very cute little place! has a small menu but everything is good! this time we had a groupon for two to eat scones,jam and a full pot of tea. it was really good! definitely a different atmosphere with their unique tables and chairs! Just check it out! you wont go wrong.
(5)
Jonathan C.
So my wife and I attended a wedding in Iowa City. The next morning, after way too many drinks, I was somehow not hungover. So instead of just going downstairs for a generic breakfast of eggs and bacon at the Sheraton. I look around for a breakfast place and only two places within a few miles of the hotel had over 3.5 stars, this place and a bar. Apparently the bar serves breakfast, and I would have been game.... but well my wife didn't want bar food for breakfast. So we ended up here and I'm glad we did. We started by splitting a freshly made cinnamon role. The cream cheese frosting was amazing. I really couldn't think of any way to improve it, other than if they had more than one left. So my wife got some sort of vegetable quiche and I got the Shakshuka (they called them Moroccan eggs...) So the quiche was good, I enjoyed the bite I was given. My shakshuka, while not even close to how good they are when my uncle makes them (he lives in Israel so I don't get them often), these were quite good. I was actually pretty surprised to see this on a menu in Iowa City. I could lie and say I'll be back here, but I honestly do not know the next time my travels will take me to Iowa...
(5)
Sue D.
Wow! On vacation and stopped here. Glad we did. I has the eggs florentine and they were delish. Also ordered the mint tea. Lovely. Fresh squeezed oj too. Yum.
(5)
Nick B.
I've never made it to Leaf for anything other than breakfast, but I've never been anything but happy with what I have ordered there. It's fairly quirky and eclectic on the inside, with mismatched, vintage style cups and glasses. Kind of reminds me of eating at my Grandma's when I was a kid. It's not the most inventive menu that you're going to find, but it's comfortable food that's made very well. While I have never not enjoyed something that I eaten there, the eggs Benedict is one of the best that I've had in the city. A great, laid back option for any breakfast, hungover or not.
(4)
Amy E.
First time to Leaf 2 weeks ago for breakfast. I had the blueberry pancakes, they were light and fluffy. Not too big either, the portion was very reasonable. I love the restaurant, it's very eclectic and unique. The staff were busy, but very polite and attentive. I will definitely come back here!
(5)
Tim S.
Great brunch. We're from Chicago and we're pretty serious about brunch, and this place does a better job than most. My friends' only complaint is that there is a lack of hurry to initially take the order and to give the check, but I was totally fine with the relaxed nature. They were VERY attentive to our food allergies, taking time to write them down and accommodate appropriately. They have multiple gluten free options. Food was served super quick after we ordered. All around awesome food joint with great vibe.
(5)
Jeremy Z.
Nice breakfast and an all around comfortable and inviting eatery.
(3)
Sarah G.
This is my go-to place for brunch with a girlfriend. Not for the big manly types because portion sizes are normal (read: small by restaurant definition). They have a daily quiche with seasonal ingredients and it is, in my Frenchie opinion, the best thing offered.
(4)
Chris M.
I live in Cedar Rapids and this is the kind of place we are lacking. Best breakfast I've had in a while.
(4)
Mary F.
My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on Saturday. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, and he ordered a salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche with a side of potatoes. Blueberry pancakes: This consisted of three blueberry pancakes, along with some fresh blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a small cup of maple syrup. I don't typically eat pancakes, but these were quite good. The pancakes themselves were not too thick (like I find Hamburg Inn's) and had a light texture so it didn't feel heavy in my stomach afterwards. The portion size was perfect for me - I felt full afterwards, but not bloated, just comfortably full. The fresh blueberries were a nice touch in addition to the blueberries in the pancakes. Salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche: I tried a couple bites of this. I don't really eat quiche, and this tasted okay to me, but I probably wouldn't typically order quiche. Potatoes (side with quiche): I love these potatoes! They were seasoned and roasted (?) well and were perfectly savory. There were also a few pieces of olive with the potatoes. I would definitely want to order this again! Decor/atmosphere: The bright, mismatched furniture and art gives this place a quirky hipster feel. The fresh lily at our table was a nice touch. Although the place is fairly small, the atmosphere is cozy. Service: Our waitress was attentive to our table, and we received our dishes fairly quickly, even though the restaurant was about 70%-80% full. We arrived around 1:10 pm, ate, paid, and were ready to go by around 1:55 pm.
(4)
Kevin D.
Really great atmosphere, service and food. I really commend their commitment to sustainable local dining. From a first timer, this appears to be the core of the restaurant and can be found in everything from the decor, the furniture and, of course, the food. I very excited to see what their specials will be in the coming months with the Farmer's Market being back in season. Today's special was a salmon, kale and cream cheese quiche with a side. The quiche was wonderful and possibly the best I've had in town. I would highly recommend giving it a try the next time it's on the menu. Other patrons food looked equally delicious. A couple near by had an order of Eggs Benedict that looked delectable. I would highly recommend stoping in for lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends. I arrived 45 minutes before close on a Saturday and still had a wonderfully enjoyable meal.
(4)
Zainab A.
Good food, tried eggs Benedict with salmon eggs were cooked perfect, my boyfriend ordered pancakes, they were amazing, friendly staff, from the inside the place look like an antique shop, different tables and chairs, and I kinda liked it that's different than other places, good place to take a family for a breakfast or brunch. Two things to consider while visiting this place, small parking lot, and it takes 10 minutes to get seated because it's always packed! I would definitely visit this place again!
(4)
Mark G.
Well I'm in the middle on this one, they have different choices than the traditional breakfast, which makes this places good. But for me I wasn't blown away with my meal. Had the Ricotta pancakes with berry sauce and sour cream, they were just okay. I did love the sour cream touch. But nothing too special otherwise. Really disappointed with the honey, banana, and walnut crepe. I would have liked to see it filled more and put together a little better, seemed a little sloppy and bare versus other crepes I had. Although it has a nice menu, I wonder if that is why people like it since the most frequent breakfast places are fast food place and a grocery store. I see the attraction, but on the items I had didn't beat out some of the other places I have ate at in IC.
(3)
Darryl M.
I always seem to catch this place at the right time, I guess, since it's usually pretty clear when I get here and my service is always prompt and attentive. I like the place for all the reasons everyone else does--effort to use sustainable and local ingredients, interesting menu, and the like--but I'm especially fond of the Moroccan eggs. Because they're awesome. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The portion sizes are small (consistent with many of the places in IC in which there's decent food being sold, sadly), but apart from that it's some good stuff.
(4)
Adam S.
Our waitress here was sweet and we got in quickly without a line. Overall, if it wasn't for Yelp, this place would've been totally invisible to us out-of-towners. I wasn't blown away by it, but it did the trick for a good, local breakfast before setting out on our bikes that afternoon.
(3)
Hannah E.
Our waitress was frazzled and rude, it took us over 45 minutes to get our food. Do not get the green tea latte. It tasted like ground up chalk in hot milk. Bad service, loud and over priced. Unimpressed.
(2)
Geoff D.
More hipsters than you can shake a stick at, but that's okay because it means the food is local, sustainable and tasty (and in this case surprisingly cheap). If you're passing through Iowa - and let's face it, who isn't? - it's worth a detour for breakfast/brunch.
(4)
Rachel B.
Excellent breakfast. Cool retro interior. Friendly staff. Had the banana crepes, brioche French toast, and croque Madame. All of which was fabulous!!
(5)
Jose A.
The services is horrible. The food is mediocre and over priced. I really had high hopes for this place. My girlfriend and I were looking to try a new breakfast restaurant in Iowa City, and we came across LEAF, which had good reviews. When we got there I noticed there were barely any cars, which is unusual for a popular place on a Sunday morning. Once we got in, I really digged the hipster atmosphere. The person at the counter, which would also be our waitress told us to pick any spot we wanted. And at this point is where our horrible experience began. The first bad sign was when the waitress didn't even said "Hi" when she went to serve us water. She hurriedly told us what were the specials of the day and left without asking if we wanted anything to drink besides the water. A pattern we noticed she did with every other of her 5 or so tables. When our food finally came it was ridiculously small for the price. I got the eggs Benedict and my girlfriend got the french toast. My eggs came on an English muffin with an extremely small slice of ham, and a cheese based sauce. The quality of the food was subpar even to the egg McMuffins at McDonalds. Another thing I noticed was that most of the customers were women, which apparently all knew each other. My girlfriend and I felt as we were not part of the club while we ate here. We felt unwelcome. When we were done eating our waitress stopped at the table before us and asked them if they wanted anything else or a refill for water. When she came to our table she didn't say anything at all. At this point is when I finally realized this was by far the most rude waitress I've ever dealt with in any restaurant in my life. Needless to say, I will never eat at LEAF again.
(1)
Dave S.
Writing this as we wait for our food. We've been here for nearly an hour. I thought they lost our order. Turns out, as our waitress explained, they can only cook one order at a time. Don't come here unless you have lots of time on your hands. Did not add to our experience that the women next to us were discussing their marital affairs and hysterectomies.
(1)
Mai H.
Super cute place. I like the casualness and character. Brunch was exactly what I was looking for. Plus my 2 year old loved the pancakes!
(4)
Givan T.
At one time, Leaf Kitchen served dinner six glorious nights a week. Then one day the Chef had a magical baby boy, and assumed the roles of motherhood in lieu of a beautiful night time service. The people of Iowa City were now conflicted -- such a wonderful child, but, where now to go for their delightful dinnertime happenings? They wandered the streets, half-awake, weeping, searching for a salve to fill the hole, but to no avail. They now wait pensively, dog-like, for whisper of its return.
(5)
Matt U.
