Iowa: This Dairy-Free Guide is the Best Thing since Sliced Bread

Last Update in September 2023! It’s not surprising that Iowa is the birthplace of the first single loaf bread-slicing machine – the state is predominantly (eighty-five percent!) farm fields. But the Hawkeye State has other delicious foods, and even some dairy-free surprises that we’ve included in this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.

We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.

Photo from Dirt Burger in Des Moines

Dairy-Free Iowa: Recommended Restaurants & Shops

We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.

⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)

Altoona

• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – See our Menchie’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.

Amana

• Ox Yoke Inn ⭐️ – They offer a dairy-free menu complete with a local and German mix of appetizers, entrees, sides, and sandwiches. They also offer a gluten-free menu.

Ames

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Burgie’s Coffee – They offer oatmilk and almond milk and have house-made syrup options. Their staff is also helpful on custom ordering dairy-free eats.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Great Harvest Bread Co. – They offer many dairy-free loaves, and some vegan varieties, but make sure to double check the ingredients. We did see a cheese bread that wasn’t labeled as containing milk!
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Insomnia Cookies – This sweet chain offers a few flavors of vegan cookies year round, like Birthday Cake and Double Chocolate Chunk. But they also bake up seasonal vegan flavors throughout the year.
• Marmalade Moon – This is a local gift shop with full coffee bar and house made ice cream. They typically have a creamy dairy-free flavor (at last check, they used an oatmilk base) and a sorbet on hand. Milk alternatives are available for coffee drinks.
• Mel’s Sweet Occasions – This bakery is only open two days a week for order pick up, but they also do wedding cakes. They offer gluten-free, dairy-free macaroons and do take dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan custom orders.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Wheatsfield Co-op – Their on-site bakery bakes vegan artisan breads and some vegan pastries daily. They also offer made-to-order dairy-free sandwiches, smoothie, and lattes in their deli. And of course, this natural grocery store carries many special diet and local brands.

Ankeny

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Fong’s Pizza – They take fusion to another level. This local chain serves Asian food, pizza, Asian-inspired pizzas, tacos, and tiki drinks. They have several naturally dairy-free options, but also offer Daiya dairy-free cheese alternative for their pizzas. According to the owner, they might be adding Violife vegan cheese. She says, “I’m stepping up the quality of our vegan offerings with the next menu revamp.”
• Flavory Bistro – This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is friendly toward dairy-free and gluten-free guests and even offers a couple vegan items on the menu.
• Fresh Fit Meals – They do meals on order and also have a grab and go case of cold meals in their store. The meals can’t be customized, but they are clearly labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, paleo, and other dietary needs. Their menu changes, but they always have quite a few dairy-free meals available.
• Frutta Bowls – This smoothie and smoothie bowl chain offers dairy-free acai, pitaya, greens, and oatmeal bases. Their granola, fruits, and many of their toppings are dairy-free, and they offer dairy-free options for their toasts and protein bites.
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop ⭐️ – This casual Tex-Mex chain provides a dairy-free menu that even tells you how to custom order just about anything on the menu. They offer burritos, tacos, bowls, breakfasts, salads, and even nachos sans cheese.
• Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh – This is a build-your-own pita, rice bowl, wrap, salad, gyro, or plate restaurant. The gyro bread and tzatziki contain dairy, but all other types can be made dairy-free. At last check, all of their proteins, other sauces, toppings (aside from cheese), and baklava were made without milk. They offer allergen information that is very helpful.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Lola’s Fine Kitchen – This is a build-your-own bowl spot with Filipino-Pakistani fusion flavors. They have many dairy-free and gluten-free options, with choices for vegan guests too.
• Mangos Gourmet Paletas – This Mexican-style popsicle shop offers dairy-free and gluten-free options daily.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Pie Five – This build-your-own pizza chain offers dairy-free thin crust and gluten-free pizzas topped with dairy-free cheese alternatives and your selection of toppings. Use caution, as a few surprise items contain milk (like their regular and pan crusts, magic dust, sun-dried tomato puree, chicken sausage, and meatballs), but that still leaves a big selection for your custom pizza or salad.
• Slim Chickens – They make dairy-free custom orders easy, and are trained to be friendly to allergen requests. Their grilled chicken tenders are made without dairy, and can be subbed on meals, wraps, or salads. They also have a good allergen menu, with a nice selection of dairy-free sauces and sides. Just use caution when ordering sandwiches. At last check, their brioche sandwich buns were dairy-free, but they are brushed with butter.
• Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream – They have a vegan vanilla ice cream base with several flavors and mix-ins to choose from.

