Early Bird - Ankeny

Absolutely loved this place!…read more The vibe is welcoming and has that hometown feel as soon as you walk in. Greeted with a smile and sat promptly! My server was Sue, and she was very good, and very attentive - always had my coffee warmed up when needed and had some good recommendations on what to eat. The food itself was really good. I had the avocado toast, which comes with a basted egg and avocado cream drizzle on top, and your choice or meat (if any) and I chose the brisket! I learned from a local sitting next to my friend and I that they get the brisket from a local bbq joint, which I thought was pretty cool. Good coffee, good vibes, good service! Would come here again if my travels blow me back into town!

We stopped for lunch. It was very busy. Hubby had the special - - which was chicken fried steak,…read moremashed potatoes and gravy, corn and a bun. (The daily specials are all comfort food! ) It was delicious and filling. I had a patty melt and fries. They were good too. I only complaint was I asked for extra onion on my sandwich. I was charged $.75 for it. Really?

Toast w/homemade strawberry jam.

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Flip ’N Jacks

4.3(64 reviews)

6.7 mi

It's been a few weeks since I went - but all I remember is I wanted to try every thing on the menu…read moreit all looked good ! Got the shrimp n grits - YUM , loved this place

Had brunch here after going to National Balloon Classic earlier this month. Man Alive! Their…read moreTiramisu pancakes were delicious!! Asked for mascarpone on the side, but I did end up using most of it;) Hubby had an omelet and pancake...which he continues to rave about a month later! I was very happy with the large portion since it meant I got to have the yummy pancakes for TWO meals.

So bright & cheery!

Power Bowl

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The Breakfast Club - Ankeny

3.5(53 reviews)

0.8 mi

This morning called for brunch! We decided to stop by the district and visit The Breakfast Club. As…read moreyou arrive you are welcomed by a cheerful 80s themed colorful dining room with throwback art, movie posters, and music videos. We decided to spring for the breakfast egg rolls, a vanilla iced latte, and Bloody Mary. The egg rolls were a bit bland, there was very little breakfast meat so the accompanying dipping sauces were a nice touch. For entrees we ordered the chicken fried steak, notorious biscuits and gravy, and the Basic B. The biscuits and gravy were the fan favorite, the biscuits were super fluffy and gravy was also tasty. Bonus- the bacon was perfectly cooked! In the basic B we had asked to add onions in the hashbrowns and they sautéed them and put them on top, but in the future if we asked them to cook them together I'm sure they would. Overall we enjoyed our experience and ambiance and will likely come back in the future!

Friendly service and super fun vibe. Nothing exceptional with the breakfast food. Good to go as a…read moregroup for brunch.

Patio area

S'more Donut Holes

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Coffee cup

Mullets Uptown Ankeny

3.6(38 reviews)

1.0 mi

Enjoyed brunch. Good cocktails and food was good, not great. The balcony was really the best part…read moreof the meal

I left a 3*** review after our visit on Wed Aug 29. Unfortunately, Mullets decided to take it…read moredown. Our server, Caleb, was the Best- especially since he was working alone. 3 out of 8 of us were happy with their meals. My grinder was a mess- had to eat it with a fork, and it was bland. My husband and friend had a Philly cheese steak. Never have we seen a cheese steak with DICED meat- also bland. Another friend had burnt ends...the bun was so soggy, she had to eat the meat without the bun. Another friend had burnt ends- he ate most of it, but also disappointed with the soggy bun. Again, the only saving grace was Caleb.

Rebekah's grad. set up (class of 2024!).

Cinnamon swirl pancakes

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Rooftop bar

The Ankeny Diner

3.7(140 reviews)

1.5 mi

One of my favorite spots in Ankeny to eat. Food is always good and prices are reasonable.read more

Our server Lilly was very gracious, prompt service throughout…read more Had the two breakfasts in the photos, meals were hot and delicious. Diner is casual, older style decor, from the Coke Cola vending machine, table condiments, black / white tile floor, to the soda fountain and counter. Absolutely wonderful experience, reasonable prices, would certainly recommend this diner.

Full Bar.

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast 2 pc, with side order of Sausage Links.

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Menu June 2023

Cafe Diem

4.1(100 reviews)

0.4 mi

I got a medium iced latte with caramel and oatmilk and it was unfortunately very bitter. I asked…read morethe staff to remake it and they were very kind and remade the coffee. However I still did not enjoy the coffee but I appreciate them remaking it. My friend got a chai and we each got egg and cheese bagels. The total came out to be a little over $30 for those 4 items. I felt like this was overpriced for drink and food quality that was not tasty.

