What a great atmosphere! We loved the salad and meatloaf. My wife rated the salad as "one of the best she's ever had". And, I would say the same about the meatloaf. Their ice tea is fresh brewed - try it!!! If you're looking for a guaranteed feel good meal, this is THE place. read more

Neat old house--beautiful setting. My uncle had some kind of soup, I had a nice salad, and we each had half of a messy, but extraordinary grilled cheese sandwich (a pick two luncheon option). Then we had yummy homemade ice cream. My tiramisu ice cream was great. Slow (more of a place to relax ) and a tad expensive, but a nice change of pace. Worth a splurge. read more

See all

Love this place - this was our third time here while traveling through Le Claire. Great service, delicious food all served in an antique home. read more

Crane and Pelican shined last week, when they hosted a business dinner for 50 people. Everyone who attended raved about the food -- steak, salmon or a pasta dish. The wait staff couldn't have been better, and they worked so hard to serve us all. I highly recommend Crane and Pelican to others, and I know I will be back again sometime soon!!! read more

I really really wanted to love this place. Is it the cutest restaurant in Iowa? I'm not sure. But it is a very cool historical building. Service- I can't complaint about the service. Both servers were very friendly and attentive. We left a voicemail for a reservation and they were very prompt to respond and confirm. Atmosphere- very cool historical building with a great water view... there's just a few misses to the inside. Food- my husband and I started with a glass of wine. I believe his had gone bad but him being him he still drank it. Don't get me wrong the food was good but nothing to write home about. Cheese curds were good. I had the pesto pasta. I added the blackened chicken which was really good. The pork chop was also pretty good. We finished with the lavender cake. It was a nice light summer finish. Overall pretty good read more

See all

This restaurant was a special treat! The food was unique and delicious. The server was great. Nutcracker pita was yummy. My lobster Mac and cheese was delicious. My husband enjoyed his blue cheese steak very much. We fully intend to return there on our annual cross country trip...... read more

Greet, gluten free options! The food was delicious and it was so great to have true gluten free options! read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

This hidden small restaurant has great food. The cinnamon carrots, the real mashed potatoes, and the tender brisket. The service was attentive. The place was about half full on a Friday. The prices are a little high, but probably correct for the small batch made foods. There is close off street parking. read more

Crane & Pelican has great food! Food that warms the soul. Best chicken and dumplings I have had in some time! Over all the atmosphere is fabulous as well as the service; I was a bit put off when it came to prices. My salad was limp but it is nearly spring. Cheese appetizers + wine = I will be back. (Full bar) Their brie was too die for; I have been waiting for a nutty baked brie w/ wine for some time. Over all I am going to give this place a 5 star. A bit on the pricy side but a romantic location with outstanding service.... Esp lovely on a foggy day. (River view is as seen in picture) pictures unedited* read more

See all

Food and service were amazing! The Cajun pasta is wonderful! Soups, salads, spinach artichoke dip and the Reuben were all fantastic. read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

Stopped by recently with a small herd of family. We shared the baked brie and the pelican's nest, both were yummy. I had the grilled cheese sandwich (very good, I was worried about the Bourbon aioli being too strong, but it was subdued) with the (not heavily) loaded mashed potatoes. Dessert was a pair of subtly orange crepes. Service was good, one of my cousins recognized our waiter from a previous position of his at another local restaurant. read more

This Sunday brunch is a good value. Not a wide selection, and the same thing every weekend, but is good quality for less than you would think. Great atmosphere I've only eaten dinner once and it was good. The service is excellent. So. read more

We were staying over on the Illinois side of the Mississippi and decided to check out the little towns on the river and find a lunch place. Crossed the bridge over to Iowa side and discovered this hidden gem in an historic home built in the 1800s. We were pleasantly surprised at the freshness and quality of the meals. I had the Asparagus Humus Sandwich with a side of Mashed Sweet Potato. First of all the side was truly amazing, so many flavors. My sandwich was so fresh, the asparagus was slightly cooked to leave a little crunch, the humus was so nicely flavored, the peppers slightly cooked caused the flavors to blend perfectly on a pumpernickel bread. My husband ordered the Chicken Salad Croissant. He said it was the best Chicken salad sandwich he's ever had. His side was a corn salad which also had a fresh wonderful blend of flavors. The service was attentive, water and coffee refilled, order taken quickly and meal delivered in a timely manner. Only wish we were not leaving in the morning which would given us an opportunity to try out their dinner menu. read more