We've been here twice now and both times left feeling something was lacking. First time they ran out of three brunch items (we'd heard this was an ongoing issue) and while it may mean certain things are popular, it said to me that they don't care enough about everyone trying them to order more. The second time we left having had a waitress who made it pretty apparent early on that she didn't care whether we were there or not. That said, the food was alright. Salmon benedict was pretty good, but for a signature item it wasn't anything to write home about -The english muffin it was served on wasn't that exciting, but worked. Ricotta pancakes were okay, but had too much stuff on top that took away from the pancakes. Coffee was good, but hot chocolate was lacking actual chocolate. Honestly, the potatoes were the best part of the meal - a little different than anywhere we've tried. Good attempt at making the atmosphere something a little different, but in the end it left us feeling they're unique...just like everyone else. The tables and chair are mismatched and different reminded us more of "we went to a yard sale and found some stuff" than creating a memorable atmosphere. Sticking with a specific theme seems like it would go a long way. - Bottom line, there are better places in town to go if you want a local sort of feel with slightly eclectic food options.
(2)
Sandy C.
What a charming little cafe! My hubby and I happened upon this place when we were in Iowa City for a family wedding. If they have the cinnamon buns - order one for yourself! They're perfect.
(4)
Amanda C.
Lovely, lovely place! I agree, its decor is very unlike most Iowan restaurants. Although I grew up in Iowa, I've lived in NYC the past few years, and Leaf would fit right alongside any hipster Brooklyn eatery, what with its mismatched prints, vintage furniture, and tattooed staff. Very charming. Some friends and I had dinner here recently on a Saturday when I was visiting. Our server was extremely courteous and well-spoken, not to mention super accommodating! One of my friends has an extraordinary aversion to cilantro but was interested in the lamb tagine, one of the evening's specials. Without even asking, our server brought the table a small sample of the stew to try. Very thoughtful. Unfortunately, my friend could still detect the cilantro, so she ended up ordering something else, but I found the lamb tagine had a delicious depth of flavor and savoriness. Somewhat wish I'd ordered that instead of the chilled pork noodle dish, although that was good too. The meat didn't taste as fresh as it could have been, but everything else about it was cooked perfectly. Beautiful presentation. Our other friend ordered the Japanese-style fried chicken entree. Absolutely delicious, especially with the salt and lemon, though I feel it would work better as an appetizer since it does not come with any veggies or sides. Definitely meant for the meatatarian and is an exceptional amount of fried chicken for only around ten bucks. Leaf also uses loose leaf teas, not bagged, least when I ordered jasmine. I always find that to be an step-up in quality.
(4)
John P.
this is the sort of place Iowa City needs more of.... a small, cozy local joint for good coffee and brunch. on a late Sunday morning, the place is booming. ....so much that certain ingredients were no longer available. we really enjoyed the vibe on the inside. it had a few good mixes of patterns, seating types, etc. the outside looks like it is an annex of the All Pets Veterinary Clinic, and if it wasn't for the low-key sign, you'd totally miss it on Gilbert. the service is on par but definitely could be better. the sandwiches were tasty, so was the breakfast (i had the eggs benedict). though i do remember wishing the potatoes were warmer, and the coffee to be a bit in line with a coffee/tea joint. i will go back, and i will try their teas next time.
(4)
Dolan M.
I really like the Leaf Kitchen. It's definitely got that Brooklyn vibe -- among the most pretentious restaurants in Iowa City -- but that can be a good thing, too. I've never done afternoon tea, but just the fact that there's a place in Iowa City with an afternoon tea service makes me smile. Come here to get a meal that will leave you feeling refreshed. It's a good stop for coffee too, probably the best option south of Bowery. If I lived on the South side I'd stop in at least once a week.
(4)
W Q.
the decor and interior is 'different' this is not something you would expect here in iowa, but rather a place on the west coast like los angeles or san francisco. overall i think this is a good getaway from the crowded downtown area for lunch. i had a sandwich, BLTE (BLT + egg) and a soup, carrot ginger for $8; the lunch here is comparable to 126 but with way less selection; they were out of ice tea, which was unfortunate. the ingredients used were very fresh. the owner seems really nice, and the wait staff is very helpful and attentive. i wish there were more lunch menu selections other than sandwiches and soup, like a smaller portion of something unique from the dinner menu. i could get a sandwich anywhere and probably cheaper, but if leaf kitchen would offer a small taste of what's for dinner would make this a regular stop for me for lunch. i like the whole asian fusion dinner menu and i would really like to see this in the lunch menu as well. i would recommend this place for lunch, a good/relaxing place to meet a friend to chit chat; i am looking forward to try the dinner here sometime.
(4)
Ginger S.
Definitely among the top few restaurants in Iowa City, quite possibly the best! The owner, Harriet, is a wonderful host and the folks at Leaf have created a sweet/funky environment. The food is consistently good and inventive. Just this morning I had wonderful eggs florentine made with kale instead of spinach. Double YUM. And a terrific plum tart served with blueberries and fresh whipped cream. Really delightful. Always wonderful potatoes cooked with garlic and olives. SO GOOD. I do pine a bit for their dinner menu and hope they will be serving dinner again soon, at least occasionally. No better breakfast in iowa City.
(5)
Anna H.
Cute and quirky, every girls dream of a tea party grown up.
(4)
Audrey B.
We were visiting and thought this place sounded a little "different" by the reviews. Always like to try something unusual. went for a late breakfast. We weren't disapointed. The atmosphere was casual ,quirky and fun. Service was great!
(4)
Rob D.
Best breakfast in Iowa City. We go here every couple weeks. Everything on the menu is good and the coffee is fantastic. Awesome homemade cinnamon rolls.
(5)
Alexis P.
+ cute and friendly atmosphere + reasonable proportions; I'm sick of the ridiculous heaps of food that places try to serve you, but Leaf does it up right with manageable amounts of food. + eggs were served with the standard potatoes and bread, but the pot
(4)
Julie J.
Went there for my lunch break, it took up 50 minutes of it. Service slow to bring out the sandwich and side salad. When the meal arrived all I could think was "kids size meal"? I am by no means a large person, but I definitely need more food than this! Smallest sandwich that $8.50 can buy. So I'm super hungry a few minutes after eating. I ask the waitress how long would it take to get soup. She said not long, so I order cucumber-mint. About 10 minutes later (ridiculous) I get the soup. ICE COLD. it's chilled, oh awesome! I almost spit up. It tasted alright, but would like to have had a little warning that it's chilled. So with a 15% tip (generous) I left finally satiated at $16.41, with tap water to drink. I'm not a Rockefeller. The atmosphere was alright. It was just a bunch of old run down furniture and some mismatched things. Kind of a rip off paying all this money to sit at old run down furniture. For the money people pay to eat somewhere "nice" you'd think there'd be nice things to look at. The poor lady to the table left of me had a table that was very wobbly. Nice waitstaff, nice enough anyway. Just because this is an "alternative" and "eccentric" atmosphere doesn't make up for lack luster food, service and charging too much. It's not a good restaurant just because they don't seem like chain.
(2)
Shelby R.
This place is great! I have lived in Iowa City for almost 4 years now and am sad it took me this long to discover it. I went for Sunday Brunch (which is incredibly popular) and had one of their specials of the day, eggs florentine. It was amazing! Definitely one of the best brunches and cutest atmospheres in Iowa City.
(4)
A.C. H.
I really like this place a lot. It's quiet, cozy, and a bit off the beaten path. Additionally, the food is very good. They've converted it into a more traditional restaurant with waitresses, which is a nice touch. They are an alt bunch, but good at what they do. I had no complaints when I went with my GF. Like others, I enjoy the fact that they have an extensive loose tea list, which I take advantage of every time I'm there. The problem that I have with this place is that it does not give you quite enough food. I find myself leaving a little bit hungry at the end of the meal. I, usually, solve this by taking a cinnamon roll (which are delicious) with me at the end of the meal. While I don't want to be inundated with food, I would like a little more on my plate. In the end, I do like Leaf Kitchen as a dope brunch spot and would recommend it to anyone who would like something different.
(4)
Kristen P.
Somewhat predictable atmosphere. Good service overall. The french toast was small diner french toast with the nice addition of cranberries and nuts. The eggs benedict was ok, not stellar. The cinnamon roll was pretty good, but would have been better warmed up.
(3)
Chris V.
I come here for lunch and always enjoy it. I love the quirky decor and the home-cooked food. Also went once for breakfast and loved it. I wish they had more seating and usually the staff seem aloof, but otherwise a nice little place.
(4)
Carolyn S.
Of the many little "gems" in Iowa City, Leaf Kitchen has to be one of my favorites. It is a small little restaurant located on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City, offering wine, beer and sake as well as an interesting mix of small Japanese/Asian-inspired plates. The dinner menu includes simple, fresh and delicious dishes. The Watermelon-Cucumber Salad with cashew nuts, goat cheese, onion, mint and yuzu vinaigrette made for a refreshing starter as did the Grilled Shrimp and White Bean Salad with fresh herbs, tomato, sprouts and pistachio-mint oil. We have had the Korean-style Zucchini Pancakes with spicy dipping soy sauce and the Pan fried Tofu Dumplings with shiitake mushroom carrots, scallion and pine nuts at least a couple of times (both delicious!) and the Cold Sesame Noodles were a light accompaniment. If you are looking for something light, healthy and veggie-friendly, Leaf Kitchen is the spot to be. In terms of atmosphere, at night, Leaf Kitchen has an adorable charm. One can imagine this is some place other than the middle of Iowa - a hippie cafe in San Francisco or New York perhaps. I have heard the brunch menu is quite good although I have yet to try it out. The afternoon tea was pleasant, but not in the fabulous way of the Taj back in Boston. Service at tea time left much to be desired. While the food was quite good, we were rather rudely berated for having one less person show up for our reservation (a last minute cancellation beyond our control). Pity, since afternoon tea is generally such a pleasant experience. I will definitely be back for dinner someday soon. I might pass on aftenroon tea.
(4)
Cam T.
LEAF is a sweet place run by two friends who started their business making pesto and tea cookies for sale at the farmer's market. Now they have an actual address and they offer delicious soups and main dishes (a few different ones every day), plus their tea-infused butter cookies (yum), pastries, tea (many bulk-leaf options) and coffee (they have an espresso machine). There are tables for sitting at, plus a to-go selection in the cooler for people on the run. I went in there at lunch time once or twice and the place was bustling but cozy and comfortable. They always have vegetarian options (including the soups, which is usually a rarity at restaurants) that are inventive and delicious. My only criticism is that the soup portions could be a bit bigger. Otherwise, a recommended dining experience.
