Our Favorite Restaurants
Our go-to's are typically the smaller scale, non-chain shops with menu items that are high on flavor and easy on the pocketbook.
Well - if you're cutting carbs - you may need to take a holiday and enjoy all the fresh baked deliciousness that La Mie has to offer! This place has great metropolitan energy - excellent breakfast, lunch and brunch menu items, outstanding coffees and all the French breads your heart could ever desire. They are open from Mon-Sat from 7a-4p, the kitchen shuts down at 3p daily - closed on Sunday. Don't miss this one!!
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StWell - if you're cutting carbs - you may need to take a holiday and enjoy all the fresh baked deliciousness that La Mie has to offer! This place has great metropolitan energy - excellent breakfast, lunch and brunch menu items, outstanding coffees and all the French breads your heart could ever desire. They are open from Mon-Sat from 7a-4p, the kitchen shuts down at 3p daily - closed on Sunday. Don't miss this one!!
This quaint bistro has some of the best food in town. The chef is a student of cooking, and prides himself in simple, elegant, and locally sourced foods. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Table 128 Bistro and Bar
220 Southwest 9th StreetThis quaint bistro has some of the best food in town. The chef is a student of cooking, and prides himself in simple, elegant, and locally sourced foods. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Trostel's Dish
12851 University AvenueTapas galore for sharing and the wine list of your dreams....
Shanghai
33 Carefree LaneThe most authentic Chinese food you're going to find in Iowa
Zuzap
12871 University AveThai everything and delicious - but careful with the spice meter!
Wasabi
9500 University AveSushi!
Central Standard Craft Beer & Burgers
1222 SE University AveGo at sunset and enjoy the beautiful view from the patio.
Rosati's Pizza
1165 SE Alice's RdPho Shobu
8950 University AveBest Pho in town - hands down!
Add all your favorite fixings and they'll prepare it right before your eyes. Repeat as many times as you can
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Add all your favorite fixings and they'll prepare it right before your eyes. Repeat as many times as you can
Ok - this place is TOTALLY worth the drive. Large portions of the best Ecuadorian food you will ever eat. Simple faves are the chicken fried rice and plantain - but honey, you can't make a bad choice off their menu. Trust.
Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant
1410 22nd StOk - this place is TOTALLY worth the drive. Large portions of the best Ecuadorian food you will ever eat. Simple faves are the chicken fried rice and plantain - but honey, you can't make a bad choice off their menu. Trust.
This is about a 30 minute drive - but is an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. Everything is good and the baklava.....mercy!!
Flavory Bistro
1450 SW Vintage PkwyThis is about a 30 minute drive - but is an amazing Mediterranean restaurant. Everything is good and the baklava.....mercy!!
Late night, delicious & authentic Mexican eats. Warning - Super Nachos are Amazing (and you may go into a food coma)
Maria's Mexican food
15950 Hickman RdLate night, delicious & authentic Mexican eats. Warning - Super Nachos are Amazing (and you may go into a food coma)
Essentials
Need a prescription, seasoning or dental floss - we got you right here.
The closest Walgreens is right around the corner on 156th and Hickman and is open until midnight. This location is about 10 minutes away - open 24 hours in case you need something in the wee hours.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Walgreens
606 Walnut StThe closest Walgreens is right around the corner on 156th and Hickman and is open until midnight. This location is about 10 minutes away - open 24 hours in case you need something in the wee hours.
Open 24 hours, this location has just about everything you may need A full service grocery market, you can order online and have your items delivered, or peruse the aisles anytime day or night
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hy-Vee
8701 Douglas AveOpen 24 hours, this location has just about everything you may need A full service grocery market, you can order online and have your items delivered, or peruse the aisles anytime day or night
Dollar Tree
140 SE Laurel StBecause you need it, and it costs a dollar.
Outstanding Produce Selection, organic products, prepared foods and more. One of our faves!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
2900 University AveOutstanding Produce Selection, organic products, prepared foods and more. One of our faves!
Fun Things to Do!
We're not all farmers. Here's a list of our go-to hang out spots when we want to hit the streets of DSM.
Retro basement arcade in the hipster East village - packed full of video games, pinball machines, and more - plus a full bar. Sorry kids - this is old school kicking it for the grown folks.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Up-Down
500 E Locust StRetro basement arcade in the hipster East village - packed full of video games, pinball machines, and more - plus a full bar. Sorry kids - this is old school kicking it for the grown folks.
Des Moines Funny Bone
560 S Prairie View DrStand-up comedy, great food & bar
Photo ops galore in this artsy park. Have a picnic, take a nap or a leisurely stroll and enjoy the unique sculptures created by both local and international artists.
78 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ipharki yezibonakaliso ze-Pappajohn
1330 Grand AvePhoto ops galore in this artsy park. Have a picnic, take a nap or a leisurely stroll and enjoy the unique sculptures created by both local and international artists.
Dinner, movie, bar with custom brews. It's all there.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay RdDinner, movie, bar with custom brews. It's all there.
The Palms Theatres & IMAX
200 NE Westgate DrGo to for independent films, fresh pastries and custom cafe drinks - it's a fave
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fleur Cinema
4545 Fleur DrGo to for independent films, fresh pastries and custom cafe drinks - it's a fave
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StBlue Moon Dueling Piano Bar
5485 Mills Civic PkwyThe Operating Room West Des Moines
5515 Mills Civic PkwyGet Air Des Moines
3799 86th StSky Zone Trampoline Park
1300 SE Gateway DrIifamu zezwe lethu
11121 Hickman RdLakeside Hotel Casino
777 Casino DrAdventureland Park
305 Adventureland DrSleepy Hollow Sports Park
4051 Dean AveUncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill
1000 Bass Pro Dr NWPrairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel
1 Prairie Meadows DrSMASH PARK
6625 Coachlight Dr