$
Japanese
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
9250 University Ave Suite 106, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
Best Restaurants in Des Moines
Start with the 20 best-rated on Google, or search every listing by cuisine, price or dietary need and see what opened this month.
The 20 best-rated restaurants in Des Moines
How this list is made: Ranked by Google star rating, highest first and ties in alphabetical order, among open restaurants inside the Des Moines metro, counting each Google listing once and leaving out bakeries, coffee shops and dessert shops. The ratings are Google's, copied into our listings. We don't store how many reviews sit behind each one, so a place with a handful of reviews can rank beside one with thousands.
- Birdies Tavern & GrillAmerican · Ankeny · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- El Gran Amigo Mexican FoodMexican · Adel · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Gabriela's Salsa-PicanteAmerican · Des Moines · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Judges DSMNew American · Downtown Des Moines · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Kikka SushiJapanese · West Des Moines · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Pally's Pub & PizzaBar & Grill · Grimes · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Saffron Indian CuisineSouth Indian · Johnston · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Taqueria tacos la palmaMexican · Adel · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- The Club GrilleAmerican · Pleasant Hill · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Triple B'sAmerican/Bakery/Steakhouse · Johnston · $$ · 5.0 on Google
- Café MadeleineFrench · Downtown Des Moines · $$$ · 4.9 on Google
- Cowboy Mexican Bar & GrillMexican · Des Moines · $ · 4.9 on Google
- Fenders BrewingBar & Grill · Polk City · $$ · 4.9 on Google
- Great White Buffalo Public HouseBar & Grill · Adel · $$ · 4.9 on Google
- Oak ParkModern American · Des Moines · $$$$ · 4.9 on Google
- The Cheese ShopBar & Grill · Des Moines · $$ · 4.9 on Google
- West Hill Brewing CompanyBar & Grill · Indianola · $$ · 4.9 on Google
- Amigos Mexican Grill AnkenyMexican · Ankeny · $ · 4.8 on Google
- Barrio Burrito BarMexican · West Des Moines · $$ · 4.8 on Google
- Cajun BelleAmerican · Johnston · $ · 4.8 on Google
Quick picks
Showing 1-30 of 451 restaurants
All Restaurants
$West Des Moines
Ecuadorian
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
Unfussy Ecuadorian restaurant with a lunch buffet specializing in seafood dishes.
1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$Ankeny
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Google
Spacious tavern offering craft beer on tap, plus a menu of hearty pub fare & 29 flat-screen TVs.
1325 SW Oralabor Rd, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA
$$West Des Moines
Cafe
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
9250 University Ave Unit 107, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$$$West Des Moines
Japanese
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
Japanese teppanyaki steakhouse where chefs portray comedians, jugglers & magicians while cooking.
2900 University Ave Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$$
Korean Fried Chicken
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Unfussy food hall with counter-serve eateries for breakfast & lunch staples such as burgers & tacos.
700 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$$Des Moines
Cocktail Bar & Food
Rated 1.0 out of 5 on Google
3610 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA IA 50313, USA
$$Des Moines
American
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
Polished bistro & bar serving American & Italian classics, from steak to spaghetti & meatballs.
5800 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50322, USA
Openings watch
Every new and upcoming restaurant- Opening 2027Kura Revolving Sushi BarJapanese (Sushi)
- Opening April 2027Yard HouseBar
- AnnouncedSan Miguel EateryModern Mexican, Des Moines
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$Des Moines
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Small craft brewery serving drafts in a casual beer hall & pub grub in its rustic restaurant.
1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$Crested Butte
Mediterranean
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Low-key eatery offering Mediterranean eats plus TVs for sports, ample brews & an outdoor patio.
302 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
$$$$West Des Moines
Steakhouse
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
650 S Prairie View Dr Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$$West Des Moines
American
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
Old-school neighborhood bar & eatery serving sandwiches & elevated American comfort food.
227 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$Des Moines
Mexican
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Google
Tacos, burritos & other Mexican staples served in casual surrounds with colorful art & decor.
1305 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA
$West Des Moines
Mexican
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
3751 EP True Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$$$Des Moines
American
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Southern favorites & a large array of whiskies offered in a relaxed, stylish setting with a patio.
