19 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Clive

“I wish Mandarin Grill was closer to my house - or maybe not, because I would be a regular to an alarming degree. I’ve eaten lunch here multiple times in the past month and still haven’t hit the point of “that’s enough.” If anything, I’m getting more committed and now I’ve started working through their Korean/Chinese specialty menu. Honestly, it’s been a very successful journey.

I brought my kids a few weeks ago and now they keep begging for a return trip. The only snag is I can really only make it for lunch - but luckily, their lunch pricing is super reasonable, so that works out in my favor.

I’m fully locked in on the spicy edamame and crabmeat rangoons. The edamame hits the spot - not too garlicky and not “you’ll taste this tomorrow” levels. I usually eat a few and then take the rest home so they can soak up more of that spicy soy garlic situation. Addicting midnight snack behavior. The rangoons are packed with cream cheese (not like other places that skimp on the good stuff) and are more savory, not weirdly sweet. So. Freaking. Good.

At this point, I’ve basically run through all their yellow curries - combo, beef, chicken - and even trued some fried tofu off a friend’s plate. I’m not typically a tofu person, but the sauce could carry anything. I’d eat it off a flip-flop if it came down to it (…not proud but just being honest).

A few standouts from the Korean/Chinese specialty menu: stir-fry potatoes, bibimbap, and kimchi fried rice. The potatoes are a problem - in the sense that regular potatoes now feel like a total letdown. If you haven’t tried potatoes this style, I highly recommend. Bibimbap is everything-in-one-bowl with an egg on top, and somehow it’s just as good (maybe better?) reheated.

I’m definitely forgetting a few dishes, but lately I’ve also been on a bento box kick at lunch - little bits of everything, which feels like the correct life choice for me so I can sample several things. Bento boxes are organized heaven, neatly sectioned off like a proper plate should be. 🍱

What else is on their menu that I should try? I’m making my way through the whole dang thing at this point.“

“tried this place out today, great service, amazing food will definitely be stopping by again!!“

“Amazing shaker margaritas, great authentic Mexican food and family-owned service that goes above and beyond“

“Great service and quick delivery of good, portioned food. Everything we ordered was as ordered and hot.“

“Absolutely Perfect Cut! All dishes were the finest portions! Loved the crab cakes and the salad bar is one of the best!“

“Picked up lunch here today. So good!“

“It's a nice little neighborhood sports bar! Food is delicious and the staff has always been absolutely the best.

Kid-friendliness: The staff has always been so good with my daughter who loves to chit chat about what's going on with her and they are so warm and welcoming.“

“These guys are amazing 2 months in a row had them prepare lunch for work meetings for about 40 people for the 1st meeting of the day about 30 people for the 2nd meeting of the day about 100 tacos and a couple large pans of rice was amazing fresh they sent us with a ton of their fantastic homemade hot sauce and containers for tacos napkins silverware and by far the best price in town. So humble they didn't even expect a tip. I was so impressed with how well they handled these big orders 2 separate times on the same day I will tell everyone nothing but good about this place and the hard working employees they have. Phenomenal job, prime example of how a business should be ran. Fantastic job ladies and gentlemen!!!! 👏 Amazing!! Thank you guys truly!“

“The beer at 515 is second to none in Des Moines. If they had a better location and some food options I would give it 5 stars. Although, I would say they are at least trying to get some food carts every now and again so it's worth the stop to have a delicious pint.“

“Amazing food and awesome service! nice quiet hidden gem in Clive! 10/10!“

“There is normally at least an hour wait but it is so worth it and I just always plan ahead when ordering from here. The food is always piping hot so you know it’s fresh! I get the dinner special with the Pad Woon Sen, pork roll and the soup! Absolutely delish and would recommend everyone try it!“

“I grew up eating The Other Place Pizza at one of the older locations, in Evansdale. I think OP Pizza is the very top of the line of Pizzas, and consider it the gold standard for how a pizza should be. Sure, I like other pies, but OP can’t be beat. Often though, lately, with my high standard, naturally I am disappointed at different Other Place locations if they don’t get it quite right. A little undercooked or over, not enough sauce, served a little too cold, crust not as thick…. Been a while since I’ve had the perfect OP Pizza. Well, today at lunch we went to the Clive location for the first time and ordered at 14” with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, black olives and mushrooms… and it was absolutely PERFECT! They knocked it out of the park! Crust perfect, sauce amount perfect, cooked to perfection, of course the toppings are always top notch. You know it’s good when you’re full and you just want to keep eating. Great job ladies and gentlemen at the Clive location. You made this 40 year old OP Pizza lover very happy today. Lord Bless.“

“Cool Basil has been a long time favorite of my wife and I. We hadn’t been there in a while when we stopped in for lunch today. The atmosphere was noticeably different. They were playing a funky smooth jazz music where every song sounded the same. I liked the previous light/classic rock mix much better. The staff seems to have completely changed since we were last in. We didn’t recognize anyone, whereas we were on a first name basis with much of the previous staff. The service was noticeably slower and less friendly. The food was still very good. I ordered my usual spice level 2 and it was very, very hot. Much hotter than it used to be. I’m just wondering if they are under new ownership or management because it is a very different experience from a year ago. I still recommend Cool Basil, it’s just not the familiar place that we loved anymore.“

“Such good food!! but please please please get a new speaker for the drive thru! My hearing isn’t great and some days I avoid stopping here because I know I’m going to get frustrated because I cant understand the scratchy drive thru speaker that cuts out all the time.“

“Best server I have ever had , hands down!!! Tamla was the servers name at Cracker Barrel, Clive iowa… outstanding!!!!“

“Nice buffet with lots of options“

“Our server Madelaine was great and so was the food. Looking forward to another night out at Outback in Clive!“

“The grill & food assembly line is at the front counter so you can see your food being made. We ordered the steak Phillys & rice bowls. The portions were pretty big and the taste was great. We ordered a side of fries that wasn't worth the price ( which is why this review is 4 stars) other than the fries, everything was great!Friendly staff and if you want alittle extra on the sandwich they don't hassle you for it or upcharge.“

“Their prices are getting too high. But the food is definitely good“