See all

A gem! Food is excellent. Staff is top notch and goes above and beyond to help make everything special. Appreciate that they have many Iowa beers and spirits available. Salmon is not to be missed. The pesto pasta was good- think it would be better without the edamame noodles - glad I tried it. Kudos for getting creative with a dish. Want to come back for brunch! read more

I've been here a couple times in my travels to leclair and the food is always on point. I got the veggie pita, my husband got the Daniel which were both pretty tasty! My only issue was that, I think they were short staffed so the wait was about an hr to get lunch for a party of 6. It was nice to mingle and the local beers helped the time pass by without much notice. But, overall we spent more time here then I would have preferred. If you have time to sit, then this is a good option with friendly service and lovely food. read more

Food is Delicious. There are many unique offerings as well as traditional meals with a twist. I lean towards vegetarian at times and my husband can be more of a meatavore and we are always happy with the variety of choices that we both have to choose from. Attentive service. I also really love the historic building and decor. On site parking and nearby street parking if needed. A real gem! read more

The service is great, they offer several local beers. Their Cajun pasta is very cheesy. It is more like a Mac and cheese. The salmon was so good my friend wanted to lick her plate. The house salad is good and covered in bacon and cheese. read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - House salad - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

See all

The meal we had this evening at the Crain and Pelican Cafe was so delicious, that we forgot to take pictures!!! The cocktails are a can't miss! We have been here many times, and every time leaves us more impressed than the last. The made from scratch food is to die for! Gazing out at the mighty Mississippi, one appreciates the historic value of the architecture that this 1800's structures provides. The C&P is a Le Claire treasure that on cannot be pass up. read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

I took a group of 11 seniors for a lunch trip to this cute elegant place! They were so accommodating and patient. The food was incredible and the service was even better! I cannot say enough good things about the place! I highly recommend the experience! read more

Delicious, flavorful food & wonderful staff! They hosted my friends rehearsal dinner and catered her wedding two nights back to back & everything we had was incredible! Highly recommend all menu items and visiting this local Le Claire gem! read more

We tried tried the Crane and Pelican for the first time. I had the Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta. My wife had the Toasted Pecan Salmon. We started with cocktails and wine. The handcrafted French Martini was to die for and my spouse's Pinot Noir was quit good. My wife's salmon was cooked just right, as was her risotto and veggies. However, both the entre and risotto were way, way over salted. She was certainly disappointed. I had the shrimp in sherry sauce on angel hair, which is one of my all time favorites. C & P did not disappoint. It was thick, creamy and delicious!! The pasta was just perfectly prepared. Yumm. I don't know if I can ever order anything else when we go back. The building, decor and view were just wonderful. We had a late reservation, but our server Autumn was very polite and friendly. We didn't feel the least bit rushed. Service was prompt, unobtrusive and very good. Prices were very reasonable in my opinion. In closing, yes there was a seasoning issue with the salmon, but we agreed that the C&P is a thumbs up. We'll be back!@ read more

See all

Found this gem on a recent road trip . Located in an house overlooking the Mississippi River. Although everything looked and sounded delicious I opted for this chicken dumplings soup . Something I'd not had in a long time since my mother laws passing . No one has ever made it as good as hers up until know . read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - Chicken dumplings. - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

This was a super quaint stop for dinner. The ambiance was nice for our group. Dinner was tasty but the steak which I ordered rare, was cooked to medium. So a little disappointed there. One of our group got the gluten free lobster Mac and cheese and she said it was not cheesy or creamy as one might expect and had an oddly fishy taste - not her normal experience with lobster. So while it was a good location and the food was edible it was not the quality we would have liked. Maybe it was just an off night for the kitchen but I'm not sure we would go back if I'm the area again. read more

Wonderful place, great food! Very nice atmosphere and very unique. I can highly recommend this place, we have eaten here many times. Nice staff! read more

We can't say enough good things about Mandy and her team at Pelican & Crane. We catered our wedding of 150 guests and opted for a buffet-style meal (including salad, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Meatloaf Sliders, Smashed Potatoes, and Green Beans). First, the food was spectacular! Everything was fresh, full of flavor, and we'll prepared. We received many compliments from our guests on the food. Second, Mandy's input was spot on to make sure our meal was a success. Third, her team went above and beyond at the event itself. They were very attentive to ensure everything was clean and the guests were happy. We would use them 100x over and 10/10 recommend. read more

Good food, great service, In old house on the hill with big windows and beautiful view of the Mississippi River.

