Food Scene
Banana Leaf
5515 Mills Civic PkwyNice atmosphere and a wide selection of Asian from Thai, to Sushi, to Chinese.
Blu Toro Cantina & Grill
5585 Mills Civic PkwyGreat atmosphere. Cool vibe. Tequila flights. Mexican food.
Not your typical Mexican food. You might think you are in Mexico for a minute or two. Not fancy, however.
Tequila Limon y Sal
5014 EP True ParkwayNot your typical Mexican food. You might think you are in Mexico for a minute or two. Not fancy, however.
Lots of choices, buffet or deli style, nice baked goods, eat in or eat out.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whole Foods Market
4100 University AveLots of choices, buffet or deli style, nice baked goods, eat in or eat out.
Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant
1410 22nd StEcuadorian ceviche. Not fussy.
Jethro's BBQ 'n Bacon Bacon
1480 22nd StHuge portions. Touristy. Local franchise. Delicious smoked meats.
Same menu and owners as Banana Leaf but the atmosphere is not as nice, unless you want to sit outside. The patio is great when the weather is nice.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cool Basil
1250 86th StSame menu and owners as Banana Leaf but the atmosphere is not as nice, unless you want to sit outside. The patio is great when the weather is nice.
Amazing food from local chef. Intimate setting. Good for both lunch or dinner.
Table 128 Bistro and Bar
220 Southwest 9th StreetAmazing food from local chef. Intimate setting. Good for both lunch or dinner.
Harbinger
2724 Ingersoll AveVegetable based dishes. Unique flavors and textures.
The sushi is always amazing. Also consider Wasabi Tao if dining downtown Des Moines.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wasabi
9500 University AveThe sushi is always amazing. Also consider Wasabi Tao if dining downtown Des Moines.
W-Tao Sushi
400 Walnut StGreat sushi.
Fresh food. Amazing pastries! Local place. Crowded at peak times (worth the wait), and closed on Sunday :(
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StFresh food. Amazing pastries! Local place. Crowded at peak times (worth the wait), and closed on Sunday :(
Happy hour pizzas are half price. Unusual and delicious flavor combinations. Great atmosphere. Be seen here.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll AveHappy hour pizzas are half price. Unusual and delicious flavor combinations. Great atmosphere. Be seen here.
Brings an urban feel to southern style modern cooking. Cocktails are great too!
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bubba
200 10th StBrings an urban feel to southern style modern cooking. Cocktails are great too!
RoCA
208 Court AveGreat small plates, salads, and atmosphere.
Italian chef is now local boy with two restaurants in the area. Elegant atmosphere and Italian cuisine.
+39 Restaurant, Market & Cantina - Des Moines
1430 Locust StreetItalian chef is now local boy with two restaurants in the area. Elegant atmosphere and Italian cuisine.
Restored fire station has great ala carte tacos and other Mexican cuisine.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Malo
900 Mulberry StRestored fire station has great ala carte tacos and other Mexican cuisine.
Great atmosphere in the East Village. Delicious and varied modern American bistro.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alba Restaurant
524 E 6th StGreat atmosphere in the East Village. Delicious and varied modern American bistro.
Great food. Restored building. Well known for Sunday mimosa brunch.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Americana
1312 Locust StGreat food. Restored building. Well known for Sunday mimosa brunch.
Goldfinch Restaurant
316 Court AveTry the house smoked salmon. Great patio during the day. Modern atmosphere.
Flashback to a 1963 dinner club. Park in the back and walk through the kitchen on your way to the dining room. Great steaks, great Des Moines icon, great slice of Americana.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jesse's Embers
3301 Ingersoll AveFlashback to a 1963 dinner club. Park in the back and walk through the kitchen on your way to the dining room. Great steaks, great Des Moines icon, great slice of Americana.
The continental
407 E Locust StGreat food and great drinks in a bar atmosphere.
Great Italian food. Live music frequently. They also have a second place downtown with great views.
Sam & Gabe's
8631 Hickman RoadGreat Italian food. Live music frequently. They also have a second place downtown with great views.
Miyabi 9
512 E Grand AveMore great sushi in Des Moines. Who knew?
Lucca
420 E Locust StElegant Italian bistro.
Egg roll of the day is always a pleasant surprise. Great American food with daily specials. Intimate atmosphere with a 60s vibe.
Cooper's on 5th
227 5th StEgg roll of the day is always a pleasant surprise. Great American food with daily specials. Intimate atmosphere with a 60s vibe.
Local family with an open atmosphere in the East Village.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scenic Route Bakery
350 E Locust StLocal family with an open atmosphere in the East Village.
Chocolate Storybook
1000 Grand AveFriends of the family with an amazing business that continues to grow.
Drinks & Nightlife
You can have a decent meal here before 10PM. Lots of TVs for sports fans. Nightly specials. Turns into dance club after 11PM.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wellman's Pub & Rooftop
597 Market StYou can have a decent meal here before 10PM. Lots of TVs for sports fans. Nightly specials. Turns into dance club after 11PM.
The Irish
560 S Prairie View DrCigar bar with patio. Laid back. Pizza can be ordered from next door - Coaches Pizza.
Draught House 50
1350 50th StGreat salads and thin crust pizza.
Taco Hangover West Des Moines
265 50th StreetGreat patio during the summer. Close by. Mexican food.
Patios on the 6th floor of the AC Hotel. Appetizers are great inside or out. Modern decor. The lobby bar is fun too if the bar is upstairs is too crowded.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Republic on Grand
401 E Grand AvePatios on the 6th floor of the AC Hotel. Appetizers are great inside or out. Modern decor. The lobby bar is fun too if the bar is upstairs is too crowded.
Largest local brewery. Excellent quality and large selection.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdLargest local brewery. Excellent quality and large selection.
Local garage brewers take the competition by storm. Great beers. Edgy beers, frequent food trucks, close to home.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
515 Brewing Company
7700 University AveLocal garage brewers take the competition by storm. Great beers. Edgy beers, frequent food trucks, close to home.
Twisted Vine Brewery
112 Westown PkwyCloser to home! Great beers and occasional live music.
Huge selection of Iowa beers. Good food. Can be a little loud at times.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Iowa Taproom
215 E 3rd StHuge selection of Iowa beers. Good food. Can be a little loud at times.
Famous Iowa brewery. Smaller Des Moines tap room. Great beers.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peace Tree Brewing Company - Des Moines Branch
317 E Court AveFamous Iowa brewery. Smaller Des Moines tap room. Great beers.
Dive bar. Must stop for one if you are in the East Village.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Locust Tap
434 E Locust StDive bar. Must stop for one if you are in the East Village.
Buddy's Corral
418 E 5th StDive bar. Gay crowd. Karoke on Friday can't be beat.
Carl's Place
1620 Woodland AveDive bar. Craig's favorite watering hole.
The Keg Stand
3530 Westown PkwyDive bar. Great burgers. $1 mystery beer. Close to home.
Up-Down
500 E Locust StThrowback arcade games in the basement.
Wooly's
504 E Locust StGreat live shows.