Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Des Moines.

Top tables

Aposto ★ 4.5

Modern American$$$downtownWed-Thu 17:00-20:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-21:00; closed Sun-TueBook 1-2 weeks recommended ahead

Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's restaurant occupies a meticulously restored 1880 Victorian mansion with herbs grown in an on-site garden feeding

644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314 Book →

Harbinger ★ 4.7

Vegetable-forward small plates$$$the-avenuesSun-Thu 16:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-21:00Book Book via Tock, 1-2 weeks ahead

The most ambitious vegetable-focused kitchen in Iowa, with a rotating daily menu shaped by what the market brings and Southeast Asian spice work.

2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 Book →

Table 128 ★ 4.4

New American$$$$95-115downtownTue-Thu 16:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-22:00; closed Sun-MonBook Book via Tock, same week usually available ahead

Seasonal American fine dining with a strong Iowa-sourcing ethos; the tasting menu changes weekly with Faroe salmon and Iowa pork the frequent anchors.

220 SW 9th St Ste 120, Des Moines, IA 50309 Book →

Lucca ★ 4.4

Italian$$$$60east-villageTue-Fri 11:00-14:00; Thu-Sat 17:00-21:00; closed Sun-MonBook Book via OpenTable, several days ahead ahead

East Village Italian with handmade pastas at lunch and a weekly-rotating four-course prix-fixe at dinner for $60. Refined without being precious.

420 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Book →

Clyde's Fine Diner ★ 4.5

New American$$$east-villageTue-Sat 17:00-21:00; Thu-Fri lunch 11:00-14:00; closed Sun-MonBook Reservations required ahead

The city's most talked-about recent fine-dining arrival, serving crudo, agnolotti, beef cheek and precisely constructed burgers in an intentional,

111 E Grand Ave Ste 111, Des Moines, IA 50309

Alba ★ 4.6

New American$$$east-villageDaily 16:00-closeBook OpenTable, a few days ahead ahead

Jason Simon's East Village flagship was nominated for a James Beard Restaurant Award in 2010 and voted Best Restaurant in Des Moines two consecutive years

524 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Book →

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse ★ 4.3

Italian steakhouse$$$south-sideMon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00Book Walk-in often available; weekends book ahead ahead

The canonical keeper of steak de burgo, the garlic-butter-herb filet that Italian-American families from the Francis Avenue neighbourhood invented

6800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321

HoQ ★ 4.4

New American$$east-villageTue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; closed Sun-MonBook OpenTable, same week usually fine ahead

Local Food Global Flavor. The menu rebuilds almost daily around what the city's farmers send in, expressed through a rotating cast of global culinary

303 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Book →

Centro ★ 4.3

Italian$$downtownSun-Thu 11:00-21:00; Mon 16:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00Book OpenTable, a few days ahead ahead

George Formaro's signature downtown Italian occupies a former Masonic temple and opens seven days. The executive chef, Michael Kolodzej, is CIA-trained.

1007 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Book →

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Fine Dining in Des Moines, FAQ

Where should I eat fine dining in Des Moines?

Editor picks in Des Moines include Aposto, Harbinger, Table 128, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.

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