(4)
Julie J.
Went there for my lunch break, it took up 50 minutes of it. Service slow to bring out the sandwich and side salad. When the meal arrived all I could think was "kids size meal"? I am by no means a large person, but I definitely need more food than this! Smallest sandwich that $8.50 can buy. So I'm super hungry a few minutes after eating. I ask the waitress how long would it take to get soup. She said not long, so I order cucumber-mint. About 10 minutes later (ridiculous) I get the soup. ICE COLD. it's chilled, oh awesome! I almost spit up. It tasted alright, but would like to have had a little warning that it's chilled. So with a 15% tip (generous) I left finally satiated at $16.41, with tap water to drink. I'm not a Rockefeller. The atmosphere was alright. It was just a bunch of old run down furniture and some mismatched things. Kind of a rip off paying all this money to sit at old run down furniture. For the money people pay to eat somewhere "nice" you'd think there'd be nice things to look at. The poor lady to the table left of me had a table that was very wobbly. Nice waitstaff, nice enough anyway. Just because this is an "alternative" and "eccentric" atmosphere doesn't make up for lack luster food, service and charging too much. It's not a good restaurant just because they don't seem like chain.
(2)
Shelby R.
This place is great! I have lived in Iowa City for almost 4 years now and am sad it took me this long to discover it. I went for Sunday Brunch (which is incredibly popular) and had one of their specials of the day, eggs florentine. It was amazing! Definitely one of the best brunches and cutest atmospheres in Iowa City.
(4)
A.C. H.
I really like this place a lot. It's quiet, cozy, and a bit off the beaten path. Additionally, the food is very good. They've converted it into a more traditional restaurant with waitresses, which is a nice touch. They are an alt bunch, but good at what they do. I had no complaints when I went with my GF. Like others, I enjoy the fact that they have an extensive loose tea list, which I take advantage of every time I'm there. The problem that I have with this place is that it does not give you quite enough food. I find myself leaving a little bit hungry at the end of the meal. I, usually, solve this by taking a cinnamon roll (which are delicious) with me at the end of the meal. While I don't want to be inundated with food, I would like a little more on my plate. In the end, I do like Leaf Kitchen as a dope brunch spot and would recommend it to anyone who would like something different.
(4)
Kristen P.
Somewhat predictable atmosphere. Good service overall. The french toast was small diner french toast with the nice addition of cranberries and nuts. The eggs benedict was ok, not stellar. The cinnamon roll was pretty good, but would have been better warmed up.
(3)
Chris V.
I come here for lunch and always enjoy it. I love the quirky decor and the home-cooked food. Also went once for breakfast and loved it. I wish they had more seating and usually the staff seem aloof, but otherwise a nice little place.
(4)
Rachel B.
Excellent breakfast. Cool retro interior. Friendly staff. Had the banana crepes, brioche French toast, and croque Madame. All of which was fabulous!!
(5)
Jose A.
The services is horrible. The food is mediocre and over priced. I really had high hopes for this place. My girlfriend and I were looking to try a new breakfast restaurant in Iowa City, and we came across LEAF, which had good reviews. When we got there I noticed there were barely any cars, which is unusual for a popular place on a Sunday morning. Once we got in, I really digged the hipster atmosphere. The person at the counter, which would also be our waitress told us to pick any spot we wanted. And at this point is where our horrible experience began. The first bad sign was when the waitress didn't even said "Hi" when she went to serve us water. She hurriedly told us what were the specials of the day and left without asking if we wanted anything to drink besides the water. A pattern we noticed she did with every other of her 5 or so tables. When our food finally came it was ridiculously small for the price. I got the eggs Benedict and my girlfriend got the french toast. My eggs came on an English muffin with an extremely small slice of ham, and a cheese based sauce. The quality of the food was subpar even to the egg McMuffins at McDonalds. Another thing I noticed was that most of the customers were women, which apparently all knew each other. My girlfriend and I felt as we were not part of the club while we ate here. We felt unwelcome. When we were done eating our waitress stopped at the table before us and asked them if they wanted anything else or a refill for water. When she came to our table she didn't say anything at all. At this point is when I finally realized this was by far the most rude waitress I've ever dealt with in any restaurant in my life. Needless to say, I will never eat at LEAF again.
(1)
Jonathan C.
So my wife and I attended a wedding in Iowa City. The next morning, after way too many drinks, I was somehow not hungover. So instead of just going downstairs for a generic breakfast of eggs and bacon at the Sheraton. I look around for a breakfast place and only two places within a few miles of the hotel had over 3.5 stars, this place and a bar. Apparently the bar serves breakfast, and I would have been game.... but well my wife didn't want bar food for breakfast. So we ended up here and I'm glad we did. We started by splitting a freshly made cinnamon role. The cream cheese frosting was amazing. I really couldn't think of any way to improve it, other than if they had more than one left. So my wife got some sort of vegetable quiche and I got the Shakshuka (they called them Moroccan eggs...) So the quiche was good, I enjoyed the bite I was given. My shakshuka, while not even close to how good they are when my uncle makes them (he lives in Israel so I don't get them often), these were quite good. I was actually pretty surprised to see this on a menu in Iowa City. I could lie and say I'll be back here, but I honestly do not know the next time my travels will take me to Iowa...
(5)
Sue D.
Wow! On vacation and stopped here. Glad we did. I has the eggs florentine and they were delish. Also ordered the mint tea. Lovely. Fresh squeezed oj too. Yum.
(5)
Mary F.
My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on Saturday. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, and he ordered a salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche with a side of potatoes. Blueberry pancakes: This consisted of three blueberry pancakes, along with some fresh blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a small cup of maple syrup. I don't typically eat pancakes, but these were quite good. The pancakes themselves were not too thick (like I find Hamburg Inn's) and had a light texture so it didn't feel heavy in my stomach afterwards. The portion size was perfect for me - I felt full afterwards, but not bloated, just comfortably full. The fresh blueberries were a nice touch in addition to the blueberries in the pancakes. Salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche: I tried a couple bites of this. I don't really eat quiche, and this tasted okay to me, but I probably wouldn't typically order quiche. Potatoes (side with quiche): I love these potatoes! They were seasoned and roasted (?) well and were perfectly savory. There were also a few pieces of olive with the potatoes. I would definitely want to order this again! Decor/atmosphere: The bright, mismatched furniture and art gives this place a quirky hipster feel. The fresh lily at our table was a nice touch. Although the place is fairly small, the atmosphere is cozy. Service: Our waitress was attentive to our table, and we received our dishes fairly quickly, even though the restaurant was about 70%-80% full. We arrived around 1:10 pm, ate, paid, and were ready to go by around 1:55 pm.
(4)
Kevin D.
Really great atmosphere, service and food. I really commend their commitment to sustainable local dining. From a first timer, this appears to be the core of the restaurant and can be found in everything from the decor, the furniture and, of course, the food. I very excited to see what their specials will be in the coming months with the Farmer's Market being back in season. Today's special was a salmon, kale and cream cheese quiche with a side. The quiche was wonderful and possibly the best I've had in town. I would highly recommend giving it a try the next time it's on the menu. Other patrons food looked equally delicious. A couple near by had an order of Eggs Benedict that looked delectable. I would highly recommend stoping in for lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends. I arrived 45 minutes before close on a Saturday and still had a wonderfully enjoyable meal.
(4)
Zainab A.
Good food, tried eggs Benedict with salmon eggs were cooked perfect, my boyfriend ordered pancakes, they were amazing, friendly staff, from the inside the place look like an antique shop, different tables and chairs, and I kinda liked it that's different than other places, good place to take a family for a breakfast or brunch. Two things to consider while visiting this place, small parking lot, and it takes 10 minutes to get seated because it's always packed! I would definitely visit this place again!
(4)
Mark G.
Well I'm in the middle on this one, they have different choices than the traditional breakfast, which makes this places good. But for me I wasn't blown away with my meal. Had the Ricotta pancakes with berry sauce and sour cream, they were just okay. I did love the sour cream touch. But nothing too special otherwise. Really disappointed with the honey, banana, and walnut crepe. I would have liked to see it filled more and put together a little better, seemed a little sloppy and bare versus other crepes I had. Although it has a nice menu, I wonder if that is why people like it since the most frequent breakfast places are fast food place and a grocery store. I see the attraction, but on the items I had didn't beat out some of the other places I have ate at in IC.
(3)
Darryl M.
I always seem to catch this place at the right time, I guess, since it's usually pretty clear when I get here and my service is always prompt and attentive. I like the place for all the reasons everyone else does--effort to use sustainable and local ingredients, interesting menu, and the like--but I'm especially fond of the Moroccan eggs. Because they're awesome. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The portion sizes are small (consistent with many of the places in IC in which there's decent food being sold, sadly), but apart from that it's some good stuff.
(4)
Adam S.
Our waitress here was sweet and we got in quickly without a line. Overall, if it wasn't for Yelp, this place would've been totally invisible to us out-of-towners. I wasn't blown away by it, but it did the trick for a good, local breakfast before setting out on our bikes that afternoon.
(3)
Dave S.
Writing this as we wait for our food. We've been here for nearly an hour. I thought they lost our order. Turns out, as our waitress explained, they can only cook one order at a time. Don't come here unless you have lots of time on your hands. Did not add to our experience that the women next to us were discussing their marital affairs and hysterectomies.
(1)
Mai H.
Super cute place. I like the casualness and character. Brunch was exactly what I was looking for. Plus my 2 year old loved the pancakes!
(4)
Lila P.
very cute little place! has a small menu but everything is good! this time we had a groupon for two to eat scones,jam and a full pot of tea. it was really good! definitely a different atmosphere with their unique tables and chairs! Just check it out! you wont go wrong.
(5)
Hannah E.
Our waitress was frazzled and rude, it took us over 45 minutes to get our food. Do not get the green tea latte. It tasted like ground up chalk in hot milk. Bad service, loud and over priced. Unimpressed.
(2)
Geoff D.
More hipsters than you can shake a stick at, but that's okay because it means the food is local, sustainable and tasty (and in this case surprisingly cheap). If you're passing through Iowa - and let's face it, who isn't? - it's worth a detour for breakfast/brunch.
