17 Best Italian Restaurants near Ankeny

“Had the Tuscan Slice, which was a great combination of flavors and perfect crust! Great selection and quick! Will definitely be back.“

“This food was like having a fantastic home cooked Italian dish made for you. Everything was extremely fresh and full of flavor. If you enjoy pasta you need to stop here!!“

“We love Portofinos!!! The salmon dishes are my favorites!!! Great soups and yummy bread!!! We're close, so we walk there often!!!“

“Fast, polite and kind service with ordering and additional breadsticks. Speaking of the breadsticks, they are delicious as well as their entrees. The sampler platter is perfect to satisfy hunger both initially and portions saved for later.“

“One of my wife's favorite places. She has Alpha-gal, and I am probably spelling that wrong. (It's that tick bite disease that radically messes up your diet.) She once owned a restaurant herself. She is impressed with Olive Gardens' attention to detail with the freshness and temperature (cold) of the salad.“

“Megan Bond is the waitress you want! Great service and great food!“

“What a great atmosphere and the food was amazing. Will be back many more times.“

“We went through the drive up window, and Shelby took such good care of us. Very kind and courteous. The most pleasant drive thru experience I have had in a very long time.“

“My husband and I are from out of town and went to Christopher’s tonight for dinner. What a pleasant surprise! Our food was amazing and the service was great! We will definitely be back when we visit DesMoines again.“

“WE WILL BE HAVING ALL OF OUR HOLIDAY DINNERS AT CHUCK'S. WE USUALLY GO TO JOHNNY'S STEAKHOUSE. NOT ANYMORE AFTER THE GREAT SERVICE $ FOOD WE HAD ON VALENTINES DAY, YESTERDAY !!!“

“It had been quite awhile. Latin King DSM. So happy to say everything was excellent. Our server Jennifer was attentive & knowledgeable, a complete delight. We got there on a Wednesday at 11 am and it was quickly filling up. The food was divine. Side salads, Calamari, Chicken Spiedini, Veggie Platter & Penne Regine. There were 3 of us and we could not finish the amazing Strawberry Shortcake which was a special dessert.“

“Simon's is a charming and welcoming American restaurant that delivers a comfortable dining experience built around quality food, friendly service, and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. From the moment you enter the restaurant, there is a strong sense of warmth and familiarity that makes guests feel immediately comfortable. The restaurant successfully captures the spirit of a classic American dining establishment while still maintaining its own local personality and character.

One of the strongest aspects of Simon’s is the quality and consistency of the food. The menu offers a solid variety of American favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, steaks, comfort-food classics, appetizers, and hearty meal options that appeal to a wide range of customers. Rather than trying to be overly trendy or complicated, the restaurant focuses on preparing familiar dishes well, and that approach works extremely effectively.

The burgers are especially impressive and stand out as one of the highlights of the menu. The meat tastes fresh and flavorful, the portions are generous, and the ingredients are balanced well to create satisfying meals without feeling overly heavy. The buns are fresh, toppings are crisp, and the overall presentation reflects attention to detail from the kitchen staff. The restaurant clearly understands the importance of quality ingredients and proper preparation when it comes to classic American comfort food.

Another standout feature is the restaurant’s sandwiches and entrée selections. Whether ordering grilled items, comfort-food specialties, or lighter menu options, the meals arrive flavorful, fresh, and carefully prepared. Portion sizes are excellent and provide strong value, ensuring guests leave feeling fully satisfied. The sides, including fries, salads, and other traditional accompaniments, also complement the meals well and contribute positively to the overall experience.

The atmosphere at Simon’s is another major reason why the restaurant stands out. The environment feels casual, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming, making it suitable for many different occasions. Whether visiting for a family dinner, casual lunch, gathering with friends, or even a solo meal, the restaurant creates a comfortable setting where customers can enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The interior has a clean and approachable style that feels authentic rather than overly commercialized.

Customer service is also one of the restaurant’s strongest qualities. The staff are friendly, attentive, and professional, helping create a dining experience that feels personal and enjoyable. Employees interact with customers warmly and appear genuinely interested in providing good hospitality rather than simply completing transactions. That positive attitude adds significant value to the overall atmosphere and helps build customer loyalty.

One thing that makes Simon’s especially appealing is its consistency. Many restaurants may impress customers once, but maintaining reliable food quality and service over time is much more difficult. Simon’s appears committed to delivering a dependable experience where customers know they can expect good food, welcoming service, and a comfortable atmosphere every time they visit.

The pricing also feels fair considering the quality of the food and portion sizes being offered. Meals are satisfying, well-prepared, and reasonably priced, which makes the restaurant accessible for regular visits rather than only special occasions. In today’s restaurant market, where prices often increase while quality declines, Simon’s succeeds in maintaining a strong balance between value and quality.“

“We had a wonderful experience at this small Italian pizzeria. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and everything was very clean, including the bathrooms, which I always appreciate. The salad was fresh with crisp, cold lettuce, which was a great start to the meal. We ordered both pizza and pasta, and both were fantastic. The pizza crust was perfectly crisp, just the way it should be. The pasta was outstanding! Honestly the best chicken Alfredo I’ve ever had. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the sauce was rich, cheesy and delicious. You can really tell they take pride in their food and their restaurant. We’ll definitely be back!“

“We recently moved to Ankeny & drive by every day. Parking lot is always full, so we finally made it in. Wow! So good! Sat outside and we had chicken deburgo, chicken Romano and a grinder. All amazing and the young man who was our server was spot on!! Will definitely be back!“

“Excellent! Great Food! Friendly Helpful Staff!“

“The Breadeaux Special pizza was amazing! But even more amazement was to be had...the Salad!!! Holy Deaux I was Not expecting that“

“We wish you a merry Christmas miss you we enjoy being with are children in Arizona but miss all you and your kindness want to say merry Christmas blessings to you and your family“