Iowa is a wide-open state, and that means you'll pass through countless isolated small towns on a drive - many with no more than a few hundred people. Many people will drive right on through, assuming there's nothing to see here - but that would be a big mistake when it comes to one tiny town in the north of Iowa. Fertile, which has only around 350 people at last count, happens to be home to maybe the best countryside restaurant in Iowa. Many small towns only have a simple diner or a chain restaurant, if that, but Fertile is lucky enough to have an eclectic farm-to-table restaurant serving up local produce, wood-fired pizzas, and hearty steak dinners. We were blown away by the variety here, and we think it's definitely worth taking the long drive up to Iowa's rural north to discover the locals' well-kept secret.
Cafe Mir looks every bit like a humble country restaurant from the inside - but inside, it's really something special.
We love the rustic dining room overlooking a local park, but it's the food that really shines.
This rural restaurant is known for serving a farm-to-table menu that also serves some of the best pizzas in Iowa.
But it's not just the pizza that shines - there is a surprisingly broad menu of internationally inspired fare.
Hearty steak dinners are perfect for those who come hungry after a long time on the road.
And you'll definitely want to save room for dessert - pie, shortcake, and cobblers all show up and deliver big flavor.
After a hearty meal here, it's the perfect chance to take a walk by the river before getting back on the road.
Have you visited Cafe Mir in the tiny town of Fertile? What did you think of this countryside restaurant in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can see the current menu on the Cafe Mir website, and the Cafe Mir Facebook page is where the talented team behind the food here will post the latest specials. Fertile isn't a destination for most tourists in the area, but it is very close to Clear Lake, one of the best spots in Iowa for a summer day trip. It might be a long trip to get here, so make sure your car is well-stocked with all the essential road trip supplies.
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