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There’s nothing quite like visiting an old-fashioned Iowa supper club to enjoy a classic Midwestern meal. While our state is full of amazing restaurants serving homemade food, there’s something special about dining at a restaurant that’s been around longer than we’ve been alive! The Lighthouse Inn in Cedar Rapids is one of Iowa’s most storied restaurants, and a meal here is unlike anywhere else around.

The Lighthouse Inn, in Cedar Rapids, is one of Iowa's oldest restaurants! It was built in 1912 as a place for travelers along the Lincoln Highway to get a meal and rest their bones.
Facebook / Lighthouse Inn
The Inn is located a few miles off the Highway on the outskirts of town. The Lighthouse Inn took advantage of being in the middle of nowhere and became a frequent stop for Chicago mobsters looking to dodge the public eye. Al Capone and John Dillinger both dined here!
Today, the Lighthouse Inn continues to embrace its history and roots, and it still serves up delicious food and tasty cocktails that made it so famous throughout the Midwest.
TripAdvisor / Lighthouse Inn
You will find all of the Midwest's favorite dishes here, from Prime Rib to Grilled Shrimp and everything in between. The Lighthouse Inn even hosts local bands on Saturday nights!
Facebook / Lighthouse Inn

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All of the mouthwatering meals are made with the same old-fashioned recipes the Lighthouse Inn has used for decades, and you'll love every bite.
Google Local / Brooke Heath
They're famous for their crispy fried chicken...
Google Local / Andy Terrell
...and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Google Local / Lee Stickney
The rustic interior is as welcoming as ever, and you'll feel like a part of the family from the minute you walk in the door.
Google Local / Paul Nus

The Lighthouse Inn is located at 6905 Mt Vernon Rd. S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. They’re open for dinner 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They’re closed on Sundays and Mondays.

While the Lighthouse Inn has been around for generations and was Iowa’s very first supper club, it’s not quite the oldest restaurant in the Hawkeye State. That honor belongs to Breitbach’s Country Dining, which Has A Truly Incredible History of its own.

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