Iowa State University Guide (2026): Where to Eat, Drink & Stay in Ames
Find the best restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes, and campus landmarks near Iowa State University, with a saveable map for students, parents, and visitors.
Whether you’re an Iowa State (ISU) student still figuring out
where to eat off campus, an incoming freshman getting to know Ames, a parent in
town for the weekend, an alum back for a Cyclone Saturday at Jack Trice
Stadium, or a prospective student walking campus for the first time, this guide
pulls together the restaurants, bars, hotels, and campus landmarks worth
knowing near Iowa State University.
Ames is a real college town, and most of what you’ll want
sits in two pockets. Campustown runs right up against the south edge of campus
along Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way, and it’s where students eat cheap, grab a
slice after the bars, and start most nights out. Downtown Ames, centered on
Main Street a few minutes north, is the older, calmer side of town with the
sit-down dinners, the brewery, and a couple of grown-up bars. A short drive
south and east toward Duff Avenue adds the family favorites and most of the
hotels. Everything below is organized so you can find what you need fast.
Best Restaurants Near Iowa State
Iowa State eating splits between Campustown, where the
quick, cheap, student-heavy spots line Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way, and
Downtown Ames, where the sit-down dinners live on Main Street. A few of the
best-known names sit farther out toward Duff Avenue and north Ames, and they’re
worth the short drive. Everything below is on the map, sorted so students can
find the casual staples and parents can find a proper dinner.
Featured restaurants to check out
Hickory Park
1404 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA
The Ames institution, a sprawling, wildly popular barbecue hall that families have been packing into for decades, capped off by a long list of old-fashioned ice cream sundaes. Expect a wait on weekends and game days, and know that for a lot of alumni no trip back to Ames is complete without it.
The Cafe
2616 Northridge Pkwy, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A warm, polished spot on the north side of Ames that locals lean on for brunch, pastries, and good coffee. It’s one of the better calls when parents want a relaxed daytime meal that isn’t a Campustown scene.
Provisions Lot F
2400 N Loop Dr, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A modern, versatile restaurant near the ISU Research Park that handles brunch, dinner, and drinks equally well. This is the one to book when parents want something a little more elevated without going formal.
Aunt Maude's
547 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A longtime Downtown Ames fine-dining favorite, cozy and a little old-school, and the default for a grown-up dinner near campus. Good for a parents weekend, a graduation celebration, or an alumni night that calls for cloth napkins.
The Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co.
129 Main St #101, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A downtown pizza mainstay that’s been feeding Ames for generations, all thick crusts and a lived-in, local feel. An easy, unpretentious dinner for students and alumni who want the classic Ames slice.
Dublin Bay Irish Pub & Grill
320 S 16th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A comfortable Irish pub south of campus with fish and chips, burgers, and a deep beer list. It works just as well for a casual family dinner as it does for a pint while a game is on.
Cornbred Barbecue
526 Main St #106, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A newer, industrial-feeling barbecue and hangout spot in Downtown Ames, built for smoked meats, sides, and groups. A strong game-weekend pick when you’ve got a crew and everyone wants brisket and a beer.
Cafe Beaudelaire
2504 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A lively Campustown fixture with a Brazilian streak, best known for the “Beau” burger that once took the state’s Best Burger title. Loud, casual, and full of student energy, it’s a fun stop for a burger and a drink close to campus.
West Street Deli
2810 West St, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A no-frills, student-loved sandwich shop on the edge of Campustown, exactly the kind of place you hit for a quick, cheap lunch. Nothing fancy, just reliable sandwiches and a local following.
Macubana
116 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A colorful Campustown spot serving Cuban sandwiches and bowls with a sports-bar side, a nice change of pace when the usual pizza-and-burgers rotation gets old. Fast, flavorful, and easy for students.
Tosca
303 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A polished, intimate Campustown restaurant for small plates and cocktails, aimed at a more adult evening than the bars a few doors down. A good middle ground for a date or a lower-key parents dinner near campus.
Jeff's Pizza Shop
2402 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A Campustown student staple known for creative pies, slices, and some of the best late-night food around. This is where you end up after the bars, but it’s a solid quick meal any time of day.
Wallaby's Bar and Grille
2733 Stange Rd, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A longtime Cyclone sports bar and grill on the north side, serving burgers, wings, and American comfort food, with a rooftop that fills up in warm weather. An easy landing spot for a game-day meal and drinks with a group.
Mr Burrito
2508 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A fast, affordable Campustown option for build-your-own burritos, tacos, and bowls. The move when students want something filling and cheap without much of a wait.
Ichiban Japanese Restaurant
117 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A cozy Welch Avenue spot for ramen, rice dishes, and other warming Japanese comfort food. A reliable, student-friendly dinner, especially on a cold Ames night.
Best Bars Near Iowa State
Nightlife in Ames comes down to two zones. Campustown,
right off the south end of campus along Welch Avenue, is the loud,
student-heavy heart of it, where game days and weekends get busy fast. Downtown
Ames on Main Street runs calmer, with a brewery and a couple of bars better
suited to a lower-key drink. Here’s where students, alumni, and visiting
parents each tend to land.
Featured bars to check out
Welch Ave. Station
207 Welch Ave Ste 101, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A Campustown staple that draws students, returning alumni, and a big game-day crowd. One of the first names people mention when you ask where Iowa State goes out.
