Lacayo Restaurant

"Went here for a work event in December and it is now my favorite restaurant in town! The food was unique, flavors were incredible, and the chef was friendly and passionate about what he does. The drink menu was unique and delicious as well. I tell everyone I can about this place and have asked to be taken here for my upcoming birthday. Can't wait! :)"

"Incredible place. We are so lucky to have these flavors available to us here in eastern Iowa. Dishes were so fresh and well and perfectly seasoned, drawing on culinary heritage of the owners. No shortcuts are taken here and you can taste & feel it. The bar has an extensive and thoughtful selection and of course the atmosphere is so relaxing and inviting. I really felt the food here was made with so much love and respect and that every detail had been taken into account from the moment of arrival. We came for brunch and loved the warming, flavorful, substantial soup and the corn pancakes, but everything was divine and I really think you can’t go wrong. Can’t wait to come back for dinner. There’s so much more to say but JUST GO!"

"What a fantastic dining experience Lacayo was! The service, drinks, and food all blew me away. I started with the Elotitos (not pictured) which were a step above any elotes I've tried, and got the bourbon version of the Sage Against the Machine which was incredibly refreshing. For my entrée, I got the Anticuchos de Pollo which was a chicken skewer over fried potatoes, fresh fixings, and a savory sauce that I could not get enough of (I was literally scraping up the sauce with my fork after the food was gone). I could have eaten two of these entrées, but still left extremely satisfied! My friend got the special which was a coffee and cardamom risotto. He is the adventurous type, and man did it pay off. The presentation was gorgeous, and despite not liking sweeter entrées, I tried it and thought it was absolutely delicious. Many appear to come to Lacayo for tacos and chips/salsa, which I'm sure is great, but I highly recommend you splurge a little when visiting and try some of the most elevated dishes I've had in CR!"

"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience . I wanted to explore the cuisine of my ancestral roots, and this establishment opened a window for me. Not only that, the staff was attentive to my needs and eager to talk about the offerings on the menu. The vibe here is low-key cool. I ordered the Spanish Gnocchi, and I would have gotten a picture had it not been so good that I couldn't stop eating. Serious comfort food. I got to sample a few of the seafood appetizers and full disclosure, I am not big on seafood, but that had me wanting to come back and try more. Please note that there were three samples on the plate to start with. Even the decor had me wanting to go home and redecorate until I remembered that I have cats. This is travel without the passport and plane, right down to the bottle of water set down in front of me so that I can refill at my leisure. Lacayo is a culinary escape this area needs more of."

"THE BEST restaurant in Iowa. Service is fast. Bar tender is outstanding. Chef-owner Daniel whipped up 3 off-menu dishes for us on a Wed night when every seat in the house was full. Folks are starting to catch on about this place. Soon it may be hard to get a table any night of the week."