The only one of its kind in the IC Downtown District, Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar has it all. (And…read moreby all, I mean cheese and wine. What more could you need?) What started as a wine and cheese shop with a small bar has grown into a full-service restaurant with a small shop. It boasts outdoor seating (though, be careful for falling acorns during the fall-- those are hazardous)! I stopped in on a Friday evening, prior to another reservation. I got a crisp glass of rose and enjoyed the beautiful October day. I'd d I recommend street parking, down Linn Street. Though the Tower Place Parking Ramp is a short .25 mile walk away. Honestly, I bumped this up a star for two main reasons. 1) STAFF. Man, just the most helpful, knowledgeable and personable folks work here. Kind folks. I mean Kind with a capital K -- and it starts from the top. During the pandemic, the owner donated $13k during the peak of the pandemic to local businesses. (By challenging his customers: For every $100 Brix gift card purchased, he would pay forward 100 percent, with 75 percent of the money going to various downtown venues, restaurants and retail, and 25 percent to the Englert Theatre.) Additionally, each year Brix does a Rosé vs Wade event raising money for the local Emma Goldman Clinic of Iowa City. 2) Wine classes. I am always so intrigued to see the wine classes Brix puts up on Facebook. I adore wine but I am not anything close to a sommelier. Keep an eye out for these informative and tasty classes! Brix is one of a kind in Downtown Iowa City. Sip, sip hooray! Stop by.

A distinctive feature of txakoli is the "txotx" pouring method, where the wine is poured from a…read moreheight into a glass to aerate it and release its aromas. This practice is common in Basque pintxo bars and adds a cultural ritual to the drinking experience. Only these guys can't be bothered to serve it that way. Shame on you for being lazy. Marks you as a hick bar in the cornbelt. Surprised you don't have sawdust and discarded peanut shells littering the floor.

Back again for an iced coffee while I strolled the Farmers Market. I tried oat milk in my coffee…read moretoday and it was divine.

Wild Culture is truly a gem of a watering hole on the North Side. It is an oasis of good vibes,…read moregreenery and a sexy menu for teetotalers and adult beverage enthusiasts alike. The booch menu is always changing. There's a bunch of craft beer options. Devine cocktails (many made with some seasonal kombucha). And coffee is offered here with a super limited snack menu. I stopped in on date night and had wonderful service, as well as a delicious Tom Collins. Pricing still seems on point. Seating is limited. Parking is always tough.

We went on a weekday during happy hour and there was lots of seating and ample free parking…read more Their happy hour deals were nice, they had a wine deal where you get a double pour, so you pay for one glass but they give you a glass with double the wine content. It was a lot of wine but a good deal! The only thing that was difficult is their printed wine menu is different from what they had available. The waitress was nice so she got some recommendations from the bartender and we were able to choose wine that way. The pizza was great, some of the best we have had in Coralville. Their pasta tasted fresh and homemade, I am not sure if it is but that was the vibe we got. The broccolini was hot!! Not in a straight out of the oven way, but in an it carries some heat way. We thought maybe there was chili oil on it? But even though we weren't expecting the heat, they were super good. The only downside to the meal was the crème brûlée, it bothers me when the top isn't crispy. Normally, you use the spoon to kind of break the sugar glass on top (i think it's sugar?) and I was sad when the sugar on top was missing from half of it. I think to make it you use a blowtorch to melt the sugar on top (?) idk how it works, but whatever that step is I think it was missed. Other than that great food and drinks!

Wow. Ambiance. Legit. Food most importantly amazing. The basic cheese dish pizza, which is happy…read morehour is filling for one person and can also be split for two. The ranch dressing was amazing. It just went up in price to $8. The six dollar beers could've been cheaper but hey for the price of the pizza I'll take it - much thank you so much. $15 (ranch $1 extra. Boo) for a beer and a pizza from 2 to 5 Monday through Friday. The menu looks normwith pasta and apps as well.

Fabulous homemade pasta and the staff is amazing. Definitely recommend. Very small.read more

We came to Baroncini last night for a late Valentine's Day date, and it was such a cute, cozy…read morelittle Italian spot in downtown Iowa City. Our server was very kind and we enjoyed her a lot. We ordered the Spinach Ravioli and a Margherita Pizza to share. The pizza was fine, however the toppings were quick to fall off. The spinach ravioli (not pictured) was amazing. I was a huge fan. We also split a bottle of riesling and the cheesecake for dessert. Both were wonderful. We are excited to have found a new spot in Iowa city and are looking forward to returning!

