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 say they rarely or never try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, according to a from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—67% of Gen Zers and 40% 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 social media or online restaurant reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google. The TouchBistro survey found that 52% of Gen Zers have opted to try a new restaurant due to positive feedback on social media, and 67% of millennials have gone to a new dining spot solely because of favorable reviews online.
New restaurants in particular tend to garner a lot of online attention. About 50,000 new restaurants open each year in the U.S., and that number continues to rise. An analysis by Yelp published in June 2024 found that from May 2023 to April 2024. But some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established eateries that customers have been visiting for decades.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Ames, according to reviews from diners as of January 2025. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews and a 3.0 rating were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
#30. The Great Plains Sauce & Dough
- Rating: 4.0/5 (213 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 129 Main St. Ste 101 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches
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#29. Flame & Skewer
- Rating: 4.0/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2801 Grand Ave. Ste 1125 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: American, Greek
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#28. Wheatsfield Cooperative
- Rating: 4.1/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 413 Northwestern Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Grocery, Delis, Coffee & Tea
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#27. El Azteca
- Rating: 4.1/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2727 Stange Road Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
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#26. Dublin Bay Irish Pub & Grill
- Rating: 4.2/5 (224 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 320 South 16th St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: American, Irish Pub, Beer Bar
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#25. Cafe Beaudelaire
- Rating: 4.2/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2504 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Brazilian, Cafes, Bars
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#24. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 517 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Sandwiches, Juice Bars & Smoothies
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#23. Blaze Pizza
- Rating: 4.3/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2320 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Salad, fast food, Pizza
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#22. El Maguey Mexican Grill & Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 217 South Duff Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
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#21. India Palace
- Rating: 4.3/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 Hayward Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Indian
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#20. Aunt Maude's
- Rating: 4.3/5 (166 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 547 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: New American
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#19. Great Harvest Bakery & Cafe
- Rating: 4.3/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 502 Burnett Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Cafes, Bakeries, Sandwiches
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#18. Pizza Pit
- Rating: 4.3/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 207 Welch Ave. Ste 201 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
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#17. Botanero Latino Colombian & International Cuisine
- Rating: 4.3/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 604 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Venezuelan, Mexican, Colombian
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#16. WASABI AMES
- Rating: 4.3/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 926 South 16th St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Sushi Bars
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#15. West Street Deli
- Rating: 4.4/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2810 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
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#14. The Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (550 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2616 Northridge Pkwy Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
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#13. Cornbred
- Rating: 4.4/5 (279 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 526 Main St. Ste 106 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Barbecue, Beer Bar, Cocktail Bars
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#12. Flip'N Jacks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1520 South Dayton Place Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Pancakes
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#11. Provisions Lot F
- Rating: 4.5/5 (304 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2400 North Loop Drive Ames, Iowa
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Bars
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#10. Pho & Tea
- Rating: 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 724 24th St. Ste 102 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Vietnamese, Bubble Tea, Asian Fusion
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#9. La Casa Maya
- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 631 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
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#8. Mr. Burrito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2508 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
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#7. The Mucky Duck Pub
- Rating: 4.6/5 (233 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3100 South Duff Ave. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: British, Pubs, Caterers
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#6. 1+1 Restaurant & Tea
- Rating: 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2814 West St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese, Bubble Tea
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#5. Pammel Grocery and Deli
- Rating: 4.6/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 Colorado Ave. Ste 133 Ames, Iowa
- Categories: International Grocery, Delis
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#4. Downtown Deli
- Rating: 4.7/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 328 Main St. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Delis
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#3. Carlos Quesadillas
- Rating: 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 806 Stange Road Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks, fast food
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#2. The Filling Station
- Rating: 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 2400 South University Blvd. Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, New American, Barbecue
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#1. Rico's Tacos
- Rating: 4.8/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 624 East Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 318 metros.
