Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Des Moines

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Des Moines? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wasabi - Waukee

5.0

5 (63)

$30 and under

Sushi

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Wasabi is located at 9500 University Avenue in West Des Moines. Chefs at Wasabi serve the highest quality New York style sushi, Japanese fusion dishes. Unique custom cocktails and more.

Top review

Kimberly

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Brussel sprouts and orange chicken were delicious!

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (324)

$30 and under

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar serves comfort food with local flair in a historic building on Main Street in Grinnell, Iowa. Prairie Canary was opened in September 2012 and is currently owned by Chef, Paul Durr. Located in the city of Grinnell, also known as “The Jewel of the Prairie” and home to Grinnell College, Prairie Canary provides a gathering place where guests can enjoy Midwestern flavors in an inviting, understated atmosphere that speaks to the colors and textures of the Iowa prairie.
Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is all about being local. From the name of the restaurant to the dishes on which the food is served, effort was taken to showcase local talent and area producers. Enjoy your meal on hand-thrown plates and bowls. Sit at hand-made hickory tables. Savor farm-fresh produce grown just miles away. Sip on an Iowa wine or pint of beer. We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

GabrielVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

We loved this resto. Great creative fresh and delicious. Knowledgeable warm and patient wait staff.

801 Chophouse – Des Moines

4.9

4.9 (3226)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, enjoy beautiful views and excellent customer service at 801 Chophouse. We value our guests and want to give you the best dining experience possible. Our restaurant has only prime USDA steaks, paired with innovative side dishes and an award-winning wine selection from around the world to create an upscale dining experience you won't find anywhere else in Iowa. 801 Chophouse is the premier steakhouse in Des Moines and even offers private dining room options. Book a reservation online or via phone today.

Top review

Jonna

Dined 1 day ago

We went for my husband’s birthday dinner before going to a show at the Civic Center and it was absolutely amazing! The staff and server we phenomenal and the food ever more!! We have found a new special occasion dinner location! Thank you for everything!

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Popular dish

Grand Marnier Souffle

Popular dish

Roast Prime Rib

Popular dish

Sliced Prime Rib au jus

Fleming's Steakhouse - Des Moines

4.9

4.9 (934)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine, or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply wanting to enjoy an excellent culinary experience - we will create a safe and memorable evening for you. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

Diann

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

Emmett and Dillon were awesome! They made our experience great!

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Experience

Mother’s Day 3-Course Brunch

Experience

Pick Your Proof featuring Don Julio x Seedlip

Experience

The Wild Ride: Black Stallion Wine Dinner

Wasabi - WDM

4.6

4.6 (11)

$30 and under

Sushi

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

We are committed to offering the freshest sushi, seafood, and Asian dishes in the greater Des Moines region. Join us at Wasabi West Des Moines to savor a delightful mix of flavors paired with exceptional service.

Top review

KATHY & MIKEVIP

Dined on Mar 31, 2025

We’re excited to have Wasabi in West Des Moines. Our food was great and the service was top notch!

Destination Grille

4.8

4.8 (413)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Grimes

About the restaurant

Welcome to Destination Grille. A contemporary, upscale yet casual restaurant that reminds us of travels and destinations around the globe. We are an experience like non-other!

Please join us Monday through Saturday from 11am-9pm and Sundays 11am-8pm.

Don't forget to join us for a night cap Fridays and Saturdays, our bars remain open until 11pm on both levels!

We have a lot of options with a fabulous ambience on each level, but it can be overwhelming your first time, please call if you have any questions!

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Enthusiastic staff, great food and atmosphere. Recommended local restaurant in Grimes.

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Popular dish

STUFFED MUSHROOM

Eatery A

4.8

4.8 (557)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Eatery A is Des Moines's destination for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Perfecting simple dishes that focus on local, quality ingredients, we strive to offer our guests exotic flavor profiles that let the ingredients take center stage.

Top review

MarikaVIP

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

The large selection of vegetarian options is so great. Service might have been considered slow, but allowed for uninterrupted conversation.

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Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA

4.8

4.8 (1311)

$30 and under

American

Clive

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Holly

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic experience, great wait staff and accommodated my request for a quiet booth.

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Popular dish

Caprese Flatbread

Proudfoot & Bird

4.9

4.9 (716)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fine Dining in every aspect. Proudfoot & Bird, named after the original Hotel Fort Des Moines architects, pays homage to the glamorous days of years past with every detail. Adorned with stunning marble tables, intricate gold ceiling inlay, plush soft seating, and grand circular bar we have recreated a time that was filled with elegance, extravagance, and indulgence. Housed in the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, we have taken every step possible to protect a valued piece of Des Moines’ cherished history. Two semi-private areas available, seating eight and ten guests respectfully.

Top review

John

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Nice dining experience. The pace of the evening and the arrival of food from starters to main dishes etc. allowed for a relaxing dining experience for our party of four. The food choices were amazing and prepared with care and plated with thoughtfulness in presentation. Food tasted great. Best Brussell Sprouts we have ever had in a dining experience. From being greeted at the door, to our servers and support staff, we were welcomed and taken care of. A first-time visit will be followed up with more visits to come.

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Popular dish

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

4.6

4.6 (54)

$30 and under

American

Johnston

About the restaurant

Welcome to ROOTS 95 Craft Kitchen and bar! Mora is taking the "Craft" part of the name very seriously. As it suggests, craft food emphasizes handcrafted, chef-driven food (versus cookie-cutter menus you see everywhere), made from fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, often with globally inspired flavors.

In addition to the entrees, you will find globally inspired pastas, handhelds, small plates & flatbreads. Full bar with handcrafted signature drinks.

Top review

JanVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Wonderful food at a great value. Went here for a. Birthday celebration and will definitely be back!

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Experience

Happy Hour

Experience

Ladies' Night every Thursday

Experience

Sunday Steak Night

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