Brandon’s guidebook
Food scene
W-Tao Sushi
400 Walnut StSushi in the Kirkwood Hotel lobby!
Quirky pizza joint serving late night pizza slices and delicious cocktails. Right across the street!
42 locals recommend
Fong's Pizza
223 4th StQuirky pizza joint serving late night pizza slices and delicious cocktails. Right across the street!
Best place in town for Vietnamese. Can't go wrong with their pho!
9 locals recommend
A Dong Restaurant
1511 High StBest place in town for Vietnamese. Can't go wrong with their pho!
Old fashioned smash burgers! Great burgers in this newer spot on Ingersoll.
7 locals recommend
Lachele's Fine Foods
2716 Ingersoll AvenueOld fashioned smash burgers! Great burgers in this newer spot on Ingersoll.
Delicious upscale dining. This place isn't afraid to get creative in their offerings!
14 locals recommend
Harbinger
2724 Ingersoll AveDelicious upscale dining. This place isn't afraid to get creative in their offerings!
*REDUCED HOURS DUE TO COVID*
Absolutely delicious mash up of BBQ and cajun offerings with a caribbean twist!
15 locals recommend
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman Rd*REDUCED HOURS DUE TO COVID*
Absolutely delicious mash up of BBQ and cajun offerings with a caribbean twist!
Bars
Specialty martinis and delicous local craft beer. Very intimate bar right next to the building!
11 locals recommend
The Lift
222 4th StSpecialty martinis and delicous local craft beer. Very intimate bar right next to the building!
Best dive bar on Court Ave. Hidden in the basement of Roca, it's small, it's dark, it serves beer. What more do you need?
Shorty's Somewhat Fancy Bar
208 Court AvenueBest dive bar on Court Ave. Hidden in the basement of Roca, it's small, it's dark, it serves beer. What more do you need?
Best place in town to grab a boot or try out a variety of German brews!
19 locals recommend
Hessen Haus
101 SW 4th StBest place in town to grab a boot or try out a variety of German brews!
The most famous bar in Des Moines. Can't go wrong with a great atmosphere and over 200 beers on tap!
25 locals recommend
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd StThe most famous bar in Des Moines. Can't go wrong with a great atmosphere and over 200 beers on tap!
A tropical oasis in the East Village! Very fun and relaxing atmosphere and tons of tropical cocktails to choose from.
9 locals recommend
Bellhop
440 E Grand AveA tropical oasis in the East Village! Very fun and relaxing atmosphere and tons of tropical cocktails to choose from.
Creative cocktails, craft beer & wine served in a chill space decorated like a '70s-era living room.
14 locals recommend
Hello, Marjorie
717 Locust StCreative cocktails, craft beer & wine served in a chill space decorated like a '70s-era living room.
Brewery
Terrific selection of locally made beers in a very laid back tap room. Take advantage of the huge amount of outdoor seating and food trucks when the weather's warm!
25 locals recommend
Confluence Brewing Company
1235 Thomas Beck RdTerrific selection of locally made beers in a very laid back tap room. Take advantage of the huge amount of outdoor seating and food trucks when the weather's warm!
Sightseeing
Great place to stretch out the legs and enjoy the weather!
78 locals recommend
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
1330 Grand AveGreat place to stretch out the legs and enjoy the weather!