We stopped here for lunch on a very busy Saturday. We were told it'd be about 30 minutes before we got seated, and we agreed to wait. I'm so glad we did, because it was absolutely worth it in the end! We were seated at the bar, which we didn't mind, as the seats were comfy. Our food came quickly, tasted delicious, and we had the most wonderful server, who made our visit there even better, with her friendly positive attitude. As for parking, we found a spot on the nearby street (with a parking meter, so bring some quarters). We'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M Taylor
I could eat the fried green tomato BLT everyday. Love this place and their staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moe N
Awesome breakfast joint! They've got great breakfast sandwiches and top-notch coffee. Service is on point too. Also the cinnamon roll was sooo good! Definitely a must-try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict, Dandy Burger
Elijah Wiklund
I go here once (sometimes more) per week with my partner, we love it. Best Pancakes in town! Excellent coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Biscuits & Gravy
Victoria
Small very popular place. Has lots of different coffee, tea, and alcoholic drink options which was nice. The chicken was very delicious, juicy and flavorful. Definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Larry Van Steenhuyse
First time here and I am very disappointed in myself for waiting so long to try it. We went there for breakfast and the only downside is the wait but it was definitely worth it. The front desk host was welcoming and efficient. Our server Stephanie was amazing with her promptness, knowledge and bubbly personality. The cinnamon roll was very light and not overly sweet. We had the eden and the California omeletts. The smoked chicken in the California was perfect and both very good. The biscuits were noteworthy too. One of our party had the eggs Benedict and it was prepared very well. This is my favorite breakfast place in Iowa City after my first visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Renee Clippert
The food was fresh. Staff was so sweet and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast
heather shane
I went for lunch and the food is both thoughtful and exceptional. The ambiance is charming and the service is terrific. I looked at their Instagram and I'm definitely ordering from their brunch menu next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sue Eynon
Worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dana h
Overall, this place is great for brunch or lunch. They have a lot of vegan options, but I would make sure you ask your host before adding your name to the waitlist if all their vegan options are in stock. When we ate here they were out of Just egg. They had about a 45 minute wait on a Saturday around 12 pm. I thought the impossible burger was pretty good! Reasonably priced.
Probably the best restaurant in its category! I wish we had more early morning food options and I love that they close early in the afternoon! If you’re thinking about going… do it!Kid-friendliness: No worries about college kids here! It’s a really fun spot for the whole family
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Strawberry Jam
Sarah Duhon
I'm pretty sure the pancakes are made out of crack
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melanie Koski
Cole is genuinely the greatest worker I have ever seen at this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CA Humphrey
Great coffee! My omelette was cold inside. The sourdough toast was yummy. Our service was excellent! Just wish my food had been warmer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Lucas
I entered The Dandy Lion for the first time ever with a sense of guarded cynicism. Not, as one would assume per the cliche, because I was accompanied by my in-laws. They are in fact gracious folks and their presence is amiable and welcomed. My cynicism stemmed from the current state of breakfast diners; would I again be made to pay $15+ for two eggs, a couple slabs of bacon, a side of hash and a bottomless Folgers coffee?Glancing through the menu, my diner-phobia was assuaged. Most dishes looked good but the special, so titled “Feu Follet (Pt. Deux)” caught my eye, and I couldn’t shake its unique appeal.The arrival of the dish marked the confirmation of my decision. A creamy béchamel sauce with subtle saffron color sat pooled over flawlessly cooked buttery grits (not the jello-like grits often served in the midwest). Two immaculately poached eggs with runny golden yolks and firm whites laid together with a spatter of vibrant tangy relish. A steamy, circular honeyed cornbread muffin. A tweeze of microgreens. Thick battered cuisses de grenouilles sat buoyant on it all, throwing a peace sign as if protesting my impending feast.It was the type of dish amateur cooks like myself dream of being able to master in our home kitchens. It was beautifully executed. A complimentary symphony of bold flavors and complexity that cannot be described, only tasted and appreciated.To any who might try this special, I recommend an acid to balance the heartiness: a simple glass of oj would suffice.As a visitor to Iowa City and prior resident of New Orleans, this meal was uncharacteristically impressionable, and I am gracious to the chef for conceiving such a dish and sharing it with me.