Fantastic food, service and ambiance. Wonderful locally owned restaurant that I have been enjoying for many years. Menus change seasonally - always something new to try. Pecan crusted salmon is a favorite. Homemade ice cream flavors vary and are always delicious! Great location for an intimate dinner or lunch with friends. Highly recommend! read more

Honestly, I was disappointed based on the high reviews here. We arrived and were seated only to be ignored for long enough that we thought about leaving. Finally someone acknowledged us and brought waters and took a drink order. We put in our food order soon after - the asparagus sandwich and the meatloaf sandwich, and also an order of the corn fritters for a shared appetizer. I've included pictures of the meatloaf and fritters. So, those fritters... well, the best I can say is that the chili dipping sauce is good, and you'll need it. The fritters are incredibly bland, and the corn is clearly canned. That's unacceptable for a corn dish in Iowa! The meatloaf sandwich was absolutely huge, but quantity counts for much less than quality. I just never could find a lot of flavor in it. Blah. The upside - the restaurant is in an historic old home, and if you're lucky you can snag a table in the room overlooking the Mississippi. Very pretty. read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - Corn fritters - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

See all

We enjoyed a delightful Sunday brunch. The selection while not large is all delicious and remarkably affordable. The ambiance of the historical building lends further to making our brunch enjoyable. The server was polite, welcoming, and very attentive to our every need. This is a hidden gem that we will return to and happily share this information with friends. read more

We were headed to Chicago and stopped in Le Claire for a quick lunch... and this place did NOT disappoint. The charming house that the restaurant is housed in definitely drew us in, and the true homey and quaint atmosphere just added to the experience. My husband and I both opted for half sandwich and salads, each trying something different off the menu. The Caprese Salad was delicious - huge chunks of mozzarella, juicy tomato wedges and the best balsamic reduction I've had in a very long time. I paired that with the chicken salad on a croissant which did not disappoint either. My husband had the Garlic Salad (which he said was amazing) and a delicious, cheese-oozing Reuben sandwich. Service was great and fast. The view (overlooking the Mississippi River) was spectacular, and we thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history of this boat captain's mansion before we left. In short - you won't be disappointed. Stop in and enjoy!! read more

This small, quaint restaurant is a gem nestled in the river town of LeClaire. I spent several days in LeClaire this past week and ate at the Crane & Pelican twice. For lunch, I had the asparagus sandwich. It was a light but filling lunch which was exactly what we wanted. The bread was flavorful and the asparagus was cooked to perfection. On my last night before flying home to South Carolina, I had the Port of LeClaire. The sea scallops were perfectly cooked and as sweet as any I could find on the East coast. The sauce just added an extra layer of flavor. The herbed grits were very tasty. Every time I visit LeClaire, I have at least one meal here. I go back because the food is delicious, the atmosphere and view are wonderful and Mandy, the owner, makes you feel like you've been friends forever. The wait staff is always pleasant. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

C&P is one of the those spots that when you discover it, you can't help but want to come back anytime you're in the vicinity! The place is located in a beautiful 150 year old house on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi. Upstairs is a lovely art gallery and some even better looks at the river. You enter through the front and make your way into a couple dining rooms or what used to be the kitchen. All rooms include the original floors and much of the original decor. A couple huge mirrors and fireplaces really accent things nicely. The food here is excellent! The choices include a number of salads, plenty of sandwiches and a couple dinner type item. We had the Welsh Rarebit as an appetizer - two cheeses, some Blue Moon and a delicious brown mustard - served with grilled bread, it was divine! We shared some chicken and dumpling soup. Very nice broth and really good, simple flavors. The meatloaf sandwich, with 3 toppings of your choice (Get the Bourbon BBQ sauce) was also a delight. We were going to sample dessert as it's been great in the past, but the kiddos were getting restless and alas, no sugar carbs for us! Entrees for lunch run in the $10-15 range and they've got a nice drink menu as well. A wonderful spot to check out and a one that's seriously worth considering making the drive to...especially on a nice night or day! read more

