Hidden Gems at Iowa
Published on September 30, 2025
by Deaven Denis
Adventure Gems – if your hike/bike for fun
- Hickory Hill park
- Coralville Reservoir
- Ryerson’s woods State Preserve,
- Terry Trueblood Rec area
- Lake Macbride
- Turkey Creek
Sweet Gems
- DQ on riverside drive is mid. Go to Heyn’s or Dane’s Dairy
- Deluxe Bakery on Summit St. The croissants and cakes are SO GOOD
- Breadworthy and get a cruffin (there are different flavors every week)
Savory Gems
- Nothing beats La Regia Taqueria on Highway 1 for tacos. Or margaritas.
- Skip the Hamburg Inn and go to Snacky Mini Mart breakfast at the Iowa City farmer’s market, Saturdays mornings 7-noon.Get a 5 spice pork bing wrap or japchae.
- If you’re not a fan of those, go find Luna’s Tacos and get a breakfast quesadilla
- The Global Food Project Market – Saturdays, 3-6PM at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm. Fresh produce grown and sold by international gardeners in Iowa City. There’s hot food, live music, kid’s activities, and more
- For the vegetarians a vegans out there – Trumpet Blossom Cafe is one of the best restaurants in town. They source their ingredients locally and offer a really nice, relaxed atmosphere.
- The best up-and-coming Halal place in town is Saj Grill on South Dubuque St.
If you haven’t been to MacBride Hall on campus to see the giant sloth, are you even a University of Iowa student?
