The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) is hosting the 18th annual Taste of Iowa City, presented by Nicolet Bank, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, from 4-8 p.m. The annual culinary event brings together more than 40 local restaurants, bars and coffee shops for an evening of food, music and community celebration.
“We’re so happy to be back where we started,” said Peter Harman, owner of Graze Gourmet To-Go. “Being part of the ICDD district again means being part of events like Taste of Iowa City, which is one of the best ways to connect with the community and introduce new faces to what we do. We can’t wait to serve up chicken lips to old friends and new ones.”
This year’s event welcomes several restaurants to the Taste of Iowa City lineup for the first time, either as part of the district’s newly expanded boundaries or as businesses that have opened downtown within the last year. New additions include Everbowl, serving up mini acai bowls and smoothies; Le Crave, known for its Dubai chocolate cups and Spanish lattes; Luna’s Tacos, bringing birria and street tacos; Papa Johns, sampling pizza by the slice; and Que Chimba Colombian Street Food, offering Colombian arepas, empanadas and patacones.
“Taste of Iowa City is always one of the highlights of our year, and this year feels especially exciting,” said ICDD Director of Events Jackie Jollay. “With our expanded district boundaries, we get to introduce the community to a number of restaurants that are new to Taste of Iowa City, while also welcoming back some longtime favorites. It’s a great look at how much downtown Iowa City’s dining scene continues to grow.”
Attendees may buy tickets for $1 each (also sold in strips of five) at six different booths located throughout downtown and the Northside Marketplace. Most food samples cost between two to four tickets, allowing you to redeem food samples from more than 40 restaurants. Participating businesses will be stationed outside and in front of their businesses.
Live music will fill both the Weatherdance Fountain Stage in the Ped Mall and the Northside Outside throughout the event.
The event is supported in conjunction with the University of Iowa Engaged Hawkeyes Week. Proceeds from the event will be donated to volunteer groups helping with the event.
2026 Participating Restaurants:
Baroncini Ristorante
Basta
Bread Garden Market
Coa Cantina
Donnelly’s
Everbowl
Field Day Brewing Co.
Formosa
George’s Best Gyros
Get Fresh
Graze Gourmet To-Go
Hamburg Inn No. 2
Hyper Energy Bar
India Cafe
Iowa Chop House
Kindred Coffee
Le Crave
Luna’s Tacos Family Kitchen
Mammitas Coffee
Masala Indian cuisine
Mesa Pizza
Micky’s Irish Pub
nodo Downtown
Oasis Falafel
One Twenty Six
Pancheros Mexican Grill
Papa Johns
Paper Crane
Pullman Bar & Diner
Que Chimba Colombian Street Food
Quinton’s
ReUnion Brewery Iowa City
Scouts Honor
St. Burch Tavern
Sumo Sushi
Teamo Tea
The Airliner
The Dandy Lion
The Java House
The Stuffed Olive
Vue Rooftop
Wedge Pizzeria
Wilder
Yotopia
Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe
Dining and Cooking