Iowa
Discover the 6 best burger restaurants in Iowa City, from gourmet to classic delights
The classic hamburger is an American icon. However, not all burgers are made equal. Luckily, Iowa City has an array of creative to classic burgers for everyone’s taste, from unsuspected quality to unexpected flavors.
Here are the six best burgers in Iowa City.
George’s Buffet
Arguably, one of the most iconic burgers in Iowa City is the classic bar George’s Buffett. Though buffet is in the name, George’s has a limited menu consisting of a cheese sandwich, hot nuts, chips, and cheeseburgers. While George’s might be best known for cheap beers, the bar also has one of the best burgers in Iowa City. The burger is a no-frills cheeseburger with American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles on a sesame bun. George’s is the perfect burger to end a night or even begin; with every bite, there is a taste of nostalgia.
Location: 312 E. Market St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-351-9614
Pullman Bar & Diner
The Pullman is a part of the Gold Cap Hospitality group, and The Mo Burger at Pullman stands out as one of the best burgers in Iowa City because of its combination of flavors and textures. The base is a brioche bun topped with two four-ounce beef patties with a robust taste, and melted cheddar cheese enhances the savory flavor, while the bacon jam adds a sweet and smoky contrast to the subtle heat from the chipotle aioli, which gives a zesty boost.
Location: 17 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-338-1808 or pullmandiner.com
More: From the Bread Garden to NoDo and the Chef’s Board, these Johnson County locales hit the spot
Red’s Alehouse
Red’s Alehouse might be best known for its expansive beer and cocktail menu, but a strong lineup of burgers anchors the food menu. The Alehouse burger is an elevated rendition of the classic burger with sweet chili aioli, crispy onion tangles, and provolone. The burger has subtle smoky undertones with a gooey, crispy texture. It’s generously sized, and every bite is perfectly balanced.
Location: 405 N. Dubuque St., North Liberty
Contact: 319-626-2100 or redsalehouse.com
Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill
Located on the east side, Shakespeare’s might be best known for having the best-breaded pork tenderloin in Iowa City, but the pub’s burgers rival the tenderloin, specifically, the bison burger. This burger has subtle sweet flavors with a mild gamey note and is lean and rich. It is an unexpected burger on the menu and a must-try.
Location: 819 S. First Ave., Iowa City
Contact: 319-337-7275 or shakespearespubandgrill.com
Short’s Burger & Shine
Short’s Burger & Shine specializes in burgers. The menu features more than a dozen burger varieties with something for everyone. The Dundee burger is a fan favorite with a brioche bun, mushrooms, bacon, garlic aioli, fried egg, and American cheese. It is a textural journey with a surprisingly added earthy pop of flavor from the mushrooms. Additionally, any of Short’s burgers can be made with a black bean patty as a substitute, making Short’s a must-stop for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
Location: 18 S Clinton St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-259-7154 or shortsburger.com
More: From yoga to rec leagues and fossils, here’s how you can spend the summer in Iowa City
The Wilder
Recently, The Wilder in the Graduate Hotel in Downtown Iowa City joined the ranks of being one of the top burgers in Iowa. The Iowa Gold Burger is the star of the menu. Made with nine ounces of Jiyū wagyu beef, the burger is not overstated and is rich in flavor. The wagyu beef is complemented by gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and grain mustard aioli. Its richness and tenderness often captivate diners, and many have declared it the best they’ve ever had.
Location: 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-327-8258 or graduatehotels.com
More: Behind the story of The Wilder’s Iowa Gold burger, one of the best in the state
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.
Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-5-8
Evening: 9-9-2
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 0-2-7-3
Evening: 0-7-0-6
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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