16 american places in Des Moines we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Des Moines | American across every city.
Aposto ★ 4.5
downtown · 644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's Aposto occupies a historic 1880 Victorian mansion on 18th Street, with herbs grown on site feeding the kitchen.
Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company ★ 3.9
downtown · 309 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The original Des Moines craft brewery since 1996, serving reliable American food and a small-batch experimental programme alongside the house ales.
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The Godfather of Des Moines tenderloin joints. Since 1966, Smitty's has been hand-breading and frying pork tenderloins on a flat-top griddle using family
Drake Diner ★ 3.9
drake · 1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
An all-day diner with genuine character: eggs, burgers and daily specials at prices that undercut every nearby restaurant by a meaningful margin.
Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company ★ 3.9
downtown · 309 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines' first microbrewery, anchoring the Court Avenue bar district since 1996. Scratch-made food from homemade meatloaf to Reuben sandwiches pairs
El Bait Shop ★ 4.0
downtown · 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
A downtown Des Moines institution with a claim to over 260 American craft beers on tap and more than 75 in bottles, billed as the largest craft beer
Aposto ★ 4.5
downtown · 644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314
Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's restaurant occupies a meticulously restored 1880 Victorian mansion with herbs grown in an on-site garden feeding
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The most famous tenderloin shop in Iowa. Since 1966, Smitty's has hand-breaded and flat-griddled Iowa pork tenderloins using a family recipe that has
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe ★ 4.2
415 Main St, Ames, IA 50010
The original Des Moines-adjacent Maid-Rite, best visited via day trip to Ames, serves the loose-meat sandwich that is a uniquely Iowa street food
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab ★ 4.2
east-village · 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The horror-themed East Village burger bar operates until 23:00 on weekends, making it the best full burger stop at the later end of the evening.
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The most famous cheap eat in Iowa: a hand-breaded, flat-griddled Iowa pork tenderloin that dwarfs the bun. The King Tenderloin is under $12 including a side.
Drake Diner ★ 4.0
drake · 1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
An all-day diner feeding Drake University students on generous plates of eggs, burgers and daily specials at prices that undercut every nearby restaurant.
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab ★ 4.2
east-village · 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Horror-themed East Village burger bar with creatively named combinations, thick Angus patties and a milkshake programme worth the visit in its own right.
Mullets ★ 4.4
beaverdale · 2816 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
One of Des Moines' most-loved brunch destinations, known for its Bloody Mary bar with more than a dozen house-made builds, generously plated Eggs Benedict
The Breakfast Club ★ 4.1
east-village · 212 E 3rd St Ste B, Des Moines, IA 50309
Open seven days a week from 06:00, The Breakfast Club in the East Village is the most reliable all-morning option in the city's densest dining
Drake Diner ★ 4.0
drake · 1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311
The Drake Diner opens at 07:00 and serves breakfast all day, making it the most accessible brunch option in the Drake University neighbourhood.