WATERLOO, Iowa — If you have been wondering where the locals actually eat in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Google Reviews has a pretty clear answer.
We went through hundreds of listings across both cities and pulled every restaurant, cafe, bakery, ice cream shop, and eatery sitting at a 4.6-star rating or higher with at least 100 reviews. The result is a list of more than 50 spots — and some of them might surprise you.
The Highest-Rated Spots in the Area
Two restaurants sit at the very top of the list with a 4.9-star rating.
The King Mexican Bar & Grill (2060 Sovia Dr, Waterloo) has earned a 4.9-star rating across 422 reviews — making it the most-reviewed top-rated restaurant in Waterloo.
Tea Cellar (209 State St, Cedar Falls) also holds a 4.9-star rating with 370 reviews, making it one of the most beloved spots in Cedar Falls.
Strong Performers With 4.8-Star Ratings
A number of local favorites are not far behind, all holding a 4.8-star rating:
- Cedar City Creamery — 110 Lincoln St, Cedar Falls (422 reviews)
- Cottonwood Canyon — 419 Washington St, Cedar Falls (420 reviews)
- Barn Happy — 11310 University Ave, Cedar Falls (334 reviews)
- Carpenter’s Diner — 518 Jefferson St, Waterloo (288 reviews)
- Balkan Cafe & Grocery — 1816 Williston Ave, Waterloo (181 reviews)
- Chocolaterie Stam — 122 Main St, Cedar Falls (151 reviews)
- Second State Brewing Co./Concept Kitchen CF — 203 State St, Cedar Falls (137/68 reviews)
- Ari’z Supper Club & Martini Lounge — 205 W 4th St, Waterloo (125 reviews)
The 4.7-Star Crowd — And These Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
This is where some of the most-reviewed spots in the entire area show up.
J’s Homestyle Cooking (1724 W 31st St, Cedar Falls) carries a 4.7-star rating with 1,443 reviews — the highest review count on this entire list.
Morg’s Diner (520 Mulberry St, Waterloo) follows closely with 1,266 reviews at 4.7 stars.
Other 4.7-star favorites include:
- Big Head Burger — 324 W 4th St, Waterloo (777 reviews)
- 4 Queens Dairy Cream — 1310 W 1st St, Cedar Falls (774 reviews)
- Cup of Joe — 102 Main St, Cedar Falls (587 reviews)
- Basal Pizza — 225 W 4th St, Waterloo (407 reviews)
- Hansen’s Dairy — 123 E 18th St, Cedar Falls (357 reviews)
- Sidecar Coffee Shop — 2215 College St, Cedar Falls (272 reviews)
- The Vibe Coffee & Ice Cream — 1828 Waterloo Rd, Cedar Falls (271 reviews)
- D+K Hickory House — 315 Park Rd, Waterloo (266 reviews)
- ICON Donuts & Sweetery — 1730 W Ridgeway Ave, Waterloo (250 reviews)
- Flavor Stop — 2301 Lafayette St, Waterloo (218 reviews)
- Tata Yaya — 111 Main St, Cedar Falls (207 reviews)
- Villa Italian — College Square Mall, Cedar Falls (172 reviews)
- Hungry Charlie’s Lunchbox — 206 E 4th St, Waterloo (123 reviews)
Solid 4.6-Star Spots Worth Knowing
The 4.6-star tier is packed with some of the Cedar Valley’s most popular dining destinations.
Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill (402 Main St, Cedar Falls) leads this group with an impressive 2,092 reviews — the most of any restaurant on this list.
Other well-loved spots include:
- Cedar Falls Brown Bottle — 1111 Center St, Cedar Falls (983 reviews)
- Three Amigos Family Restaurant — 2820 Falls Ave, Waterloo (769 reviews)
- Gravy’s Diner — 4129 University Ave, Cedar Falls (639 reviews)
- Oh My Grill Halal Mediterranean Grill — 2020 College St, Cedar Falls (618 reviews)
- Wild Hare American Bar & Grill — 2512 White Tail Dr, Cedar Falls (600 reviews)
- Pablo’s Mexican Grill — 310 Main St, Cedar Falls (578 reviews)
- Montage — 222 Main St, Cedar Falls (577 reviews)
- Sub City — 3045 Kimball Ave, Waterloo (498 reviews)
- Damon’s Sports Bar & Grill — 2122 Kimball Ave, Waterloo (467 reviews)
- Taqueria Los Reyes — 403 Franklin St, Waterloo (460 reviews)
- Jassie’s Cafe — 1905 Commercial St, Waterloo (457 reviews)
- Rodney’s Kitchen — 624 Sycamore St, Waterloo (440 reviews)
- Cedar Valley Fish Market — 218 Division St, Waterloo (437 reviews)
- Scratch Cupcakery — 6607 University Ave, Cedar Falls (361 reviews)
- Tacoz California — 200 W 1st St, Cedar Falls (325 reviews)
- Izumi Sushi & Hibachi — 941 E San Marnan Dr, Waterloo (310 reviews)
- Cindy Lou’s BBQ and Catering — College Square Mall, Cedar Falls (277 reviews)
- Double Tap — 312 Main St, Cedar Falls (236 reviews)
- Bigfoot Betty’s — 419 Main St, Cedar Falls (215 reviews)
- Flip’s — 921 Broadway St, Waterloo (193 reviews)
- Ajla’s Bakery & Grocery — 1206 W 9th St, Waterloo (190 reviews)
- SingleSpeed Brewing Cedar Falls Taproom — 128 Main St, Cedar Falls (153 reviews)
- Sarah’s Crafted Coffee + Cocktails — 305 Main St, Cedar Falls (127 reviews)
The Cedar Valley Has More Hidden Gems Than You Think
What stands out about this list is how diverse it is.
You have got Bosnian grocery cafes sitting alongside craft breweries. A chocolate shop next to a halal Mediterranean grill. Old-school diners earning thousands of five-star reviews from loyal locals.
This is not a list of chains or tourist traps. These are places that real people in Waterloo and Cedar Falls keep coming back to — and keep telling their friends about.
Have you been to any of these spots? Got a local favorite that should be on this list? Drop it in the comments — we would love to hear where you eat.
