Trying to settle the "where do we eat tonight" debate? Here are Ankeny's highest-rated restaurants by aggregate review score, plus our picks by cuisine — Italian, Mexican, BBQ, seafood, date night, and a beer on a patio. Ratings are point-in-time (mid-2026); a great meal is forever.
The Ankeny Brief sends a free weekly email with new spots, deals, and where to eat tonight. Made for exactly this decision.
Subscribe free →Italian & pizza — Portofino's (the 4.6★ favorite) and Nonna's Pizza & Pasta.
Mexican — Guadalajara leads at 4.5★; Flame Cantina is the newer option for margaritas and a bigger room.
Barbecue — Jethro's BBQ 'n LakeHouse, the go-to when you're feeding a crowd.
Seafood — Waterfront Seafood Market, both a market and a sit-down spot.
Irish pub — Magee's, for a Guinness, a burger, and a late night.
Breakfast & coffee — Main Street Cafe & Bakery tops the whole list; for the drive-thru crowd, see our Ankeny coffee guide.
For something dressier, Filet Steakhouse is the in-town pick for a quiet sit-down (kitchen runs til about 8pm — go early). For a special night out, the metro's chef-driven rooms in Des Moines' East Village and Court Avenue districts are 20 minutes away — see our things-to-do guide for the lay of the land.
Ankeny is growing fast and new restaurants open all the time. We feature them in the weekly Brief — recommend a place and we'll check it out.