Vegan + Vegetarian Restaurants Across Greater Des Moines
This article includes interviews with the following DSM Fellowship Cohorts:
Sagar Tallapragada: As a child growing up in India, a land where vegetarian food reigns supreme, I never quite understood the concept of limited meatless options. Fresh, delicious vegetarian food was simply the norm. My work has taken me all over the world, exposing me to a vast array of culinary experiences. However, finding satisfying plant-based options wasn’t always easy. Moving from the Bay Area, a vegan paradise with Michelin-starred plant-based delights, to Des Moines, it was a bit of a culture shock. (Exactly like “Inside Out,” the movie where the protagonist moves from Midwest to Bay Area. My case is the opposite!) Growing up in a country with the world's highest number of vegetarians, I felt a pang of disappointment. While Greater Des Moines' (DSM’s) vegan and vegetarian scene might still be blossoming, I can assure you all hope is not lost.
Kate Weiss: While I am not vegan/vegetarian full-time, like my friend Sagar, I often enjoy a good vegan or vegetarian meal. When I moved to DSM in 2016 there were not a lot of restaurants that had these options. The places that did offer vegetarian options were often flavorless and unappetizing. Now eight years later, there are more than double the number of restaurants that offer mouthwatering, delicious and satisfying vegan and vegetarian food.
With some research and friendly recommendations together, we unearthed a surprising bounty of delicious vegan and vegetarian options right here in DSM. This post is our way of sharing these hidden gems, a resource for anyone not only vegans/vegetarians but seeking vibrant, flavorful plant-based eats in the Midwest. So, ditch the preconceived notions — DSM has a delightful vegetarian and vegan scene waiting to be discovered!
We hope you enjoy it!
Vegan
These restaurants are predominantly vegan. (They may have some vegetarian options.)
Des Fresh
520 SW 9th St., Ste. 116, Des Moines, IA 50309
facebook.com/des.fresh.foods
American
Veggie Thumper
Food Truck
veggiethumper.com
American
Vegetarian
These restaurants are Vegetarian. (They may have some vegan options.)
Ritual Café
1301 Locust St., Ste. D, (Located on 13th Street between Grand Avenue & Locust Street), Des Moines, IA 50309
ritualcafedsmiowa.net
Café
Vegan/Vegetarian Options Available
These restaurants have vegan or vegetarian options on their menus but are great choices for serving vegetarian and non-vegetarians.
A Dong Restaurant
1511 High St., Des Moines, IA 50309
adongrestaurant.com
Vietnamese
All Pho You
4120 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
allphoyoudsm.com
Vietnamese
Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery – Indian Restaurant
5910 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA 50266
thechowrastha.com
Indian
Fong's Pizza
223 4th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
fongspizza.com
Pizza
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
316 Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309
order.bluesushisakegrill.com/menu/blue-sushi-sake-grill-des-moines
Sushi/Japanese
Dough Co. Pizza
2330 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
doughcodsm.com/pages/menu
Pizza
India Star
5514 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310
indiastardm.com/menu.php
Indian
Z'Mariks Noodle Café
12655 University Ave., Clive, IA 50325
zmariks.com
Global Menu
Persis Biryani Indian Grill
6925 Mills Civic Parkway #142, West Des Moines, IA 50266
persisbiryaniindiangrill.com
Indian
Bawarchi Indian Grill & Bar - Des Moines
6630 Mills Civic Parkway, Ste. 3102, West Des Moines, IA 50266
bawarchidesmoines.com
Indian
Kathmandu Restaurant
7229 Apple Valley, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
facebook.com/neupanethakur
Nepalese
Lucky Lotus
2721 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
luckylotusdsm.com
Southeast Asian
Fresko
909 Locust St., Ste. 103, Des Moines, IA 50309
freskodsm.com
Mediterranean
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
gatewaymarket.com
Deli
Ninja Sushi Ramen
765 SE Alice's Road, Waukee, IA 50263
ninjawaukee.com
Japanese
Blaze Pizza
300 W. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50309
blazepizza.com
Pizza
Hana Ramen Sushi
7450 Bridgewood Blvd., Ste. 205, West Des Moines, IA 50266
hanaramensushi.com
Japanese
Bubba
200 10th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
bubbadsm.com/food/dinner
Southern (American)
Gusto Pizza
2301 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
gustopizzaco.com
Pizza
Harbinger
2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
harbingerdsm.com
American
Gursha Ethiopian Grill
2316 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
gurshaiowa.com
Ethiopian
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312
eateryadsm.com
American
Bar Nico
428 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
barnicodsm.com
American
Pho 515
801 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50314
pho515.com
Vietnamese
Thai Flavors
1254 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50312
thaiflavorsiowa.com/des-moines-east-14th-location
Thai
Fernando’s Mexican Grill
700 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
fernandosmxgrill.com/visit
Mexican
Nosh Café & Eatery
424 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
nosh-eats.com
Juice/Smoothies/Café
Open Sesame
313 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
opensesameiowa.com
Lebanese
Centro Des Moines
1003 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
centrodesmoines.com
American
Desserts
These restaurants serve vegan option desserts.
Monarca Paletas
9901 University Ave., Ste. 150, Clive, IA 50325
monarcapaletas.com
Ice Cream
Black Cat Ice Cream
2511 Cottage Grove Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311
blackcaticecream.com
Ice Cream
Totally Rolled Ice Cream
5545 Mills Civic Parkway #103, West Des Moines, IA 50266
totallyrolledicecream.com
Ice Cream
Home Sweet Cone
1188 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA 50263
homesweetcone.com
Ice Cream
El Michoacano
2922 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
elmichtacos.com
Mexican & Ice Cream
When dining out in Greater Des Moines (DSM), local restaurants, craft breweries, local wineries, coffee shops and more have this foodie scene covered. Find out more about the region’s most popular restaurants and new additions here.
Author Profiles
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Sagar Tallapragada was born and brought up in the southern part of India. After being a digital nomad for a decade, he finally found his home away from home in Des Moines. He is currently a Fellow with the 2023 cohort of the DSM Fellowship Program and is employed at John Deere Financial. Outside of work, he enjoys playing with his daughter and has recently developed a newfound interest in pickleball.
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Kate Weiss works for Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and is a 2023-2024 DSM Fellowship Cohort Fellow.
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Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.