Restaurants near National Balloon Museum

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

38 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines restaurant

1. The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines

4.6

Exceptional(841)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Des Moines

Booked 40 times today

The Stuffed Olive is about the entire “Martini & Tapas Experience.” From your favorite classics to new and exciting blends you’ve never seen before, you’re sure to find a cocktail to love on our vast martini menu. Add a warm, comfortable atmosphere, great wines, beers and top-shelf spirits, and The Stuffed Olive will become your favorite place to start, end or spend your entire evening. Our tapas menu offers appetizer-sized portions of globally influenced entrees, for a sampling and sharing dining experience. Pair tasty tapas with your favorite martini for happy hour, dinner or a late-night snack. We welcome you to sit back, relax, enjoy great food, good conversation and your favorite martini. Welcome to the Stuffed Olive!

2. Fresko

4.7

Exceptional(1250)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Farm-to-table • Des Moines

Booked 26 times today

“Fresko” meaning “fresh” inspires our creation of seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients. Fresko makes natural food from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. The culinary team prepares product from start to finish applying natural time honored techniques with care at every step. This enriches the flavorful and nutritious product we serve and benefits our community. Fresko believes we are what we eat and eating well means living well.Fresko features a splendid assortment of original cocktails with a deep spirits menu and a beer program with sixteen beers on tap in addition to bottles and cans. Fresko's wine menu focuses on quality selections at a great value to our guests.

A photo of 801 Chophouse – Des Moines restaurant

3. 801 Chophouse – Des Moines

4.9

Exceptional(3252)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown Des Moines

Booked 25 times today

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.

4. Eatery A

4.8

Exceptional(568)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Des Moines

Booked 24 times today

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.

5. Proudfoot & Bird

4.9

Exceptional(729)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Des Moines

Booked 17 times today

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.

A photo of Mulberry Street Tavern restaurant

6. Mulberry Street Tavern

4.3

Awesome(611)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Des Moines

Booked 12 times today

THE COURTYARD IS OPEN!! Mulberry Street Tavern brings a fresh yet nostalgic vibe to Downtown Des Moines. Once a hub for the city transit, it is now adorned with rich woods, leather, and a zinc bar that create a warm and timeless social destination. The open-hearth kitchen produces shareable worldly tavern fare, hearty entrees and, hands down, the best burger in Des Moines. Looking for something..... well, more? How about a 12oz bison ribeye or hand made pappardelle with short rib ragout. Enjoy perfect classic cocktails, eclectic award-winning wines, and interesting regional and foreign beers on draught. As we are a quaint eatery, we do not accept reservations for more than six guests.

A photo of Tupelo Honey - Des Moines restaurant

7. Tupelo Honey - Des Moines

4.1

Excellent(697)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Southern • Des Moines

Booked 5 times today

Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains we call home. We craft brunches, lunches and suppers that bring family and friends around the table and allow for conversations and cocktails to linger longer than usual. Please arrive on time with all members in your party present. We will cancel reservations 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The combining of separate reservations will not be honored. We look forward to seeing you soon! We are currently closed on Monday's

A photo of Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA restaurant

8. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA

4.7

Exceptional(1378)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Clive

Booked 62 times today

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.

9. Bar Nico

4.7

Exceptional(103)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Des Moines

Booked 6 times today

Our restaurant's mantra is "Sin Maiz, No Hay Pais" meaning "without corn there is no country" as such, our tortillas are hand ground in house from heirloom organic Mexican corn varietals - made daily & cooked to order. As a result of our corn obsession, we have no flour in house & are a completely gluten-free kitchen.

A photo of Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines restaurant

10. Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines

4.5

Awesome(233)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Des Moines

Booked 9 times today

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Meghan
St. Louis •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Spectacular in every way. Service was absolutely top notch throughout. Food was delectable from apps to dessert - if you want a perfectly cooked steak, I’d make your reservation now and stop thinking about it.
More info
801 Chophouse – Des MoinesPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown Des Moines
•
4.9
R
Ray
Kansas City / Kansas •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Absolutely wonderful!!!!! The kids steaks were better than most adults will ever have!! Our steaks were cooked to perfection!!!! Hands down on the “gotta go again” list
More info
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - West Des MoinesPrice: Moderate• American• West Des Moines
•
4.5
A
Audrey
Iowa •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jun 27, 2025
Martinis are wonderful and the vibes are immaculate.
More info
The Stuffed Olive - Des MoinesPrice: Moderate• American• Des Moines
•
4.6
K
KelsiVIP
Southwest Florida •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 23, 2025
Amazing restaurant, delicious food, our server Betsy was so delighted and attentive!
More info
FreskoPrice: Moderate• Farm-to-table• Des Moines
•
4.7
D
Denise
Iowa •30 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 16, 2025
Amazing service, fabulous food and energetic atmosphere. We'll return!
More info
Eatery APrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Des Moines
•
4.8

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