Leonardo’s

What a gem. I’m putting this place right near the top of my list of CR’s best experiences — joining Cobble Hill, Bata’s, Tommaso’s and such… based on Leonardo’s own unique merits.
Far exceeded expectations on my first visit since going as a teenager 18 years ago! The genuinely happy greetings from the hosts, bartender and server made us, including three kids ages 4 – 8 feel immediately at home. It was packed on a Saturday night at prime time, yet the bartender volunteered Shirley Temples for the kids and even stuck maraschino cherries upside down in their straws. Very fun for them.
The 60’s-70’s padded décor and low lighting is a rare classic, I was surprised to find it to be in excellent condition and very clean… I’m guessing they’ve refreshed some of the soft goods recently while keeping the exact styles and colors as when I was a kid.
Menu, including the beer selection is straightforward and classic… a great fit with the overall experience they’re delivering. Deep dish pizza crust is out of this world — soft and rich with a hint of pastry dough-​like texture. Also great cold as next day’s breakfast — I’m being told as I type this. I personally had a seafood selection, and want to go back soon to check out the burgers.
Drinks — I love complex craft beers as much as the next Gen Xer, and this place has a handful of popular/​quality IPAs and things in bottles, but beer snobs — do as I did and give it a rest. Go for the amazingly freeing experience of having a couple Coors Light draws in classic lightweight 12-​oz Pilsner glasses. Their Coors Light is amazing, I highly recommend it.
Probably the most impressive bit was the table service we received … Knowing that it was a very busy peak time, at a place I hadn’t thought to visit for well over a decade, we were prepared for anything. We were very tired on our visit, so would have been ok with anything. What we found was caring, attentive and spot-​on service from an articulate young woman. She seemed legitimately pleased that we were there, including the kids. All around impressive.
Be back soon!

Don’t waste your time. When we arrived we were seated at a dirty table. The waitress whiped it down with a soaking wet towel, so our table was soaking wet. She gave us one menu and walked away. We waited for half an hour to be waited on. It wasn’t even busy. We just decided to leave. I give it one star for having a nice atmosphere.

Over priced and greasy crust, bottom of box was saturated with grease. Save your money and go elswhere.

The only thing saving this place is the décor. It is definitely different interior than a lot of other places in CR. Memorable for sure. Food was not impressive whatsoever. Went for lunch and had a steak sandwich, which was dry and bland. My S. O had a burger which was mediocre at best.

Food was great also a great selection to choose from. Staff treats customers very nice. Love the décor, like a 1950s supper club. Keep up the great work.

Consistent and delicious deep dish pizza, great customer service to boot. We’ve been coming here for a while as a family, it is a very kid-​friendly establishment.

One star only for the food. Service was awful tonight. Waitress had two tables, a party of 4 and my party of 3. None of the appetizers came out before the main dishes. She was a dingy lass, that should find somewhere else, know me McD’s.
Prices are really high for the quality and portion size of the food.
More and more disappointed with this place every time I come here. It’s never my choice to come here, and it shouldn’t be yours either.

Great place for food & beverages. Good honest food. Attentive staff. Solid. Pizza & more. Even great salads. Many long time customers. I have been going back for over 40 years. Try it… You will be intrigued by the nostalgic décor. Really get into various holiday decorations.
Update: Jill is the best server in the city!
Update: Great food & great service again & again!
Make sure to enjoy holiday decorations. Very unique!
Ask for Jill! She is the best. Have been a customer for well over 40 years!

I gave three stars; maybe it should be four stars. We got into Cedar Rapids from AZ past 9 pm at night last Friday. We were tired and just wanted pizza and a beer. We found that most places closed at 9 pm and finally got a recommendation to go have pizza from the desk person at the hotel. We got there around 9:30 pm and they were still going strong. We walked in and it reminded me of those tavern/​food joints that I used to frequent in my college years in upstate New York, over 40 years ago. My GF ordered a kahlua and milk (they had no cream) and I ordered a Rebel IPA… that was the only IPA they had and I did not care for it. Then I discovered some pale ales on tap, but I forgot what they were. They serve them in small, 10 oz. glasses, but at only $ 2.50 or so in price. That was nice. I was gonna order salad with our pizza but my GF said just order the pizza since she was not too hungry. They have two sizes — 13 inches and 16 inches. We ordered the combo, 13 inch, deep dish. It as perfect! Not too thick, not too thin, with a nice crispy crust and lots of toppings and cheese. We both ate two slices each and took the remaining 4 slices back to the hotel and gave them to the desk person since it was her recommendation for us to go here. We were satisfied and I thought the food was good and the «on tap» ales were good too. I especially liked the atmosphere, but I must admit, it was dark, dank, and old — but a lot of nostalgic memories for me!

