Restaurants in Ames

“The red curry is excellent! Loved the sushi as well. Very busy place!”

“A really nice place to watch my favorite college basketball team! The staff are really nice and the food is good and not overpriced and there's a lot of hilton magic and good energy. I cant wait for next season! Go cyclones!!!?????”

“Always excellent service, food, and drinks. Great atmosphere. Aunt Maudes is our favorite restaurant in Ames.”

“The red curry is excellent! Loved the sushi as well. Very busy place!”

“Great customer service, amazing cocktails. This is a little hidden gem perfect for a fancy girls night or a romantic date.”

“Great supper, server was super nice.”

“The Sunday afternoon music and outdoor setting is a great way to spend time with friends and family! Beautiful setting and delicious wine! Thank you for a fun afternoon!”

“Our overall visit was ok. Our food came and with all the extra dishes that we had stacked up ready to be picked up sat at the end of the table where the person on the end had to turn their plate end for end just to sit it on the table. The food runner left with an empty tray saying that she would send somebody back to pick up the dishes. The food got cold real fast. They never came back so we stacked the dishes on the neighboring table when those people left. Prolly won't get another 155.00 from me.”

“Stopped by for lunch during road trip (weekday). We both got bento boxes; really liked rolls and fried rice. I liked my husband's teriyaki chicken more than my teriyaki steak. Great service and price.
Would definitely stop by again if happen to be in the area.”

“Relocated from Hawaii so finding Poke bowl here in Iowa and is realky good.”

“Relocated from Hawaii so finding Poke bowl here in Iowa and is realky good.”

“I went to a European brunch at Clouds. It was so fun! There was a ton of good food, the service was great, the atmosphere went with the theme, and the owner of Clouds was there to present the history of the restaurant and made dessert in front of the group. I love the themed meal ideas. They are so fun and creative. I think Clouds is a gem! I will definitely return.”

“Honey garlic wings. Traditional. Period.”

“I am a salsa snob, their salsa is perfect. The taco salad, delicious. 10/10 reccomend.”

“We used to love this restaurant but every time we order there is something missing and they have a different excuse every time.”

“Today was only my second time trying Clayton Farms Salads and this time was even better than the first! Fresh, delicious, and a healthier “fast-food” option.”

“Very surprised by the atmosphere of this location. No one greeted me at all and it was my first time here. I had to greet them and ask them if i just wait here (pick up preorder) and i got a weird look with a yes. Only came for an order because my nieces and sil love this place. didn’t enjoy the vibe of it all.”

“Excellent food and fast service”

“The food is delicious and they have a nice grocery section along with a small bakery. Hands down the best torta I’ve had in a VERY long time. The hot sauces are so flavorful and the grilled onions and pepper is a wonderful addition to any dish. The sopes are HUGE and fully loaded for such a reasonable price. We will definitely be back!”

“This restaurant is my guilty pleasure food to eat. Pancakes are something I would never go to a restaurant for but OHH!!! These pancakes taste like dessert! Everything I’ve tried has been great. Prices are fabulous. Staff are friendly. Service is quick. Haven’t tried the non-breakfast items but why would you when there’s PANCAKES! Only negative is they aren’t open for dinner during the week. Oh and the coffee drinks are great.”

“The fruit parfait crepes are to die for!”

“food is always good and they have the best frozen margaritas”

“1+1 has the best bubble tea and food in town! We love stopping by and the staff is so friendly! 10/10 recommend!!!”

“the food was amazing, very friendly staff”

“Good food and atmosphere even at 3 am”

“Tasty pho and boba tea. The place was busy and Jimmy provided excellent service. Very impressive work. Thank you for making it a great experience! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“food is always good and they have the best frozen margaritas”

“I have never had anything in this genre better in Ames. I am from over an hour away and Le’s is a must for us. I recommend the steamed dumplings, spring rolls, Le’s fried rice, pig ears, and actually everything I have ever had is great! The owners, help, and cooks are really kind and polite.”

“Best pizza in town and that includes their yummy crust. A top three place to dine if visiting Ames.”

“Great food in an unassuming space. Tuna and salmon were really fresh. Lots of choices for toppings. Flavors were some of the best I’ve had anywhere around here. Will definitely be returning.”

