Authentic global flavors: Iowa City's top international eateries
You don't need to fly across the world to find great sushi or try something new.
Some of Iowa City's top-reviewed restaurants and most recommended spots are of international flare, offering plenty of options for locals to expand their palates.
Here are 10 exotic spots to try:
Exotic India
The menu at Exotic India is expansive, featuring dishes from the country's northern region. Diners can ask for spicer variations to embody the heat of traditional southern Indian food. Vegetable options are also plentiful. Popular dishes include mo:mo, a steamed or fried chicken or goat dumpling, and the exotic curry ? the restaurant's signature dish ? creamy tomato base sauce with a choice of protein from lamb to fish.
Location: 102 2nd Ave. B, Coralville
Contact: 319-354-4710 or exoticindiaia.com
El Paso
El Paso is one of Iowa City's hidden gems. Located in the back of the El Paso grocery store, the small eatery serves fresh and authentic Mexican food. The intimate establishment is best known for its burritos, which are stuffed with a choice of meat, beans, lettuce, and salsa. The menu also offers plenty of other options, from tacos to shrimp fajitas.
Location: 609 Hollywood Blvd. STE 2, Iowa City
Contact: 319-338-3703
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Sushiya
Some reviewers declare Suhiya to be the "best sushi in Iowa City." Located in North Liberty, Sushiya opened its doors 10 years ago and has consistently been a favorite in the community since. The restaurant takes inspiration from traditional Japanese restaurants seen in other cities worldwide, with intimate seating allowing customers to take in the sushi chef art form. Sushiya has common fare like avocado rolls and shrimp tempura rolls but also offers sashimi options and Japanese comfort food like lobster sauteed with garlic, ginger, and scallions served over steamed rice.
One trip to Sushiya, and it is easy to see why it is a favorite.
Location: 45 Community Dr. Unit A, North Liberty
Contact: 319-626-6666 or Sushiya on Facebook
Crêpes de Luxe
Crêpes de Luxe transports Iowa City locals to the streets of Paris with authentically prepared crepes. Crepes are thin, delicate pancakes that originated in France and can be savory or sweet. Head chef and owner Hircham Chehouani previously worked as a chef in the Mediterranean before moving to the United States and opening the local creperie. Highlights of the menu include the ratatouille crepe featuring zucchini, eggplant, onions, green pepper, mozzarella, and spinach with housemade pesto. For a sweeter option, try the crepe de jour, which features seasonal fruit and cream.
Location: 309 E College St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-887-2233 or Crêpes de Luxe on Facebook
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Le Gourmet
Located in the Old Capitol Mall, Le Gourmet is a traditional Korean restaurant that can be easy to miss but is a must-try. It offers a variety of Korean soups and noodle dishes, along with popular Korean street food like Tteok-bokki, chewy rice cakes stir-fried in a spicy, sweet, savory sauce, or gimbap, similar to hand-rolled sushi but with different preparation techniques. The restaurant also offers formal cuisine options like the broiled eel or L.A. Galbi, inviting diners to try something new.
Location: Old Capitol Mall, 201 S Clinton St. Ste 173, Iowa City
Contact: 319-471-0959 or legourmettogo.com
I Love FuFu
I Love Fufu opened in 2022 and quickly caught on with Iowa City residents. The restaurant specializes in African and Caribbean cuisine, offering jollof rice, the popular West African soup egusi, and oxtail. Fufu is a must-try, a staple in many West African countries. It is made by boiling starchy vegetables like cassava, yams, or plantains and then pounding them into a smooth, elastic dough. Fufu is typically served as an accompaniment to soups, stews, and sauces, allowing diners to scoop up and savor the rich flavors of each dish.
Location: 230 E Benton St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-499-8189 or ilovefufuiowacity.com
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Szechuan House
Szechuan is a southwestern province in China, best known for its bold and spicy cuisine. This downtown Iowa City spot has a vast menu that offers more than just Chinese-American dishes. There are plenty of options, from hot pot, ideal for sharing with a large group, to cold noodle dishes that pack a punch. Szechuan House's menu highlights include the salted duck and the salt and pepper spare ribs.
Location: 320 E Burlington St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-338-6788 or szechuanhouseia.com
Baronchini
Located on Linn Street, Baronchini offers the finest Italian fare in Iowa City. The establishment dishes up traditional Italian-American favorites like lasagna, but the menu also features hard-to-come traditional fare. All Baronchini's pasta is made in-house daily. A must-try of the 10 pasta varieties is the linguini con gamberi, which is a black linguini pasta sauteed with sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, seared shrimp, and prosciutto in white wine sauce. Crushed red pepper adds a bit of heat to the pasta. If pasta is not your thing, the restaurant has plenty of pizza varieties to choose from, along with entrees like the Bistecca and 8 or 16 oz grilled New York strip.
Location: 104 S Linn St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-337-2048 or baroncinirestaurant.com
Bollywood Grill
Bollywood Grill is an Indian restaurant in the Old Capitol Mall. It serves classic Indian dishes, from Chana Marsala garbanzo beans cooked with a tomato and onion sauce with a dash of tamarind to paneer pakora fried Indian cheese. However, guests may opt for the hearty meat dishes, as practically all of the main dishes, from the tikka masala to the vindaloo, can be made with either meat or tofu.
Location: 201 S Clinton St. #166, Iowa City
Contact: 319-551-2381 or Bollywood Grill on Facebook
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La Regia Taqueria
La Regia is one of the most recommended restaurants in Iowa City, and it is easy to understand why. The Mexican restaurant specializes in street tacos along with burritos and quesadillas. Located on the west side of town, La Regia has a multitude of options, from carne asada to birria, and more adventurous meat options like lengua cow tongue meat or tripe cow stomach, one of the few places where these meat varieties can be found. The restaurant also has an expansive menu for non-meat eaters, from fried fish tacos to veggie sope.
Location: 436 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City
Contact: 319-341-8226 or laregia.com
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Hungry? Try Iowa City's top international eateries
