Visiting Iowa City? Here are the best places to eat and grab a drink

Paris Barraza, Iowa City Press-Citizen
·9 min read
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The Iowa City Press-Citizen has put together a visitor’s guide so that folks can spend less time on Google and Yelp and more time trying out local favorites.

Whether you're visiting the area for a University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling match, men's or women's basketball game, or the first girls wrestling tournament, or just in town, here is where to eat, drink, shop and have some fun in the Iowa City area.

11 places to eat in Johnson County, including wood-fired pizza, ramen and barbecue

Try the costillas de puerco en salsa, a main dish of pork ribs with Salvadoran sauce, from Mesa 503 at 2302 Muscatine Ave. in Iowa City.
Try the costillas de puerco en salsa, a main dish of pork ribs with Salvadoran sauce, from Mesa 503 at 2302 Muscatine Ave. in Iowa City.

Marquee Pizzeria serves pizza topped with staple ingredients, such as pepperoni, mushrooms or whatever else you may like, from a wood-fired oven.

Sushiya is a sushi bar offering nigiri, sashimi, udon noodles, rolls and more. It's five-star Google reviews have dozens of diners saying that they left more than satisfied.

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano is an upscale dining experience serving pasta that is made in-house daily. Try the linguini con gamberi for a slightly spicy, seafood-filled pasta dish.

La Regia Taqueria is a popular spot for Mexican food where folks can find al pastor tacos, birria tacos, enchiladas and fajitas at affordable prices.

The Webster is an upscale restaurant offering an elevated dining experience with a menu folks won’t find elsewhere. The menu often changes to reflect seasonal foods and ingredients. Expect pricier menu items.

Oasis Falafel is another longtime Iowa City staple that serves falafels as well as chicken shawarma, beef kafta, baklava and all the humus you’ll likely crave again. It’s a great to-go option as well.

La Mexicana Grocery Store & Taqueria is another spot for Mexican food in the Iowa City area with dozens of positive reviews lauding it for its excellent tacos, burritos and margaritas.

Ramen Belly is tucked away in the Peninsula Neighborhood in Iowa City with hot bowls of pork broth ramen, poke bowls and more. If you stop in, leave a signature or a doodle on the restaurant’s large chalkboard.

Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue sits inside a reconstructed, century-old barn with a menu that features ingredients from local and sustainable farms and vendors. Between a thoughtful dinner menu and brunch, Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue is another sit-down option located on a 90-acre apple orchard and farm.

Pop’s BBQ is one of those spots that, if you’re nearby, you’ll catch a whiff of what's cooking. The barbecue joint serves brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and all the classic sides you’d expect to accompany your barbecue.

Mesa 503 serves tasty El Salvadorian cuisine, including pupusas, enchiladas, tamales and more on the east side of Iowa City. Be prepared to take the food to go as the restaurant is small.

  • Where: 2302 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City

  • Website: mesa503.com

Four places to satisfy your sweet tooth for dessert

Heyn's Ice Cream in Iowa City serves flavors such as Monster Mash.
Heyn's Ice Cream in Iowa City serves flavors such as Monster Mash.

Cookies & Dreams offers giant, fresh-baked cookies with various flavors, from snickerdoodle cheesecake to sugar cookies covered in rainbow sprinkles.

DeLuxe Cake & Pastries has plenty of baked treats, from French macarons, cookies, croissants, baguettes and more, making it not only a dessert spot, but a great café for a light breakfast or lunch as well.

The Eat Shop is the place to check out when you’re looking for kolaches, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls or classic cookies. If you visit on the weekend, check out the bakery’s bagel bombs.

Heyn’s Ice Cream has gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free options among the dozens of ice cream flavors, including the popular Monster Mash with vanilla ice cream, cookie dough, peanut butter and M&M's or the rich Chocoholic Delight with chocolate ice cream, fudge, brownies, and Heath Bar.

  • Where: 811 S. First Ave. in Iowa City and 25 E. Cherry St. in North Liberty

  • Website: heynsicecream.com

Seven bars in Johnson County to catch a drink or a mocktail

Customers sit at the bar at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City.
Customers sit at the bar at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City.

The Green House is a newly opened bar in Iowa City, decorated with more than 100 plants for a uniquely green-themed drinking experience.

George’s Buffet is a local watering hole where you don’t have to spend time pouring over a fancy menu of cocktails or worrying if two drinks will break the bank. Plus, it serves some incredible cheeseburgers if you get hungry.