We stopped here for lunch on a very busy Saturday. We were told it'd be about 30 minutes before we got seated, and we agreed to wait. I'm so glad we did, because it was absolutely worth it in the end! We were seated at the bar, which we didn't mind, as the seats were comfy. Our food came quickly, tasted delicious, and we had the most wonderful server, who made our visit there even better, with her friendly positive attitude. As for parking, we found a spot on the nearby street (with a parking meter, so bring some quarters). We'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I could eat the fried green tomato BLT everyday. Love this place and their staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome breakfast joint! They've got great breakfast sandwiches and top-notch coffee. Service is on point too. Also the cinnamon roll was sooo good! Definitely a must-try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggs Benedict, Dandy Burger
I go here once (sometimes more) per week with my partner, we love it. Best Pancakes in town! Excellent coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Biscuits & Gravy
Small very popular place. Has lots of different coffee, tea, and alcoholic drink options which was nice. The chicken was very delicious, juicy and flavorful. Definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time here and I am very disappointed in myself for waiting so long to try it. We went there for breakfast and the only downside is the wait but it was definitely worth it. The front desk host was welcoming and efficient. Our server Stephanie was amazing with her promptness, knowledge and bubbly personality. The cinnamon roll was very light and not overly sweet. We had the eden and the California omeletts. The smoked chicken in the California was perfect and both very good. The biscuits were noteworthy too. One of our party had the eggs Benedict and it was prepared very well. This is my favorite breakfast place in Iowa City after my first visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was fresh. Staff was so sweet and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Toast
I went for lunch and the food is both thoughtful and exceptional. The ambiance is charming and the service is terrific. I looked at their Instagram and I'm definitely ordering from their brunch menu next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overall, this place is great for brunch or lunch. They have a lot of vegan options, but I would make sure you ask your host before adding your name to the waitlist if all their vegan options are in stock. When we ate here they were out of Just egg. They had about a 45 minute wait on a Saturday around 12 pm. I thought the impossible burger was pretty good! Reasonably priced.
Restaurantji Recommends
Probably the best restaurant in its category! I wish we had more early morning food options and I love that they close early in the afternoon! If you’re thinking about going… do it!Kid-friendliness: No worries about college kids here! It’s a really fun spot for the whole family
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Strawberry Jam
I'm pretty sure the pancakes are made out of crack
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cole is genuinely the greatest worker I have ever seen at this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great coffee! My omelette was cold inside. The sourdough toast was yummy. Our service was excellent! Just wish my food had been warmer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I entered The Dandy Lion for the first time ever with a sense of guarded cynicism. Not, as one would assume per the cliche, because I was accompanied by my in-laws. They are in fact gracious folks and their presence is amiable and welcomed. My cynicism stemmed from the current state of breakfast diners; would I again be made to pay $15+ for two eggs, a couple slabs of bacon, a side of hash and a bottomless Folgers coffee?Glancing through the menu, my diner-phobia was assuaged. Most dishes looked good but the special, so titled “Feu Follet (Pt. Deux)” caught my eye, and I couldn’t shake its unique appeal.The arrival of the dish marked the confirmation of my decision. A creamy béchamel sauce with subtle saffron color sat pooled over flawlessly cooked buttery grits (not the jello-like grits often served in the midwest). Two immaculately poached eggs with runny golden yolks and firm whites laid together with a spatter of vibrant tangy relish. A steamy, circular honeyed cornbread muffin. A tweeze of microgreens. Thick battered cuisses de grenouilles sat buoyant on it all, throwing a peace sign as if protesting my impending feast.It was the type of dish amateur cooks like myself dream of being able to master in our home kitchens. It was beautifully executed. A complimentary symphony of bold flavors and complexity that cannot be described, only tasted and appreciated.To any who might try this special, I recommend an acid to balance the heartiness: a simple glass of oj would suffice.As a visitor to Iowa City and prior resident of New Orleans, this meal was uncharacteristically impressionable, and I am gracious to the chef for conceiving such a dish and sharing it with me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5