Flora

Flora Café: Farm-to-Table Excellence at Des Moines Botanical Garden

Nestled within the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden at 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Flora Café brings sustainable farm-to-table dining to one of Des Moines' most beautiful settings. Created by Chef Suman and Dr. Cynthia Hoque, the culinary team behind the acclaimed HoQ restaurant in the East Village, Flora offers a refined yet approachable dining experience that celebrates seasonal Iowa ingredients.

The café serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm, with Sunday brunch available from 10 am to 2 pm. One of Flora's standout dishes is the HoQ Mediterranean Bowl, featuring lentil falafel, seasonal vegetables, turmeric couscous, and Milton Creamery quark cheese—a perfect example of their commitment to local partnerships and fresh ingredients. The best part? You don't need garden admission when dining at Flora during regular hours, making it an accessible destination for downtown Des Moines lunch seekers.

What truly sets Flora apart is their elegant Friday Night Dinners, offered at $80 per person with tax and gratuity included. These three-course experiences change weekly and include admission to the popular Dome After Dark event. Recent menus have featured grass-fed short ribs with cheesy potatoes, shrimp scampi with garlic focaccia, and white fish with mint beurre blanc—each showcasing Chef Hoque's Mediterranean-inspired approach to Iowa's finest ingredients.

Flora also hosts special occasion brunches for Easter and Mother's Day, featuring buffet-style service with hot breakfast items, fresh fruit, and pastries. With vegetarian and vegan options available and dietary restrictions accommodated, Flora represents the evolution of Des