Restaurants in West Des Moines
Loading...
Best Restaurants
“My family and I recently stopped at Smash Park in Des Moines on a whim for some family fun and food. The atmosphere was laid back and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor pickle ball courts and the arcade. Food, dessert and drinks were all crowd pleasers! And to go completely over the top, we left our blanket outside and Jerry answered my phone call, went outside to retrieve it from the bench where I left it, and mailed it back to me free of charge. In a world where kindness and customer support are harder and harder to come by, Jerry and Smash Park get a 10/10 from this family!!!”
“Fleming’s is our go to for special occasions! Best service ever!”
“A go-to cozy neighborhood staple that never disappoints. Amazing specialty cocktails, great juicy burgers and best salmon in town.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“My Mom & I dined here for the first time and the food is phenomenal!! I had the ribeye & she had the salmon, and WOW! From the delicious bread, to the salad, mashed potatoes & asparagus - seasonings were perfection! Your servers are also top notch!! We will be back!!”
“Delicious! Sushi and sashimi we have had has always been fresh! No kids menu but they had helpful suggestions! My kids eat sushi and sashimi so I didn’t have any problems! Sesame chicken is also delicious! Pad Thai is good! I love the Korean fried chicken “starter”… so good and the sauce is on point!!! 🤙🏽”
Restaurants with Delivery
“My family and I recently stopped at Smash Park in Des Moines on a whim for some family fun and food. The atmosphere was laid back and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor pickle ball courts and the arcade. Food, dessert and drinks were all crowd pleasers! And to go completely over the top, we left our blanket outside and Jerry answered my phone call, went outside to retrieve it from the bench where I left it, and mailed it back to me free of charge. In a world where kindness and customer support are harder and harder to come by, Jerry and Smash Park get a 10/10 from this family!!!”
“Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery serves delicious Indian food with rich flavors and great portions. The ambiance is cozy, and the service is friendly, making it a great spot for a satisfying meal!”
“This is our first time here and it was amazing! The atmosphere is straight out of the 80s/90s and being a GenX it was awesome! Even the menu was a flash back to the past. The food was phenomenal! Their breakfast potatoes were to die for and I don’t do hash browns usually. Chelsey S was a top of the line server. The only minor complaint was the hostess didn’t know if they served Pepsi or Coke products. Just seemed odd her not knowing. I would hands down recommend this for a breakfast place.”
“This is my second time picking up a poke bowl and milk tea from Gluck. It has been delicious both times! I have ordered the 2 protein build your own bowl both times and I'm figuring out my favorite toppings. It is a huge serving, I may have to get the 1 protein bowl next time! The milk tea with flavored bobas are very tasty as well. I have been finding myself craving a poke bowl regularly. I highly recommend Gluck Tea.”
“I want to give a shout out to Early Birds restaurant in West Des Moines. Kevin was a fantastic bartender. First time I have been here. The food was amazing. I love the atmosphere. The whole concept is great. The menu… too many things to choose from. I got the Cinnamon roll French toast. Delicious. And the Hashbrown holes delicious. It was great to get an appetizer before my French toast. I have to give a shout out to Kevin as he knows everything on the menu plus he has great suggestions for drinks from the bar! Will deffinately be going back again.”
“Delicious! Sushi and sashimi we have had has always been fresh! No kids menu but they had helpful suggestions! My kids eat sushi and sashimi so I didn’t have any problems! Sesame chicken is also delicious! Pad Thai is good! I love the Korean fried chicken “starter”… so good and the sauce is on point!!! 🤙🏽”
“I went to Super Quick Liquor Store the other day from a friend’s recommendation of the Krispy Krunchy Chicken and it did not disappoint!!! The fried chicken was some of the best that I’ve had in the DSM area! I got a biscuit and jambalaya and they were so delicious! 10/10 will be back”
“We have dined here so many times, I've lost count. Our favorites are the Chipotle fettuccine pasta, guacamole, salsa, flautas, the Las Alegres special, quesadillas, and of course, the margaritas 🍹. Small group or large, they can take care of your table without missing a beat. We will be back again and again!”