(4)
Nick B.
I've never made it to Leaf for anything other than breakfast, but I've never been anything but happy with what I have ordered there. It's fairly quirky and eclectic on the inside, with mismatched, vintage style cups and glasses. Kind of reminds me of eating at my Grandma's when I was a kid. It's not the most inventive menu that you're going to find, but it's comfortable food that's made very well. While I have never not enjoyed something that I eaten there, the eggs Benedict is one of the best that I've had in the city. A great, laid back option for any breakfast, hungover or not.
(4)
Amy E.
First time to Leaf 2 weeks ago for breakfast. I had the blueberry pancakes, they were light and fluffy. Not too big either, the portion was very reasonable. I love the restaurant, it's very eclectic and unique. The staff were busy, but very polite and attentive. I will definitely come back here!
(5)
Tim S.
Great brunch. We're from Chicago and we're pretty serious about brunch, and this place does a better job than most. My friends' only complaint is that there is a lack of hurry to initially take the order and to give the check, but I was totally fine with the relaxed nature. They were VERY attentive to our food allergies, taking time to write them down and accommodate appropriately. They have multiple gluten free options. Food was served super quick after we ordered. All around awesome food joint with great vibe.
(5)
Jeremy Z.
Nice breakfast and an all around comfortable and inviting eatery.
(3)
Sarah G.
This is my go-to place for brunch with a girlfriend. Not for the big manly types because portion sizes are normal (read: small by restaurant definition). They have a daily quiche with seasonal ingredients and it is, in my Frenchie opinion, the best thing offered.
(4)
Chris M.
I live in Cedar Rapids and this is the kind of place we are lacking. Best breakfast I've had in a while.
(4)
Givan T.
At one time, Leaf Kitchen served dinner six glorious nights a week. Then one day the Chef had a magical baby boy, and assumed the roles of motherhood in lieu of a beautiful night time service. The people of Iowa City were now conflicted -- such a wonderful child, but, where now to go for their delightful dinnertime happenings? They wandered the streets, half-awake, weeping, searching for a salve to fill the hole, but to no avail. They now wait pensively, dog-like, for whisper of its return.
(5)
Matt U.
We've been here twice now and both times left feeling something was lacking. First time they ran out of three brunch items (we'd heard this was an ongoing issue) and while it may mean certain things are popular, it said to me that they don't care enough about everyone trying them to order more. The second time we left having had a waitress who made it pretty apparent early on that she didn't care whether we were there or not. That said, the food was alright. Salmon benedict was pretty good, but for a signature item it wasn't anything to write home about -The english muffin it was served on wasn't that exciting, but worked. Ricotta pancakes were okay, but had too much stuff on top that took away from the pancakes. Coffee was good, but hot chocolate was lacking actual chocolate. Honestly, the potatoes were the best part of the meal - a little different than anywhere we've tried. Good attempt at making the atmosphere something a little different, but in the end it left us feeling they're unique...just like everyone else. The tables and chair are mismatched and different reminded us more of "we went to a yard sale and found some stuff" than creating a memorable atmosphere. Sticking with a specific theme seems like it would go a long way. - Bottom line, there are better places in town to go if you want a local sort of feel with slightly eclectic food options.
(2)
Sandy C.
What a charming little cafe! My hubby and I happened upon this place when we were in Iowa City for a family wedding. If they have the cinnamon buns - order one for yourself! They're perfect.
(4)
Amanda C.
Lovely, lovely place! I agree, its decor is very unlike most Iowan restaurants. Although I grew up in Iowa, I've lived in NYC the past few years, and Leaf would fit right alongside any hipster Brooklyn eatery, what with its mismatched prints, vintage furniture, and tattooed staff. Very charming. Some friends and I had dinner here recently on a Saturday when I was visiting. Our server was extremely courteous and well-spoken, not to mention super accommodating! One of my friends has an extraordinary aversion to cilantro but was interested in the lamb tagine, one of the evening's specials. Without even asking, our server brought the table a small sample of the stew to try. Very thoughtful. Unfortunately, my friend could still detect the cilantro, so she ended up ordering something else, but I found the lamb tagine had a delicious depth of flavor and savoriness. Somewhat wish I'd ordered that instead of the chilled pork noodle dish, although that was good too. The meat didn't taste as fresh as it could have been, but everything else about it was cooked perfectly. Beautiful presentation. Our other friend ordered the Japanese-style fried chicken entree. Absolutely delicious, especially with the salt and lemon, though I feel it would work better as an appetizer since it does not come with any veggies or sides. Definitely meant for the meatatarian and is an exceptional amount of fried chicken for only around ten bucks. Leaf also uses loose leaf teas, not bagged, least when I ordered jasmine. I always find that to be an step-up in quality.
(4)
John P.
this is the sort of place Iowa City needs more of.... a small, cozy local joint for good coffee and brunch. on a late Sunday morning, the place is booming. ....so much that certain ingredients were no longer available. we really enjoyed the vibe on the inside. it had a few good mixes of patterns, seating types, etc. the outside looks like it is an annex of the All Pets Veterinary Clinic, and if it wasn't for the low-key sign, you'd totally miss it on Gilbert. the service is on par but definitely could be better. the sandwiches were tasty, so was the breakfast (i had the eggs benedict). though i do remember wishing the potatoes were warmer, and the coffee to be a bit in line with a coffee/tea joint. i will go back, and i will try their teas next time.
(4)
Dolan M.
I really like the Leaf Kitchen. It's definitely got that Brooklyn vibe -- among the most pretentious restaurants in Iowa City -- but that can be a good thing, too. I've never done afternoon tea, but just the fact that there's a place in Iowa City with an afternoon tea service makes me smile. Come here to get a meal that will leave you feeling refreshed. It's a good stop for coffee too, probably the best option south of Bowery. If I lived on the South side I'd stop in at least once a week.
(4)
W Q.
the decor and interior is 'different' this is not something you would expect here in iowa, but rather a place on the west coast like los angeles or san francisco. overall i think this is a good getaway from the crowded downtown area for lunch. i had a sandwich, BLTE (BLT + egg) and a soup, carrot ginger for $8; the lunch here is comparable to 126 but with way less selection; they were out of ice tea, which was unfortunate. the ingredients used were very fresh. the owner seems really nice, and the wait staff is very helpful and attentive. i wish there were more lunch menu selections other than sandwiches and soup, like a smaller portion of something unique from the dinner menu. i could get a sandwich anywhere and probably cheaper, but if leaf kitchen would offer a small taste of what's for dinner would make this a regular stop for me for lunch. i like the whole asian fusion dinner menu and i would really like to see this in the lunch menu as well. i would recommend this place for lunch, a good/relaxing place to meet a friend to chit chat; i am looking forward to try the dinner here sometime.
(4)
Ginger S.
Definitely among the top few restaurants in Iowa City, quite possibly the best! The owner, Harriet, is a wonderful host and the folks at Leaf have created a sweet/funky environment. The food is consistently good and inventive. Just this morning I had wonderful eggs florentine made with kale instead of spinach. Double YUM. And a terrific plum tart served with blueberries and fresh whipped cream. Really delightful. Always wonderful potatoes cooked with garlic and olives. SO GOOD. I do pine a bit for their dinner menu and hope they will be serving dinner again soon, at least occasionally. No better breakfast in iowa City.
(5)
Anna H.
Cute and quirky, every girls dream of a tea party grown up.
(4)
Audrey B.
We were visiting and thought this place sounded a little "different" by the reviews. Always like to try something unusual. went for a late breakfast. We weren't disapointed. The atmosphere was casual ,quirky and fun. Service was great!
(4)
Rob D.
Best breakfast in Iowa City. We go here every couple weeks. Everything on the menu is good and the coffee is fantastic. Awesome homemade cinnamon rolls.
(5)
Alexis P.
+ cute and friendly atmosphere + reasonable proportions; I'm sick of the ridiculous heaps of food that places try to serve you, but Leaf does it up right with manageable amounts of food. + eggs were served with the standard potatoes and bread, but the pot
(4)
Carolyn S.
Of the many little "gems" in Iowa City, Leaf Kitchen has to be one of my favorites. It is a small little restaurant located on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City, offering wine, beer and sake as well as an interesting mix of small Japanese/Asian-inspired plates. The dinner menu includes simple, fresh and delicious dishes. The Watermelon-Cucumber Salad with cashew nuts, goat cheese, onion, mint and yuzu vinaigrette made for a refreshing starter as did the Grilled Shrimp and White Bean Salad with fresh herbs, tomato, sprouts and pistachio-mint oil. We have had the Korean-style Zucchini Pancakes with spicy dipping soy sauce and the Pan fried Tofu Dumplings with shiitake mushroom carrots, scallion and pine nuts at least a couple of times (both delicious!) and the Cold Sesame Noodles were a light accompaniment. If you are looking for something light, healthy and veggie-friendly, Leaf Kitchen is the spot to be. In terms of atmosphere, at night, Leaf Kitchen has an adorable charm. One can imagine this is some place other than the middle of Iowa - a hippie cafe in San Francisco or New York perhaps. I have heard the brunch menu is quite good although I have yet to try it out. The afternoon tea was pleasant, but not in the fabulous way of the Taj back in Boston. Service at tea time left much to be desired. While the food was quite good, we were rather rudely berated for having one less person show up for our reservation (a last minute cancellation beyond our control). Pity, since afternoon tea is generally such a pleasant experience. I will definitely be back for dinner someday soon. I might pass on aftenroon tea.
(4)
Cam T.
LEAF is a sweet place run by two friends who started their business making pesto and tea cookies for sale at the farmer's market. Now they have an actual address and they offer delicious soups and main dishes (a few different ones every day), plus their tea-infused butter cookies (yum), pastries, tea (many bulk-leaf options) and coffee (they have an espresso machine). There are tables for sitting at, plus a to-go selection in the cooler for people on the run. I went in there at lunch time once or twice and the place was bustling but cozy and comfortable. They always have vegetarian options (including the soups, which is usually a rarity at restaurants) that are inventive and delicious. My only criticism is that the soup portions could be a bit bigger. Otherwise, a recommended dining experience.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Quiet Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lila P.
very cute little place! has a small menu but everything is good! this time we had a groupon for two to eat scones,jam and a full pot of tea. it was really good! definitely a different atmosphere with their unique tables and chairs! Just check it out! you wont go wrong.
