Guidebook for Des Moines
Food Scene
Our top picks for local and unique food!
Excellent local hot spot with great barbecue, Cajun, and Caribbean food and drinks!
Open for dinner at 5pm Tuesday - Saturday.
http://flyingmango.com/
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman RdExcellent local hot spot with great barbecue, Cajun, and Caribbean food and drinks!
Open for dinner at 5pm Tuesday - Saturday.
http://flyingmango.com/
A Dong Restaurant
1511 High StExcellent local Asian cuisine!
Best local ice cream shop in Beaverdale neighborhood!
They also have a drive-thru window for orders on the go.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Snookies Malt Shop
1810 Beaver AveBest local ice cream shop in Beaverdale neighborhood!
They also have a drive-thru window for orders on the go.
The most eccentric selection of burgers on the planet!
44 Einheimische empfehlen
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveThe most eccentric selection of burgers on the planet!
Excellent homestyle farm-fresh food and excellent Sunday brunch buffet.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale
11151 Hickman RdExcellent homestyle farm-fresh food and excellent Sunday brunch buffet.
Tursi's Latin King Italian Dining
2200 Hubbell AveExcellent Italian food
Sakari Sushi Lounge
2605 Ingersoll AveExcellent sushi
Fong's Pizza
223 4th StExcellent pizza (with a twist) and tiki drinks
Grounds for Celebration
2709 Beaver AveLocal coffee shop in Beaverdale neighborhood
Local coffee shop that also serves ice cream, malts and food.
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Smokey Row Coffee Co.
1910 Cottage Grove AveLocal coffee shop that also serves ice cream, malts and food.
Choose from a list of local restaurants online and have your order delivered to your door!
www.mytown2go.com/restaurants/mytown2godsm
(Located in Des Moines and Ames)
MyTown2Go-Iowa
118 Kellogg AveChoose from a list of local restaurants online and have your order delivered to your door!
www.mytown2go.com/restaurants/mytown2godsm
(Located in Des Moines and Ames)
Excellent Chinese food that's SUPER FAST! Staff are bilingual (English and Spanish). Very clean and courteous. And did I mention super fast! They also have the best egg drop soup.
Tsing Tsao South
4230 Fleur DrExcellent Chinese food that's SUPER FAST! Staff are bilingual (English and Spanish). Very clean and courteous. And did I mention super fast! They also have the best egg drop soup.
Panka Peruvian Restaurant
2708 Ingersoll AveTry something new...like Peruvian cuisine!
Excellent Ecuadorian cuisine! Staff are bilingual (English and Spanish).
Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant
1410 22nd StExcellent Ecuadorian cuisine! Staff are bilingual (English and Spanish).
Best cupcakes in town! They also have gluten free options! I recommend the gluten free carrot cake!
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Molly's Cupcakes
215 E 3rd StBest cupcakes in town! They also have gluten free options! I recommend the gluten free carrot cake!
Noah's Ark
2400 Ingersoll AveExcellent Italian food!
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
64 Einheimische empfehlen
East Village
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
Thai Flavors
1254 E 14th StExcellent Thai food!
Hessen Haus
101 SW 4th StGerman pub in downtown Des Moines with German food and beer.
If you are a meat eater and have not tried a Brazilian Steakhouse...you should.
Brazil Terra Grill Steakhouse
2800 University AveIf you are a meat eater and have not tried a Brazilian Steakhouse...you should.
Great food with patio dining. Also have an excellent brunch on Sundays.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Louie's Wine Dive Des Moines
4040 University AvenueGreat food with patio dining. Also have an excellent brunch on Sundays.
Salvadoran restaurant with good food. Try the Pupusas! They are unique to El Salvador and are very tasty and filling! Staff are bilingual (Spanish and English).
El salvadoreño
1234 East Euclid AvenueSalvadoran restaurant with good food. Try the Pupusas! They are unique to El Salvador and are very tasty and filling! Staff are bilingual (Spanish and English).
Tacos La Familia
1610 6th AvenueExcellent street tacos! Within walking distance (approx 3 blocks).
Pho 888
1521 2nd AveVietnamese cuisine. Best local soup! Staff speak English.
Essentials
Local grocery store that offers a diverse variety of Asian and Latino grocery items. They also have an excellent selection of fresh fish, as well as some exotic foods. You can also get basic items there like bread, milk, snacks, toiletries, etc. Cashiers are multilingual.
C Fresh Market / Evelyn K Davis Center
801 University AveLocal grocery store that offers a diverse variety of Asian and Latino grocery items. They also have an excellent selection of fresh fish, as well as some exotic foods. You can also get basic items there like bread, milk, snacks, toiletries, etc. Cashiers are multilingual.
Local supermarket in downtown Des Moines. It has most anything you may need, including dry-cleaning service. Free parking in the ramp for the first hour only.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Hy-Vee
420 Court AveLocal supermarket in downtown Des Moines. It has most anything you may need, including dry-cleaning service. Free parking in the ramp for the first hour only.
CVS
104 E 1st StConvenience store in area, pharmacy hours vary.
24 Hour convenience store for anything you may need. Pharmacy hours vary at this location. There is a 24 hour Walgreens pharmacy located at 2545 East Euclid Ave in Des Moines.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Walgreens
606 Walnut St24 Hour convenience store for anything you may need. Pharmacy hours vary at this location. There is a 24 hour Walgreens pharmacy located at 2545 East Euclid Ave in Des Moines.
