Appanoose Rapids closes 02/28/23

Great warm atmosphere, it was jazz night. Good priced and great food. Owner even stopped by table just to make sure everything was ok.highly recommend.

So I feel I need to share my experience here this week. It was my daughter's 13th Birthday, due to alot of sensory issues, social anxiety due to Covid she is VERY picky about where she goes to eat. These guys blew me away. Not only did they make sure she had somewhere to sit where she felt comfortable & safe, they custom made her food to fit her pallet, gave her an appetizer not on the menu then surprised her with a special birthday dessert. Our waitress Amber was an absolute doll and I cannot thank them all enough for giving her a fancy birthday dinner she actually loved! (isn't an easy thing to come by) Our food was phenomenal, the dessert was delicious. Seriously guys, we need more places like this. Her sensory issues don't give alot of room for variety and experiences like this one made her entire day. They also give her the confidence to ask for what she needs, instead of sitting through a meal anxious without enjoying herself. Ten stars from me! Thank you all again for a dinner she won't soon forget.

We really enjoyed our visit! Beautiful dining room! Attentive wait staff! Wonderful experience! Oh... and the food is so good! I had the Iowa Chop. My wife had the sirloin... We will be back!

Incredible food and a quiet place to meet with friends. Braised Beef Poutine (pictured)was delicious. Chicken Alfredo was on point, and the pork chop was delicious as well. We shall return!

The Rapids is THE premier dinner spot in O-town.
Daily specials
Unique menu
Warm atmosphere
Professional staff
The cocktails are refreshing, the appetizers appealing, the entrees are exceptional.
Truly a delightful dining experience.

Great menu, great location and good service. Menu selection was fantastic, with a wide variety of beef, chicken, seafood and comfort food dishes.

We had the mussels for an appetizer and were very pleased. Wine selection was appropriate with nothing overpriced (prosecco, malbec, chardonnay... good variety of reds and whites).

Entrees come with choice of salad or traditional sides. I ordered the Shrimp Scampi and was pleased. Another at the table ordered the Ahi Tuna - both were delicious. For dessert, the strawberry truffle dish is a must-have.

Service was prompt, though we did make a reservation (and were glad we did as the restaurant filled up quickly for dinner service). Drink orders were taken and delivered timely. Appetizers arrived promptly, and an appropriate wait time between entree ordering and delivery was appreciated.

The price may seem moderately expensive compared to other local dining options, but the portion sizes, the menu variety, the freshness of the seafood and the quick service makes this worth the price. We were very pleased with everything, and our server, Holly, made sure we had everything we needed. I can't wait to return.

I enjoyed an excellent old fashioned before a perfectly cooked filet, outside, on the patio. It was a real treat.

Love the atmosphere, no place like it in Ottumwa. Great food, great staff... Can't wait to go back and try some new things!

Great little local place with excellent staff...only problem...make sure you're hungry when you go. Generous portions and the food is delicious.

Beautiful building and wonderful chefs. Can't wait to visit again!

A lovely atmosphere, wonderful service and a quality of food that I did not expect. We started with the Shrimp Bisque and a salad. My husband had the Iowa Chop and I tried the Blue Fin Tuna. Both were beautifully done and some of the best dishes we've had.

The food is very good and rightly portioned. I would call the menu diverse yet streamlined. You can get the kind of food and drink you want without a lot of sorting. The atmosphere is very nice and relaxing—no obnoxious soundtrack or televisions to talk over. Staff is attentive but not intrusive. Definitely a place I’d feel comfortable bringing out-of-town guests to.

The building and the atmosphere were amazing, only to be outdone by the food. A fantastic, seasonal menu, well-balanced & well-crafted cocktails, and excellent service to complete the evening. I have only heard rave-reviews from locals and it was confirmed with the best experience I’ve had in a long time. A must-try

We typically enjoy Appanoose Rapids, but had a bad experience over Valentine's Day this past year. Risotto should not have been served as it was no longer creamy risotto, super slow service, etc.

However, we went again just recently and the food was excellent! I had the smoked salmon special, with coconut rice and some veggies, all smoked in a pouch. The salmon was flaky and fell apart just right. They sauce was superb, like a creme fraiche maybe, little lemon, very light and refreshing. The rice and veggies were also on point and perfectly smoked. The salad prior was fresh and I had the blueberry vinaigrette. Very tasty. I enjoyed my meal very much! I sampled my husband's lamb and potatoes. The lamb was tender and the dijon mustard sauce was divine. The potatoes were garlicky and tasty.
We had an appetizer of bruschetta, and despite the holey bread, the taste was wonderful.
I had a peach raspberry margarita at the suggestion of the waitress, which was delightful and a glass of wine with my salmon.
Overall an outstanding meal! I look forward to my next meal here.

Just returned to this place after not having been for quite some time; and it was back to being Excellent! Food was great, service was good, atmosphere is great. Definitely the nicest place in town right now. They've really stepped up their culinary game to match their prices. Definitely worth it again. I hope they keep up with the high quality dinner options. Desert menu isn't there yet, but dinner was great.

Cajun pasta was delicious. Great service and pleasant dining environment.

It was quiet on a Monday night. Good service and food. Portions were a good size. Owner was there and checking in with patrons.

Our server was friendly and helpful. She didn't rush us through; we had a nice leisurely dinner. The food and drinks were delicious especially the seafood bisque and the pork chops. The prices, for the caliber of restaurant and the freshness of the food, were reasonable. We will return.

This is a very nice restaurant for a small town like ottumwa. Menu is somewhat limited but everything we've had on there so far has been good. Bartender is very friendly. Nice seating outside. So far this is the best restaurant we've been to in Ottumwa.

We had a work event here and it was an amazing experience. They were very attentive and helpful and the food was down right amazing! 10/10 would recommend. (Make sure you try the lemon drop. It’s fantastic)