Arnolds Park

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy. This location is seasonal.

Bettendorf

• Freshii –  As the name implies, this chain focuses on fresh cuisine, mostly in the form of bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies. They offer a detailed allergen menu, and each menu category has at least one or two dairy-free options, ordered as is. But most items can be ordered without dairy easily, since all of their bases, proteins, broths, and toppings (aside from cheese) are made without milk (at the time of our review). Just verify the sauces, as a few contain milk-based ingredients.
• N7 Nitrogen Ice Cream – They offer a vegan coconut milk base and a fair selection of flavors and mix-ins for your custom order, instant dairy-free ice cream.
• Peachwave – If you’re craving something cool and creamy, pop into this froyo chain for some dairy-free Dole Whip or sorbet soft serve! They usually have a few flavors each day.
• Ross’ Restaurant – This is a classic diner that focuses on farm fresh ingredients. They have told us that they are happy to accommodate dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan customers. But, as Alyson noted in the comments, she more recently (4/2023) had a negative staff experience there.
• Whitey’s Ice Cream – This is a regional creamery with multiple locations that usually have their dairy-free chocolate mint flavor available. They also offer dairy-free options for slushes, freezes, fruit “smootheys,” and floats.

Cedar Falls

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Cedar City Creamery – They have a rotating flavor of dairy-free Dole Whip, and you can reportedly order dairy-free slushies.
• Greenhouse Kitchen – Most of the menu at this healthy fast casual restaurant is dairy-free. They have a big selection of dairy-free sauces, and a range of bowls, burritos, wraps, and salads, with build your own options. They offer vegan options in every category, including quesadillas.
• Insomnia Cookies – This sweet chain offers a few flavors of vegan cookies year round, like Birthday Cake and Double Chocolate Chunk. But they also bake up seasonal vegan flavors throughout the year.
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – See our Menchie’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Moo’s Bakery – This is a dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, home-based bakery that offers order and pick up daily. They bake cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes, and other pastries.
• Scratch Cupcakery – They now offer a daily vegan cupcake flavor (it rotates), and they sell dairy-free, gluten-free quick bread slices from Outrageous Baking in Colorado.

Cedar Rapids

• Black Sheep Social Club – Their appetizer menu includes dairy-free crab cakes, vegan fried brussels sprouts, and roasted broccoli guacamole, and their entrees include a couple casual vegan options. Some additional entrees can be custom ordered without dairy.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Feedwell Kitchen & Bakery – They are happy to accommodate dairy-free or vegan customers on their breakfast all day, sandwiches, and salads menus.
• Fong’s Pizza – This local chain merges Americanized Asian food with Italian pizzas to create one of the most unique menu we’ve ever seen. This is their fourth location in Iowa, so they’re obviously popular! They offer vegan cheese, and are planning more vegan options.
• Great Harvest Bread Co. – They offer many dairy-free loaves, and some vegan varieties, but make sure to double check the ingredients. We did see a cheese bread that wasn’t labeled as containing milk!
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill – See our Moe’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• New Pioneer Food Co-op – They carry many dairy-free natural and organic foods, but they also have their own bakery on site. They bake rustic dairy-free breads and vegan muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and dessert bars. They also have house-cured meats and offer grab-and-go meals and snacks.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Pelican’s SnoBalls – This sweet chain makes New Orleans style shaved ice. And according to the company, their flavor syrups are all made without top allergens. Just skip the cream snowcap or ask if they have dairy-free coconut cream available.
• Rawlicious ⭐️ – Everything is dairy-free and plant-based, and most items are vegan (some contain honey) at this raw food cafe. They offer handhelds, salads, smoothies, and snacks, like banana crepes.

