The best sandwiches are more than bread and fillings. They are comfort food, quick lunches, weekly traditions and, in some cases, local institutions. While other cities might be known for a quintessential sandwich, Iowa City certainly knows how to do sandwiches right, leaving diners with memorable experiences that keep them coming back.
Here are seven spots in Iowa City to satisfy a hankering for a good sandwich:
NoDo
With two locations in the Iowa City corridor, one on the north side and one downtown, NoDo is arguably Iowa City’s top destination for a sandwich. With dozens of options, including wrap varieties, the expansive menu caters to various tastes. NoDo offers classic options such as the chicken Caesar salad wrap and the traditional grilled cheese. More adventurous options are available for those looking to expand their palate, from the ham and mango to the Cajun salmon melt; the restaurant also offers a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Details: NoDo Downtown: 5 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, 319-359-1181; and NoDo Northside: 600 N Dodge St., Iowa City, 319-512-5028, nodoiowacity.com
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Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill is pictured at 819 S. First Ave. Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Shakespeare’s Pub and Grill
Shakespeare’s is an Iowa City classic. Located on the east side, Shakespeare’s offers an extensive menu of old-fashioned, hearty bar food at reasonable prices. The restaurant is known for its best-breaded pork tenderloin and Bison burger in Iowa City. Still, the pub seemingly has endless options from burgers to massive salads packed with flavor, and of course, melts and sandwiches. From the fan favorite, “Rachel,” a chopped corned beef or house-smoked turkey with sauerkraut, Thousand Island and Swiss cheese on marble rye to the restaurant’s take on the cheesesteak. Shakespeare’s also offers wraps for lighter options and build-your-own sandwiches from “Fran’s Deli.”
Details: 819 S. First Ave., Iowa City, 319-337-7275, shakespearespubandgrill.com
The Pesto & Mozz sandwich from Brix is paired with an Apple Walnut Goat Cheese salad Sept. 16, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Brix Cheese Shop and Wine Bar
Brix will celebrate its 14th anniversary later this year. While the north side shop may have started as a wine-and-cheese retail stop for enthusiasts, it has now evolved into a cozy, full-service restaurant suited for lunch or a night out on the north side. Diners can get a cheese plate with decadent options or opt for grilled or deli sandwiches. Grilled sandwiches are served on sourdough with a side of soup or a house salad. Sandwiches range from as basic as pesto and mozz with fresh mozzarella and sun-dried tomato pesto to as extravagant as the smoked salmon served on warm ciabatta, topped with quince-onion spread, tomato confit and arugula.
Details: 209 N Linn St., Iowa City, 319-359-1999, brixcheeseshop.com
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New lunch sandwiches made from fresh-baked French baguettes are shown inside DeLuxe Cakes and Pastries in Iowa City on Jan. 26, 2018.
Deluxe Cakes and Pastries
DeLuxe has been an Iowa City classic for 23 years, opening its doors in the fall of 2003. Located in the Longfellow neighborhood, DeLuxe is best known for its cakes and indulgent selection of pastries, from gooey chocolate chip cookies to flaky croissants. A real showstopper on the menu is the baguette sandwiches. The cold sandwiches might be no-frills, usually topped with either meat and cheese or just cheese and butter. Still, the toppings are carefully nestled in a baguette that is hard on the outside and airy on the inside, making the flavors come alive for a perfectly savory treat.
Details: 812 S Summit St., Iowa City, 319-338-5000, deluxeiowa.com
The Cuban sandwich from Mammitas is paired with plantains Sept. 16, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Mammitas Coffee
Located in the heart of downtown Iowa City, Mammitas Coffee is a quaint, colorful Latin café serving espresso drinks and pastries, along with other Latin fare, including sandwiches. At first glance, the sandwiches might seem simple, like the “pan tostada con jamon y queso,” toasted bread with cheese and ham, but the flavor packs a punch. While visiting, be sure to try the top-selling Cuban sandwich, featuring pulled pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and Cuban mustard, which pairs best with any coffee drink on the menu.
Details: 224 S. Linn St., Iowa City, 319-569-1067, mammitascoffee.com
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A general view of the Bread Garden Market cheese bar Sept. 16, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Bread Garden Market
Bread Garden Market has been a downtown Iowa City hotspot since it opened more than 31 years ago with a mission to bring “exceptional food traditions from around the world into everyday life.” At the grocery store, guests can find what to make for dinner, and they can also grab hot, ready-made meals made fresh. Notably, Bread Garden Market’s Cheese Bar offers deluxe grilled sandwiches, with the cheese as the main attraction, plus artisanal bread from Wednesday afternoons through the weekend, plus made-to-order deli options and grab-and-go sandwiches.
Details: 225 S Linn St., Iowa City, 319-354-4246, breadgardenmarket.com
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A general view of Basta, located at 121 Iowa Ave., Sept. 16, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Basta Pizzeria Ristorante
Though Basta Pizzeria Ristorante is best known for pasta and pizza, it also serves classic Italian sandwiches during lunch hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Offerings include reinventions of classic Italian dishes in sandwich form, including the eggplant parmesan sandwich and chicken Milanese, and of course, the iconic meatball sandwich, which features beef and pork meatballs topped with Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce on a toasted ciabatta.
Details: 121 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, 319-337-2010, bastaiowacity.com
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: These 7 Iowa City restaurants keep sandwich lovers coming back
Dining and Cooking