Muscatine is the seat of Muscatine County, Iowa. It is situated along the Mississippi River. After the 2021 population census, Emeryville’s population was counted as 23,474.
The city is best known for being the largest manufacturer of pearl buttons in the world. This resulted in its nickname ” Pearl Button Capital of the World.
Are you planning a trip to Muscatine and want to know best restaurants in Muscatine, IA?
Fortunately, we took the liberty to compile the best Muscatine restaurants. These restaurants are the best in the area, featuring great food, and amazing service.
Here are the top places to eat in Muscatine, IA.
Best Restaurants in Muscatine, IA
1. Salvatore’s by Papa Reno Italian Restaurant
Salvatore’s is the best Italian restaurant in Muscatine. Salvatore’s by Papa Reno Italian restaurant is an old-fashioned eatery serving pizza, hearty classics, and beer and wine.
This family-owned restaurant is one of the oldest Muscatine restaurants. It was established in 1985 when Reno Vitale first arrived in the States from Sicily, bringing traditional family recipes with him.
Now the restaurant caters to the needs of the Muscatine resident, including customers from surrounding areas like Fruitland, Grandview, Illinois City, Wilton, Durant, and so on. You can be assured of enjoying the real Italian dining experience at Salvatore’s.
Some of the menu offerings include ravioli, absolutely, stuffed pizza, manicotti, Italian wedding cake, and Tuscany salad. Other popular menu items include tomato asiago, Sabrina’s ziti, Italian beef roll, bruschetta AI pomodoro, and Reno’s famous ribeye.
Salvatore’s is open in the evening from 3:30 pm until 9:30 to 10 pm daily.
Address: 214 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761-3733. Phone: +1 563-263-0626
2. Boonie’s On the Avenue
Boonie’s On the Avenue is one of the top restaurants in Muscatine, IA. It has won numerous “Best of Muscatine” awards, including Best Sports Bar, Best Burger, Best Business Lunch Spot, and so on. Boonie’s On the Avenue is located along Iowa Avenue, thus the reason for the name.
The restaurant features 27 big flatscreen TVs, a fully-stocked bar, and a spacious dining room. Boonie’s was established in 2013, and over the years, it has been serving the Muscatine community with quality food and drinks.
It serves cheese curds, turkey burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, funnel cake fries, buffalo chicken sandwiches, taco salad, and more. Boonie’s serves Contrary Brewery Wheat Beer, cider, Sam Adam’s Oktoberfest, and custom cocktails in the bar section.
We highly recommended this restaurant’s pork tenderloin sandwich. Macho nachos, alpine burgers, and wings were also favorite picks.
Boonie’s opens by 11 am and closes by 9 pm daily.
Address: 214 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761-3733. Phone: +1 563-263-0626
3. Sal Vitale’s Italian Restaurant And Pizzeria
Have you craved the taste of a delicious pizza with authentic Italian flavors? Sal Vitale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria captures the culinary mood, flavors, and taste of the famous Italian trattoria.
It is one of the best places to eat in Muscatine, IA. It offers Italian entrees, pizza, and wine. Some of the pizza flavors served include pepperoni pizza, stuffed pizza, hoopes hot dog pizza, cheese pizza, taco pizza, and more. Their Bambini mini pizza is a definite tryout for all customers.
Sal Vitale’s also serves some of the tastiest bruschettas we’ve ever tasted in Muscatine. They are palatable, moderately seasoned, and have a well-formed structure and texture. The restaurant’s chicken parmesan is also great.
This Italian restaurant provides dine-in, curbside pickup, and delivery service options to all. They open by 2.30 pm and close by 10 or 11 pm every day.
Address: 1010 Park Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761. Phone: +1 563-264-8259
4. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant is among the best restaurants in Muscatine, IA. Though the name Guadalajara is a famous city in Mexico, this restaurant aims to bring the authenticity of the traditional homemade meals there into American soil.
They serve real Mexican dishes under the direction of co-owners Lupe and Ramiro Vazquez. Since its establishment in 2009, the duo has kept on using traditional family recipes and fresh, locally sourced ingredients to prepare meals.
Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant menu contains foods like chimichangas, salsa, taco, burritos, pozole, authentic tacos al Pastor, combo fajitas, and so on. You can visit Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant official website to view all menu offerings.
Be sure to try their cheesecake as dessert. It is reportedly delicious. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant operates between the hours of 11 am to 9 pm every day.
Address: 208 E 2nd St, Muscatine, IA 52761-4005. Phone: +1 563-264-8192
5. Avenue Subs
Avenue Subs is the best sandwich shop in Muscatine, IA. It is a counter-serve sandwich shop prepping a wide variety of subs and baked potatoes amid street sign décor. Avenue Subs was established in 2010 where it was serving the Muscatine community and surrounding areas.
Some of the menu items include ham turkey & cheddar, spinach wrap, corned beef sausage sandwich, and The Avenue. The Avenue is a signature food that resembles chicken fried steak but is made with added red sauce or something similar.
