November in Iowa can make even a short walk through a parking lot feel surprisingly unpleasant.
On days like that, a steaming bowl of pho sounds especially good.
I’ve always liked how much you can personalize this Vietnamese noodle soup. Add some fresh basil, squeeze in a little lime, or enjoy the broth exactly as the kitchen prepared it.
And you don’t have to stick to Iowa’s biggest cities to find a good bowl. Some interesting pho restaurants are located in smaller communities that might not immediately come to mind when you’re planning lunch.
Of course, the broth is what really gets my attention. A rich, fragrant soup can make an ordinary November afternoon considerably more enjoyable, especially when the noodles and toppings are just right.
These 13 Iowa restaurants offer plenty of reasons to explore. One serves pho inside a grocery market, while another brings it to the table in a sizzling stone bowl.
And if you think you’ve already tried every interesting version of pho, a few places on this list might have something to say about that.
1. Pho 515, Des Moines
Groceries and noodle soup make a surprisingly great team. Pho 515 sits right inside C Fresh Market, so you can fill your cart and your stomach on the same trip.
I stopped by on a gray afternoon with a shopping list in my pocket and zero plans to linger. One whiff of star anise drifting past the produce aisle changed everything.
The menu sticks to the classics, and it does them well. You can pick beef brisket, meatball, chicken, or a combination bowl that piles a little bit of everything into the broth.
I went with brisket and meatballs, and the slices were tender enough to fall apart with a gentle poke of my chopsticks. The broth tasted clean and deep, with just a hint of sweetness.
Watching shoppers wander by with bags of rice and fresh herbs adds a fun, lively feeling to the meal. It feels less like a fancy restaurant and more like a neighborhood hangout.
My tip is to grab a bag of Thai basil from the market on your way out. Your homemade soup will thank you later.
Address: 801 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
2. Pho All Seasons, Des Moines
A name like Pho All Seasons makes a bold promise. After one November visit, I can confirm that it absolutely delivers in the chilliest season of them all.
The signature combination beef pho is the star here. It arrives loaded with different cuts of beef, a tangle of rice noodles, and a broth that smells like cinnamon and roasted onion.
Portions are generous, so come hungry or plan on taking leftovers home. I tried to finish my large bowl in one sitting and lost that battle with dignity.
Chicken pho is another solid pick if beef is not your thing. The broth is lighter but still packed with flavor, and it pairs nicely with a big squeeze of lime.
I love how easy it is to customize your soup here. Add sprouts, basil, jalapenos, hoisin, or sriracha until it tastes exactly the way you like it.
Bring a friend and split an order of spring rolls before the soup lands. Sharing is caring, but maybe guard your own noodles closely.
Address: 1311 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
3. Pho 85, Ankeny
Choices, choices, choices. Pho 85 in Ankeny has one of the biggest pho menus I found on this whole trip.
You can build a bowl around rare steak, brisket, meatballs, chicken, seafood, or vegetables. Picking just one felt like choosing a favorite song, so I asked the server for help.
She pointed me toward rare steak, and I am glad I listened. The thin pink slices cook right in the hot broth while you watch, which is a little bit of tableside magic.
Bowls come in multiple sizes, which is great news for both light eaters and serious slurpers. A small works for a quick lunch, while the large could fuel a full afternoon of raking leaves.
Every bowl comes with the traditional garnish plate. Fresh bean sprouts, basil, lime wedges, and sliced peppers let you tweak each spoonful as you go.
The menu also includes a tofu-and-vegetable pho for anyone who prefers a bowl without meat toppings. If you avoid animal products entirely, ask the staff about the broth before ordering.
Ankeny families, consider this your new rainy day lunch plan.
Address: 1701 SE Delaware Ave, Ankeny, IA 50021
4. Pho Viet Restaurant, West Des Moines
Bubbling soup at the table is my kind of entertainment. Pho Viet Restaurant serves a specialty hot stone bowl that keeps sizzling long after it arrives.
The stone bowl comes loaded with beef and meatballs. Because the bowl stays so hot, the broth stays steamy down to the very last sip, which is perfect when the wind is howling outside.
I made the rookie mistake of touching the edge of the bowl. Please learn from me and keep your fingers on your spoon.
If you prefer a classic bowl, the menu offers several other pho varieties. Each one comes with that fragrant broth and slippery rice noodles that make pho so comforting.
