Des Moines

Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), an

See: 9
Do: 23
Eat: 26
Drink: 16
Buy: 2

26 places match

Eat

801 Chophouse

Being atop the Principal Building, along with their class of wines, steaks and seafood, 801 has a reputation for the city's nicest restaurant. The fare is amongst the best downtown, with freshness and ingredients resembling the prime rib (rare, get it?) being their ticket to success.

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4PM-6PM

Eat

B and B Grocery, Meat and Deli

Family-owned and -operated since 1922. In 2008, the readers of The Des Moines Register voted their Dad's Killer as the "Best Deli Sandwich" in the city and many subsequent "best of" awards by locals. The Food Network's "Outrageous Food" featured the Killossal Sandwich, a combo of four sandwiches, in May 2011.

Eat

Big Tomato Pizza Co.

Near the downtown nightlife area. Carry out or delivery only.

Very late delivery$4 slice, $25 pie

Eat

Centro

pronounced Chentro

Italian fare featuring terrific coal fired pizzas. Specialize in $8.50 martinis.

Mon-Fri 11AM-2PM, Sat 11AM-3PM, Mon-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-11PM, Sun 4:30PM-9PM$25

Eat

Chicago Speakeasy

A Des Moines classic, the restaurant features a mobster theme. Excellent prime rib (the house specialty), served in several sizes, an extensive salad bar, and a number of seafood offerings. Large portions.

$50

Eat

Christopher's

A restaurant with a great reputation for serving up quality prime rib and Italian dishes for over 50 years. The restaurant is larger than it appears from outside.

$30

Eat

Chuck's Restaurant

If the number of years one's been in business is the standard way to rate, few in Des Moines could mess with Chuck's more than 50-year reign on the northside of Des Moines. Chuck's has proven if you take old classics, such as spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, and steak, and treat them with respect, you'll be in the neighborhood for a long time. Excellent pizza.

Mon-Thu 4:30PM-10:30PM, Fri Sat 4:30PM-11:30PM. Live music Wed Thu 7PM-10PM, Fri Sat 8PM-11PM

Eat

Cosi Cucina

Cosi's

Traditionally known as one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the area, with over 30 wines by the glass. Fresh bread and minestrone. According to their Website, it was once voted Best Italian Restaurant and Most Romantic Restaurant. Small and also near some other bars and trendy clubs.

Tue-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri 11AM-10:30PM, Sat noon-10:30PM, Sun 4PM-9:30PM$20

Eat

Drake Diner

North Side Diner in Johnston and West End Diner in West Des Moines

Drake location is the original location. Favorites such as omelets, French toast, reubens, crinkle-cut fries, and bacon cheeseburgers and Drake's own "Bulldog burger" dominate the menu (all three Diner's feature the Maytag Burger, oozing with Iowa's own Maytag blue cheese). During nice weather, there's a screened-in patio available to sit. Shakes and malts are made with Des Moines's very own Anderson and Erickson Dairy Ice Cream.

Mon-Sat 7AM-11PM, Sun 7AM-10PM$5 shakes, $9 omelets, $10 burgers

Eat

Flying Mango

Began as a catering business but when their uniquely smoked Cajun and Creole creations caught on, they soon started to get a bigger loyal following. Full wine list.

Open for dinner but lunch by special appointment only$15-25

Eat

Fong's Pizza (Downtown)

The original location, founded on January 26th, 2009, in the former King Ying Low, Des Moines' oldest operating Chinese restaurant. Elements of King Ying Low's history and décor were kept and the current Fong's Pizza menu is inspired by a fusion of Asian, Italian, and Polynesian cooking styles paired with the tropical and fun flavors of a Tiki bar.

Eat

HOQ

Farm-to-table with ninety percent of HoQ's ingredients being organic, locally sourced within about 50 miles of the restaurant, and fresh from the farm.

Eat

Jesse's Embers

Quality surf and turf offerings. A local standby nearing 50 years in the area. Lunch offerings will save you a few bucks from dinner prices.

Closed Sun$8 burgers, $20 steaks, $35 lobster tail

Eat

La Mie Bakery and Restaurant

French-style bakery featuring all the goods you'd imagine, with quality omelets and coffee. High ceilings and modern setting make it a popular place to dine for all 3 meals rather than simply carry out fare. Outdoor patio on the back with a few tables. Can also find offerings at Downtown Farmer's Market.

Closed Sun$2 goodies, omelette and coffee $10

Eat

Maccabbees Glatt Kosher Deli

Central Iowa's only kosher deli offers traditional New York-style Jewish deli sandwiches, as well as kosher groceries, bread, wine, and hard-to-find favorites.

Sun 11AM–4PM, Tue 11AM–5PM; Wed Thu 11AM–6PM, Fri 10AM–3PM, closed Sat Mon$15

Eat

Noah's Ark Ristorante

A Des Moines classic specializing in Italian food. Thin crust pizza. Convenient for those visiting the airport.

$15-20

Eat

Oak Park

High-end American fare with a large wine selection in a building whose architecture was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Tue-Sat open at 4:30PM$50

Eat

Trostel's Greenbriar

Greenbriar

In 2003, The Des Moines Register awarded the restaurant with 4-stars and several awards from reader polls. Prime rib, seafood, aged steaks, rack of lamb and duck are featured on the menu. For those seeking a casual dining experience, the bar is available in addition to the outdoor patio (during warm months). Live music on various nights.

Twilight dinners served Mon-Thu 5PM-6:30PM$30

Eat

Tursi's Latin King

The Latin King

One of the longest-standing restaurants in the area (since 1947), the Italian cuisine and beautiful restaurant setting will please anyone with a desire for a bit of originality. Very busy during the lunch hour, particularly when the state's legislative branch is in session. Small patio available. Full wine list.

$20

Eat

Waveland Cafe

If you're expecting a fancy diner, then you better get lost. This place is for the real Saturday morning crowd and a good place to recover from a hangover. If it was legal to light up a smoke, this is where you'd get no gruff from fellow patrons.

Eat

Zombie Burger

A popular local burger joint with a humorous undead theme — the decor inside is rife with references to zombie flicks — and lots of creative burger and milkshake creations. The menu is full of intriguing options worth exploring but of particular note is "the Walking Ched," a beef patty atop fried mac and cheese with bacon. The fries and shakes are also excellent. A bar in the back serves draft beers and cocktails.

Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, Fri Sat 11AM-2AM

Eat Not mapped

B-Bops

Few sit-down restaurants can match the goodness of the most popular menu item, the 1/4-lb. hamburger. If the weather's nice, you can sit under an umbrella and listen to classics from the 1950s and 1960s. The burgers are so good they've won the "Best Burger in Des Moines" award more than 10 years running (per Cityview).

$3-7