Best Restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa — 2026 Top-Rated Pros
Browse 51 verified restaurant providers in Des Moines. Reviews, hours, and direct contact — free to use.
In Des Moines, Iowa: Restaurant discovery is the category Yelp built a $3B business on, and the 250 U.S. cities of restaurant inventory on Recommended.app reflects a different premise: discovery by people who actually live in the city, not by review counts of out-of-town travelers. The directory includes the full menu of restaurant categories — fine dining (chef-driven, multi-course, $80 to $250+ per person), upscale casual ($35 to $85 per person), neighborhood casual ($18 to $40 per person), quick-service and counter-service, brunch specialists, dive bars with food, food halls, and every regional cuisine focus. For high-end restaurants specifically, reservations matter — many of the top spots in major metros book 30–90 days ahead, and walk-in availability is rare on weekends. Resy, OpenTable, and Tock are the major reservation platforms; some restaurants now do direct-only booking through their own site. Brunch is the highest-margin meal for most restaurants and the most over-rated category — places that are great at dinner often phone it in for Sunday brunch service. Beyond reviews, the most useful signal for restaurant quality is whether locals fill the dining room on a Tuesday night. Tourist restaurants are full Saturdays only.
Top Restaurant in Des Moines (51)
Chicago Speakeasy
Des Moines, IA
Iowa Beef Steakhouse
Des Moines, IA
MMMbap
Des Moines, IA
DZO Korean BBQ
Des Moines, IA
Pho 515
Des Moines, IA
Whata Pho
Des Moines, IA
Mo'z Mediterranean Grill
Des Moines, IA
The Green Olive
Des Moines, IA
Waveland Cafe
Des Moines, IA
Early Bird East Village
Des Moines, IA
Big Tomato Pizza
Des Moines, IA
Parlor
Des Moines, IA
Waterfront Seafood Market & Restaurant
Des Moines, IA
Splash Seafood
Des Moines, IA
Smokey D's BBQ
Des Moines, IA
Flying Mango
Des Moines, IA
Bubba
Des Moines, IA
Americana Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Aroy-Dee Restaurant
Des Moines, IA
JJ Jasmine Thai Cuisine
Des Moines, IA
Sakari Sushi Lounge
Des Moines, IA
Haiku - Sushi & Asian Fusion
Des Moines, IA
Tsing Tsao South
Des Moines, IA
Dragon House East
Des Moines, IA
El Parrandero – Sport Bar
Des Moines, IA
El Paisano Mexican Food & Bakery
Des Moines, IA
Baratta's
Des Moines, IA
Latin King
Des Moines, IA
John & Nicks
Des Moines, IA
801 Chophouse
Des Moines, IA
Basic Bird
Des Moines, IA
DZÔ Korean BBQ
Des Moines, IA
Pho Real Kitchen & Bar
Des Moines, IA
Karam's Mediterranean Grill
Des Moines, IA
Green Olive
Des Moines, IA
DeMo Pizza Co
Des Moines, IA
Dough Co. Pizza Drake
Des Moines, IA
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
Des Moines, IA
Jethro's BBQ
Des Moines, IA
High Life Lounge
Des Moines, IA
Lucky Lotus
Des Moines, IA
Lzaza Indo-Pak Cuisine
Des Moines, IA
India Star Restaurant
Des Moines, IA
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Des Moines, IA
W-Tao Sushi
Des Moines, IA
Taste of China
Des Moines, IA
Cheng's Garden
Des Moines, IA
El Patron Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Des Moines, IA
El Paisano Mexican Food and Bakery
Des Moines, IA
Sonny's Pizza Bistro
Des Moines, IA
Noah's Ark Restaurant
Des Moines, IA
What to Look For
Read recent reviews specifically (last 60 days) — kitchens change fast with chef and management turnover. For high-end dining, book through Resy, OpenTable, Tock, or the restaurant's direct site as early as possible. Verify whether they accept walk-ins at the bar (often Yes even when the dining room is fully booked). For dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten-free, allergies), call ahead — the website menu rarely reflects what they can actually accommodate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I tip at a restaurant?
U.S. norms: 18–22% pre-tax on full service, 15% as a floor for adequate service, 25%+ for exceptional service. For takeout, 10–15% is the modern expectation (many delivery apps default to this). For counter service, the tip jar at the register expects $1–$2 or rounding up. Buffets and self-service: 10% to the staff who clear plates and refill drinks.
How far in advance should I make a reservation?
Top-rated fine dining in major metros: 4–12 weeks ahead, with reservations dropping for the next month on the same day each month. Upscale casual: 1–2 weeks. Neighborhood casual: same-day to 2 days ahead. Walk-in is realistic for casual but not for top spots on Friday or Saturday.
Should I trust restaurant reviews online?
Use multiple sources. Google Reviews capture the broadest sample but skew toward middle-of-the-bell-curve experiences. Specialty platforms (The Infatuation, Eater, local critics) skew toward foodie audiences and quality signals matter more there. The most useful pattern: read reviews from the last 60 days specifically — restaurants change quickly with kitchen turnover.
What''s the difference between fine dining and upscale casual?
Fine dining: tasting menus, formal service, dress codes, $80+ per person, often 2–3 hour dining duration, sommelier on the floor. Upscale casual: à la carte menu, less formal service, $35–$85 per person, 90-minute dining duration, wine list rather than sommelier. Different occasions warrant different categories.
How do I know if a restaurant is family-friendly?
Check whether they have a kids menu (most family-friendly do), whether they take reservations for groups with kids, and whether reviews mention noise levels. Loud is often good for kids; quiet upscale spots are stressful with toddlers. Brunch is generally more kid-friendly than dinner regardless of the restaurant.
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