“Ordered online- no contact delivery. Pizza came 20 minutes before the time quoted and was piping hot and delicious!”
Online Reservation Available
“My Mom & I dined here for the first time and the food is phenomenal!! I had the ribeye & she had the salmon, and WOW! From the delicious bread, to the salad, mashed potatoes & asparagus - seasonings were perfection! Your servers are also top notch!! We will be back!!”
“4.8* (out of 5)
Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5*
Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely)
Total check/person: $40
12/06/2024
Our friends took us here several years ago and we really enjoyed the experience...finally getting the chance to return and found it just as impressive.
We started with drinks, including a Bloody Mary with Mezcal (see picture) and an After Midnight - both quite tasty. We then ordered Collective Wings (see picture) as an appetizer and found them so delicious that we were tempted to order more of them for our meal.
For our dinner, my wife ordered the Cubano (see picture) and I opted for the Squash Risotto (see picture). As we always do, we shared tastes of each both of us thought that both meals were good enough to order again and recommend.
A great place to eat towards the north end of the Valley Junction 'Strip' with an amazing atmosphere and fantastic service.
If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.”
“I came to Olive Garden to celebrate my sister’s birthday, and the experience was absolutely awesome! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, perfect for a special occasion. Our server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Now, let’s talk about the food—the chicken parmesan is a must-try! It was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and paired wonderfully with the endless breadsticks and salad. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and the dessert was the perfect sweet ending. Olive Garden truly made my sister’s birthday memorable. Highly recommend for great food and excellent service!”
“Had a small group (9pp) attending an informal Porsche car club pre-drive planning meeting at Biaggi's last night. I had made minor arrangements with Jeff Duncan (Managing Partner) and Whitney Webber (Event Planner) and they were most professional and accommodating to my requests. Pleasure to work with! The food and drinks were very good and and our server Tiffany did a great job being professional, attentive, and personable. The pricing of the menu items is surprisingly low to me providing an exceptional value as well. Highly recommended!!!”
“We had pizza at Gilroys tonight! It is the best thin crust pizza around! The margarita is my go to and my husband gets the sausage and pepperoni! Besides awesome food, the staff goes above and beyond!! Erica was our gal tonight She is a very attentive, Awesome server! Thank you Erica!! Keep up the Great Work!!”
“My second time here - great ambiance, service, good, & drinks. I’ve purchased items at the connected market each time. Very handy.”
“If you haven’t been to KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot in West Des Moines yet, what are you even doing?! This place is an absolute foodie paradise where you can grill up your own Korean BBQ AND dive into a bubbling hot pot, all in one spot! And of course we did both. 👨🍳 Service? Top-notch. The staff is friendly, fast, and always ready to refill your plates and recommend the best sauce combos. Our server Sarah B was phenomenal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 would recommend—just make sure you come hungry!”
“Had a small group (9pp) attending an informal Porsche car club pre-drive planning meeting at Biaggi's last night. I had made minor arrangements with Jeff Duncan (Managing Partner) and Whitney Webber (Event Planner) and they were most professional and accommodating to my requests. Pleasure to work with! The food and drinks were very good and and our server Tiffany did a great job being professional, attentive, and personable. The pricing of the menu items is surprisingly low to me providing an exceptional value as well. Highly recommended!!!”
Takeout Restaurants
“We had dinner there tonight and I also had one of the Iowa mules. I don’t think I can recommend this place enough! Most places either make the drinks too strong but they taste gross or not strong enough and you don’t get your moneys worth, but this was probably the best mule I’ve ever had. Also the food was delicious and on a Saturday night we had no wait!”
“As someone who was raised in Korea, the food at What Dak is authentic. The chicken is double-fried crispy with classic Korean sauce flavors. The additional sides (radish, kimchi, etc.) are just as authentic as the rest of the menu and serves as a great companion to the chicken. HIGHLY recommend.”
