Location: Iowa City
Top Restaurants in Iowa City
Countries
Top 10 restaurants in Iowa City, United States
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It is the home of the University of Iowa and county seat of Johnson County, at the center of the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 74,398 in 2016, making it the state's fifth-largest city. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County. The metropolitan area, which encompasses Johnson and Washington counties, has a population of over 164,000.
Things to do in Iowa City
1. Her Soup Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By Sharon C
We only get to eat here once a year on our drive to ski. Always look forward to this meal. The soups and sandwiches are prepared to order and never disappoint. Wish they were closer to home so I could eat here more often
2. Oasis Falafel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Owners and friends Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan created Oasis the Falafel Joint in the summer of 2004. After meeting for lunch in downtown Iowa City the duo lamented that (at the time) falafel was nowhere to be found, and vowed to right this wrong. Naftaly had just left the tech industry and Ofer had just completed his degree in engineering – an unlikely starting place for what would become the world’s best hummus, falafel and fries.
Reviewed By GailCheryl - Iowa City, IA
I eat here often and am always happy with the taste delights and the terrific service. Today, the chicken skewer was perfectly cooked and hot out the the oven. The tabouli was fresh and bursting with flavor, with lots of parsley. The greek salad was also fresh and love the cheese and olives and the dressing is perfect. It's my go-to lunch nearly once a week. Excellent food for a reasonable price.
3. Jimmy Jack’s East Side
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By aprille - Iowa City, IA
We love Jimmy Jack's! It's a wonderful east-side option. The service is always friendly and helpful, it's great for families, and the food is delicious. The fries will be my personal downfall because they're so tasty. My husband loves the fatty brisket, and I usually go for the pulled pork. We've also enjoyed the ribs and smoked half chicken. I also appreciate the variety of sauces. You really can't go wrong. Highly recommended for a great, casual meal!
4. Pullman Bar & Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
We value three things: Service - There is nothing more important to us than delivering a positive and memorable experience. Community - Our team is comprised of proud Iowan's with deep passion and love for historic downtown Iowa City. Quality - Striving for excellence in all that we do.
Reviewed By Amy M
Very simply,the Pullman serves excellent food. Every item I've ordered, and every item I've swiped a bit of from a friend's plate, has been superb. The bar's drink menu is also quite good -- lots of options, something to go with every meal. Whenever I've visited, the service has been great, and I enjoy the ambiance of the place. It's become a new go-to for me whenever I'm back home for a visit.
5. Basta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By snickes - Chicago, Illinois
We have visited the college twice and both times we ate at Basta. It was absolutely delicious both times. We had the calamari appetizer and my daughter ordered a chicken and proscuitto dish and I had the beet and steak salad. We told the waitress we were going to split them so we could each try both entrees. Upon delivery to our table, they pre-split both items for us which was a nice touch. Service and food were both excellent! We love it there and when in the area, will probably return once again!!
6. Wig and Pen Pizza Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By freddie43Kenora - kenora
Other reviews on this site made Wig and Pen sound worth a try. It was all I expected and more. A bonus is the ample, free parking...downtown parking is a pain. I'm only here for two weeks and had planned to try a different restaurant every day but I'm already thinking about a return to this pub. The pizza was amazing. I love pizza and this was outstanding: "Flying Tomatoes" was a deep dish pizza and I chose the Union Jack which had everything I would normally order and a ridiculous abundance of creamy cheese. The cheese topping seemed to have more flavour than I'd expect from Mozzarella but whatever it was, it was perfect. I brought half of it home.
7. A & A Pagliai's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By Holden S
We ordered a pepperoni pizza with green peppers on one side and pineapple on the other. Picked up and took it home- it was great! Was ready for pickup in 30 minutes despite how many people were there.
8. Baroncini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Chef Baroncini's philosophy of using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients is represented in his contemporary Italian cuisine. Gianluca Baroncini graduated from the Italian national culinary institute in Verona, Italy, in 1991. He is the former Executive Chef of Terrazza Di Giulietta in Verona, Italy, executive chef of the Mauro's catering. He worked as Assistant chef at the Ristorante Il Desco, which received a two star Michelin guide prestigious award in Verona, Italy. Gianluca worked at the Tiberio's, Il Giardino, and as assistant chef du rang at the prestigious Galileo, fine dining Italian restaurant in Washington D.C..
Reviewed By BCA34 - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
This was our second visit to this restaurant. Excellent food. We had the carpaccio, truffle pasta, pork scalloping, braised cod ( needed a little salt). Also had an Americano cocktail but it was a little watery. This is our favorite restaurant in IC.
9. Bluebird Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By ClintTraveler - Geneseo, Illinois
We were back in Iowa City and wanted to return. It was 10:00am and my wife had Eggs Benedict’s and said they were fantastic. I had the pork chili. VERY spicy but wonderful.
The wait staff and EVERYONE Wesley were so genuinely helpful. Located about three blocks off the main drag through downtown. You would probably drive by if you had not heard about or experienced this wonderful little piece of America.
I am always impressed with the diversity of the patrons. Business professionals, students, laborer, and a group of “mature” ladies.
A happy place.
10. Orchard Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
A one of a kind venue with out of this world cuisine . It's big city dining in downtown Iowa city!
Reviewed By GailCheryl - Iowa City, IA
One of the best meals in town. Five of us had a birthday celebration on a Friday night. Tim the best waiter ever was even helpful, kind and present when needed. We all loved our meals. We shared a wonderful cheese board with many small bits of fruit, spreads and several fine cheeses. A perfect way to begin. We all loved what we ordered, but I will address two of the entrees. The Bouillabaisse was fantastic, rich flavors with shrimp, scallops, mussels & fishes with tomato, saffron & celery; risotto ($27). Some of the best I’ve had, and I order this often when traveling. The Potato crusted Salmon came with roasted garlic & wild mushroom ragout with string beans. The salmon and vegetables were tender and perfectly cooked. The crusted potatoes were delicately crunchy. ($27). Though I have described only two meals, the other three friends loved their entrees.
