Pella is known for its charming streetscapes lined with historical buildings and Dutch architecture. Visitors are delighted and locals beam with pride over the town’s unique beauty. Whether you’ve lived here for 40 years or have come for your first visit, we can think of no better way to enjoy that beauty than with a beverage in hand! Soak up the local charm at these Pella restaurants and bars offering you a drink with a view.
- Liberty Street Kitchen
705 E. 1st Street, Pella, IA
(in the Molengracht)
Liberty Street Kitchen is a chic restaurant and bar located within the Amsterdam Hotel in the Molengracht, a beautiful brick-adorned plaza built to replicate an authentic Dutch canal. Its outdoor patio offers the best views of the picturesque Molengracht, whisking you away to another time and place.
Inventive craft cocktails and a carefully curated wine, beer and spirits menu gives a bevy of options for all tastes. Liberty Street is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday. The menu features contemporary comfort cuisine, with weekly specials running Thursdays through the weekend, ensuring you’ll always have something new to try.
Don’t miss: The chili fried brussel sprouts. We can’t promise there is a drink to perfectly pair with it, but they’re so mouthwatering good that any drink will do. Just trust.
Cocktails pictured:
Cucumber Cooler (Beefeater Gin, muddled cucumber, basil, simple syrup, lime juice, soda water); The Queen of Tarts (Ketel One Grapefruit Rose, Campari, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar, with half sugared rim); Pimm’s No. 1 Cup (Pimm’s No. 1 Herbal Liqueur, muddled cucumber, strawberry, orange and lemon, with lemonade)
- Butcher’s Brewhuis
822 Main Street, Pella, IA
Butcher’s Brewhuis is a spacious, three-level restaurant, bar and rooftop from the owners of neighboring In’t Veld’s, a full-service meat market known for their house-made bologna and other delectable meats. Upon entering the historic building Brewhuis calls home, it is clear the exposed brick walls have stories to tell! Relics from the building’s previous life – a drugstore, appliance store and even a lace maker – are scattered throughout the restaurant.
Guests are greeted with an interesting cocktail menu and thoughtful selection of craft beers and wines. The bar program encourages curiosity with emphasis on creating a welcoming environment to explore spirits and hand-crafted cocktails. Continue to the third level to Pella’s only rooftop bar with cocktail in-hand for rare treetop-level views of the uptown square.
Don’t miss: The charming bay window on the second level. Tucked away from the bar and dining space, cozy up with your drink (or that special someone) as you take in the activities of the streets below.
Cocktails pictured: Aperol Spritzer with Prosecco; Siebertje’s Lace (original cocktail in homage to the former seamstress that worked in the building and yelled at people in the street if they owed money); The Dutch Mule (made with Effen’s Blood Orange Vodka from Holland); Old Fashioned (top seller – made with bourbon or rye of choosing)
3. George’s Pizza & Steak House
626 Franklin Street, Pella, IA
An intimate experience awaits with George’s patio and sidewalk seating just off Pella’s square. Locally famous for their Italian pizza, their love for tasty food doesn’t end there, with menu items ranging from sandwiches to pastas, seafood to steak. Choice of wine or bottled beer keeps it simple, with brews from local favs like Peace Tree Brewing.
The cozy patio is situated across from the Klokkenspel, a musical clock tower featuring daily performances from four-foot-tall characters representing Pella’s history, making it easy to catch the sights and sounds of the spectator-attracting show. Street-level views mean great people-watching vibes as you take in Pella’s joyous small-town bustle.
Don’t miss: The pizza, of course! Choose from 21 specialty pizzas, including the “Dutch Boy” – pepperoni, Pella bologna, jalapeno and onion. That’s right…bologna.