“I tried Mitzi’s for the first time today, WOW! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this place til recently! I had the tenderloin and fries and it was absolutely the best I’ve ever had, fries included!! The service was great and very friendly! I’ll be having lunch there again, next time the sausage sandwich!!”
“Every year our worship team (12-14 ppl) has their Christmas appreciation dinner here. Phenomenal food and great service every single time! So many great entrees and we’ve tried many items on the menu. We are well taken care of, excellent food and price. Meg and the staff are wonderful!”
“We always LOVE the calzones!
But owner and staff went above and beyond a few weeks ago. I had arrived to location and they were closing early, so couldn’t get pizzas. I had a baby with me, and sat in parking lot trying to search for next place. Staff came out and insisted to take order… then GIFTED me our entire order!! ❤️ Wow. So very sweet! We will forever support Rosattis! Amazing staff and ownership! Thank you!!”
“We had pizza at Gilroys tonight! It is the best thin crust pizza around! The margarita is my go to and my husband gets the sausage and pepperoni! Besides awesome food, the staff goes above and beyond!! Erica was our gal tonight She is a very attentive, Awesome server! Thank you Erica!! Keep up the Great Work!!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“The atmosphere and drinks are top notch. I can't say the same for service. Apparently it is acceptable to not ask if our group would like anything else AND for the tab to be tossed on our table while walking by? Yes, I am still that person that tips at least 20% because I understand we all have "off" days but that is no excuse. It would have been 100% if the service was there.”
“Best energy drinks EVER. I moved out of state and frequently come back to visit Hyper. Their drinks are amazing and I haven’t found anything else that compares. I highly recommend visiting. The one in Altoona is always spot on and the baristas are the kindest and very welcoming. Jet fuel and violet voltage are my faves, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover! Despite its small size, Valley Pub has surprisingly elevated food. Thanks to Alyssa, who has a knack for creating unexpected recipes that you want to recreate at home, this place brings all the charm of your favorite neighborhood bar and combines it with service you’d receive from your favorite Aunt. There are few places that come to mind when I’m looking for a fun night out with the familiarity of home… and Valley Pub is at the top of the list!”
“We always LOVE the calzones!
But owner and staff went above and beyond a few weeks ago. I had arrived to location and they were closing early, so couldn’t get pizzas. I had a baby with me, and sat in parking lot trying to search for next place. Staff came out and insisted to take order… then GIFTED me our entire order!! ❤️ Wow. So very sweet! We will forever support Rosattis! Amazing staff and ownership! Thank you!!”
“Our first time at Texas Roadhouse on Mills Civic Parkway.Our children had recommended it to us.Busy at 2pm Sat afternoon.Small wait.First thing I observed was the atmosphere.Very light-hearted and the employees actually seemed to really enjoy their workplace and the vast amount of patrons coming into eat. We were seated and almost immediately our server Maddi was there for our drink/ appetizer orders. There was some Birthday singing being done for various customer's special days.Food was served as soon as salads were done.Very nice salad almost like a mini main course salad.We had steak and barbecue chicken with steak fries and fresh vegetables.The dinner was excellent everything was fresh That was supposed to be fresh and the steaks were excellent done just right!!Everyone thanked us and wished us a good evening.I would recommend this Texas Roadhouse to anyone wishing to have a very good delicious reasonably priced meal.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Big Açaí is hands down one of my favorite spots! The bowls are always fresh, beautifully made, and packed with flavor. I love that they offer so many customizable options so you can build exactly what you’re craving — whether you’re going for something fruity and light or rich and satisfying. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and everything tastes amazing every time. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something delicious and nutritious!”
“The food was simply phenomenal. We went into the place thinking it would be mid, but we got the juiciest yet crispest Salmon Sandwich and the most flavorful Caesar Salad with chicken and our eyes were opened. My dad ordered a veggie pizza saying “the flavors exploded” on his tongue. We ordered two burgers and two cookie desserts that were also just as fire. We went here for a convenience but left with a completely altered outlook on this magnificent place. Oh and the music matched the vibe in the most synchronized and propelling way”
“Each visit is more exceptional than the last! Staff are amazing, the atmosphere is great, and our anniversary was well thought out by the club. Thank you!”
