Iowa City is known for being a foodie city. Despite being a small, Midwestern city in a flyover state, it surprisingly has a dense population of amazing local restaurants with a diverse culinary scene. After living in this city for 4 years, I was fortunate enough to try out many of its amazing restaurants. That’s why I decided to create the ultimate, comprehensive guide to all the best restaurants in Iowa City (as decided by my husband and me). If you ever visit, I promise you won’t leave Iowa City hungry.
Make sure to check out Think Iowa City for the most up-to-date information on local events and other fun things to do while in Iowa City!
Breakfast, Brunch, & Coffee
Press Coffee
Press is a coffee shop inside what appears to be an old house. It is so cozy inside with a diverse set of tables, armchairs, and couches spread throughout. We frequently came here for a latte and a pastry (the almond croissant is delicious!). They have two patios, one in front and another in the back. What makes it even more unique is that they allow dogs inside and even have a treat container on the counter for all the furry friends that visit.
Sidekick Coffee and Books
This coffee shop is for all the book lovers. It’s the type of coffee shop where you’ll want to stay awhile. So grab your drink of choice and explore the hundreds of books that line the shelves or cozy up on one of their comfy couches. They even have a kids’ corner with children’s books and a little nook.
Tribute Eatery & Bar
Tribute is easily one of my favorite brunch spots in Iowa City. Their food is delicious, but one of the things they are best known for is their cocktails. Everyone I have tried is spectacular! And if you are going in a group (or not, no judgement), be sure to try out their mimosa tower. Hint: if you go earlier than 11 am, the tower is half off!
Bluebird Diner
Bluebird Diner is an Iowa City staple and if you ask any local, one of the best restaurants in town. They have two locations, Downtown Iowa City and North Liberty, but the downtown location is the original and more iconic. It has all the diner feels with high-quality diner breakfasts. They get busy quickly, so go early. But if you show up and there’s a wait, than I promise you, the wait goes fast and the food is worth every minute of it.
Pullman Bar & Diner
Pullman is another Iowa City spot with a classic diner feel, but this time it’s a bit more upscale. They have fantastic burgers if you visit for lunch or dinner, but we believe Pullman is best for brunch. Their mimosas are fantastic and if you like breakfast burgers, the Glazy Susan is one of the best out there. They also have a great outdoor patio for when the weather is nice.
Barrett’s
Barrett’s is a newer restaurant located just north of Iowa City in North Liberty, but has quickly become one of the best places to grab coffee and some of the best pastries you will ever have. The pastries are so good, my mom would always request a stop here whenever she visited. Make sure to arrive early if you want one of their famous cinnamon rolls because they sell out very quickly.
Encounter Cafe
A local Amish community runs Encounter Cafe and has some of the best breakfast in Iowa City! They offer a variety of breakfast options made from locally sourced ingredients, as well as a separate counter dedicated to pastries and their homemade cinnamon rolls. It is located conveniently downtown and is a must visit if you are visiting Iowa City.
Snacks, Drinks & Game Day Vibes
Big Grove Brewery
Big Grove is another Iowa City icon. It is THE place to be on a summer day. They have a massive patio with fire pits, yard games, and even a small playground for the kids. They are also very dog-friendly with a specific menu with treats for your furry friend. Big Grove brews all of their beer on site and the brand has even expanded to multiple cities throughout Iowa and surrounding states. If you only have time for one place while visiting Iowa City, then make sure it’s Big Grove.
Field Day
Field Day is technically located in North Liberty, but it’s worth the 10-15 minute drive up north. Despite opening not long ago, it has gained popularity and is frequently packed. The brewery has a very open feel with a large patio with fire pits and a playground, perfect for summer evenings. Another cool feature of Field Day is their duckpin bowling lanes that you can rent out. The food is good, but our favorite was always their giant pretzel. And when we say giant, we mean GIANT! They are the size of a large pizza!
