Burlington Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Burlington

April 15, 2018 Milan Banda

Burlington is a city and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa, and Middletown, Iowa, and Gulfport, Illinois. Burlington is the home of Snake Alley, once labelled the crookedest alley in the world.
Things to do in Burlington

1. La Tavola Italian Restaurant & Pizza

316 N 4th St, Burlington, IA 52601-5314 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +1 319-768-5600
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 178 reviews

La Tavola Italian Restaurant & Pizza

Reviewed By Linda L - Mooresville, Indiana

We were so excited to try this restaurant considering the reviews we had read. We started out ordering garlic knots - they were hard and pretty tasteless. However, the marinara that came with them was good, so I decided to try their spaghetti, thinking it would be an excellent sauce on that. Wrong! The best word I can come up with to describe their spaghetti is glop. The sauce was mixed in with overcooked noodles; the whole mess was gummy and had none of the flavor of the marinara we had experienced earlier. The dish my husband ordered was also mediocre at best. To top it all off, the service was extremely slow, and we couldn't understand why people who came after us were served their food before we were served.
Here we thought we had found a restaurant that we would be willing to go out of our way to visit again and again, but in reality we will never go back.

2. Diggers Rest Coffeehouse & Roaster

314 Jefferson St, Burlington, IA 52601-5306 Seating American +1 319-758-6067
Excellent
73%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Diggers Rest Coffeehouse & Roaster

Reviewed By Troy G - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in for coffee and breakfast. Loved the atmosphere and that we could avoid a chain restaurant/fast food while visiting Burlington. The breakfast sandwich was really great. Wasn't expecting much ordering an egg and ham sandwich, but it was excellent. It was on hearty peasant bread, and had a perfectly cooked egg with ham, cheese and a really fresh tomato. Hit the spot.

However, the coffee wasn't that good for this being a coffee roasting place. It probably caters to the regulars, because it was pretty weak coffee; tasted okay, but was weaker than I like.

Overall,was a really great find for a relaxing vacation coffee and breakfast.

3. Grandpa's Homemade Icecream

600 S Roosevelt Ave, Burlington, IA 52601-1668 Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible American +1 319-754-0970
Excellent
77%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 77 reviews

Grandpa's Homemade Icecream

Reviewed By mandyjc814 - Ottumwa, Iowa

We stopped here after a hot day at FunCity, and it was the perfect treat to end our day! We loved the friendly staff and it had a great atmosphere. The ice cream was delicious. I got the smores sundae and got a huge portion. They had a nice selection of toppings and and flavors of ice cream. There is also a drive thru if you are on the go!

4. Napoli Pizza & Restaurant

113 N 3rd St, Burlington, IA 52601-5551 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Parking Available Italian, American, Pizza, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +1 319-754-6621
Excellent
67%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

Napoli Pizza & Restaurant

Reviewed By zippyincolumbus - Columbus, OH

My husband and I ate at Napoli two nights ago and LOVED it! We were visiting Burlington and tried it based on the reviews here. We both ordered a mini pizza (which is a deceptive name- it’s actually a really good-sized personal pizza), and we shared a side of fries. The pizza was really good! I really liked the crust- in between thin and thick, and soooo tasty. The fries were a crinkle-cut style and were perfectly crispy. All of our food was super hot when we got it, and I can’t say enough how tasty it was!

I read some other reviews that said their service was slow. Our pizzas took a little while to come out, but good pizza always does! Our waitress was attentive, but I would agree that if you want a quick meal maybe don’t order the pizza.

Finally, yes- the decor is older, but I think that’s part of the charm. Loved that it had a juke box- I wouldn’t change a thing! It’s vintage charm.

5. Dairy Queen

1228 N Roosevelt Ave, Burlington, IA 52601-2045 +1 319-754-7858
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 7 reviews

Reviewed By Lisa M - Burlington, Iowa, United States

Fast and furious service! If there is a line, it moves very quickly! They'll make just about anything to your liking. :)

6. Martini's Grille

610 N 4th St, Ste 400, Burlington, IA 52601-5055 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Private Dining American, Steakhouse Dinner, Late Night SGD 26 - SGD 52 +1 319-752-6262
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 131 reviews

Martini's Grille

Reviewed By Amy B

As a Burlington resident I have been to Martini's numerous times. Having home for the first time after returning from a long road trip, I marveled at how consistently good Martini's is. I've literally never had a bad meal there. And I'd put this restaurant in my hometown up against any restaurant anywhere I've travelled. Some of my favorites at Martini's are the Bacon and White Cheddar Pizza, Wedge Salad, Carbonara, and of course their world famous chicken lips with Budweiser Blue Cheese dressing. Fave Martini's are the Pink Lemonadini and the Pear. Gorgeous view adds to the upscale environment.

