From falafel to pupusas: Iowa City's top rated restaurants according to Yelp
Yelp has allowed people to tap into their inner food critic for the past 20 years. Users can leave reviews of restaurants, fawn over service, and perhaps declare a must-try item.
Yelp has become one of the most trusted sources for locals and visitors alike when figuring out what to eat.
The company's tagline is "real people, real reviews," connecting people with local businesses. Users have contributed more than 260 million reviews of salons, plumbers, and, of course, restaurants.
The Iowa City corridor is certainly no stranger to fine dining and customer reviews.
Here are the top 10 Iowa City restaurants with the highest ratings on Yelp as of July 2024:
10. The Encounter Café
The Encounter Café first opened its doors in August 2017 and has become a premiere brunch spot in the seven years since. From homemade pastries to breakfast burritos and skillets, there are plenty of brunch options, whether you are more keen on sweet or savory.
With over 160 reviews on Yelp, 129 of the ratings from customers are five stars.
"Encounter Cafe is a low-key foodie superstar in Iowa City. The food is excellent, the service top-notch, and it is run by very nice owners and staff," One reviewer wrote. "The morning scene is usually lively without being overcrowded or noisy. The food is hot, fresh, and served quickly. And most importantly, very delicious. Nothing but great things to say about an Encounter Cafe experience!"
Location: 76 S Clinton St, Iowa City
Contact: 319-519-2044 or @theencountercafe
9. Oasis Falafel
Since opening its doors in 2004, Oasis Falafel has become a favorite on the northside. The fast-casual restaurant is best known for its falafel and standard gyros though they also serve beef kafta, chicken shawarma, and baklava for dessert. The hummus has also become a favorite and can be found at local retailers like Hy-Vee and Bread Garden Market.
According to Yelp reviewers, Oasis Falafel raises the bar with consistently good food and service and is a must-try in Iowa City.
"Don't go here unless you want to ruin all other falafel joints," one five-star review said.
Location: 206 N. Linn St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-358-7342 or @oasisstreetfood
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8. Ramen Belly
Ramen Belly is tucked away in the Peninsula Neighborhood in Iowa City. In 2023, the restaurant made Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants in the Midwest. While ramen is in the restaurant name, the spot offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine, from poke bowls to donburi and dumplings and short ribs.
Yelp users recommend the tartare tower and the ramen, specifically with the house-made broth.
Location: 1010 Martin St, Iowa City
Contact: 319-569-1057 or @ramenbelly1010
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7. Nodo
NoDo Iowa City specializes in sandwiches, salads, soups, wraps, and coffee and boasts a 4.6-star rating on Yelp. With two locations, one downtown and one on the north side, the expansive menu caters to various tastes. Offering classic options such as a chicken Caesar salad wrap and traditional grilled cheese, more adventurous meals are available for those looking to expand their palate. Give the ham and mango sandwich a try or the Cajun salmon melt. NoDo also has a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Location: 5 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, or 600 N. Dodge St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-359-1181 or 319-512-5028 or nodoiowacity.com
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6. Si Senor 2
Si Se?or 2 is the sister location of the Mount Vernon restaurant, Si Se?or. This authentic Mexican eatery in Coralville offers classic dishes such as various fajitas and enchiladas. In addition, the restaurant features an array of vegetarian options and an extensive seafood menu, including ceviche. Yelp reviewers also praise the margaritas, advising that the drinks are "quite strong."
Location: 906 2nd St, Coralville
Contact: 319-337-0504 or sisenor2ia.com
5. Mesa 503
Mesa 503 serves up El Salvadorian cuisine. The main showstopper is the pupusas, a traditional dish often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meal is made of thick, hand-made corn tortillas that are typically filled with a variety of ingredients. Varieties include cheese and zucchini, cheese and pork, and cheese and chorizo. The restaurant also serves up other traditional Latin flavors like carne asada and tamales.
The Yelp reviews rave about Mesa 503's cuisine and the friendly service.
Location: 2302 Muscatine Ave, Iowa City
Contact: 319-519-6170 or mesa503.com
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4. I Love Fufu
I Love Fufu opened in 2022 and quickly caught on with Iowa City residents. The restaurant specializes in African and Caribbean cuisine, offering jollof rice, the popular West African soup egusi, and oxtail. Fufu is a must-try, a staple in many West African countries. Fufu is made by boiling starchy vegetables like cassava, yams, or plantains and then pounding them into a smooth, elastic dough. It is typically served as an accompaniment to soups, stews, and sauces, allowing diners to scoop up and savor the rich flavors of each dish.
Location: 230 E Benton St, Iowa City
Contact: 319-499-8189 or ilovefufuiowacity.com
3. Mammitas Coffee
In downtown Iowa City, Mammitas Coffee offers a unique blend of coffee, flowers, and pastries. The establishment opened in 2020 and serves horchata and dulce de leche. However, Mammitas Coffee is more than just a Latin-inspired coffee shop; it also boasts a food menu filled with options unique to Mammitas. The establishment serves up Cuban sandwiches, breakfast chorizo burritos, and pastry varieties like tres leche and pastelitos de guavas, a puff pastry filled with a sweet guava paste.
Location: 224 S Linn St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-569-1067 or @mammitascoffee
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2. Restaurant Ga?
Restaurant Gai, located on First Avenue in Coralville, serves traditional West African food.
"The food was absolutely outstanding and only rivaled by the immense kindness of the owner," one Yelp review said.
Menu highlights include jollof rice ? a dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, and various spices. It is often served with meat such as fried chicken and beignets, and mini African donut bites.
With a diverse menu offering plenty of options, the friendly staff at Restaurant Ga? are ready to make your dining experience memorable.
Location: 104 1st Ave, Coralville
Contact: 319-512-3058 or restaurantgai.godaddysites.com
1. Island Vybz
Yelp's top-rated Iowa City eatery is Island Vybz, a hard-to-miss food truck brightly painted with a tie-dye design and a Jamaican Flag.
The establishment offers plenty of choices, including jerk sandwiches and quesadillas, along with fried plantains ? which are a must-try, according to the dozens of reviewers.
Island Vybz has a perfect five-star rating on Yelp.
As a food truck, spotting the restaurant can be difficult, but Island Vybz posts weekly on Instagram where they will be. Yelp reviewers note that there is often a long wait, but it is always well worth it.
Contact: 319-541-4771 or @islandvybz2015
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Where to eat in Iowa City: A Yelp guide to the top 10 restaurants
