The Continental

407 E 5th St, Des Moines
(515) 528-2300

Recent Reviews

Tyler Yates

The food was Spectacular! Everything was fresh made and the atmosphere was top class. The Avocado egg rolls were to die for. Not to mention Lexy my bartender made some of the best drinks in the metro and was so pleasant! 6/5 if I could

Angie McDonald

The atmosphere was intriguing. The music playing was good but soon became annoying as it was skipping every other word. We were excited to try to truffle mushrooms which were obviously sliced mushrooms out of a can drenched in olive oil and garlic served with 4 pieces of baguette. Next was the meatballs which were freezer burnt and the sauce tasted like it was out of a can. We also had the feta cheese bake, it was just Ok. Again the sauce was out of the can. My smash burger tasted like a McDonalds patty that had set out all day and was dry and hard around the edges. The fries with my burger were even a disappointment. How can you mess up fries! They were barely done and the parm was just thrown on top not even melted. The avacado eggrolls....so nasty!! The after taste was like dish soap. And I've never seen a chicken sandwich with such a skinny dry piece of chicken! All I could do was laugh. I can't believe how bad it was. Nothing like the Continental I used to love.

Kae’s Google Reviews

Was in for New Year’s Eve and it was a great time! Bar tender was super nice and friendly! Got a strawberries and whipped cream which were delicious. Also the espresso martini was delicious as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Kaelyn Hagens

Was in for New Year’s Eve and it was a great time! Bar tender was super nice and friendly! Got a strawberries and whipped cream which were delicious. Also the espresso martini was delicious as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Mari GuerreroRueda

I love this place. The lights and the music with the alcohol and the foood! The truffled mushrooms are delicious, with the queso fundido. They have live performances every Saturday, I think. I will be returning!❤️They are actually open today ?The 31st from 4-10pm

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sammy Seiler

This was a surprisingly bad experience. We start off with a very non amicable waiter/bartender who made drinks poorly and refused to remake them and made too many for others at the table and charged us for them even though we didn't order them and the mistake was on them. We then get to the service experience of being brought food and within 2 minutes of the last plate being placed, they bring the bills over creating the environment that we need to hurry up and get out. Food was fine but, so is a generic fast food resturant, really not much more to say. This was a lunch experience so, potentially the night life environment may feel a bit better.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

Loren Harrelson

Great atmosphere, delicious food, bizarre service. We went with a group for a holiday party for lunch. Started off fine. The waitress brought the wrong drink to one patron, and we told her it was the wrong drink and she said she over heard one of us talking about it and replaced it (but she still added the wrong drink additionally on our bill). One patron complained that there was no alcohol in there, Mojito. we all tasted it, but she just insured there was 2 oz of white rum in it. No new drink was brought. We were given checks as we had just started eating before we could really order more drinks. We felt very rushed. As we left, she started going through our receipts, looking at tips while we were all standing saying our goodbyes. It was bizarre and awkward. We all felt very rushed. She seemed inconvenienced and also seems apparent after reading other reviews, this is not an isolated issue. There was only one other table having drinks, so Im not sure why we were so rushed. The food was really good! Compliments to the Chef.To the owners response. The food can be amazing, but if you're unwelcome, overcharged, and mistreated, it's hard to find enjoyment in any of it. I gave your food and atmosphere 5 stars. Sorry you ran us out the door.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Pamme Frites

Taylor Rupiper

Prior to arrival we saw this place closed at 2AM online. We walked in at 11:15 (Saturday 12/16) and bartender (Rachel I believe) was extremely rude trying to run us out before 11:40. The worst bartender my group experienced in some time. I had planned on paying a $50 check all on 1 ticket. Good thing I did, because she told us it’d be a hassle separating more than 1 check for 4 drinks. Old fashions weren’t very good (we ordered 2) and vodka sprite I ordered for friend had no sprite. Not a good experience.

Service: 1

Jason Ludwig

Brought friends, from out of town, here to have some apps and cocktails after doing some shopping in The East Village. Loved the atmosphere when we walked in.. found a table right away.. sat down and then watched another group walk in behind us and seat themselves.. the waitress immediately gave the other table waters and menus. We patiently waited until we watched the waitress take the other tables drink orders. I then walked up to the bar and asked for menus. I was handed a single one. The vibe was just odd. I will say that the cocktails and the food were delicious.. not sure if the waitstaff was just having an off night but made us feel very unwelcome.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

Frank C.

If I can give it. A zero I would bartender just had terrible service and attitude. Says it closes at 2 and she just waited for us to leave and locked the doors it is 11. She waited there like a dog just waiting to leave like if you are having a bad day don't take it out on the customer. Sorry hope you have a better day lady.

Bradley Toussaint

Great food. Even better service. Lexi was great.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Spicy Meatballs, Pamme Frites, Flatbread, Sandwich

Jessica L.

I was excited to check out this spot but the bad service and poorly made drink quickly changed my excitement to disappointment. The frumpy white dreadlock bartender wasn't very friendly and made the worst old fashioned I've ever had. On top of that I notice him pocket all the cash after another customer paid with cash and left, definitely shady. This place could be cool if they get rid of lame service because it has a cool atmosphere and is in a great location.

Tajé Lusa

Great jazz music Saturday nights. Cool folks. It’s just my kind of vibe!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cody S.

Food is overrated and over priced. Service was terrible, absolute bitch of waitress named Rachel. Ambiance was strange to say the least. Also the place is smaller than it looks in photos, basically had to scream for anyone to hear you over the mediocre jazz duo.

Susan W.

Delicious! Great new location! Best lunch i've had in months. The tomato soup was creamy and perfect, the cheese sandwich on a lovely small bun.

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