Guidebook for Des Moines
Food Scene
HoQ
303 E 5th StGreat locally sourced and seasonal food.
Best restaurant in Des Moines, bar none. Classically trained French Chef who married an Iowa gal and started French restaurant in Des Moines. Locally sourced and seasonal. Requires a 20min cab ride.
Baru 66
Best restaurant in Des Moines, bar none. Classically trained French Chef who married an Iowa gal and started French restaurant in Des Moines. Locally sourced and seasonal. Requires a 20min cab ride.
Fine, modern Italian food. Fairly reasonable pricing. A favorite of the see and be seen crowd. Try the gnocchi if you get a chance.
Lucca
420 E Locust StFine, modern Italian food. Fairly reasonable pricing. A favorite of the see and be seen crowd. Try the gnocchi if you get a chance.
A place to grab coffee if you're in a rush. Nothing fancy. Not locally roasted.
The Village Bean Coffee Co
305 E 5th StA place to grab coffee if you're in a rush. Nothing fancy. Not locally roasted.
Trendy coffee shop in Drake University/Dogtown neighborhood. Will require a cab.
14 residents recomanen
Mars Cafe
2318 University AveTrendy coffee shop in Drake University/Dogtown neighborhood. Will require a cab.
High end steakhouse. Very pricey but also pretty good. Has a private cigar room.
15 residents recomanen
801 Chophouse
801 Grand AveHigh end steakhouse. Very pricey but also pretty good. Has a private cigar room.
Sunday Bombshell Brunch is a good time. Tons of food and bottomless bloodies/mimosas.
19 residents recomanen
Americana
1312 Locust StSunday Bombshell Brunch is a good time. Tons of food and bottomless bloodies/mimosas.
Go there for the Oyster Bar. Seafood is decent but there are better places in town for a meal.
8 residents recomanen
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
303 Locust StGo there for the Oyster Bar. Seafood is decent but there are better places in town for a meal.
Best sushi in town. Sit at the sushi bar and typically receive an extra treat or two.
16 residents recomanen
Miyabi 9
512 E Grand AveBest sushi in town. Sit at the sushi bar and typically receive an extra treat or two.
Trendy Tex-Mex restaurant. Lunch/Dinner is decent. Best to go there for a guacamole and drinks on the patio.
Goldfinch Restaurant
316 Court AveTrendy Tex-Mex restaurant. Lunch/Dinner is decent. Best to go there for a guacamole and drinks on the patio.
New World Cafe
223 East Walnut StreetSolid vegan restaurant
Awesome tacos with a cult following. Crazy flavor combinations. 2 tacos for $5, totally worth it.
Tacopocalypse
407 E 5th StAwesome tacos with a cult following. Crazy flavor combinations. 2 tacos for $5, totally worth it.
City Bakery
407 E 5th StWonderful fresh made pastries and breakfast items.
Plain Talk Books & Coffee
602 E Grand AveUsed Book Store with an awesome patio for coffee outdoors
Drinks & Nightlife
Personally, my favorite cocktail bar in Des Moines if for no other reasons than the Caipirinha (not on the menu, be sure to ask), the hidden outdoor patio, and the occasional jazz on the weekends.
12 residents recomanen
The continental
407 E Locust StPersonally, my favorite cocktail bar in Des Moines if for no other reasons than the Caipirinha (not on the menu, be sure to ask), the hidden outdoor patio, and the occasional jazz on the weekends.
Most craft brews on tap of any bar in the USA. Do I really need to say more?
25 residents recomanen
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd StMost craft brews on tap of any bar in the USA. Do I really need to say more?
Local DSM Brewery. Very beautifully restored building. European style beers.
29 residents recomanen
Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut StLocal DSM Brewery. Very beautifully restored building. European style beers.
Another Local DSM Brewery. Accessible via Meredith Trail walking path. Farmer's Ale is pretty good. Great place to stop if out for a bike ride.
25 residents recomanen
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdAnother Local DSM Brewery. Accessible via Meredith Trail walking path. Farmer's Ale is pretty good. Great place to stop if out for a bike ride.
English Pub serving English Pub food. Large beer and scotch selection.
14 residents recomanen
The Royal Mile
210 4th StEnglish Pub serving English Pub food. Large beer and scotch selection.
Long standing Des Moines Brewery. My least favorite of the local ones. However, they do a solid dinner and have a cool bar area.
12 residents recomanen
Court Avenue
Court AvenueLong standing Des Moines Brewery. My least favorite of the local ones. However, they do a solid dinner and have a cool bar area.
Quinton's Bar & Deli
506 E Grand AveLarge Sports Bar
Shopping
Iowa based clothing company making awesomely witty t-shirts since 1990something. Helps give you a feel for the midwestern attitude.
20 residents recomanen
RAYGUN
505 E Grand AveIowa based clothing company making awesomely witty t-shirts since 1990something. Helps give you a feel for the midwestern attitude.
AllSpice Culinarium
400 E Locust StAll sorts of unique spices, oils, and vinegars
lululemon
101 Jordan Creek PkwyIf you're a yogi, we have your favorite place :)
Domestica
900 Keosauqua WayArtsy shop
Sticks Gallery
400 E Locust StCool crafty shop
Gong Fu Tea
414 E 6th StGreat local tea shop
Everything Else
Outdoor amphitheater along the river that hosts the Nitefall on the River Concert Series. Insiders looking for a cheap night out will watch these concerts from the surrounding bridges for free.
Simon Estes Amphitheater
75 W Locust StOutdoor amphitheater along the river that hosts the Nitefall on the River Concert Series. Insiders looking for a cheap night out will watch these concerts from the surrounding bridges for free.
East Village Spa
300 E Locust StNearest Neighborhood Corner Store
Essentials
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveNearest Grocery with all local selections
Price Chopper
3425 Ingersoll AveNearest Full Service Grocery Store