Food scene
Snookies Malt Shop
1810 Beaver AveClassic Beaverdale ice cream parlor
Parlor
4041 Urbandale AvenueNew delicious pizza place with a great happy hour.
Lachele's Fine Foods
2716 Ingersoll AvenueBest burger in Des Moines!
The Cheese Shop
833 42nd StPurveyor of fine wine and cheese.
upscale diner with great food and atmosphere in the East Village of Des Moines.
6 locals recommend
Clyde's Fine Diner
111 E Grand Aveupscale diner with great food and atmosphere in the East Village of Des Moines.
Lucky Lotus
2721 Ingersoll AveSoutheast Asian food and drink
Fantastic brewery with large outdoor patio and great food in historic Sherman Hill neighborhood.
13 locals recommend
Lua Brewing
1525 High StreetFantastic brewery with large outdoor patio and great food in historic Sherman Hill neighborhood.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
316 Court AvenueGreat Sushi in Downtown Des Moines
Bubba
200 10th StSouthern comfort in Downtown Des Moines.
Bars
Up-Down
500 E Locust StBar/Arcade with a fun atmosphere.
The Dam Pub
2710 Beaver AveDive bar with rooftop patio and food menu.
The Cave DSM
1437 Walnut StreetAn intimate wine bar and bottle shop with live jazz on Fridays.
Best cocktails in town and a large back patio and light snacks.
9 locals recommend
The Bartender's Handshake
3615 Ingersoll AveBest cocktails in town and a large back patio and light snacks.
Des Moines Institutions
Centro
1003 Locust StGreat Italian food and a Des Moines institution.
Jesse's Embers
3301 Ingersoll AveOld School Steak House
Christopher's
2816 Beaver AveClassic Italian Restaurant. Enough said.
Simon's
5800 Franklin AveIntimate and very popular. Does not accept reservations. Expect to wait for a table.
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdAwesome brewery right off the bike trail!
Francies
2100 Wakonda View DrGreat food near the airport.
Neighborhoods
A great area to walk around and check out shops, bars, food, and the State Capitol.
64 locals recommend
East Village
A great area to walk around and check out shops, bars, food, and the State Capitol.
A historic up and coming neighborhood with antique shops, bars, food and art galleries.
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
A historic up and coming neighborhood with antique shops, bars, food and art galleries.
Sightseeing
Take a trip out of Des Moines to see the Brenton Tree Arboretum. lots of acreage to explore and plenty to learn!
The Brenton Arboretum
25141 260th StTake a trip out of Des Moines to see the Brenton Tree Arboretum. lots of acreage to explore and plenty to learn!
Captain Roy's
1900 Saylor RdA popular place to get a drink by the Des Moines River right off the bike path!
Beautifully maintained gardens surround this old school bio dome filled with lush plants.
53 locals recommend
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray DrBeautifully maintained gardens surround this old school bio dome filled with lush plants.
Enjoy a view of the Downtown Des Moines skyline right on the water. this is a popular place for recreation. Rent a boat, kayak, sailboat, paddle board or simply take a stroll around the lake.
26 locals recommend
Grays Lake
Enjoy a view of the Downtown Des Moines skyline right on the water. this is a popular place for recreation. Rent a boat, kayak, sailboat, paddle board or simply take a stroll around the lake.
live music
Wooly's
504 East Locust StreetEnjoy live music in the East Village of Des Moines.
An upscale Jazz club. it can get busy, so buy your tickets in advance!
10 locals recommend
Noce Jazz Club
1326 Walnut StAn upscale Jazz club. it can get busy, so buy your tickets in advance!
shops
Zzz Records
2200 Ingersoll AvenueRogue Planet Music
4211 Chamberlain AvenuePreservation
3619 Ingersoll Avenue