7. The Drake

106 Washington St, Ste 3, Burlington, IA 52601-5222 Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Television American, Bar, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 13 - SGD 39 +1 319-754-1036
Excellent
38%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
7%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 190 reviews

The Drake

The Drake Restaurant is located in a 100+ year old building with scenic views of the Mississippi River. The Drake has cozy booths for a romantic dinner, larger tables for groups, and private dining rooms to accommodate 10-200 persons for private meetings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and wedding receptions. Our patio offers outdoor dining in a garden like setting.

Reviewed By Gregory M - Marion, IA, USA

My wife and I had a dinner here in Sept during a golf getaway weekend based on tripadvisor and facebook reviews. The weather was nice so we decided to sit out in on the patio. Overall it was a good dinner with reasonable prices. My wife had the Chicken Tetrazini and I had the Elk Burger to try something different. She liked the chicken very much but I thought the elk burger was a little bland. Understandably that since the elk was farm raised, it would be lean and wouldn't taste very gamey, but I thought it would have more flavor. The service was quick and efficient, although not very personable. The patio has a nice atmosphere, although it doesn't have an expansive view of the river. Would come back again, just not order the elk burger.

8. Gators Grill and Spirits

3313 Agency St, Burlington, IA 52601-1959 Television, Highchairs Available, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards American, Bar, Grill Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 9 - SGD 33 +1 319-753-2534
Excellent
45%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 152 reviews

Gators Grill and Spirits

Reviewed By mmzeran - West Burlington, Iowa

This is a semi-casual place to eat. It has a great menu with a variety of choices. Easy to eat healthy or splurge with something decadent. Their Salmon is always good at a good price with a variety of dinner choices. Usually is very busy on Sunday after church so best to make reservations. Parking is adequate unless you need to be parked close to the door. Usually not a problem. highly recommended

9. Big Muddy's

710 N Front St, Ste 1, Burlington, IA 52601-5027 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Television American, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Late Night +1 319-753-1699
Excellent
31%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 216 reviews

Big Muddy's

Once seated in the restaurant, your view changes as the seasons change. Winter brings eagles soaring as they search the icy Mississippi for the fresh catch of the day. In the Summer the river becomes alive with casual and commercial traffic. The historic background of this quaint river town is captured in the memorabilia and pictures that adorn the walls.The restaurant has been a landmark for two decades offering casual to formal dining attracting patrons both local and visiting tourist from other countries. We have a casual family friendly environment. Serving lunch and dinner as well as drinks at the bar. We are great for groups! Walk in or make a reservation and when the weather permits, choose to sit in side or out. Dine in, carry out or we will cater! Whatever the occasion - Big Muddy's is the place!!

Reviewed By ponyexpress11 - Iowa City, Iowa

We've been here before for the Sunday brunch buffet. It's very good. There are plenty of breakfast items to choose from, a salad bar, and at least 4 lunch/dinner meats (pork loin, fish, BBQ ribs, and prime rib) to choose from (also 2 breakfast meats which were sausage and bacon). Then there's the dessert tables. Quite a selection there! The restaurant is very close to the Mississippi River and the bridge over the Mississippi to Illinois. I enjoy watching all the water traffic. There is also a walking trail along the river for either before or after your meal, if you're interested.

10. Jerry’s Main Lunch

501 S Main St, Near the Main Train Department, Located Downtown, Off Street Parking, Burlington, IA 52601-5543 Takeout American, Diner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +1 319-752-3750
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Jerry’s Main Lunch

Jerry's Main Lunch, in Burlington, IA, is a leading restaurant serving Burlington and surrounding areas since 1946. We offer dine-in and carry out, breakfast and homemade food. T-Shirts on sale now! For your next meal, visit Jerry's Main Lunch in Burlington.

Reviewed By jmpaule - London, United Kingdom

No better breakfast anywhere and you can't beat the price. Try the pancakes for sure and the eggs and bacon are delicious. An old diner look and feel. No need to dress up either!

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