Des Moines Restaurants

This is one of the best places to go to relax and talk for a while. Great service, atmosphere. There's so much variety, there's something for everyone in their tea selection. I like that I can get a whole pot of tea plus refills for the price of one specialty coffee somewhere else. Highly, highly recommended.

Favorite Dish: Blue Spring Oolong, Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Chai

Tenderloins are a true Midwest sandwich and no one does them better than Smitty's. It's a casual family-run restaurant that has been in business for 40 years. The tenderloins are thin, tender and HUGE. If you can't eat much you may want to split one (I never seem to have a problem eating a small King Loin by myself!) The onion rings and fries are very good as well. The place is clean and the counter staff are friendly. They also have burgers but I've never ordered one.

Favorite Dish: I always get a small King tenderloin with onion rings. It hits the spot when you have a craving for some fried food.

I'll have to say that Des Moines probably isnt the best for culture or wild food, but we do have one of the oldest Italian communities in the midwest. That being said, please DO NOT go to an Olive Garden when in our town - take the time to find a great small family owned restaurant. Usually the food is far superior and the service is like 100% better.

Tumea and Sons is one of these small family run places. They have a great eating area, bar, and appear to have smoking and nonsmoking sections. The service was OUTSTANDING!! Its great for a casual dinner or a business lunch.

They have really cheap lunch entrees - so keep that in mind if you're looking for a close place to the metro if you need a noon break. Please make a note that they are closed on Sundays.

I'm honestly not sure I've ever been more impressed with an Italian eatery.

Favorite Dish: This evening I had the baked cheese ravoli to begin, salad with the house garlic cheese dressing, the cheese manicotti for an entree, the house Merlot for wine, and the tiramisu. The baked ravoli came with a wonderfully mild red sauce for dipping. But let me tell you, one of the largest highlights was the salad dressing - I'm not sure I've had better stuff in my life. The portions were just the right size for a dinner with friends.

The other dinner companions raved about the Pastachena (mostaccioli with a meatball and eggs served casserole style,) and the Cotolette (breaded steak cooked in garlic butter.)

Between the four of us we had almost all the sweets they offer at the end - and I can't say a bad thing about any of them!

Sbrocco is billed as a wine bar, and indeed there is a bountiful list of wines by the bottle or glass, and a cellar which is fun to visit. But what really impressed me was the incredible food. The Iowa duck was meltingly delicious, perfectly cooked. (We all got it, so I didn't have a chance to try the Niman pork chops -- though I did spot some, and would order them next time.) I imagine it can get quite noisy because the tables are tin-topped and there isn't a lot in the way of sound-deadening wall hangings, etc., but the evening we were there, we had no problems. Service was efficient and friendly.

The set-up features a long bar on one side, with tables along the other wall. It is quite a large, deep space. Lighting was adequate to read the menu.

The name is pronounced Chen-tro. It is owned by Des Moines native George Formaro. The first thing you will probably smell is the coal burning pizza oven making fantastic thin crust pizza that reminds of something you may get in Italy. The restaurant has big windows all around so it feels very light. Last year at Christmas time we had a family dinner there and we could see the snow falling and the Christmas lights outside. My Mom still talks about that meal.

Favorite Dish: I love their Centro Salad with gorgonzola cheese, toasted pecans and balsamic vinegar dressing. I enjoy the pizza and handmade cavatelli (pasta dish). Don't overlook the South Union bread on the table. Mr. Formaro also owns that along with the South Union Bread Cafe next door.

This place was so awesome! The whole bar/restaurant was themed like a German pub. It reminded me of the indoor scenes in the Beowulf movie with Angelina Jolie. The food was really great (my husband had the bratwurst and I had goulash). They have a fantastic beer selection (almost all German beers). It's in a really centralized location. The prices were pretty good for the quality of food we received. We parked at the Science Center parking ramp and walked over.

Favorite Dish: Goulash, thick and hearty with potatoes and a delicious creamy sauce.
Bratwurst, came with traditional sauerkraut.

Tasty Tacos is the hit of Des Moines. It is consistently in the favorites for the area and good luck finding someone who doesn't like it. It's not a big steakhouse and they don't serve alcohol but that's most of the charm. It's good food, cheap. Not "fast food" food although service is speedy. Just a tip: If it's a busy time of day (noon or early dinner time), call ahead to your favorite location to place your order or be prepared to wait in a line. Locals love this place.

Favorite Dish: My favorite food here is the original beef flour taco. It has freshly shredded cheese and lettuce (extra cheese for .50 more!) and the shell is amazing. They're big, but get two...you'll want the second. 2 tacos with extra cheese and a pop will run you about 8 dollars. The mushrooms are also very good!

I and my friends usually went there during lunch. It locates in the Skywalk or you can get in from Capital Square Center exist. They serve Chips dip in tomato sauces before they take the order for free. The price is very reasonable. The food is excellent there too.

Favorite Dish: Chicken strip Fajita, they bring out grill chicken strip on a hot metal plate with grill onion, red & green bell pepper. Hot soft fajita wrap in a foil paper. The Chimi-chilada/Quesada there are also good, they served with mash bean(good touch on the taste) and salad with avocado and other sauce. Some orders serve with yummy whip cream.