(5)Jonathan C.
So my wife and I attended a wedding in Iowa City. The next morning, after way too many drinks, I was somehow not hungover. So instead of just going downstairs for a generic breakfast of eggs and bacon at the Sheraton. I look around for a breakfast place and only two places within a few miles of the hotel had over 3.5 stars, this place and a bar. Apparently the bar serves breakfast, and I would have been game.... but well my wife didn't want bar food for breakfast. So we ended up here and I'm glad we did. We started by splitting a freshly made cinnamon role. The cream cheese frosting was amazing. I really couldn't think of any way to improve it, other than if they had more than one left. So my wife got some sort of vegetable quiche and I got the Shakshuka (they called them Moroccan eggs...) So the quiche was good, I enjoyed the bite I was given. My shakshuka, while not even close to how good they are when my uncle makes them (he lives in Israel so I don't get them often), these were quite good. I was actually pretty surprised to see this on a menu in Iowa City. I could lie and say I'll be back here, but I honestly do not know the next time my travels will take me to Iowa...
(5)Sue D.
Wow! On vacation and stopped here. Glad we did. I has the eggs florentine and they were delish. Also ordered the mint tea. Lovely. Fresh squeezed oj too. Yum.
(5)Nick B.
I've never made it to Leaf for anything other than breakfast, but I've never been anything but happy with what I have ordered there. It's fairly quirky and eclectic on the inside, with mismatched, vintage style cups and glasses. Kind of reminds me of eating at my Grandma's when I was a kid. It's not the most inventive menu that you're going to find, but it's comfortable food that's made very well. While I have never not enjoyed something that I eaten there, the eggs Benedict is one of the best that I've had in the city. A great, laid back option for any breakfast, hungover or not.
(4)Amy E.
First time to Leaf 2 weeks ago for breakfast. I had the blueberry pancakes, they were light and fluffy. Not too big either, the portion was very reasonable. I love the restaurant, it's very eclectic and unique. The staff were busy, but very polite and attentive. I will definitely come back here!
(5)Tim S.
Great brunch. We're from Chicago and we're pretty serious about brunch, and this place does a better job than most. My friends' only complaint is that there is a lack of hurry to initially take the order and to give the check, but I was totally fine with the relaxed nature. They were VERY attentive to our food allergies, taking time to write them down and accommodate appropriately. They have multiple gluten free options. Food was served super quick after we ordered. All around awesome food joint with great vibe.
(5)Jeremy Z.
Nice breakfast and an all around comfortable and inviting eatery.
(3)Sarah G.
This is my go-to place for brunch with a girlfriend. Not for the big manly types because portion sizes are normal (read: small by restaurant definition). They have a daily quiche with seasonal ingredients and it is, in my Frenchie opinion, the best thing offered.
(4)Chris M.
I live in Cedar Rapids and this is the kind of place we are lacking. Best breakfast I've had in a while.
(4)Mary F.
My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on Saturday. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, and he ordered a salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche with a side of potatoes. Blueberry pancakes: This consisted of three blueberry pancakes, along with some fresh blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a small cup of maple syrup. I don't typically eat pancakes, but these were quite good. The pancakes themselves were not too thick (like I find Hamburg Inn's) and had a light texture so it didn't feel heavy in my stomach afterwards. The portion size was perfect for me - I felt full afterwards, but not bloated, just comfortably full. The fresh blueberries were a nice touch in addition to the blueberries in the pancakes. Salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche: I tried a couple bites of this. I don't really eat quiche, and this tasted okay to me, but I probably wouldn't typically order quiche. Potatoes (side with quiche): I love these potatoes! They were seasoned and roasted (?) well and were perfectly savory. There were also a few pieces of olive with the potatoes. I would definitely want to order this again! Decor/atmosphere: The bright, mismatched furniture and art gives this place a quirky hipster feel. The fresh lily at our table was a nice touch. Although the place is fairly small, the atmosphere is cozy. Service: Our waitress was attentive to our table, and we received our dishes fairly quickly, even though the restaurant was about 70%-80% full. We arrived around 1:10 pm, ate, paid, and were ready to go by around 1:55 pm.
(4)Kevin D.
Really great atmosphere, service and food. I really commend their commitment to sustainable local dining. From a first timer, this appears to be the core of the restaurant and can be found in everything from the decor, the furniture and, of course, the food. I very excited to see what their specials will be in the coming months with the Farmer's Market being back in season. Today's special was a salmon, kale and cream cheese quiche with a side. The quiche was wonderful and possibly the best I've had in town. I would highly recommend giving it a try the next time it's on the menu. Other patrons food looked equally delicious. A couple near by had an order of Eggs Benedict that looked delectable. I would highly recommend stoping in for lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends. I arrived 45 minutes before close on a Saturday and still had a wonderfully enjoyable meal.
(4)Zainab A.
Good food, tried eggs Benedict with salmon eggs were cooked perfect, my boyfriend ordered pancakes, they were amazing, friendly staff, from the inside the place look like an antique shop, different tables and chairs, and I kinda liked it that's different than other places, good place to take a family for a breakfast or brunch. Two things to consider while visiting this place, small parking lot, and it takes 10 minutes to get seated because it's always packed! I would definitely visit this place again!
(4)Mark G.
Well I'm in the middle on this one, they have different choices than the traditional breakfast, which makes this places good. But for me I wasn't blown away with my meal. Had the Ricotta pancakes with berry sauce and sour cream, they were just okay. I did love the sour cream touch. But nothing too special otherwise. Really disappointed with the honey, banana, and walnut crepe. I would have liked to see it filled more and put together a little better, seemed a little sloppy and bare versus other crepes I had. Although it has a nice menu, I wonder if that is why people like it since the most frequent breakfast places are fast food place and a grocery store. I see the attraction, but on the items I had didn't beat out some of the other places I have ate at in IC.
(3)Darryl M.
I always seem to catch this place at the right time, I guess, since it's usually pretty clear when I get here and my service is always prompt and attentive. I like the place for all the reasons everyone else does--effort to use sustainable and local ingredients, interesting menu, and the like--but I'm especially fond of the Moroccan eggs. Because they're awesome. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The portion sizes are small (consistent with many of the places in IC in which there's decent food being sold, sadly), but apart from that it's some good stuff.
(4)Adam S.
Our waitress here was sweet and we got in quickly without a line. Overall, if it wasn't for Yelp, this place would've been totally invisible to us out-of-towners. I wasn't blown away by it, but it did the trick for a good, local breakfast before setting out on our bikes that afternoon.
(3)Hannah E.
Our waitress was frazzled and rude, it took us over 45 minutes to get our food. Do not get the green tea latte. It tasted like ground up chalk in hot milk. Bad service, loud and over priced. Unimpressed.
(2)Geoff D.
More hipsters than you can shake a stick at, but that's okay because it means the food is local, sustainable and tasty (and in this case surprisingly cheap). If you're passing through Iowa - and let's face it, who isn't? - it's worth a detour for breakfast/brunch.
(4)Rachel B.
Excellent breakfast. Cool retro interior. Friendly staff. Had the banana crepes, brioche French toast, and croque Madame. All of which was fabulous!!
(5)Jose A.
The services is horrible. The food is mediocre and over priced. I really had high hopes for this place. My girlfriend and I were looking to try a new breakfast restaurant in Iowa City, and we came across LEAF, which had good reviews. When we got there I noticed there were barely any cars, which is unusual for a popular place on a Sunday morning. Once we got in, I really digged the hipster atmosphere. The person at the counter, which would also be our waitress told us to pick any spot we wanted. And at this point is where our horrible experience began. The first bad sign was when the waitress didn't even said "Hi" when she went to serve us water. She hurriedly told us what were the specials of the day and left without asking if we wanted anything to drink besides the water. A pattern we noticed she did with every other of her 5 or so tables. When our food finally came it was ridiculously small for the price. I got the eggs Benedict and my girlfriend got the french toast. My eggs came on an English muffin with an extremely small slice of ham, and a cheese based sauce. The quality of the food was subpar even to the egg McMuffins at McDonalds. Another thing I noticed was that most of the customers were women, which apparently all knew each other. My girlfriend and I felt as we were not part of the club while we ate here. We felt unwelcome. When we were done eating our waitress stopped at the table before us and asked them if they wanted anything else or a refill for water. When she came to our table she didn't say anything at all. At this point is when I finally realized this was by far the most rude waitress I've ever dealt with in any restaurant in my life. Needless to say, I will never eat at LEAF again.
(1)Dave S.
Writing this as we wait for our food. We've been here for nearly an hour. I thought they lost our order. Turns out, as our waitress explained, they can only cook one order at a time. Don't come here unless you have lots of time on your hands. Did not add to our experience that the women next to us were discussing their marital affairs and hysterectomies.
(1)Mai H.
Super cute place. I like the casualness and character. Brunch was exactly what I was looking for. Plus my 2 year old loved the pancakes!
(4)Givan T.
At one time, Leaf Kitchen served dinner six glorious nights a week. Then one day the Chef had a magical baby boy, and assumed the roles of motherhood in lieu of a beautiful night time service. The people of Iowa City were now conflicted -- such a wonderful child, but, where now to go for their delightful dinnertime happenings? They wandered the streets, half-awake, weeping, searching for a salve to fill the hole, but to no avail. They now wait pensively, dog-like, for whisper of its return.
(5)Matt U.
