I walked in looking for pierogi and immediately forgot about my shopping list.
Cyrillic labels covered the shelves, dumplings filled the freezer, and the smell of warm pastry made it hard to know where to look first.
Then I tried a mushroom and cabbage pie straight from the counter. One bite was enough to convince me I had found the right place.
The fun was in seeing what came next. A few steps led to cakes and tea, another turn to chocolates and pantry goods, and the owner was quick to point me toward a few favorites.
If you love pierogi or simply enjoy finding foods you cannot buy everywhere, this Iowa market is well worth a stop.
Just do not expect to leave with only what you came for.
A Pierogi Hunt Ends In Iowa City
My pierogi search ended at Euro Food, tucked into a shopping strip on the south side of Iowa City.
I had tried frozen dumplings from big stores before, and they always tasted like cardboard with a little potato. A friend told me to try this shop, so I went on a Tuesday morning with an empty cooler and high hopes.
The first thing I noticed was the smell. Fresh bread and sweet pastry floated through the door before I even touched the handle.
Visitors have called it one of the best Eastern European stores around, and some drive hours just to shop here. After my first trip, I understood why.
The shelves feel crowded in the best way, and every aisle has something I could not name.
The shop is small, so plan a slow browse rather than a quick dash. Bring a bag, bring a friend, and bring an appetite.
Your cooler will thank you on the ride home, and so will your dinner table later that night. You can find Euro Food at 1210 S Gilbert St #100, Iowa City, IA 52240.
Dumplings Worth The Drive
Ask any regular what to buy first, and the answer comes fast: dumplings.
The freezer section holds pierogi and pel’meni in neat stacks, and I filled my basket before I reached the register.
One family wrote that their kids now cannot live without the pel’meni. After boiling a batch at home, I got it.
The dough was tender, the filling was savory, and a spoon of sour cream made it feel like a feast.
Another shopper said these were the first authentic pierogi they had found anywhere. I felt the same way after my first bite.
Here is a simple tip. Boil them until they float, then toss them in a pan with butter and onions for a golden crust.
That small step turns a quick dinner into something special.
Pierogi usually come with potato, cheese, or cabbage, so ask the owner which ones are her favorite. She always has a suggestion ready.
Stock up, because a freezer full of dumplings makes any busy weeknight feel like a holiday.
The Honey Cake Everyone Mentions
Near the register sits a glass case, and inside it sits the honey cake. Several shoppers rave about it, and one called it among the most moist layer cakes they have ever had.
I bought a slice to test that claim. Thin layers of soft cake were stacked with a creamy filling, and the honey flavor was gentle instead of sugary.
The owner told one visitor that the foods here tend to be lower in sugar and sodium. That showed in this cake, which tasted rich without leaving me sticky and sleepy.
Honey cake has a long history in Eastern Europe, where it often appears at family gatherings. It tastes even better the next day, once the layers settle together.
The case also holds potato puffs and meringues, which fans describe as incredible. I tried a meringue and it melted on my tongue like a sweet cloud.
Order a whole cake for a birthday if you want to impress guests. Just place the request ahead of time so the bakery can plan.
A Wall Of Teas
Count the tea boxes and you may lose track. Shoppers mention the tea selection again and again, and one said it might be the best part of the whole store.
I stood there for ten minutes, reading labels with fruit, herbs, and spice blends. Some boxes were printed in Cyrillic, so I leaned on the owner for help.
She pointed me toward a berry blend and a classic black tea that pairs well with sweets. Both made my kitchen smell like a cozy cafe.
Tea is a big part of daily life in Eastern Europe. Families often sit down with a pot and a plate of cookies, and talk for hours.
Pick up a few boxes as gifts, since they are light and easy to pack. Prices felt friendly, so a small stack did not hurt my wallet.
Pair your tea with a pack of sushki, the crunchy little bread rings that regulars love. Dunk one in a hot cup and you will see why they have fans.
Candy, Cookies, And Chocolate
Kids and adults both lose their heads in the sweets aisle. Boxes of chocolates, wafers, caramels, and cookies fill the shelves from top to bottom.
