Augusta
Mondo’s Draft House 516 2nd St., Coralville mondos.net
This dimly lit restaurant is great for larger groups and for those still experiencing side effects from the previous evening. Mondo’s has one of the most impressive all-you-can-eat buffets with breakfast, lunch and dessert options. Also: they serve bottomless mimosas.
Motley Cow Cafe 160 N. Linn St., Iowa City motleycowcafe.com
The brunch buffet at Motley Cow is supplemented by a small a la carte menu. Locals love the lemon pancakes, and the brunch specials are often creative and well-executed.
Pullman Bar and Diner 17 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City pullmandiner.com
Leaf Kitchen
301 ½ Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City leafkitchen.com This quirky breakfast, brunch and lunch spot has rightly earned its place as one of Iowa City’s favorite restaurants. Featuring locally sourced products whenever available, Leaf serves some of the most interesting and succulent lunch specials in town. If they’re making a banh mi, get it; otherwise, the BLTEA, a BLT with egg salad and avocado served on homemade bread, is phenomenal. Take a pack of housemade shortbread cookies home with you, and just try not to eat them all in one sitting.
Ride
630 Iowa Ave., Iowa City rideiowacity.com Brand new on the Iowa City restaurant scene, the bicycle-themed Ride offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in a fun, renovated space. Save for the decor, it’s not clear how the bicycle theme fits into the restaurant as a whole, but the food is good, and there are some creative standouts on the menu—like the Creole eggs served with cheddar grits, red beans and andouille, or the Schwinn omelet, with veggies, pulled chicken and hollandaise. 44 | BREAD & BUTTER 2015
El Banditos
327 E. Market St., Iowa City elbanditosiowacity.com Don’t overlook Banditos’ brunch: Their south of the border-inspired spreads make for one of the best breakfasts in Iowa City, and the chilaquiles with chorizo are la bomba.
The Iowa River Power Restaurant 501 1st Ave., Coralville iowariverpower.net
Iowa River Power has a popular Sunday buffet brunch, including a carving station and a Belgian waffle station. Enjoy a mimosa in the historic, refurbished power plant while watching eagles soar over the Iowa River. (We can’t guarantee the presence of eagles.)
The Mill Restaurant
120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City icmill.com If you’re looking for a downtown brunch that won’t have a long wait, but will have a long list of cocktails and drinks to accompany a straightforward, no-fuss breakfast plate, The Mill is the place to go.
Though new to the Iowa City restaurant scene, Pullman is already a favorite, both for its elegant-yet-relaxed atmosphere and for its diner-inspired menu that gives a nod to both American and French breakfast staples. Also of note: They have a brunch cocktail menu and an excellent coffee program.
Salt Fork Kitchen 112 E. Main St., Solon saltforkkitchen.com
Using produce and eggs often sourced from the owner’s farm, Salt Fork Kitchen offers up a local spin on brunch standards, like egg sandwiches and omelets, and they also make a variety of creative breakfast favorites—try the loaded home fries with house-made lamb sausage.
Trumpet Blossom Cafe 310 E. Prentiss St., Iowa City trumpetblossom.com
Enjoy vegan florentine, featuring a house-made English muffin topped with cashew hollandaise, steamed greens and spiced tofu, or opt for something more traditional, like French toast; either way, you can feel good about indulging in the dishes from Trumpet Blossom’s vegan, sustainably sourced kitchen. Check websites for brunch hours.
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