Seafood Restaurants in Iowa

When Guy Fieri rolled his red Camaro into the heartland, he discovered something unexpected: Iowa is serving up seriously impressive seafood. Across four featured restaurants spanning from 2014 to 2021, the Hawkeye State has proven that you don’t need an ocean view to deliver waves of flavor. With an average rating of 4.5 stars, these establishments have earned their spot in Flavortown.

Des Moines and its surroundings have emerged as the unlikely seafood capital of the Midwest, with three of the four featured spots calling the metro area home. Leading the pack is Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant in West Des Moines, boasting an impressive 4.8-star rating with its authentic coastal South American dishes. Meanwhile, Flying Mango in Des Moines brings bold flavors with a 4.6-star showing, proving that Caribbean-inspired seafood can thrive far from any coastline.

Three of these four ocean-worthy destinations remain open today, continuing to bring fresh catches and creative preparations to Iowa diners who know that great seafood is about passion, not proximity to the sea.