Best Downtown Des Moines Patios for Every Occasion
Here’s your guide to Downtown Des Moines (DSM) restaurants with patios and outdoor dining for every occasion — whether you’re planning your next date night, family outing, meet-up with friends or dining out before (or after!) a big event.
Date Night
Grab your special someone and head to these Downtown Des Moines restaurants with perfect patio views.
Bubba
200 10th St., Des Moines
Look no further for Southern comfort foods: Fried chicken, crab cakes, gumbo, red beans and rice, collard greens and much more. Order the deviled eggs appetizer to enjoy on the patio and have an urban picnic!
bubbadsm.com
Clyde’s Fine Diner
111 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 111, Des Moines
Don’t let the word diner fool you! This ritzy restaurant has an upscale vibe while serving up reimagined diner classics.
clydesfinediner.com
Confluence
206 6th Ave., Des Moines
Confluence has got a new summer lineup perfect for a patio hang. Try the South Side Citra Blonde, Over the Ivy Czech-Style Pilsner, Long Ride Pale Ale and Light & Squeezy Lemon-Raspberry Radler.
confluencebrewing.com
Mulberry Street Tavern
206 6th Ave., Des Moines
Chef-inspired traditional fare, located inside the Surety Hotel in Downtown Des Moines' Western Gateway district.
suretyhotel.com/mulberry-street-tavern
Secret Admirer
110 SW 5th St., Des Moines
This cool outdoor space just thrums with energy! The colorful seating, vibrant murals and stellar views won’t disappoint. This would be a fun spot for first date drinks (or even a blind date!).
secretadmirerdm.com
Zavy Kitchen
111 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 101, Des Moines
Find authentic Vietnamese fare from the same people that brought you Pho Real. Located in the Historic East Village! Try some pho or a matcha smoothie!
zavykitchendsm.com
Family-Friendly
These fun-for-the-family restaurants with outdoor patios are tasty and kid-friendly too! It’s a win/win.
Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company
This staple locally owned restaurant serves up American comfort food with great views of its namesake’s Downtown district from its streetside patio.
courtavebrew.com
Gateway Market + Café
2002 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Soup, salad, sandwiches, burgers, noodles and lots more await at Gateway Market Café. Grab groceries at The Market after your bite to eat on this Downtown Des Moines patio! Might we suggest the fish tacos for light and yummy fare?
gatewaymarket.com/cafe-carryout
Zombie Burger + Bird
300 E. Grand Ave., #100
Try the crazy combination smashed burgers, fries and themed milkshakes (kids will love the cereal shakes!). Be sure to pop inside for a photo op with the coolest zombies around ( you won't regret it!)
zombieburgerdm.com
Groups of Friends
If you suggest one of these Downtown Des Moines restaurants with awesome patios to your crew, you’re sure to win major cool points with their Instagram-worthy drinks and epic city scenes.
Flora
Flora, another of Suman Hoque's restaurants in the Historic East Village — the other being farm-to-table restaurant, HoQ — is nestled within the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (pictured at the top of this page). It's a great option for friends to gather and visit the indoor and outdoor gardens, and you can county on fresh ingredient lunch options as well as brunch on Sundays.
floradsm.com
Lua Brewing
1525 High St., Des Moines
Your crew will love this spot nestled in the Sherman Hill neighborhood. With its Hawaiian theme, the food menu features ample gluten free, dairy free and vegan options. A kids menu is also available.
luabeer.com
Rita’s Cantina
401 SE 5th St., Des Moines
Specializing in Mexican food and tequila drinks, share endless bowls of chips and salsa or queso with a group. There's truly nothing quite like soaking up some sunshine while filling your belly with guacamole!
ritascantinadsm.com
Singlespeed Brewery
303 Scott Ave., Des Moines
Enjoy patio season at Singlespeed, where there's a seat for you and all your friends right off the bike trail. Be sure to order a pint of their tasty craft beer while you're at it!
singlespeedbrewing.com
Big Events
Hit up one of these Downtown Des Moines restaurants for patio drinks and a bite to eat before or after your next big event, whether concert, meeting, convention, sports game or festival!
Centro
1003 Locust St., Des Moines
For festivals and events taking place in Western Gateway, this Italian restaurant offers patio dining to enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown Des Moines! And with pizza that looks like this, you truly cannot go wrong here.
centrodesmoines.com
Buzzard Billy’s
615 3rd St., Des Moines
Just a few steps from the Iowa Events Center, grab a bite of New Orleans grub before a concert, convention or sporting event.
buzzardbillys.com
Exile Brewing Co.
1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
One of the closest Downtown Des Moines restaurants to Water Works Park, stop by before or after a big show at the Lauridsen Amphitheater. Home of the locally well-loved Ruthie lager!
exilebrewing.com
Park Street Kitchen & Bar
435 Park St., Des Moines
Located within the Hilton Des Moines Downtown and adjacent to the Iowa Events Center, try their upscale outdoor dining area including cozy seating surrounding a warm outdoor fireplace.
hilton.com
Photo Credit: Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern
400 SE 6th St., Des Moines
Before a show at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village, grab a slice of pizza at this Kansas City Chiefs- and Royals-themed restaurant with an outdoor patio porch — a popular destination with bicyclists. Pro Tip: Game nights during the week include Tuesday Trivia, Wednesday Music Trivia and Thursday Wingo.
trumanstavern.com
Mullets
1300 SE First St., Des Moines
Overlooking the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, catch a peek of the Iowa Cubs playing at Principal Park or bicyclists trekking the adjacent trail — all with the Downtown Des Moines skyline as a backdrop best viewed from the upper patio deck.
mulletsdm.com
Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Downtown Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to the Downtown DSM newsletter, packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects. Stay connected to the Downtown DSM community and help amplify its stories.