Guidebook for Urbandale and Des Moines metro
Food Scene
Grounds for Celebration
2709 Beaver AveI buy my coffee beans from here, they're awesome!
This is an Ecuadorian restaurant. The food here is amazing and cheap. Kevin and I like getting the Mi Patria for two; delicious marinated pork, beef, and chicken with beans and rice and a fried egg!
Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant
1410 22nd StThis is an Ecuadorian restaurant. The food here is amazing and cheap. Kevin and I like getting the Mi Patria for two; delicious marinated pork, beef, and chicken with beans and rice and a fried egg!
Django
1420 Locust StOne of our favorite restaurants! French American cuisine.
Our favorite sushi spot. Mike is the owner and always behind the sushi bar. He's legit.
16 locals recommend
Miyabi 9
512 E Grand AveOur favorite sushi spot. Mike is the owner and always behind the sushi bar. He's legit.
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveThe name says it all.
We love going to Starbar for our favorite bartender Junior. Great food, great drinks, one of our spots.
15 locals recommend
Star Bar
2811 Ingersoll AveWe love going to Starbar for our favorite bartender Junior. Great food, great drinks, one of our spots.
Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut StGreat brewpub with great food.
Excellent thai food in addition to sushi and other great items! Lots of variety.
8 locals recommend
Cool Basil
1250 86th StExcellent thai food in addition to sushi and other great items! Lots of variety.
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant
6630 Mills Civic PkwyThis is our go to Mexican food spot. Specifically for their carnitas.
La Mie is the best bakery, hands down, in Des Moines. Amazing french pastries and their breakfast is always on point. You won't be disappointed.
46 locals recommend
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StLa Mie is the best bakery, hands down, in Des Moines. Amazing french pastries and their breakfast is always on point. You won't be disappointed.
This is a small specialty food shop. The people behind the counter know their stuff. There is a little bar where you can enjoy some cheese, charcuterie, and wine.
11 locals recommend
The Cheese Shop
833 42nd StThis is a small specialty food shop. The people behind the counter know their stuff. There is a little bar where you can enjoy some cheese, charcuterie, and wine.
This is our favorite hole in the wall bar/restaurant. It's small, local, and has the best comfort food and is ridiculously cheap!
University Library Cafe
3506 University AveThis is our favorite hole in the wall bar/restaurant. It's small, local, and has the best comfort food and is ridiculously cheap!
The food here is fantastic! They have excellent pizza, wine, and mediterranean inspired dishes.
42 locals recommend
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll AveThe food here is fantastic! They have excellent pizza, wine, and mediterranean inspired dishes.
Excellent wine selection with a casual atmosphere. The food is on point with a little southern influence.
9 locals recommend
Louie's Wine Dive Des Moines
4040 University AvenueExcellent wine selection with a casual atmosphere. The food is on point with a little southern influence.
The pizza is awesome! One of my favorite sandwiches is the Frank's Special. It has a casual atmosphere with beer and wine for your enjoyment!
14 locals recommend
Gusto Pizza Co
2301 Ingersoll AveThe pizza is awesome! One of my favorite sandwiches is the Frank's Special. It has a casual atmosphere with beer and wine for your enjoyment!
This is one of my favorite local Italian restaurants! It's only open Thursday-Saturday for dinner, and the first Sunday of the month for brunch. Romantic atmosphere & delicious every time!
10 locals recommend
Aposto at the Scala House
644 18th StThis is one of my favorite local Italian restaurants! It's only open Thursday-Saturday for dinner, and the first Sunday of the month for brunch. Romantic atmosphere & delicious every time!
This restaurant has a great wine selection! They have a chef's table that you can make reservations at for an up close experience. Delicious and unique food every time!
14 locals recommend
Alba Restaurant
524 E 6th StThis restaurant has a great wine selection! They have a chef's table that you can make reservations at for an up close experience. Delicious and unique food every time!
