For the 2025 Bread & Butter dining guide, Little Village food reviewers visited and reviewed six Iowa City area eateries, including a few notable newbies to the scene. You can find more local restaurant coverage here.
IOWA CITY
SAJ Grill
23 S Dubuque St, 319-519-6300
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dining have come full force to downtown Iowa City. Locals boast about the quality of its Jordanian cuisine — falafel, shawarma, baba ganoush, hummus, gyros and more — citing it as “food that tastes like home.” Owners promise bold spices, fresh ingredients and halal-certified meat. Try items made with dolmah, pomegranate molasses and the oh-so trendy Dubai chocolate (in both strawberry cup, chocolate bar and chocolate cake form). The menu includes pre-determined meals, or you can create your own plate of flavor! Having only opened this past May, SAJ Grill is excitedly anticipating the opening of a Coralville location, and then a Cedar Rapids spot in the future. —Mady Stano
Paper Crane
121 N Linn St, 319-319-0159
Paper Crane is Iowa City’s newest ramen shop and cocktail lounge, having opened last November. This new, vibey haunt was conceived by Sam and Riene Gelman of The Webster, a nationally acclaimed upscale restaurant in IC’s Northside, and their longtime team member, Edwin Lee. The dark walls, furnishings and wood decorating the space create an intimate atmosphere. Their menu includes classic ramen dishes that are meticulously prepared, seasoned and marinated for three days at a time. If ramen isn’t your thing, grab a few small plates to try. Classic Japanese dishes such as karaage, agedashi tofu and onigiri are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of taste buds. Feeling a bit overwhelmed? The staff will walk you through the entirety of the menu and give expert advice on popular pairings to suit your taste. We recommend making a reservation in advance to ensure your table is secured. —Mady Stano
One Twenty Six
126 E Washington St, 319-887-1909
An Iowa City fixture for over 20 years, 126 and its companion lounge Moonrakers offer European-inspired fare in an airy space. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table by the big front windows, you can people-watch while sampling their diverse menu, which boasts options ranging from steak frites to pork vindaloo to lamb osso buco. 126 also offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options that aren’t just salads, like the mushroom linguine and vegan rice pilaf and navaratan curry. The dessert menu is more than an afterthought, with house-made treats like crème brûlée and vegan baklava. Trying to organize a nice family dinner with a teen who just became a vegan last month, a partner who always wants steak and a 6-year-old whose only concern is whether or not there will be ice cream? 126 has got you. —Tiffani Green
The Wedge Pizzeria
113 Iowa Ave, 319-337-6677
The Wedge made its triumphant return to downtown IC in January, moving into the former Benders Studio space. In a town with a million pizza joints, The Wedge distinguishes itself with its huge menu of specialty pizzas and endless options for customization. You can mix and match to your heart’s delight, and everyone can get exactly what they want without any more hostile negotiations about whether or not pistachios belong on pizza (they do… oh, how the Nutcracker proves that they do). But the Wedge is no one-trick pony: They also have salads that won’t make you feel deprived, and offer more desserts than most restaurants — all made in-house by co-owner Regina Miller. Customers can order custom-made baked goods from ReginaBread and pick up their goodies at the Wedge storefront. —Tiffani Green
CORALVILLE
Barrett’s Quality Eats
3242 Crosspark Rd, 319-626-2227
With a clean, retro design, Barrett’s is your neighborhood cafe, bakery, deli and fine dining establishment all in one. Upon walking in, you’re met with a small storefront of handmade goods from local small businesses. A coffee and wine bar sits to your left, the main ordering counter with a dozen types of pastries and freshly baked bread ahead. Stop in for a croissant and coffee, or grab a sitdown dinner with those you love most. It’s both cozy and spacious — the kind of place you’d show off to out-of-towners. —Mady Stano
Hokkaido
201 E 9th St Suite 100, 319-359-1155
Be transported to Hokkaido, the second-largest island of Japan, right here in Coralville. Located in the Iowa River Landing, Hokkaido is serving up steaming hot bowls of ramen, plates of katsu, sushi rolls, steamed buns and more. The interior is decked out in samurai artwork, nobori banners and lanterns. Known for their ramen, Hokkaido is a strong contender for best bowl in the city. Along with their chicken katsu, it makes for the perfect comfort food, warm and flavorful. —Mady Stano
Mady Stano is a full-time creative storyteller and digital strategist, with a passion for spotlighting local culture, small businesses and community impact. When she’s not writing or curating content, she’s indulging her inner foodie and planning her next trip.
Tiffani Green is an Iowa City writer and Little Village restaurant reviewer.
