$$West Des Moines
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Buzzy brewpub with a farm motif offering artisanal ales & comfort food, plus an outdoor patio & TVs.
9500 University Ave Suite 1110, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
Best Restaurants in Des Moines
Start with the 20 best-rated on Google, or search every listing by cuisine, price or dietary need and see what opened this month.
The 20 best-rated restaurants in Des Moines
How this list is made: Ranked by Google star rating, highest first and ties in alphabetical order, among open restaurants inside the Des Moines metro, counting each Google listing once and leaving out bakeries, coffee shops and dessert shops. The ratings are Google's, copied into our listings. We don't store how many reviews sit behind each one, so a place with a handful of reviews can rank beside one with thousands.
- Birdies Tavern & GrillAmerican · Ankeny · $$ · 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 449 restaurants
All Restaurants
$$West Des Moines
American
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
Old-school neighborhood bar & eatery serving sandwiches & elevated American comfort food.
227 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$Ankeny
BBQ
Rated 4.3 out of 5 on Google
Bustling BBQ joint features hearty plates of comfort eats & brews in a casual venue with sports TVs.
1425 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA
$$$Des Moines
American
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Quirky hot spot with an open kitchen dishing up BBQ, Cajun & Caribbean fare plus a bar & live music.
4345 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA
Des Moines
Steakhouse
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Decades-old, family-friendly surf 'n' turf restaurant serving meat cooked on an open grill.
3301 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
$$Des Moines
Bakery
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
Sweets & breads are served along with cafe fare such as sandwiches & soups at this quaint spot.
841 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
$$South Des Moines
Indian
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
A menu featuring Nepalese dishes & a lunch buffet in a family-friendly space with traditional decor.
7229 Apple Valley, Windsor Heights, IA 50324, USA
$West Des Moines
Pizza
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Google
340 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266, 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
Hip American eatery & cocktail bar with a humorous horror theme & both counter & table service.
300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
$
Mexican
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Counter-serve Mexican joint serving burritos with custom toppings, plus quesadillas & nachos.
5340 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
$$Des Moines
Bakery
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Established in 1946, this veteran bake shop provides traditional cakes, cookies, donuts & pastries.
3615 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
$$
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
House-brewed beers & pub plates in a cool, industrial-style space with a patio & backyard cornhole.
1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
$$Des Moines
Sandwiches
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
Unfussy sandwich shop dispensing deli classics, including homemade soups & desserts.
3705 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
$
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Google
Beer-centric haunt with 100+ taps for craft ales, ciders & domestics, plus pizza & gourmet pub grub.
5513 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$Johnston
American
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
8705 Chambery Blvd #700, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
$West Des Moines
American
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
640 S 50th St Suite #2110, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$$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
$$West Des Moines
Brunch
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Daytime dining option with offbeat, hip-hop decor & music, creative brunch eats & Bloody Marys.
1907 EP True Pkwy Suite 102, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA
$$$$West Des Moines
Steakhouse
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google
650 S Prairie View Dr Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$Ames
American
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Genteel setting for locally sourced, modern American cuisine paired with wines from a sizable list.
547 Main St, Ames, IA 50010, USA
$
Bar & Grill
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
617 SW 3rd St Suite 103, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA
$
Mexican
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
1184 SE University Ave, Waukee, IA 50263, USA
$Crested Butte
Mediterranean
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Low-key eatery offering Mediterranean eats plus TVs for sports, ample brews & an outdoor patio.
302 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
$$
Mexican
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google
7120 University Ave suite 103, West Des Moines, IA 50266, 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
Italian
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google
Chain outpost serving a large menu of Italian fare plus specialty cocktails in a laid-back setting.
5990 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA
$
American
Rated 4.3 out of 5 on Google
1430 Two Rivers Blvd, Le Mars, IA 51031, USA
$Des Moines
Vietnamese
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Google
Vietnamese café with TV screen serving noodle soup, banh mi bread, bubble tea & other Asian dishes.
801 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA
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Des Moines restaurant guide
We list 440+ 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
- 440+ 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 449 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 440+ 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.