A traveling family said the candies were so delicious that the stop was worth it. I agree, because my bag of treats was empty before I left Iowa City.
One recent shopper was especially happy to find Kubus here because it meant not having to make a long trip to Chicago for it. That small bottled juice drink is a childhood favorite for many.
I also spotted a kievsky tort made by Roshen, a cake that shoppers say is nearly impossible to find elsewhere in the state. Finding it felt like winning a small prize.
Look for wafer bars with hazelnut cream and chocolate bites wrapped in bright paper. They make fun party favors and lunchbox surprises.
Read the labels if sugar content or ingredients matter to you, since they vary from product to product.
Shoppers have praised the store for carrying some options they describe as lower in sugar and for products labeled non-GMO.
Cold Cases And Fish Specialties
Gather your curiosity before you reach the cold cases. Inside are cured meats, cheeses, whole frozen fish, salted herring, and yes, jars of caviar.
One shopper added an exclamation point to the word caviar in a review, and I felt the same excitement. Seeing it at a fair price in the middle of Iowa was a surprise.
Frozen mackerel is another favorite for people who love cooking fish at home. Ask the owner how she prepares it, and you may leave with a new recipe.
The dairy shelves hold tangy cottage cheese, kefir, and cream products that are hard to find in regular stores. They add real flavor to soups and baked dishes.
Try a small slice of cured sausage on rye bread for a quick lunch. It is salty, smoky, and satisfying.
Bring a cooler bag if your errands run long. Keeping fish and dairy cold on the drive home protects your haul and your dinner plans.
Pantry Staples And Pickled Jars
Shelf after shelf of jars makes a pantry lover feel right at home. Pickled vegetables, canned goods, spices, and sauces from across Europe sit side by side.
I picked up a jar of crunchy pickles and a can of something I could not read. The owner explained it, and dinner turned into a tasty experiment.
The drink aisle has sodas and juices in flavors I had never tried. One shopper said they were refreshing and lower in sugar than usual brands.
Ice cream is another surprise. A visitor told me to grab some, and the freezer holds Eastern European brands you will not see at the regular store.
Prices stay affordable, which makes trying new things less risky. If a snack turns out to be a miss, you have lost very little.
One visitor noted that the shop carries many products from Russia as well as Ukraine and Poland.
Look at labels if origin matters to you, and ask questions, since the owner is happy to talk through the selection.
The Owner Makes The Visit
Ask five shoppers why they return, and four will mention the owner. Reviews call her welcoming, sweet, and helpful, and I can confirm every word.
She greeted me like a neighbor and offered ideas before I asked. She also warmed my pie, answered every question, and shared how the store keeps sugar and sodium lower in many foods.
Many visitors feel the same warmth. One said the shop felt full of love and gratitude, and another said the sight of familiar Cyrillic labels almost brought tears of joy.
This is a family-run business, and it shows. Supporting it means supporting a Ukrainian owner who has built a cozy corner of home in Iowa City.
Chat with her, and you may learn how to cook a new dish or pick the best cake. Those small tips are worth as much as the groceries.
Say thank you on your way out. A friendly word keeps a small shop going and brings a smile to a long workday.
Planning Your Visit
A little planning goes a long way here. The store is closed on Mondays, opens at 10 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and closes at 6 PM.
Sunday hours run from 10 AM to 4 PM, so weekend visits work well. Morning is best for baked goods, because the freshest items go first.
One regular from the Twin Cities suggests calling ahead if you want something specific. That tip is smart, especially for cakes and hot pies.
The shop sits in a strip mall on South Gilbert Street, with parking right out front. You can also check the website, eurofood-likehome.com, for updates before you go.
Bring a cooler for frozen dumplings and fish, and bring cash or a card for easy checkout. Expect a quick trip to turn into an hour, since the aisles are packed with things to read and taste.
If you are traveling through Iowa on a road trip, plan a stop here. Several travelers have even made two trips in one weekend.