Indulge: 10 Must-Try Independent Restaurants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is definitively middle America, but don’t assume its dining scene is middle of the road. It’s anything but, with eateries whipping up flavors from around the globe as well as traditional American comfort food. Whether you’re looking for high-end dining or casual vibes, you’ll find them in Cedar Rapids. Here are 10 locally owned, must-indulge spots for visitors and locals alike.
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Lucky’s on 16th
It’s time to get Lucky in love for those who absolutely adore an amazing all-day breakfast restaurant. You’ll quickly fall for Lucky’s on 16th. The lively spot offers a.m. diner classics as well as multiple versions of biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict (try the biscuit or Benedict flight if you can’t decide). For night owls, the lively spot is open until 10 p.m., with a smaller but still solid dinner menu, bingo and trivia nights.
NewBo City Market
NewBo City Market truly exemplifies the diversity of Cedar Rapids’ restaurateurs. Opt for savory masala dosa from Saatvik Swaad Indian eatery; bibimbap from Korean-ish boba shop Oja; jerk chicken from Caribbean Kitchen; sweet treats from Lori Ann’s Candies, and Southern red beans and rice from K.C. Cakes & Cajun – and that’s just for starters – all under a single roof.
LP Street Food
Fun Not Fancy Restaurant Group’s ethos is right there in its name: fun, not fancy. The local outfit boasts seven spots in and around Cedar Rapids, among them LP Street Food, which truly has something for everyone on a menu that leans toward fancy bar food without losing its broad appeal. International flavors show up in ramen, gyros and poutine. The fun stuff includes a footlong corn dog, and the menu offers sizable vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free sections.
Need Pizzeria & Craft Beer Bar
Have the Need for a good pizza? If you are craving a thin-crust pie topped with your favorite combo of giardiniera and mashed potatoes and absolutely nothing else will do, downtown’s Need Pizzeria & Craft Beer Bar is there for you in your greatest hour of … well, you know. The spot offers a weekly specialty pizza, but building your own is the way to go here, with toppings ranging from the standard (fresh mozz) to the niche (clams).
The Map Room
Find your way to The Map Room, which is nestled under an overpass and towering parking garage in a tiny building that’s been its home for almost a century. It’s been a bar for much of that time, so its comfortable, welcoming vibe is no surprise. What may be startling are the burgers, giant knife-and-forkers loaded with internationally inspired ingredients (flavors from Peru, Italy, Vietnam and Australia) universally loved by locals.
Pedalers Fork
Pedalers Fork is your go-to bar and grill on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, offering a massive 108 beers on tap alongside a full menu of delicious food. Pedalers Fork also serves up wings, sandwiches and creative nachos in a big, social space decked out with flat-screen TVs for the game and featuring both pool and darts.
Big Grove Brewery
Big Grove Brewery is true to its moniker; there’s nothing small about the Iowa operation. Launched in nearby Solon in 2013, it now boasts taprooms in four Iowa cities and in Nebraska. The sprawling Cedar Rapids spot boasts soaring ceilings and a huge patio, where imbibers can choose from 20 draft brews or cocktails at the full bar, accompanied by hearty pub fare like giant pretzel boards, mac and cheese, and fried chicken sandwiches.
Black Sheep Social Club
Snag a table at Black Sheep Social Club for early 20th-century glam. Constructed in 1914, the building had a long life as a grocery and furniture store before being refurbished with exposed brick walls, elaborate retro tile floors, and featuring an analog brass clock, a cast zinc bar and sparkly chandeliers. The menu skews toward modern steakhouse, with burgers, crab cake, T-bone, seared salmon and, of course, a succulent Iowa pork chop on offer.
The Hip-Stir
Marion is home to The Hip-Stir, a stylish, deliberately quirky space run by the folks at Fun Not Fancy Restaurant Group. The regularly updated menu is equally eclectic, with smashburgers sharing menu space with Asian-inspired dishes. Ask about the weekly ramen special; recent iterations include chicken in coconut broth with apples, egg and togarashi, and gochujang shrimp in lemon and saffron broth.
Cobble Hill
Fine-dining spot Cobble Hill was inspired by the owners’ experiences working in New York City restaurants and bars in the early 2000s. Diners can opt for a five-course tasting menu or order à la carte from entrees like braised pork shoulder with cherries, caramelized mustard seeds and brined cabbage, or the rich monkfish accented with oyster and chestnut mushrooms, earthy cream sauce and hazelnuts. Don’t skip the excellent wine and cocktail lists.