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Best Food in Des Moines (2026)
Des Moines is renowned for its classic steakhouses, and the 801 Chophouse at 801 Grand Avenue offers prime cuts in an upscale setting, with dinner entrees ranging fromโฆ ๐ฝ๏ธ Iconic Steakhouse Dining
Des Moines is renowned for its classic steakhouses, and the 801 Chophouse at 801 Grand Avenue offers prime cuts in an upscale setting, with dinner entrees ranging from $40 to $70. For a more historic experience, the Iowa Beef Steakhouse at 1201 Army Post Road serves hand-cut steaks since 1962, with prices from $25 to $50. Both spots require reservations on weekends, so plan ahead.
๐ฎ Authentic Mexican Flavors
The East Grand Avenue corridor is home to some of the city's best tacos, including Tacos Mariscos at 2301 East Grand Avenue, where you can get three tacos for around $10. For a sit-down meal, try El Bait Shop at 200 Southwest 2nd Street, which offers Mexican-inspired dishes and an extensive beer list, with entrees from $12 to $20. Don't miss the al pastor tacos, a local favorite.
๐ Casual Burgers and Fries
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab at 300 East Grand Avenue is a must-visit for creative burgers like the 'Walking Ched' with fried cheese buns, priced between $10 and $15. Another local gem is B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli at 2001 Southeast 6th Street, serving classic burgers and sandwiches for under $10. Both places are casual and often busy, so expect a wait during peak hours.
๐ฃ Sushi and Asian Cuisine
For fresh sushi, head to Miyabi 9 at 512 East Grand Avenue, where rolls range from $8 to $18 and the omakase option starts at $50. Thai Flavors at 2301 University Avenue offers authentic curries and noodle dishes for $10 to $15, with lunch specials available on weekdays. Both restaurants are popular, so call ahead for larger groups.
๐ Pizza and Italian Eats
Centro at 1003 Locust Street serves wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta, with pizzas around $14 to $20. For a more casual slice, try Gusto Pizza Co. at 1905 Ingersoll Avenue, where you can get a slice for $4 or a whole pie for $18 to $25. The Ingersoll area also has several other Italian spots worth exploring.
๐ฆ Sweet Treats and Desserts
Black Cat Ice Cream at 2519 University Avenue offers unique flavors like lavender honey and salted caramel, with scoops priced at $4 to $6. For a classic treat, visit the Des Moines location of Dairy Queen at 1200 Army Post Road, or try the homemade pies at the Machine Shed at 11151 Hickman Road, where slices are around $6. Many dessert spots stay open until 10 PM or later.
๐บ Breweries with Great Food
Confluence Brewing Company at 1235 Thomas Beck Road has a rotating food truck schedule and often hosts local vendors, with beers from $6 to $8. Exile Brewing Company at 1514 Walnut Street serves pub fare like pretzels and burgers alongside their beers, with entrees from $12 to $18. Both are family-friendly until early evening.
๐ Markets and Food Halls
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market runs from May to October on Saturdays from 7 AM to noon, offering fresh produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat snacks from local vendors. For an indoor option, the Hall at 111 East Grand Avenue features multiple food stalls, including tacos, barbecue, and poke bowls, with most items under $15. It's a great spot for groups with different tastes.
Nice rundown, and the East Grand taco note is right where it should be. The gap I'd fill is breakfast, which the guide skips entirely. Horner's Corner at 4111 Hubbell Avenue does a pork tenderloin and eggs plate for around $11, and the coffee is bottomless, it's the kind of place where the same retired guys hold the same counter stools every morning. If you're downtown instead, Gateway Market on 2002 Woodland does a solid breakfast sandwich for under $8 and you can grab a seat before the farmers market crowd rolls in.
This is a useful rundown, especially the East Grand taco note. One thing I'd add is that 801 Chophouse and Iowa Beef Steakhouse are both solid, but if you want a steak without the weekend reservation hassle, the bar at 801 takes walk-ins and you can order the full menu there. Also worth knowing that Zombie Burger gets a line out the door on weekend nights, so going around 2 or 3 PM on a weekday gets you in and out fast.
appreciate the effort here, lots of ground covered. the one spot i'd swap in is irina's on ingersoll for the steakhouse section, its a tiny eastern european place but the ribeye is legit and its way easier to get a table than 801. also for late night, the gyro at b-bop's on hubbell hits different after a few beers at confluence
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3 Days in Des Moines: Itinerary 2026
Start your day at the Des Moines Farmers' Market in the Historic East Village if it's Saturday (7 a.m. to noon, May through October). Otherwise, grab breakfast at Scenicโฆ ๐๏ธ Day 1 Morning Downtown
Start your day at the Des Moines Farmers' Market in the Historic East Village if it's Saturday (7 a.m. to noon, May through October). Otherwise, grab breakfast at Scenic Route Bakery (350 E Locust St, open 7 a.m.) and explore the Iowa State Capitol (1007 E Grand Ave, free tours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). From downtown hotels, it's a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute drive to the East Village.
