See the 2025 Des Moines Register Essential Restaurants
What are the best restaurants in Des Moines? These entries from the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list won’t let you down.
Sherman Hill, one of Des Moines’ oldest and most architecturally rich neighborhoods, is also home to a vibrant and diverse dining scene. Whether you’re catching a show at Hoyt Sherman Place or simply exploring the area, you’ll find everything from romantic Italian dinners in historic mansions to modern brewpubs pouring hazy IPAs and serving up bao buns. This guide highlights standout restaurants within walking distance of Hoyt Sherman, each offering a unique ambiance and memorable dishes — from Vietnamese vegetarian spring rolls to bone marrow linguine and lemon ricotta pancakes. Here’s where to eat before or after your night out.
A Dong Restaurant
For those looking for vegetarian or vegan fare, A Dong has you covered. The cozy and casual Vietnamese eatery with a large vegetarian and vegan menu has been around since 1989. Start with bì cuốn chay, an order of two vegetarian spring rolls stuffed with tofu, lettuce, and rice noodles, or bò bía chay with two steamed spring rolls with shredded tofu, carrots, and jicama served with plum sauce. Then try cơm khoai tây dồn chay with a stuffed potato served with sauteed veggies and tomato sauce, or cơm tàu hũ ram mặn with tofu simmered in caramelized house sauce served with a side of veggies. Order a jasmine tea or Vietnamese coffee.
Details: 1511 High St., Des Moines, 515-284-5632, adongdesmoines.com
Aposto at the Scala House
It’s all about romance at Aposto at the Scala House, the Italian restaurant set in a Victorian mansion in Sherman Hill. Owner Tony Lemmo changes the menu seasonally here with cioppino stocked with mussels, lobster, and shrimp; bone marrow over linguine with caramelized onions; and gnocchi with acorn squash and local mushrooms currently on the menu. Order the osso bucco or Lemmo’s cavatelli for a truly classic dish. Aposot is on the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list.
Details: 644 18th St., Des Moines, 515-244-1353, apostodm.com
Lua Brewing
While Sherman Hill is the oldest neighborhood in Des Moines, some of the newer restaurants are giving it a new shine. Take Lua Brewing, a trendy brewpub with a spacious patio and modern interior. Fans adore the smush burger with two patties and American cheese, but try something different like the new chicken tonkatsu sandwich, Mississippi roast pork sandwich, or spicy bean and chorizo dip. No stop here is complete without a Sun for Miles, the brewery’s flagship IPA, or a Sonder No. 5 rustic Berliner weisse.
Details: 1525 High St., Des Moines, 515-505-2030, luabeer.com
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
This modern and vibrant taproom features a spacious patio with firepits and games. and event space. Start with some hot honey bao buns stuffed with fried chicken or smoked ricotta and Gorgonzola at Big Grove, then order spicy carnitas tacos, a Mediterranean pork chop, or a tofu poke bowl. Sip on an Easy Eddy IPA or West Main Wheat. Both pair well with a giant pretzel served with maple mustard and Champagne beer cheese.
Details: 555 17th St., Des Moines, 515-777-2337, biggrove.com/pages/des-moines-taproom
Café at Gateway Market
When everyone wants something different, head to Gateway Market’s café to satisfy every craving. Try a falafel wrap, cranberry chicken salad wrap, or hot Italian sub, or order a tofu banh mi, a vegan fried chicken sandwich, or garden black bean burger. The café also offers fish and chips, fish tacos, Cantonese stir fry, ramen, and pad Thai.
Details: 2002 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, 515-243-1754, gatewaymarket.com
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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