It is a great neighborhood gathering spot for coffee, food, or pastries. There are lots of good…read morevibes here, and the talented staff focuses on positive customer service. Plenty of parking, good seating options, Wi-Fi, and areas to work, chat, nosh, or prepare for a big day. Tabitha was fantastic, steering us through our initial visit. We loved their breakfast sandwich! I'm not a coffee drinker, so I appreciated having soft drink options.

Inside

BYO Omelet.

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Blended Chocolate Chip Cookie

Egg Bistro

3.3(4 reviews)

1.0 mi

Solid breakfast option. Simple good tasting dishes and great coffee. The eggs were well prepared…read moreand the sausage was outstanding. Everyone in my party was happy with their dish. Everyone got the same thing and that never happens. lol

Until Sunday, June 30,2024, I would give Egg Bistro five-star rating. In fact everything was going…read morejust great until I paid. Our server, a very nice young lady, came back to tell me my debit card was declined. I said, "Run it through again." perhaps a little on the gruff side. The reason for my aggravation was the debit card chip malfunctioning. Our server was just lovely and, my brusqueness was not aimed at her. But when our server left another server, who was bussing a table nearby, turned and started to upbraid me for not saying "Please," to our server. Up to that time the only involvement with this server I had was when she delivered my breakfast. And I said "Thank you" to her. Needless to say I was flabbergasted and embarrassed. When the young lady who waited on our table returned with my receipt I thanked her and gave her a generous tip. However, I do not think I will be back.

Filet Steakhouse

4.1(62 reviews)

2.2 mi

Top notch food. Excellent service. Relaxed atmosphere…read more We we were celebrating our birthdays. They went above and beyond. They even gave us birthday cards signed by the whole team. What a nice touch!

I live right down the street If I could give this 0 stars I would. Took my brother for his…read morebirthday. Our waitress an older lady was probably the rudest waitress I've ever had in my life. Gets angry and assumes we aren't going to be eating, leaves us sitting for 20+ minutes not taking our order. I then order wine and steaks and her demeanor changes, the steaks are heavily over priced compared to competitors. Spent over $200 for probably the worst dinner I've ever had in my life. The entire staff just stood around staring and ignoring us.

Bar area

20 oz Bone In Ribeye topped with grilled shrimp and deburgo sauce

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Pasta Omelette station

Ambrosia Donuts

4.8(115 reviews)

1.5 mi

Absolutely the BEST donuts in Ankeny! The first time I visited the shop it was 10:00 and they were…read moresold out. They said come early tomorrow, so I did. Everything I got was incredibly delicious!

What a charming shop! The staff were very friendly and efficient…read more My maple long john was incredibly fresh with a creamy frosting. My son was thrilled with his sprinkle donut, especially with the fun, non-standard colors like blue and green. My husband's apple fritter had a strong cinnamon flavor with bits of apple; it was a bit crunchier on the edges than we expected, but still delicious. We got an old fashioned for our one-year-old, and it was the perfect choice - not too sweet, nor sticky. The big surprise was the breakfast sausage sandwiches my husband and son ordered. The high-quality egg, sausage, and cheese on a fresh croissant were fantastic. I took a bite and was truly impressed, especially for the price... under $5 is very reasonable for the size. I was waffling over the Kona iced coffee, so a worker kindly gave me a sample. It was stronger, sweeter, and creamier than I expected, so I happily purchased a cup. The shop itself is small and can get a bit crowded, so it's probably not the best spot if you're planning to sit and eat inside. We will definitely be back the next time we're in Ankeny though. I can already imagine grabbing donuts and coffee to enjoy at the park with the kids once the weather warms up!

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Apple fritter, cronut, old fashion glazed

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The outside

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124 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Paul F.

3 years ago

The food was excellent. My family went on Labor Day. It was busy and even then we only had to wait 20 minutes to get seated. Our server was excellent. She checked on us throughout our meal and was attentive. We got our food in a reasonable amount of time and it was all delicious. Nobody had a bad meal. It wasn't the quietest, but it wouldn't keep me from going again. Again, it was a holiday and they were at full capacity, so I imagine it wouldn't be as loud if I went on a less busy day. Give this place a try. I am definitely returning. read more

Tim D.

3 years ago

Had the Carnitas Way Benny $17.50 House-made black bean cake, house carnitas, avocado crema, and pico de gallo with poached eggs and hollandaise. Tasty, had a little kick but in a good way. Wished for a little more of the carnitas as was very nice, and maybe less of the hollandaise (Just was a tad much but tasty as well). Getting two servings for the price is fair. But like biscuits and gravy, I could have went with a smaller portion as heavy and wasn't able to finish. Looked like I could but was struggle lol. Will go back again. read more

Liesl S.