“Food was excellent! Waitress needed to be more attentive. We ordered appetizers and she brought 4 plates—there were 5 of us. Asked twice for another plate. Two in our group ordered burgers. Asked for ketchup when food came. She brought it after the burgers were eaten. Guess she wasn’t focused on serving!”

“So appreciative for the fantastic mocktails available. The staff is amazing and the atmosphere is stellar. Love visiting!”

“One of my favorite places! The staff is always so friendly and welcoming. The sandwiches are top notch, and the restaurant is so clean! Can’t say enough great things about this place!”

“Great food and atmosphere!”

“Besides great coffee, there is a plant shop in the back.”

“Alluvial Brewing Company has such a chill, welcoming vibe—perfect for enjoying some top-notch craft beer.
They’ve got an impressive variety, from hoppy IPAs to smoother options, so there’s something for everyone.
Staff is super friendly and knows their stuff, which makes the experience even better.
The outdoor space is great for hanging out with friends or family, especially on a sunny day. Definitely a must-visit spot for beer lovers.”

“Best food in Ames! Has been our goto spot for over 20 years.”

“The only place to get Tennents lager in The Midwest! Cool bar, great atmosphere, and on the day we went it was insanely hot out, and their air conditioning was running like a boss and it felt great inside. Great time!”

“Fine food. Good ambiance.”

“After quite a hectic and frustrating few days, my wife and I needed a mental health day. If had been a few years since we browsed downtown Ames. We stumbled upon Marmalade Moon quite by accident. What a fantastic place! The owners are just wonderful people. The ice cream and sorbet are all made in house. To date they have mixed over 150 flavors. To call this business a gem is an understatement! Our mental health day was a success, with much credit given to Marmalade Moon! Check this place out! You will NOT be disappointed!”

“In my opinion, Great Harvest has the best cinnamon rolls in the world.
Their breakfast sandwiches with the cheese biscuits are delicious too, and the staff is always super friendly. I love coming here for a quick casual breakfast or lunch.”

“great place! Been years since I've been here!”

“Great coffee and environment. Odd entrance in the back.”

“Really delicious geeky cocktails, amazing atmosphere and lots of classic arcade games!”

“Memories of my past college days”

“I got 4 beef tacos (which was plenty), but wished I had gotten 10! 😂 They were fantastic! Hubby got quesadilla. He said it was great! Nice job! We will be back!”

“Always a great atmosphere, the kids love Coco....”

“We drive about an hour away from home (on Sundays, because our church is right between here and our home) to eat here. This is easily the best and most authentic Chinese food I've ever had in Iowa. There's nothing like it in the Des Moines metro area. They also are great about making custom dishes and modifying things to various tastes, as well as recommending good new things to try!

My favorite is the dry-braised beef in spicy sauce hot pot! I can't get enough of it!”

“Great smoothie! Great place to meet with people!”

“Fantastic cook thanking his staff. Exceptional service by all! Ames, Iowa.”

“the best Dutch letters around! cookies...doughnuts...its all tasty!”

“What can I say about Cafe Beaudelaire? I love it! It's been my favorite spot in Ames since 2006. My favorite dishes are the Feijoada, the Original Bauru, and the Yuca Fries. It's a great place to have a Guinness and celebrate life with friends.”

“Ordered in while visiting my daughter in Ames. She was raving about the food. It was fantastic, really nice flavor for an Asian takeout. Would certainly recommend!”

“Best breakfast burrito in Ames 🤩 & always great customer service!”

“great shaved ice. lots of flavors”

“Awesome staff and food! Our daughter spilled her smoothie and they were all so kind and understanding that they helped clean it up and gave her a new kids smoothie. Awesome consumer experience and great staff!! Thank you for making our night! You all rock. 10 out of 10 recommend.”

“Best Mexican in Story County!!”

“Best burrito in Ames! My Arizona burrito was perfect, please never change.”

“I worked here while in high school in the '70s and enjoyed making the ice cream sundaes and running the cash register back when it was on Lincolnway. Hickory Park has maintained its quality of bbq & ice cream over all these years and is a must-eat place for anyone living in or visiting Ames!”

