Coffeshops/Bakeries
Java House
211 1/2 E. Washington St.
(319) 341-0012
http://www.thejavahouse.com/
An IC institution in a lovely old space just off the Pedestrian Mall.
The Times Club
15 S. Dubuque St.
(319) 248-0055
http://www.prairielights.com/cafe
Upstairs at Prairie Lights bookstore.
Has good beer and wine, light food to accompany, good coffee and tea all day.
Fairgrounds Coffeehouse
345 S. Dubuque St.
(319) 338-2024
http://fairgroundscoffeehouse.com/
Good coffee and excellent vegan baked goods and vegetarian/vegan dishes.
Deluxe Cakes & Pastries
812 S. Summit St.
(319) 338-5000
http://deluxecakesandpastries.com/
Off the beaten path in the lovely Longfellow Neighborhood. Terrific baked goods and good coffee.
Dining
Shorts Burger & Shine
18 S. Clinton St.
(319) 337-4678
http://shortsburgerandshine.com/
Local burgers, local beers, and precious little else.
Sanctuary
405 South Gilbert Street
(319) 351-5692
http://www.sanctuarypub.com
One of the best menus and perhaps the best beer selection in town.
Oasis Falafel
206 N. Linn St.
(319) 358-7342
http://oasisfalafel.com/
Outstanding, no frills Mediterranean joint with the best falafel in town. Highly recommended.
Pagliai's Pizza
302 E. Bloomington St.
(319) 351-5073
http://pagliaisic.com/
They are celebrating 50 years in Iowa City. Tasty, thin-crust pizzas served in a family-friendly environment.
Moonrakers Gastropub
26 E. Washington St. (upstairs, above One Twenty Six)
(319) 887-1909
http://onetwentysix.net/
Fancier pub fare. Nice bar, nice view.
Her Soup Kitchen
25 S. Dubuque St.
(319) 354-1602
http://hersoupkitchen.com/
Great soups, salads, and sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients.
El Banditos
327 E. Market St.
(319) 358-2836
http://elbanditosiowacity.com/
A favorite Mexican joint downtown.  Seldom has Mexican shrimp been so good.
Thai Flavors
340 E. Burlington St.
(319) 339-8900
http://thaiflavors.net/
Large portions of more than serviceable Thai.
Oyama Sushi
1853 Lower Muscatine Rd. (you'll need a car)
(319) 337-8801
http://oyamaiowa.com/
As so often, the best sushi restaurant in town is tucked away in a random strip mall.
Masala Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
9 S. Dubuque St.
(319) 338-6199
http://masalaiowacity.com/
Tasty, vegetarian Indian.
Baroncini Ristorante Italiano
104 S. Linn St.
(319) 337-2048
http://www.baroncinirestaurant.com/
Fantastic Italian. Highly recommended. The chef, Signor Baronicini, cooks up incredible, delectable dishes. This is not your standard Italian restaurant.
Devotay
117 N. Linn St.
(319) 354-1001
http://www.devotay.net/
Quirky, creative, and delicious tapas.
Motley Cow Cafe
160 N. Linn St.
(319) 688-9177
http://www.motleycowcafe.com/
Lovely local fare.  The menu is always changing, but everything is good.
Trumpet Blossom Cafe
310 E. Prentiss St.
(319) 248-0077
http://trumpetblossom.com/
Vegan cafe
Hamburg Inn
214 North Linn Street
(319) 337-5512
http://www.hamburginn.com/
Famous for pie shakes and as the place where every politician must visit.
126
126 Washington Street
(319) 887-1909
http://onetwentysix.net/
John's favorite restaurant in the city, Â Excellent innovative cuisine. Â Menu changes with the seasons. Good wine list.
Formosa
221 East College Street
(319) 338-8880
http://formosadowntown.com/
Asian cuisine. Â Excellent sushi. Â Next to the Hotel Vetro.
Atlas World Grill
127 Iowa Avenue
(319) 341-7700
http://www.atlasiowacity.com/
Good and large lunch portions.
Basta Pizzeria and Ristorante
121 Iowa Avenue
(319) 337-2010
http://www.bastaiowacity.com/
Great for lunch, where you can get yummy grilled shrimp or chicken panzanella or calamari.
The Bluebird Diner
330 E. Market St.
(319) 351-1470
http://www.thebluebirddiner.com/
THE place for a Midwestern breakfast in Iowa City.
Givanni's
109 E. College St.
(319) 338-5967
http://www.givannis.net/
Good, filling Italian food.
Graze
115 E. College St.
(319) 887-5477
http://www.grazerestaurant.com/
Fun food, with bar specials on Wednesday and Thursday.
Joseph's Steakhouse
212 S. Clinton St.
(319) 358-0776
http://www.josephssteak.com/
The best steak in Iowa City in a quiet, private atmosphere. This is expensive but well worth the splurge.
The Summit
10 S. Clinton St.
(319) 354-7473
http://thesummitrestaurantandbar.com/
Another good lunch place. The salads are wonderful.
Takanami
217 Iowa Avenue
(319) 351-5125
http://www.takanamifusion.com/
Excellent Japanese food. The specialty rolls are amazing. Try the Spider or Volcano for an adventure.
Orchard Green
521 St. Gilbert St.
(319) 354-1642
http://www.orchardgreenrestaurant.com/
Just down Gilbert Street aways, this is one of John’s favorites in town. The bouillabaisse is to die for. Great wine selection.
Cactus Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
245 S. Gilbert St.
(319) 338-5588
A basic Mexican restaurant within easy walking distance