Where should I eat in Grimes, Iowa?

For a local sit-down meal, Destination Grille on E 1st Street is the local standout, with a large gluten-free menu. The SE Main Street district downtown has Uptown Bar & Grill, Sips on Main, and Stevie C's. For pizza, Northern Lights and Godfather's; for coffee, Ziggi's and Caribou; and for dessert, Al's Dairy Freeze, The Outside Scoop, and Heavenly Delights.

Does Grimes have a downtown with restaurants?

Yes. The SE Main Street district is the downtown core, with a cluster of local bars and eateries including Uptown Bar & Grill (201 SE Main), Sips on Main (104 SE Main), and Stevie C's (204 SE Main).

Restaurants in Grimes, Iowa: Where to Eat, from Main Street to the Best Local Grill

Grimes punches above its size on food for a town of its population, with a genuine downtown strip and a handful of local spots worth the drive. Here is where to eat, sorted by what you are in the mood for, with addresses.

The quick pick

For a proper sit-down meal, Destination Grille is the local favorite. For a night out downtown, the SE Main Street bars. For a fast, easy family stop, the E 1st Street corridor. Details below.

The local standout

Destination Grille

Destination Grille (2491 E 1st St) is the locally owned sit-down grill people point newcomers to, with steaks, burgers, and pizza and one of the larger gluten-free menus in the metro. If you eat one meal in Grimes, start here.

Downtown

The Main Street bars and eateries

Uptown Bar & Grill - neighborhood bar and grill, 201 SE Main St.
Sips on Main - 104 SE Main St.
Stevie C's - 204 SE Main St.
Pour Choices Neighborhood Bar - 1895 SE Grimes Blvd #101.

Pizza and casual

Pizza, deli, and quick bites

Northern Lights Pizza - 250 SE Destination Dr.
Godfather's Pizza - 200 SE Gateway Dr.
McAlister's Deli - 2080 E 1st St.
Asian Cuisine - 200 SE Gateway Dr.
Culver's and B-Bops for a fast, family-friendly stop on E 1st St.

Coffee

Where to get coffee in Grimes

Ziggi's Coffee (1201 NE Gateway Dr) and Caribou Coffee (825 NE Gateway Dr) cover the morning run.

Something sweet

Ice cream and dessert

Al's Dairy Freeze - 1220 NE Station Crossing Dr.
The Outside Scoop - 1601 NE 12th St.
Heavenly Delights - 105 E 1st St.

A new place opens in Grimes every month

The Grimes Brief tracks the new spots, the deals, and a weekly local pick, free every Monday.

Grimes's best read.

Signup opens the moment the beehiiv form is connected.

Quick answers

Grimes restaurants FAQ

Where should I eat in Grimes?

Destination Grille is the local sit-down favorite. Downtown, the SE Main Street bars. Pizza from Northern Lights or Godfather's, coffee from Ziggi's or Caribou, and dessert from Al's Dairy Freeze, The Outside Scoop, or Heavenly Delights.

Does Grimes have a downtown?

Yes, the SE Main Street district, with Uptown Bar & Grill, Sips on Main, and Stevie C's.

More from The Grimes Brief Things to do in Grimes · Moving to Grimes · The Grimes Brief home

Sources: the Grimes Chamber restaurant directory and each business's own listing, addresses as published. Restaurants come and go, so confirm hours before you go. Preview build, September 2026.

Where to eat in Grimes, from the best local grill to the Main Street bars and the ice-cream stops.