Top 10 Restaurants in Des Moines (2026) — Best Dining Picks

Curated picks in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.

10
Listings

Des Moines dining spans street counters, family-run kitchens, and reservation-only rooms that locals treat as weekly rituals. Rankings here weight consistency, location, and how well each place fits a real night out—not influencer hype from a single weekend in United States. Use this list to match cuisine, price band, and neighborhood before you commit to a long cross-town haul.

Restaurants & Food

Browse top-ranked places and open listing details for more information.

#1 801 Chophouse

$$$$

Many itineraries slot 801 Chophouse into Des Moines when pacing matters more than novelty—especially if you’re grouping errands or sightseeing nearby.

801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#2 Aposto at the Scala House

$$$$

Aposto at the Scala House is listed here as a ranked restaurants & food option around Des Moines; verify opening hours locally before heading over.

644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314

View details

#3 Proof

$$$

Proof shows up often when travelers compare restaurants & food around Des Moines. Visitor scores often land near 4.6/5. Useful if you want a concrete address and a realistic sense of the crowd.

1301 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#4 Alba Restaurant

$$$

Alba Restaurant is listed here as a ranked restaurants & food option around Des Moines; verify opening hours locally before heading over.

524 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#5 Django

$$

Django works best when you already know how Des Moines traffic and hours behave; treat Visitor scores often land near 4.5/5 as context, not a promise.

1420 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#6 Centro

$$

Many itineraries slot Centro into Des Moines when pacing matters more than novelty—especially if you’re grouping errands or sightseeing nearby.

1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#7 Lachele's Fine Foods

$

Many itineraries slot Lachele's Fine Foods into Des Moines when pacing matters more than novelty—especially if you’re grouping errands or sightseeing nearby.

2738 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311

View details

#8 Fong's Pizza

$

Fong's Pizza is listed here as a ranked restaurants & food option around Des Moines; verify opening hours locally before heading over.

223 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#9 Bubba

$

For restaurants & food stops near Des Moines, Bubba is a practical bookmark—not hype, just orientation for scheduling. Visitor scores often land near 4.2/5.

200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

View details

#10 Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant

$

Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant works best when you already know how Des Moines traffic and hours behave; treat Visitor scores often land near 4.1/5 as context, not a promise.

1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA 50266

View details

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area in Des Moines for restaurants & food?

The best area depends on your budget and travel style. Focus on one neighborhood cluster at a time to compare options efficiently and reduce transit time.

Are there good vegetarian options in Des Moines?

Most major cities have strong vegetarian choices across casual and mid-range places. Review current menus and opening hours before visiting.

How much should I budget for restaurants & food in Des Moines?

Set a daily spend range and mix value spots with one premium experience. Lunch deals and off-peak timing can improve value.

Do I need reservations for popular places in Des Moines?

Reservations are recommended for top venues, especially on weekends. For casual places, early or late time slots often reduce waits.

How do I narrow down picks in Des Moines quickly?

Start with one neighborhood for a meal window, bookmark two backups from this list, and confirm reservations or hours before you finalize the route.

Best Of collections

Explore broader cross-city discovery pages for this theme.

Best Street Food Cities in Asia

From market stalls to legendary late-night streets. Dive into each city's ranked food categories for specific picks.

View collection

Best Markets and Bazaars in the World

Cities where local markets and bazaars are core to food, shopping, and daily culture.

View collection

Best Street Food Cities in India

Cities with the most celebrated street food scenes, from Mumbai's vada pav to Delhi's chaat. Open each city for ranked street food and dining lists.

View collection

Top Budget Travel Cities in India

Indian cities offering incredible experiences without breaking the bank — great food, transport, and accommodation value.

View collection

Guides about Restaurants & Food in Des Moines