“Lovely restaurant for a special occasion. We celebrated our 40th anniversary. Wait staff was superb. Attentive, but not overbearing. The food was delicious. Melt in your mouth steak. Special chocolate dessert on the house for our celebration. Plan on going again.”
“Our first time at Texas Roadhouse on Mills Civic Parkway.Our children had recommended it to us.Busy at 2pm Sat afternoon.Small wait.First thing I observed was the atmosphere.Very light-hearted and the employees actually seemed to really enjoy their workplace and the vast amount of patrons coming into eat. We were seated and almost immediately our server Maddi was there for our drink/ appetizer orders. There was some Birthday singing being done for various customer's special days.Food was served as soon as salads were done.Very nice salad almost like a mini main course salad.We had steak and barbecue chicken with steak fries and fresh vegetables.The dinner was excellent everything was fresh That was supposed to be fresh and the steaks were excellent done just right!!Everyone thanked us and wished us a good evening.I would recommend this Texas Roadhouse to anyone wishing to have a very good delicious reasonably priced meal.”
Cheap Eats
“Visited for the first time and absolutely will be back! Drink was so tasty. My daughter got a macaron and she loved it & the man working also gave her a pin! Not sure if that is the norm but she was so happy and is now proudly wearing it on her backpack. 10/10 for the drink and customer service!”
“Amazing pizza. We don't often choose pizza when we go out but this was amazing. Nice snap to the crust, not soggy. Toppings were flavorful and plenty and crust wasn't too big. We had the BBQ Chicken.
Parking: This is in the far back side of the parking lot. Our GPS kept taking us to the front. Ignore it.”
“Couldn’t recommend this place enough. We had a wonderful time tonight for a work outing. Called and made a reservation a week prior. Decor, atmosphere, and vibe was phenomenal. Our waitress, Kennedy, was a joy to have—attentive, friendly, and upbeat! Food was delicious! I think that’s one of the best breaded tenderloins I have had. It was thick, juicy, flavorful, and delicious! And what a pleasant surprise to be able to play DJ Bingo while there! It was truly a great time! Will be back!”
“We love this place, and the food. We’ve Been here multiple times. But today 7-11-2025, we showed up at 9:10pm and were excused out the door because the front greeter stated to us that they stopped dinning at 9pm. The waitress in-front of him looked like she felt bad and was wanting to sit us down, but the male greeter gave her a grin. The Hours for this place is 11am-10pm. What a way to loose business right at your door! Very disappointed with this !”
“Popped in to see what was offered, amazed at the number of flavors to choose from of both coffee and tea! A great cup of dark sidama and sample of Peru to try later, and I don't think I have had better anywhere else! Initially mild, no acidity, but offering the rich flavor that only true dark roasts can offer when done right. I will be back, and have convinced friends and family in the area to try them out, too.”
“Great service, Abbi was our Bar keep and she was amazing. It's a smaller place but very clean and inviting! Great little place to unwind and enjoy friends or make new friends.”
“Went over the weekend as it was super hot out and the drink flight slushees hit the spot! A bit sugary but def recommend for the sweet tooth fans. The Strawberry Banana was really yummy! The only complaint was sat a drink down to play a game and when went back to get it a server had taken it away. Other than that a very fun time!”
“Kristine was amazing! We dropped in on a quiet Thursday evening with a crew of about 30 people. Kristine made us feel right at home and served each of us in timely fashion flashing a lovely smile. Atmosphere was cozy and the service was excellent. A great place to gather!”
Latest Reviews
“We had a great experience today Paul our server was excellent oh, you did a great job from start to finish really appreciate it is great customer service. My brother was very impressed with the Durango Burger said it was the best burger he is ever had in his life. My cheeseburger with bacon was very good as well took the way I like it. Appreciate the great service and hospitality and food that we enjoy.”
