Last updated: 2025-05-06
Des Moines’ culinary scene elevates dining from mere sustenance to an art form. With an impressive array of upscale restaurants, the city offers sophisticated palates an extraordinary gastronomic journey through meticulously crafted dishes and elegant atmospheres.
From the downtown elegance of 801 Chophouse to the refined seafood at Splash, Des Moines’ top-tier restaurants showcase remarkable local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques that transform every meal into a memorable experience.
Discover Des Moines’ most extraordinary dining destinations!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Des Moines
- 801 Chophouse
- Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
- Proudfoot & Bird
- Alba Restaurant
- Aposto
- Aura Restaurant & Lounge (Clive)
- Oak Park
- Mulberry Street Tavern
801 Chophouse
What to Expect
Proprietary in-house meat aging and selection process
Description
A luxurious steakhouse reimagining the iconic 1920s dining experience, 801 Chophouse delivers meticulously aged USDA Prime steaks and premium cuts. Their in-house meat program features hand-selected beef from the top 1% of US cattle, with custom dry-aging and an emphasis on exceptional hospitality from their signature green-coated staff.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: 801 Chophouse
Alba Restaurant
What to Expect
James Beard Award-nominated chef with imaginative market-driven cuisine
Description
Alba offers an upscale American dining experience in Des Moines' East Village, featuring inventive cuisine crafted by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Jason Simon. The restaurant showcases market-fresh ingredients in creative dishes like marinated hanger steak and pan-roasted halibut, served in a stylish space adorned with reclaimed ceiling doors and an inviting bar and patio area.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Alba Restaurant
Aposto
What to Expect
Modern classical cuisine in a historic Victorian mansion
Description
Nestled in an 1880 Victorian mansion, Aposto offers a refined dining experience featuring modern classical cuisine crafted by award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo. The intimate restaurant transforms historic architectural spaces into an elegant culinary destination with carefully curated dishes that showcase sophisticated technique and local ingredients.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Aposto
Aura Restaurant & Lounge (Clive)
What to Expect
Globally-inspired New American cuisine with expertly curated wine and cocktail program
Description
Nestled in Clive, Aura Restaurant & Lounge offers an elevated New American dining experience with globally inspired cuisine. The restaurant features an expansive menu blending influences from Asia, Europe, and South America, complemented by a sophisticated bar program with seasonal cocktails and a diverse wine selection. Guests enjoy an intimate, modern atmosphere with professional service and carefully crafted dishes.
Where: Clive | More Info: Aura Restaurant & Lounge
Mulberry Street Tavern
What to Expect
Art deco-inspired downtown cocktail and dining destination
Description
Nestled within the Surety Hotel, Mulberry Street Tavern offers an intimate downtown Des Moines dining experience featuring craft cocktails and contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant features a sophisticated art deco-inspired interior with dark wood accents and a refined bar program showcasing locally sourced ingredients and inventive mixology.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Mulberry Street Tavern
Oak Park
What to Expect
Seasonal garden-to-table tasting menu with sommelier wine pairings
Description
Oak Park offers an immersive fine dining experience centered around a neighborhood culinary garden, featuring seasonally-inspired dishes crafted by Executive Chef Ian Robertson. The restaurant showcases a meticulously curated wine program with over 25 vintages, tableside sommelier pairings, and cocktails incorporating fresh garden ingredients.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Oak Park
Proudfoot & Bird
What to Expect
Marble staircases and gold ceiling inlays in historic hotel restaurant
Description
Housed in the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, Proudfoot & Bird offers an elegant dining experience with marble staircases, gold ceiling inlays, and a grand circular bar. The restaurant serves locally sourced world-class fare including handmade pasta, seafood, poultry, and prime-cut beef, complemented by an award-winning wine selection and timeless cocktails in a sophisticated, period-inspired setting.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Proudfoot & Bird
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
What to Expect
Tableside seafood preparation and extensive raw bar
Description
An elegant downtown Des Moines seafood restaurant featuring fresh, expertly prepared ocean fare in a sophisticated dining environment. Guests enjoy intimate candlelit tables, an extensive raw bar showcasing daily-sourced seafood, and an impressive wine selection curated to complement oceanic cuisine. Signature tableside preparations and an open kitchen create an immersive, high-end dining experience.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
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