Elite 25

288

162

2 years ago

Early Bird was the perfect spot for a brunch date with my mom! The atmosphere is bright and inviting, and it has such a fun, modern vibe. The menu is full of unique takes on breakfast and brunch classics, and everything we tried was incredibly fresh and flavorful. We loved how generous the portions were, and the presentation was beautiful. It felt like such a special treat, and the staff made sure we were well taken care of. If you're looking for a great place to share a meal and make memories, Early Bird is a fantastic choice! read more

Crystal H.

2 years ago

Love this place and the food! HUGE portion sizes! Service is great too! Brittany and Carla are my favorite servers! Sat in the back room today and it was a bit overwhelming. Instant overstimulation! Between the echoing and a few loud customers it was hard to chat with my table and even think! Something was definitely missed when designing and building this section of the restaurant. Overall no real complaints though, I love having this breakfast spot in our city! ( this is my second good review I think the first got deleted ) read more

Brendan E.

3 years ago

This is the best chicken and waffles I've had since I've lived in Des Moines. Their biscuits are big enough to even make a biscuits and gravy out of it. The service was impeccable, they look out for one another and if their cooped up with another table, their coworker may come by and ask to fill your water cup. I highly recommend it. They just opened up so if you go in on the weekend there may be a wait. But, it's worth it. My grandparents drove 2 hours away to join me and they loved it too. read more

Allen S.

3 years ago

First time here, seated promptly and waitress approached right away. She gave some recommendations and we went with the a.m. Pot pie which consisted of hash browns with a puff pastry on top with sausage gravy and two eggs, all of this topped off with green chilies. The whole thing was top notch. My partner ordered the hash holes, cinni sticks, two eggs. It was all exemplary, hard to choose a favorite but can't say enough good about the quality of the food and service. read more

Abby W.

3 years ago

Delicious! We went on a Thursday mid morning not thinking it would be very busy but it was! We opted to wait and so glad we did. The wait went quick and the staff were all kind and friendly. I ordered the #16 combo (2 blueberry pancakes, cream cheese icing, lemon drizzle, and streusel) and my husband got the el Gordo Morning Burrito. Both were large portions and very good. We definitely plan to come again to try other things. Next time, we'll join the waitlist early. read more

Terri H.

3 years ago

Outstanding service and freshly cooked, delicious food! The lattes are incredibly delicious. Plus a fun atmosphere. Love all the word play on the menus and the bright cheery colors. We will come back often be star we want to try more of the wide-range of dishes! Our server, Cali, was amazing! Never had a server who was that enthusiastic about the menu selections. And enthusiastic about the establishment! Highly recommend! read more

Jordyn R.

3 years ago

A friend and I came here for brunch, and oh my word. It was DELICIOUS. The amount of food and drink options were insane and the service was EXCELLENT. I'm sure they are often busy, so if you can I would recommend getting on the waitlist if you can! We were seated immediately but it was a Thursday early morning. Carla and Noah were awesome. 12/10- also provided great recommendations for food and drinks! read more

Erin B.

2 years ago

Woah! If you are looking for a local food joint to start your day at look no further, Early Bird in Ankeny, IA is your answer. It has a menu for the adventurous eaters to the pickiest kids ( or adults :P). If your food isn't sweet enough, server Brittany will put it over the top with her amazing personality and smile. The fast and friendly service is why we come to Early Bird. read more

Christina G.

3 years ago

Carla was our waitress and did a fabulous job of making us feel welcomed. Able to explain the menu and drinks well. Filled our waters when we needed refills! Checked on us multiple times and very personable! Great atmosphere. Omelets not as big as we would of thought though! Pancakes were very good! Coffee and liquor drinks were also very good! Definitely recommend to try! read more

Trista M.

3 years ago

My boyfriend and I have been to the Early Bird twice. Both times we had a waitress named Emilia. Both times the rest was packed! Emilia met us a with a big smile and helped us decide what to get from the rather large menu. She was very quick to bring us our drinks and checked in us frequently. Not only was the service great but mimosas and food was great too! read more

Courtney P.

3 years ago

The breakfast tacos were amazing. Our server, Cephus, was great - super friendly and energetic, even with it being so busy. We got our food pretty quick after we ordered. Only thing we weren't huge fans of was the bloody mary's - the regular was super bland and the spicy one was too thick and no flavor, only spice. Will definitely come back still! read more

Marcia W.

