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Diner’s Guide to The Best Places to Eat in Davenport, IA

Diner’s Guide to The Best Places to Eat in Davenport, IA

Davenport, IA is well known for its waterfront, industrial heritage, and popular minor league baseball team. While there is a lot of charm to this Midwestern city, many outsiders tend to overlook the fantastic culinary delights Davenport, IA has to offer. From cheap eats to upscale, traditional to modern, and domestic to exotic, Davenport has it all. If you're looking for the best restaurants in Davenport, IA, this article is for you.


Exotic Thai 

If you are craving salty and spicy deliciousness, we recommend Exotic Thai. While there are several Thai restaurants in the area, Exotic Thai continuously ranks as one of the best restaurants in Davenport, IA. The menu is massive and offers authentic Thai curries and noodle dishes, all of which are prepared with fresh ingredients. Many of the dishes are customizable, so you can have them made exactly the way you like them. Best of all, Exotic Thai is very close to Candlelight Park Apartments. It can be reached in just over 5 minutes by car. 

A variety of Asian dishes are displayed on a wooden table.

Machine Shed


If you're new to the Midwest, you'll probably consider Machine Shed to be one of the most unique places to eat in Davenport, IA. This is far from a traditional restaurant, as this eatery masterfully pays homage to the American farm. The restaurant itself is in a barn, located on an operational farm. You can't get more farm-to-table than this. With the freshest ingredients possible, it's no surprise that the food is fantastic. Patrons especially enjoy the pork tenderloins, breakfast skillets, and freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Machine Shed is also quite close to Candlelight Park Apartments, only being a 6-minute drive in good weather.


Smash Pizza



There are a lot of fantastic pizza joints in Davenport, but in our humble opinion, Smash Pizza is the best. The pizzas at Smash could best be described as Detroit-style, and the restaurant boldly proclaims, "Our pizza comes with a handle." If you enjoy a generous amount of cheese and toppings, Smash is for you. What truly sets Smash apart from other pizza joints is its crust. The crust is made from a special nine-year-old sourdough starter, creating a flavorful delight that is crispy on the bottom but chewy on the inside. Beyond pizza, Smash also has an excellent Italian menu full of recognizable entrees. Getting to Smash Pizza is a short drive and will take about 15 minutes from Candlelight Park Apartments.

California Pho


When the weather gets chilly, nothing is quite as warming as Pho. You can find a few Pho offerings across the Davenport area, but we recommend California Pho. This Vietnamese soup is hearty, savory, and satisfying. Beyond the noodle soup, California Pho also has fantastic Banh Mi sandwiches and other Vietnamese specialties. California Pho is easily accessible, being about an 8-minute drive from Candlelight Park Apartments.


Mantra Indian Cuisine & Spirits


Mantra Indian Cuisine and Spirits serves authentic, upscale Indian cuisine. It is one of the best eateries in town and is widely regarded as having some of the best food in Davenport, IA. The menu is full of Indian classics like Butter Chicken, Biryani, and tandoor-baked Naan. Mantra places an emphasis on quality ingredients, and this can be tasted with every bite. Mantra is located near the river and is about an 11-minute drive from Candlelight Park Apartments.


The Family Restaurant


Sometimes, you just want American classics served in a diner. For the best diner food in Davenport, IA, we recommend The Family Restaurant. This eatery is a no-frills, casual, come-as-you-are type of place. The Family restaurant has been in operation for nearly 40 years, serving multiple generations of Davenport locals. This diner is best known for its breakfast offerings, but the lunch and dinner menu is just as good. The Family Restaurant is very close to Candlelight Park Apartments, and can be reached in 4 minutes by car or 28 minutes on foot. 

A plate of breakfast with eggs, bacon, and toast.

Monarch Kitchen & Bar 


No restaurant list would be complete without at least one recommendation for a special occasion. For anniversaries and birthdays, we recommend Monarch Kitchen & Bar. Monarch is helmed by Chef Matt, a certified sommelier with James Beard experience. Chef Matt places unique, elegant spins on American classics. All the ingredients are fresh and local, and the restaurant is best known for its steaks and seafood. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring each visit has exciting new offerings. While the menu is impressive, Monarch also has some of the best drink lists in town. The drink list spans six pages and includes classic cocktails, unique mixes exclusive to Monarch, and dozens of wine offerings. 

Monarch Kitchen & Bar is about an 11-minute drive from Candlelight Park Apartments.


Visit the Best Restaurants in Davenport, IA, and Move Into Candlelight Apartments


After learning about the best places to eat in Davenport, you probably can't wait to move here. Candlelight Park Apartments offers an excellent location to the best restaurants, as well as shopping, entertainment, and schools.