RestaurantsHuHot Mongolian Grill lets you pile up meats, veggies, noodles and sauces exactly how you want, then watch it hit the grill for sizzling…
HuHot Mongolian Grill
RestaurantsLos Cabos Family Restaurant
RestaurantsWhen only tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas will do, Los Cabos Family Restaurant nails the comfort-food hit, plus margaritas that pair nicely…
Los Cabos Family Restaurant
RestaurantsDleons Taco Rico
RestaurantsFor a fast, no-nonsense Mexican bite that actually satisfies, Dleons Taco Rico nails the basics without overthinking it. It’s the Cedar…
Dleons Taco Rico
RestaurantsSubway
RestaurantsCasual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.
Subway
RestaurantsPanera Bread
RestaurantsCounter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.
Panera Bread
RestaurantsMezcalitos
RestaurantsMezcalitos has that hit-the-spot Mexican menu locals swear by... the cheese dip is dangerously good, and Pollo Con Queso is pure weeknight…
Mezcalitos
RestaurantsCedar Falls Brown Bottle
RestaurantsWhether it's family night or date night, Cedar Falls Brown Bottle still hits the sweet spot with homemade Italian classics, from…
Cedar Falls Brown Bottle
RestaurantsMaid-Rite
RestaurantsStalwart dinerlike chain serving signature ground-beef sandwiches, plus salads, sides & shakes.
Maid-Rite
RestaurantsThe Historic Weis Mansion B&B
RestaurantsTreat yourself to a quick staycation at The Historic Weis Mansion B&B, a Victorian bed and breakfast that lets you trade errands for…
The Historic Weis Mansion B&B
RestaurantsHibachi Sushi Buffet
RestaurantsWhen you want zero cooking and maximum variety this week, Hibachi Sushi Buffet covers the cravings with familiar Chinese and Japanese…
Hibachi Sushi Buffet
RestaurantsDoughy Joey's Peetza Joynt
RestaurantsDoughy Joey's Peetza Joynt is a downtown Waterloo staple to hit this week for fresh-daily dough, New York thin crust cut party style, and…
Doughy Joey's Peetza Joynt
RestaurantsBlue Barn BBQ
RestaurantsBlue Barn BBQ keeps it relaxed and real with slow-cooked brisket, chicken, pork, ribs, and wings, plus hand-crafted sauces and sides that…
Blue Barn BBQ
RestaurantsWhiskey Road Tavern & Grill
RestaurantsWhiskey Road Tavern & Grill nails the cozy contemporary sweet spot, with eclectic American bites that actually surprise you and a whiskey…
Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill
RestaurantsAri'z Supper Club & Martini Lounge
RestaurantsWhen your week calls for an easy win, Ari'z Supper Club & Martini Lounge delivers with classic martinis and cocktails mixed just right and…
Ari'z Supper Club & Martini Lounge
RestaurantsThe Brown Bottle
RestaurantsWhether you need a low-key pasta night or a proper wine-fueled catch-up, The Brown Bottle delivers family recipes, classic pizza, and…
The Brown Bottle
RestaurantsNoodles and Company
RestaurantsCounter-serve chain offering international noodle & pasta dishes from mac 'n' cheese to Pad Thai.
Noodles and Company
RestaurantsNewton's Paradise Cafe
RestaurantsNewton's Paradise Cafe keeps breakfast and lunch evolving with fluffy pancakes, Iowa French toast, and diner-style comfort that still…
Newton's Paradise Cafe
RestaurantsBig Head Burger
RestaurantsBig Head Burger turns the humble patty into a love story, serving juicy smash-style burgers and those addictive Big Head Fries Waterloo…
Big Head Burger
RestaurantsPizza Hut
RestaurantsPopular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.
Pizza Hut
RestaurantsJB's Corner Grill
RestaurantsWaterloo locals, when your week needs an easy win, JB's Corner Grill nails upscale bar food made fresh... juicy burgers, hot pizza, stacked…
JB's Corner Grill
RestaurantsKrispy Krunchy Chicken
RestaurantsFast-food eatery specializing in Cajun-style fried chicken, plus wings, seafood, breakfast & more.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
RestaurantsPizza Hut
RestaurantsPopular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.
Pizza Hut
RestaurantsStarbeck's Smokehouse
RestaurantsStarbeck's Smokehouse is BBQ done right for Cedar Valley taste buds, with slow-roasted ribs, juicy smoked meats, and house-made sides that…
Starbeck's Smokehouse
RestaurantsTable 1912
RestaurantsCedar Falls' Table 1912 leans into locally sourced goodness with a menu that pairs timeless flavors and modern flair. Think…
Table 1912
RestaurantsTokyo Bay Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsNeed a midweek pick-me-up? Tokyo Bay Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar does the whole show, from teppanyaki grill theatrics that land right…
Tokyo Bay Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsVillage Inn
RestaurantsFamily-friendly chain serving homestyle American classics such as chicken-fried steak & pot pie.
Village Inn
RestaurantsBasal Pizza
RestaurantsWhen you want that wood-fired, blistered crust and melty cheese without fuss, Basal Pizza has you covered in downtown Waterloo. Grab a pie…
Basal Pizza
RestaurantsThe King Mexican Bar & Grill
RestaurantsFrom lively plates and balanced drinks to watch-along Premier League vibes, The King Mexican Bar & Grill is the weeknight upgrade you…
The King Mexican Bar & Grill
RestaurantsHighway 63 Diner
RestaurantsWhether you need a solid midweek reset or a low-key spot that pleases everyone, Highway 63 Diner nails it with made-from-scratch recipes…
Highway 63 Diner
RestaurantsPerkins Restaurant & Bakery
RestaurantsKid-friendly chain known for baked goods, breakfasts & other standards in dinerlike digs.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
RestaurantsIzumi Sushi & Hibachi
RestaurantsIzumi Sushi & Hibachi Waterloo is serving handcrafted sushi, hearty hibachi plates, and lunch specials that actually feel like a win. Fresh…
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi
RestaurantsThe TapRoom @ Wonder Bread
RestaurantsThe TapRoom @ Wonder Bread turns the old Wonder Bread factory into a lively beer hall and garden pouring SingleSpeed's house brews…
The TapRoom @ Wonder Bread
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