“I'm having some bad health flares today. I brought my service dog in with me, but didn't have her marked because I just didn't have it in me to put her vest back on. Legally, she doesn't have to be marked, but not having her vested often causes problems with untrained businesses. No problem at all here. The man greeted me very cheerfully, and I couldn't help but smile despite feeling like crap. The pizzas are great. Lots of toppings. I also ordered one pizza without cheese, which seems to throw some places off. He just did it without question or trying to up sell me on their vegan cheese. Much appreciated!”

“Torrent is a very nice, clean, and fun neighborhood brewery. They menu is great for being a smaller establishment, beer is delicious, and events are fun and entertaining.”

“Jeff’s Pizza is so yummy! I’m a vegetarian and there are so many vegetarian options. Thank you Jeff’s Pizza for so many choices!”

“We go for birthdays and we always have great service and the food is really good. Love the lasagna and pizzas.”

“This restaurant is AWESOME!!!! We NEED to make sure this restaurant is a success. They are open for lunch & dinner. The menu is unbelievable! We haven't had a bad meal & are enjoying exploring their menu. Remember to save room for desserts. Their chocolate cake is unbelievable! This is an undiscovered dinning experience for Ames & those willing to drive for delicous food”

“Dave Slade Trio were great!”

“AMAZING PLACE TO GO GET PROTIEN AND A REFRESHING TEA!!! Wish I still lived around so I could see LIZ💛‼️”

“I got the Cajun version of a cordon bleu in "large" size. What a sandwich! It was huge and quite good! I gave it a 4 because it was surprisingly bland. Yes, it was Iowa-cajun -- I get it. But, it had the Andouille sausage, the jalapenos, and sauce! Could have been better...but it was good with great service!”

“My fave go to Burger 🍔 place!”

“I normally eat Applebee's when on the road for work as I enjoy not thinking but they had been closed which allowed me the opportunity to find this hidden gem. I left the option up to the chef whom brought me a traditional pork over beans and rice with some sweetness from the plantains. On top of all this I had a very fun time chatting with some regulars over my meal.”

“My niece already said that we HAD to eat here... and indeed... the Chick-Fill-A was delicious... juicy chicken and tasty waffle fries with delicious sauce (what we would call ham sauce in the Netherlands.)
Favorite among fast food chains.”

“Great people great drinks love the crushy seating inside of the location. It's amazing they have games for you to play also I can feel like a little kid again while drinking my ”

“An excellent place for a few high end drinks. Excellent liquor selection with a few beers, so something for everyone. Bartenders are very knowledgeable and are will to be creative should you see a spirit you like on the shelf that isn't on the menu.”

“So many options and so yummy!”

“Mel was so accommodating of my dietary needs and had such a quick turnaround on our gender reveal cupcakes! 💙 Not only we’re they delicious but they also made for a sweet, private reveal for my husband, daughter, and I! Thanks so much Mel!”

“Everything was great, from the service to the food. They were quick when preparing the food and the flavor was amazing. I have been twice recently and all the plates I have tried have been great. From the Pad Thai to the fried rice or the Chicken gyozas. Really nice restaurant.

Vegetarian options: Almost every Plate has the option to be made vegetarian.”

“Food is great, but two orders in a row, we have been shorted on sauce and pitas that we paid extra for. Strongly recommend to avoid using the online order because it will be filled incorrectly and there is a steep surcharges”

“Seriously one of the best hot dogs ever!”

“I drove 220 miles to have potato cakes. The dummies in Minnesota decided to not serve potato cakes any more and replace them with crinkle fries. I've see stupid moves before but this takes the cake. Literally”

“Best of the 3 dining halls on campus and it's not even close. Their butter chicken is easily my favorite thing I've ever eaten, and they also put out some incredible Italian meatballs, tikka masala, Chinese foods, and gyro meat, depending on the day. When they don't have any of that, there's usually some kind of rice or chicken available, and they also have pizza during all hours of operation that is WORLDS better than the crappy ones they make at Seasons/UDM. Finally, a variety of desserts including great ice cream 24/7 that's made by local farms and rotates flavors, from chocolate chip to coffee to sherbets to just plain old french vanilla. They're also happy to accomodate dietary needs or refill condiments, if you ask -- just as the other two dining halls are. Only drawback is that the late-night hours here (M-Th, 7:30-11:00 PM) offer less choices for obvious reasons, so always go earlier to avoid that if you want, or check the menu online first. Big ups to the ISU Dining team... you guys know what you're doing!!!