3 years ago

Went there on a Sunday to celebrate a birthday and expected it to be busy. Definitely add yourself to the waitlist and then check your expectations and be prepared for a wait. But you won't be disappointed by the food or service. The mimosa was disappointing but the food was delicious and the hostess and our waitress were top notch. read more

Jeana J.

2 years ago

Kevin at the Ankeny location was great at seating us even though I must have screwed up the wait list online! Foods was excellent for all of us. 4 had breakfast 1 had a chicken Samy. Biggest hits were lemon blueberry pancakes and chicken fried steak. Server Samantha was prompt and properly attentive. we'll be back for sure! read more

Bekah S.

3 years ago

We went for brunch a few weekends ago and it was incredible! Really enjoyed the food, atmosphere and our waiter was awesome. We have a toddler and he was willing to go above and beyond for us. He even rinsed off his plate and bib we brought! I believe his name was Noah? He definitely made our meal great. read more

Angela A.

2 years ago

Good service from the super busy staff. The ambiance is hit or miss. You're likely to freeze in the main dining area and roast in the hot/humid back room. But the food makes up in spades for these inconveniences! Even when I order something outside of my comfort zone, I've never been disappointed! read more

Matt H.

2 years ago

I love that I can make reservations online through Yelp instead of having to wait around for an hour on a Sunday for brunch. This is probably my favorite brunch spot in Ankeny now. The food is amazing every time! Even my kids love it and that says a lot for a place with upscale breakfast food! read more

Lorie M.

3 years ago

The food was AMAZING as always, we love the morning drink choices on the adult beverage menu, and today we had the privilege of having Carla wait on us. Carla was truly a blessing to starting off our Saturday with a smile and the best attitude ever!!!! Thank you Carla, you were AMAZING!!! read more

Ruth B.

3 years ago

Oh my goodness, I can't say enough amazing things about this restaurant! Super friendly staff, amazing, pancakes, and super duper Amazing tot poutine! Our waitress Jen, was so loving and attentive, you can really tell that she loves her job and it made our experience wonderful! read more

Early Bird - Ankeny - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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We were in town visiting and decided to try EarlyBird. Glad we did! It was delicious and Chad our…read moreserver was fantastic. He was very friendly, personable. He provided prompt service. Highly recommend! Ask for Chad!

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $25 04/19/2026 Another chance to experience one of our favorites this morning to use up a gift card and meet a friend visiting from Brazil. As has been the case on each of our visits, the food and atmosphere were off the charts. The service wasn't quite as prompt this morning as what I've become accustomed to, but the experience was still great. Best of all...I saw that they now have a daily Happy ("Flocktail") Hour everyday before they close - and it is a 50% Off special - so now I can add them to HappyHourDesMoines.com also!! Today, my wife ordered the Chicken Fried Steak and a Bloody Mary (see pictures) - and with all of the new items on the menu, our friend ordered the Smoked Corn Beef Hash (see picture) and I went with the Healthy Hatch Tacos (see picture). I swapped one of my tacos with our friend for 1/2 of his hash, sampled my wife's Chicken Fried Steak - and can assure you that you will NOT go wrong ordering any of them, as all were absolutely delicious!

Eggs & Jam

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Was in town for the jr Olympics so we had to come here. Inside the restaurant you will find a lot…read moreof cool hip hop related art with breakfast themes. Service was great and the food was awesome. We had the mo puff mo problems, which remind me of an almond danish. We also had a McJammy sandwich which reminded me of an egg McMuffin but better. It had fresh toast for the buns and candied bacon. I would come back again if I were in the area.

Love the idea of brunch & lively music jam! Gluten free…read moreoptions include, pancake, waffle, & French toast as well as a hash, omelets, chilaquiles, breakfast tots, & a pizza. Vegan options include pancakes, hash, and French toast. The atmosphere felt a little dirty but the service and food were great!

PerKup Cafe

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We got here at 7:15 and no one was here. I don't know why because the service was great and the…read morefood was fantastic. It picked up closer to 8. You need to come here. We all had delicious meals.

I used to enjoy eating here, until today and it's been a while since I've been here…read more What a difference :( The food was awful; the service was a joke. I ate may be four bites spoke to the waitress about the quality, and she replied snooty "oh, you don't like butter" No, I do but not biscuits coted in butter for biscuits and gravy. After four bites, tasting all four to see if they all tasted the same, they did. I asked for a pancake instead, she informed me that they would not take it off my bill... I would understand if I had eaten half but literally four small bites. The waitress was a total SNOT replying with 'I don't cook the food'. No, I didn't say that you did, you could have at least said I'm sorry, instead of acting like a spoiled brat. Too bad their food at one time was good, now I will NEVER go back! I would advise you to think twice!

