This Iowa City burger is one of the best in the state

The Iowa Gold Burger, made with Jiyu Wagyu beef, stuffed with Gruyère cheese, topped with caramelized onions, and served with a mustard aioli on a brioche bun, from Wilder at the Graduate Iowa City has been ranked top 10 in the state two years in a row by the Iowa Beef Council.

Jiyu Wagyu beef, stuffed with Gruyère cheese, topped with caramelized onions, and served with a mustard aioli on a brioche bun

The Iowa Beef Council ranked Wilder’s Iowa Gold Burger one of its top 10 in the state in the annual Best Burger Contest.

Wilder is a bar and restaurant located in the downtown Iowa City pedestrian mall that takes its name from Hawkeye alum Gene Wilder, best known for playing Willy Wonka in the ’70s classic.

“Nearly 400 restaurants were nominated during this year’s voting process,” said Kylie Peterson, Director of Marketing for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “This year’s Top Ten restaurants are award-winning worthy, but they’re only a handful of the many outstanding establishments in Iowa that proudly serve high-quality beef raised by our state’s cattle farmers.”

To qualify, the burger must feature a 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product. Toppings, condiments, sauces, and cheese are left to the creativity of the restaurant.

The restaurant was recognized in both 2024 and 2025.

Read more by clicking here.

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Find Your game day headquarters

Visiting to support your team when they play the Hawks or looking for a staycation to make the most of a Hawkeye victory? Here’s the best hotels to kickoff your stay.

Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville
Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville

2681 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty
Hotels, North Liberty, Places to Stay

Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty

485 Madison Ave. North Liberty, Iowa 52317 USA
Comfort Suites Coralville I-80
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

2431 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Hotel Millwright
Hotels, Surrounding

Hotel Millwright

800 48th Avenue Amana, Iowa 52203 USA
Springhill Suites by Marriott Coralville
Coralville, Hotels

Springhill Suites by Marriott Coralville

1001 25th Ave Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City

200 6th Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Dutch Country Inn
Hotels, Surrounding

Dutch Country Inn

110 East Avenue Kalona, Iowa 52247 USA
Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown
Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown

255 E Court Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA
Drury Inn & Suites Coralville
Hotels, Iowa River Landing

Drury Inn & Suites Coralville

815 1st Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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attractions

Discover the perfect mix of culture and adventure across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty.

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Midwest Living: Best College Town Getaways in the Midwest

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Downtown Iowa City

Wander through historic Downtown Iowa City with its charming pedestrian mall and eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries.
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Getting Here

Here, creativity lives on every stage, gallery wall, and page. With a pulse on the past and a passion for what’s next, our cultural scene will leave you inspired long after the final act.
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Rankings

Our area consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. The recognitions listed below are just a few of the accolades our destination has received in the last few years.
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Restaurants

In Iowa City you may feast upon milk shakes made from whole slices of pie, slurp corn chowder produced from the freshest and best corn on the planet, and order a jar of bacon as an appetizer.
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