Editor's Pick
Events
Taste of Iowa City
Downtown and Northside Iowa City
$1 tasting tickets, sold in strips of five
The annual walkable tasting event returns with one-dollar sample tickets redeemable at dozens of Downtown and Northside restaurants.
Fall 2026 edit
The independent Iowa City guide, thoughtfully edited.
A limited local profile collection, a current event calendar, and useful city stories—kept intentionally easy to browse.
Limited by design
The guide stays at 25 paid Partner positions, with room for each profile to feel considered instead of buried.
Independent only
No chains, no self-serve clutter, and no directory sprawl.
Checked details
Core profile and event information is reviewed before it goes live.
Right now
This Week in Iowa City
Three current plans with checked dates, useful details, and a direct route to the organizer.
Editor's Pick
Events
Sierra Ferrell at Hancher
Hancher Auditorium, 141 Park Rd
Free; RSVP encouraged
A free, all-ages outdoor concert by Grammy-winning roots artist Sierra Ferrell, with the public gathering beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Events
On the calendarNorthside Saturday Nights
North Linn Street, Iowa City Northside
Free
The Steve Grismore Trio plays a free neighborhood music evening curated by the Englert, bringing an outdoor performance and an easy summer gathering to the Northside.
Start here
Browse the guide
Choose a chapter, then move through a small collection built to reward curiosity rather than endless scrolling.
The 25-Position Guide
A citywide collection of independent Partner profiles, with every paid relationship clearly labeled.
Browse the GuideFood & Drink
Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and everyday local stops with character.
Browse Food & DrinkRetail
Independent shops, books, records, and thoughtful goods.
Browse RetailLifestyle
Wellness, arts, culture, and useful local services that shape daily life in Iowa City.
Browse LifestyleSeasonal Hunt
The next Our Iowa City hunt is being planned.
Entries are currently closed. We’ll publish confirmed dates, partner stops, prizes, and official rules together before the next season opens.
Why it matters
- No entries are open between seasons
- Only confirmed partner stops will be announced
- Join the weekly email for the next-season announcement
Profile preview
Local Partner Profiles
Three profiles from the current pre-launch collection, with useful details and room for each place to feel considered. Preview labels do not imply a paid relationship.
Launch Preview
Editorial imageFood & Drink
Midnight Coffee
A Northside cafe serving coffee, breakfast, lunch, and evening drinks in a roomy Market Street setting with an outdoor patio.
Northside · coffee meetings · working
Launch Preview
Editorial imageFood & Drink
La Regia Taqueria
An Iowa City taqueria that grew from a food truck into a casual Highway 1 restaurant serving tacos, burritos, tortas, and an expanded menu.
West Side · tacos · casual lunch
Launch Preview
Editorial imageRetail
Prairie Lights Books
Downtown Iowa City's landmark bookstore pairs three thoughtful floors with readings, cafe tables, and browsing that can shape an afternoon.
Downtown · book browsing · gifts
From the field notes
Latest Stories
Neighborhood notes, practical guides, and useful local context for getting more out of the city.
Coffee
Three Iowa City Cafés for a Change of Scene
Three current Iowa City stops for coffee, a conversation, or a few focused hours away from your usual desk—with practical notes for being a considerate café regular.
Read the story
Five Iowa City Detours Worth Making
Five small, current Iowa City detours for the days when you have time to browse, linger, and let the city surprise you—without turning the afternoon into an itinerary.
Read story
The Iowa City Businesses Worth Seeking Out Before You Graduate
Before you leave Iowa City, spend some time in the places that make it feel like more than a college town: the bookstores, local cafés, Ped Mall corners, and late-night rituals.
Read story
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Nominate one strong independent business or send us a local event worth considering. We would rather publish less and mean it.
For Businesses
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All 25 profile positions are paid after official launch. The current pre-launch profiles demonstrate the format only and do not imply a paid relationship.
25 Paid Partner positions citywide · Business inquiries: sales@ouriowacity.comPaid Partner positions, sponsorships, and business questions.