The Avenue is served open-faced, loaded with pot roast, mashed potatoes, and gravy. It is a yummy food you should order while at Avenue Subs.
Avenue Subs is the best eatery for subs and fresh sides, wraps, and salad.
Address: 113 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761-3795. Phone: +1 563-288-9999
6. Maxwell’s at the Merrill
This restaurant is called three names – Maxwell’s On The River, Maxwell’s at the Merrill Hotel, or Maxwell’s for short context. This upscale restaurant is located inside The Merrill Hotel, Muscatine, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Maxwell’s is one of the best-rated Muscatine restaurants. They serve brisket hash, Caesar salad, sea bass, Caprese salad, and so on. This restaurant offers things like sushi, tacos, burgers, pizza, and more.
Maxwell’s identifies as a woman-owned establishment. It has outdoor seating arrangements for guests who prefer eating on the picturesque side of the restaurant. They accept dinner reservations and conduct curbside pickup and delivery services.
Address: 119 W Mississippi Dr. In The Merrill Hotel & Conference Center, Muscatine, IA 52761. Phone: +1 563-263-2600
7. Port City Underground Pizzeria
Port City Underground is one of the best pizza restaurant in Muscatine, IA. This pizzeria presents savory portions of pizza that is satisfying and filling to every consumer. You can find Port City Underground Pizzeria in Pearl Plaza along 2nd Street in downtown Muscatine.
Non-pizza menu items include cheese pizza, Caesar salad, Caprese salad, garlic cheese bread, calzone cheese, soups, and sandwiches. They offer two types of lasagna – vegetarian lasagna and gluten-free lasagna. The same is true for the chicken fettucini alfredo and the normal fettuccine alfredo.
Port City serves a lot of pizza flavors. Some of them include pepperoni, beef sausage, supreme, and cheese.
Port City offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery service options. It is open only on Thurs-Sat from 4.30 pm to 8 pm.
Address: 208 W 2nd St Ste 10, Muscatine, IA 52761-3791. Phone: +1 563-263-4743
8. Muscatine Family Restaurant
Do you love the idea of eating home-cooked meals in Muscatine? Muscatine Family Restaurant is a restaurant that does just that. Muscatine Family Restaurant was founded in 1903 where it was situated on Park Avenue before its renovation and acquisition by Andy and Rosie Alimoski.
These family owners are also owners of Wilton Café in Wilton. They have been managing Muscatine Family Restaurant for about 15 years now.
Muscatine Family Restaurant is known for its delicious and nutritious homemade meals that satisfy all customers’ bellies. It is one of the best restaurants in Muscatine, IA.
Some of the menu items include bacon, whole-fried catfish, scrambled egg, waffle, corned beef, gluten-free pancakes, gyro, cinnamon French toast, and more. Macaroni, cottage cheese, patty melt burgers, cinnamon rolls, Reuben sandwich, clam chowder, and others are all part of the menu offerings.
MFR provides an excellent dinner buffet. In fact, MFR has somehow considered a buffet restaurant, as weekends are meant for buffets. This family restaurant opens early by 6 am and closes by 8 pm daily.
Address: 1903 Park Ave Ste 25, Muscatine, IA 52761-5400. Phone: +1 563-263-6522.
Are you considering more exploration of Iowa? Here is our list of things to do in Ames, and things to do in Council Bluffs for a fun vacation.
9. A Guy and a Grill Catering Service
A Guy and a Grill is a full-service catering service company that specializes in on-site cookouts within Muscatine, IA.
A Guy and a Grill is the perfect place for savory American eats. As a catering company, they ensure they provide high-quality food made to perfection at all times.
Some of the menu items include chicken wrap, chicken sandwich, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, smoked hind chicken quarters, and others.
This restaurant makes tasty grilled tenderloin and pepper jack mac & cheese. Our recommendation is their naked pulled pork mustard & pickles. It is sumptuous and delightful.
A Guy and a Grill is a good food supplier that is good for kids, solo dining, and group dining.
Address: 1033 Hershey Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761. Phone: +1 563-260-6229
10. Missipi Brewing Company
Missipi Brewing Co is one of the best breweries in Muscatine, IA. They offer burgers, wings and other pub grub served in a modest space with beer on tap and outdoor seating. This is undoubtedly one of Muscatine’s favorite bars and restaurants.
This brewpub is well known for its great food, craft beer, and live entertainment, with outdoor fun activities available for all. Missipi Brewing Co has been serving great eats and drinks to the town since its establishment in 1980.
Their food menu includes items such as tacos, taco salad, pizza, Mac & Cheese Burger, fried pickles, and chicken bacon ranch wrap. Brew burgers and fries are like staples for frequent customers here. Some regular customers prefer a seasonal salad with salty caramel whiskey on the rocks instead of just burgers, wings, and fries.
Address: 107 Iowa Ave, Muscatine, IA 52761-3732
11. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is a fast-food restaurant chain with several branches nationwide. Applebee’s Coldwater has been in operation since its founding in 1980. Applebee’s opens daily by 11 am and closes by 11 pm on weekdays but at midnight on weekends.
