Food Scene
Blackstone is a fine-dining feature on the east side of Iowa City. It can be affordable and has something on the menu for everyone. They have happy hour everyday from 3-6 and nightly drink specials. If you are headed there on a weekend night, consider a reservation or grab a table in the bar area.
12 locals recommend
BlackStone
503 Westbury DrBlackstone is a fine-dining feature on the east side of Iowa City. It can be affordable and has something on the menu for everyone. They have happy hour everyday from 3-6 and nightly drink specials. If you are headed there on a weekend night, consider a reservation or grab a table in the bar area.
Some say that Short's, known for their burgers, is a must-eat restaurant in town. Head there on a Monday night for $6.99 burger and fries - it's a great deal!
Short's Burgers Eastside
521 Westbury DrSome say that Short's, known for their burgers, is a must-eat restaurant in town. Head there on a Monday night for $6.99 burger and fries - it's a great deal!
A hole in the wall, townie bar! It's decent bar food with happy hour M-F from 3-6 and other nightly food/drink specials. The boom boom sauce on the wings is tasty! If you want to watch soccer, this is the place to go.
6 locals recommend
2 Dogs Pub
1705 S 1st AveA hole in the wall, townie bar! It's decent bar food with happy hour M-F from 3-6 and other nightly food/drink specials. The boom boom sauce on the wings is tasty! If you want to watch soccer, this is the place to go.
New American - very tasty! The restaurant is small so it can be difficult to get a table for a group during meal times.
14 locals recommend
Pullman Bar & Diner
17 S Dubuque StNew American - very tasty! The restaurant is small so it can be difficult to get a table for a group during meal times.
The most authentic tacos (and other mexican cuisine) in town. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop!
11 locals recommend
La Regia Taqueria
436 Hwy 1 WThe most authentic tacos (and other mexican cuisine) in town. Definitely a worthwhile place to stop!
Delicious barbecue, great patio, and excellent happy hour specials (3-6 p.m.)! Order in bulk if you have a larger group.
Mosley's Barbecue and Provisions
525 S Gilbert StDelicious barbecue, great patio, and excellent happy hour specials (3-6 p.m.)! Order in bulk if you have a larger group.
The Java House - First Ave
1575 S 1st AveDaylight Donuts
1681 South 1st AvenueDonuts!
Hurts Donut Co.
1301 5th StColorful and creative donuts!
A restaurant and tap room that is perfect for a bigger group. In the summer, take advantage of the sprawling patio. Otherwise, enjoy the expansive inside with a casual atmosphere with shuffleboard and ping pong.
26 locals recommend
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
1225 S Gilbert StA restaurant and tap room that is perfect for a bigger group. In the summer, take advantage of the sprawling patio. Otherwise, enjoy the expansive inside with a casual atmosphere with shuffleboard and ping pong.
Press Coffee Company
1120 North Dodge StreetSaid to be one of the best coffee shops in the area!
Unique little diner! Great for breakfast, but it gets busy so get there early.
26 locals recommend
Bluebird Diner
330 E Market StUnique little diner! Great for breakfast, but it gets busy so get there early.
This is your local greasy spoon. Politicians always swing by Hamburg when they are in town. If you want to traditional diner, you'll find it here.
24 locals recommend
Hamburg Inn No. 2
214 N Linn StThis is your local greasy spoon. Politicians always swing by Hamburg when they are in town. If you want to traditional diner, you'll find it here.
Enjoy food trucks, fresh produce, and locally made products!
Wednesday market 5-7 p.m.
Saturday market 7:30 a.m. - noon
9 locals recommend
Iowa City Farmers Market (May-Oct)
405 E Washington StEnjoy food trucks, fresh produce, and locally made products!
Wednesday market 5-7 p.m.
Saturday market 7:30 a.m. - noon
Essentials
Fareway Grocery
2530 Westwinds DrNot open on Sunday and they close around 9 p.m. every night.
Grab some groceries with a drink in your hand. This place has several beers on tap or wine ready to pour as you stroll through the store. They also prepared food ready to purchase such as pizza by the slice or a whole pie made-to-order, sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar. If you want to lounge, take advantage of the free wifi, shuffleboard, and old school arcade games.
8 locals recommend
Lucky's Market
1668 Sycamore StGrab some groceries with a drink in your hand. This place has several beers on tap or wine ready to pour as you stroll through the store. They also prepared food ready to purchase such as pizza by the slice or a whole pie made-to-order, sandwiches, and an extensive salad bar. If you want to lounge, take advantage of the free wifi, shuffleboard, and old school arcade games.
Open 24/7, Hyvee is the one-stop-shop grocery store, with a pharmacy, dry cleaning, stamps, etc. There's a Starbucks inside as well as a restaurant.
37 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
1125 N Dodge StOpen 24/7, Hyvee is the one-stop-shop grocery store, with a pharmacy, dry cleaning, stamps, etc. There's a Starbucks inside as well as a restaurant.
No need to compromise your fitness if you're out of town. The daily drop in fee is about $10.
Planet Fitness
1660 Sycamore StNo need to compromise your fitness if you're out of town. The daily drop in fee is about $10.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music, country music, bbq, barbecue, etc. Free line dancing lessons on Thursdays.
Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon
4919 Walleye Dr SELive music, country music, bbq, barbecue, etc. Free line dancing lessons on Thursdays.
Joe's Place
115 Iowa AveA place to grab a drink and avoid the college crowd!
Parks & Nature
Walk, run, bike, or rollerblade around the two mile track. In the summer, rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or peddle cruisers to enjoy the lake.
14 locals recommend
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
579 McCollister BlvdWalk, run, bike, or rollerblade around the two mile track. In the summer, rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or peddle cruisers to enjoy the lake.
Entertainment & Activities
The Marcus Sycamore Cinema
1602 Sycamore StJust your typical movie theater. Bonus: $5 movies on Tuesday nights!
University of Iowa Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Volleyball, and more!
14 locals recommend
Carver-Hawkeye Arena
1 Elliott DrUniversity of Iowa Basketball, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Volleyball, and more!
Kinnick Stadium
825 Stadium DrHome of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Football team!
Getting Around
Hertz
1029 Hwy 1 WEnterprise Rent-A-Car
1275 Hwy 1 WBudget Car Rental
265 Stevens DrCambus Transit System
840 Evashevski DrThe Cambus is the University of Iowa's bus system, and it's free.
Shopping
A snarky store with everything midwest! It's worth taking a look around to get a good laugh.
11 locals recommend
RAYGUN
132 E Washington StA snarky store with everything midwest! It's worth taking a look around to get a good laugh.