9 Best Places To Eat In Des Moines: Dining On Any Budget

Date night:

1. Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

Cosi Cucina has been serving casual Italian cuisine since 1993. Diners come in through the back of the restaurant near the kitchen, which resembles coming to dine in a home that has a wood burning oven and serves homemade dishes. Toasted ravioli, gorgonzola salad, cavatelli casserole and smoked chicken penne are some of the menu options. Wood fire pizzas and calzones are served here too, and the stove is the first of its kind in Iowa.

Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

Address: 1975 NW 86th St, Clive, IA 50325 (14 min away)

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday’s 4 pm to 9 pm. They are closed on Mondays.

Website: Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

2. RōCA

RōCA, or “Restaurant on Court Avenue,” is in the historic court avenue district of Des Moines. Excellent wines paired with locally sourced meals make this restaurant stand out. Smoked salmon bruschetta, pork belly tacos, charred Brussels, fall turkey sliders and chicken masala are items you will find on the menu.

RōCA

Address: 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 3 pm to midnight and Sunday 4 pm to 10 pm

Facebook: RōCA

3. Table 128 Bistro

Table 128 Bistro Bar serves American eclectic cuisine with locally grown produce. They focus on elegance, flavor, and simplicity in a comfortable environment. Rosemary and parmesan fries, heirloom chicken breast, and lamb rack are on the menu. The desserts include a salted caramel chocolate truffle, citrus cheesecake and crème brulee. There is also a three course dinner offered every Saturday night.

Table 128 Bistro Bar

Address: 12695 University St, Clive IA

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11 am to 10 pm and Saturday 4 pm to 10 pm; closed on Sundays.

Website: Table 128 Bistro

Family-style dining:

4. Spaghetti Works

Spaghetti Works in the historic court avenue district is in a 19th-century building, that used to be a hat company. This was the restaurant I was visiting during my stay and the food was amazing, the waiter was friendly, and the décor was great. There is a full service bar, sidewalk cafe and patio and traditional Italian dishes served. Chicken broccoli alfredo, house special pizza, eggplant parmesan, and garlic cheese bread are all on the menu. There is also an option to design your own pasta dish.

Spaghetti Works

Address: 310 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm

Website: Spaghetti Works

5. Baratta’s

Baratta’s has been a Des Moines institution for 50 years, started by the Baratta family who owned it as a grocery store, and then sold it, to later be turned into a restaurant on the South side of town. They serve traditional homemade Italian and American food, such as blackened steak salad, grilled portabella, shrimp linguini and chicken carbonara.

Baratta’s

Address: 2320 South Union, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11 am to 2 pm for lunch and Sunday to Thursday 5 pm to 9 pm for dinner. Friday and Saturday’s dinner hours are 4 pm to 10 pm

Website: Baratta’s

6. Famous Daves BBQ

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Famous Daves is the place for BBQ lovers to eat. Their chefs get started at 4 am, to create the right taste in their food. This is a chain restaurant, with locations all over the states. There is a to-go and dine in menu, which includes BBQ chicken, country roasted chicken, broccoli and cheese baked potato, and a smoked cheddar burger.

Famous Daves

Address: 1720 22nd St, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 11 am to 10 pm

Website: Famous Daves

Coffee & dessert:

7. Java Joes

Java Joes is Des Moine’s original micro roaster, in the court avenue district. They serve fresh roasted coffee, iced drinks, soups, sandwiches, homemade baked goods and freshly made bagels. Apple cider, chai lattes and mocha lattes are on the menu, as are vegetarian options for food.

Java Joes

Address: 214 4th St, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: Open daily 6:30 am to 11 pm

Website: Java Joes

8. Creme Cupcake

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Creme Cupcake opened in 2010 and offers thirty-six cupcake varieties. They now also include custom cakes, cookies and other treats. Some of their cupcake flavors are chocolate indulgence, caramel apple, peanut butter passion and white chocolate raspberry.

Creme Cupcake

Address: 543 28th Street, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday 11 am till midnight and Sunday 10 am till midnight; closed on Mondays

Website: Creme Cupcake

9. Chocolaterie Stam

Chocolaterie Stam started with a family from Europe, who brought their family traditions and love of chocolate to America in 2006 after building up the business in the Netherlands. The first location in the US was in Ames, Iowa and there are now about ten locations in the Midwest. They have fifty flavors of ice cream and their own coffee blend, with white, milk and dark chocolate bonbons. There’s also British style licorice, milk chocolate bars, and assorted flavors of chocolates.

Chocolaterie Stam

Address: 2814 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA

Opening Hours: 9 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm

Website: Chocolaterie Stam

Satisfy your cravings in Des Moines

No matter what you are craving, you can find the right food in Des Moines, Iowa. They have BBQ, Italian, American, coffee and desserts; something for every taste and every budget.