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Football season is here and it’s time to cheer o

Football season is here and it’s time to cheer on the Hawkeyes in style! Whether you’re gearing up for game day at Kinnick or heading to your favorite local spot to watch, our downtown shops have everything you need to complete your game day look. From black and gold apparel to unique accessories that showcase your Hawkeye spirit, you’ll find the perfect outfit right here in Downtown Iowa City!

Check out our Back-to-School Shopping Guide for a seasonal peek at some of the best finds from our local retailers. Browse the guide online and shop in person to take advantage of special offers on school essentials and game day gear. Let’s kick off this school year and football season with style, spirit, and everything Downtown Iowa City has to offer! 🛍️

#GoHawks #BackToSchool #ShopLocal #DowntownIowaCity #GameDayReady

This month, Anna and Charlie chat with @uiowapresi

This month, Anna and Charlie chat with @uiowapresident Dr. Wilson about how Downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus create a seamless experience for students and locals alike. They dive into what it’s like prepping for the new school year, her vision for the university’s growth, and — the burning question on everyone’s mind — do they have closets in the President’s House?

Don’t miss the conversation with another @uiowa leader, following last month’s fun with @iowawbb’s Jan Jensen! Catch all the details and laughs yourself:

- Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2zynh7r3
- Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p97kpca
- Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4v3wsf42

About Downtown Dish: Your favorite Iowa City radio show has become your new favorite podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they serve up hot takes on everything downtown, with special guests, local news, and a dash of spicy gossip!

Grab your lederhosen and raise a glass – Northsi

Grab your lederhosen and raise a glass – Northside Oktoberfest is back this month on Saturday, September 28th, just in time for National Drink Beer Day! Get your tickets now at the link in our bio and join us for a day full of great craft beer, neighborhood food, Oktoberfest games, and more!🍺

BrewFest - Unlimited samples from 45+ beer and wine vendors | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Bier Hall - General admission with neighborhood food, live music, contests, and beer from Northside restaurants! | 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.

SodaFest - Unlimted soda samples for the kiddos and free activies with the @iachildrensmuseum | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cheers to our sponsors for making this event possible: @fly_cid, @metronet_promos, @newpioneercoop, @johnsgrocery, @pagliaisiowacity! See you there – PROST! 🍻

Happy 20th Anniversary to @oasisstreetfood! 🎉

Happy 20th Anniversary to @oasisstreetfood! 🎉

For two decades, this Northside falafel joint has been serving up delicious, authentic Mediterranean flavors that have become a staple in our community. Owners Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony surrounded by dedicated staff and loyal customers who have supported them since day one.

From their humble beginnings as a food cart to a beloved neighborhood favorite selling products across the Midwest, Oasis continues to bring people together over fresh, simple ingredients, and heart-filled recipes. Through it all, they’ve remained dedicated to quality, community, and making everyone feel welcome.

Here’s to 20 more years of delicious memories, community love, and flavor! 🥙❤️

The @cityofiowacity and the Downtown Ambassadors h

The @cityofiowacity and the Downtown Ambassadors have been working hard to keep our Downtown clean and welcoming amidst another busy back-to-school season.

Downtown saw its highest recorded visitation on a single day with over 75,000 visits on Saturday, August 24th during the University of Iowa’s move-in weekend. Another busy weekend followed with 176,600 visits to Downtown during the kickoff to Hawkeye football season.

The Ambassadors are on top of their game maintaining parking facilities, cleaning up trash, and ensuring Downtown remains inviting during these high-traffic times. A big thank you to everyone for their dedication as we look forward to more busy weekends ahead!

Dubuque Street is officially back open for busines

Dubuque Street is officially back open for business with pedestrian and vehicular traffic back to normal. After months of construction to replace a century-old water main and sewer pipes, we’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to a fresh new Dubuque Street with wider sidewalks, new trees, and updated planter beds!

This week, crews are planting new greenery and wrapping up work near Iowa Avenue, marking the completion of all hard surface work. Crews will then begin work on the Studio 13 and Sports Column alleyway.

A reminder that this is the final week to claim your $20 ICDD Gift Card as a thank you for supporting our Dubuque Street businesses during the construction. Up to 5 receipts dated from July 8th to August 31st from any Dubuque Street business can be submitted. Learn more and submit receipts at the link in our bio.

@nodoforever has been a cherished part of Iowa Cit

@nodoforever has been a cherished part of Iowa City’s food scene since 2010 when Bryan Asklof first opened its doors on the Northside. Starting as a small sandwich shop beside an Ace Hardware store, it quickly became a hidden treasure, cherished by locals for its inventive menu and laid-back atmosphere.

With a name that originally stood for “North Dodge,” Nodo has grown far beyond its humble beginnings and flourished into a culinary hotspot. With the support of Josh Silver, Nodo opened a second location on Dubuque Street in 2013, extending its creative sandwiches and community spirit to even more customers. Today, August 30th, Nodo Downtown proudly celebrates its 11th birthday, marking over a decade of delicious food and meaningful connections in Iowa City.

Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan, Nodo’s expansive menu has something for everyone, offering options from the tried-and-true to the downright adventurous. Think of a classic egg sandwich topped with aioli and white cheddar alongside a ham and mango sandwich that’s as surprising as it is satisfying. And don’t forget about the crispy, perfectly salted, sweet potato fries. Paired with zesty garlic aioli, they’ve become a fan favorite that keeps people coming back for more.

Giving back to the community is central to Nodo’s mission. The restaurant proudly showcases rotating art from local artists, offering diners a chance to enjoy Iowa City’s creative talent as they eat. The commitment extends to their ingredients, with coffee brewed from Café del Sol beans, locally sourced produce, and freshly baked homemade cookies and muffins adding a personal touch to every meal. Nodo also offers catering services and welcomes you to host your next business meeting, party, or get-together in their Skylight Room—a perfect place for enjoying good food and great company.

Welcoming longtime regulars or first-time visitors, Nodo remains an ideal spot to enjoy a taste of Iowa City’s culinary history. With two thriving locations and a reputation that only grows with time, Nodo continues to serve up some of the city’s best sandwiches, earning a permanent place in the hearts—and stomachs—of its fans.

Another incredible evening filled with delicious f

Another incredible evening filled with delicious food from our amazing downtown restaurants. We’re still savoring all the flavors from last night’s Taste of Iowa City, Presented by MidWestOne Bank. Our restaurants served up some seriously tasty bites. Let us know your favorites in the comments!

A huge thank you to our longtime sponsor, @midwestone, for the continued support and for making this event possible year after year. It’s a great way to highlight and support our local businesses while continuing the tradition of fostering strong community connections.

We hope everyone discovered a new favorite restaurant or dish to enjoy again and again. Until next time, we hope you left with happy hearts and full bellies! 🍲✨

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