Clarinda

• Runza – This is a growing chain that offers a decent allergen chart. At last check, they had burgers, popcorn chicken, wraps, chili, and custom salads for dairy-free guests.

Clive

• 5 Borough Bagels – Not only can you enjoy several flavors of NY-style bagels in the middle of Iowa, you an also schmear them with your choice of two unique vegan cream cheeses: spinach artichoke and cinnamon walnut. They also offer a big range of bagel sandwiches (Udi’s gluten-free bagels are available) and wraps that can be custom ordered without dairy. And they can make you a latte with coconut, almond, or oat milk.
• Bakers Square – This is a homestyle bakery and cafe, with milk and butter galore (sorry, all of their pies contain milk!). But they offer a very detailed allergen menu that lets you custom order omelettes, egg breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches (most of their breads are dairy-free). They also have a few dairy-free entrees, like chicken tenders. They also have a “gluten sensitive” menu for gluten-free guests.
• Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe – They have allergen info available, and offer information on how to make some of the dishes vegan and/or gluten-free. Most of the bowls start out vegetarian, but they have added protein choices. Dairy-free options include some noodle bowls, rice bowls, and salad bowls.

Coralville

• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Eat to Evolve – They offer meal plans and meal delivery, but also have some brick and mortar locations where you can pick up. Everything they make is gluten-free, and they focus on paleo and primal diets. Most of their meals are dairy-free, but not all. You can pick a dairy-free meal plan or order by the entrée.
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop ⭐️ – This casual Tex-Mex chain provides a dairy-free menu that even tells you how to custom order just about anything on the menu. They offer burritos, tacos, bowls, breakfasts, salads, and even nachos sans cheese.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Mellow Mushroom – See our Mellow Mushroom Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• New Pioneer Food Co-op – They carry many dairy-free natural and organic foods, but they also have their own bakery on site. They bake rustic dairy-free breads and vegan muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and dessert bars. They also have house-cured meats and offer grab-and-go meals and snacks.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Scratch Cupcakery – They now offer a daily vegan cupcake flavor (it rotates), and they sell dairy-free, gluten-free quick bread slices from Outrageous Baking in Colorado.
• Vesta ⭐️ – They offer a big dairy-free menu with a range of American and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It includes appetizers, salads, burgers, and a range of entrees.

Council Bluffs

• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Runza – This is a growing chain that offers a decent allergen chart. At last check, they had burgers, popcorn chicken, wraps, chili, and custom salads for dairy-free guests.
• Tastee Treat – They swirl dairy-free Dole Whip and offer floats, freezes, and some topping options.

Davenport

• Bayside Bistro – This spot was recommended for dairy-free smoothies, acai bowls, power bowls, burgers, and sandwiches. They have a few vegan options on their menu, and several others that can be ordered dairy-free.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chic Soiree – They custom bake vegan and gluten-free cupcakes and cakes in flavors like cookies n cream, raspberry lemon, and lavender.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Here’s The Scoop – Their flavors include some dairy-free sorbets and creamy coconut milk ice cream options. Their flavors rotate weekly and seasonally.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Mission BBQ – This restaurant chain offers a great allergen chat and lots of dairy-free options. Most of their BBQ meats and sauces are dairy-free, and they have a good handful of sides and plate specials. At last check, their sandwich bread contained milk, but their buns did not! Ask at your location since bread sourcing can vary.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill – See our Moe’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Whitey’s Ice Cream – This is a regional creamery with multiple locations that usually have their dairy-free chocolate mint flavor available. They also offer dairy-free options for slushes, freezes, fruit “smootheys,” and floats.
• Your Pie – This is a build-your-own pizza chain that offers dairy-free options for crusts (also gluten-free), sauces, and toppings (all but meatballs), and they have vegan cheese. At last check, they had dairy-free sorbets and brownies for dessert, too.

Decorah

• Sugar Bowl – This ice cream shop offers one dairy-free flavor daily, and The Landing location usually has a creamy soy-based variety.

