The 5 Iowa City restaurants that should be on the USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list
The Iowa City Press-Citizen recently tapped The Webster as Iowa City's representative for USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year list. While The Webster's deft hand at Asian-influenced farm-to-table fare moved it ahead of other restaurants in Iowa City, it’s far from the only eatery in town deserving of recognition. Here are five of the restaurants that just missed the cut.
Wilson's Ciderhouse
While best known for miles of u-pick orchards of produce, Wilson's Ciderhouse sits beyond the entrance of Wilson's Orchard. A rotating menu from culinary director Matt Steigerwald, based on the season's harvest, offers a unique dining experience in a charming barn with scenic orchard views. Steigerwald is a three-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2008, 2011 and 2015 when he owned the Lincoln Café in Mount Vernon. The winter menu offers dishes that warm diners from the inside out, from the saffron roasted carrots as an appetizer to the braised pork shoulder served on a bed of Carolina gold rice and braised coconut collard greens. Wilson's Ciderhouse excels at brunch by prioritizing local produce to heighten classic dishes. Wilson's plans to open in Cumming south of West Des Moines in 2024.
Location: 4823 Dingleberry Road N.E., Iowa City
Contact: 319-643-4159 or wilsonsorchard.com/ciderhouse
One Twenty Six & Moonrakers
One Twenty Six has been an Iowa City classic for the past 24 years, combining the cuisine of France with the charm of Iowa. One Twenty Six works with local farmers to give diners the freshest in organic food and memorable experiences. Standouts from the menu include the classic hanger steak and a mouthwatering butternut squash in phyllo. For the nights when it is hard to decide whether you want pizza or French delicacies, Moonrakers, the lounge space, offers a casual compromise where diners can enjoy anything from the One Twenty Six menu as well as delicious burgers and sizzling Italian wood-fired pizzas.
Location: 126 E. Washington St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-887-1909 or onetwentysix.net
Orchard Green Restaurant & Lounge
The American-Mediterranean restaurant maintains its status as a beloved fine-dining destination in Iowa City, offering diverse appetizers, including crab cakes, pork belly and polenta, alongside seafood and beef entrees. For a more laid-back experience, diners can also savor casual fare like burgers, cheesesteak and fish and chips in the restaurant's lounge.
Location: 521 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-354-1642 or orchardgreenrestaurant.com
Review: Iowa City favorite named one of the best restaurants in US. What to know before you go.
Basta Pizzeria Ristorante
Basta, the lively Italian restaurant located in the heart of downtown Iowa City, serves modern renditions of classic Italian dishes, from the iconic simplicity of Margherita pizza to the indulgent lobster pizza. The restaurant offers plenty of enticing options for entrees, from chicken Milanese to the New York strip, and an extensive selection of pasta dishes, like cacio e pepe. Basta delivers a dining experience that will transport diners to the streets of Italy.
Location: 121 Iowa Ave., Iowa City
Contact: 319-337-2010 or bastaiowacity.com
Trumpet Blossom Café
At Trumpet Blossom Café, sustainability takes the spotlight, and creativity knows no bounds. As one of Iowa City's eco-friendly gems, this eatery specializes in inventive seasonal delights crafted with the commitment to using no animal products and sourcing local, organic ingredients. The menu highlights vegan classics with a spin, from a falafel burger to a seitan gyro. Customers can also try flavors they have never tried, like the vegan BLT, which uses coconut bacon, or the walnut Parmesan wings.
Location: 310 E. Prentiss St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-248-0077 or trumpetblossom.com
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: The 5 most exciting restaurants to eat at in Iowa City
