Eight Iowa restaurants, bars named among the best by USA TODAY
Since 2024, Iowa’s dining and drinking scene has earned uncommon national attention, with eight restaurants and bars landing on USA TODAY’s prestigious Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year lists.
The honorees span the state and showcase its evolving culinary identity — from West Des Moines’ fire-driven fine dining at Prime & Providence to the destination-worthy Texas-style smoking at Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in rural Luther. Des Moines continues to shine with Oak Park’s hyper-seasonal sophistication and Harbinger’s globally inspired vegetable-forward menus, while Iowa City claims its own standouts through The Webster’s polished Midwestern cooking and Gabe’s iconic music‑bar grit. Even the state’s bar culture is drawing national praise, thanks to the intimate cocktail precision of The Bartender’s Handshake and the nostalgic mid-century charm of Hello, Marjorie.
The tapioca and aged Parmesan fritters come with spicy Vietnamese tomato ragù and pickled cucumber salad at Harbinger, 2724 Ingersoll Ave., on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Des Moines.
Together, these eight spots reflect a state pushing its culinary boundaries — and finally getting noticed for it.
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USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year in Iowa
Prime & Providence
Prime & Providence earned its spot on USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list for redefining fine dining in Iowa through its ambitious live‑fire cooking program and premium ingredients. Opened in 2024 by chef and co-owner Dominic Iannarelli, the restaurant centers on a custom 15-foot hearth that imparts smoky depth to everything from wagyu steaks to rolled lasagna and even a dramatic Caesar salad. The $450,000 grill setup alone signals its commitment to craftsmanship and culinary spectacle. With a luxe oyster bar, top-tier seafood selections, and an eye for theatrical presentation, Prime & Providence elevates West Des Moines’ dining landscape and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with national culinary destinations. Its selection by USA TODAY stems from its blend of innovation, technique and atmosphere — offering diners an experience that feels both cosmopolitan and distinctly Iowan.
Location: 595 S. 60th St., West Des Moines
Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew
Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew was named a 2026 USA TODAY Restaurant of the Year thanks to its deep devotion to Central Texas–style barbecue and its reputation for drawing diners from all corners of Iowa. Operating out of a former gas station and motorcycle shop, the restaurant smokes brisket for 12–14 hours, cubes burnt ends for weekly specials and builds pulled pork with a robust five-spice dry rub. It’s also a perennial star of the Iowa State Fair, placing in the top three for Best New Fair Food every year since 2023. The result is an utterly destination-worthy smokehouse that blends rural charm with serious pitmaster credibility.
Location: 403 Iowa Ave., Luther, Iowa
Oak Park
Oak Park earned a place on USA TODAY’s 2025 Restaurant of the Year list through its sophisticated take on modern American dining anchored by hyper-seasonal ingredients and one of the state’s most ambitious wine programs. The restaurant pairs Prairie‑style architectural warmth with a kitchen that blends Midwest sensibilities and global technique. Led by Executive Chef Ian Robertson, Oak Park delivers dishes that balance artistry and flavor while its pastry program reinterprets classics with finesse. Seasonal crops from its adjacent on‑site culinary garden play a central role in the menu, inspiring not just the kitchen but the bar program as well. Known for flawless hospitality, thoughtful pacing and a serene, sculptural dining room, Oak Park represents the next evolution of fine dining in Iowa. Its selection by USA TODAY reflects its precision, creativity, and its ability to create memorable, narrative-driven meals.
Location: 3901 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Harbinger
Harbinger was selected by USA TODAY for its Restaurants of the Year list in 2024 for its vegetable‑forward tasting menus and globally inspired small plates that showcase Iowa’s agricultural depth through the lens of Southeast Asian flavors. Chef and owner Joe Tripp’s approach blends foraged, farm‑direct ingredients with refined technique, producing dishes that are intricate yet grounded in locality. Seasonal shifts heavily influence the menu, and each plate highlights a narrative about Midwestern terroir as told through spices, broths and textures drawn from his culinary travels. Praised consistently for inventiveness, hospitality and atmosphere, Harbinger has become a cornerstone of Des Moines’ modern dining identity. Its USA TODAY recognition spotlights its role in pushing Iowa cuisine into progressive, globally competitive territory, balancing creativity with a deep respect for producers and sustainable sourcing.