Des Moines

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Big Grove Brewery & Taproom – Brian said this is a personal favorite of his for dairy-free dining. He shared the following message he received from their executive chef. “All of our sandwiches have a vegan bun option. The taphouse and farmhouse burger without cheese would be a great option. Also the Cod sandwich, mojo pork, cheesesteak (no cheese), poke bowl, and Korean steak and egg! Just make sure to let your server know about your allergy and we’ll take care of you!” Brian also said, “I get the Korean Steak and Egg and the pretzel (with mustard) all the time. It is stupid good.”
• Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Blue Sushi & Sake Grill – This sustainable Japanese restaurant makes innovative maki and nigiri. They have a full vegan menu, complete with tempura maki, and of course most of their menu is naturally dairy free.
• Centro – Brian also recommended this Italian eatery. He says their New York strip steak is a great option. “I usually sub out the potatoes for french fries, and let my server know of my allergy. They are wonderful.” They are also able to customize options for appetizers, salad, and pasta.
• Ceviche Bar – Their Cuban menu includes some specialty vegan options and many more dairy-free choices.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Cinnaholic ⭐️ – Thank you to Linnae for letting us know this chain has landed in Iowa! This is an all-vegan bakery that focuses on cinnamon rolls, with choose your own icing and decadent toppings. They have other pastries and soft serve, too.
• Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company – Brian said his favorite dairy-free order is the “309 Prime Rib with no horseradish, and sub out mashed potatoes with crispy red potatoes.” They also have dairy-free options for sandwiches and salads.
• Crème Cupcake + Dessert – They reportedly offer one vegan cupcake flavor daily, but you have many more options if you order ahead. You can order vegan cupcakes by the dozen with your choice of cake, filling, and frosting, with many flavors to choose from. They also have vegan cinnamon rolls on order.
• Des Fresh Foods ⭐️ – This food truck turned restaurant is completely vegan, and serves unique veggie burgers, street tacos, and other Mexican-American fare.
• El Michoacána Taqueria – Thanks to Angela for this recommendation! “This restaurant has a whole menu that is exclusively vegan & for their frozen treats they have Mangoñada. Both help me not miss food in LA as much. Their vegan Pastor is SO good.” And yes, they have dairy-free quesadillas, too! It’s a casual, counter serve spot, but their menu is expansive.
• Fong’s Pizza – This funky fusion restaurant has two Des Moines locations. Both serve a very unique array of pizzas (banh mi, kung pao, street taco, etc) with dairy-free cheese as an option. Wash them down with a Polynesian cocktail – seriously!
• Fresh Cafe & Market ⭐️ – You can find this vegan tent at the Des Moines Farmers Market. They serve juices, smoothies, and veggie burgers.
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop ⭐️ – This casual Tex-Mex chain provides a dairy-free menu that even tells you how to custom order just about anything on the menu. They offer burritos, tacos, bowls, breakfasts, salads, and even nachos sans cheese.
• El Michoacano Ice Cream and Mexican Food – It’s the Mexican food that you want to order at this very casual local restaurant. They offer dairy-free cheese, and most items on their menu can be ordered dairy-free, including tacos, burritos, empanadas, flautas, and sopes.
• Gusto Pizza Co. – They make their own dough and sauce from scratch, and offer a vegan supreme pizza right on the menu. They have Daiya dairy-free cutting board shreds available, offer several unique toppings, and can make almost any pie dairy-free.
• Insomnia Cookies – This sweet chain offers a few flavors of vegan cookies year round, like Birthday Cake and Double Chocolate Chunk. But they also bake up seasonal vegan flavors throughout the year.
• Lua Brewing ⭐️ – Thanks to Brian for recommending this local brewhouse. They offer a separate dairy-free menu, and can make additional items dairy-free on request. Their dairy-free menu includes appetizer, salad, burger, sandwich, and even dessert options.
• Maccabee’s Kosher Deli ⭐️ – In addition to dairy-free groceries, sandwiches (with their own house-baked bread), salads, and other savories (like dairy-free cream cheese with lox), they offer parve desserts, like “cheesecake.”
• Malo – Their Latin menu is labeled with vegan options, which include a vegan crema (made with almond milk and cashews) and a vegan burrito. But several more menu items can be ordered without dairy.
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – See our Menchie’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Molly’s Cupcakes – They offer a few rotating vegan cupcake flavors daily with chocolate, vanilla, or pumpkin cake.
• New World Kitchen ⭐️ – This is a take-out vegan meal service. Customers pre-order and pick-up at their pop-up location each week. Their menu rotates, but they typically have a casual menu of bowls.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• The Poké Company ⭐️ – The food menu at this poke bowl and sushi burrito shop is dairy-free and nut-free. They also offer cauliflower rice for grain-free and paleo guests, label their sauces for vegan and gluten-free guests, and provide other allergen info.
• ProteinHouse – They offer a range of protein-packed breakfasts, salads, bowls, burgers, and wraps with several dairy-free options, and a vegan option in each category. They even have vegan protein pancakes. They offer vegan protein, and can make a select group of smoothies dairy-free, but keep in mind, they use a lot of whey in their blenders (including to make their acai bowls).
• Railroad Bill’s Dining Car – They offer a big vegan menu, complete with French toast, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, slingers, and more. A few additional menu items can be ordered dairy free.
• Ritual Cafe – Their menu is vegetarian, but most of their breakfast menu can be ordered dairy-free (they offer eggs, oatmeal, and breakfast sandwiches). They also offer some vegan sandwiches, and most of their sandwich menu can be custom ordered vegan.
• Sweet Treats without Wheat – This is a licensed, 100% gluten-free, home based bakery that does pop-ups and takes orders for pick up. Many of their treats contain dairy, but almost all can be made dairy-free on order. They also bake paleo donuts.
• Zombie Burger – They offer three vegan patty options, and even special vegan sauces. You can order a vegan burger (bun and all) or custom order a “meaty” dairy-free burger. Just make sure to request a ciabatta bun, which is vegan. Their “zombie” buns contain milk and egg.

