These Restaurants Have the Best Breakfast in Iowa

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, for good reason. Thankfully, it's comforting to know that, in Dubuque alone, we have several delicious breakfast restaurants and diners nearby. However, the website "Only in Your State" went bigger. They looked state-wide for the best breakfast places all over Iowa.

I combed through the list to find which ones were the highest rated, and even added one from Dubuque, which won last year's state-wide competition for "best omelet in Iowa!"

Bluebird Diner in Iowa City:

Bluebird Diner in Iowa City is a heralded local spot that prides themselves on powerful flavors when it comes to their breakfast dishes. One of their signature items is "Ouefs Louis XIV," a dish that sounds as big as a full-on dinner. It's made up of three eggs scrambled with truffles and served with has, grilled tomatoes, and house sourdough. That's a royal breakfast in itself that lives up to its name.

Find out more about Bluebird Diner on their Facebook page.

Hamburg Inn No. 2 in Iowa City:

You know a restaurant is noteworthy when it has its own Wikipedia page. While there were three locations of the Hamburg Inn at one point, Hamburg Inn No. 2 is the only one that remains. With that, the establishment has become a hotspot for political candidates during the Iowa Caucus. The Hamburg Inn even has a coffee-bean caucus contest where each guest is given a coffee bean to place in the jar of their desired candidate.

Barack Obama won the Democratic contest in 2008, and Obama is among the famous political alums who have visited the restaurant. But beyond politics, the restaurant is beloved for its breakfast, including its omelets, French toast, and home-fries. It's commonly considered one of the best "greasy spoon" restaurants in all of Iowa!

Find out more about Hamburg Inn No. 2 on their Facebook page.

Jimmy's Pancake House in Bettendorf:

The name says it all: Jimmy's Pancake House in Bettendorf is renowned for their pancakes, which include varieties like Tiramisu and white chocolate raspberry cakes. Beyond the pancakes, Jimmy's specialty breakfasts are also stellar, including their grand slam of three eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, two pancakes, and hash browns, as is their biscuits and gravy.

Noteworthy too is at a time when seemingly everything is expensive, Jimmy's prices remain extremely reasonable!

Find out more about Jimmy's Pancake House on their Facebook page.

Morg's in Waterloo:

For Waterloo residents, Morg's needs no introduction. A hole-in-the-wall café on the city's Mulberry Street, Morg's predicates themselves on generous portions and an old school atmosphere. There's a jukebox at every booth, and they're famous for their pecan pancakes. Like a true greasy spoon, there is no website, but their is a Facebook page for Morg's (linked below).

Find out more about Morg's on their Facebook page.

Caroline's Diner in Dubuque:

One of the best places to grab breakfast in Iowa is right here in Dubuque! And it's an award winner to boot!

In 2023, the Iowa Egg Council awarded the title of "Best Omelet" to Caroline's Restaurant in Dubuque. Caroline's is located inside the Hotel Julien Dubuque, and their Chorizo Omelet was granted the top honor after being one of the five finalists in the running.

Caroline's Chorizo Omelet boasts an egg-ceptional blend of chorizo, green onions, avocado, salsa, cheddar cheese, and hash browns. As a whole, the Dubuque eatery boasts "inspired dining" that pairs well with a stay at the exquisite nature of the Hotel Julien.

Find out more about Caroline's Restaurant on their Facebook page.

See even more amazing breakfast spots in Iowa on Only in Your State's website.