Best China
1 / 29#29. Best China
- Rating: 3.0/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1800 Boyrum St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Highest-rated cheap eats in Iowa City by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Iowa City area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (out of 4) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
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Taste of China
2 / 29#28. Taste of China
- Rating: 3.1/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2012 8th St. Coralville, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Steak 'n Shake
3 / 29#27. Steak 'n Shake
- Rating: 3.2/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2806 Commerce Drive Coralville, Iowa
- Categories: Burgers, fast food, American
- Read more on Yelp
Pancheros Mexican Grill - Coralville
4 / 29#26. Pancheros Mexican Grill - Coralville
- Rating: 3.2/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 901 25th Ave. Coralville, Iowa
- Categories: Tex-Mex, fast food, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
The Java House - Mormon Trek
5 / 29#25. The Java House - Mormon Trek
- Rating: 3.4/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 713 Mormon Trek Blvd. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
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J&A Tap
6 / 29#24. J&A Tap
- Rating: 3.4/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 440 North Dubuque St. North Liberty, Iowa
- Categories: Sports Bars, New American, Karaoke
- Read more on Yelp
Bruegger's Bagels
7 / 29#23. Bruegger's Bagels
- Rating: 3.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 245 Iowa Ave. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bagels, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Midtown Family Restaurant
8 / 29#22. Midtown Family Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 Scott Court Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
Falbo Bros. Pizzeria
9 / 29#21. Falbo Bros. Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.5/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 457 South Gilbert St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
The High Ground Cafe
10 / 29#20. The High Ground Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 301 East Market St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
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Taste of China Chinese Restaurant
11 / 29#19. Taste of China Chinese Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1705 South 1st Ave. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Midtown Family Restaurant
12 / 29#18. Midtown Family Restaurant
- Rating: 3.7/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1069 Hwy 1 West Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: American, Salad, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
China Star
13 / 29#17. China Star
- Rating: 3.7/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 201 South Clinton St. Ste 118 Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
El Senor Cactus
14 / 29#16. El Senor Cactus
- Rating: 3.7/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1534 South Gilbert St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
DP Dough
15 / 29#15. DP Dough
- Rating: 3.7/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 519 East Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
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Mesa Pizza
16 / 29#14. Mesa Pizza
- Rating: 3.8/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 114 East Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
Deluxe Cakes and Pasteries
17 / 29#13. Deluxe Cakes and Pasteries
- Rating: 3.9/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 812 South Summit St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Bakeries, Cupcakes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Casa Tequila Authentic Mexican Grill
18 / 29#12. Casa Tequila Authentic Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.9/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1100 Andersen Place Ste 350 Tiffin, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
Marco's Grilled Cheese
19 / 29#11. Marco's Grilled Cheese
- Rating: 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 117 North Linn St. ped mall Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Sandwiches, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe
20 / 29#10. Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 19 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Noodles, Pasta Shops, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
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Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry
21 / 29#9. Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry
- Rating: 4.0/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 650 Pacha Pkwy St. Ste 1 North Liberty, Iowa
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
El Paso Mexican Taqueria
22 / 29#8. El Paso Mexican Taqueria
- Rating: 4.3/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 609 Hollywood Blvd. Ste 2 Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Estela's Fresh Mex
23 / 29#7. Estela's Fresh Mex
- Rating: 4.4/5 (113 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 184 East Burlington St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
La Regia Taqueria
24 / 29#6. La Regia Taqueria
- Rating: 4.4/5 (507 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 436 Hwy 1 West Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
Andale Andale
25 / 29#5. Andale Andale
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1451 Coral Ridge Ave. Coral Ridge Mall Coralville, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
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Crêpes de Luxe Café
26 / 29#4. Crêpes de Luxe Café
- Rating: 4.5/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 309 East College St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Creperies
- Read more on Yelp
Oasis Falafel
27 / 29#3. Oasis Falafel
- Rating: 4.6/5 (457 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 206 North Linn St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Falafel
- Read more on Yelp
Nodo
28 / 29#2. Nodo
- Rating: 4.6/5 (157 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 600 North Dodge St. Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: American, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
Island Vybz
29 / 29#1. Island Vybz
- Rating: 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Iowa City, Iowa
- Categories: Caribbean, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.