See all

Visiting Le Claire Iowa for the first time to see Antique Archeology, looking for a good place for dinner, used Yelp to find the ideal location and fell upon Crane & Pelican. The Yelp rating is well deserved the ambiance was exceptional seated in a 150 year old home with a view of the river, the staff treated us like family, the food was delicious, and the prices fair. The onion soup was one of the best I've ever had, the chicken and dumplings was good but they used shredded chicken instead of chunks which would have improved the dish, and the meat loaf was pan fried to reheat but was left on one side to long resulting in a burnt tasting crispy side which hurt an otherwise delicious meal. We had the birthday cake ice cream with hot fudge and it was delicious ate the whole thing. I will visit this location again there were far more positives than negatives. read more

See all

Fresh ingredients in made from scratch dishes, some-what seasonal. Classy with a charming, relaxed feel. Very wonderful and very Midwest. My husband gets the meatloaf each time as he's a meat-and-potatoes guy who doesn't like any "weird stuff". Where I love trying new dishes and new fusions. We've never had a bad meal, and I truly believe you can't go wrong with whatever you decide to order. Which is great because on a busy day they may run out of the dish you were wanting (one of the perils of a made from scratch kitchen using fresh ingredients). The atmosphere is relaxed, historic, refined, and charming in our very own midwestern way. read more

Place is nicely decorated ,it's an old house, food was just okay nothing special was expecting a lot better. Bathroom was out of soap so hopefully the staff has their own to was they're hands just not up to what we thought it should be read more

Had lunch here on a recent Wednesday. Always love a good corn chowder. They have corn & bacon chowder on the menu. Dining partner & myself each ordered a bowl along with the spinach & artichoke dip served with pita chips. The chowder was very flavorful altho the consistency of it was very chicken broth like. Was NOT of chowder likeness - more like corn soup. Also did not have much bacon and what was in it was mostly fat pieces. Very disappointing. The spinach & artichoke dip was VERY good! The wait staff was very friendly and accommodating. At their price point, perfection is expected. Two bowls of chowder, the dip and two sangrias for lunch was $55.00. Probably will not go back. read more

Our party of five each ordered something different and all were very happy with the food. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very relaxing and was complete with a three person jazz band. It was a perfect evening. read more

Crane & Pelican Cafe - Meatloaf with sauce - American Near Me - LeClaire, Iowa

Food great and so is the service. I love the ambiance of the old house. My friends and I love to lunch her and they have seasonal menus.

Dallas, Texas 2 Reviewed today Visited Le Clare Iowa This place is rated #1 Crane and Pelican not so much I had Shrimp with angel hair pasta, the shrimp looked and tasted like they had got some precooked at the grocery store the pasta was very gummy my wife got the salmon overcooked and not fresh broccoli was cold salmon croquettes not as good as we make with canned, and it was our most expensive meal of the trip. They must be going through something because our waiter was doing double duty as bartender not that it mattered because when we got there one couple was leaving and when we were seated we were the only people there, another couple came in after us and that was it. Very disappointed. read more

I went to Crane & Pelican on a Saturday at 1pm. I was there to get an appetizer and have a couple drinks while enjoying my Saturday. Overall the restaurant was not busy with a number of tables available in both rooms. The bar was empty with 3 seats sitting open, which was perfect for my party of 3! However, we went to sit there and were told by a server (not the host seating us) that they do not sit anyone at the bar during lunch if they want to order food. There was no explanation given as to why they do this and I was just left dumbfounded. I was so confused that I sat with my party at a normal table but the more I thought about the non-explanation of refusing to seat us at the bar I became upset. We got up and left after the waters were poured and walked out. I have eaten at the Crane & Pelican a few times before and enjoyed myself. I even sat at the bar on a weekend ate food! The server this time has ruined my opinion of crane & pelican. read more