Closest convenience store located 3 blocks from the house on 6th Ave. Open until 11pm.
In And Out Market
1829 6th AvenueClosest convenience store located 3 blocks from the house on 6th Ave. Open until 11pm.
Tapatia 4
1606 6th AveMexican convenience store. Located within walking distance (approx 3 blocks).
Shopping
Merle Hay Mall
3800 Merle Hay RdNearby shopping mall for any shopping needs.
Local neighborhood farmers market every Tuesday from 4pm-7:30pm. (June 6 - Sept 12, 2017)
http://beaverdalefarmersmarket.org/
Beaverdale Farmers Market
4801 Franklin AvenueLocal neighborhood farmers market every Tuesday from 4pm-7:30pm. (June 6 - Sept 12, 2017)
http://beaverdalefarmersmarket.org/
The Des Moines Farmers Market is the best in Iowa!!!
Every Saturday from 7am-Noon (May-October).
http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court AveThe Des Moines Farmers Market is the best in Iowa!!!
Every Saturday from 7am-Noon (May-October).
http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/
Local farmers market in the historic Valley Junction neighborhood, every Thursday from 4pm - 8:30pm. (May - Sept) Free live music!
http://www.valleyjunction.com/event/farmers-marketmusic-junction-18/
Valley Junction Farmers Market
137 5th StreetLocal farmers market in the historic Valley Junction neighborhood, every Thursday from 4pm - 8:30pm. (May - Sept) Free live music!
http://www.valleyjunction.com/event/farmers-marketmusic-junction-18/
Historic Valley Junction neighborhood with many local shops and activities.
http://www.valleyjunction.com/events/
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Valley Junction
Historic Valley Junction neighborhood with many local shops and activities.
http://www.valleyjunction.com/events/
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
64 Einheimische empfehlen
East Village
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
Largest mall in the Des Moines/West Des Moines metro area. Also has a movie theater.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek PkwyLargest mall in the Des Moines/West Des Moines metro area. Also has a movie theater.
Best place to find unique and original home decor and salvaged items you may need to renovate your old house. They also have a decent coffee shop/cafe inside.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
West End Architectural Salvage
22 9th StBest place to find unique and original home decor and salvaged items you may need to renovate your old house. They also have a decent coffee shop/cafe inside.
Arts & Culture
The Des Moines Art Center has a great collection of local and international well-known artists! FREE Admission!
http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/
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Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveThe Des Moines Art Center has a great collection of local and international well-known artists! FREE Admission!
http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/
Des Moines Social Club
900 Mulberry StDes Moines Community Playhouse
831 42nd StDes Moines Symphony
1011 Locust StPappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveSculpture park in the heart of downtown.
Drinks & Nightlife
For everything cheese! This place is a must for cheese and wine lovers! Offering over 100 artisan and farmhouse cheeses, craft beer and wine, and cured meats for sale, plus events and workshops.
https://thecheeseshopdsm.com/
11 Einheimische empfehlen
The Cheese Shop
833 42nd StFor everything cheese! This place is a must for cheese and wine lovers! Offering over 100 artisan and farmhouse cheeses, craft beer and wine, and cured meats for sale, plus events and workshops.
https://thecheeseshopdsm.com/
Local winery with a variety of wines. Also host free live music events throughout the summer.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Jasper Winery
2400 George Flagg PkwyLocal winery with a variety of wines. Also host free live music events throughout the summer.
The Garden Nightclub
525 E Grand AveLocal LGBTQ club
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdPopular local brewery
Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut StPopular local brewery
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
64 Einheimische empfehlen
East Village
The East Village in downtown Des Moines offers a wide variety of unique shops, local cuisine, and nightlife.
The Blazing Saddle
416 E 5th StLGBTQ nightclub in East Village/downtown Des Moines.
Parks & Nature
Grays Lake
Grays LakeExcellent local park with lake and trails.
Des Moines has a number of parks throughout the city that are amazing to visit, each with it's own perks. See the list on the Parks and Rec website.
City of Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department
1551 E M.L.K. Jr PkwyDes Moines has a number of parks throughout the city that are amazing to visit, each with it's own perks. See the list on the Parks and Rec website.
Entertainment & Activities
Listing of all local activities happening in the Des Moines area!
https://www.catchdesmoines.com/
Catch Des Moines - Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau
400 Locust StListing of all local activities happening in the Des Moines area!
https://www.catchdesmoines.com/
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th StIowa Wild
730 3rd StIowa Wild Hockey
https://www.iowawild.com/schedule/
Iowa Wolves Basketball
730 3rd StIowa Wolves basketball (formerly Iowa Energy)
http://iowa.gleague.nba.com/
Iowa Cubs baseball
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t451
*Get a free ticket to a Sunday game by bringing 3 canned food items for donation to the local food pantry. ("Food Pantry Day" details listed under Promotions on the website.)
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Iowa Cubs
1 Line DriveIowa Cubs baseball
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t451
*Get a free ticket to a Sunday game by bringing 3 canned food items for donation to the local food pantry. ("Food Pantry Day" details listed under Promotions on the website.)
McHenry Park
1012 Oak Park AveLocal park with view of river and water spray area for kids.
Quaint cinema for art, indie, and current films. Also has a cafe with beer and housemade snacks.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Fleur Cinema
4545 Fleur DrQuaint cinema for art, indie, and current films. Also has a cafe with beer and housemade snacks.
Flix Brewhouse
3800 Merle Hay RdTheater, Brewery, and Restaurant all rolled into one!
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy