Rowley IowaRESTAURANTS & PLACES TO EAT
Listed below are some of the best restaurants and places to eat near Rowley, Iowa.
1. Bottoms Up Bar & Grill
CLASSIC SMALL TOWN FARE
Bottoms Up Bar & Grill offers standard small-town bar and grill cuisine with notably great tenderloin sandwiches. The establishment provides a casual, welcoming atmosphere where locals and visitors can enjoy good food alongside cold beer or soft drinks. It serves as a convenient spot for anyone looking to grab a satisfying sandwich in the heart of Rowley.
2. Denali's on the River
SPORTS BAR RIVER VIEWS
Denali's on the River combines a sports bar atmosphere with picturesque river views and is home to River Ridge Golf Course. The menu ranges from pizza to prime rib with specialties including turtle eggs, cheese curds, and cod fish sandwich, plus prime rib featured on Friday and Saturday nights. Visitors can enjoy selections from their impressive 24-tap beer system or choose from a full bar offering seltzers, wine, and liquor to suit all preferences.
3. The Painted Horse Cafe
HOMESTYLE IOWA COOKING
The Painted Horse Cafe serves hearty, homestyle meals in a charming, rustic setting just a short drive from Rowley. Breakfast offerings include fluffy pancakes and farm-fresh egg dishes, while lunch and dinner feature handcrafted sandwiches and Iowa comfort food classics. The cafe prides itself on using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible, creating a true taste of Iowa's culinary traditions.
4. Bill's Pizza & Smokehouse
PIZZA AND BBQ HAVEN
Bill's Pizza & Smokehouse combines two beloved American cuisines: wood-fired pizza and slow-smoked barbecue. The restaurant features a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with exposed brick walls and the enticing aroma of the smoker working its magic. Signature items include the brisket-topped pizza and homemade smoked chicken wings with a variety of house-made sauces.
5. Heartland Acres Diner
FARM-TO-TABLE COUNTRY DINING
Heartland Acres Diner celebrates Iowa's agricultural heritage with farm-fresh ingredients and classic midwestern recipes. The diner's country-chic decor features vintage farm implements and black-and-white photographs documenting the area's farming history. Diners especially enjoy the restaurant's famous pork tenderloin sandwich, seasonal vegetable sides, and homemade fruit pies that change with the seasons.
6. The Wapsipinicon Brewing Company
CRAFT BEER AND EATS
The Wapsipinicon Brewing Company offers craft beer enthusiasts a selection of house-brewed ales and lagers alongside a menu of elevated pub fare. The brewery's industrial-chic taproom features reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and views of the brewing equipment where their small-batch beers are created. Visitors can enjoy beer flights paired with artisanal pizzas, gourmet burgers, and shareable appetizers designed to complement the brewery's creations.
7. River's Edge Cafe
WATERFRONT CASUAL DINING
River's Edge Cafe offers diners stunning views of the Wapsipinicon River while enjoying fresh, seasonal American cuisine. The menu changes throughout the year to highlight the best of Iowa's produce, with an emphasis on locally-raised meats and freshwater fish. The restaurant's expansive outdoor deck becomes a popular gathering spot in warmer months, where guests can enjoy sunsets over the river while dining.
8. Buchanan's Countryside Steakhouse
PREMIUM IOWA BEEF
Buchanan's Countryside Steakhouse specializes in premium Iowa-raised beef, hand-cut and perfectly aged for maximum flavor. The elegant yet unpretentious dining room features white tablecloths, soft lighting, and agricultural-inspired artwork celebrating the region's farming heritage. Beyond steaks, the menu offers fresh seafood flown in weekly, house-made pasta dishes, and an extensive wine list focusing on bottles that pair beautifully with their signature cuts.
9. Prairie Moon Winery & Vineyards
WINE AND FARM CUISINE
Prairie Moon Winery & Vineyards combines a working winery with a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing seasonal ingredients that pair perfectly with their wines. Diners can enjoy their meals overlooking the picturesque vineyards where many of the grapes for the estate wines are grown. Weekend visitors often enjoy live music on the expansive patio while sampling wine flights alongside charcuterie boards featuring local cheeses, meats, and house-made preserves.
10. The Harvest Table
SEASONAL IOWA INGREDIENTS
The Harvest Table celebrates Iowa's agricultural bounty with dishes crafted from ingredients sourced from farms within a 50-mile radius. The restaurant's rustic-modern interior features reclaimed barn wood, mason jar lighting, and large windows overlooking their kitchen garden where herbs and vegetables are harvested daily. Each season brings new menu offerings, from spring asparagus risotto to winter squash soups, all prepared with a creative yet approachable sensibility that honors the ingredients' natural flavors.