Wheelchair accessibility: The entrance is a flat path connected to the sidewalk outside, so perfectly accessible for wheelchair users!! The place also has one of those wave-activated doors and welcomes service animals inside, like most other locations on campus.”

“Authentic Mexican food like carnitas y tamales! A little taste of home!”

“So glad to have Piece & Freedom Bakery as a lovely edition to our downtown! The staff are super kind, patient, and welcoming and the treats are an absolute delight! 🇺🇦”

“It is seriously still the best, fresh food in Ames!!! A quick delicious place to go.”

“This location is my favorite ? Disabled parking and seating provided and awesome service for those in need! Unfortunately no automatic doors. ?Absolutely love this store and the people who run it!

Wheelchair accessibility: Disabled parking provided and accessible seating. Non-accessible bathrooms and doors”

“fabulous. food was great and the restaurant was clean. staff was very kind too. highly recommend 👌 👍”

“over 60 years my mom and dad took me to the Tip Top when it was a resturant Great burgers”

“Nice Starbucks right next to campus! Suprised to see one so close to a campus that clean and swinging! Keep up the good work staff! And keep in rocking the great tunes!”

“First of all, let me say that the Mac & Cheese here is literally the best I have ever had without a doubt. I tried it once and it's my new favorite. That and their Buffalo Chicken Mac. Besides that the people here are super friendly and service is very fast. I highly recommend trying this place if you haven't already! You will not be disappointed!”

“Huge potential restaurant for the Ames Iowa scene. Our server was a bit inexperienced with dinner service but everything was delivered perfectly. (Might need more practice opening wine bottles lol).
We had several appetizers and different entrées. Cheese plate and meatballs were tops on appetizers, and meatballs were fantastic. Use those for pastas ❤️. Risotto was top, and any pasta add a protein as they can be on the small portion entrée.
The ambiance is great, with good location and easy parking. The chef can increase the seasoning and salt on pasta water. Pastas are homemade, so expectation is set high.
Overall, it has a huge potential, keep improving and dare to make changes. Great cocktails. Desserts were excellent too. Tops were pannacota and olive oil w mascarpone cake.
We will be back when in Ames!”

“May House is back!! Food was so good especially the Da Lu soup. Get over there and show Mai some love.”

“I ordered catering this weekend for a bridal party as they got ready for their big day. The sandwiches were delicious, but the service was even better! The staff went out of their way to make the process as easy as possible, allowed me to pick up before they opened, and they even provided 2 sets of condiments. The best part…..they did that without me asking. When I ordered the staff explained the boxes and I said two would be great, so I have one for the bride suite and one for the groom suite. They went out of their way to make sure it was perfect and it was!!”

“I am addicted to the bowl with lemon garlic chicken on a bed of lettuce with my selection of fixings. So well-cooked, fresh, and healthy!I recommend trying the tzatziki sauce and fried chickpeas.

Dietary restrictions: All of the options are halal, not sure if that's the right use of that word.”

“The food is enjoyable, offering a wide range of options. I appreciate the cleanliness and peaceful atmosphere. However, today, a few dishes seemed overly salty, but that could be an isolated occurrence.”

“Good food and nice people”

“Never disappointed at Jethro's. We got there for lunch just after 11, when they open, and it took longer than expected for food to come out; however, when it came out it was excellent as always. Nicely glazed burnt ends, fall apart brisket, etc...more food than we could eat, making for awesome leftovers!”

“There are a lot of places to get pizza in Ames, but blaze is by far the best of the best. Their staff is always quick and helpful. The team is down to earth and very accountable, Atmosphere is very laid-back, even when it’s busy it never takes very long! I drive 45 minutes at least a couple times a week just to have the pizza from blaze!

on another note, I’ve gone to other plays franchises in other states and the customer service and food are nowhere near the level the one in Ames!”

“Miel was delicious. most excellent service”

“I'm a foreigner, visited my son who is studying in ISU. Was there from 3Feb 2022 till 18Feb 2022. Went to the place almost every other place. Love the place, its small, cosy and people are friendly. Will make a point to visit it again, when i return. Love the pancake and their cheese omelette.”