We had a wonderful time at Plated Table with our friends that brought us here! Their menu is…read moreseasonal so the dishes here are never the same, always fresh farm to table. They have a phenomenal selection of wines, especially natural/biodynamic wines, which for us is the first time seeing this being offered in this part of the state. The next closest we've seen is Des Moines, so we were pleasantly surprised! The food was pretty good, fresh and offered a nice variety -- I will say that the particular menu we had the night we came lacked protein/meat, but I imagine it's because they are consistently changing up the menu so maybe next time, we will see more selection of proteins. They also allow you to bring wine for a $15 corkage fee per bottle which is really nice. The ambiance is absolutely stunning -- so much natural light, beautiful modern decor, with lots of plants. Very inviting! We were having such a good time with one another that I forgot to take pictures. So, that just means we'll have to come back again!

Dinner at Plated Table consisted of cheese plate⁣, tomato soup⁣, fritta⁣ta, barramundi almondine⁣,…read moreand apples and yeast ice cream⁣. The food was everything I look for: delicious, locally sourced, and unique. The little cup of tomato soup warmed me up with a nice lil zing the barramundi was soft and flakey, the almonds had a nice buttery and nutty flavor with some acid on those herbs making it a perfect balance loved the texture of the frittata and the aioli on top made it hard to stop! Ended the meal with yeast ice cream, still don't know what that is but now I know I love it ⁣our waitress was attentive. It is a small, cozy space where you may be seated at a table with others but felt intimate and still not too loud.

Once you settle in your location you can walk or drive to Twelve O1 Kitchen to order up fajitas or…read morefish & chips. The wait staff is friendly and the servers allow you to scan the menu while checking back to make sure you are happy with you on your entree to make sure your experience is enjoyable. The atmosphere was lively with many cheering for the home team on wide sports screen TVS - Go Hawkeyes!

Tried this as a "something new" date and pleasantly surprised. Perfect bridge between expensive…read morefine dining and a typical burger joint, the food is good and the prices are reasonable.

First time here. The food is fabulous. The service is first class. I will definitely be coming…read moreback. If you are a pizza snob, you need to eat here. The cannolis are good too, very traditional with chocolate chips and pistachios. The service is the best I've had anywhere. Did I mention the food was fabulous?

High-End Pizza & Perfect Peronis…read more If you're looking for authentic, high-quality pizza in North Liberty, Rusciano's is the spot. The pizza was excellent--perfectly cooked crust and fresh toppings that actually taste like they came from an Italian kitchen. It's hard to find a place that gets the balance of sauce and cheese just right, but they nailed it. To top it off, they have Peroni on deck. There's nothing better than a cold, crisp Italian lager to cut through a rich pizza. Great atmosphere, even better food. We'll definitely be back!

The drinks are plentiful and cheap, the bartenders are absolutely wonderful, and the vibe is…read moreunmatched. You could go for a date or to meet new friends. The food is great, and I could easily spend a whole day here. Thank you Reds for taking good care of me!!

My sister suggested we try Red's for a late lunch. Their large dinning area is spacious and clean…read more Tje server was attentive and gave great recommendations. We ordered the Pork Tenderlion, Grown Up Grilled Cheese and rhe Wacky Patty. It took a little long for our food to arrive but it was well worth the wait. Pork Tenderlion was a little on the small size but tasty. The Wacky was delicious and the Grilled Cheese. Sides are ver6 tasty. There is an astounding slelect of beers offered. Both draft and bottled. After I asked the manager if the kitchen was short staffed, as the food took a littke long. Alex stated that they had a limited staff at the tome as most had been on break. As we were on our way out, Alex presented us with a gift certificate for the delay. It was ver6 unexpected but greatly appreciated. Overall, our experience was very good and I will be recommending this establishment to my friends. Well worth the time to head out to enjoy the fares this establishment has to offer

Vibes are truly the best at The Green House. It's so cute with all the plants around. Been a few…read moretimes but got the Chai Espresso Martini⁣ last time. It's definitely preference but The Green House has my favorite espresso martini! Strong in both coffee and alcohol so it's a sipper! Less chocolate and more chai and coffee. I've also loved their shrub beverages and perfect to get some snacks from there or across the street at New Pioneer Coop. Bartenders are always nice and helpful. Quicker usually to go to bar to order

Great bar atmosphere and fun drinks. The service is best at the bar if busy as they don't come…read morearound to tables much. I had the Aubrey 2 mock tail, which was good. I really enjoyed my friend's affogato espresso drink.