Des Moines IowaRESTAURANTS & PLACES TO EAT
Listed below are some of the best restaurants and places to eat near Des Moines, Iowa.
1. 801 Chophouse
UPSCALE STEAKHOUSE EXPERIENCE
801 Chophouse offers an upscale dining experience featuring prime cuts of beef and an extensive wine selection. The restaurant boasts an elegant atmosphere with rich wood paneling and white tablecloths, perfect for special occasions or business dinners. Guests can enjoy classic steakhouse fare with modern touches, including seafood options and decadent sides.
2. Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
FRESH SEAFOOD DOWNTOWN
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill brings the ocean to Iowa with fresh seafood flown in daily. The restaurant features a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere with a prominent oyster bar and fresh fish display. Their menu highlights include raw bar selections, perfectly prepared fish entrees, and an award-winning wine list.
3. Aposto
INTIMATE ITALIAN DINING
Aposto offers an intimate dining experience in a charming historic building with a focus on Italian cuisine. The restaurant serves seasonally-inspired dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients when possible, creating a menu that changes regularly. Guests can enjoy handmade pasta, creative appetizers, and a thoughtfully curated wine list in a cozy, romantic setting.
4. Proudfoot & Bird
REFINED MODERN AMERICAN
Proudfoot & Bird delivers a refined dining experience with a menu focused on contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant features an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere with attention to detail in both food presentation and decor. Their offerings blend classic techniques with innovative approaches, showcasing seasonal ingredients and artful plating.
5. Centro
URBAN ITALIAN HOTSPOT
Centro stands as a downtown Des Moines favorite, serving urban Italian cuisine in a lively, energetic atmosphere. The restaurant's menu features wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and Italian classics with a modern twist. Diners can enjoy the bustling ambiance, complete with an open kitchen and stylish bar area perfect for both casual meals and special occasions.
6. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
APOCALYPTIC BURGER EXPERIENCE
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab offers a unique dining experience with its horror-themed decor and creative burger menu, including their famous Dead Moines burger. The restaurant combines playful, apocalyptic aesthetics with seriously good food, featuring inventive burger combinations, spiked shakes, and other comfort foods. Visitors enjoy the casual, quirky atmosphere that makes dining here an entertaining experience beyond just the food.
7. Fong's Pizza
TIKI BAR MEETS PIZZERIA
Fong's Pizza uniquely blends Chinese-American cuisine with Italian pizza in a quirky tiki bar setting, famous for their crab rangoon pizza. The restaurant occupies a former Chinese restaurant space and maintains much of the original decor, creating a fun, nostalgic atmosphere. Diners can enjoy creative fusion pizzas, classic Chinese appetizers, and potent tiki drinks served in whimsical vessels.
8. The Latin King
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TRADITION
The Latin King has been a Des Moines institution for over 70 years, serving authentic Italian cuisine with warm hospitality. The restaurant offers signature dishes like Salmone alla Riviera and Spaghettini Scarpara in a classic, upscale dining environment. Guests can enjoy special offerings such as Prime Rib Tuesday and happy hour specials, including their house-made limoncello drink, The Italian Mule.
9. Buzzard Billy's
CAJUN AND SOUTHERN COMFORT
Buzzard Billy's brings the flavors of the South to Des Moines with its menu of Cajun, Creole, and Southern-style cuisine. The locally-owned casual dining restaurant offers a diverse selection sure to please everyone, from Louisiana classics to American comfort food favorites. Diners can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while sampling dishes that transport them straight to the bayou.
10. The Cheese Bar
ARTISANAL CHEESE HAVEN
The Cheese Bar offers a paradise for cheese lovers with its extensive selection of artisanal cheeses and complementary fare. The restaurant features creative cheese boards, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and mac and cheese variations in a modern, casual setting. Guests can pair their cheese-centric dishes with craft beers, wines, or cocktails for a complete dining experience that celebrates dairy in all its forms.