Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown Des Moines

Our favorite place to eat in Des Moines. Delicious food and great martinis.

Bar Nico is by far and away my favorite restaurant in the Des Moines area. Chef Matt does such a great job changing up his menu seasonally. He does such a great job of blending texture, flavor, spice, all into one amazing dish and the drink selection is incredible and innovative just like the dishes. His staff is also absolutely amazing and very hospitable and professional. Bar Nico does all of this while being 100% gluten free! If you have celiac disease or a reaction to gluten this place is the place for you! I know from experience a lot of times gluten-free dishes don’t taste as good or close to what you may have had before my celiac diagnosis. However, as I mentioned before this restaurant does not cut any corners, and the food is as authentic as it can be! Again, recommend 10 out of 10 times! We have gone several times and are planning to go even more! Hats off to chef Matt and his staff!

We’ve eaten here three times and it seems to get better and better. It was Valentine’s Day so it was very busy. Our server was efficient and polite. The variety of the menu always surprises me as Tupelo Honey is best known for their fried chicken and southern comfort food. I had the grain bowl and the spiced pumpkin bisque. I could have licked my bowl, the soup was that good. Several people in our party had the meat loaf and that also did not disappoint. The smothered chicken was another winner! I highly recommend this restaurant.

A great meal serviced by a genuine server, Christian. Our dinners were delicious and we ate every bite. Great portion sizes for a filling dinner. The wine we selected complimented our dinners. Overall a great experience.

We did not order food but had to rate it regardless. Great ambience! However, music MUST be soft jazz for a true speak easy, not pop or whatever was playing! Ruined the atmosphere!