It’s Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week! Part of the mission of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is to help local businesses succeed. Additionally, the Alliance promotes the value and importance of creating positive impact in our local economy. Let’s dive into the 21 featured restaurants – and don’t forget to check out their special menus!
30hop
30hop revels in being unique yet approachable providing constantly rotating craft beers, seasonal menus, and an atmosphere that’s all about celebrating the good times!
One of their special features:
Bulgogi Steak Nachos: Korean bbq beef on wonton chips topped with pepper jack cheese queso, kimchi, sesame, and scallion
Black Sheep Social Club
Black Sheep aspires to create old Midwest favorites with inspired new twists and international influence. Their bar has 24 taps of craft beers with a focus on regional breweries, an eclectic wine list and a cocktail menu inspired by the kitchen and the garden with nods to the classics.
One of their special features:
Steak Carne Asada: Flat iron steak, watermelon salsa, avocado mousse, black lime crema, crispy tortilla
Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery
Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery is rooted right in the Corn Belt in Swisher, Iowa. From acres of Iowa grown grapes, to unending bushels of corn, Cedar Ridge is the go-to place to unwind with aged whiskey, vodka, wine, and farm-to-table noshes.
One of their special features:
Just Peachy: Bagger vodka, peach syrup, lime juice, and orange bitters
Chophouse Downtown
Their mission is to give our customers a place to celebrate life’s special moments by offering the best food, service, and ambiance. From sliders and wings to soups, steaks, and salads, it offers something for everyone!
One of their special features:
Wild Caught Swordfish: Wild caught swordfish chop with a strawberry salsa fresca, house made bourbon glaze, herb baby baked potatoes, and roasted brussels sprouts
Crosby’s
Crosby’s has a passion for great food, statement cocktails and a camaraderie that’s valued by their patrons. Located in the historical NewBo District, they’ve grown strong bonds within our district and enjoy being involved in activities like crawls, fundraisers, events, caterings, & more!
One of their special features:
Pear & Honey Tart: Spiced walnut crust, honey orange cream, caramelized pears, honey chantilly cream, garnished with a candied orange peel. Homemade ice cream served on top of the pear & honey tart.
Dash Coffee Roasters
Dash is a specialty coffee shop that’s nestled in the Newbo district. It serves coffee drinks, teas, bakery items, and features a rotating food menu. Made with love – and good ingredients.
One of their special features:
Breakfast Enchiladas: All breakfasts are better wrapped and smothered! We stuff flour tortillas with sausage, veggies, eggs & cheese and then bake those perfect rolls in green enchilada sauce. Two are served smothered in homemade queso and topped with fresh pico de gallo & avocado.
Groundswell Café
The mission of the Groundswell Café is to provide a place where everyone has access to fresh, healthy food. Their simple healthy menu features delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, and omelets with as much of the food as possible supplied by what they grow less than a mile away on their Cultivate Hope Urban Farm and in their on-site hydroponic garden.
One of their special features:
Fried Fish PoBoy: Pickles, tomato, hydroponic lettuce, and remoulade, served on a French roll with your choice of a side
La Cantina Bar N Grill
You can enjoy a delicious Mexican meal inside or on a patio. Their Cedar Rapids & Marion locations offer daily specials – whether you’re feeding kids or enjoying happy hour margaritas.
One of their special features:
Margarita Flight: A variety of four delicious house margaritas. Flavors: Lime, Mango, Peach, and Strawberry/Raspberry.
Lion Bridge Brewing Company
Lion Bridge Brewing offers artisan beer produced in small batches. Their premise is to produce delicious, complex, and approachable beers with a focus on community and local collaboration.
One of their special features:
Chicken and Waffles: Belgian Waffles with fried chicken tenders, served with house-made strawberry-jalapeno jam, whipped goat cheese, and hot honey. Suggested beer pairing – Heart Strings Pineapple Raspberry Sour
Lucky’s on 16th
The homey atmosphere of Lucky’s on 16th allows guests to relax after a hard working day. From tenderloins and cheeseburgers to biscuits & gravy and pancakes, Lucky’s offers breakfast to dessert all day long!
One of their special features:
Breakfast Nachos: Bacon, sausage or chorizo on a bed of American fries with black olives, onions, green peppers, tomato, jalapenos smothered in your choice of cheese sauce, hollandaise or gravy
Midtown Reserve
Midtown Reserve is Cedar Rapids’ newest reservation-only steakhouse. They offer fine dining fare, USDA prime steaks, craft cocktails, and an extensive wine list. Enjoy a fine dining experience in an intimate setting.
One of their special features:
Tres Ceviche: Shrimp and scallop ceviche, salmon and citrus ceviche, and sea bass ceviche with wonton crisps
Need Pizza
Need is a full pizzeria and bar with a focus on new haven style pizza and features 30 craft beers on tap. Come enjoy the laid back atmosphere and specialty pizza combinations!
