7 Mouthwatering Places to Dine in Council Bluffs, Iowa

On a recent FAM tour I got to eat at some incredible restaurants that all the locals love. Need to know where to eat in Council Bluffs, Iowa? I’ve got you covered!

7 Mouthwatering Places to Dine in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Disclosure: I was invited on an all expense paid familiarization trip to Council Bluffs, Iowa. All opinions are 100% my own.

Travel and food go hand in hand in my world. When I check into a hotel one of the first questions I ask is where to eat. Locals are a valuable asset to travel writers. They know the best diner that has been serving customers forever or the new up and coming hot spot. Best travel advice – ask the locals!

Where to eat in Council Bluffs, Iowa

• 712 Eat + Drink

• Mad Ox Bakery

• Tish’s Restaurant

• Stay Sweet, Nicola’s

• Barley’s Bar & Grill

• Tobey Jack’s Mineola Steak House

• Duncan’s Cafe

712 Eat + Drink

Newer kid on the block, 712 Eat + Drink is quickly becoming a favorite among the locals. Featuring locally grown produce and as much locally raised protein 712 focuses on serving up fresh and delicious eats. The bar is full stocked with 23 crafted beers on tap along with craft cocktails and sodas.

My meal consisted of the “Our Burger” with wagyu beef and it was awesome, but honestly, the fries stole the show. They were crispy and even though they weren’t listed as garlic fries, they sure did taste like it.

Mad Ox Bakery

I walked in and knew I found my place. Besides having donuts the walls were covered with comic book posters!

Started in 2013, Owners, Matt & Karris Mattox (see what they did there?) shared a love for baking and wanted to open their own bakery. But why the funky decor? They themed the bakery around a space in their home dubbed “The Clubhouse”. The goal was to bring that same laid back hangout feel to Mad Ox Bakery. A place to play games, have a cup of coffee and a pastry or two and have fun – Goal achieved!

Tish’s Restaurant

Tish’s has a unique history. Starting as an ice cream shop in 1980, Tish’s didn’t become a full service restaurant until 15 years later in 1995. The menu has a wide variety of items, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Chicken Alfredo is one of my favorite meals and most restaurants don’t live up to my standards. I like a kick of flavor and that is something that is lacking usually. Tish’s didn’t disappoint. It was good, maybe as kicky as I’d like, but there was some great flavor.

Stay Sweet, Nicola’s

When the Mayor of Iowa asks you to just open up something on the Iowa side of the Missouri River that’s what you do! Having a successful restaurant on the Omaha side, Nicola decided to open a bakery to showcase her scrumptious treats.

So why Stay Sweet? Remember signing yearbooks back in the day – yep, Stay Sweet was the go to phrase for many teenage girls in the 90’s.

Barley’s Bar & Grill

With a slogan of “Eat Drink Gather” Barley’s Bar & Grill is just that! A local hang out that packs a in the crowds any given evening. Good Ole greasy bar food is great, but this place takes it a step above!

I had the “Yellow Hen” which was a honey mustard marinated chicken breast topped with sauteed red onions, tomatoes and spinach with homemade herb mayo. I can’t even begin to tell you what an amazing concoction it was. Never would have thought to add sauteed spinach to my chicken sandwich, but bet your bottom dollar I’ll be doing it in the future!

Tobey Jack’s Mineola Steak House

We didn’t eat at Tobey Jack’s Mineola Steak House on just any regular night. We were there for the Taco Ride night. The Taco Ride is a 10 mile bike ride on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail that leads you from Council Bluffs to Mineola. People do this for fun and for the love of tacos… Tacos are a fave, but I’m too lazy to bike 10 miles each way for some. But there are those that do this weekly!

How were the tacos? Well, I didn’t get them, but I did get an Iowa staple the pork tenderloin sandwich. I’ve yet to find tenderloin sandwich that I didn’t like.

Duncan’s Cafe

Hands down one of my favorite spots during the whole trip! When we walked in and found local sheriffs and their buddies all sittin around drinking coffee we knew we’d found THE breakfast spot.

Duncan’s Cafe has been in business for 44 years and this is where the locals go. The crowds come in droves on the weekends lining the streets. Why? Could it be the plate size pancakes, freshly made pecan rolls, or the dirt cheap prices? I’m sure everyone had their reason why, but mine – the hashbrowns! Crispy on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. And did I mention that they use 1lb of potatoes in a regular order?!?

No one ever thinks of Iowa when talking about foodie destinations, but they need to. I’ve never had a bad meal when visiting. Food is creative, fresh and mouthwatering!