Every season in the Des Moines dining scene brings its own delights, but 2025 felt especially electric. New restaurants are opening at a clip that even the most dedicated diners can barely keep up with, each bringing its own personality — and occasionally, a dish so memorable it lingers in your thoughts for days. At the same time, storied haunts across the metro continue proving exactly why they’ve earned their loyal followings, turning out plates steeped in craft, comfort and history.
Whether you’re exploring a buzzy newcomer in Waukee or revisiting an East Village icon, these are the dishes worth seeking out right now — a snapshot of a dining scene that’s as dynamic, diverse and delicious as it has ever been. Here’s a look at 16 of the best things we ate in 2025, listed in no particular order.
Butternut squash at Prime & Providence
Butternut squash, $17: One of my favorite fall dishes is butternut squash. Based on the name alone, you’d think this was a simple dish — au contraire. Bacon lardons, Prairie Breeze cheese, a little maple syrup, whipped ricotta and pepitas make every savory bite crunchy, creamy and a little sweet.Get it: Dominic Ianarelli at Prime & Providence is hitting it out of the ballpark in West Des Moines. It’s frankly tough to find a miss on this menu. Everything from the Japanese beef tasting flights and Black Label burger to the seafood on the towers and caviar and chips is perfect. Find it at 595 S. 60th St., West Des Moines. It’s also part of the Des Moines Register’s 2025 Essential Restaurants list.
Tavern burger at Littleleaf Luncheonette
Tavern burger, $18: I’m always intrigued when I hear that people waited in line for four hours to try a burger. Mallory Holt discovered the grind for her burger at Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn, dove deep on Reddit to find the grind, and now serves it at her restaurant. Unlike many of the smash burgers on menus now, this fat burger uses a 45-day dry-aged flank steak and hanger steak for one of the best burgers I’ve eaten this year. The fries that come with it are wedges of potato that are crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside.
Get it: In a year filled with exceptional new restaurants opening in the Des Moines metro, Littleleaf Luncheonette may have stolen my heart. The new restaurant at 405 Sixth St., Waukee, sits in the shadow of the grain elevators in Old Town. Come here for breakfast or lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. And seriously, everything is good, from the steak and eggs and breakfast sandwich with a sky-high fluffy egg to the fried chicken sandwich and divine tuna melt that will steal your heart.
Chopped cheese sandwich from Pizza Bar
Chopped cheese sandwich, $12.99: One of the coolest things about my job is learning about new-to-me foods. I lived in Philly for a while, basking in Philly cheesesteaks and debating whether Pat’s or Geno’s was better (I preferred Pat’s), but I had never heard of a chopped cheese sandwich.
I get it. Philadelphia is not New York City, where bodegas made the chopped cheese famous. I’ll also admit I was skeptical.
A chopped cheese comes with ground beef, onions, and melted American cheese on a hero or hoagie roll with toppings like shredded lettuce, tomato, and condiments. The meat is “chopped” on a griddle while it cooks.
I’ve never been a fan of Maid-Rites, even though I grew up in Iowa. This was getting a bit too close for comfort to a Maid-Rite. Boy, was I wrong. The chopped cheese is creamy and savory. I’ve been dreaming about it since.
Get it: The new Pizza Bar by Taste of New York is such a treat. Joy and Lou Savelli opened their third location in Pleasant Hill at 1225 Copper Creek Drive with new dishes, a bigger space, and even a game room. Here you get a sit-down restaurant experience. Get the chopped cheese and a slice of Basque cheesecake while you’re there. You cannot find this sandwich in the West Des Moines and Waukee locations. I’m a huge fan of their New York-style pizzas, too. The original Taste of New York is on the Des Moines Register’s 2025 Essential Restaurants list.
Birria torta from Tacos la Familia
Birria torta, $5.50: I could eat birria every day in all its forms, from pizza to ramen. After a recent Saturday Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market with my mom, I wanted a version that let the birria shine through. Savory beef and that consommé for dipping make this my second-favorite way to eat it (only after quesabirria). A nice relish of onions and cilantro is a great addition to this dish.
Find it: The Casa de Barbacoa should change its name to the Casa de Birria. Every birria dish, from the tacos to the egg rolls, is that darn good. Get these birria dishes at Tacos La Familia, 1610 Sixth Ave. in Des Moines. The restaurant is on the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list.