200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$$Des Moines
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Offbeat hot spot featuring myriad craft beers, creative Mexican-American eats & live music.
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$$West Des Moines
Steakhouse
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Google
Informal neighborhood choice with a retro vibe known for jumbo hamburgers, onion rings & steaks.
1311 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$$West Des Moines
Ecuadorian
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
Unfussy Ecuadorian restaurant with a lunch buffet specializing in seafood dishes.
1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$Johnston
American
Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Google
Colorful eatery offering American diner classics & some Italian options, plus all-day breakfast.
8385 Birchwood Ct, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
$
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Google
1300 NW 36th St Suite 101, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA
$$
American (Breakfast/Lunch)
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
3901 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
$
American
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Discovered via Google Places API
1520 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
$$Des Moines
American
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Google
Roomy, laid-back eatery featuring food with Louisiana roots, TVs to catch the game & a deck.
615 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Des Moines
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Hip American eatery & cocktail bar with a humorous horror theme & both counter & table service.
300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$$San Antonio
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
17627 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78257, USA
$$Des Moines
Asian Fusion
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Google
3701 EP True Pkwy Suite 400, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
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Des Moines restaurant guide
We list 450+ restaurants across 69 cuisines in the Des Moines metro, from downtown and the East Village to West Des Moines, Ankeny and Altoona. Each listing links to its own page with hours, a menu where we have one, and how to book.
Dining tips
Friday and Saturday between 6 and 8 PM is the busy stretch, so book ahead for the better-known places and for groups of six or more; most casual spots take walk-ins. Sunday brunch fills up from about 9 to 11 AM in the East Village and along Ingersoll. Happy hours are common downtown, but times and offers vary by venue, so check with the restaurant. For vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options, start with the dietary guide and call ahead about shared prep surfaces.
By the numbers
- 450+ restaurants listed in the metro
- 69 cuisines, each with its own filter
- New and announced openings on one dated list
- What's serving right now, by listed hours, on the open-now page
Found 451 restaurants
Des Moines Restaurants - Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dining, restaurants, and the food scene in Des Moines, Iowa.
What are the best restaurants in Des Moines?
We list 450+ restaurants in the metro. The list at the top of this page ranks open restaurants in the metro by their Google star rating, and says how. Well-known names include Harbinger for Asian-inspired small plates, Alba for modern American, Centro for Italian and Bubba for Southern cooking. The East Village and Ingersoll Avenue hold many of the independents. Use the filters on this page to narrow by cuisine, price and rating.
What restaurants are open right now in Des Moines?
Our open-now page checks each restaurant's listed hours against the current time in Des Moines and shows the ones serving now. Hours can change on holidays, so call ahead if you're cutting it close.
What cuisines are available in Des Moines?
69 cuisine types, including American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Mediterranean, BBQ and seafood. Each cuisine has a filter on this page.
Where can I find new restaurant openings in Des Moines?
Our new restaurants page lists places that recently opened, places with an announced opening date, and places that have been announced without one, newest first.
What are the best cheap eats in Des Moines?
Filter by '$', the lowest of the four price levels a listing can carry. Listings give a level, not a dollar amount, so check the menu for prices. Taco shops on the east side, food trucks downtown at lunch and weekday lunch specials are good places to start. Many downtown restaurants and bars run happy hours, though times and offers vary by venue, so check with the restaurant directly.
Are there vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Des Moines?
Yes. Many restaurants mark vegetarian and vegan dishes, and Asian, Mediterranean and farm-to-table places tend to have the most plant-based options. Our dietary page lists restaurants that mention vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options; call ahead to confirm.
What neighborhoods have the best restaurant scenes in Des Moines?
The East Village and downtown have the densest mix of independent restaurants and bars. Ingersoll Avenue is known for brunch and neighborhood favorites, Court Avenue for late nights, and Valley Junction in West Des Moines for smaller independent concepts. The suburbs, Ankeny especially, are where many new openings land.
Do Des Moines restaurants require reservations?
It varies. Fine dining places such as Harbinger and Alba usually want a reservation on weekends. Mid-range restaurants take reservations but often seat walk-ins, and casual spots are first come, first served. Call ahead for groups of six or more. Each restaurant's page lists how to book.