When is the last time you had a truly amazing meal? If you're a foodie, chances are you can remember the exact moment, and maybe even what you were wearing, when you ate a fantastic meal. That's how impactful a good dining experience can be! Agents in our Muscatine office share their favorite restaurants, diners, and café so you too can have a food moment to remember.

Breakfast/Brunch

"Good Days are always brewing at the coffee belt," and for good reason, they are known for their specialty drinks but also for mastering the classic like traditional horchata lattes and espresso.   Start your day with a delicious breakfast from Muscatine Waffles and Pancake House like their Berry Blast Pancakes that are topped with a mountain of fresh berries or Nutella Stuffed Pancakes. Of course, you can order less sweet and more savory options too like biscuits and gravy and egg skillets. You can also order lunch!

Fine Dining

Maxwell's at The Merrill is where you go to find classic American food that emphasizes fresh, local, and sustainable dishes. The dining room overlooks the Mississippi River and is located in the heart of downtown Muscatine. A great place to take those visiting the town as it can be found at The Merrill Hotel. 

Italian/Pizzeria

If Italian is your cuisine of choice, Muscatine has plenty of options to choose from. Sal Vitale's  is the "original Italian restaurant of Muscatine, since 1984." And for over 35 years, Muscatine locals have flocked to this eatery to enjoy some of "the best Italian in town"! Another Italian staple in Muscatine is Mama Mia Restaurante. If you like variety, Mama Mia's features daily pasta specials that range from "sea to land" and are all made from scratch - even the desserts! You can visit their website to see their full menu and order online! Salvatore's Ristorante is yet another authentic Italian restaurant in Muscatine that has been a local favorite for over 30 years! Reno Vitale or 'Papa Reno' moved to the area from Palermo, Sicily so it's of utmost importance to those at Salvatore's to "capture the mood, flavor, and taste of the famous Italian trattorias." Salvatore's also offers catering services available to many communities throughout Muscatine county. As you would expect from the name, Port City Underground is in fact underground. They offer delicious, out-of-the-box pizzas, pasta, and sandwiches with a fun experience and is "the only place having fun 6 feet under." At least in Muscatine.

BrewPub & Casual Dining

Looking for some of the best food in Muscatine? You may want to start with Boonies On The Avenue. Boonies has been voted "Best Burger, Best Sports, Bar, Best Bartender, Best Bar Food, and Best Business Lunch Spot" many times throughout the years since its opening in 2013.  If you like dining out but hate waiting for your food, Bridgeside Links is perfect for you! With three golf simulators, arcade games, and lots of TVs you can keep yourself entertained while you wait. Of course, you are always welcome to just grab a beer and hit some balls since they have " a great beer lineup!" As Muscatine's sole brewery, Contrary Brewing draws a big crowd! They feature 20+ beers and a sampling of local cider, wine, prosecco, and canned cocktails. Stop by to try them all! Add Skinny's BBQ to the list if you're a barbeque fan because they "specialize in craft BBQ!" Family-owned and operated The Missipi Brewing Company makes you feel like family when you dine at this pub-like establishment. The patio looks like a perfect spot to enjoy great food and a drink while taking in the Mississippi River views.  For full-service catering, try A Guy and A Grill for specialized on-site cookouts that have mastered delicious hearty dishes and barbecue. They have been established in Muscatine since 2004 but cater events for 

Asian Cuisine

You'll find many favorite authentic Chinese dishes at China Garden all with a variety of tastes and high-quality, fresh ingredients.  Also, serving up mouth-watering Chinese cuisine is Peking. Peking is a family-owned restaurant and boldly states it's "the best Chinese food in Muscatine." You'll have to give it a try to find out! No food list is complete without a great sushi recommendation and that's where Osaka Steakhouse & Sushi Bar comes in! No matter if you like sushi, hibachi, or bento boxes, you'll find a great selection of your favorite dishes at Osaka.  Yacky Shack's dishes are always made from scratch and they pride themselves on "bringing good food from our family to yours." Serving traditional Korean and Chinese entrees you won't be disappointed with their selection, however, we suggest trying their Korean fried dumplings, or "Yaki Mandu" which gives a nod to the Yacky Shack's name. 

Mexican

Las Lomas has "authentic Mexican food…just the way you love it! And after reviewing their menu, we can confirm that because these dishes at Los Lomas have been crafted and time-tested for years.  Established in 2009 Guadalajara is not the same restaurant it was a decade ago. In 2014 the successful downtown Muscatine restaurant explained to include a third dining room to keep up with demand! Come for the homemade entrees, but stay for the chimi-cheesecakes, a local fave! When you have a review that says "best Mexican food we have ever had." You know you're doing something right! El Allende has a large following because of its large section of spicy dishes.  If you enjoy Mexican entrees and love a good burrito, we know the perfect place for you - Burrito Factory! Highly recommended is their wet burrito. 

Diners & Family Restaurants

For those who love a nostalgic dining experience All American Diner and Tee's Ice Cream need to be added to your list! All American Diner brings country fixings to eastern Iowa and where you start with memorable skillets, omelets, pancakes, fish fry, and more. After, satisfying your sweet tooth head to Tee's Ice Cream for old fashion ice cream, shakes, malts, sundaes, burgers, and more.  Make sure you come with a large appetite when you arrive at The Family Restaurant because you'll never leave hungry! They serve large home-cooked meals no matter if you're in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

To learn more about the Muscatine area and what it has to offer like community events and favorite shops – check out our Muscatine community page. View homes for sale, find an agent and learn more about this farm community along the Mississippi.