There are many delicious downtown restaurants in Cedar Rapids waiting for your patronage. When you choose to live here and find the perfect home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa you’ll never be far from a tempting and soul-satisfying culinary delight. Here are some of the best restaurants in downtown Cedar Rapids to explore and enjoy.
Cobble Hill Restaurant: This local favorite was opened by chef/co-owner Andy Schumacher and general manager/co-owner Carrie Schumacher in 2013. They took their experiences working in NYC kitchens and built a menu focusing on local products, sustainability served with Midwestern hospitality. They received accolades from the James Beard Foundation at inception, and continue to serve seasonal and inspired dishes to the delight of locals and travelers alike. Menu items include a Niman Ranch Flat Iron steak (w/sweet corn & rosemary farro, charred candy onion, and pickled garlic scapes) and Ginger Jasmine Rice Cabbage Rolls (w/charred summer squash, coconut basil purée and shaved lemon zucchini. The wine, cocktail, and spirits list is equally inspiring. You will be delighted.
The Map Room: This is a great gathering spot for friends and family. There are outdoor picnic tables and indoor dining to enjoy a burger and fries (it’s what they specialize in). The menu is peppered with colorful and flavorful variations. The fries menu includes the Fort Bragg (w/beef & rum gravy and chopped pastrami) and the Santa Fe (w/green chili gravy, smoked pulled pork, and queso fresco). The burgers are prepared with a quarter-pound of beef (seasoned, smashed, and seared to medium-well). The burger options are truly internationally inspired. The burger menu includes the Marrakesh (w/ chermoula, goat cheese, hummus, and oil-cured Moroccan olives) and the Delhi (w/garam masala curry, mint chutney, and paneer cheese. There is a burger to please the palate of every adventurous diner. Special care is taken to remember the more reserved diners in your party, as the menu also includes classic American burgers like the Springfield (double patty, American cheese, and pickles).
Black Sheep Social Club: Iowa soul food is served up in a beautifully restored downtown warehouse at this upscale restaurant & bar. Dinner entrées are served with the vegetable of the day and include a Rack of Lamb (w/citrus yogurt, blackberry jam, and grape tomato mint relish) and an Iowa Pork Chop (w/5 spice salt and peach hoisin bbq). The perfect mid-western soul food meal deserves an inspired dessert made from scratch, and the Black Sheep Social Club delivers. Try the Blue Ribbon Betty (w/homemade Snickers® bar, whipped cream, and fresh apples) or the Olive Oil Cake (w/sweet corn ice cream, candied Black Sheep Bacon®, and macerated blackberries). Yum!
The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery: Farm to table pizza and handcrafted beer are served up in this brick brewpub. The pub is family friendly so bring the family! There are 40 arcade games to keep the family busy while your pizza is being made. Video games are 25¢ and pinball games are 50¢ so don’t forget to bring that stash of quarters. 12 of the 24 beers on tap are brewed in house. The pizza menu includes The Mario (w/marinara, fresh mozzarella, basil, garlic oil, and applewood smoked salt) and the Toadstool (herbed vegan ricotta base w/fresh mozzarella, green onion, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, beer caramelized onions, fresh garlic, and arugula). Delicious!
Caucho: This urban taco joint opened in 2017 and has been serving up bold and authentic Mexican flavors on homemade tortillas ever since. The mix & match taco menu includes the Carne Asada (Niman Ranch beef brisket w/ chipotle meco mezcal salsa, radish, pickled red onion, and cilantro) and Camarón (shrimp w/charred scallion chimichurri, cilantro, curtido, and avocado). Remember, November is tamale season! (inquire within).
Emil’s Hideaway: 2013 was a good year! Emil’s Hideaway is another local favorite that opened in 2013. It’s a short four mile drive, north of downtown. This is American comfort food at its best, served in a dark and cozy environment. Enjoy the American Classic burger (w/American Cheese, lettuce, tomato pickle, and onion) or tempt your discerning and adventurous palate with the Thai Peanut Butter Burger (w/cheddar, bacon, fried egg, Thai peanut sauce, crispy wonton strips, and sweet chili sauce). Stop by with the family mid-week for Wednesday Rib Night (house smoked bbq ribs served w/deviled egg potato salad, baked beans, and corn), an excellent Midwest midweek stick-to-your-ribs culinary extravaganza!
Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty is a locally owned and operated affiliate of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. We have been helping Midwesterners with their real estate needs since 1887. Our roots are strong. We look forward to helping you find the perfect home in the Cedar Rapids & Corridor area and establish your family roots in Iowa. Contact us today!
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