This place is ok. It's not horrible, and it's not something that I am excited to go back and have again. Each time I have been, it's hit or miss. Even during this recent visit, I had the same drink twice. The 1st time, it was very tasty (Mai Tai) the 2nd time, it was missing the cherries and was very strong. People loved the steak deburgo and toast. I thought it looked unappealing, and the combination not great. Mashed potatoes on toast? It definitely was lacking the deburgo flavor and was mostly mushrooms and hardly and steak. It looked more like biscuits and gravy. I think this place used to be good and anymore, it's overrated and overpriced. It used to be elevated and have a good ambiance. I did like the skewers and the flatbread that had balsamic on it. So there's that?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Beth Van Zee
My daughter and I were having a fun night and stopped by RoCa to grab a bite before Les Mis. The drink, called aptly I dreamed a dream, was the best cocktail we’d ever had! Plus the Asian lettuce wraps and Fig and goat cheese flatbread were both scrumptious. Special thanks to the bartender who was so kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lettuce Wraps
Mark Brandt
My steak was cooked to perfection! The rocks margaritas are my favorite right now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sprouts
Scott Frederick
Fantastic small plates. Delicious drinks. Amazing staff. We love this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate H.
The restaurant was dirty the hostess was rude. The food was OK however, they only give you an hour and a half to eat. There was no one waiting in the lobby. There were seven open tables and it was unacceptable. I've lived in Chicago and New York and I've never ever been told that you have an hour and a half to eat and you have to leave because there's another table. They literally told us that they have to flip the tables- not gonna make it- very rude- anti - customer service. Pass- not worth it.
Llewellyn Anderson
What a great place. We had reservations and were seated immediately upon arrival. Our server was attentive without being overbearing. She was ready with recommendations when asked. I ordered the pork loins with corn & potatoes. It was all SO. GOOD. All 5 people in my group ordered something different and all said that they'd return & try another dish. Portions were large, without being huge.
Awesome drinks and the bartender was very accommodating when I asked for NA versions of drinks. Our brussel sprouts and flatbread were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ellen C.
Delicious food! Fun atmosphere and good service. Our group ordered individual appetizers /tapas meals for dinner and had them as a main dish before a Civic Center event. Roça is close to a parking garage and walkable to the Civic Center. Will definitely be back.
Brian Walker
I had a cajun chicken pasta. It was wonderful. The bar is really nice. The bar staff are great and interesting people. I had a great time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jacob Brehm
My favorite restaurant, went for my anniversary date 1/11/24. Same place we went on our first date. Unfortunately we experienced unprecedentedly poor service from a great restaurant. Mind you, this was an exceptionally slow night.The server took our drink order, brought drinks and our app. Afterward, the server disappeared and someone else ran our food. The runner disappeared before clearing any app plates or asking if we needed anything- fair enough it wasn’t her table. I suspect the food may have died in the window because my beef tenderloin and potatoes were cold. My partners meal was great though.I wasn’t going to complain about the food, however I did want a refill on my drink. Unfortunately the only drink I got was gone before my meal arrived and I was left with only the foul tasting water on the table. (typically the water is fine.) I was unable to ask for a drink refill or a new water because the server apparently had some friends come in. She caught up with her friends directly next to our table, while we ate our entire meal for 10-20 minutes. She hadn’t checked on the app, our drinks, or our meal. I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt her during her tangent but also, I am a 20%+ tipper with a bill well over $100 already. Seems they were fine with taking, rather than earning a tip- I was never that type of server. Most people’s money is hard earned and the restaurant experience is so important. As I took my last bite she walked up and asked if I wanted a refill and then rhetorically mummers how it was probably too late. I said “no thank you” and it was clear they understood they made a mistake, but they didn’t know the gravity of it. Things were so friendly and happy until we were thrown aside.She still received 15% because I won’t stiff someone period, but if there was ever a time I should have… I wanted 2-3 drinks and dessert and left with only one drink and a sour feeling, usually I leave feeling like royalty. This is my favorite restaurant, Chef Aaron has a menu unlike any I’ve had in this area. It is a real shame some of the wait staff doesn’t have the care he does. Hopefully when we gain the courage to return, Ricky is our server. He has always knocked it out of the park.
Friday night dinner reservation for 2 and we were greeted right away by the host and seated right on time. Our waitress Shay was exceptional. We consulted on the menu items we were thinking of and asked her to stagger bringing the items to our table so we could enjoy them one at a time. Seared Tuna was phenomenal. Sauces and wontons complemented the tuna and each bite was so good! The cheese fondue is incredible. Cheese sauce was perfect and everything on the plate was delicious (highly recommend). Steak DeBurgo toast was recommended by someone standing on the sidewalk. It was good, lots of potatoes & sauce. Would have enjoyed with a bit more steak. Still a good dish. Bartenders are top notch. The drinks of the day on the chalkboard were fabulous & expertly made! Make the reservation, this restaurant is a MUST!
The food was phenomenal. Had the Fondue and the Brussel sprouts were divine. The service was a little slow on refills, and the tables were seated almost next to eachother that it kinda felt like we joined a table of 4 right next to us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue, Sprouts
Kristin Neppl
Our company booked this restaurant for our Christmas party.1. The venue has a great, industrial, yet warm and classy atmosphere.2. The staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and accommodating.3. The food was outstanding! (and I am a tough critic, as I went to cooking school and am quite the foodie)We had a WONDERFUL time and everyone was very impressed with how perfect this place is! I am so glad I found Roca and would recommend to anyone that is looking for great food in the downtown Des Moines area. THANK YOU CONNOR!And I'm sorry, I can't remember our waitress' name, but she was flawless also!!