Iowa Athletic Club
This is THE spot to watch your favorite sporting events. The place is decorated with antique sporting memorabilia and has an entire wall of TVs behind the bar. No matter where you are sitting, you will have a view of the big game. The menu is extensive with everything from pizza and wings to mac and cheese. They also have some arcade games to keep the kids busy.
30 Hop
30 Hop was one of our most frequented restaurants when we lived in Iowa City. Their beer selection is huge and features mostly local options. But the food menu is what is really impressive. It isn’t your typical bar food, it’s elevated. They have delicious burgers but the local favorite is their Yakisoba bowl. It’s a meal I would drive across state lines to have again!
Lunch & Dinner
Basta
Basta is a casual pizzeria and Italian restaurant in downtown Iowa City. They have all the classics from pizza to pasta with delicious appetizers. They do get pretty busy on the weekends, so plan to make reservations.
Blue Agave
Blue Agave is another newer restaurant in Iowa City, but it quickly became our favorite place to get good Mexican food. The tacos are a must and the queso is so good! They also have an entire menu dedicated to margaritas of every flavor. The interior design is a little too modern for our taste, but they have a patio if it’s a nice day out.
Cedar Ridge
So Cedar Ridge isn’t technically in Iowa City, but it’s worth the 20-minute drive out of the city to Swisher, Iowa. It is set among rolling hills of grape vines and is absolutely beautiful during sunset. Their wine is actually very good for Iowa wine and their wood-fired pizza is delicious! Definitely go on a nice day to enjoy their patio with vineyard views. Also, be sure to check out their events as they frequently have live music during the summer months.
Orchard Green
Orchard Green is easily one of the best restaurants in Iowa City and one of our favorites! The restaurant is located in a cool, old brick building with stunning arched windows. Not only is the interior amazing, but so is the food. We highly recommend the mussels appetizer and their fish dishes, like the Sea Bass. But you definitely can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.
St. Burch Tavern
St. Burch Tavern is another Iowa City icon. The interior is beautiful and the patio is the perfect spot to people-watch on a nice summer evening. They even have a basement named “The Den” that is the perfect spot to grab a pre- or post-dinner drink, especially in the winter, as it is warm and cozy with a neon bear light giving the room a warm glow. Aside from the vibes, St. Burch also has incredible food. Josh loves the rotating oyster specials but I am partial to the warm and gooey lobster mac and cheese.
The Webster
The Webster is an easy favorite of ours for a splurge night. It serves contemporary American cuisine with a menu that changes seasonally and relies heavily on Midwestern ingredients. Both the restaurant and the food are beautiful! Make sure to go when you have an empty stomach because you will end up ordering most of the menu.
Baroncini
Now this is the place for date night. Baroncini is an authentic Italian restaurant with a small and cozy interior. Their pasta is incredible (my favorite is the Agnolotti di Mazo, a brown butter and sage ravioli)! Make sure to do the full thing when going here: a bottle of wine, an appetizer, pasta, and of course, dessert.
Dessert
Dairy Queen
Okay, I know what you are thinking, “Dairy Queen? I can get that anywhere.” And you would be right, but this one is special. Located just on the other side of the river from Downtown Iowa City, this Dairy Queen is retro. No drive-thru, just a walk-up window and neon lights. It was the first Dairy Queen in Iowa and opened only 7 years after the chain began in 1940. And to make it better, it has a secret menu posted on the window.
Dane’s Dairy
Dane’s is a local legend. They are a small, locally-owned soft serve ice cream shop only open during the late spring to early fall. They have a drive-up window, but we recommend parking and using the walk-up window and taking your ice cream to one of the benches. We loved frequenting this place because it was a quick walk from our house.
Heyn’s Ice Cream
Heyn’s Ice Cream is a locally owned ice cream shop with locations in Iowa City and in North Liberty. They serve a dense and creamy scoop-style ice cream that is always made in-house. They even host competitions where local children create their own flavor and the winner gets their ice cream served in the shops. It’s the perfect spot for a midday snack or a post-dinner treat.