๐ฝ๏ธ Day 1 Afternoon and Evening
After lunch at Zombie Burger (300 E Grand Ave, around $12 for a burger), visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Dr, $10 admission, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Then head to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park (1330 Grand Ave, free, open dawn to dusk) for a stroll. For dinner, try Centro (1003 Locust St, entrees $15-25) and catch a show at the Civic Center (221 Walnut St).
๐ฆฆ Day 2 Morning at Blank Park
Begin day two at Blank Park Zoo (7401 SW 9th St, opens 9 a.m., $16.95 for adults). It's about a 15-minute drive from downtown. After the zoo, visit the nearby Fort Des Moines Museum (75 E Army Post Rd, free, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday).
๐ณ Day 2 Afternoon in Valley Junction
Drive 10 minutes to Valley Junction in West Des Moines for lunch at The Foundry (111 S 11th St, open 11 a.m.). Browse the antique shops along 5th Street, then walk the trails at Raccoon River Park (2500 Grand Ave, free). In the evening, catch a movie at the Flix Brewhouse (3800 Merle Hay Rd) or return downtown for dinner at Malo (900 Mulberry St, small plates $8-14).
๐ Day 3 Morning in Ankeny
On day three, drive 20 minutes north to Ankeny for breakfast at The Cafe (2610 SE Delaware Ave, open 7 a.m.). Then explore the Ankeny Art Center (1520 SW Ordnance Rd, free, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday). If you have kids, the Playground for Everyone at Hawkeye Park (1000 NW 4th St) is a great stop.
๐บ Day 3 Afternoon and Evening
Return to downtown and visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa (600 E Locust St, free, open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday). Then take a brewery tour at Exile Brewing Co. (1514 Walnut St, tours $10, open 4 p.m.). For your final dinner, splurge at 801 Chophouse (801 Grand Ave, steaks $30-60) or keep it casual at Fong's Pizza (223 4th St, open until 2 a.m.).
๐ Getting Around
Des Moines is car-friendly, but downtown is walkable. DART buses run every 15-30 minutes on major routes, with a day pass costing $4. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are plentiful, with typical fares between downtown and the airport around $20. From the airport (DSM) to downtown, it's a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride on route 8.
๐ก Practical Tips
Purchase a Des Moines Attractions Pass for discounted entry to multiple museums. Many downtown restaurants offer happy hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m. Check the Des Moines Register's events calendar for festivals during your visit. Weather in 2026 can vary, so pack layers for spring and fall.
The itinerary covers the big stuff well, but I'd add the Salisbury House on Tonawanda Drive if you have any interest in history or architecture. It's a 1920s Tudor mansion modeled on an English manor, tours run about $15 and take an hour, and it's a nice contrast to all the downtown stops. Parking is easy and it never feels crowded.
On the Farmers' Market, one detail the post doesn't mention: the market actually stretches a couple blocks up Court Avenue too, not just the East Village, so if the main drag is shoulder to shoulder, walk west and you'll find breathing room plus the food vendors. Cash is still handy for some of the smaller stands.
A couple of tweaks from someone who lives here. The Farmers' Market is great but it's a zoo by 9 a.m., so go early or skip it and hit the one in Valley Junction on a Sunday instead, way more relaxed. Also the Botanical Garden is small, an hour is plenty, don't block out a whole afternoon for it. And if you're doing 801 Chophouse, know that the real Des Moines splurge is the pork tenderloin at any small town bar, but that's a different kind of trip.
good base for a first trip but day 3 is backwards imo. ankeny is a chain restaurant wasteland unless u count the cafe, which is fine but not worth the drive. id flip it and spend that morning at the east village instead, allspice has a great brunch and u can actually walk it from downtown.
also the exile tour is only thurs fri sat now, they cut it back, so check before u plan around it. and fong's is the right call for the last night, crab rangoon pizza at midnight is basically a des moines rite of passage.
one thing nobody mentions, the skywalk downtown is a legit way to kill a rainy afternoon, 4 miles of it and u can get from the capitol area to court ave without going outside