Des Moines Restaurants and Dining

(Des Moines, Iowa - IA, USA)

Although Des Moines may not be one of North America's largest capital cities, it does boast a population of more than 200,000 and a very decent collection of restaurants and eateries.

There is a noticeable concentration of dining establishments based within the downtown district. However, there are also countless restaurants and fast-food takeaway outlets elsewhere in the city, often located along the busiest thoroughfares.

The centrally located Grand Avenue, along with parallel Locust Street and Walnut Street, is likely to be your first port of call for restaurants in the city of Des Moines. Here you can choose between seared sea scallops and duck confit at Django, brick-oven cooked pizzas and home-cured meat (capicola) at the Centro Restaurant, and pulled-pork sandwiches at Smokey D's BBQ, amongst other dining options. Close by and on Capital Square, Big City Burgers and Greens features a mouthwatering gourmet take on fast-food.

What to Eat

The traditional American cuisine that you are likely to encounter throughout Iowa is generally meat-based and reflects the state's past descendants.

Pork tenderloin sandwiches are extremely popular in some local Des Moines restaurants. This dish is made by deep-frying a breaded piece of flattened pork tenderloin and serving it up in a bun with pickle slices, being rather like a schnitzel and believed to have its origins from past German settlers. Creamed corn soup also often appears on dining menus around Des Moines and is especially popular during the chilly winter season. For food on the go, a loose-meat sandwich is hard to beat for taste and value for money.

Where to Eat

Situated on the western side of Des Moines city center, within the Woodland Heights neighborhood, is a further array of city restaurants. Eateries in this part of the city include the China One International Buffet on Ingersoll Avenue, where a huge assortment of oriental dishes awaits diners.

Nearby is the Noah's Ark Restaurant and Lounge, which features classic Italian dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti, calzones (folded pizzas) and thin-crust pizzas. Just down the road and still on Ingersoll Avenue is Taco John's, where a drive-through is perfect for those in a rush, together with the Sakari Sushi Lounge and its 'Happy Hour' specials.

Close to the Des Moines City Hall and the State Capitol, many additional dining establishments line East Grand Avenue, within the neighborhood of East Village. Trendy eateries here jostle for space amongst historic buildings, galleries and eclectic specialty shops. To the north, restaurants are also in plentiful supply around Douglas Avenue, Euclid Avenue, the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Merle Hay Road and University Avenue.