We've been here twice now and both times left feeling something was lacking. First time they ran out of three brunch items (we'd heard this was an ongoing issue) and while it may mean certain things are popular, it said to me that they don't care enough about everyone trying them to order more. The second time we left having had a waitress who made it pretty apparent early on that she didn't care whether we were there or not. That said, the food was alright. Salmon benedict was pretty good, but for a signature item it wasn't anything to write home about -The english muffin it was served on wasn't that exciting, but worked. Ricotta pancakes were okay, but had too much stuff on top that took away from the pancakes. Coffee was good, but hot chocolate was lacking actual chocolate. Honestly, the potatoes were the best part of the meal - a little different than anywhere we've tried. Good attempt at making the atmosphere something a little different, but in the end it left us feeling they're unique...just like everyone else. The tables and chair are mismatched and different reminded us more of "we went to a yard sale and found some stuff" than creating a memorable atmosphere. Sticking with a specific theme seems like it would go a long way. - Bottom line, there are better places in town to go if you want a local sort of feel with slightly eclectic food options.
(2)Sandy C.
What a charming little cafe! My hubby and I happened upon this place when we were in Iowa City for a family wedding. If they have the cinnamon buns - order one for yourself! They're perfect.
(4)Amanda C.
Lovely, lovely place! I agree, its decor is very unlike most Iowan restaurants. Although I grew up in Iowa, I've lived in NYC the past few years, and Leaf would fit right alongside any hipster Brooklyn eatery, what with its mismatched prints, vintage furniture, and tattooed staff. Very charming. Some friends and I had dinner here recently on a Saturday when I was visiting. Our server was extremely courteous and well-spoken, not to mention super accommodating! One of my friends has an extraordinary aversion to cilantro but was interested in the lamb tagine, one of the evening's specials. Without even asking, our server brought the table a small sample of the stew to try. Very thoughtful. Unfortunately, my friend could still detect the cilantro, so she ended up ordering something else, but I found the lamb tagine had a delicious depth of flavor and savoriness. Somewhat wish I'd ordered that instead of the chilled pork noodle dish, although that was good too. The meat didn't taste as fresh as it could have been, but everything else about it was cooked perfectly. Beautiful presentation. Our other friend ordered the Japanese-style fried chicken entree. Absolutely delicious, especially with the salt and lemon, though I feel it would work better as an appetizer since it does not come with any veggies or sides. Definitely meant for the meatatarian and is an exceptional amount of fried chicken for only around ten bucks. Leaf also uses loose leaf teas, not bagged, least when I ordered jasmine. I always find that to be an step-up in quality.
(4)John P.
this is the sort of place Iowa City needs more of.... a small, cozy local joint for good coffee and brunch. on a late Sunday morning, the place is booming. ....so much that certain ingredients were no longer available. we really enjoyed the vibe on the inside. it had a few good mixes of patterns, seating types, etc. the outside looks like it is an annex of the All Pets Veterinary Clinic, and if it wasn't for the low-key sign, you'd totally miss it on Gilbert. the service is on par but definitely could be better. the sandwiches were tasty, so was the breakfast (i had the eggs benedict). though i do remember wishing the potatoes were warmer, and the coffee to be a bit in line with a coffee/tea joint. i will go back, and i will try their teas next time.
(4)Dolan M.
I really like the Leaf Kitchen. It's definitely got that Brooklyn vibe -- among the most pretentious restaurants in Iowa City -- but that can be a good thing, too. I've never done afternoon tea, but just the fact that there's a place in Iowa City with an afternoon tea service makes me smile. Come here to get a meal that will leave you feeling refreshed. It's a good stop for coffee too, probably the best option south of Bowery. If I lived on the South side I'd stop in at least once a week.
(4)W Q.
the decor and interior is 'different' this is not something you would expect here in iowa, but rather a place on the west coast like los angeles or san francisco. overall i think this is a good getaway from the crowded downtown area for lunch. i had a sandwich, BLTE (BLT + egg) and a soup, carrot ginger for $8; the lunch here is comparable to 126 but with way less selection; they were out of ice tea, which was unfortunate. the ingredients used were very fresh. the owner seems really nice, and the wait staff is very helpful and attentive. i wish there were more lunch menu selections other than sandwiches and soup, like a smaller portion of something unique from the dinner menu. i could get a sandwich anywhere and probably cheaper, but if leaf kitchen would offer a small taste of what's for dinner would make this a regular stop for me for lunch. i like the whole asian fusion dinner menu and i would really like to see this in the lunch menu as well. i would recommend this place for lunch, a good/relaxing place to meet a friend to chit chat; i am looking forward to try the dinner here sometime.
(4)Ginger S.
Definitely among the top few restaurants in Iowa City, quite possibly the best! The owner, Harriet, is a wonderful host and the folks at Leaf have created a sweet/funky environment. The food is consistently good and inventive. Just this morning I had wonderful eggs florentine made with kale instead of spinach. Double YUM. And a terrific plum tart served with blueberries and fresh whipped cream. Really delightful. Always wonderful potatoes cooked with garlic and olives. SO GOOD. I do pine a bit for their dinner menu and hope they will be serving dinner again soon, at least occasionally. No better breakfast in iowa City.
(5)Anna H.
Cute and quirky, every girls dream of a tea party grown up.
(4)Audrey B.
We were visiting and thought this place sounded a little "different" by the reviews. Always like to try something unusual. went for a late breakfast. We weren't disapointed. The atmosphere was casual ,quirky and fun. Service was great!
(4)Rob D.
Best breakfast in Iowa City. We go here every couple weeks. Everything on the menu is good and the coffee is fantastic. Awesome homemade cinnamon rolls.
(5)Alexis P.
+ cute and friendly atmosphere + reasonable proportions; I'm sick of the ridiculous heaps of food that places try to serve you, but Leaf does it up right with manageable amounts of food. + eggs were served with the standard potatoes and bread, but the pot
(4)Julie J.
Went there for my lunch break, it took up 50 minutes of it. Service slow to bring out the sandwich and side salad. When the meal arrived all I could think was "kids size meal"? I am by no means a large person, but I definitely need more food than this! Smallest sandwich that $8.50 can buy. So I'm super hungry a few minutes after eating. I ask the waitress how long would it take to get soup. She said not long, so I order cucumber-mint. About 10 minutes later (ridiculous) I get the soup. ICE COLD. it's chilled, oh awesome! I almost spit up. It tasted alright, but would like to have had a little warning that it's chilled. So with a 15% tip (generous) I left finally satiated at $16.41, with tap water to drink. I'm not a Rockefeller. The atmosphere was alright. It was just a bunch of old run down furniture and some mismatched things. Kind of a rip off paying all this money to sit at old run down furniture. For the money people pay to eat somewhere "nice" you'd think there'd be nice things to look at. The poor lady to the table left of me had a table that was very wobbly. Nice waitstaff, nice enough anyway. Just because this is an "alternative" and "eccentric" atmosphere doesn't make up for lack luster food, service and charging too much. It's not a good restaurant just because they don't seem like chain.
(2)Shelby R.
This place is great! I have lived in Iowa City for almost 4 years now and am sad it took me this long to discover it. I went for Sunday Brunch (which is incredibly popular) and had one of their specials of the day, eggs florentine. It was amazing! Definitely one of the best brunches and cutest atmospheres in Iowa City.
(4)A.C. H.
I really like this place a lot. It's quiet, cozy, and a bit off the beaten path. Additionally, the food is very good. They've converted it into a more traditional restaurant with waitresses, which is a nice touch. They are an alt bunch, but good at what they do. I had no complaints when I went with my GF. Like others, I enjoy the fact that they have an extensive loose tea list, which I take advantage of every time I'm there. The problem that I have with this place is that it does not give you quite enough food. I find myself leaving a little bit hungry at the end of the meal. I, usually, solve this by taking a cinnamon roll (which are delicious) with me at the end of the meal. While I don't want to be inundated with food, I would like a little more on my plate. In the end, I do like Leaf Kitchen as a dope brunch spot and would recommend it to anyone who would like something different.
(4)Kristen P.
Somewhat predictable atmosphere. Good service overall. The french toast was small diner french toast with the nice addition of cranberries and nuts. The eggs benedict was ok, not stellar. The cinnamon roll was pretty good, but would have been better warmed up.
(3)Chris V.
I come here for lunch and always enjoy it. I love the quirky decor and the home-cooked food. Also went once for breakfast and loved it. I wish they had more seating and usually the staff seem aloof, but otherwise a nice little place.
(4)Carolyn S.
Of the many little "gems" in Iowa City, Leaf Kitchen has to be one of my favorites. It is a small little restaurant located on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City, offering wine, beer and sake as well as an interesting mix of small Japanese/Asian-inspired plates. The dinner menu includes simple, fresh and delicious dishes. The Watermelon-Cucumber Salad with cashew nuts, goat cheese, onion, mint and yuzu vinaigrette made for a refreshing starter as did the Grilled Shrimp and White Bean Salad with fresh herbs, tomato, sprouts and pistachio-mint oil. We have had the Korean-style Zucchini Pancakes with spicy dipping soy sauce and the Pan fried Tofu Dumplings with shiitake mushroom carrots, scallion and pine nuts at least a couple of times (both delicious!) and the Cold Sesame Noodles were a light accompaniment. If you are looking for something light, healthy and veggie-friendly, Leaf Kitchen is the spot to be. In terms of atmosphere, at night, Leaf Kitchen has an adorable charm. One can imagine this is some place other than the middle of Iowa - a hippie cafe in San Francisco or New York perhaps. I have heard the brunch menu is quite good although I have yet to try it out. The afternoon tea was pleasant, but not in the fabulous way of the Taj back in Boston. Service at tea time left much to be desired. While the food was quite good, we were rather rudely berated for having one less person show up for our reservation (a last minute cancellation beyond our control). Pity, since afternoon tea is generally such a pleasant experience. I will definitely be back for dinner someday soon. I might pass on aftenroon tea.
(4)Cam T.
LEAF is a sweet place run by two friends who started their business making pesto and tea cookies for sale at the farmer's market. Now they have an actual address and they offer delicious soups and main dishes (a few different ones every day), plus their tea-infused butter cookies (yum), pastries, tea (many bulk-leaf options) and coffee (they have an espresso machine). There are tables for sitting at, plus a to-go selection in the cooler for people on the run. I went in there at lunch time once or twice and the place was bustling but cozy and comfortable. They always have vegetarian options (including the soups, which is usually a rarity at restaurants) that are inventive and delicious. My only criticism is that the soup portions could be a bit bigger. Otherwise, a recommended dining experience.
