Highest-rated restaurants in Ames by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Ames, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Flame & Skewer
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2801 Grand Ave. Ste 1125 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: American, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
#29. El Azteca
- Rating: 4.0/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2727 Stange Road Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#28. El Maguey Mexican Grill & Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 217 South Duff Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Cafe Beaudelaire
- Rating: 4.0/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2504 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Brazilian, Cafes, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Dublin Bay Irish Pub & Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 320 South 16th St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: American, Irish Pub, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Aunt Maude's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 547 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Great Harvest Bakery & Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 502 Burnett Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Cafes, Bakeries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Botanero Latino Colombian & International Cuisine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 604 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Venezuelan, Mexican, Colombian
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Blaze Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2320 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Salad, fast food, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#21. WASABI AMES
- Rating: 4.5/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 926 South 16th St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Pizza Pit
- Rating: 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 207 Welch Ave. Ste 201 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Daytime Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 127 Dotson Drive Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#18. India Palace
- Rating: 4.5/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 Hayward Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 517 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Sandwiches, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#16. West Street Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2810 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Flip'N Jacks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1520 South Dayton Place Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pancakes
- Read more on Yelp
#14. La Casa Maya
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 631 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Pho & Tea
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 724 24th St. Ste 102 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Bubble Tea, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Cornbred
- Rating: 4.5/5 (229 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 526 Main St. Ste 106 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Barbeque, Beer Bar, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#11. The Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (499 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2616 Northridge Pkwy Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Provisions Lot F
- Rating: 4.5/5 (266 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2400 North Loop Drive Ames, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Mucky Duck Pub
- Rating: 4.5/5 (206 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3100 South Duff Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: British, Pubs, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#8. 1+1 Restaurant & Tea
- Rating: 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2814 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mr. Burrito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2508 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Pammel Grocery and Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Colorado Ave. Ste 133 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: International Grocery, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Lockwood Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
- Address: 4625 Reliable St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Downtown Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 328 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Carlos Quesadillas
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 806 Stange Road Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#2. The Filling Station
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 2400 South University Blvd. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, New American, Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Rico's Tacos
- Rating: 5.0/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 624 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.
