Last Update in January 2024! It’s not surprising that Iowa is the birthplace of the first single loaf bread-slicing machine – the state is predominantly (eighty-five percent!) farm fields. But the Hawkeye State has other delicious foods, and even some dairy-free surprises that we’ve included in this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure. Brick machine
Photo from Dirt Burger in Des Moines
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Photo from The Poké Company in Des Moines
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
Thus far, we’ve been able to add all chains to their respective cities above!
Photo from Dirt Burger in Des Moines
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in Iowa. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
Photo from New Beginnings Gluten Free Bakery in New Hampton
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.
Hi! I live in Grinnell. Sadly, Kamal, the chef at Relish, retired about a year ago, thus closing the restaurant. He still does some charity cooking, and catering, but the restaurant is no longer.
Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream in Wuakee has a rotating menu of vegan flavors (I’ve seen dark chocolate raspberry, orange creamsicle, mint Oreo) they try to have at least 2 each day.
Thank you Ashley, we’ve added it!
I used to go to Ross’ in Bettendorf, because they said their gluten free pancakes were also dairy free because they made them with almond milk. However, after we hadn’t been in a while, I wanted to double check. The waitress was very annoyed, and eventually brought out two boxes of gluten free pancake mix, and one contained dairy in the mix. She said she had no way to know which one they were using because it was already mixed up and the people who made it weren’t there. She also had no idea about looking at ingredients and couldn’t tell what had milk and what didn’t. She was unwilling or unable to ask anyone who would know. We tried one more time and the next person was just as unhelpful. We’ve never gone back.
Thank you for the comment on this Alyson. I’m going to contact them, too, to see if this is an ongoing issue.
I’ve got some dairy-free favorites that I like to rotate for Iowa.
Des Moines: -Big Grove Brewery: We come here all the time, and the food and beer are phenomenal. Here’s a message from the executive chef: “all of our sandwiches have a vegan bun option. The taphouse and farmhouse burger without cheese would be a great option. Also the Cod sandwich, mojo pork, cheesesteak (no cheese), poke bowl, and Korean steak and egg! Just make sure to let your server know about your allergy and we’ll take care of you!”
I get the Korean Steak and Egg and the pretzel (with mustard) all the time. It is stupid good.
-Centro: The Centro Cut NY Strip is a good dairy free option. I usually sub out the potatoes for french fries, and let my server know of my allergy. They are wonderful.
-Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company: 309 Prime Rib with no horseradish, and sub out mashed potatoes with crispy red potatoes.
-Lua Brewing: They have an extensive dairy-free menu and are able to accommodate special requests!
In Ankeny, slim chickens grilled chicken strips, french fries, and several sauces are dairy free and delicious
Thank you Randi! I didn’t know Slim Chickens was now in Iowa. I’m adding it with our big update today.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Ash Brick Machine Price Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.