(4)Julie J.
Went there for my lunch break, it took up 50 minutes of it. Service slow to bring out the sandwich and side salad. When the meal arrived all I could think was "kids size meal"? I am by no means a large person, but I definitely need more food than this! Smallest sandwich that $8.50 can buy. So I'm super hungry a few minutes after eating. I ask the waitress how long would it take to get soup. She said not long, so I order cucumber-mint. About 10 minutes later (ridiculous) I get the soup. ICE COLD. it's chilled, oh awesome! I almost spit up. It tasted alright, but would like to have had a little warning that it's chilled. So with a 15% tip (generous) I left finally satiated at $16.41, with tap water to drink. I'm not a Rockefeller. The atmosphere was alright. It was just a bunch of old run down furniture and some mismatched things. Kind of a rip off paying all this money to sit at old run down furniture. For the money people pay to eat somewhere "nice" you'd think there'd be nice things to look at. The poor lady to the table left of me had a table that was very wobbly. Nice waitstaff, nice enough anyway. Just because this is an "alternative" and "eccentric" atmosphere doesn't make up for lack luster food, service and charging too much. It's not a good restaurant just because they don't seem like chain.
(2)Shelby R.
This place is great! I have lived in Iowa City for almost 4 years now and am sad it took me this long to discover it. I went for Sunday Brunch (which is incredibly popular) and had one of their specials of the day, eggs florentine. It was amazing! Definitely one of the best brunches and cutest atmospheres in Iowa City.
(4)A.C. H.
I really like this place a lot. It's quiet, cozy, and a bit off the beaten path. Additionally, the food is very good. They've converted it into a more traditional restaurant with waitresses, which is a nice touch. They are an alt bunch, but good at what they do. I had no complaints when I went with my GF. Like others, I enjoy the fact that they have an extensive loose tea list, which I take advantage of every time I'm there. The problem that I have with this place is that it does not give you quite enough food. I find myself leaving a little bit hungry at the end of the meal. I, usually, solve this by taking a cinnamon roll (which are delicious) with me at the end of the meal. While I don't want to be inundated with food, I would like a little more on my plate. In the end, I do like Leaf Kitchen as a dope brunch spot and would recommend it to anyone who would like something different.
(4)Kristen P.
Somewhat predictable atmosphere. Good service overall. The french toast was small diner french toast with the nice addition of cranberries and nuts. The eggs benedict was ok, not stellar. The cinnamon roll was pretty good, but would have been better warmed up.
(3)Chris V.
I come here for lunch and always enjoy it. I love the quirky decor and the home-cooked food. Also went once for breakfast and loved it. I wish they had more seating and usually the staff seem aloof, but otherwise a nice little place.
(4)Rachel B.
Excellent breakfast. Cool retro interior. Friendly staff. Had the banana crepes, brioche French toast, and croque Madame. All of which was fabulous!!
(5)Jose A.
The services is horrible. The food is mediocre and over priced. I really had high hopes for this place. My girlfriend and I were looking to try a new breakfast restaurant in Iowa City, and we came across LEAF, which had good reviews. When we got there I noticed there were barely any cars, which is unusual for a popular place on a Sunday morning. Once we got in, I really digged the hipster atmosphere. The person at the counter, which would also be our waitress told us to pick any spot we wanted. And at this point is where our horrible experience began. The first bad sign was when the waitress didn't even said "Hi" when she went to serve us water. She hurriedly told us what were the specials of the day and left without asking if we wanted anything to drink besides the water. A pattern we noticed she did with every other of her 5 or so tables. When our food finally came it was ridiculously small for the price. I got the eggs Benedict and my girlfriend got the french toast. My eggs came on an English muffin with an extremely small slice of ham, and a cheese based sauce. The quality of the food was subpar even to the egg McMuffins at McDonalds. Another thing I noticed was that most of the customers were women, which apparently all knew each other. My girlfriend and I felt as we were not part of the club while we ate here. We felt unwelcome. When we were done eating our waitress stopped at the table before us and asked them if they wanted anything else or a refill for water. When she came to our table she didn't say anything at all. At this point is when I finally realized this was by far the most rude waitress I've ever dealt with in any restaurant in my life. Needless to say, I will never eat at LEAF again.
(1)Jonathan C.
So my wife and I attended a wedding in Iowa City. The next morning, after way too many drinks, I was somehow not hungover. So instead of just going downstairs for a generic breakfast of eggs and bacon at the Sheraton. I look around for a breakfast place and only two places within a few miles of the hotel had over 3.5 stars, this place and a bar. Apparently the bar serves breakfast, and I would have been game.... but well my wife didn't want bar food for breakfast. So we ended up here and I'm glad we did. We started by splitting a freshly made cinnamon role. The cream cheese frosting was amazing. I really couldn't think of any way to improve it, other than if they had more than one left. So my wife got some sort of vegetable quiche and I got the Shakshuka (they called them Moroccan eggs...) So the quiche was good, I enjoyed the bite I was given. My shakshuka, while not even close to how good they are when my uncle makes them (he lives in Israel so I don't get them often), these were quite good. I was actually pretty surprised to see this on a menu in Iowa City. I could lie and say I'll be back here, but I honestly do not know the next time my travels will take me to Iowa...
(5)Sue D.
Wow! On vacation and stopped here. Glad we did. I has the eggs florentine and they were delish. Also ordered the mint tea. Lovely. Fresh squeezed oj too. Yum.
(5)Mary F.
My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on Saturday. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, and he ordered a salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche with a side of potatoes. Blueberry pancakes: This consisted of three blueberry pancakes, along with some fresh blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a small cup of maple syrup. I don't typically eat pancakes, but these were quite good. The pancakes themselves were not too thick (like I find Hamburg Inn's) and had a light texture so it didn't feel heavy in my stomach afterwards. The portion size was perfect for me - I felt full afterwards, but not bloated, just comfortably full. The fresh blueberries were a nice touch in addition to the blueberries in the pancakes. Salmon, cream cheese, and kale quiche: I tried a couple bites of this. I don't really eat quiche, and this tasted okay to me, but I probably wouldn't typically order quiche. Potatoes (side with quiche): I love these potatoes! They were seasoned and roasted (?) well and were perfectly savory. There were also a few pieces of olive with the potatoes. I would definitely want to order this again! Decor/atmosphere: The bright, mismatched furniture and art gives this place a quirky hipster feel. The fresh lily at our table was a nice touch. Although the place is fairly small, the atmosphere is cozy. Service: Our waitress was attentive to our table, and we received our dishes fairly quickly, even though the restaurant was about 70%-80% full. We arrived around 1:10 pm, ate, paid, and were ready to go by around 1:55 pm.
(4)Kevin D.
Really great atmosphere, service and food. I really commend their commitment to sustainable local dining. From a first timer, this appears to be the core of the restaurant and can be found in everything from the decor, the furniture and, of course, the food. I very excited to see what their specials will be in the coming months with the Farmer's Market being back in season. Today's special was a salmon, kale and cream cheese quiche with a side. The quiche was wonderful and possibly the best I've had in town. I would highly recommend giving it a try the next time it's on the menu. Other patrons food looked equally delicious. A couple near by had an order of Eggs Benedict that looked delectable. I would highly recommend stoping in for lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends. I arrived 45 minutes before close on a Saturday and still had a wonderfully enjoyable meal.
(4)Zainab A.
Good food, tried eggs Benedict with salmon eggs were cooked perfect, my boyfriend ordered pancakes, they were amazing, friendly staff, from the inside the place look like an antique shop, different tables and chairs, and I kinda liked it that's different than other places, good place to take a family for a breakfast or brunch. Two things to consider while visiting this place, small parking lot, and it takes 10 minutes to get seated because it's always packed! I would definitely visit this place again!
(4)Mark G.
Well I'm in the middle on this one, they have different choices than the traditional breakfast, which makes this places good. But for me I wasn't blown away with my meal. Had the Ricotta pancakes with berry sauce and sour cream, they were just okay. I did love the sour cream touch. But nothing too special otherwise. Really disappointed with the honey, banana, and walnut crepe. I would have liked to see it filled more and put together a little better, seemed a little sloppy and bare versus other crepes I had. Although it has a nice menu, I wonder if that is why people like it since the most frequent breakfast places are fast food place and a grocery store. I see the attraction, but on the items I had didn't beat out some of the other places I have ate at in IC.
(3)Darryl M.
I always seem to catch this place at the right time, I guess, since it's usually pretty clear when I get here and my service is always prompt and attentive. I like the place for all the reasons everyone else does--effort to use sustainable and local ingredients, interesting menu, and the like--but I'm especially fond of the Moroccan eggs. Because they're awesome. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The portion sizes are small (consistent with many of the places in IC in which there's decent food being sold, sadly), but apart from that it's some good stuff.
(4)Adam S.
Our waitress here was sweet and we got in quickly without a line. Overall, if it wasn't for Yelp, this place would've been totally invisible to us out-of-towners. I wasn't blown away by it, but it did the trick for a good, local breakfast before setting out on our bikes that afternoon.
(3)Dave S.
Writing this as we wait for our food. We've been here for nearly an hour. I thought they lost our order. Turns out, as our waitress explained, they can only cook one order at a time. Don't come here unless you have lots of time on your hands. Did not add to our experience that the women next to us were discussing their marital affairs and hysterectomies.
(1)Mai H.
Super cute place. I like the casualness and character. Brunch was exactly what I was looking for. Plus my 2 year old loved the pancakes!
(4)Lila P.
very cute little place! has a small menu but everything is good! this time we had a groupon for two to eat scones,jam and a full pot of tea. it was really good! definitely a different atmosphere with their unique tables and chairs! Just check it out! you wont go wrong.
(5)Hannah E.
Our waitress was frazzled and rude, it took us over 45 minutes to get our food. Do not get the green tea latte. It tasted like ground up chalk in hot milk. Bad service, loud and over priced. Unimpressed.
(2)Geoff D.
More hipsters than you can shake a stick at, but that's okay because it means the food is local, sustainable and tasty (and in this case surprisingly cheap). If you're passing through Iowa - and let's face it, who isn't? - it's worth a detour for breakfast/brunch.
