Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Des Moines

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Eatery A

4.8

4.8 (568)

$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

Denise

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Amazing service, fabulous food and energetic atmosphere. We'll return!

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (365)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hoq Restaurant! Experience delicious, sustainable farm-to-table dining in the historic East Village of Des Moines.

Top review

Ashley

Dined on May 24, 2025

My husband and I live out of state but are originally from Iowa. When we are back in Iowa we always make a point to eat at Hoq. The food quality, attention to detail, staff, and ambience is top notch. We are quick to recommend Hoq to everyone.

Fresko

4.7

4.7 (1247)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Des Moines

About the restaurant

“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.

Top review

KelsiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing restaurant, delicious food, our server Betsy was so delighted and attentive!

Alba Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (426)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Alba offers a creative culinary twist on traditional American cuisine. Dishes are prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients, the finest cuts of meat, and the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs. Our menu changes often, we invited you to join us to discover a new favorite.

Top review

David

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Great food and service. Chicken breast and salmon were perfectly cooked. Gnocchi is a signature dish and always good.

Destination Grille

4.6

4.6 (424)

$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

DonnaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great waitresses who attended our needs with respect and professionalism! Great salmon dinner with delicious cheesecake!!!

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (16)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Ankeny

About the restaurant

Located in the District at Prairie Trail, we pride ourselves on being both unique and inviting with an atmosphere that’s all about kicking back and enjoying the good times! The menu is built to satisfy every craving—from classic comfort foods to bold flavors.

Find us:
Ankeny, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Coralville, IA
Lee's Summit, MO
Omaha, NE

Top review

Elaine

Dined 6 days ago

We had a great time, fun atmosphere and food was delicious.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines

4.5

4.5 (233)

$30 and under

Sushi

Des Moines

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

Michelle

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Awesome happy hour! The three of us had 4 rolls, 2 alcoholic drinks, an appetizer, and a Japanese soda for less than $50. Cheaper than fast food almost!

Mulberry Street Tavern

4.4

4.4 (610)

$31 to $50

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Clayton

Dined 7 days ago

A beautiful setting but relaxed atmosphere with great food.

In Confidence Speakeasy

4.3

4.3 (39)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Des Moines

About the restaurant

For Large reservations or other inquiries please call 515-528-7733 x 4627 f=

SPEAKEASY BAR IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DES MOINES

Hotel Fort Des Moines brings the Prohibition-era feel to downtown Des Moines - In Confidence. Enjoy our hidden secret with a curated wine collection and crafted cocktails.
Enjoy your downtime in a unique casual setting deserving of the Great Gatsby himself!

Top review

Geoff

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Great place. Will be back again. We didn't have food but your survey forced me to answer that question. Great place. Didn't love that we got kicked out at 11 pm for a private party....that wasn't mentioned when we made the reservation. Very cool place though.

Tupelo Honey - Des Moines

4.1

4.1 (696)

$30 and under

Contemporary Southern

Des Moines

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful! I had to check to see my grandma was in the kitchen! Will be back

Discover more

Experience

Chicken Fried Love

Experience

$10 Cluck 'n Burger Special

Experience

10% Off for July 4th

Explore Diners' Choice best of Des Moines