Cy's Roost
121 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A classic college bar in the middle of Campustown, lively and packed on weekends and late nights. A core stop on any Welch Avenue bar crawl.
Mickey's Irish Pub
109 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A student-heavy Irish pub on Welch, good for beers, bar games, and watching a Cyclone game with a crowd. Casual and dependable, exactly what a college pub should be.
London Underground
212 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A cozy, British-styled basement bar in Downtown Ames for cocktails, beer, and darts. The calmer, more grown-up alternative when you’re not up for the Campustown crush.
Torrent Brewing Company
504 Burnett Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A Downtown Ames brewery with a rotating board of house beers and a relaxed room. The pick for craft beer and an easy afternoon away from the student bars.
Sweet Caroline's
316 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A Downtown Ames bar with food and cocktails and a social, energetic crowd. A good spot to gather a group before or after dinner on Main Street.
AJ's Ultra Lounge — Ames
2401 Chamberlain St, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A three-level Campustown nightlife destination built around a DJ-driven dance floor and multiple bars. The move for a late, high-energy night with a big group.
Paddy's Irish Pub
124 Welch Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A longtime Welch Avenue pub with a casual main floor and a livelier scene upstairs, popular with upperclassmen. Reliable for group drinks and Campustown bar-hopping.
Outlaws
2522 Chamberlain St, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A spacious country bar near campus known for live music, line dancing, and rowdy weekend crowds. Worth knowing it tends to close over the summer break and picks back up when students return in August.
Mother's Pub and Coffee
2900 West St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A quirky neighborhood pub near campus with live music, trivia, and a loyal mix of students and Ames locals. Low-key and a little eclectic, it’s the spot for a mellow night rather than a loud one.
The Blue Owl Bar
223 Welch Ave #3, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A relaxed Campustown bar with friendly service, drink specials, and more of a neighborhood feel than its Welch Avenue neighbors. Good for trivia and small groups who want to hear each other talk.
Thumbs
2816 West St, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A tiny, wood-paneled dive with an old-school feel and a devoted local following. The choice for cheap beers, character, and a night that isn’t about the scene.
Best Hotels Near Iowa State
Where you stay in Ames mostly comes down to how close you
want to be to campus. The spots near the university and the Iowa State Center
put you minutes from Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, while the cluster
of chain hotels south and west of town trades a short drive for easy highway
access and predictable amenities. Book early for football Saturdays, move-in,
and graduation, when the closest rooms go first.
Featured hotels to check out
Gateway Hotel & Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Dr, Ames, IA 50014, USA
The most convenient full-service hotel for campus, close to the university and the Iowa State Center and a natural base for game days and events. The default for parents and visitors who want to be near the action without hunting for parking.
Iowa House
405 Hayward Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A charming historic inn right by campus in Campustown, a more personal alternative to the standard chains. A nice fit for parents, alumni, or anyone who wants character and a short walk to Welch Avenue.
Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites
2500 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A reliable, value-oriented hotel near the Iowa State Center and Reiman Gardens, close to the stadium side of campus. A practical call for families who want easy campus access without paying a premium.
Hampton Inn & Suites Ames
2100 SE 16th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A clean, dependable chain option in south Ames with free breakfast and a simple, comfortable stay. A safe pick for families and parents who care most about an easy night and a short drive to campus.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames
1810 SE 16th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A newer suite-style Marriott in south Ames with roomier accommodations, handy for move-in, graduation, or any longer stay. Good when a family wants a little more space to spread out.
Courtyard by Marriott Ames
311 S 17th St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
A modern, straightforward Marriott on the south side of Ames that works for parents and business travelers alike. Familiar and low-fuss, with quick access to Duff Avenue restaurants and the highway.
Hilton Garden Inn Ames
1325 Dickinson Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
A polished, comfortable Hilton in west Ames, a short drive from campus and a bit removed from the game-day noise. A solid choice for parents, alumni, and anyone who wants a quieter, more upscale base.
Iowa State Campus Landmarks
You don’t need a full tour to hit the highlights. These
five spots cover Iowa State’s traditions, its game-day energy, and the gardens
that make the campus worth a wander, and they’re all on the map.
Featured campus landmarks
Stanton Memorial Carillon
2235 Union Dr, Ames, IA 50013, USA
The bell tower at the heart of central campus and Iowa State’s most recognizable symbol. It’s home to the beloved “campaniling” tradition, where a midnight kiss beneath the tower is said to make you a true Iowa Stater.
Memorial Union
2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014, USA
The university’s central gathering hub, with dining, event space, and the solemn Gold Star Hall honoring Iowa State students lost in war. An easy first stop that sits right where campus meets Campustown.
Jack Trice Stadium
1732 Jack Trice Wy, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Home of Cyclone football and the center of Iowa State’s fall Saturdays, seating about 61,500. It’s named for Jack Trice, the university’s first African American varsity athlete, who died in 1923 from injuries suffered in a game, and it remains the only FBS stadium named after a Black man, which makes it an essential stop on a Big 12 game day.
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Iowa State’s storied indoor arena and the home of “Hilton Magic,” where a crowd of roughly 14,300 turns basketball nights into some of the loudest in the country. Worth seeing on a game night if your visit lines up with the schedule.
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011, USA
A beautiful botanical garden next to Jack Trice Stadium, with themed landscapes, seasonal displays, and the year-round Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. An easy, low-key stop for families and anyone who wants a break from the game-day crowds.
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