The noodle soups here are generous, and I noticed many tables leaving with to-go boxes. That tells you something about the portions.
West Des Moines can get busy around lunchtime, so try going a little early or a little late. You will spend less time waiting and more time sipping.
Leave room for a cup of something warm afterward, and let that sizzle echo in your memory.
Address: 5002 EP True Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265
5. Pho & Tea, Ames
College students know a good deal when they slurp one. Pho & Tea in Ames has earned a loyal crowd by pairing hearty soups with fun drinks.
The beef pho is rich and savory, while the chicken pho feels soft and soothing. Both come with plenty of noodles to refuel after a long day of classes or work.
Then there is the tea side of the menu. Bubble tea with chewy tapioca pearls turns a simple lunch into a treat, and the flavors change up enough to keep things interesting.
I paired my bowl with a banh mi sandwich because I could not resist. The crunchy bread, pickled veggies, and savory filling made the perfect sidekick to my soup.
The dining room feels welcoming and relaxed. I spotted students with laptops, friends catching up, and one dad patiently teaching his kid how to use chopsticks.
Iowa afternoons in November can turn frosty fast. A warm bowl here feels like a reset button for the rest of your day.
Just remember to save a straw for those pearls.
Address: 725 24th St #102, Ames, IA 50010
6. Phong Lan Restaurant, Cedar Rapids
Some restaurants chase trends, and others simply keep doing what works. Phong Lan has been a Cedar Rapids favorite for a long time, and its steady reputation says plenty.
The pho here sticks to tradition. Beef and meatball varieties are the go-to orders, and the broth tastes like someone has been making it the same careful way for years.
I ordered the meatball pho and was not disappointed. The meatballs had a pleasant bounce, and the broth carried a gentle spice that warmed me from the first spoonful.
The dining room is straightforward and no-frills. Nobody here is trying to impress you with fancy decor, because the food does all the talking.
Regulars seem to know exactly what they want before they sit down. That kind of loyalty usually means a kitchen is doing something right.
It sits just east of downtown, making it an easy stop after errands or a stroll near the river. Parking was simple when I visited on a weekday.
Consider Phong Lan your dependable noodle friend, the one who always shows up.
Address: 216 8th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
7. Pho House, Cedar Rapids
Indecisive eaters, I see you. Pho House in northeastern Cedar Rapids has a menu big enough to keep you happily debating.
Combination beef pho is the classic choice for meat lovers. If you want something simpler, the steak and brisket pho offers two cuts that balance each other nicely.
Seafood fans get their own spotlight here too. Shrimp and other ocean treats swim in a fragrant broth that feels a little lighter but still very cozy.
My friend ordered the vegetarian version, and I kept sneaking spoonfuls. The broth had real depth, and the veggies were fresh and crisp.
Chicken pho rounds out the menu for anyone craving a classic comfort bowl. It is the kind of soup that seems made for sniffly noses and chilly mornings.
The location sits in a shopping area, so it is easy to swing by during a day of errands. Takeout is a smart move if you want to enjoy your bowl on the couch under a blanket.
Bring a group, order different bowls, and swap bites like a noodle tasting tour.
Address: 5300 Fountains Dr NE #108, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
8. Saigon’s Corner, Iowa City
Twenty-four hours is a long time to wait for anything. At Saigon’s Corner, the broth simmers for at least that long, and you can taste every single minute.
The pho here follows a family recipe. That kind of history gives the soup a homemade feeling, like someone’s grandmother is quietly checking on the pot in the back.
Round steak pho is a popular pick, with thin slices that turn tender in the hot broth. Brisket pho offers a heartier bite for anyone who likes a little chew.
Then there is the signature combination bowl, which is what I ordered. It brought together several cuts of beef in a broth so rich and clear I could see the noodles shining underneath.
The downtown spot makes it easy to grab lunch between classes or after a walk around Iowa City. Students and locals both seem to treat it like a second kitchen.
Go slow with this bowl. Every sip deserves a moment of appreciation after all that simmering.
Patience in the kitchen means pure comfort at the table.
Address: 201 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240
9. Jack’s Pho’ House, Marshalltown
Three cuisines under one roof sounds like a party. Jack’s Pho’ House in Marshalltown serves Vietnamese, Lao, and Thai dishes, and the menu shows off all three.
Pho still steals the show for me. The beef pho comes in a substantial bowl, and the seafood pho is loaded with tasty bites from the sea.
