The only one of its kind in the IC Downtown District, Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar has it all. (And…read moreby all, I mean cheese and wine. What more could you need?) What started as a wine and cheese shop with a small bar has grown into a full-service restaurant with a small shop. It boasts outdoor seating (though, be careful for falling acorns during the fall-- those are hazardous)! I stopped in on a Friday evening, prior to another reservation. I got a crisp glass of rose and enjoyed the beautiful October day. I'd d I recommend street parking, down Linn Street. Though the Tower Place Parking Ramp is a short .25 mile walk away. Honestly, I bumped this up a star for two main reasons. 1) STAFF. Man, just the most helpful, knowledgeable and personable folks work here. Kind folks. I mean Kind with a capital K -- and it starts from the top. During the pandemic, the owner donated $13k during the peak of the pandemic to local businesses. (By challenging his customers: For every $100 Brix gift card purchased, he would pay forward 100 percent, with 75 percent of the money going to various downtown venues, restaurants and retail, and 25 percent to the Englert Theatre.) Additionally, each year Brix does a Rosé vs Wade event raising money for the local Emma Goldman Clinic of Iowa City. 2) Wine classes. I am always so intrigued to see the wine classes Brix puts up on Facebook. I adore wine but I am not anything close to a sommelier. Keep an eye out for these informative and tasty classes! Brix is one of a kind in Downtown Iowa City. Sip, sip hooray! Stop by.

A distinctive feature of txakoli is the "txotx" pouring method, where the wine is poured from a…read moreheight into a glass to aerate it and release its aromas. This practice is common in Basque pintxo bars and adds a cultural ritual to the drinking experience. Only these guys can't be bothered to serve it that way. Shame on you for being lazy. Marks you as a hick bar in the cornbelt. Surprised you don't have sawdust and discarded peanut shells littering the floor.

Absolutely loved this place. Their drinks were incredible. Ambiance amazing. We will be returning.read more

If this bar doesn't have the spirit that you're looking for, it's probably not worth having! Tons…read moreof high-end bourbons, rums and wines. Our bartender was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in making suggestions on what we should try, based on what we typically drink. As for the bar itself, it's a cute little nautical themed bar. Not my first time here and won't be my last.

One of our go-to places in Grinnell. The place is classy and funky and unique, the image of its…read moreamazing proprietor and sole server, who will serenade you with her small accordion on request. Wine is good and pizzas are tasty. Don't leave without a doggie sticker or button!

Solera is a wonderful mix of a small town, laid back vibe and a sophisticated wine selection. The…read moreservice is always spot-on. I wasn't expecting the pizza to be so tasty ... BONUS!

Back again for an iced coffee while I strolled the Farmers Market. I tried oat milk in my coffee…read moretoday and it was divine.

Wild Culture is truly a gem of a watering hole on the North Side. It is an oasis of good vibes,…read moregreenery and a sexy menu for teetotalers and adult beverage enthusiasts alike. The booch menu is always changing. There's a bunch of craft beer options. Devine cocktails (many made with some seasonal kombucha). And coffee is offered here with a super limited snack menu. I stopped in on date night and had wonderful service, as well as a delicious Tom Collins. Pricing still seems on point. Seating is limited. Parking is always tough.

Fabulous homemade pasta and the staff is amazing. Definitely recommend. Very small.read more

We came to Baroncini last night for a late Valentine's Day date, and it was such a cute, cozy…read morelittle Italian spot in downtown Iowa City. Our server was very kind and we enjoyed her a lot. We ordered the Spinach Ravioli and a Margherita Pizza to share. The pizza was fine, however the toppings were quick to fall off. The spinach ravioli (not pictured) was amazing. I was a huge fan. We also split a bottle of riesling and the cheesecake for dessert. Both were wonderful. We are excited to have found a new spot in Iowa city and are looking forward to returning!

Amazing small wine bar with a few available cocktails. Light bar food is available and quite tasty…read more Julia has a really affordable and diverse selection of wines great place to relax.

From the owner: Veraison Wine Bar is a cosy wine bar with a large outdoor lounge specializing in European wines,…read morehand crafted cocktails, tapas style small plates, charcuterie & cheese boards. Sommelier and Owner Julia Punj hosts Wine Education events, private tastings, wine flights and pairings. The Wine Room pays host to your special occasions such as birthday parties or micro weddings.

We went to Lincoln Wine Bar right when it opened on a Friday at 4 p.m., and there were plenty of…read moreseats available. The space is small but charming, with a beautiful bar area and cozy seating throughout. We ended up with a great table. The pizza is some of the best I've had--truly outstanding. We ordered the pesto and arugula pizza as well as the sausage pizza, and both were excellent. We started with the meatballs, which were fantastic, and a Caesar salad that was fresh and very well done. Service was great, and the ambience was warm and inviting. This was our first time in Mount Vernon, and we found it to be a charming college town. We even drove around the campus, which added to the experience. Overall, we had a wonderful evening at Lincoln Wine Bar and would highly recommend it. I've been wanting to go back ever since--the pizza really stays with you. An incredible pie and a great spot.

Cute little place with AMAZING pizza! We went without a reservation on a Thursday night, there was…read moreno wait, but still recommend making one anyway. We got a seasonal pie -- Truffly Prosciutto Burrata business -- and it was soooo good.

Excellent selection of wines and knowledgeable help from Jose. Always has different wines in with…read moregreat prices.

Some of the best pizza I've ever had. This was our first time eating here, but it won't be our…read morelast. Nice atmosphere, large selection of wines to take home. Wonderful service as well.

My Uncle & Aunt who live in North Liberty, IA treated myself and other family members to brunch & a…read moretour of the distillery. The seating area outside is very nice and the view is beautiful. The $23.99 brunch really could step up the food items. I personally did not eat brunch after seeing what was offered and it just didn't look appealing. I'm from California and the brunch menus at the wineries I go to the food is top tier. But you do pay $80.00+ and up. After brunch my uncle treated us all to the tour. Our tour guide Kelly was absolutely amazing. She was very informative and answered any questions we asked. Kelly truly dies deserves the 5 star review. After our distillery tour we all sat back out at the patio area and listens to live music. We ordered some wine and I ordered their wood fire cheese pizza which was very delicious. Today was a very nice outing for the family. If I ever come back I would just order pizza or something off the menu and NOT the brunch.

I don't care what anybody says, this is one of my favorite spot in the area! As always the service…read morewas excellent and the food was on point. But what really blow my mind was setting outside drinking an old fashioned well watching the sunset. Pretty freaking cool!!!!

Laid back place to get a unique cocktail and enjoy some music. Bartenders are friendly and have…read moregreat suggestions. Huge drink menu. Don't expect a quick (or common) drink here, plan on relaxing and enjoyable experience.

We had a blast at the Bloody Mary bar and listening to live music on St. Patty's day weekend! This…read moreWisco couple loves Galena!