Location: 2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
The Webster
The Webster earned USA TODAY honors in 2024 for its refined yet warm approach to contemporary American cuisine, shaped by Chef Sam Gelman’s background in the David Chang restaurant group. The restaurant places Midwestern ingredients front and center, transforming them with technique, contrast, and thoughtful layering. Set inside a historic former drugstore, The Webster blends nostalgia with cosmopolitan sensibilities, offering tasting menus and à la carte dishes that feel both elevated and heartfelt. Its beverage program is equally deliberate, featuring small‑producer wines, crafted cocktails, and nonalcoholic options designed to complement Gelman’s seasonally driven menu. USA TODAY recognized The Webster for its narrative-rich cooking, polished service, and ability to anchor Iowa City as a serious food destination.Location: 202 N. Linn St., Iowa City,Contact: 319-800‑0720 or https://www.thewebsteric.com/
USA TODAY’s Bars of the Year in Iowa
The Bartender’s Handshake
Named one of USA TODAY’s Bars of the Year for 2025, The Bartender’s Handshake stands out for its intimate, mid-century inspired atmosphere and refined yet approachable cocktail program. Opened in 2019 in a former stained‑glass shop, the bar blends thrifted retro décor, warm textured walls, dim lighting and a small footprint that creates a cozy, lived-in charm. While its ambiance evokes an earlier era, its cocktails are thoroughly modern: inventive spins on classics, rotating seasonal creations developed by the entire staff, and a strong selection of non-alcoholic options that broaden its appeal. The bar also embraces its roots in industry camaraderie — the “bartender’s handshake” being a nod to insider hospitality culture — while remaining fully welcoming to everyday drinkers. USA TODAY honored it for its craftsmanship, sense of place, and thoughtful execution, noting how it elevates the idea of a neighborhood bar with precision, personality, and heart.
Location: 3615 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Gabe’s
Gabe’s was named to USA TODAY’s 2025 Bars of the Year list for its unique combination of gritty charm, deep musical history, and welcoming atmosphere. As one of Iowa’s oldest licensed live‑music venues, Gabe’s has hosted generations of artists — including early career performances by Nirvana, Modest Mouse and Chance the Rapper. Its ability to blend classic drinks with an ever-changing line-up of rising bands makes it a cultural anchor for the city. Patrons choose between the energy of the upstairs stage, the cozy beer garden, or the laid-back vibe of the downstairs bar. USA TODAY recognized Gabe’s not just for its longevity but for its role as a community hub — one where music, memories and tradition intersect nightly.
Location: 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City
Hello, Marjorie
Hello, Marjorie earned its USA TODAY Bars of the Year honor in 2024 for its nostalgic, mid-century aesthetic and elegant craft‑cocktail sensibility. Set inside the former Des Moines Register & Tribune building, the bar feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved 1950s lounge — complete with retro couches, globe lamps, curated vintage furniture and a glowing pink neon Jack Kerouac quote that anchors the room. Its cocktails are as intentional as its ambiance: the signature Hello, Marjorie blends elderberry, spiced pear, and vodka for a drink that’s both polished and playful. Beyond the main lounge, a hidden speakeasy — Good News, Darling — offers a more intimate off-menu experience, deepening its appeal as a cocktail destination. USA TODAY recognized Hello, Marjorie for its immersive design, creative beverage program and ability to balance nostalgia with modern mixology, making it one of the Midwest’s most distinctive bar experiences.
Location: 717 Locust St., Des Moines
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