What really caught my attention were the house sauces. A little dip here and a little drizzle there gave each spoonful a fresh twist, and I may have gone back for extra.
I asked about which sauce to try first and got a friendly recommendation along with a smile. Small-town hospitality makes a hot meal feel even warmer.
The menu has plenty to explore beyond noodle soup. Curious eaters can sample Lao and Thai flavors without leaving their seat.
Marshalltown might not be the first place you think of for pho, but this spot proves big flavor can live anywhere. It is worth a detour if you are traveling through central Iowa.
Save room, ask about the sauces, and prepare to plan a return trip.
Address: 802 S 3rd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158
10. California Pho, Davenport
Sunshine in the name, warmth in the bowl. California Pho brings a cheerful vibe to Davenport, even when the Quad Cities sky turns steel gray.
The menu features an extensive selection of traditional pho. Beef varieties lead the way, but there are plenty of other noodle soups to explore if you like to switch things up.
I went for a classic beef bowl and loaded it with basil and a squeeze of lime. The broth had a deep, savory flavor that made me forget about the frost on my car windshield.
This is a family-run place, and you can feel it. The service is warm and personal, and I left feeling more like a guest than a customer.
Big menus can be overwhelming, so do not be shy about asking for a favorite. The staff seemed happy to point first-timers in the right direction.
Davenport winters can be brisk thanks to that river breeze. A seat here with a hot bowl is a pretty great way to fight back.
Consider it a mini vacation, no plane ticket required.
Address: 3559 W Kimberly Rd Ste 5, Davenport, IA 52806
11. Pho Dinh City Restaurant, Sioux City
Western Iowa has its own noodle hero. Pho Dinh City Restaurant in Sioux City focuses on Vietnamese noodle soups, and it does them with care.
Traditional beef pho is a reliable favorite. The broth is fragrant and comforting, and the noodles soak up just the right amount of flavor.
I tried the meatball pho, which turned out to be a smart choice. The meatballs were savory and satisfying, and they made the bowl feel extra hearty.
The menu goes beyond soup, too. Rice dishes and Vietnamese sandwiches give you more options, which is handy if someone in your group is not in a soup mood.
Everything I saw coming out of the kitchen looked freshly prepared. Plates of crisp herbs and bright lime wedges showed up at every table.
Sioux City can get windy in late fall, and that wind can find every gap in your coat. A hot bowl here is the easiest way to win that fight.
Order a sandwich for later, and tomorrow’s lunch is already handled.
Address: 401 W 7th St, Sioux City, IA 51103
12. Oolong Asian Cuisine, Dubuque
Downtown Dubuque has hills, history, and one very cozy noodle stop. Oolong Asian Cuisine serves pho that tastes carefully made from start to finish.
The beef broth is prepared in house, and that matters. You can taste the difference right away in its rich, layered flavor.
Each bowl comes with sliced beef, meatballs, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. The herbs add a bright pop that keeps every spoonful from feeling too heavy.
After climbing a few of Dubuque’s steep streets, I was more than ready for a warm meal. My bowl arrived steaming, and I am pretty sure my cheeks thawed in about two minutes.
The menu also offers other Asian noodle dishes. That variety makes it a great pick for groups where not everyone wants the same thing.
Dubuque sits right along the Mississippi River, and November breezes there can bite. A table at Oolong feels like a cozy hideout from the chill.
Pair your visit with a walk downtown, then let a bowl of pho warm you back up.
Address: 145 W 11th St, Dubuque, IA 52001
13. Viet-Thai Taste, Newton
Clay pots are not just for gardens. At Viet-Thai Taste in Newton, one holds a specialty version of pho that steals plenty of attention.
The clay pot keeps the soup piping hot, which is a gift on a frosty afternoon. Lifting the lid releases a cloud of fragrant steam that smells like spices and slow-cooked beef.
Traditional pho is on the menu too, for anyone who loves the classic style. Both versions come with generous portions that leave you full and happy.
Thai dishes share the menu with the Vietnamese favorites. That mix makes this a fun place to try something new while still getting your noodle fix.
The restaurant is popular with locals, and it is easy to see why. Friendly service and hearty plates give it a welcoming small-town charm.
Newton is an easy drive from Des Moines, so it makes a great stop on a weekend road trip. I would happily make that drive again just for the clay pot.
End your pho tour here, and let the last bowl be the warmest one.
Address: 208 S 2nd Ave W, Newton, IA 50208