This place is ok. It's not horrible, and it's not something that I am excited to go back and have again. Each time I have been, it's hit or miss. Even during this recent visit, I had the same drink twice. The 1st time, it was very tasty (Mai Tai) the 2nd time, it was missing the cherries and was very strong. People loved the steak deburgo and toast. I thought it looked unappealing, and the combination not great. Mashed potatoes on toast? It definitely was lacking the deburgo flavor and was mostly mushrooms and hardly and steak. It looked more like biscuits and gravy. I think this place used to be good and anymore, it's overrated and overpriced. It used to be elevated and have a good ambiance. I did like the skewers and the flatbread that had balsamic on it. So there's that?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
My daughter and I were having a fun night and stopped by RoCa to grab a bite before Les Mis. The drink, called aptly I dreamed a dream, was the best cocktail we’d ever had! Plus the Asian lettuce wraps and Fig and goat cheese flatbread were both scrumptious. Special thanks to the bartender who was so kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lettuce Wraps
My steak was cooked to perfection! The rocks margaritas are my favorite right now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sprouts
Fantastic small plates. Delicious drinks. Amazing staff. We love this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant was dirty the hostess was rude. The food was OK however, they only give you an hour and a half to eat. There was no one waiting in the lobby. There were seven open tables and it was unacceptable. I've lived in Chicago and New York and I've never ever been told that you have an hour and a half to eat and you have to leave because there's another table. They literally told us that they have to flip the tables- not gonna make it- very rude- anti - customer service. Pass- not worth it.
What a great place. We had reservations and were seated immediately upon arrival. Our server was attentive without being overbearing. She was ready with recommendations when asked. I ordered the pork loins with corn & potatoes. It was all SO. GOOD. All 5 people in my group ordered something different and all said that they'd return & try another dish. Portions were large, without being huge.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Scallip Risotto, Sprouts
Awesome drinks and the bartender was very accommodating when I asked for NA versions of drinks. Our brussel sprouts and flatbread were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food! Fun atmosphere and good service. Our group ordered individual appetizers /tapas meals for dinner and had them as a main dish before a Civic Center event. Roça is close to a parking garage and walkable to the Civic Center. Will definitely be back.
I had a cajun chicken pasta. It was wonderful. The bar is really nice. The bar staff are great and interesting people. I had a great time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
My favorite restaurant, went for my anniversary date 1/11/24. Same place we went on our first date. Unfortunately we experienced unprecedentedly poor service from a great restaurant. Mind you, this was an exceptionally slow night.The server took our drink order, brought drinks and our app. Afterward, the server disappeared and someone else ran our food. The runner disappeared before clearing any app plates or asking if we needed anything- fair enough it wasn’t her table. I suspect the food may have died in the window because my beef tenderloin and potatoes were cold. My partners meal was great though.I wasn’t going to complain about the food, however I did want a refill on my drink. Unfortunately the only drink I got was gone before my meal arrived and I was left with only the foul tasting water on the table. (typically the water is fine.) I was unable to ask for a drink refill or a new water because the server apparently had some friends come in. She caught up with her friends directly next to our table, while we ate our entire meal for 10-20 minutes. She hadn’t checked on the app, our drinks, or our meal. I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt her during her tangent but also, I am a 20%+ tipper with a bill well over $100 already. Seems they were fine with taking, rather than earning a tip- I was never that type of server. Most people’s money is hard earned and the restaurant experience is so important. As I took my last bite she walked up and asked if I wanted a refill and then rhetorically mummers how it was probably too late. I said “no thank you” and it was clear they understood they made a mistake, but they didn’t know the gravity of it. Things were so friendly and happy until we were thrown aside.She still received 15% because I won’t stiff someone period, but if there was ever a time I should have… I wanted 2-3 drinks and dessert and left with only one drink and a sour feeling, usually I leave feeling like royalty. This is my favorite restaurant, Chef Aaron has a menu unlike any I’ve had in this area. It is a real shame some of the wait staff doesn’t have the care he does. Hopefully when we gain the courage to return, Ricky is our server. He has always knocked it out of the park.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Friday night dinner reservation for 2 and we were greeted right away by the host and seated right on time. Our waitress Shay was exceptional. We consulted on the menu items we were thinking of and asked her to stagger bringing the items to our table so we could enjoy them one at a time. Seared Tuna was phenomenal. Sauces and wontons complemented the tuna and each bite was so good! The cheese fondue is incredible. Cheese sauce was perfect and everything on the plate was delicious (highly recommend). Steak DeBurgo toast was recommended by someone standing on the sidewalk. It was good, lots of potatoes & sauce. Would have enjoyed with a bit more steak. Still a good dish. Bartenders are top notch. The drinks of the day on the chalkboard were fabulous & expertly made! Make the reservation, this restaurant is a MUST!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue, Seared Yellowfin Tuna
Friendly staff, good food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was phenomenal. Had the Fondue and the Brussel sprouts were divine. The service was a little slow on refills, and the tables were seated almost next to eachother that it kinda felt like we joined a table of 4 right next to us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue, Sprouts
Our company booked this restaurant for our Christmas party.1. The venue has a great, industrial, yet warm and classy atmosphere.2. The staff was incredibly friendly, helpful, and accommodating.3. The food was outstanding! (and I am a tough critic, as I went to cooking school and am quite the foodie)We had a WONDERFUL time and everyone was very impressed with how perfect this place is! I am so glad I found Roca and would recommend to anyone that is looking for great food in the downtown Des Moines area. THANK YOU CONNOR!And I'm sorry, I can't remember our waitress' name, but she was flawless also!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Its goodStill good 1/6/24
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5