Guidebook for Des Moines
Food Scene
Breakfast all day and night. Great atmosphere. Down-home feel good food, malts, and try the "wets" Favorite Drake destination.
9 locals recommend
Jethro's BBQ
3100 Forest AveBreakfast all day and night. Great atmosphere. Down-home feel good food, malts, and try the "wets" Favorite Drake destination.
Haiku
1315 31st StGreat sushi. Urban vibe.
Thin crust, no frills restaurant. Great pizza and other food. Their home restaurant, Bordenaro's on SW 9th is a larger place and highly recommended too.
Paul Revere's Pizza
3018 Forest AveThin crust, no frills restaurant. Great pizza and other food. Their home restaurant, Bordenaro's on SW 9th is a larger place and highly recommended too.
Highly recommend Mars Cafe. Great coffee and foods. Wonderful environment. Next to restaurants and other eclectic storefronts. Music and local art. Free Wi-Fi.
14 locals recommend
Mars Cafe
2318 University AveHighly recommend Mars Cafe. Great coffee and foods. Wonderful environment. Next to restaurants and other eclectic storefronts. Music and local art. Free Wi-Fi.
Hoshi Sushi
2314 University AveAnother great sushi restaurant in the area.
China Place Restaurant
2414 University AveGood food and prices.
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AveGreat breakfast and other yummy foods!
Woody's Smoke Shack
2511 Cottage Grove AveGreat BBQ with yummy free cornbread.
Anything, but a dive. Great wine, great food, outdoor patio.
9 locals recommend
Louie's Wine Dive Des Moines
4040 University AvenueAnything, but a dive. Great wine, great food, outdoor patio.
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant
4120 University AveAll day buffet with a great price.
One of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city. Great people. Cantonese menu.
Rice Bowl Restaurant
2607 Beaver AveOne of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city. Great people. Cantonese menu.
Christopher's
2816 Beaver Ave50 years of great Italian food.
Chef's Kitchen
1903 Beaver AveOne of our favorite local neighborhood stops. Friendly owners and staff. Great food!
Yummy to the tummy handmade breads and pastries. Open for breakfast and lunch with sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
46 locals recommend
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StYummy to the tummy handmade breads and pastries. Open for breakfast and lunch with sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
The Juice Company
845 42nd StVegetarian and Vegan restaurant and healthy beverages.
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StWonderful place. More than a bake shop.
Really good Gyros. Cozy place and great Mediterranean food. Next to the Varsity Theatre
Gazali's Mediterranean Grill
15700 Hickman RoadReally good Gyros. Cozy place and great Mediterranean food. Next to the Varsity Theatre
Essentials
Plenty of variety for a smaller grocery store with an attached liquor store. In strip mall area.
10 locals recommend
Hy-Vee Drugstore
4100 University AvePlenty of variety for a smaller grocery store with an attached liquor store. In strip mall area.
Locally owned small business. Great staff. Organic products. Big selection of nutritional items.
Campbell's Nutrition
4040 University AveLocally owned small business. Great staff. Organic products. Big selection of nutritional items.
Price Chopper
3425 Ingersoll AveOne of Dahl's oldest and smallest grocery stores.
Shopping
Git-N-Go
865 42nd StSmall convenience store. Gasoline available.
Kum & Go
3104 University AveSmall convenience store. Gasoline available.
Unique local store with a retro vibe. Clothing, accessories, posters, frisbee golf supplies, incense, jewelry and much more.
Groovy Goods Daydreams - Tobacco Pipes & Hippie Clothing
2300 University AveUnique local store with a retro vibe. Clothing, accessories, posters, frisbee golf supplies, incense, jewelry and much more.
Zumi
1141 42nd StUnique women's clothing store and accessories.
Back Country
2702 Beaver AveActive lifestyle wear. One-of-a-kind items.
Beaverdale Books
2629 Beaver AveLocal small independent relaxed bookstore.
Beaverdale Confections
2641 Beaver AveYummy treats!
Arts & Culture
One of the oldest movie houses in the city. Great real buttered popcorn. Ticket prices are very reasonable. Big theatre.
Varsity Theatre
1207 25th StOne of the oldest movie houses in the city. Great real buttered popcorn. Ticket prices are very reasonable. Big theatre.
Founded in 1919, the Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest venues in the country.
7 locals recommend
Des Moines Community Playhouse
831 42nd StFounded in 1919, the Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest venues in the country.
Everything Else
Great Clips
1201 25th StQuick service, reasonable priced.
Irene's Flowers
1151 25th StNice folks to get your flowers from.
Snap Fitness
4123 University AveSmall neighborhood gym. Membership needed.
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AvePublic course. Local favorite.
The Chicha Shack
2420 University AveAlways busy. Seems like a fun crowd.
Drinks & Nightlife
University Library Cafe
3506 University AveSmall neighborhood bar. Known for their nachos.
The Dublin
Popular with Drake students.
West End Lounge
2309 Forest AvePopular with locals and Drake students.
Great pub menu. Nightly drink specials. Monday night, half off appetizers. Nice outdoor patio.
10 locals recommend
Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4041 Urbandale AveGreat pub menu. Nightly drink specials. Monday night, half off appetizers. Nice outdoor patio.