Everything you need to know about Think Iowa City's Restaurant Week
Think Iowa City's Restaurant Week is back for the sixth year, offering special prix fixe menus at participating spots in Iowa City, Coralville, Solon, and North Liberty. This year's edition features a wide range of options across Johnson County, from classic spots like Bluebird Diner to new additions like Field Day Brewing.
Restaurant Week starts on Feb. 17 and runs until Feb. 26. The annual celebration began in 2018 to increase community engagement in Iowa City during the year's colder months. Restaurant Week is a part of the month-long Foodie February celebration supporting local businesses.
"The idea came to fruition when we recognized the lack of community engagement in February," said Think Iowa City Director of Events Kylee Stock. "As it is a cold month, we started Foodie February to get our community together and [support] local restaurants."
This year's Restaurant Week features 20 restaurants with varying menu items to try. Diners can track their participation with the "IC Foodie Passport" by collecting stamps after prix fixe menu orders at participating restaurants. Collecting stamps enters participants into raffle drawings. Passports can be picked up at Think Iowa City in Coralville and participating restaurants.
“[Try any and all of them," Stock said. "They all offer something different that makes each restaurant special."
A community food drive
Foodie Fillanthrop accompanies Restaurant Week, a month-long food drive. Residents can drop off non-perishable food donations through the end of February at Think Iowa City's office, 900 First Ave. in Coralville. Donations will be distributed to the Coralville Community Food Pantry, North Liberty Community Pantry, and Community Crisis Services.
"As we were supporting our locally owned restaurants, we were missing one aspect, donating to our local food pantries, and what better time to do so than during Foodie February," Stock said. "This entity is especially important as pantries are always looking for donations, and we know our community will come together to help support our pantries and those in need, as access to food is a human right."
Here are the 20 restaurants participating in Think Iowa City's Restaraunt Week:
Basta Pizzeria Ristorante
121 Iowa Ave., Iowa City
Basta is a lively Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Iowa City, serving modern renditions of classic Italian dishes and transporting guests from Iowa City to the busy streets of Italy. The prix fixe menu options are available upon request.
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
1225 S Gilbert St., Iowa City
Big Grove Brewery's Iowa City location is offering two options for restaurant week, which include smoked salmon rangoon with crispy smashed fingerlings, accompanied by a roasted seaweed dip, pickled Fresno chiles, and scallions. For the main course, diners are encouraged to try the porchetta sandwich − thinly sliced porchetta paired with Calabrian chile salsa verde, roasted red peppers, and lemon aioli, all nestled between house-made ciabatta bread.
Big Grove Brewpub- Solon
101 W Main St., Solon
Big Grove Brewery's flagship location opened in Solon in 2013. Today, the brewery is known across Iowa for fresh craft seasonal beers and "Iowa nice" hospitality." Big Grove recently opened its fourth location in Cedar Rapids at the end of 2023, and the ground has been broken for the Iowa City "Hop Lot," which will be dedicated exclusively to brewing and distribution, helping produce its many year-round offerings.
Big Grove's original Solon location is cooking up a cherry wood-smoked pulled pork sandwich.
More: Big Grove is expanding its brewing operations in Iowa City. Why now is the time for growth.
Bluebird Diner
330 E Market St., Iowa City
Reader's Digest named Iowa City's Bluebird Diner the most iconic diner in the state, labeling their menu as "classic country cooking with an unexpected twist." Bluebird Diner is cooking a pork green chili for Restaurant Week, a perfect dish to warm the soul during winter.
More: The editors of Reader's Digest named this diner the most iconic in Iowa. Find out where.
Field Day Brewing
925 Liberty Way, North Liberty
Field Day Brewing Co. was one of North Liberty's most anticipated developments in 2023. Opened in August, it is one of the largest breweries in the area. The menu offers traditional brewery foods, including the giant pretzel.
The prix fixe menu options are available upon request.
More: Large-scale brewery to churn out 13 original craft beers and offer patio seating
Foundry Food + Tap
3266 Crosspark Rd. Suite 101, Coralville
The prix fixe menu options are available upon request at Foundry Food + Tap.
Harry's Bar & Grill
116 E Washington St., Iowa City
Harry's Bar & Grill opened last August and is one of the newest restaurants in downtown Iowa City. Their Restaurant Week menu includes two of its classic entrees, glazed pork chops and wild mushroom risotto and seared salmon piccata pasta. The glazed pork chops are two grilled, honey and stone mustard-glazed 5 oz. chops served over wild mushroom risotto featuring local mushrooms, wilted arugula, Rot's Bounty local mushrooms and a small bed of wilted arugula. The seared salmon piccata pasta is a spice-rubbed 6 oz. salmon filet topped with lemon-caper butter and served atop a bowl of creamy, lemony fettuccine piccata, sauteed vegetables and capers. Harry's Bar & Grill entrees come with a house salad, a choice of soup de jour, and a dessert.