New York strip stroganoff at Alba
New York strip stroganoff, $30: Food historians guess that stroganoff originated in Russia in the 19th century with some French influences. The best guess is that the dish is named after the Stroganov family, a wealthy family who loved French cuisine. A chef for the family adapted fricassée de boeuf, using Russian ingredients such as sour cream and mustard. After World War II, the dish gained popularity, with some chefs adding mushrooms, different types of noodles, or even rice. This version uses New York strip steak as its protein with local mushrooms and pickled mustard seed, topped with crispy shallots on a bed of homemade tagliatelle ribbons. It’s rich, decadent, and worth every bite.
Get it: I like to do a spot check of the eateries on the Des Moines Register’s 2025 Essential Restaurants list that came out in June. This stroganoff is from Alba, the East Village restaurant at 524 E. Sixth St., Des Moines, that’s one of 31 on the newest list. This is a restaurant I would recommend any night of the week, and it is open nightly. Happy hour in the bar or on the patio from 4 to 6 p.m., steaks, great fritters, a delightful potato pave, and the Farmhouse burger, one of my favorites in the city, make this a reliable restaurant no matter what price point you have in mind. I’ve celebrated many birthdays at Alba.
Birria tacos at Tacos Mariana’s
Birria tacos, three for $10: Des Moines residents love to debate who has the best tacos. I updated an article about five tacos to try earlier this month, and readers lamented that I didn’t include their favorite. Truth be told, I didn’t include a lot of places in the metro, maybe because there are so many great versions, whether served at a food truck or a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Last weekend, I revisited one of my favorite dishes, birria tacos. I will always order birria when it’s on the menu, and these simple yet cheesy tacos are some of my favorites. These classic beef birria tacos come with the consomé, perfect for dipping, served on the side.
Get it: Don’t sleep on Tacos Mariana’s, 1305 University Ave., Des Moines. Sure, it’s tiny, as it should be. But some of the best Mexican food in the city is tucked inside this decadently decorated spot swaddled in the vibrant reds, yellows and blues of Mexico, plus stunning murals painted on the tables and walls.
Schnitz at Lachele’s Fine Foods in Highland Park
Schnitz, $17: Anyone who knows me knows that I always order the pork if there is pork on the menu. It’s always a good bet that a restaurant offering pork dishes knows just how to cook and season them. Holy cow, this schnitzel does not disappoint. It’s so good that it will make your grandmother change her recipe. This breaded pork tenderloin comes with a creamy Dijon gravy and mashed potatoes on the side, with broccolini and roasted carrots. Pro tip: take a bite of schnitzel with some mashed potatoes and gravy for a slice of heaven. Then schedule a nap after that comfort food implosion.
Get it: The new Lachele’s Fine Foods opened in Highland Park in February, and judging from the constant flow of customers and cars parked on my street, owner Cory Wendel has a hit on his hands. Do get up to 3619 Sixth Ave., Des Moines; you can’t go wrong with any dish on the menu. The restaurant just went through a menu revamp, so the schnitzel now comes with fried fingerling potatoes, carrot puree and sautéed Brussels sprouts topped with an apple-bourbon pan sauce for $18. Look for Fry Me to the Moon on the menu. Sadly, the steam burgers and beef and noodles are no longer on the menu.
Lobster roll at Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster
Lobster roll, $29.95: At one time, finding quality seafood in Iowa was difficult at best. Now it’s a thing of beauty. This rendition is served Connecticut style, meaning nary a hint of mayonnaise in sight. Instead, the drawn butter is the star of the show, with meaty chunks of lobster drizzled over hunks of tender and sweet lobster. Toss in a little fresh lemon and some chives on a New England roll, and you might think you’re on the East Coast instead of West Des Moines.
Get it: Out of all the dishes I recently ate at Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, I walked away with taste memories of the lobster roll. I was surprised. I did not think it would be that good. (I mean, everything was terrific.) Alas, it was, and I might need to return for another. In the meantime, Guesthouse at 9500 University Ave. in West Des Moines just opened for dinner on Sunday nights from 4 to 9 p.m., as well as the weekend blunch menu (brunch and lunch) and at lunch on weekdays. Also on the Des Moines Register’s 2025 Essential Restaurants list.
Laksa at Hawker‘s Kitchen
Laksa, $15.95: This shrimp noodle soup comes in a spicy coconut broth along with fish balls, dried tofu, bean curds, and a boiled egg. In Malaysia, the dish can be sour, but in Singapore, the dish comes with the coconut broth, served with a chili on a spoon that diners can stir in to get their level of heat in the dish.
Get it: Jennifer Vayding opened Hawker’s Kitchen in August at 1975 N. Ankeny Blvd. The street food from Singapore, Malaysia and other south Asian countries is fun to explore and not spicy. This is a newcomer to the Des Moines Register’s 2025 Essential Restaurants list.