Dubuque

• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Frosted N’ Filled Bakery – They typically have at least one vegan flavor daily at this local cupcake shop. But you can also custom order vegan cupcakes by the dozen – they offer a dozen flavor options.
• Gino’s East – They offer dairy-free cheese alternative for their deep dish and thin crust pizzas.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Your Pie – This is a build-your-own pizza chain that offers dairy-free options for crusts (also gluten-free), sauces, and toppings (all but meatballs), and they have vegan cheese. At last check, they had dairy-free sorbets and brownies for dessert, too.

Eldridge

• Whitey’s Ice Cream – This is a regional creamery with multiple locations that usually have their dairy-free chocolate mint flavor available. They also offer dairy-free options for slushes, freezes, fruit “smootheys,” and floats.

Fairfield

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Bountiful Bakery – This is a traditional bakery, but they offer “alternative bakes” that include raw vegan cheesecakes and bagels.
• Everybody’s Whole Foods – This is touted as the largest organic and natural foods store in Iowa. They carry a plethora of dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan brands, and offer full grocery.
• Golden Dome Market & Cafe ⭐️ – Their cafe is vegetarian, and most items are vegan. They label options that contain dairy and/or gluten.

Grimes

• Slim Chickens – They make dairy-free custom orders easy, and are trained to be friendly to allergen requests. Their grilled chicken tenders are made without dairy, and can be subbed on meals, wraps, or salads. They also have a good allergen menu, with a nice selection of dairy-free sauces and sides. Just use caution when ordering sandwiches. At last check, their brioche sandwich buns were dairy-free, but they are brushed with butter.

Grinnell

• Relish – This Mediterranean restaurant has closed, but they still offer catering and are known to be very accommodating to dairy-free needs.

