Aura Restaurant & Lounge

12851 University Ave #400, Clive
(515) 225-6005

Recent Reviews

Andrew Feeney

Simply outstanding. Service. Food. Decor.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Geoffrey Dickson

One of our favorite places in the DSM metro!!! Excellent food, top notch cocktails, high end atmosphere, and the staff is professional and friendly. Wish I had a 6th star! Always make a reservation, it can be hit or miss with availability.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

shawn maloney

Very relaxed and inviting. Waitress was very helpful and had great recommendations. Wine menu is very good. Food selection covers alot of different choices. We ordered Mahi Mahi and Salmon. The meals where cooked perfectly and the sides complemented the fish perfectly. The cheesecake was very unique and would order again it had a creme Brule type of crust on top with a side of strawberry preserves. Overall a 5 star resturant with exceptional quality of food that we ordered.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Creme Brûlée Cheesecake

Chris Amend

Food and drinks were amazing! Service was great. Rack of Lamb and Tuxedo Bomb were fantastic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tuxedo Cake

Nathan Jucha

Great place. Sat at the bar and was treated well. Had tapas a little larger than expected but good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Truffle Frites

Anadia

Nice ambiance, not noisy. Good food, small portions for the price. Service was good, not great. Lamb rack had very little meat on it. Restaurants at this level, I wd expect more attention to details. Duvel beer sd be served on a glass. Overall a good restaurant, and I would go back.

FrankR

Another amazing date night at Aura!! Place was very busy and we had a reservation for 7pm. Showed up at 7pm and our table was ready within five minutes. Server was great and the food was perfect as always. Cephus stopped by multiple times to see how our visit was going. One of the best Espresso Martinis I have ever had. This is a must for anyone looking for a date night, a small get together or even a nice lunch.

Daniel Rincon-Perez

Reasonable price for delicious food. Everything was great, our favorite was the passion fruit sorbet. Our waiter Nick was personable and made my mom’s birthday just a little bit more special. Will gladly return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Creme Brûlée Cheesecake

Frank J Filippelli (Frankley)

Service here was unbelievable. The food was excellent!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Creme Brûlée Cheesecake, Wedge Salad, Ginger Pork Dumplings

RobinW

First time at Aura and we were impressed! All the staff was so friendly and helpful. I had the prix fixe menu for DSM Wine week and it was phenomenal with amazing wine pairings. The entrees are a bit pricey so my husband opted for a couple tapas dishes and helped me eat my meal. The Brussels sprouts were some of the best I've had in a restaurant.

L P

The service was excellent. My mother and I split a NY strip steak and Caesar salad. The salad was excellent and they split it on 2 plates for us. The steak however was tough and grisly. The manager had the kitchen make a new steak and sides so that we had our whole entree together and hot. Great and attentive service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Katie Hall

Place was fresh and clean-- liked the colors and the decor.We tried a couple drinks and each was delicious! Also enjoyed the fries as a compliment to the HH drinks.Thanks to Zach and Alex-- service was awesome and I can't wait to go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Justen Andrews

This place was fantastic. Food was great, ambiance was fun and lively, and the service was impeccable. Shout out to Samantha and Noah for excellent service and care. If you're looking for a fancy meal without the stuffy environment or pretentious staff, then this is totally your spot.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wedge Salad, Truffle Frites

D R

We met for a friendly business dinner and the service was absolutely outstanding. From making reservations to saying goodnight every step was a pleasure.The food was good for Iowa. Better than most metro restaurants, but not something I'd say was excellent.The desserts were very good. Well executed and spot on.I'll certainly go back, but not somewhere I'd frequent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Jesse Clark

Aura Restaurant and Lounge Bar, is a culinary haven that transcends expectations. The ambiance is a perfect blend of sophistication and warmth, creating an inviting atmosphere for a memorable dining experience.Off apps menu!The Beef Wellingtons were hands down a top dish of the starters, showcasing the chef's mastery in combining flavors and textures. Not a beef fan? Truffle Frites will put your mouth into a coma!Dinner:The culinary journey for me reached its pinnacle with the Filet Mignon (Deburgo style) you have to ask for this!!!! – a succulent masterpiece that delighted my taste buds with its exquisite flavors and perfect tenderness. Paired along with their mouthwatering garlic mash potatoes; I was in heaven!! (It does Exist)Let’s talk about Jacob, an experienced and genuine bartender, whose cocktail artistry elevated the evening. His concoctions were not just drinks but crafted experiences that complemented the gastronomic delights. If your looking for the best hand crafted Smokey old fashion here in Clive/ West Des Moines are.. Go see my guy!!From just watching from the bar, Nick a badass server deserves accolades for his impeccable service. Attentive and knowledgeable. His professionalism and genuine passion for hospitality truly enhanced the overall dining experience for the guests that filled the dining room. Ask for him!Overall! Aura is not just a restaurant; it's a symphony of culinary excellence and exceptional service. If you seek a gastronomic adventure paired with exquisite cocktails, guided by a team of experts like Jacob and Nick, Aura is the epitome of dining perfection.

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