25 Essential Iowa City Institutions
From neighborhood classics to high-wire tasting rooms, these are the places shaping the modern dining identity of Iowa City.
Estela's Fresh Mex - Iowa City
Iowa
Counter-service joint offering Mexican fare such as burritos, tacos & quesadillas, plus delivery.
Midtown Family Restaurant
Iowa
Local chain serving a menu of breakfast & American comfort food in a casual atmosphere.
Exotic India
Iowa
Cozy, colorful restaurant serving curries, tandoori fare & traditional Indian cuisine.
Zolly’s Grill
Iowa City, Iowa
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
Wildwood Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
High-energy restaurant & watering hole offering BBQ grub, booze & dancing in casual, bi-level digs.
Mesa Pizza Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Counter-serve operation for slices, specialty pies with creative combos & salads.
A & A Pagliai's Pizza
Iowa City, Iowa
Old-school, family-owned joint serving thin-crust pizzas made from family recipes & beer.
Village Inn
Iowa City, Iowa
Family-friendly chain serving homestyle American classics such as chicken-fried steak & pot pie.
La Regia Taqueria
Iowa City, Iowa
Small, pared-down Mexican place offering classic eats & sodas, plus a shop with imported staples.
Pop's BBQ
Iowa City, Iowa
Relaxed brick-clad stop serving up smoked BBQ classics such as ribs, pulled pork & chicken.
Joseph's Steakhouse
Iowa City, Iowa
White-tablecloth steak & seafood restaurant with a quiet, refined atmosphere & a global wine list.
Ramen Belly
Iowa City, Iowa
Service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Onsite services, Takeout, Dine-in. Highlights: Fast service. Popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining. Accessibility.
Oyama
Iowa City, Iowa
Service options: Curbside pickup, Delivery, Takeout, Dine-in. Highlights: Fast service, Great tea selection. Popular for: Lunch, Dinner.
Iowa City ReUnion Brewery
Iowa City, Iowa
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, Wheelchair accessible seating.
Short's Burgers Eastside
Iowa City, Iowa
Casual, compact spot with creative burgers & other pub grub, plus a long full bar with beer on tap.
Falbo Bros Pizzeria
Iowa City, Iowa
Casual pizzeria chain serving thin-crust, stuffed & deep-dish pies, plus fries, wings & calzones.
Thai Spice
Iowa City, Iowa
Casual nook in a strip mall with an old-world feel preparing Thai specialties to eat in or take out.
Arby's
Iowa City, Iowa
Fast-food chain, known for its roast beef, serving up hot & cold sandwiches, fries & shakes.
Nodo Downtown
Iowa City, Iowa
Airy, bi-level cafe offering a big menu of creative sandwiches & wraps in a cozy space with a patio.
Midtown Family Restaurant
Iowa City, Iowa
Local chain serving a menu of breakfast & American comfort food in a casual atmosphere.
One Twenty Six & Moonrakers
Iowa City, Iowa
Bistro serving organic, locally sourced French-American fare in a candlelit brick-walled setting.
Zio Johno's - Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Unpretentious Italian restaurant dishing up traditional pastas, pizzas & sandwiches.
Royceanns soul food
Iowa City, Iowa
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
Szechuan House
Iowa City, Iowa
Spacious restaurant offering a range of spicy Sichuan dishes as well as Chinese-American standards.
Coach's Corner
Iowa City, Iowa
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, Wheelchair accessible seating.