Restaurants to Enjoy in Des Moines

Des Moines Iowa, the capital and largest city in Iowa, has attracted many national chain restaurants if you comfortable in staying inside the box. We would like to introduce you to a few local opportunities to expose your palette to some of the best that the Midwest has to offer. Let’s take a quick review by ethnicity.

American Cuisine
In Rome do as the Romans. In Iowa, eat steak! The 801 Chop House in downtown Des Moines is quite a treat. If red meat doesn’t interest you they have a fine selection of seafood. Alba in the East Village features the farm to table concept with seasonal menu changes. You can’t go wrong at HoQ, also found in the East Village. If it is an iconic burger, try Francie’s Bar and Grill in the Southwestern Hills district. Or, for a burger in a very contemporary setting, give Zombie Burger and Drink Lab a shot.

French Cuisine
Exquisite French dishes can be found at Baru 66 in Windsor Heights. Bistro Montage can be found in the Woodland Heights area and offers a three course prix fixe dinner that features pairings with an impressive wine selection. A non-fussy option in the Western Gateway is Django with their all-night happy hour and a non-existing corkage fee!

Italian Cuisine
Centro in the Western Gateway is a must for New York style pizza and other creative Italian fare. If you want traditional red sauce AND a bocce ball court then head to the south side for Tumea and Sons.

Mexican Cuisine
The best authentic Mexican experience in Des Moines can be encountered at Los Laureles just east of the Capitol. Also east of the Capitol is Tacos Marianos offering refreshing guacamole and never ending tacos stuffed with everything from steak to beef tongue!

Asian Cuisine
Starting with Vietnamese in Sherman Hill, A Dong is a newly renovated favorite with spectacular spring rolls in a spa-like interior. In the Western Gateway you can find very good sushi at Akabono. Adjacent to Des Moines in Clive look for Cool Basil Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar. The name says it all! Wait! Did you actually say you wanted crab Rangoon on your pizza! Then try Fong’s Pizza downtown. A must visit for Cantonese food is New Le’s Chinese Bar-B- Q in the River Bend area.

Seafood Cuisine
Not really ethnic but certainly needs a mention. Jess’s Embers is an old school surf and turf. Since 1963 the staff will treat you like a family member. Splash Seafood Bar and Grill flies in fresh fish daily to support their island recipes! Splash can be found right downtown.

The Best of the Rest
With over 850 restaurants to visit in Des Moines, you will find many BBQ places, pizza, ice cream and dessert venues, sports bars AND several breweries making outstanding craft beers! Enjoy and Bon Appetit!