Iowa City

• Aspen Leaf Frozen Yogurt – They swirl dairy-free sorbets in chocolate fudge and several fruity flavors, and also offer Silk almondmilk frozen yogurt in chocolate and vanilla, on rotation. Call ahead for daily dairy-free flavor options.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Heirloom Salad Co. – They offer wonderfully-detailed allergen and ingredient information, and you’ll be happy to discover all of the dairy-free options. Their heirloom breads are dairy-free, more than half of their salad dressings are dairy-free, and they even offer several dairy-free soups. Many of their salads and sandwiches (breakfast and lunch) are dairy-free when ordered without cheese.
• Insomnia Cookies – This sweet chain offers a few flavors of vegan cookies year round, like Birthday Cake and Double Chocolate Chunk. But they also bake up seasonal vegan flavors throughout the year.
• Molly’s Cupcakes – They offer a few rotating vegan cupcake flavors daily with chocolate, vanilla, or pumpkin cake.
• New Pioneer Food Co-op – They carry many dairy-free natural and organic foods, but they also have their own bakery on site. They bake rustic dairy-free breads and vegan muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and dessert bars. They also have house-cured meats and offer grab-and-go meals and snacks.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Trumpet Blossom Cafe ⭐️ – Cadry of Cadry’s Kitchen recommended this cozy vegan restaurant. “Try the buffalo seitan wings and solstice salad with falafel.” In addition to their casual eats, they have a deli and bakery on site.
• Yotopia Frozen Yogurt – They rotate in dairy-free soft serve sorbets, and often have a creamy vegan coconut milk flavor, too.
• Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe – They have allergen info available, and offer information on how to make some of the dishes vegan and/or gluten-free. Most of the bowls start out vegetarian, but they have added protein choices. Dairy-free options include some noodle bowls, rice bowls, and salad bowls.

Johnston

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.

Le Mars

• Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor – Enjoy a dairy-free shake while you learn about local attractions. They offer dairy-free vanilla ice cream blended with almond milk and hot fudge or peanut butter sauce. They also serve sorbet slushies.

Marion

• Your Pie – This is a build-your-own pizza chain that offers dairy-free options for crusts (also gluten-free), sauces, and toppings (all but meatballs), and they have vegan cheese. At last check, they had dairy-free sorbets and brownies for dessert, too.

Mason City

• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe – They have allergen info available, and offer information on how to make some of the dishes vegan and/or gluten-free. Most of the bowls start out vegetarian, but they have added protein choices. Dairy-free options include some noodle bowls, rice bowls, and salad bowls.

New Hampton

• New Beginnings Gluten Free Bakery ⭐️ – This special bake shop is not only gluten-free, but also dairy-free, peanut-free, nut-free, and coconut-free! They can also take custom orders for other dietary needs. They make cupcakes, cakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and more. You might also spot some of their items at grocery stores in Iowa.

North Liberty

• The Java House / Heirloom Salad Co. – They offer wonderfully-detailed allergen and ingredient information, and you’ll be happy to discover all of the dairy-free options. Their heirloom breads are dairy-free, more than half of their salad dressings are dairy-free, and they even offer several dairy-free soups. Many of their salads and sandwiches (breakfast and lunch) are dairy-free when ordered without cheese.

Pella

• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.

Sioux City

• CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Bar – The flavors rotate at this Midwestern chain, but at any given time, you can usually find at least a few dairy-free flavors. They offer creamy vegan Silk almondmilk frozen yogurt in Chocolate and Vanilla. And they swirl numerous dairy-free sorbets, including Chocolate Fudge and a variety of fruity flavors. The staff has ingredient information, and can open new topping bags if cross-contamination is a concern.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Eat Fit Go – Thanks to Liesel H. for sharing this find. “They clearly identify which meals are dairy free. While the quality isn’t awesome and it’s expensive for what it is, I appreciate not having to think about it or ask.” The meals are premade, so you can’t custom order, but they always have dairy-free options available, as well as paleo, gluten-free, and plant-based choices.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Peachwave – If you’re craving something cool and creamy, pop into this froyo chain for some dairy-free Dole Whip or sorbet soft serve! They usually have a few flavors each day.
• Shahi India Grill – They are friendly toward dairy-free and gluten-free guests, and offer several dairy-free options on their lunch specials and dinner menu.

Sioux Falls

• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.

