Stop in at These 10 New Restaurants in Downtown DSM

As summer approaches, Downtown Des Moines activities and events are ramping up! If you’re busy planning which Downtown events to attend, keep in mind these new restaurants in Downtown Des Moines to try while you visit. Whether you’re craving Mexican food, a new breakfast or brunch spot or an Italian restaurant, Downtown Des Moines has a bite for you at one of these new places to eat!

New Restaurants in Downtown DSM

Allora Café

This new Downtown Des Moines restaurant is an Italian-inspired café inside the Krause Gateway Center (1459 Grand Ave., Des Moines), bringing farm-fresh ingredients to its coffee, lunch and dessert menu. You’ll find panini sandwiches, warm bowls of soup, fresh salads and pasta dishes to choose from. Try the “Roast Herb Polenta” made of crisp corn, seasonal veggies and drizzled with pesto, complete with South Union focaccia bread. LEARN MORE>

Bar Nico

Jason Simon has done it again! The well-loved-by-locals chef from local fave restaurants including Alba, Eatery A and Parlor has opened a new domain in the Historic East Village at 428 E. Locust St. This new Downtown Des Moines Mexican restaurant specializes in handcrafted fare paired with Mezcal, tequila and bourbon drinks. Several menu items will make your mouth water: “Shiitake Mushroom Queso Fundido,” “Duck Carnitas” and “Smoked Scallops Al Pastor,” to namedrop just a few. LEARN MORE>

SingleSpeed Brewery

The newest Downtown Des Moines brewery and taproom is now open, after much anticipation! Its location at 303 Scott Ave., with quick access to the Downtown Des Moines bike trails, makes this a great place to eat or drink before an Iowa Cubs game, after the Downtown Farmers’ Market or as a Sunday Funday destination! A robust food menu paired with their in-house craft brews will leave you satisfied. Try the “Pesto Watermelon Bites” appetizer and the “Umami Burger” made with smoked cheddar cheese, black garlic-balsamic aioli, caramelized onions, roasted tomato and crisped Parmesan with Umami seasoning. LEARN MORE>

Pura Social Club

Perched atop the Lyon Apartments building at 660 E. 5th Street, Suite A, in the Historic East Village neighborhood, this new restaurant in Downtown Des Moines serves a traditional cocktail line-up with a tapas menu. Additionally, find a full line-up of unique events like brunch battles, sing-alongs, karaoke, drag bingo, trivia nights, live music and more. LEARN MORE>

503 Cocktail Lab and Tasting Room

Located in the Historic East Village at 503 E. Locust St., 503 Cocktail Lab + Tasting Room is where you’ll enjoy cocktails and a small menu of delicious options. It’s open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is the perfect spot to stop into in Downtown Des Moines before a show at the Des Moines Civic Center. LEARN MORE>

Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club at 212 E. Third St. is open from 6 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and it’s got breakfast items like loaded hashbrowns, “Monster Cookie Pancakes,” coffee cocktails and other cocktails including a “Morning Martini” and “Cranberry Margarita.” If you want to try one of the newest breakfast and brunch restaurants in Downtown Des Moines, look no further! LEARN MORE>

Cinnaholic Cinnamon Roll Store

Also, in the Historic East Village at 505 E. Grand Ave. is Cinnaholic Cinnamon Roll Store. The plant-based Cinnaholic is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily and offers seasonal items like the “Razzle Dazzle Roll” featuring chocolate raspberry frosting, homemade brownie bites, chocolate chips and raspberry jam and the “Blueberry Blitz Roll” with lemon crème frosting, blueberry preserves and marshmallows. With treats this decadent, pop in for a cinnamon roll as dessert in Downtown Des Moines. LEARN MORE>

Dough Crazy

Located at 1220 Locust St. in Western Gateway Park, Dough Crazy is one of the newest dessert places in Downtown Des Moines, featuring a variety of edible cookie dough. Don’t worry, it’s safe to eat so choose a flavor. Dough Crazy offers “Cherry Cheesecake Cupcake,” “Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake,” “PB Overload” and even “Doughreos,” which are cookie dough-stuffed Oreos. LEARN MORE>

Fresko

Another new place to eat in Downtown Des Moines is Fresko, a natural food restaurant located at 909 Locust St., Suite 103, Fresko offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options like “Blackened Salmon,” “Golden Dragon Street Noodles” and the “Prime Filet.” Fresko is open seven days a week with varying hours. LEARN MORE>

Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar

The Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar is located in the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 1000 Walnut St. The Coffee Bar is open from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily, while the Wine Bar is open from 5 p.m. until Midnight Wednesday through Friday. Try a “Matcha Latte” featuring Rishi Tea matcha and oat milk, pinot noir or other offerings. LEARN MORE>

More Downtown Des Moines (DSM) restaurants are opening all the time. Don’t miss out on bakeries, brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner, pizza, seafood, bars and breweries in downtown. Here’s the in on where to eat locally in Downtown Des Moines.