Location: Ottumwa
Top Restaurants in Ottumwa
Iowa, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Ottumwa
Find out what American restaurants to try in Ottumwa. Ottumwa (/əˈtʌmwə/ ə-TUM-wə) is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,023 at the 2010 census. Located in southeastern Iowa, the city is split into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River.
Things to do in Ottumwa
10. Applebee's
Overall Ratings
3 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By nathant8
We went as a family of 3 a table of 5 that ordered well after we did was served first. Waitress proceeded to tell us how much she had worked this week didn't tell us specials etc. Everyone had fries with their order and each plate had short stubby bits and a very small amount.
9. Arby's
Arby's is a leading global quick-service restaurant company operating and franchising over 3,400 restaurants worldwide. Arby's was the first nationally franchised, coast-to-coast sandwich chain and has been serving fresh, craveable meals since it opened i
Reviewed By tbfairfield
A better menus with fresh sandwiches good salads although Romaine lettuce is the way to go. It's a fast food restaurant with drive up yet my choices of sandwiches and salad is always a nice simple fresh healthy lunch. Thank You Arby's
8. Morgan's Corner Bar & Grill
Reviewed By James J
Good food and a great value for the price. The service is the best. My wife and I well return very soon.
7. Courtside Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By jksKansas
Lunch specials were pork tenderloin sandwiches which were very good as the noon special. Service was excellent and many locals seemed to be here for lunch. This is a bar but it is a better than average sports bar as the food was quite tasty. My guests enjoyed their meal and were well pleased with the pork.
6. Second Street Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
The Second Street Cafe, located off the lobby on the main floor, offers a menu sure to satisfy every taste. TThe extensive menu, including breakfast, sandwiches, appetizers, pizza, dinners, and deserts allow everyone to order their personal favorite. Pric
Reviewed By jeanA5310
We ate here for lunch and took advantage of their buffet. It offered an ample selection â including juicy fried chicken! The salad was primarily iceberg lettuce (not as impressive), but there were plenty of other veggies to choose from. Our server was pleasant and efficient. It's a nice place for a warm and inviting diner experience.We are so glad you enjoyed our food. The fried chicken is definitely a favorite of locals and guests alike. Thank you so much for your review. Come back and join us anytime!
5. Recovery Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By BigPaulMn
What can I say about the pork tenderloin that hasnât already been said! Itâs a phenomenal sandwich! The tenderloin is almost as big as my shoe, and it was delicious! I can see why itâs so highly rated! The crinkle cut fries were a perfect compliment! I canât remember her name, but the owner was very friendly and nice too!
4. Riverside Family Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By 136bobl
My wife and I were passing through and stopped here for breakfast. We like to eat where locals eat. This is a typical hometown restaurant. Lots of comfort food on the menu. Our meals were good, served quickly and staff were friendly.The parking lot had holes large enough to swallow cars but that didn't keep the people away.
3. Appanoose Rapids
Overall Ratings
4 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By jeffsvarverud
Wow what a change from last Easter. This year $25 bought you a choice of Ham, that was all no roast beef or Turkey only ham at the carving station. Beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, baked chicken or fish. The beef noodles were only warm. One vegetable dish, running scrambled eggs French toast and two salads. Utterly disappointing. The change of ownership is evident in every aspect of the restaurant. It is so sad to see a wonderful restaurant slip into a less than average establishment. I will have to locate a new establishment for next year.Jeff -- we are sorry to hear about your experience during our Easter brunch; we noticed that you and your wife posted one-star negative comments on both Facebook and TripAdvisor for everyone to see, but yet, during brunch none of you spoke to us, the owners, to tell us about your experience, we were there the entire time. We do believe you both and we see your observations and concerns as genuine; we wish we had done something to make it right while it was happening. We are sorry and we wish you well.Having said that, we respectfully reject your comment "It is so sad to see a wonderful restaurant slip into a less than average establishment". We had 120 guests on Easter brunch, our largest Sunday crowd since we started Sunday brunches, and we only received two negative comments, yours. Several of our guests talked to us as they were leaving and were very pleased with the buffet selections, drinks, service and ambiance. Furthermore, to comment on your 'change of ownership' observation, compared to last year, Appanoose Rapids had on Easter brunch: live piano music, fresh flowers on tables, flowers pots out front, new lounge furniture, new POS system, two new soda fountains, one additional servers' station, a handcrafted brunch cocktail list and yet the team of chefs that cooked the food fresh on that morning was virtually the same as last year. Change of ownership came with a new vision for Appanoose Rapids and we are investing and working very hard to make a difference in Ottumwa.
2. Bubba-Q's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 121 reviews
All the things you love about high quality local BBQ, now with grilled steaks, burgers, salads scratch made rubs,sauce,sides and desserts. Now taking reservations for our large group seating privacy in our "Barn" meeting/party room.
Reviewed By dawnfromseattle
Best pulled pork we've had. Best BBQ sausage we've ever had.We split a one pound plate of three meats and still couldn't finish.Their selection of sides was long and good.Service was very good. If we lived here, this would be our favorite place.
1. Canteen Lunch In The Alley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Features loose meat sandwiches.
Reviewed By Dave_in_Tulsa
Took the wife and kids to the Canteen to taste an Ottumwa tradition, but couldn't get anyone to take my order. Stood in front of the cash register for about 15 minutes while they waited on just about everyone else but me. We were going to grab some lunch and take it to go, but no luck. The people sitting down, and some (but not all) of the people walking in all were waited on. We finally left and went elsewhere.