(4)Nick B.
I've never made it to Leaf for anything other than breakfast, but I've never been anything but happy with what I have ordered there. It's fairly quirky and eclectic on the inside, with mismatched, vintage style cups and glasses. Kind of reminds me of eating at my Grandma's when I was a kid. It's not the most inventive menu that you're going to find, but it's comfortable food that's made very well. While I have never not enjoyed something that I eaten there, the eggs Benedict is one of the best that I've had in the city. A great, laid back option for any breakfast, hungover or not.
(4)Amy E.
First time to Leaf 2 weeks ago for breakfast. I had the blueberry pancakes, they were light and fluffy. Not too big either, the portion was very reasonable. I love the restaurant, it's very eclectic and unique. The staff were busy, but very polite and attentive. I will definitely come back here!
(5)Tim S.
Great brunch. We're from Chicago and we're pretty serious about brunch, and this place does a better job than most. My friends' only complaint is that there is a lack of hurry to initially take the order and to give the check, but I was totally fine with the relaxed nature. They were VERY attentive to our food allergies, taking time to write them down and accommodate appropriately. They have multiple gluten free options. Food was served super quick after we ordered. All around awesome food joint with great vibe.
(5)Jeremy Z.
Nice breakfast and an all around comfortable and inviting eatery.
(3)Sarah G.
This is my go-to place for brunch with a girlfriend. Not for the big manly types because portion sizes are normal (read: small by restaurant definition). They have a daily quiche with seasonal ingredients and it is, in my Frenchie opinion, the best thing offered.
(4)Chris M.
I live in Cedar Rapids and this is the kind of place we are lacking. Best breakfast I've had in a while.
(4)Givan T.
At one time, Leaf Kitchen served dinner six glorious nights a week. Then one day the Chef had a magical baby boy, and assumed the roles of motherhood in lieu of a beautiful night time service. The people of Iowa City were now conflicted -- such a wonderful child, but, where now to go for their delightful dinnertime happenings? They wandered the streets, half-awake, weeping, searching for a salve to fill the hole, but to no avail. They now wait pensively, dog-like, for whisper of its return.
(5)Matt U.
We've been here twice now and both times left feeling something was lacking. First time they ran out of three brunch items (we'd heard this was an ongoing issue) and while it may mean certain things are popular, it said to me that they don't care enough about everyone trying them to order more. The second time we left having had a waitress who made it pretty apparent early on that she didn't care whether we were there or not. That said, the food was alright. Salmon benedict was pretty good, but for a signature item it wasn't anything to write home about -The english muffin it was served on wasn't that exciting, but worked. Ricotta pancakes were okay, but had too much stuff on top that took away from the pancakes. Coffee was good, but hot chocolate was lacking actual chocolate. Honestly, the potatoes were the best part of the meal - a little different than anywhere we've tried. Good attempt at making the atmosphere something a little different, but in the end it left us feeling they're unique...just like everyone else. The tables and chair are mismatched and different reminded us more of "we went to a yard sale and found some stuff" than creating a memorable atmosphere. Sticking with a specific theme seems like it would go a long way. - Bottom line, there are better places in town to go if you want a local sort of feel with slightly eclectic food options.
(2)Sandy C.
What a charming little cafe! My hubby and I happened upon this place when we were in Iowa City for a family wedding. If they have the cinnamon buns - order one for yourself! They're perfect.
(4)Amanda C.
Lovely, lovely place! I agree, its decor is very unlike most Iowan restaurants. Although I grew up in Iowa, I've lived in NYC the past few years, and Leaf would fit right alongside any hipster Brooklyn eatery, what with its mismatched prints, vintage furniture, and tattooed staff. Very charming. Some friends and I had dinner here recently on a Saturday when I was visiting. Our server was extremely courteous and well-spoken, not to mention super accommodating! One of my friends has an extraordinary aversion to cilantro but was interested in the lamb tagine, one of the evening's specials. Without even asking, our server brought the table a small sample of the stew to try. Very thoughtful. Unfortunately, my friend could still detect the cilantro, so she ended up ordering something else, but I found the lamb tagine had a delicious depth of flavor and savoriness. Somewhat wish I'd ordered that instead of the chilled pork noodle dish, although that was good too. The meat didn't taste as fresh as it could have been, but everything else about it was cooked perfectly. Beautiful presentation. Our other friend ordered the Japanese-style fried chicken entree. Absolutely delicious, especially with the salt and lemon, though I feel it would work better as an appetizer since it does not come with any veggies or sides. Definitely meant for the meatatarian and is an exceptional amount of fried chicken for only around ten bucks. Leaf also uses loose leaf teas, not bagged, least when I ordered jasmine. I always find that to be an step-up in quality.
(4)John P.
this is the sort of place Iowa City needs more of.... a small, cozy local joint for good coffee and brunch. on a late Sunday morning, the place is booming. ....so much that certain ingredients were no longer available. we really enjoyed the vibe on the inside. it had a few good mixes of patterns, seating types, etc. the outside looks like it is an annex of the All Pets Veterinary Clinic, and if it wasn't for the low-key sign, you'd totally miss it on Gilbert. the service is on par but definitely could be better. the sandwiches were tasty, so was the breakfast (i had the eggs benedict). though i do remember wishing the potatoes were warmer, and the coffee to be a bit in line with a coffee/tea joint. i will go back, and i will try their teas next time.
(4)Dolan M.
I really like the Leaf Kitchen. It's definitely got that Brooklyn vibe -- among the most pretentious restaurants in Iowa City -- but that can be a good thing, too. I've never done afternoon tea, but just the fact that there's a place in Iowa City with an afternoon tea service makes me smile. Come here to get a meal that will leave you feeling refreshed. It's a good stop for coffee too, probably the best option south of Bowery. If I lived on the South side I'd stop in at least once a week.
(4)W Q.
the decor and interior is 'different' this is not something you would expect here in iowa, but rather a place on the west coast like los angeles or san francisco. overall i think this is a good getaway from the crowded downtown area for lunch. i had a sandwich, BLTE (BLT + egg) and a soup, carrot ginger for $8; the lunch here is comparable to 126 but with way less selection; they were out of ice tea, which was unfortunate. the ingredients used were very fresh. the owner seems really nice, and the wait staff is very helpful and attentive. i wish there were more lunch menu selections other than sandwiches and soup, like a smaller portion of something unique from the dinner menu. i could get a sandwich anywhere and probably cheaper, but if leaf kitchen would offer a small taste of what's for dinner would make this a regular stop for me for lunch. i like the whole asian fusion dinner menu and i would really like to see this in the lunch menu as well. i would recommend this place for lunch, a good/relaxing place to meet a friend to chit chat; i am looking forward to try the dinner here sometime.
(4)Ginger S.
Definitely among the top few restaurants in Iowa City, quite possibly the best! The owner, Harriet, is a wonderful host and the folks at Leaf have created a sweet/funky environment. The food is consistently good and inventive. Just this morning I had wonderful eggs florentine made with kale instead of spinach. Double YUM. And a terrific plum tart served with blueberries and fresh whipped cream. Really delightful. Always wonderful potatoes cooked with garlic and olives. SO GOOD. I do pine a bit for their dinner menu and hope they will be serving dinner again soon, at least occasionally. No better breakfast in iowa City.
(5)Anna H.
Cute and quirky, every girls dream of a tea party grown up.
(4)Audrey B.
We were visiting and thought this place sounded a little "different" by the reviews. Always like to try something unusual. went for a late breakfast. We weren't disapointed. The atmosphere was casual ,quirky and fun. Service was great!
(4)Rob D.
Best breakfast in Iowa City. We go here every couple weeks. Everything on the menu is good and the coffee is fantastic. Awesome homemade cinnamon rolls.
(5)Alexis P.
+ cute and friendly atmosphere + reasonable proportions; I'm sick of the ridiculous heaps of food that places try to serve you, but Leaf does it up right with manageable amounts of food. + eggs were served with the standard potatoes and bread, but the pot
(4)Carolyn S.
Of the many little "gems" in Iowa City, Leaf Kitchen has to be one of my favorites. It is a small little restaurant located on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City, offering wine, beer and sake as well as an interesting mix of small Japanese/Asian-inspired plates. The dinner menu includes simple, fresh and delicious dishes. The Watermelon-Cucumber Salad with cashew nuts, goat cheese, onion, mint and yuzu vinaigrette made for a refreshing starter as did the Grilled Shrimp and White Bean Salad with fresh herbs, tomato, sprouts and pistachio-mint oil. We have had the Korean-style Zucchini Pancakes with spicy dipping soy sauce and the Pan fried Tofu Dumplings with shiitake mushroom carrots, scallion and pine nuts at least a couple of times (both delicious!) and the Cold Sesame Noodles were a light accompaniment. If you are looking for something light, healthy and veggie-friendly, Leaf Kitchen is the spot to be. In terms of atmosphere, at night, Leaf Kitchen has an adorable charm. One can imagine this is some place other than the middle of Iowa - a hippie cafe in San Francisco or New York perhaps. I have heard the brunch menu is quite good although I have yet to try it out. The afternoon tea was pleasant, but not in the fabulous way of the Taj back in Boston. Service at tea time left much to be desired. While the food was quite good, we were rather rudely berated for having one less person show up for our reservation (a last minute cancellation beyond our control). Pity, since afternoon tea is generally such a pleasant experience. I will definitely be back for dinner someday soon. I might pass on aftenroon tea.
(4)Cam T.
LEAF is a sweet place run by two friends who started their business making pesto and tea cookies for sale at the farmer's market. Now they have an actual address and they offer delicious soups and main dishes (a few different ones every day), plus their tea-infused butter cookies (yum), pastries, tea (many bulk-leaf options) and coffee (they have an espresso machine). There are tables for sitting at, plus a to-go selection in the cooler for people on the run. I went in there at lunch time once or twice and the place was bustling but cozy and comfortable. They always have vegetarian options (including the soups, which is usually a rarity at restaurants) that are inventive and delicious. My only criticism is that the soup portions could be a bit bigger. Otherwise, a recommended dining experience.
(4)