Guidebook for Iowa City
Food Scene
Local brewery with street-style food and good vegetarian options. Warehouse-style interior with outdoor seating next to a park bordering the Iowa River--beautiful sunsets! Lots of games (ping pong, shuffle board, foosball, bags) and dog and kid friendly. They regularly host music shows and trivia nights. Not too pricey.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
1225 S Gilbert StLocal brewery with street-style food and good vegetarian options. Warehouse-style interior with outdoor seating next to a park bordering the Iowa River--beautiful sunsets! Lots of games (ping pong, shuffle board, foosball, bags) and dog and kid friendly. They regularly host music shows and trivia nights. Not too pricey.
Good coffee and pastries and now with a modest (but quality) breakfast menu.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Deluxe Cakes & Pastries
812 S Summit StGood coffee and pastries and now with a modest (but quality) breakfast menu.
Closest quality breakfast without the crowds you find downtown at Blue Bird Diner.
Billy's High Hat Diner
630 Iowa AveClosest quality breakfast without the crowds you find downtown at Blue Bird Diner.
High quality food with a great atmosphere. You'll probably need a reservation to dine on the main floor (if you want more light), but the downstairs is nice too and has bumper pool!
Similarly stylish, high-quality takes on lowbrow food: Mosleys (BBQ), Pullman Bar & Diner, Short's (Burger deal on Monday after 6), El Bandito's (half-priced taco Tuesday).
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St. Burch Tavern
127 Iowa AveHigh quality food with a great atmosphere. You'll probably need a reservation to dine on the main floor (if you want more light), but the downstairs is nice too and has bumper pool!
Similarly stylish, high-quality takes on lowbrow food: Mosleys (BBQ), Pullman Bar & Diner, Short's (Burger deal on Monday after 6), El Bandito's (half-priced taco Tuesday).
Happy Hour from 4-6: Half-off drinks, all but top shelf liquor. Very nice interior.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Basta Pizzeria Ristorante
121 Iowa AveHappy Hour from 4-6: Half-off drinks, all but top shelf liquor. Very nice interior.
Oasis Falafel
206 N Linn StBest local Mediterranean.
Thai Spice
1210 S Gilbert StBest local Thai.
La Regia Taqueria
436 Hwy 1 WBest local Mexican.
Masala Indian Cuisine
9 S Dubuque StBest local Indian.
Trumpet Blossom Cafe
310 E Prentiss StBest local vegan.
Drinks & Nightlife
Happy Hour from 4-6 pm: Half-off wine and beer and discount menu for appetizers and cocktails. Free pool and darts--first come, first serve.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Clinton Street Social Club
18 1/2 S Clinton StHappy Hour from 4-6 pm: Half-off wine and beer and discount menu for appetizers and cocktails. Free pool and darts--first come, first serve.
Best beer selection in town and quieter than most other options (when there's not a music show).
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sanctuary Pub
405 S Gilbert StBest beer selection in town and quieter than most other options (when there's not a music show).
Parks & Nature
Some forested trails, restored prairie, and wildlife.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hickory Hill Park
1439 E Bloomington StSome forested trails, restored prairie, and wildlife.
Shopping
Named from City Lights in San Francisco, this private bookstore has close ties with the local literary scene and often hosts readings on the second floor. The coffee shop upstairs is one of my favorites.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prairie Lights Cafe
15 S Dubuque StNamed from City Lights in San Francisco, this private bookstore has close ties with the local literary scene and often hosts readings on the second floor. The coffee shop upstairs is one of my favorites.
Haunted Bookshop
219 N Gilbert StUsed books!
Essentials
Normally on the pricey side but good discounts.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
New Pioneer Food Co-op
22 S Van Buren StNormally on the pricey side but good discounts.
Hy-Vee
1125 N Dodge StThis is a grocery store, but it also just happens to have the cheapest quality lunch you can hope for.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bread Garden Market
225 S Linn StThis is a grocery store, but it also just happens to have the cheapest quality lunch you can hope for.
Arts & Culture
Iowa City was the capitol of Iowa until 1857. Interested in learning more? Here's the place. Next door is MacBride Hall, which houses the Natural History Museum.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old Capitol Museum
21 N Clinton StIowa City was the capitol of Iowa until 1857. Interested in learning more? Here's the place. Next door is MacBride Hall, which houses the Natural History Museum.
Surprisingly awesome selection. A lot of locals don't even realize...
THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT ADDRESS, however: Iowa Memorial Union, third floor. 125 North Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242. 319-335-1742.
University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art
160 N Madison StSurprisingly awesome selection. A lot of locals don't even realize...
THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT ADDRESS, however: Iowa Memorial Union, third floor. 125 North Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242. 319-335-1742.
Entertainment & Activities
Compact theater for first-runs, classic movies, film series & workshops, with a cafe & roof patio
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
FilmScene
118 E College StCompact theater for first-runs, classic movies, film series & workshops, with a cafe & roof patio
Big(ish)-name performances of all kinds. Sometimes you can snag last-minute tickets, unlike for Hancher Auditorium and Voxman Recital Hall.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Englert Civic Theatre
221 E Washington StBig(ish)-name performances of all kinds. Sometimes you can snag last-minute tickets, unlike for Hancher Auditorium and Voxman Recital Hall.