Maybe you've gone to the same restaurant for every special occasion over the last decade. Perhaps your favorite spot shut its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Or maybe you're just on the lookout for a new dining experience to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Whether you're trying to find your way out of a restaurant rut, just moved to your city, or simply want to try somewhere new for your next celebration, finding a new favorite spot can be challenging.
There are lots of components that go into picking the right restaurant for a special occasion. What the ambiance is like, which type of cuisine is served, what dietary restrictions can be accommodated, the price point, and even whether reservations are accepted are important considerations. Whether you're looking for cozy-casual or fine dining, Des Moines has a variety of eateries to choose from for your next celebration.
To aid in your search, compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Des Moines using rankings from . Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Some restaurants on the list may have recently closed. Bon appetit!
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1 / 29
#29. Akebono515
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (49 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 215 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3615
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2 / 29
#28. Chicago Speakeasy
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (125 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1520 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313-3010
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3 / 29
#27. Noah's Ark Restaurant & Lounge
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (163 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian, American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2400 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-5234
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4 / 29
#26. Trellis
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (74 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Soups
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-2854
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5 / 29
#25. The Stuffed Olive
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (56 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 208 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2204
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6 / 29
#24. Malo
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (234 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Mexican, Latin
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 900 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3614
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7 / 29
#23. Hoq
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (97 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 303 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1925
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8 / 29
#22. Hessen Haus
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (279 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: German, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 101 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4741
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9 / 29
#21. Christophers
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (84 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2816 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310-4099
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10 / 29
#20. Tumea & Sons Restaurant
11 / 29
#19. RoCA
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (120 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309-2208
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12 / 29
#18. Smokey D's BBQ
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (783 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Quick Bites, American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313-1701
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13 / 29
#17. Proof
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (131 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, French
- Price: $$$$
- Address: 1301 Locust St Ste C, Des Moines, IA 50309-2934
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14 / 29
#16. Lucca
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (133 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 420 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1910
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15 / 29
#15. Alba
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (187 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 524 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1918
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16 / 29
#14. Splash
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (285 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Seafood
- Price: $$$$
- Address: 303 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1705
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17 / 29
#13. Americana Restaurant and Lounge
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (283 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1312 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2920
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18 / 29
#12. Exile Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (343 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3420
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19 / 29
#11. Buzzard Billy's
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (309 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 615 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1764
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20 / 29
#10. Bubba
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (230 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3609
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21 / 29
#9. Eatery/A
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (294 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2932 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-4015
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22 / 29
#8. Tursi's Latin King Italian Dining
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (358 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2200 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317-2594
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23 / 29
#7. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co.
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (339 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Brew Pub
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 309 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309-2245
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24 / 29
#6. 801 Chophouse
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (298 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$$$
- Address: 801 Grand Ave Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309
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25 / 29
#5. Django Restaurant
26 / 29
#4. Skip's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (406 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4000 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321-2322
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27 / 29
#3. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (606 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Steakhouse, Italian
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 6800 Fleur Dr Double Tree Hotel, Des Moines Airport, Des Moines, IA 50321-3127
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28 / 29
#2. Flying Mango
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (344 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4345 Hickman Rd One mile East of Merle Hay Road on Hickman Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310-3352
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29 / 29
#1. Centro Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (990 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian, American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2805
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