If you're on the hunt for a cozy place to grab dinner this winter, there's an cool place to check out over in Van Buren County! According to Cheapism, Iowa's coziest restaurant is a place called Bonaparte Retreat.

Bonaparte Retreat, located in SE Iowa at 713 1st Street in Bonaparte, is definitely one of Iowa's most unique restaurants. According to the Villages of Van Buren County website, its home is a refurbished grist mill that was built all the way back in 1878!

A 2020 article from Worthy Detours reports that Bonaparte Retreat first opened its doors in 1970, but it was originally located across the street from where it is now. After a fire destroyed the original building, owners Rose and Ben Hendricks decided to move into the old Meek’s Grist Mill instead of rebuilding. The article reads:

"When the Hendricks purchased the old gristmill, it was a mess, having been empty for many years. Renovation took a great deal of work, most of which Rose and Ben did themselves. Maintaining the building’s character was the goal. The 1878 structure is original, including the exposed brick walls, support beams, and open ceiling showing the 2nd floor joists. Except for new windows and slight modification to the porch, the building’s exterior is the real thing, including the original water wheel."

The inside of Bonaparte Retreat is filled with antiques and collectibles, giving the restaurant a cozy, vintage vibe. And it's right on the Des Moines River, which makes for beautiful views, especially at sunset.

As far as the food goes, the menu at Bonaparte Retreat is filled with comfort food. The lunch menu consists of appetizers, salads, and a variety of steaks and seafood options. Enjoy a New York strip, a ham steak, oysters, filet mignon, catfish fillets, shrimp, and more. Lunch options include their famous pork tenderloin, a chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, BBQ beef, soup, salads, and fried veggies. Oh, and don't forget the pie for dessert!

Bonaparte Retreat is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday through Saturday for dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can check out the official Facebook page HERE.

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