Drake Diner

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The food was just okay. The burgers could have used some seasoning. Like, any seasoning. A little…read moresalt goes a long way. The quesadilla was actually very flavorful even with the chicken being a tad dry, but for dinner at a diner it wasn't bad. The service was excellent and what drove the score higher! Me my wife and my two kids were taken care of quickly, and the staff was extremely helpful in getting use sitting accommodations for our children. It was our server's first day but he was pretty knowledgeable, helpful, and overall very pleasant. Jack did an excellent job. The ambiance is also really nice. It had the classic retro diner style but still seems clean and cared for. Overall i enjoyed the experience, but I'm more interested in trying their breakfast next time.

The Diner's decor is 1950s-as-re-envisioned-in-the-1980s: curved chrome details, neon, counter…read moreseating for those inclined, handmade shadows... In keeping with the theme, some of their best items are nostalgic. One of my favorites is a blue plate special - their meatloaf club sandwich. Where the Dinner really shines, for me, is their breakfast menu which is available all day. I love breakfast for dinner... I have yet to have any breakfast items be less than perfect. And I think I can say that about the meatloaf (dinner or sandwich) as well. Things to know: * Drake Diner is on the Southside of Drake campus and can be especially busy if there is an event on campus. There is street and lot parking available. * Their "seasonal vegetables" are often lackluster, and probably best to be avoided.

Papa Kerns Cafe

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Great home cooked food! Hot peppers were just right. Patty melt and meatloaf were awesome.read more

Food is always good when we visit and the staff is wonderful. Our grandkids love going there and…read morethe menu covers all there tastes.

Flip'N Jacks

3.8

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Came here for breakfast on a Sunday. It gets pretty busy (as does any other breakfast sit down…read morerestaurant) but the turnaround on the food was quick. Placed our order and less than 10 mins it was all out. Ordered the French toast flight combo and it was delicious! My favorite probably has to be the one with the Strawberry Fields French toast - light & refreshing. Next favorite on the flight would have to be the Banana Cookie Crumble French toast - the fluff was so tasty! That was my favorite part on the French toast.

Food was pretty good, but it was overdone at times. The amount of icing on the pancakes was…read moresomewhat overbearing and the table found that the standard pancake with syrup was more enjoyable than the premium version. It is larger breakfast potatoes, not hashbrowns. Not a bad thing, just a fact. Service by the staff was by committee but very regular. I found the overall value to be tough since the prices were quite high all things considered. The food was good like i said but not anything g exemplary to give it 5 stars.

Patricks Restaurant

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Amazing quality for breakfast food . Sausage and over easy eggs were amazing …read more Steak Omelette was delicious too Sadie was amazing attending to us

I ate there one time and it was good. Everybody seems to be nice and I will be back in some timeread more

The Happy Egg

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Get in you car and drive over here right now. This food is absolutely amazing. Hands down the tres…read moreLeche French toast is the best French toast we have ever had in our lives. The Paloma, The Bloody Mary were both on point. We would not normally venture to this side of the city for breakfast, but I guarantee we will be back over and over again. Take a look at this amazing food and come over and try for yourself

If you love a good "Eggs Benedict" served on a fresh lightly grilled face up muffin -- topped with…read morethin slices of salmon, and a well seasoned Hollandaise Sauce then The Happy Egg is the place for you. My server-- Cassandra -- did a good job in making sure her tables were well served. The simple colorful decor, well spaced tables, reasonable prices, pleasant wait staff, comfortable booths and good parking made for a very stress free brunch. Add this newly opened breakfast & brunch restaurant to your "must try", and see if you can find something to quench your early morning breakfast appetite.

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A lovely addition to Waukee! You don't often find a breakfast/lunch restaurant that truly has a…read moreunique menu with fun twists on classics. Plus, an amazing coffee bar! The ambiance in this place is great. Lots of natural light and elements with fun pops of color. Plenty of seating. We ordered the breakfast burrito, Croque madame, and cereal milk latte. The breakfast burrito was drenched in delicious sauce and was a generous portion. The Croque madame was also exceptional. The milk bread really took it to the next level. Side salad was nice and fresh. The latte was also amazing, not too sweet, nice fresh espresso that wasn't over extracted. The servers were sweet and attentive. No notes! Overall, this was a breath of fresh air. Definitely deserves a try if you are in the area!

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