Breakfast anytime!!! They also have excellent bloody mary's and mimosas. They're wings are my favorite in Des Moines. Casual atmosphere you can relax in.
Jethro's BBQ 'n Bacon Bacon
1480 22nd StBreakfast anytime!!! They also have excellent bloody mary's and mimosas. They're wings are my favorite in Des Moines. Casual atmosphere you can relax in.
Proof is amazing! Reservations usually required. Excellent cheese and charcuterie; small plates; big plates, you name it. The service here is excellent and will not disappoint.
11 locals recommend
Proof Restaurant
1301 Locust StProof is amazing! Reservations usually required. Excellent cheese and charcuterie; small plates; big plates, you name it. The service here is excellent and will not disappoint.
This place is stuck in an awesome time warp...bacon wrapped tater tots, goulash, and all of your comfort food favorites. Very casual joint that's fun to hang out in!
12 locals recommend
The High Life Lounge
200 Southwest 2nd StreetThis place is stuck in an awesome time warp...bacon wrapped tater tots, goulash, and all of your comfort food favorites. Very casual joint that's fun to hang out in!
Essentials
We're only 2 minutes from the grocery. They have a huge health market area and gluten free section.
28 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
8701 Douglas AveWe're only 2 minutes from the grocery. They have a huge health market area and gluten free section.
We finally have a whole foods. If you like to shop there, now you know where it is!
9 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
4100 University AveWe finally have a whole foods. If you like to shop there, now you know where it is!
Trader Joe's
6305 Mills Civic PkwyWe like to shop the Trader Joes. It's inexpensive and delicious!
Everything Else
Kum & Go
3104 University AveLocal gas station not too far and easy access to the freeway.
This is a cool area with several restaurants and shopping. In the warmer months there is a farmers market every Thursday 4-8 pm.
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
This is a cool area with several restaurants and shopping. In the warmer months there is a farmers market every Thursday 4-8 pm.
The Des Moines farmers market is huge! Every Saturday May-October, 7 am-noon. Lots of local vendors of all varities. Our favorite food spot is the papusa stand!
41 locals recommend
Des Moines' Downtown Farmers’ Market
300 Court AveThe Des Moines farmers market is huge! Every Saturday May-October, 7 am-noon. Lots of local vendors of all varities. Our favorite food spot is the papusa stand!
If you're looking for some outdoor exercise there is a beautiful trail circling the lake; and the trail is a part of the metro trail system.
6 locals recommend
Gray's Lake Park
If you're looking for some outdoor exercise there is a beautiful trail circling the lake; and the trail is a part of the metro trail system.
Awesome park right next to our townhouse. You can access the bike trail from the park. There is a playground, tennis courts, and baseball field.
Colby Park
6900 School StAwesome park right next to our townhouse. You can access the bike trail from the park. There is a playground, tennis courts, and baseball field.
This is a local t-shirt shop that has lots of Iowa and Midwest inspired apparel. It’s one of the coolest places to grab a fun T-shirt and souvenirs. It’s a must see!!
20 locals recommend
RAYGUN
505 E Grand AveThis is a local t-shirt shop that has lots of Iowa and Midwest inspired apparel. It’s one of the coolest places to grab a fun T-shirt and souvenirs. It’s a must see!!
Arts & Culture
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand AveYes! We have art too; check it out!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a great live music venue. There's a show almost every night with a variety of music. Check out their website for more information.
20 locals recommend
Wooly's
504 E Locust StThis is a great live music venue. There's a show almost every night with a variety of music. Check out their website for more information.
Ducktail Lounge
1809 86th StThis is one of our regular spots. Laid back atmosphere and good people.
Awesome bar that is LGBTQ friendly and lots of fun! They have drag shows every weekend and electronic music always playing!
6 locals recommend
The Garden Nightclub
525 E Grand AveAwesome bar that is LGBTQ friendly and lots of fun! They have drag shows every weekend and electronic music always playing!