More: Harry's Bar & Grill serves up classic tastes with an homage to old bookstore
Iowa Athletic Club
200 E 9th St. Suite 205, Coralville
Iowa Athletic Club is located in the charming Iowa River Landing and will serve its best-selling menu items during the week. The prix fix menu includes personal Detroit-style pizza, a beer battered walleye sandwich, and Tirokafteri, a spicy feta dip.
Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack
1940 Lower Muscatine Rd., Iowa City
Head to the east side of Iowa City to try Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack's southern-style gumbo with smoked chicken and andouille sausage served over rice with a slice of honey butter cornbread. While the restaurant might be best known for having some of the best barbeque in town, Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack encourages guests to try something new or unexpected on the menu.
Maggie's Farm Wood Fired Pizza
1308 Melrose Ave., Iowa City
Dinner at Maggie's Farm Wood Fired Pizza during restaurant week will only cost $40. Diners can choose between two appetizer options, two entrée options, and two dessert options.
Oasis Falafel
206 N Linn St., Iowa City
Indulge in Oasis Falafels' Restaurant Week menu, featuring the Tofu mangal rice bowl, a savory ensemble of Madjadra rice layered with hummus, Mediterranean salad, falafel balls, and Old Cap Tofu.
Pat and Fran's Irish Pub
808 5th St. Ste 8, Coralville
Best known for iconic pub food fare, Pat and Fran's encourages guests to try their unique The Logo Burger, adorned with house blueberry ginger compote and honey-whipped goat cheese.
Scout's Honor
219 Iowa Ave., Iowa City
The latest addition to the downtown Iowa City scene is Scout's Honor, serving up classic American-Italian-inspired dishes that feel as cozy as sitting by a campfire in the summer. During Restaurant Week, try the combine pizza with a white sauce base, Canadian bacon, sweet corn, mozzarella, and hot honey, or the classic Scout burger with waffle fries − a double patty smash burger with American cheese topped with a house sauce on a sesame seed bun.
Shakespeare's
819 S 1st Ave., Iowa City
The prix fixe menu options are available upon request.
Tailgator's
450 1st Ave., Coralville
Indulge in Tailgator's straightforward prix fixe menu. Each meal option, such as the shrimp po' boy, The Swarm, and spinach artichoke chicken, comes with fries and a choice of soda or domestic beer.
Tin Roost
840 W Penn St., North Liberty
Tin Roost is a family-friendly restaurant with a full bar. During restaurant week, guests can enjoy a three-course meal featuring firecracker shrimp with Thai aioli, a Rooster meatloaf sandwich served with fries, and a decadent chocolate brownie with peanut butter ice cream.
The Green House
505 E Washington St., Iowa City
The Green House provides a sanctuary just a few blocks from downtown Iowa City, best known for its craft cocktails with a botanical twist. They serve Iowa craft beers and other plant-themed libations, both spirit-full and spirit-free. Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to try the Green House, which will offer its dirty chai espresso martini as one of the must-try drinks.
More: Iowa City's newest bar The Green House merges plants and cocktails for an indoor 'oasis'
Tribute Bar & Eatery
901 E 2nd Ave. Suite 100, Coralville
The prix fixe menu options are available upon request.
Vue Rooftop
328 S Clinton St. Suite A, Iowa City
Visit the rooftop bar at Hilton Garden Inn for breathtaking views of Iowa City. Try the savory bruschetta with toasted baguette, goat cheese, cremini mushrooms, balsamic onion, and basil. Or, opt for the miso burger, featuring sriracha beef, miso glaze, Asian cucumber, smashed avocado, grilled onion, and brioche bun, served with French fries. For a heartier option, indulge in the pistachio-crusted Walleye with pan-seared pistachio-crusted Walleye, ancient grain blend, and vegetable medley. Alternatively, enjoy the roasted chicken, consisting of brined half chicken, herb demi-glace, glazed rainbow carrots, sunflower gremolata, and cheddar mash.
Wilson's Ciderhouse and Venue
4823 Dingleberry Rd. NE #2, Iowa City
Located on the large Wilson's Orchard and Farm, the restaurant's seasonal menu uses ingredients from local, sustainable farms and vendors. Chef Matt Steigerwald, a three-time James Beard Foundation nominee, heads Wilson's Ciderhouse and Venue. Meals here are only enhanced by its scenic location.
Guests will be served a three-course dinner for $45 during Restaurant Week. Start with warm Beldi olive socca and mussel conserva salad. Then, savor heirloom red rice paella with poussin confit, chorizo, and roasted sweet peppers. Finish off with Spanish chocolate toast topped with olive oil and maldon salt.
More: Building off its iconic success, Wilson's Orchard is expanding into the Des Moines metro
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: Here's who is featured in Think Iowa City's Restaurant Week