Tiffin

• Andy’s Pastry Shop ⭐️ – This is a home-based bakery that specializes in dairy-free and gluten-free cheesecake, muffins, cake, cupcakes and cookies. Many of their items are also vegan, and they can do nut-free. They take orders for pick up, and also do wedding cakes.

Urbandale

• Fresh Fit Meals – They do meals on order and also have a grab and go case of cold meals in their store. The meals can’t be customized, but they are clearly labeled for dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, paleo, and other dietary needs. Their menu changes, but they always have quite a few dairy-free meals available.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – See our Orange Leaf Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.

Waterloo

• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Greenhouse Kitchen – Most of the menu at this healthy fast casual restaurant is dairy-free. They have a big selection of dairy-free sauces, and a range of bowls, burritos, wraps, and salads, with build your own options. They offer vegan options in every category, including quesadillas.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Scratch Cupcakery – They now offer a daily vegan cupcake flavor (it rotates), and they sell dairy-free, gluten-free quick bread slices from Outrageous Baking in Colorado.
• Your Pie – This is a build-your-own pizza chain that offers dairy-free options for crusts (also gluten-free), sauces, and toppings (all but meatballs), and they have vegan cheese. At last check, they had dairy-free sorbets and brownies for dessert, too.

Waukee

• Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream – Thank you to Ashley for letting us know this shop typically has at least two vegan flavors daily. Their flavor options rotate, but they’ve had flavors like sugar cookie, dark chocolate raspberry, orange creamsicle, pumpkin Oreo, black raspberry, and mint Oreo on the menu.

West Des Moines

• BeerStyles Taproom & Gastropub – Their menu is dotted with vegan options, like portobello fries, Bavarian pretzels, and vegan pizzas. A few additional menu items, plus their pizzas, can be ordered dairy free. They have vegan mozzarella available.
• Big Acai Bowl – They make acai, pitaya, coconut, matcha, blue majik, and oatmeal bowls, and also blend dairy-free smoothies. On the food menu, they offer toasts with avocado spread or cashew cream, serve a vegan burrito, and you can order salad or other healthy dishes without dairy.
• Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chick-fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Eggs and Jam – This hip hop spot serves creative breakfast eats in an offbeat casual way. They have a mini vegan menu that offers a nice selection of pancakes and savory dishes. They are reportedly good with special requests, and can make several other menu items dairy free if you don’t need strictly vegan.
• Gusto Pizza Co. – They make their own dough and sauce from scratch, and offer a vegan supreme pizza right on the menu. They have Daiya dairy-free cutting board shreds available, offer several unique toppings, and can make almost any pie dairy-free.
• HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our HuHot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt – See our Menchie’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
• Scratch Cupcakery – They now offer a daily vegan cupcake flavor (it rotates), and they sell dairy-free, gluten-free quick bread slices from Outrageous Baking in Colorado.
• Totally Rolled Ice Cream – They offer a dairy-free cashew milk ice cream base and vegan Reddi-wip as rolled ice cream and sundae options.
• Zombie Burger – Their downtown Des Moines location is more prolific with vegan patties, but you can still custom order dairy-free and vegan burgers at this location. Just make sure to request a ciabatta bun, which is vegan. Their “zombie” buns contain milk and egg.

Photo from The Poké Company in Des Moines

Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout Iowa

Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.

Thus far, we’ve been able to add all chains to their respective cities above!

Photo from Dirt Burger in Des Moines

Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in Iowa

These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in Iowa. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!

• Cado Ice Cream – You can probably find this dairy-free avocado ice cream in many Iowa grocery stores since they are headquartered in Fairfield.
• Heartland Burrito – They make vegetarian frozen burritos, which you can find at local natural food stores. They offer a handful of vegan varieties, like Indian Potato Masala and Thai Peanut Tofu.
• Heavenly Organics – Their dairy-free honey patties are a naturally delicious treat, IMO.
• Hue Hill – If you like to get your probiotics from naturally fermented foods, then look for their krauts, which come in traditional and modern varieties.
• Simply Organic – This is a fantastic spice company that also offers some dairy-free flavor mixes.

Photo from New Beginnings Gluten Free Bakery in New Hampton

This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations

We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.

Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!

This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only

Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.

There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.

For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!