Head to 30hop for a restaurant with a rooftop bar and a view of the Iowa River Landing. Just be sure to call ahead to see when the rooftop bar opens.

  • Where: 900 E. Second St., Coralville

  • Website: 30hop.com

ReUnion Brewery recently opened up a new location in downtown Iowa City, meaning there are two locations to grab a beer from this local brewery in the metro area. Sours, IPAs, stouts — ReUnion Brewery has it.

  • Where: 516 Second St. in Coralville and 111 E. College St. in Iowa City

  • Website: reunionbrewery.com

Backpocket Brewing is located right in the Iowa River Landing, and just a hop and a skip from 30hop if you’re looking to do some bar hopping.

Big Grove Brewery has locations in Iowa City and Solon, serving beers Iowans have come to know well over the years.

  • Where: 101 W. Main St. in Solon and 1225 S. Gilbert St. in Iowa City

  • Website: biggrove.com

The Unimpaired Dry Bar is a dry bar offering folks a place to grab a mocktail to indulge in without the added alcohol.

Five places to shop, from books to vintage finds

Prairie Lights is the place to go for books in Iowa City. Here, owner Jan Weissmiller wears a mask while finding a book for a call-in customer in 2020.
Prairie Lights is the place to go for books in Iowa City. Here, owner Jan Weissmiller wears a mask while finding a book for a call-in customer in 2020.

Iowa River Landing is home to restaurants, bars and plenty of places to do some shopping, including Lululemon, Anthropologie and locally owned stores such as CIELO, which sells clothes, crystals, accessories and more.

Coral Ridge Mall is less than five miles from the Iowa River Landing, and shoppers can find retailers such as Target, Barnes & Noble, HomeGoods, H&M, Sephora, and dozens more.

The Iowa Artisans Gallery was founded in 1984 and specializes in selling art made by Midwestern craftsmen. Paintings, jewelry, home décor and more are just some of what can be found in this long-running downtown Iowa City shop.

Artifacts is a vintage resale shop selling just about every item you can think of, including salt and pepper shakers, belt buckles, furniture, books and more. It’s easy to lose track of time at Artifacts with all the inventory to browse.

Prairie Lights is an independent bookstore beloved by the Iowa City community and visitors alike for its curated selection of books and intimate atmosphere. It also hosts readings and author discussions and has a café to top it all off.

12 spots for some fun in the Iowa City area, including the Stanley Museum of Art and Wilson's Orchard & Farm

The Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa features paintings from Jackson Pollock, among others.
The Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa features paintings from Jackson Pollock, among others.

FilmScene is Iowa City’s independent, nonprofit cinema with two locations in downtown Iowa City that show current films playing in theaters and flicks you’ll have a hard time catching anywhere else.

  • Where: 404 E. College St. #100 and 118 E. College St. in Iowa City

  • Website: icfilmscene.org

Iowa Raptor Project, sponsored by the University of Iowa College of Education and Kirkwood Community College, displays birds of prey that cannot be released and is open to the public for an educational experience.

The Englert Theatre is Iowa City’s historic theater that presents musicians, stand-up comics, dance and more all year.

  • Where: 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City

  • Website: englert.org

The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums include the Old Capitol Museum and Museum of Natural History, featuring special exhibits, information on Iowa’s history and a gift shop.

Cryptiq Escapes is an escape room in Iowa City that accommodates both large and small parties, with themes such as hotel hostage rescue and scary cemetery.

The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art is a visual arts institution free to the public with an array of contemporary art, African art and more. One of the museum’s most well-known pieces is Jackson Pollock’s “Mural.”

Double Tap is a bar in Iowa City with dozens of arcade games including Mario Kart, “The Simpsons,” Guitar Hero and many more.

Riverside Theatre is a professional theater company in Iowa City that, on top of presenting its seasonal works, also showcases free Shakespeare in the park performances during the summer.

SpareMe is a bowling alley and arcade located inside the Hotel Chauncey, featuring a dozen bowling lanes and a bar.

Lake MacBride State Park is Iowa’s largest state park and offers scenic trails for hiking and daytrips, two campgrounds and a lake.

Hancher Auditorium is the performing arts presenter at the University of Iowa, often showing renowned musicians, theater, lectures and more.

Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is a 90-acre farm where folks can pick seasonal produce such as apples, raspberries or pumpkins. Visit the farm market or smokehouse for barbecue.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City's top restaurants, bars and things to do in 2023