It was the end of a hellacious day and at 12o’clock on a Friday night we did not want to go home and cook. Called in a pizza at Leonardo’s. It was hot and ready when we arrived. We did take it home because we were exhausted. It fit the bill perfectly. I do have to say I have been a customer of this Leonardo’s for over 40 years (beginnning as student at Wash High School… I think there are other H.S. in town… but I don’t know… lol) Good old fashioned, thin crust. Good sauce and plenty of meat, cheese and veggies.

Have been going here since high school. Pizza is very good. Love the thin crust and the sauce isn’t too sweet. I used to always get the fried clams. Good drink specials. The ambiance is really what makes this place so fun and awesome. If the devil were planning a party with Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and JFK he would host it here. CR gem. Very unique.

I absolutely love this place. The décor is… well only pictures could truly describe it. The food is incredible. The deep dish pizza is amazing, salads as are huge. The staff is great. Every time I am in Cedar Rapids I try to make it to Leonardos.

This is the BEST pizza. bar none.I have EVER had!
I have been around the world. I have eaten pizza with raisins… peaches…
My buddy Herb took me here 9yrs ago… and I have never stopped loving
this pizza!
The crust… the sauce… the atmosphere… AWESOME!!!
You want crab cakes? You want snails wrapped in grape leaves? Don’t
come here! This is awesome pizza… drinks. meeting…not loud… clean.
This place is for PIZZA!!!

Eclectic place is right! This restaurant hasn’t changed since my Mom was in high-​school (1970s), so the family gets a real kick out of seeing the retro décor, old LaSalle high school memorabilia, etc.
I like anything fried here and the veggie pizza is delicious, too. Waffle fries and fish basket aren’t shabby either.
Some items are on the pricier side for me (like the pizzas), but the atmosphere is worth checking out.
⁴⁄₅ stars because the restaurant can be super crowded at times making it difficult to get a table. Menu isn’t anything original, but the customer service is great. A fun place to hang-​out after a baseball or hockey game.

It’s a tradition — love this place.

Every time we visit my in-​laws in Cedar Rapids, we make a trip here. Eclectic environment, tasty pizza and pleasant waitstaff. What’s not to love?

Leonardo’s is a traditional old fashioned style of restaurant offering great food at around average prices. Everything on the menu is worth a try and you can find just about anything! With that said I have experienced long waits and some less than stellar service throughout the years.

I have not been there in years because a couple of times I went with Modern American Woodmen and even though each family comes in individually, they charge automatic 15% tip like for a large party. I got a really snotty waitress more than once and have not been back. I refuse to pay 15% gratuity if I don’t get good service with a good attitude. The food is not bad but not best I ever had in any category.

I love leo’s. We go there about twice a week. The food is really good I recommend one of the many sandwiches, the pizza, or the quesodilla or any of the appetizers (queso dip n’ sides are excellent).They also have homemade ranch! We have dinner there about once a week but we mostly come for the staff and comfortable setting. It’s more of a lounge than a bar but it’s the most comfortable bar in town. Not too loud and not too quiet. During the holidays they decorate the place so extensively that the decorations have decorations.

This place has been a popular hangout for my family for ages! While the food isn’t spectacular, we go here for the atmosphere and because the staff is great in accommodating us. Yes, the décor still looks very… let’s say retro, but if you don’t like black and red leather cushy booths, with a dark interior… you may not enjoy this. Not a whole lot of choice on beers, but pitchers are cheap.
Food is cheap too… if anything I enjoy their taco pizza. I think it is one of the better items they do. Ask for extra salsa as the small side that comes with it, is enough for one large slice. Their potato skins are good too, avoid the mozzarella sticks (they’re not really sticks, more like nuggets), and their waffle fries a great too.
I think this place probably rates higher for those who have a bit of history with it. If you are looking for a fine dining, culinary experience, you may want to stop into Leo’s for a drink, but then head somewhere else for your gourmet meal.