Plan your Amana trip

WHERE TO EAT

Family style dining is a big draw for the Amanas, said David Rettig, executive director at the Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau. But it's not the only thing on the menu. P.H.A.T. Daddy's dishes up wood-fired pizzas, soups and sandwiches, and for a German bierhalle experience, head to Millstream Brau Haus.

Here are some of the dining options. For more, go to Amanacolonies.com/listingcategory/dining-restaurants

AMANA:

OX YOKE INN

4420 220th Trail, (319) 622-3441, Oxyokeinn.com

Founded by William and Lina Leichsenring in 1940, the main building dates back to 1856, with additions built in 1870, 1963 and 1976. Five generations of the Leichsenring family have worked there, serving up recipes passed down from mother to daughter. The menu features Old World German and American fare, served family style with side dishes or as plated meals; sandwiches, salads, pies; specialties of schnitzels, bratwurst and knackwurst platter, sauerbraten, pork chop and loin. Also stop in for breakfast, Sunday brunch, an outdoor biergarten or the indoor basement Bierstube bar.

MILLSTREAM BRAU HAUS

835 48th Ave., (319) 622-7332, Millstreambrewing.com/millstream-brau-haus.html

New to the Amana scene is the Brau Haus (brewing house), which opened in 2016. It brings a German bierhalle feel to the Amanas, serving up Millstream brews and German-style pub food.

P.H.A.T. DADDY'S

728 47th Ave., (319) 622-3001, Phat-daddys.com

Wood-fired pizza is the main attraction at this eatery, which opened in 2015 in the former Brick Haus restaurant. Soups and sandwiches also are on the menu. Under the same roof is SERENA'S COFFEE CAFE, (319) 622-3320.

NEUHAUS KAFFEE

4304 220th Trail, (319) 622-5500

Stop in to this cafe inside the Bankhaus for freshly brewed coffee and teas along with pastries and quiche.

RONNEBURG RESTAURANT

4408 220th Trail, (319) 622-3641, 1-(888) 348-4686, Ronneburgrestaurant.com

Named for the medieval fortress in Hesse, Germany, that sheltered Amana ancestors during their religious persecution more than 200 years ago, the restaurant, which opened in 1950, served as a communal kitchen. Building on that tradition, diners will find traditional German and American entrees, family-style or plated. Specialties include schnitzels, sauerbraten, chicken, fish, pork and steaks, including oven-baked steak, along with breakfast, desserts and a full bar featuring local, domestic and German beer and wine.

MIDDLE AMANA

HAHN'S HEARTH OVEN BAKERY

2510 J St., (319) 622-3439

Breads and pastries are baked in the colonies' only operating hearth oven bakery.

WINE & VINEYARDS

ACKERMAN WINERY

4406 220th Trail, Amana, (319) 622-3379

HERITAGE HAUS

4402 220th Trail, Amana, (319) 622-3564

SANDSTONE WINERY

4505 220th Trail, Amana, (319) 622-3081

VILLAGE WINERY

752 48th Ave., Amana, (319) 622-3448 or 1-(800) 731-7142; fruit and berry wines

WHITE CROSS CELLARS

755 48th Ave., Amana, (319) 622-3233

BREWERY

MILLSTREAM BREWING COMPANY

835 48th Ave., Amana, (319) 622-3672, Millstreambrewing.com

Millstream opened its doors in 1985 — the first brewery to operate in Amana since 1884 and the first microbrewery in Iowa. Since then, it has won 33 national awards and one international award.

WHERE TO STAY

Bed-and-breakfasts abound in historic homes throughout the Amana Colonies, as well as camp sites at the 60-acre RV park in Amana. Hotels and motels are nearby, too, from along Interstate 80 to nearby towns and cities.

INFORMATION

Amanacolonies.com