I love finding unique places to eat while I travel, whether it’s a mom & pop restaurant or a place with a great view. Recently I was in Dubuque, Iowa and I wanted to share five places I enjoyed eating at and would recommend for visitors to try. Some of these restaurants offered us a free meal which I really appreciate.

Breakfast

 

Sunshine Cafe – We ate at Sunshine Cafe our first morning in town and I thought it was an all around great place to eat. I was in the mood for french toast and bacon so that’s what I had. The food was good, the prices were cheap and the service was fast.

Lunch

Dubuque Marina & Yardarm – I was looking for a restaurant that offered outdoor dining by the water and came across this one. It had just reopened and had all new decor. I loved sitting by the river and the surf vibe the restaurant had. The food and drinks were good as well. I ordered a wrap which came with homemade chips.

Cremer’s – We were told this is a must try when visiting Dubuque. Cremer’s Turkey ‘N Dressing sandwiches are basically Thanksgiving in your mouth, with a mixture of stuffing and turkey on a bun. If you are looking for a quick lunch, this would be it. Located inside a small family owned grocery store (known for their butcher department), this specialty is sold in to-go containers found in refrigerated cases. They give directions for reheating it in the microwave and then it’s ready to eat. I wasn’t sure how I would like these sandwiches because I tend to be really picky about sandwiches but it was delicious and reminiscent of my leftover turkey sandwiches I enjoy around the holidays.

Dinner

Tony Roma’s– Located in our hotel, Tony Roma’s was the easy choice for dinner our first evening in town. They have a large dining room but also a patio so you can eat outside. There was a good variety of items to choose from on the menu and I wasn’t that hungry so I just got sweet potato fries (that had maple syrup on them) and a side Caesar salad. I had never had maple syrup on my sweet potato fries before but it was a unique flavor I enjoyed. The flatbread that one of the bloggers I was dining with looked delicious as well!

River Rock Kitchen & Tap – So. Much. Food. You’ll want to make sure your stomach has plenty of room in it when you eat here! Our table ordered a bunch of things to share because everything on the menu looked so good.

We tried the crab cakes and guacomole for appetizers. The guacamole is made fresh tableside and customized so you can let them know if you like it chunky or creamy.Before our meal came with tried the corn chowder which was delicious. For the meal we ordered steak and a pork chop along with four sides that we shared.

I couldn’t pass up dessert here. They had a selection of desserts that change daily and I chose the caramel apple tart along with Bailey’s Iced Coffee.

Know any other places in Dubuque that I should try? I’d love for you to leave a comment below so I know where to go next time!