On a regular Sunday afternoon, I found myself on the Deadwood patio with a friend from out of town and a stranger. That stranger called me a townie, saying there is nothing more Iowa City than writing for the Press-Citizen and being a resident of a certain eccentric community on the north side.
Oddly enough, one of my top songs of the year was “Townies” by Wednesday, so I guess maybe I am.
In that spirit, here are my favorite Iowa City spots of 2025, some new discoveries along with some rediscoveries. But let it be known that my favorites from 2023 and 2024, respectively, are still my favorites.
Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar
There is nothing I love more than a sandwich. Throw in a cheese plate and a glass of wine, and that is what I call the perfect meal. Since becoming a northsider, Brix has been a go-to, whether it is for a chill night out on North Linn Street during the summer or for a quick lunch. Brix in 2025 celebrated 13 years of business and has evolved from a small retail shop to what it is now. If you don’t know what to get, just ask the employees and they will treat you right.
DeLuxe Cakes and Pastries
Over the past two years, I’ve been known to frequent DeLuxe, whether as an escape from work-from-home life or just for a sweet treat. This year, DeLuxe became my spot, like it is for many others, and that is for good reason. Jamie Powers knows how to run a business and fill it with great people and an even sweeter product, a testament to its legacy over the past two decades.
It would be impressive if one could eat their way through the entirety of the menu, but I am a creature of comfort, so it will have to be up to someone else. I do recommend the Russian teacakes, the gruyere-and-butter baguette sandwich, and a London fog.
Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center
Did you know that anyone in Iowa City can get a facilities pass to the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center for no charge? I didn’t.
For the past two years, I shoved down my urge to shoot hoops because I didn’t know where I could.
In 2026, I’m going pro, and it is thanks to Mr. Lee himself.
Christopher’s Bar Exam
I had a semi-public breakdown in front of my friends because they weren’t treating trivia seriously enough. To me, trivia is the ultimate exercise of creativity, communication, and collaboration, and it is really that serious.
Every Wednesday, you can catch our team at Micky’s (usually after I shoot hoops) tearing up Christopher’s Bar Exam. What started as a one-off thing to do on a Wednesday has turned into a livelihood and a weekly tradition. Christopher’s Bar Exam hosts trivia Monday through Thursday at bars and restaurants across the corridor, but the one at Mickey’s is the OG and the best in town.
In December, we took a break from trivia because we thought it was unfair for us to keep sweeping the competition, as it really is that serious.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
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