6 Limited-Time Summer Menus in Downtown Des Moines

These six Downtown Des Moines (DSM) limited-time menus with summertime features include fresh and locally sourced ingredients from around the region and Iowa. You’re going to want to taste these one-of-a-kind offerings before they’re gone!

Limited-Time Menus

1. Trellis Café July Menu
   July Special; Open 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., T – Sun
   Trellis is a lunch-only eatery located inside the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, offering diners a locally sourced and plant-based monthly rotating menu. The July menu features fresh and bright summertime foods including a tomato gazpacho and poblano pesto soup, kiwi and berry salad, BBQ pineapple and ham flatbread and garden pesto pasta. Trellis also partners with local Downtown Des Moines dessert-maker, Doré Bakery, and July’s desserts include a chocolate cheesecake with stone fruit, as well as coconut rice pudding with passion fruit and lime. A kids’ menu is also available, and all menu items at Trellis are under $15.
   WEBSITE
2. Bubbles & Birds at Bubba
   July Special; Open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. T – F; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat – Sun
   Des Moines’ restaurant known for Southern comfort is having a birthday this month! For all of July, enjoy a wing bucket filled with buttermilk fried chicken wings topped with a sauce of your choice (your pick between buffalo, honey hot or parmesan ranch) and two glasses of Chateau St. Jean bubbles. Cheers!
   WEBSITE
3. WineFest + Ballet Des Moines: Sparkling Wine Flight
   Wednesday, Aug. 3
   Head to Water Works Park for Ballet Des Moines’ Gravity on Tour Finale and take advantage of the VIP dinner and wine pairing. A picnic meal will be catered by Tangerine, plus a sparkling wine flight curated by WineFest Des Moines. Cost is $200 and includes admission and additional perks for the Ballet Des Moines performance.
   WEBSITE
4. Second Saturday at Proof
   Saturday, Aug. 13
   Proof’s Second Saturday is a blind tasting prix fixe event, with the next edition coming up soon! You’ll be served seven courses (five savory and two sweet), with an opportunity for wine pairings with each course. The menu typically features fresh and seasonal items as well as local ingredients. Cost is $100 per person.
   WEBSITE
5. DSM Restaurant Week
   Aug. 19 – 28, 2022
   DSM Restaurant Week is the perfect chance to sample restaurants you’ve always wanted to try and unique, often limited-time menu items at favorite eateries. Participating restaurants provide a prix fixe menu with lunch meals ranging $15 to $25 and dinner dishes ranging $40 to $80. A few of the Downtown DSM restaurants you’ll find participating in DSM Restaurant Week include Mash + MARROW, Clyde’s Fine Diner, Franka Pizzeria, Purveyor, Mulberry Street Tavern, Tupelo Honey and several others.
   WEBSITE
6. Summer Menu at Alba Restaurant
   Open 4 p.m. – Close, Sun – Sat
   Located in the Historic East Village, Alba’s menu changes often! Their summer menu includes tried-and-true favorites while also highlighting Iowa foods including upscale deviled eggs, not-your-typical marinated beets and a sweet corn bisque soup. The House Cut Steaks are all proudly local Iowa meats including tenderloin, short loin classic strip and pork porterhouse cuts. Don’t miss your chance to savor this summer’s menu at Alba!
   WEBSITE

Explore even more Downtown Des Moines restaurants and nightlife options, and plan your visit with these parking and navigation resources.