Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Iowa City, according to Yelp
Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Iowa City, according to Yelp
Theres something special about taking in a meal while enjoying the air outside, and it could even contribute to your happiness, particularly if there are plants around. During the pandemic, having outdoor seating was a lifeline for many restaurants, allowing them to operate both takeaway and dine-in services.
Many also used the opportunity to show off their personality with decor and furniture that fit their vibe. Are you partial to a luxurious fake garden? Or are you more into lawn chairs and tiki vibes?
Globally, many people may have associated the outdoor dining experience with the cafes of European cities or street food stalls in Asia. Travelers and locals alike often spend hours sipping coffee and eating delicious and cheap food. In the U.S., outdoor seating can take the form of small tables, semi-private nooks, or communal-style seating for the masses, like at a beer garden. Key to a good outdoor table is shade from the sun and, in urban settings, walls or barriers that can cut down on fumes and noise from nearby car traffic.
Restaurants may also play up other perks—like having a great view. The coronavirus pandemic also increased demand for outdoor heaters so restaurants could keep serving meals outside in the colder seasons. All these adjustments have led to more Americans rediscovering the pleasures of dining al fresco, away from the noise inside.
While a good chunk of pandemic-era outside seating may have shrunk back since the return to "normal," many restaurants still have their prized patio tables ready for patrons. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Iowa City using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#30. Unimpaired Dry Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Address: 125 E Burlington St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Pizza, Bars, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Local Burrito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Orchard Green
- Rating: 4.5/5 (200 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 521 S Gilbert St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: American (New), Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Burger Haul
- Rating: 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
- Address: 112 E College St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Bars, Burgers, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Pullman Bar & Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (615 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 17 S Dubuque St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Diners, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Nodo Downtown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (139 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5 S Dubuque St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: American (New), Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Bollywood Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 201 S Clinton St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Crêpes de Luxe Café
- Rating: 4.5/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 309 E College St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Creperies
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Saigon's Corner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (83 reviews)
- Address: 201 South Clinton St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Maggie's Farm Wood-Fired Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1308 Melrose Ave Iowa City, IA 52246
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#20. La Regia Taqueria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (451 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 436 Hwy 1 W Iowa City, IA 52246
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#19. I Love Fufu
- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Address: 230 E Benton St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: African
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Funcrest Dairy & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 3977 W Overlook Rd NE Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Sandwiches, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Atrium Dining Room
- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Address: 200 Hawkins Dr Iowa City, IA 52242
- Categories: Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. ZZnT Food Truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Address: Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Food Trucks, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#15. The Dandy Lion
- Rating: 4.5/5 (150 reviews)
- Address: 111 S Dubuque St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Hilltop Tavern
- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1100 N Dodge St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: Pubs, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Tacos Don Diego
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: Iowa City, IA 52246
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Oasis Falafel
- Rating: 4.5/5 (411 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 206 N Linn St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Falafel
- Read more on Yelp
#11. The Encounter Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (140 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 376 S Clinton St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Nodo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 600 N Dodge St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: American (Traditional), Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Onnuri Korean BBQ
- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 624 S Gilbert St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Korean, Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Dodge Street Coffeehouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2790 N Dodge St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cupcakes, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Ramen Belly
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: 1010 Martin St Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: Ramen
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Her Soup Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (266 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 625 S Dubuque St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Soup, Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Banh Mi Amore
- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 124 S Dubuque St Outside DC's Bar Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Vietnamese, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Mammitas Coffee
- Rating: 5.0/5 (59 reviews)
- Address: 224 S Linn St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Latin American, Florists, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Island Vybz Mobile Rasta-rant
- Rating: 5.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Caribbean, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#2. The KETO Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 116 E Washington St Iowa City, IA 52240
- Categories: Food Delivery Services, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Mesa 503
- Rating: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 2302 Muscatine Ave Iowa City, IA 52245
- Categories: Salvadoran
- Read more on Yelp