Council Bluffs isn’t a city known for hidden strip-mall gems, but 712 Eat + Drink has quietly become exactly that.
Tucked into a shopping center on Madison Avenue, this locally owned restaurant has built a loyal following on scratch-made recipes, local ingredients, and a menu that refuses to play it safe.
Named after the area code shared by the entire region, it’s become the kind of place locals recommend before anywhere else in town.
The result is proof that a great restaurant doesn’t need a fancy address to earn a devoted following. 🍽️
How 712 Eat + Drink Won Council Bluffs’ Hearts
The team behind 712 built the entire concept around the idea that details are the difference between good and great, aiming for warm hospitality and quality ingredients rather than a flashy build-out.
The restaurant sources as much of its produce and protein locally as it can, treating a Council Bluffs strip mall address like no obstacle at all.
That commitment to scratch cooking shows up across the whole menu, from house-made sauces to hand-cut steaks to a rotating soup made fresh daily.
Locals have gravitated toward that combination of serious food and a laid-back, unpretentious room, treating 712 as their default answer whenever someone asks where to eat in Council Bluffs.
The restaurant has leaned into its name as part of its identity, embracing the 712 area code as a badge of local pride rather than just a phone number.
That hometown branding has helped turn a contemporary American menu into something that feels distinctly tied to the community it serves.
Between the lunch crowd, the dinner regulars, and the brunch faithful, 712 has managed to fill nearly every time slot on its schedule, a sign of just how attached this Council Bluffs restaurant has become to daily life in the area. 🥂
Combined with a full kids menu and gluten-free options, the restaurant has positioned itself as an easy answer for families, date nights, and everything in between, cementing its place among the most talked-about Council Bluffs restaurants.
Even the drink menu plays a role in the restaurant’s popularity, with a lineup of seasonal cocktails that rotate throughout the year alongside a steady list of local Iowa craft beers.
That range-serious food, a full bar program, and a weekend brunch scene-is part of why 712 rarely feels like it’s competing with just one type of restaurant in Council Bluffs.
Instead, it has carved out a lane of its own as the kind of locally-owned restaurant that covers happy hour, date night, family dinner, and lazy Sunday brunch all under one roof.
Food Highlights
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712 Cubano: Roasted pork, smoked ham, and Swiss cheese come together with whole grain mustard and roasted garlic mayo on a hoagie roll. 🥪
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Shorty Melt: Braised short rib, caramelized onion, roasted local mushrooms, and Havarti cheese get finished with truffle fondue on grilled sourdough.
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That Chicken Sandwich: A crispy fried chicken breast is topped with havarti cheese, avocado aioli, smoked bacon, and house slaw, all tied together with a sweet sriracha sauce.
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Seafood Pasta: Linguine is tossed with bay scallops, shrimp, and lobster meat in a creamy Parmesan sauce with tomato, shallots, and spinach.
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Buffalo Chicken: Crispy or grilled buffalo chicken tops mixed greens with celery, red onion, tomatoes, and a jalapeño ranch dressing. 🌶️
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Butternut Squash Sandwich: Collard greens, white cheddar, and hot honey come stacked together on a toasted ciabatta bun.
- Salmon Salad: Mixed greens are topped with tomato, onion, avocado, quinoa, and crispy wontons, all finished with a house teriyaki dressing. 🐟
Atmosphere
Inside, 712 trades any strip-mall expectations for a warm, modern bar-and-restaurant feel, with an open dining room built for both quick lunches and lingering dinners.
The bar area stays lively with a rotating tap list and a steady buzz of regulars catching up over drinks.
By day, natural light and a casual energy make it an easy spot for brunch with friends, while evenings shift toward a slightly more relaxed, dinner-date vibe.
It’s unpretentious but polished, the kind of room built for regulars rather than special occasions only. 🍷
Bottom Line
Visit 712 Eat + Drink for its scratch-made menu, a genuinely surprising food quality behind an unassuming storefront, a can’t-miss weekend brunch, a solid craft bar program, and a hometown identity that has made it a true Council Bluffs restaurant favorite.
Address:
1851 Madison Ave Ste 700, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
📞 (712) 256-5525
🕔 Open Mon–Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 9 AM–8 PM