The Historic Restaurant In Iowa Where You Can Still Experience Old Europe
Raymond Goldfield
Author
Iowa has a surprising number of towns dedicated to the heritage of its many waves of European settlers. You have the German-American wonderland of Amana, the pastoral Dutch haven of Pella, the historic Norwegian town of Decorah, and we can’t forget the bustling Czech Village of Cedar Rapids. However, even many Hawkeye State residents don’t know about its smallest European haven. The “Little Luxembourg” of Iowa, St. Donatus, is a quiet town with only a few hundred residents, but it’s home to a truly unique European restaurant in Iowa. Kalmes Restaurant and Catering has been part of the scene in this tiny town since 1850. It’s undergone a lot of changes since, but a visit to this unique St. Donatus restaurant will still provide you with a hearty meal and a fascinating trip to another time and place.
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Have you visited Kalmes Restaurant and Catering in St. Donatus? Let us know what you thought of this unique European St. Donatus restaurant in the comments section. If you want to visit Kalmes, you can check out the Kalmes Restaurant website and the Facebook page of this European restaurant in Iowa for more details on the menu. While you’re in St. Donatus, why not stay in a historic location? The Gehlen House Inn is the town’s crown jewel. For another visit to an old European haven, check out this massive celebration of Norwegian culture.
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More to Explore
Best Small-Town Restaurants In Iowa
Where Can I Find The Best Small-Town Restaurants In Iowa?
Okay, none of these towns are quite as small as St. Donatus, but they're all worth the drive to find these delicious destinations!
- The Crane and Pelican Cafe, located in the riverfront town of Le Claire, is a memorable meal in a unique location. The building looks like a stately old manor and is popular as an event venue. If you're just dropping in for lunch or dinner, you will not be disappointed. The menu specializes in a combination of classic Iowa comfort food and high-end dinner entrees plated with style. The desserts and the old-fashioned bar only add to this place's appeal.
- Prime Time is the definition of a throwback - this tiny restaurant in the small town of Guthrie Center doesn't have a website and patterns itself as an old-school country diner. To pull off a place like that, you've got to have some great food, and Prime Time doesn't disappoint. Some of our favorites include steak de burgo, barbecued ribs, and the massive pork osso buco - but don't miss out on innovative new flavors like Bang Bang Cauliflower.
- Frannie's Cafe, located in the sparsely populated region along the western border of Iowa between Council Bluffs and Sioux City, can be found in the rustic town of Onawa and it feels like an oasis in the wilderness. This laid-back country cafe serves breakfast and lunch every day, and some of the favorites are delicious homemade soups, Salisbury steak in rustic vegetable gravy, and fresh-baked pie. There's even a small country store attached so you can get some jam as a gift.