“I brought my son in today for his Birthday and they gave us a free meal and he also got a free shake! We could not thank them enough! My son loved his shake and we loved the food! (It was a first visit for both of us)!”

“Got to love Arby’s.. It’s a 50/50 risk your order may be screwed up, but if they have cherry turnovers it makes the order screw up bearable”

“I have to say this place has my favorite Chinese fried rice, "Special house fried Rice" with extra Shrimp ?... the flavor take back home with the memories. I love it and the girl that take the order is so nice and friendly.”

“We had our Christmas party there today and everything was perfect! The staff did an exceptional job of making sure our needs were met. And the breakfast entrees were Delicious!! Thank you to all of you!”

“Good food from a college student perspective and a nice change up from your typical dining hall experience. Only downside is usually long wait times and high prices on certain menu items.”

“Best bartenders in town, awesome service and a fun upbeat environment to spend your nights at!!”

“I went to BNC for first time today and was very impressed with the service. Every employee I encountered was polite and eager to assist.”

“I accidentally ordered a pizza for the wrong day, and they remade it for me at no charge. I was able to pick up my pizza today without payment ng anymore, and it was so so delicious! Thank you Papa John's for your graciousness and amazing service.Also, there's a really good deal right now for a free medium Pizza when you buy one large.”

“The staff was friendly and knew their business. I liked the way they were able to "up the sale". Promote that team.”

“Perfect service...perfect new building...perfect coffee ! Thanks a bunch !!!

Parking: It's okay, a bit cramped.
But, coffee is worth it!!!”

“I love Mr. Burrito! Hands-down the best burrito in Ames. They are the loveliest family and always so kind to all of their customers. Great food and amazing small business owners. A true staple of the Ames community!”

“5 stars for the staff. -1.100 stars for the guests. love the bread. my favorite in the area even over hyvee fresh stuff. slim 5. wont regret. my carrier always cuts it in half with a bike tire. quirky folks in campus town!”

“This place is great! Delicious coffee and pastry, friendly staff and service, and a design that is second to none. I’ll be sure to come back whenever I’m in Ames.”

“My first time eating here and I’ll definitely be back!! The best cashew chicken I’ve had in a really long time- so flavorful!”

“Needs more variety of Jameson.”

“A favorite spot we like to go to on our drive down to NE. Food is always great and coffee is fantastic!! Owner and staff are warm and welcoming. Location is prime with gas station for an all in one road trip stop.”

“We got the steak bento with Cali roll and steak Ramen. So good, perfectly seasoned.”

“Best Sports Bar and Grill in Ames!”

“I purchased your hot pub mustard when I went to the Erie street market. It is excellent! I will be a steady customer”

“Excellent food and great service!”

“Excellent food and great service!”

“Love Love Love this place! The food is awesome and always hot and yummy! Best place for sandwiches that we’ve found!”

“Drove here witha school bus, obviously can't take that thru a drive thru, they allowed me to walk in the drive thru to get my coffee I was really craving. Amazing service, friendly staff, and amazing coffee.”

“Whiskey River: lots of bombs & shots. I wish they had a Vicks Formula 44! Went for appetizers only: GF crinkle-cut sweet potato fries were really good--substantial serving size and hefty planks. (I've never had issue with fryer cross contamination). So many menus--look at these b4 heading in. We scored a high top table by the open air side.”

“Very filling but so good👍🏼”

“Great salad bar-super variety of pizzas-delicious chicken and wonderful vegetables and desserts. Something for everyone!! 😊

Kid-friendliness: Food items kids like-Game room keeps kids occupied”

“Everything I’ve had here has been so good! We all love the fish dinner! We’ve also had the burgers, chicken salad, spinach and artichoke dip appetizer and cheese curds. All ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!”

“Kind of like a slightly better Applebee's but with a focus on mac and cheese and grilled cheese. Right in the heart of campustown by ISU, so it can get busy. I recommend going at an off-peak time.”

“We had to stand for our wait even while there were a lot of empty seats available. There were also a lot of other people standing waiting to be seated and the entrance is very small for that many people. But beyond that, it was a good experience.”