Milk bread cinnamon rolls at Crème Bakery
Milk bread cinnamon rolls, $4: When you want just a little less than an enormous cinnamon roll but want a sweet bite for breakfast, go with this milk bread version. Cinnamon sugar and a cream cheese frosting make this a heavenly end to any meal, not just breakfast.
Get it: Sammy Mila’s Crème Bakery, 543 28th St., Des Moines, is an absolute gem. Yes, you can still find cupcakes and cake slices, but these dreamy rolls are the crème de la crème.
Honey suya wings at the Palms
Honey suya wings, $13: Walking through the parking lot, you can smell the jerk chicken being roasted over the grill. It makes ordering anything else difficult, but I steer you toward the honey suya wings, six winglets grilled and doused with a West African suya sauce. These spicy, smoky-grilled wings are marinated in a blend of chili peppers, onions, garlic and ground peanuts for a burst of flavors you won’t soon forget.
Get it: Amara and Dionne Sama opened Palms DSM with a mix of cuisines from Jamaica and West Africa. Amara hails from Liberia, while Dionne moved to Iowa from Chicago. The couple met while going to college at Iowa State University. They worked at farmers’ markets and pop-up events on their food truck before opening at 1905 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. Do try the braised oxtails for a savory and rich dish, or go with Alfredo jerk chicken that gives you just enough kick in every bite.
Lavender eggs from Masao
Lavender eggs, $13.50: If there is one dish that could make you dream about food, it’s this combination of lavender and soft-scrambled eggs topped with crème fraiche and caviar. The flavor will stick with you. The different combinations of creamy and salty caviar are life-changing.
Get it: One of the most anticipated restaurants of the year opened over Memorial Day weekend with a contemporary mix of Japanese and French cuisines. Nick Hanke of Waterfront Seafood fame took over the former Miyabi 9 space in the East Village and added his own flair to the menu with Masao.
Hanke brought on Phil Shires, a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2014 for his work at Café di Scala, which later converted to Aposto in Sherman Hill, to work on the French side of the menu. Hanke, who trained under Mike Miyabi, works behind the sushi counter. And the pair brings something completely original to Des Moines at 512 E. Grand Ave.
Mango or blueberry cloud cake at Tous les Jours
Slice of mango cloud cake or slice of blueberry cloud cake, $6.50: Tous les Jours is famous for its cloud cakes, named for how light and fluffy the cake is. The frosting is more like whipped cream. Mango is one of the most popular flavors. Both are also available as a full cake.
Get it: “Tous les Jours” translates into “everyday” in French, and the bakery and café certainly offers a long menu of baked goods that could bring nearly a different pastry every day of the year. A blend of French and Asian pastry styles anchors the 300-plus-item menu. Find it at 6880 EP True Pkwy. #101, West Des Moines.
Pork tenderloin torta at Judges DSM
Pork tenderloin torta, $18: What a creative take on the breaded pork tenderloin. This sandwich comes with a panko-crusted pork loin that’s topped with ham and Swiss cheese, a little avocado and mayonnaise, plus Bibb lettuce and heirloom tomato. It’s savory and crunchy, just like it should be, but with bonus flavors of creamy avocado, ham and cheese. I loved it.
Get it: I’ve been impressed with everything that comes out at Judges DSM, 208 Third St., Des Moines, from the hanger steak to the shoestring fried pickles. I love the cheeky décor. My only disappointment is that this sandwich doesn’t have a clever name like the Public Defender, The Verdict or Cross Examiner burgers.
Hot beef sandwich at The Empire
Hot beef sandwich, $10: Sometimes you just want a bite of nostalgia, and this dish delivers. It reminds me of growing up in Eastern Iowa and visiting my grandparents in Nebraska, where we’d always go to the greasy spoon in town. This diner is nice, though, not a spot in desperate need of a deep clean. The hot beef sandwich comes with pulled beef and Yukon mashed potatoes piled on a slice of Texas toast and smothered in beef gravy. It tastes like home.
Get it: Is it just me, or does everything Full Court Press touches turn to gold? Fong’s Pizza, the High Life Lounge, El Bait Shop, Iowa Taproom, The Royal Mile, and The University Library Cafe are just a few of the restaurant group’s stellar dining options. The Empire, 223 Fourth St., Des Moines, opened in the former Fong’s Pizza space on Fourth Street with a reimagined neighborhood bar and eatery that pays homage to the city’s rich past while offering a fresh, affordable dining experience.
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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