Location: Waterloo
Top Restaurants in Waterloo
Top Things to do in Waterloo
- 1. Cedar Falls Main Street
- 2. John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
- 3. Lost Island Water Park
- 4. Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
- 5. Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum
- 6. UNI-Dome / McLeod Center
- 7. Phelps Youth Pavilion
- 8. SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
- 9. Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
- 10. Escape Cedar Valley
Countries
Top 10 restaurants in Waterloo, United States
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406; the 2014 Census estimates the population at 68,364, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. The city is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two cities.
Things to do in Waterloo
1. Galleria de Paco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By miguelacho1 - Libertyville, Illinois
Imagine dining in the Sistine Chapel and having your meal prepared by Michelangelo while his parents skillfully served up nectars of the gods at a cave like bar along with a full serving of history. Well, we three came close.
Paco, the chef-artist, with his parents Jacky and Ana, fled Yugoslavia, now Bosnia. 10 years ago they opened their restaurant, Galleria De Paco, in Waterloo Iowa. Check out other reviews for comments on the beautiful artwork. Non are exaggerations. All the paintings were amazingly done with aerosol paint.
Ana was most attentively tending bar on the lower level. The art and cave-like feeling conjured up images of a Capone-influenced hideaway. Jacky joined us at the bar after we had totally enjoyed a wide range of Paco creations. The night we were there he was actually the chef. Our son was raving from start to finish of his Grilled Tiger Shrimp with pappardelle in a creamy garlic three cheese sauce. My wife absolutely loved her choice of kebab-like Bakon (with a K) wrapped chicken bab followed by a “best ever" Baklava. The scallop puffs were my favorite. Chef Paco outdid himself self on the taste and texture of the pastry.
Come for the art. Savor delicious food. Linger in the warmth of this extraordinary family.
2. Cottonwood Canyon Coffee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By JAMES O - Le Claire, Iowa
Once you eat here you'll never go to Starbucks or Perkins again! Coffee lovers will love this place. They grind their own beans and the cups are huge. The food is amazing. I had the kielbasa special for breakfast. I swear I heard angels sing. You've got to try this place.
3. Newton's Paradise Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 270 reviews
Located in the historic former Newton’s Jewelry building in Downtown Waterloo, Newton’s Paradise Café offers breakfast and lunch items made with fresh produce, fresh ingredients and a fresh approach to food in the Cedar Valley.Meet your friends for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Can’t stay to eat? Call ahead and order it to-go. Looking for a fresh place to bring business clients or out-of-town visitors? Everyone will love the wide variety of delectable items on the evolving menus. Stop in for traditional breakfast favorites like delicious pancakes, Iowa French toast, biscuits and gravy and Steel cut oats. Come back for lunch for a great selection of burgers, wraps and salads all made fresh and with ingredients that will make your taste-buds sing.Be sure to check out the 2011 Iowa Pork Producers honorable mention best pork tenderloin. Worth a drive from anywhere.Newton’s Paradise Café is open at 6am Monday through Saturday, and 9am to 2pm on Sunday. We close at 9pm Monday through Thursday with extended late night hours on Friday and Saturday nights. We are always adding to our menu, so stop in often to enjoy something new and delicious. Choose a table or booth or sit at the diner-style counter. You can even dine outside on nice days and enjoy the view of the beautiful park and greet friends and familiar faces of Downtown Waterloo while you enjoy your meal.
Reviewed By ColoAvsPuckhead - Lake Oswego, Oregon
Person in our party found this and group went for Saturday lunch while in Waterloo/Cedar Falls for family event. Downtown was pretty quiet this particular day and street parking wasn't a problem. Located in historic building in downtown. Diner atmosphere with attentive wait staff. Menu is usual diner fare - pork tenderloin is known for being huge, and that's an understatement. It was well-prepared. Other main items were slightly above average - the basil coleslaw on the pulled pork was a nice touch. The parmesan fries were average. Wait staff was attentive and friendly. Doesn't allow pets in the restaurant, but can have on the patio. Another couple who went separately found the owners very pet-friendly with that caveat.
4. Morgs diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By fullmoonplayers - Waterloo, Iowa
The food is fresh and very tasty. The pancakes are amazing! Breakfast is my favorite meal at Morg's! The hashbrown's are some of the best I have had. It is small and seating is limited, especially crowded on weekends. Depending on your timing, you might have to wait a little bit for a place to sit.
5. Chapala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By traveltheworld012 - Rochester, Minnesota
Found this place online as we were traveling and seeking a place to have dinner. This seems to be a fairly new building, but possibly highly renovated. I could tell though that it had been an Italian Restaurant previously, judging by the style and decor in the building. Chapala added some Mexican paintings and a few wooden parrots, voila! it works!