One of their special features:
Restaurant Weak In The Knees: Italian calzone, stuffed with pepperoni, salami, red onions, black olives, and mozzarella cheese, topped with olive oil and parmesan cheese and served with a warm side of pizza sauce
O’s Grill
O’s Grill began in 2009 as a small hot dog cart with big aspirations. Leveraging their experience in Mediterranean cuisine and a passion for delicious food, O’s serves some of the best steak and chicken shish kabobs in downtown Cedar Rapids.
One of their special features:
Moroccan Meat Lover Gyro Witches: Gyro meat, Moroccan seasoned chicken, Moroccan seasoned ground chuck, sautéed onions, egg, cheese, fresh diced tomatoes topped with O’s famous white gold sauce derived over a pita
Pedalers Fork
Pedalers Fork boats a full, delicious menu, 108 beers on tap, and yummy crafted cocktails. They’re right on the Cedar Valley Nature (Bike) Trail. We’ve got two pool tables, two dart boards, NFL Ticket, and other fun activities.
One of their special features:
Cajun Shrimp and Andouille Pasta: Blackened shrimp and andouille sausage over creamy tomato penne pasta with peppers and onions. Served with griddled challah bread from Great Harvest Bread Company
Pub 217
Neatly situated in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, PUB 217 is the perfect stop for any occasion. The ideal pairing of comfortable restaurant and neighborhood bar, they are well suited for any customer. Their take on classic bar food elevates the dishes to new levels, while the wide array of beer and liquor should keep any thirsty patron satisfied.
One of their special features:
Flautas: Hand rolled tortillas filled with pork or chicken, deep fried, and served with lettuce, queso fresco and our house made pico. Suggested pairing – Fresh squeezed margarita
Sacred Cow Tavern
It’s a few blocks away from NewBo and a few blocks away from the (MedQuarter) – their concept was built around the neighborhood. Sacred Cow offers a variety of burgers, rib-eye steak, chicken gyros, shrimp boil and more, alongside canned beer.
One of their special features:
Cajun Elote Chicken Wings: Grilled chicken wings, Cajun aioli, grilled corn, parmesan, herbs, tajin, and lime
The Class Act Restaurant
Treat yourself to outstanding fine dining in a hip yet approachable atmosphere at The Class Act Restaurant. Located within The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the restaurant is ideal for romantic dinners, family celebrations and business gatherings. In addition, this restaurant provides a real-time, teaching environment for Kirkwood’s groundbreaking Culinary Arts program.
One of their special features:
The Crunch Berry: Confetti blondie with crunch berry ice cream, strawberry and blueberry sauce, whipped cream and topped with a cherry
The Edison Pub and Eatery
Want to experience the glitz and glamor of a metropolitan restaurant but don’t want to drive all the way to Chicago? Family-owned Edison Pub and Eatery has the vibe you’re looking for. Eat indoors or hang out on the patio with specialty menus and handcrafted drinks!
One of their special features:
3 Course Meal – Soup/Salad, Main Course & Dessert: House Salad, Soup of the Day, Main Course Options: Mac and Cheese or Buffalo Mac and Cheese, Light Switch Burger with choice of side, BBQ Pork Ribs with fries, cornbread and coleslaw, Corned Beef and Cabbage with mashed potatoes, and Salmon Quinoa salad with bread. Dessert: Chocolate or Carrot Cake
the hip-stir
The Hip-Stir is hipster, casual, trendy and upscale. What do a seared bologna sandwich, lobster and shrimp cheese ramen and waffle fries topped with prosciutto have in common? All of them are served in this Marion restaurant, offering a peek at what’s cool before it catches on in mainstream dining. Read about one of our Sisterhood Gatherings at the hip-stir here!
One of their special features:
Goat Enchiladas: Braised goat, flour tortillas, barria demi, salsa macha, goat cheese sour cream, pickled daikon radish and herb salad
The Map Room
Located in Downtown Cedar Rapids, The Map Room serves delicious internationally-inspired burgers & fries, artisan cocktails, craft beer, and wine in a cozy and eclectic atmosphere.
One of their special features:
Crawfish Boil Burger: Smash Patty topped with white cheddar, andouille sausage, crawfish, corn, collard greens & Old Bay aioli, Served with Muffuletta pasta salad, and Classic Sazerac Cocktail
Tic Toc
Tic Toc is an American restaurant with late-night indoor and outdoor dining! From wraps, salads, and burgers to homestyle entrees and speciality drinks, Tic Toc is a family-friendly joint that is sure to please!
One of their special features:
Marinated Chicken Breast: Marinated chicken breast with melted swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce and garlic aioli. Served on toasted wheat berry bread with your choice of cottage cheese or coleslaw.
We are so fortunate to have so many different restaurants in the Cedar Rapids area! Tell us one of your favorite restaurants here.