This restaurant is a great place to eat an affordable lunch or dinner with family and friends in Pella. The food from the kitchen here lures customers to want to buy more and enjoy themselves in the informal setting that the restaurant provides.
What to expect at this restaurant is a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, steaks, beverages, beers, and cocktails. Chicken wings & fries and a bottle of cool beer is a good lunch bite at Applebee’s. Great food, affordable prices, and a vibrant informal atmosphere are what Americans like about Applebee’s.
Address: 306 Cleveland St, Muscatine, IA 52761-5668. Phone: +1 563-262-0215
12. Mama Mia
Mama Mia is one of the top restaurants in Muscatine, IA. They serve delicious pizza, pasta, and Italian entrees.
This top Muscatine restaurant prides itself on making fresh homemade food with excellent wine pairing. Mama Mia has been serving the community high-quality Italian dishes for about 15 years. Their menu is expansive enough to accommodate Italian and American cuisine.
You can expect to see cannoli, pesto tortellini, amatriciana, cioppino, seafood pasta, steamed clams, and garlic bread on the Mama Mia menu. Their fettuccine alfredo with chicken is sumptuous, especially if paired with a glass of Italian red wine. This Italian restaurant offer pasta, chicken parmigiana, chicken niccola, tortellini michelango, shrimp scampi, and more.
Chicken carbonara, shrimp and scallop alfredo, roasted pepper potato soup, sausage onion parmesan, and others are part of the menu. Fried calamari, tiramisu, and garlic cheese bread are popular picks from Mama Mia’s menu.
Mama Mia offers dine-in, takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery service options. They open by 11 am and close by 10 pm daily.
Address: 101 W Mississippi Dr. Suite 100, Muscatine, IA 52761-3734. Phone: +1 563-299-1865
13. Bobby’s Asian Cuisine
Enjoy classic Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Japanese foods at Bobby’s Asian Cuisine.
Bobby’s Asian Cuisine serves pho, Pad Laotian chicken, sticky rice, Pad Thai, and more. We recommend crispy noodles with beef or chicken taken with a soft drink or cocktail. There are healthy and vegetarian options available to all.
From sushi to hot duck breasts, Bobby’s Asian Cuisine is a great eatery to eat if you live in the neighborhood.
They provide diverse Asian treats, including Chinese rice, Pad Thai, and sushi.
Bobby’s Asian Cuisine prides itself in providing a good mix of American, Pan-Asian, and Chinese dishes in its buffets. The restaurant’s staff are super-friendly and fast with serving each customer. They open by 11 am and close by 9 pm on a daily basis.
Address: 205 W 2nd St, Muscatine, IA 52761-3716. Phone: +1 319-400-5565
14. Muscatine Maid-Rite
Muscatine Maid-Rite is a stalwart diner-like chain that serves signature ground-beef sandwiches and salads, sides, and shakes. They offer dine-in and takeaway service options.
This restaurant serves the original loose meat sandwiches, yummy burgers, hand-dipped shakes, and steaks. Muscatine Maid-Rite is a historic place that is good for tourists, kids, and social groups. This awesome place has super friendly staff and great food services.
Some of the menu items include monster mash, mega bacon cheese rite, Maid-Rite original burger and fries, bacon cheddar made right, and carne asada fries. The restaurant opens by 10.30 am and closes by 8 pm daily.
Address: 2811 N. Hwy. 61, Ste. 1 3605 University Drive, Muscatine, IA 52761+1 563-263-3244
15. Happy Joes Pizza & Ice Cream
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor is a counter-serve chain serving tasty slices of pizza, sundaes, and burgers. They serve pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza, stuffed pizza, Hoopes hot dog pizza, cheese pizza, taco pizza, and more.
The chefs here at Happy Joe’s Pizza serve customers signature pizzas, creative sandwiches, delicious pasta, and sweet ice cream. They provide veggie and gluten-free options for the pizza collection.
Happy Joe’s puts effort into preparing their pizza with fiery coals. How about their ice creams? They are diligently made in an equipped creamery using the freshest dairy products available. Whether it is the classic sundae, a caramel fudge pecan, or yogurt that you want, Happy Joe’s will serve them to you.
Address: 203 Lake Park Boulevard, Muscatine, IA
Map of the Best Restaurants in Muscatine, IA
To get around during your trip to Muscatine, here is a map of the best restaurants in Muscatine with markers of the top places to eat in Muscatine, IA.
Are you considering more exploration of Iowa? Here is our list of things to do in Cedar Rapids, things to do in Sioux City and things to do in Iowa City for a fun vacation.
Plan a Visit to Muscatine
From fast-food restaurants to ethnic restaurants and bar & grill joints, there is a restaurant for every foodie in Muscatine, IA.
The scenery from the windows of some of Muscatine restaurants is breathtaking as they reveal the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Irrespective of your cravings, you will have a wonderful time dining in Muscatine.