The greater Iowa City corridor is filled with intimate dining destinations perfect for date nights, anniversaries or spontaneous evenings out, pairing best with food and warm conversation. From known favorites in plain sight to neighborhood hidden gems, these destination spots transport guests to faraway places without having to travel far.
Whether you are looking for reinvented classics or food that feeds the soul, Iowa City delivers no shortage of romantic restaurants. Personal touches and soft lighting set the mood, and unique cocktails and plates meant to be savored take center stage.
Here are five romantic restaurants to put on your to-try list:
Chez Grace
Chez Grace is one of the corridor’s most intimate dining spaces. The French restaurant reduced its dining capacity after 2020, and now it is one of the hottest reservations to snag, with just four tables lit by candles. At the helm of Chez Grace is David Zaghloul, who practically does it all himself, including creating the menu, which is set weekly with a prix fixe offering. The menu is an ode to classic French cuisine with a sense of ease…