We were seated in the back room, and there was a heater/furnace in the ceiling which was blowing such hot air in our direction that I thought we were going to have to take our clothes off to keep from sweating to death, it felt like 90 degrees at our booth. We were just going to ask our waiter if we could move when the heater shut off and did not come back on while we were there.
Pretty interesting that our friendly server, David would stop at our table then disappear through a door behind us. Soon he would reappear in front of us bringing food and drinks to other tables in front of us.How did he do that? Magic? Ahh, the kitchen wraps around the side of the restaurant and has a door at either end.
The free chips and salsa here are very abundant and the salsa is very nicely spicy.
I ordered the Pollo Parrilla - marinated chicken breasts in herbs and spices, then flame broiled with onions and mushrooms, very deliciously prepared and accompanied by the usual salsa, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, refried beans and tortillas. My wife had the Mexican Pizza also very scrumptious. With a beer and a margarita our total was still only $34. We had so much food, we brought as much home with us as we ate. Nice place.
6. The Brown Bottle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 157 reviews
The Brown Bottle is located in the grand lobby of The Historical Russell Lamson Building. At 5th & Commercial Streets, just one block east of the Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo, this old hotel was built in 1913, the largest in its day West of Chicago, offering 250 rooms. The Brown Bottle in Waterloo has been a dining tradition in The Russell Lamson since 1974. Family owned and operated for generations, The Waterloo Brown Bottle offers dining nightly 7 days a week at 4 pm with a full service bar, one of the area’s most extensive wine lists, and family recipes prepared fresh daily. Enjoy entrees of pasta, beef, poultry, seafood, and our classic pizza, all pleasantly served with Iowa hospitality, in a rustic casual atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxing drink at the bar; dine in a quiet booth, or group dining up to 150 guests, The Brown Bottle in Waterloo will provide you with an exceptional experience; from our family to yours!
Reviewed By Dave S - Coralville, Iowa
We were dining at the BB for a group of about 20 or so. The staff was handled our sized group like pros. The pace of the drink orders, apps, salads and meals was perfect. The table was checked on often and the food that...MoreThanks so much for the great review - we truly appreciate your business and hope we have the chance to serve you again soon!
7. Bryan's on 4th
Overall Ratings
5 based on 44 reviews
Bryan's on 4th has great big, really good steaks! Elk, Bison, Wild boar and exotic chops of all kind are on our menu. The atmosphere is artsy and casual. the service style is casual but very capable. It is a dining experience filled with laughter and music and nostalgia. The Limestone Lounge features the same great chop house menu, with bands and cocktail service to your table. Martinis and classic cocktails await.
Reviewed By Joanne T - West Bloomfield, Michigan
I had dinner with a business associate at Bryan’s and can’t say enough good things about it. First of all, we arrived on a Wednesday night with no reservation, only to find they were full for the evening. Rather than turn us away, Owner and Chef Bryan seated us in the lower level, reserved for buffet-style meals, allowing us to order from the upstairs menu. The drink menu is comprised of both retro and modern drinks. I had a pink squirrel for the first time in 30 years and it was delicious! I ordered the Walleye as a main dish. It was prepared perfectly and was served over rice with a medley of vegetables as a side dish. Loved the whole experience! I am rating the restaurant a 5, however, it is only allowing me to select a 4 rating.
8. Basal Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By TREVI36 - Driftwood, Texas
Very good pizza. The mushrooms were large and tasty, the dressing on our salad was delicious, the wait staff is very welcoming and friendly, just an all around great experience. I would have given 5 stars if they had let me add mushrooms to the Margherita pizza but they do not deviate from what's listed on the menu. They will take an item off but they wouldn't put one on. That seemed a little odd but I just ordered a different pizza and got my mushrooms and it was a delicious pizza.
9. Rudy's Tacos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Bandguy - Cedar Falls, Iowa
Here's why I go to Rudy's--two retro bars with nice beer and drink selections, food that demands you go in hungry (it's very filling), and I never fail to see friends there. I appreciate the friendly service and fresh ingredients. Don't expect authentic Mexican food--there are other places in town doing that. This is completely Americanized version of Mexican food and it is delicious. Rudy's is a great place to meet friends and decompress from the day.
10. Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By Dave S - Coralville, Iowa
This is a great restaurant/pub if you are wanting to have a business luncheon, social dining and anything in between. I've been here several times, but kept forgetting to review it. EVERY time I've been there, the servers and service have been excellent. They all care about your experience and making sure your dining needs are met. The food has always come out fresh and accurate and your beverage never seems to get below half. They do it right and it's in a great location. I've heard local ownership with a couple different restaurants....I'm guessing I need to get to the rest of them because this one is excellent.
