Less than a two-hour drive from Des Moines, this UNESCO City of Literature, home to the Iowa Hawkeyes and the unique Ped Mall, Iowa City is a great place to visit for a quick day or weekend trip. Stroll the tree-lined streets of the downtown district to discover independent boutiques, cafes and bars, attend a sporting event, or enjoy some of the live music and art the city has to offer.

Written by: Nicole Stofer, DSMG Contributor // Featured Photo: Stephen Ogunnubi on Unsplash

Iowa City Eats

Breakfast

Hamburg Inn No. 2 – A frequent stop for those on the political campaign trail and those who may have had a few libations the night before. The Hamburg has been in business for nearly 90 years and was in need of a little sprucing up. The restaurant reopened its doors this past fall with a few updates, while keeping the original feel and pie shakes!

Pullman Bar & Diner – The indoor space has an old school diner aesthetic with a variety of classic and more modern menu choices. The patio is also a nice spot to enjoy your meal or happy hour cocktail.

Encounter Cafe – Serves breakfast and lunch prepared with mainly locally grown or purchased ingredients. You can also enjoy made from scratch bakery items and a large drink menu including several options brewed with fair trade, locally roasted coffee beans.

Get Fresh Cafe – The quaint cafe offers grab and go or sit-down cold pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls and more.

Lunch & Dinner

The Webster – This upscale Northside restaurant was recently named one of USA Today’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year. The dinner menu is designed for sharing and changes frequently based on seasonal availability.

St. Burch Tavern – Inspired by taverns and supper clubs of yesteryear, the restaurant serves American food, including several seafood items, delicious desserts, and drinks.

Trumpet Blossom Cafe – Seasonal vegetarian and vegan menu with several organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Szechuan House – Authentic Szechuan is hard to find in Iowa, but this eatery nails it. It’s best to go with a group and enjoy sharing dishes from their extensive menu.

Orchard Green – For more of a fine dining experience, Orchard Green has established itself as a must-visit. The dimly lit, beautiful interior and inviting ambiance is perfect for a date night or special occasion. Arrive early to have an apéritif in the downstairs lounge.

Grocery

Bread Garden Market – Downtown market and deli at 225 S Linn St

Iowa City Farmers Market – Local produce Saturdays May through October at 405 E Washington St

New Pioneer Food Co-op – Neighborhood store with local and organic options at 22 S Van Buren St

John’s Grocery – Locally owned grocery store housed in a building that’s nearly as old as the establishment of the state. Go for the history, stay for the extensive beer and wine selection at 401 E Market St

Iowa City Drinks

Coffee

Daydrink – Coffee is roasted in-house with beans from ethically sourced growers around the world and is served in reusable glass jars to promote sustainability.

Java House – An Iowa City staple since 1994, there are several branches around town to grab a pick me up, like the Caramel Pistachio Latte, or beans to take home.

Beer & Wine

Joe’s Place – This classic sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating is a perfect place to watch a game and cheer on the Hawks.

George’s Buffet – One of the oldest bars in town, George’s has been slinging beers since 1939. Other notable features include a jukebox, weekday happy hour specials, and delicious late night cheeseburgers.

Sanctuary – A common theme in several of the recommendations is longevity and the Sanctuary surely fits the bill. It’s been around since 1972 and throughout its iterations the relaxed, cozy vibe has remained the same. The pub has a substantial drink menu, food, and occasional live music.

Plated Table – A newer edition to the food and beverage scene, the Plated Table provides an intimate dining space within a wine shop. The space holds frequent pop-ups with small plates to accompany wine or cocktails, depending on the event, and is also available for private parties. Check the Pop-Up Calendar for dates and more information.

Cocktails

The Green House – Plant-themed cocktail lounge in an inviting green space at 505 E Washington St

Vue Rooftop – Craft cocktails and shareable plates with a view at 328 S Clinton St

Stuffed Olive – Martinis, tapas, and other small plates at 121 E College St

To Do

Museums

University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art 160 W Burlington St

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History Macbride Hall, 17 N Clinton St

Music

Northside Nights – The Northside dining area is one of the positives that came from 2020. The once driveable street has remained a lovely pedestrian area for outdoor dining and drinking. Northside Nights are held on Saturday evenings May through September and feature local musicians from 6-8 PM. There are picnic tables and other seating available, but you may want to bring your own chair to ensure a seat. You can then enjoy food and drinks from several of the surrounding businesses including: Pagliai’s Pizza, Oasis Falafel, Brix Cheese Shop and Wine Bar, Wild Culture Kombucha, and Marcos Grilled Cheese.

Friday Night Concert Series – Outdoor concert series located at the Ped Mall stage in front of the Graduate Hotel. The free series showcases a variety of local musicians and is a pleasant after dinner activity during the summer months.

Gabe’s – Historic dive bar music venue that’s been showcasing local and national acts for the last fifty years.

Performing Arts

Englert Theatre at 221 E Washington St

James Theatre at 213 N Gilbert St

Hancher Auditorium at 141 Park Rd

Shopping

DOTŁ’IZHI – Beautiful artisan jewelry designed and created by the owner at 327 Kirkwood Ave

Prairie Lights Books and Cafe – Books, magazines, and an upstairs coffee shop at 15 S Dubuque St

Dulcinea – Women’s clothing boutique at 2 S Dubuque St

Revival – New and resale women’s clothing boutique at 117 E College St

Record Collector – LP’s, CD’s, and music equipment at 116 S Linn St

The Shop Iowa City – Homegoods: Vintage finds and handcrafted art at 4 S Dubuque St

Iowa Artisans Gallery – Home goods, jewelry, and various forms of art at 207 E Washington St

The majority of recommendations are located near the downtown area, which easily allows for a walkable weekend! While the list is nowhere near extensive, I’ve incorporated a variety of prices and vibes that are all some of my favorites. There are also many festivals throughout the year, including the Book Festival, Mission Creek, Jazz Festival and more, so be sure to check the local events calendar when you go.

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