“I want to give a shout out to Early Birds restaurant in West Des Moines. Kevin was a fantastic bartender. First time I have been here. The food was amazing. I love the atmosphere. The whole concept is great. The menu… too many things to choose from. I got the Cinnamon roll French toast. Delicious. And the Hashbrown holes delicious. It was great to get an appetizer before my French toast. I have to give a shout out to Kevin as he knows everything on the menu plus he has great suggestions for drinks from the bar! Will deffinately be going back again.”
“We purchased a package deal as a Christmas present for our family. Went Friday night & we all had an absolute time!! Kaylie is who helped us get things set up & was there & made sure we were taken care of! She was awesome!! From age 65 down to age 6 we all loved it! Everyone was so friendly waiting on us & accomodating!! Thanks for a great Christmas get together! Highly recommended!!”
“Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery serves delicious Indian food with rich flavors and great portions. The ambiance is cozy, and the service is friendly, making it a great spot for a satisfying meal!”
Most Popular Restaurants
“We had a great experience today Paul our server was excellent oh, you did a great job from start to finish really appreciate it is great customer service. My brother was very impressed with the Durango Burger said it was the best burger he is ever had in his life. My cheeseburger with bacon was very good as well took the way I like it. Appreciate the great service and hospitality and food that we enjoy.”
“Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery serves delicious Indian food with rich flavors and great portions. The ambiance is cozy, and the service is friendly, making it a great spot for a satisfying meal!”
“Forgotten items 4 times in a row for to go. Manager guaranteed to issue a credit last time, said he would follow up but never did. My last order for to go was paid for with a gift card from corporate on Dec 7th, and yet another (premium) side was missing, and the rice had a hair in it (Definitely not one of ours). Eat in experience may be different, but to go is horrible.”
“I want to give a shout out to Early Birds restaurant in West Des Moines. Kevin was a fantastic bartender. First time I have been here. The food was amazing. I love the atmosphere. The whole concept is great. The menu… too many things to choose from. I got the Cinnamon roll French toast. Delicious. And the Hashbrown holes delicious. It was great to get an appetizer before my French toast. I have to give a shout out to Kevin as he knows everything on the menu plus he has great suggestions for drinks from the bar! Will deffinately be going back again.”
“We had dinner there tonight and I also had one of the Iowa mules. I don’t think I can recommend this place enough! Most places either make the drinks too strong but they taste gross or not strong enough and you don’t get your moneys worth, but this was probably the best mule I’ve ever had. Also the food was delicious and on a Saturday night we had no wait!”
“I came to Olive Garden to celebrate my sister’s birthday, and the experience was absolutely awesome! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, perfect for a special occasion. Our server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Now, let’s talk about the food—the chicken parmesan is a must-try! It was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and paired wonderfully with the endless breadsticks and salad. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and the dessert was the perfect sweet ending. Olive Garden truly made my sister’s birthday memorable. Highly recommend for great food and excellent service!”
“This is our first time here and it was amazing! The atmosphere is straight out of the 80s/90s and being a GenX it was awesome! Even the menu was a flash back to the past. The food was phenomenal! Their breakfast potatoes were to die for and I don’t do hash browns usually. Chelsey S was a top of the line server. The only minor complaint was the hostess didn’t know if they served Pepsi or Coke products. Just seemed odd her not knowing. I would hands down recommend this for a breakfast place.”
New Restaurants
“We ate here for the first time today and it is fantastic. Our 4 year old loved his lo mein, my husband's Beijing beef was perfection and I absolutely loved the hunan chicken. We also had the fried rice and crab Rangoon, both if which were delicious. We will definitely be back. This place is well worth a visit.”
“What a fun little Saturday activity! Fresh pastries and delicious cakes! Walk in, grab a tray and tongs and pick out as many items as you'd like. The staff will box your items to go at the register if not dining in. I did see a patio option too. Could be a great brunch or snack place too with lots of coffee drink options too. Go ahead treat yourself!”
“The staff is super friendly food is so good!!!”