Harbinger ★ 4.7
A vegetable-forward small-plates restaurant drawing on the chef's travels through southeast Asia, with a menu that follows the seasons and the farmers
SignatureSeasonal chef's tasting menu, Southeast Asian-inflected small plates
Restaurants in The Avenues
Eatery A ★ 4.1
A rustic neighbourhood room in the Avenues with a large patio and a wood-fired oven, channelling herbs and spices from Spain, Italy, Morocco and Egypt.
SignatureWood-fired pizza, Mediterranean small plates
Fine Dining in The Avenues
Harbinger ★ 4.7
The most ambitious vegetable-focused kitchen in Iowa, with a rotating daily menu shaped by what the market brings and Southeast Asian spice work.
BookBook via Tock, 1-2 weeks ahead
Casual Dining in The Avenues
Eatery A ★ 4.1
Wood-fired pizza and Mediterranean small plates with strong local sourcing on Ingersoll; one of Des Moines' most reliably good neighbourhood restaurants.
SignatureWood-fired pizza, Mediterranean small plates
Cafés in The Avenues
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure ★ 4.4
Des Moines' longest-running specialty roaster, small-batch roasting on-site since 1993. The Ingersoll Avenue room is decorated with artifacts, textiles
DrinkSmall-batch roasted espresso
Chain and Spoke ★ 4.1
Combined coffee shop and bicycle repair studio with bright, airy design and specialty espresso drinks; one of Des Moines' more characterful cafe experiences.
DrinkSpecialty lattes
Bakeries in The Avenues
La Mie Bakery ★ 4.6
Widely cited as Des Moines' finest bakery, La Mie has been producing classic European breads and viennoiserie on 42nd Street since the early 1990s.
Worth the queueCroissants and rustic sourdough loaves
Bauder Pharmacy Soda Fountain ★ 4.3
Bauder Pharmacy, founded in 1916, has paired a working pharmacy with a vintage soda fountain and bakery counter on Ingersoll Avenue since the 1920s.
Worth the queueCherry phosphates and house-baked goods
Maxie's Pastry Studio ★ 4.0
Pastry studio near Drake University producing excellent croissants, quiche and rotating seasonal tarts; the tart rotation follows the weekly market produce.
Worth the queueCroissants and tarts
Coffee Roasters in The Avenues
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure ★ 4.5
Des Moines' oldest specialty roaster since 1993; small-batch roasting on Ingersoll Avenue with a travel-themed cafe and artefacts from coffee-growing regions.
Wine Bars in The Avenues
Louie's Wine Dive ★ 4.3
The Des Moines anchor of this regional wine bar concept, Louie's Wine Dive pairs an accessible, globally sourced by-the-glass programme with shareable
WineGlobal by-the-glass programme; natural wine section
Harbinger Wine List ★ 4.6
Harbinger's wine list is anchored in natural, low-intervention European producers; the best farm-to-table drinking experience in Des Moines.
WineNatural, biodynamic and low-intervention wines; primarily European
Markets in The Avenues
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure Retail ★ 4.4
Zanzibar's Ingersoll cafe doubles as retail outlet for its small-batch roasting; whole beans by the bag and artefacts from coffee-producing origin countries.
Budget Eats in The Avenues
La Mie Bakery ★ 4.5
The city's finest bakery doubles as one of its best cheap eats: a croissant, a filled pastry or a slice of quiche alongside a coffee is one of the great
Brunch in The Avenues
Louie's Wine Dive Sunday Brunch ★ 4.2
The Sunday brunch programme at Louie's Wine Dive opens at 09:00 with a brunch menu built for the wine bar format: light plates, avocado toast, charcuterie
Book food experiences in Des Moines
Guided tour · 1 hour
The Deadly Dirge of Des Moines Ghost Tour
Uncover the eerie secrets of Des Moines with our captivating ghost tour, where you'll wander through the city's most haunted and historic sites under the cover of night.
from$24 Check dates