Location: Ankeny
Top Restaurants in Ankeny
Top 10 restaurants in Ankeny, United States
Ankeny is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States and home to Des Moines Area Community College. Ankeny is a rapidly growing suburb located just north of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city. With a growing population of 62,000, Ankeny covers approximately 33 square miles and offers an outstanding quality of life, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. Being part of the greater Des Moines area, Ankeny offers big city amenities with the hometown feel of a small city. The U.S. Census Bureau recently named Ankeny the fastest growing city in the Midwest and the 14th fastest growing city in the United States.
Things to do in Ankeny
1. Main Street Cafe and Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Quick serve restaurant with an upscale menu and feel.
Reviewed By pepperdinemom - Panora, Iowa
Stopped through Ankeny for lunch and heard food here was good. It was busy, staff were very friendly and helpful. We got Turkey avocado wrap and jerk chicken tacos, and both came with choice of side, we had soup. All came out fast, and good. Really good bread. We even bought decorated cookies for our family. What would make it a "5", it's noisy, put up TV screens.
2. Cafe Diem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By JASON H - Des Moines, Iowa
Cafe Diem is a beautifully decorated, welcoming cafe with fantastic service and people. It's designed for coming in for a quick bite, or sitting and working for hours. It also showcases local artwork, and is itself beautifully decorated with a nice fireplace in the middle.
3. Waterfront Seafood Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Great location, delicious and fresh seafood + salad. Staff was very friendly and attentive. My friend and I highly recommend the market sashimi of the day. Filled with locals and tourist alike. A lot of people bought the steak. However, my friend and I was craving fresh seafood and salad. There two ways to get to waterfront. If you are coming from St. Kilday bridge, you’ll need to cross the bridge and go down one level (via stairs).
4. Fong's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 160 reviews
We are home to the original Crab Rangoon pizza. This spacious location offers great seating for large parties and a convenient take-out area. We offer the same menu as our original location in Des Moines; but we offer a few specialties like Dragon Eggs, Onion Rings, and Parmesan Bites to name a few. Our big highlight in addition to the tiki bar that we share with Des Moines is we have 88 beers on draft. We offer growlers to go and a wonderful happy hour where you get $4 drafts and half off appetizers.
Reviewed By init4keeps - Des Moines, Iowa
I came in here for lunch, alone, and wasn't about to get a whole pizza, settled on the lunch special, two pieces pizza&drink for$7+tax. See pics. Four choices on days pizza for lunch. I had the chicken bacon BBQ and Graziano sausage AlFredo, both on thin crust and VERY good, also huge. Clean place. Friendly staff. Family friendly. Street parking. I have yet to try their most famous crab Rangoon pizza but I've always gotten great stuff! They also have carry out. Marcydiner tantrum scale of 5/5-no screaming kids.
5. Jethro's BBQ LakeHouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By Keystone_Traveler - Malvern, Pennsylvania
In a country with an abundance of BBQ restaurants, quality and taste are often very subjective. While likely not the most memorable BBQ dinner I've had; nonetheless, it was a decent meal: Plate of brisket, pulled pork, jalapeño creamed corn, red beans & rice, and cornbread. Had worse; had much better. But I was definitely not disappointed in dining here.
6. Leaning Tower of Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Robert M - Perry, Iowa
Ate here w/ a party of 4. First off, our waitress (and quite honestly all the employees) was amazing. All were so friendly and attentive. They were obviously having fun w/ their jobs. I have lived in the Des Moines area for almost 20 years and have never been here. I am not sure why?? Onion rings were average at best. Almost were tasteless. The pizza however was WONDERFUL! So much flavor, perfect amount of toppings. I have been a big fan of the Tavern in the area until just recently & this place is head and shoulders above that for the pizza. I do not often eat pizza, but when I do I want quality pizza. I'd rather pay a little more to have it taste like this place than waste $12 at a chain place. This place obviously takes pride in what they do and i love that!
We will definitely be back here.
7. Cazador
Overall Ratings
4 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Jaime M
We came here with our large family for my daughter's birthday supper. Their chips and salsa are very good and so are their enchiladas. My daughter really enjoyed her meal, plus got a free dessert. They take a polaroid picture with a sombrero and hang it on their birthday wall. The wait staff was all very nice, just a few things were forgotten. Service was pretty quick and the food was good.
8. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By bkw2310 - Grimes, IA
Typical Mexican fare. I don't understand why some Mexican places want to let the refried beans spread all over the plate. It becomes a gooey mess. Food tasted good, nothing special. There are many fine restaurants in Ankeny I would choose over this one.
9. HuHot Mongolian Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Create your own Asian stir-fry! Choose from our fresh selection of meats, seafood, noodles, veggies and Asian-influenced sauces. Customize your Mongolian BBQ masterpiece, then watch as it’s cooked on our grill of epic proportions. It’s all-you-can-eat, so you can try as many combinations as you want! A unique dining experience for the whole family.
Reviewed By InformedCorp - South Effingham, New Hampshire
I like this restaurant because I can create my own meal plus it is all you can eat. One can choose the style of noodles, the protein, veg and flavours. There is lots of variety and choices. The service was great and the cooks at the grill were fun to watch. One note my husband ordered ginger ale. It was surpy.
10. Sorriso Grille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
We are a locally owned restaurant serving American comfort food with daily specials Monday-Friday. We are open for Breakfast & Lunch from 6am-2pm Monday-Saturday and Sunday 8-1 for breakfast only.
Reviewed By david_hance_iowa - Ankeny, Iowa
This was my local Casey's where I always bought my gas. Caseys built a new huge store across the NE 70th Street and moved. The new owner totally remodeled the old Caseys into a new modern building. The current restaurant in that building is beautiful....MoreThank you for your great review, we are glad you love coming here! We want to keep the hometown feel alive!
