The Dandy Lion

Reviews

• Matt U.

  star star star star star 5 June 2026

  We happened upon this quaint little spot while looking for a brunch spot on a trip back to Iowa City. The place was exactly what we were hoping for!
  
  For those who know food in the area, they know bluebird diner as a staple for good food and a solid, slightly eclectic atmosphere that just feel right- same owner, new digs, same sweet vibe!
  
  The decor is modern and whimsically rustic, with a slight upscale feel with being pretentious. It's surprisingly hard to get but they do!
  
  Everyone is laid back and knows about the food which makes ordering easier. The brunch cocktails were blow us away good - my better half had a Parasol and I had Milk Punch. This was the first time I've felt the breakfast drink really complimented the meal and wasn't just a "well l, we're on vacation so...".
  
  The food was nothing short of phenomenal! We had a lodgers special - layers hash browns, sausage, pimento cheese, runny eggs and tomato gravy - sound like heaven? It was! Pair it with the best biscuit we've had this decade and you've got yourself a complete breakfast! The chicken biscuit, also with aforementioned biscuit, was equally amazing - a little honey and hot sauce on that chicken and your mouth is having a party where the colonel may show up! The kiddos shared some French toast with coconut curd - note to you - get the coconut curd!
  
  A total feast for 5 of us with brunch drinks was like $50 and we left satisfied and talking about the dishes for a couple days. This is a new favorite and a place that should be frequented by anyone who loves brunch, breakfast, weekends, friends and a sunny day!

• Paul H.

  star star star star star 2 June 2026

  Serves my favorite brunch food in the Iowa City area.  Particularly enjoy the chicken biscuit.  It is a breaded chicken thigh with hot sauce and maple, giving it a sweet and spicy kick.  Served on a massive biscuit with hash browns.  Order a side of their unreal strawberry jam, and its perfect.  Other favorites are the lodger special & chicken fried steak (with tomato gravy).  Honestly, I enjoy the diner competition on Market Street, but the brunch food here is better and more creative.
  
  Service can be slow, but I've never been in a rush, and its not the kind of place you go for a quick bite.  Better to order a coffee, some food, relax, and enjoy.

• Alex B.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 30 May 2026

  First time here; not too impressed.
  
  We had to ask for water refills, service was slow for how empty it was (four in our group and one other table), and the food was just not great. Out of our group of four, one person was impressed with their food and they ordered the Pork Sandwich. It had a juicy pork loin with slaw and aioli between a Hawaiian roll. It had the best flavor--lots of different flavors and garlic spices.
  
  The rest of the food and service was unfortunately poor. I tried the Salmon Toast which was smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and pickled shallots on focaccia. The Salmon had a good, smoked flavor but the entire platter was dry and the focaccia was chewy. My "cuddly poached" eggs were too cooked; definitely more "well done" and the side of hash browns were overly salted and dried out. One person ordered chicken with their salad and didn't get it until we had asked a second time.
  
  I wanted to like this place a lot and I had been so excited to try it out, but it sadly disappointed me.

• Nina E.

  star star star star star 24 May 2026

  Tobacco Bowl? Nope.
  Community vibes. Good times.
  More than just a meal.
  
  My dad used to always talk about the staple that was the "Tobacco Bowl". If you're a local, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Where The Dandy Lion now exists was an Iowa City staple where locals used to gather, hang out, and smoke some tobacco. As JUUL pods replaced tobacco as the poison of choice, the storefront and storeinside changed as well.
  
  This is, hands-down, one of the best breakfast/brunch spots in IC. The service is friendly, the coffee is strong, and the food is delicious. Not to mention the attention to detail with the branding: take a look at the coffee mugs and the silverware bags! yeah, there are little silverware bags!
  
  Special shoutouts to the smoked salmon toast and the avocado toast. It's always nice to see a breakfast spot have a little fun with their menu outside of the regular eggs & bacon fare. Also, wow, accidentally posted this without including one of the most important parts: THIS PLACE IS AFFORDABLE! Especially for downtown Iowa City.
  
  Super nit-picky, but it could be cool to see The Dancy Lion incorporate either some local hot sauce or make their own. I'm sure they'd nail it. Excited to come back and try more!

• Scot N.

  star star star star star 24 May 2026

  My fiance and I were finally able to make it down to the Dandy Lion for brunch.  We arrived on a Sunday morning around 11am.  Upon entering, we were greeted promptly and told the wait would be about 20 min.  Not to bad for a Sunday morning in downtown Iowa City.  After about 20 min we were sat at the bar.
  
  The service was friendly and fast, but what really stood out was the food.  I am a HUGE fan of Chicken and Waffles or Chicken and Biscuits.  The crunch of the chicken, the sweet of the syrup, and the heat of the hot sauce, to me, is perfection.  I have tried to find this perfection at several different places, but have never found that breakfast Nirvana.  That is, until The Dandy Lion.  The Chicken Biscuit was PERFECT!!!  Arguably the best breakfast I have had in the area.
  
  If there was any complaint it was that it was FREEZING in there.  For some reason they had the front door propped open and it was a VERY windy and chilly morning.  
  
  If you get the chance, check out The Dandy Lion...and be sure to bring a coat.