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
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!

Clyde’s Fine Diner
Don’t let the word diner fool you! This ritzy restaurant has an upscale vibe while serving up reimagined diner classics. 

Mulberry Street Tavern 
Chef-inspired traditional fare, located inside the Surety Hotel in Downtown Des Moines' Western Gateway district. 

Secret Admirer
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!).

Zavy Kitchen
Find authentic Vietnamese fare from the same people that brought you Pho Real. Located in the Historic East Village! The Broken Rice entrée is a favorite — try it!

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.   

Gateway Market + Café
Serving up soup, salad, sandwiches, burgers, noodles and lots more — 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?

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab 
Try the crazy combination smashed burgers, fries and themed milkshakes (kids will love the cereal shake!). Be sure to pop inside for a photo op with the coolest zombies around ( you won't regret it!)

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. 

Juniper Moon
This place on Ingersoll near the Sherman Hill neighborhood offers beer, wine, cocktails and snack plates. Make it a must-try on your summer Downtown Des Moines patio bucket list! 

Lua Brewing 
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. 

Rita’s Cantina 
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!

Singlespeed Brewery 
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!

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 
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.

Buzzard Billy’s 
Just a few steps from the Iowa Events Center, grab a bite of New Orleans grub before a concert, convention or sporting event. 

Exile Brewing Co. 
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!

Park Street Kitchen & Bar 
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.

Photo Credit: Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern 
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: Every Tuesday night is trivia night at Truman's!)