Looking for a great date-night spot that serves dinner and drinks? Here's your list. With everything from taproom treats and appetizers to authentic wood-fired pizzas and beer-infused gourmet dishes, you'll find something to dine on at these Iowa wineries and breweries.
1. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co.
Tap into local flavors when you try the signature CABCo wings at Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. in Des Moines. Fried, tossed in Cajun wing sauce and topped with parmesan, the dish pairs well with game day and an Honest Lawyer IPA. The brewpub features a full menu including sandwiches, salads, entrees and dessert.
2. Kalona Brewing Company
Try a wide variety of authentic craft beers alongside a fresh, local, organic menu at Kalona Brewing Company in Kalona. The chefs in their scratch kitchen cut their own fresh fries and make their own sauces, soups, ketchup, mozzarella and pickles. Everything on the robust menu is delicious, but try the Meatloaf – made with grass-fed beef with red wine demi-glace, and served with macaroni and cheese made with their homemade beer cheese sauce.
3. Exile Brewing Company
Located in a former soap and makeup factory in downtown Des Moines, Exile Brewing Company provides a unique but cozy atmosphere for thirsty diners. This beer hall brews all their beers on site and serves them in bottles, kegs and cans. Exile's diners appreciate a full menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks and desserts. Try the fan-favorite Drunken Steak, marinated in one of Exile's beers and topped with mushrooms and onions. Wash it down with their popular gold lagers, called Ruthie.
4. Lion Bridge Brewing Company
Lion Bridge Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids has been making a splash with their award-winning beers and taproom treats. Their Beer-Braised Pork Nachos are made with tender shredded pork braised in Lion Bridge beer, creamy queso and black-eyed pea salsa layered on thick tortilla chips made by their friends at La Reyna in the NewBo City Market.
5. Marto Brewing Company
Stop by Marto Brewing Co., in downtown Sioux City to quench your thirst and enjoy mouth-watering appetizers, entrees and desserts. Their wide range of beer styles feature every flavor from fruit and coffee to vanilla beans and peanut butter. Pair your drink with a delicious food menu that uses local ingredients to craft homemade pretzels, authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas and more, all cooked in their Italian wood fired oven.
6. Tassel Ridge Winery
Indulge in a Wine & Cheese or Wine & Chocolate pairing experience at Tassel Ridge Winery in Leighton. You can sample four Iowa cheeses or chocolates that pair well with Tassel Ridge wines. Check out their event calendar and plan ahead to enjoy one of their special dinners where wines are paired with burgers, pizza, small plates or pastas. Advance reservations required.
7. Cedar Ridge Vineyard, Winery and Distillery
Swisher’s Cedar Ridge Vineyard, Winery and Distillery offers more than wine and spirits. Visitors can enjoy sandwiches, small plates and their signature wood-fired pizzas made with locally-sourced ingredients. Try the Three Little Pigs pizza, made with a barbecue dressing and topped with smoked pulled pork, ham and smoked bacon. On Wednesdays, pizzas are buy one get one half off.
8. Park Farm Winery
Park Farm Winery may be located in rural Bankston, Iowa, but their gourmet artisan pizzas taste straight from Italy – which is also where their wood-fired brick oven is from. Choose from over 20 toppings on your made-to-order pizza.
9. ShinyTop Brewing
There's nothing better than a night filled with beer, pizza, live music and more at ShinyTop Brewing in Fort Dodge. Try one of their signature beers like the Axe and Ladder, which starts with barley and corn and is spiced up with jalapeno, while feasting on a delicious dish from their large food menu. Weekly pizza specials and live music every Thursday keeps customers coming back for more.
