50 Best American Restaurants in Des Moines

“This restaurant notified us, after we ordered online for delivery, that they believed our driver took our order. They called to tell us that before we even had a chance to believe there was a problem, and fully communicated what the issue was. They remade our order and it was delivered less than a half hour after they discovered the issue. Superior customer service. Highly recommend.“

“We were in Des Moines for a soccer tournament and ran across you guys. I was diagnosed with celiac 3 years ago and you guys made hands down the best GF burger and tots I have had in 3 years. That includes better than in n out burger since you guys actually have a bun and they don’t. It’s also the best gf bread I have found in 3 years. I hope to someday make it back again!“

“BBQ Meatloaf was delicious and the service was good. Very cool decor.“

“Simon's is a charming and welcoming American restaurant that delivers a comfortable dining experience built around quality food, friendly service, and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. From the moment you enter the restaurant, there is a strong sense of warmth and familiarity that makes guests feel immediately comfortable. The restaurant successfully captures the spirit of a classic American dining establishment while still maintaining its own local personality and character.

One of the strongest aspects of Simon’s is the quality and consistency of the food. The menu offers a solid variety of American favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, steaks, comfort-food classics, appetizers, and hearty meal options that appeal to a wide range of customers. Rather than trying to be overly trendy or complicated, the restaurant focuses on preparing familiar dishes well, and that approach works extremely effectively.

The burgers are especially impressive and stand out as one of the highlights of the menu. The meat tastes fresh and flavorful, the portions are generous, and the ingredients are balanced well to create satisfying meals without feeling overly heavy. The buns are fresh, toppings are crisp, and the overall presentation reflects attention to detail from the kitchen staff. The restaurant clearly understands the importance of quality ingredients and proper preparation when it comes to classic American comfort food.

Another standout feature is the restaurant’s sandwiches and entrée selections. Whether ordering grilled items, comfort-food specialties, or lighter menu options, the meals arrive flavorful, fresh, and carefully prepared. Portion sizes are excellent and provide strong value, ensuring guests leave feeling fully satisfied. The sides, including fries, salads, and other traditional accompaniments, also complement the meals well and contribute positively to the overall experience.

The atmosphere at Simon’s is another major reason why the restaurant stands out. The environment feels casual, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming, making it suitable for many different occasions. Whether visiting for a family dinner, casual lunch, gathering with friends, or even a solo meal, the restaurant creates a comfortable setting where customers can enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The interior has a clean and approachable style that feels authentic rather than overly commercialized.

Customer service is also one of the restaurant’s strongest qualities. The staff are friendly, attentive, and professional, helping create a dining experience that feels personal and enjoyable. Employees interact with customers warmly and appear genuinely interested in providing good hospitality rather than simply completing transactions. That positive attitude adds significant value to the overall atmosphere and helps build customer loyalty.

One thing that makes Simon’s especially appealing is its consistency. Many restaurants may impress customers once, but maintaining reliable food quality and service over time is much more difficult. Simon’s appears committed to delivering a dependable experience where customers know they can expect good food, welcoming service, and a comfortable atmosphere every time they visit.

The pricing also feels fair considering the quality of the food and portion sizes being offered. Meals are satisfying, well-prepared, and reasonably priced, which makes the restaurant accessible for regular visits rather than only special occasions. In today’s restaurant market, where prices often increase while quality declines, Simon’s succeeds in maintaining a strong balance between value and quality.“

“Thanks Cheese Bar for the great food and accommodating our little one. she loved the kids cheese plate!“

“We were in Des Moines for a soccer tournament and ran across you guys. I was diagnosed with celiac 3 years ago and you guys made hands down the best GF burger and tots I have had in 3 years. That includes better than in n out burger since you guys actually have a bun and they don’t. It’s also the best gf bread I have found in 3 years. I hope to someday make it back again!“

“Excellent food and service! Prime rib was absolutely delicious!“

“We had Sam and Billy for our servers at the bar, they were extremely friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Our drinks stayed full with plenty of conversation. This is the reason we continue to come back to this hotel.“

“Such a cool vibe! Amazing food and service— will definitely go back again! 😊“

“Everything was phenomenal from beginning to end! The waitstaff was attentive but not overbearing, and our waiter in particular was so friendly and recommended the crab stuffed walleye, which was to die for! The environment was classy and intimate, yet casual enough that it felt comfortable and warm. The best part of the meal was the appetizer- the seared ahi tuna is too good for words, just trust me on this and order it! This was a great place to visit for my birthday dinner, and we definitely plan on being back.“

“the foods always great and very tasty..... old school iowa here and damb good“

“my husband and i eat here every friday, the food is always good, and the prices are reasonable. lehda, charlie and lumi are all awesome and take great care of us when we come here. lehda has most of our order memorized aside from our main entrees that we switch up. 10/10 recommend“

“Amazing food and at a reasonable price and not a bad wait time.“

“this is a fantastic place!!! food is incredible, atmosphere is awsome, and the owner is top notch. if it is a large group of a date this is the place to go“

“The gnocchi is a very memorable dish. Soft, fluffy pillows of heaven. I don’t regret eating the entire dish AND ordering the lava cake. Easily ranks in my top 5 favorite DSM dishes.“

“Grabbed a grinder after Chili on the Hill and it's sooooo good. Also, good people. I'm gonna become a stalker, hope that's ok“

“GIVE FRANCIS A RAISE!!!!!“

“I bring my mother to this Perkins each week. We both feel the food is excellent. I would also like to say any server we have is good, but I would like to give special recognition to your server Tracy (#131). She always makes usa feel at home, besides giving excellent service. Way to go Tracy ! Kevin Downs“

“I was visiting from Mississippi and learned that tenderloin was a big deal in this area.I was on a mission to find the best and I really believe I found it.Love the old diner vibe and the friendly staff at this place.I will definitely come back every time I visit family in the area.That King tenderloin sandwich is definitely hitting!!!“

“We took the whole family here for thanksgiving dinner. Amazing friendly courteous staff and authentic food!“

“I stop in here frequently at different times and I am always treated great! I'm greeted upon arrival by Audrey. Misty is prompt with my drink and food order. I go out of my way sometimes just to come to this Perkins on East Euclid! Keep up the great work!“

“I had about an hour to kill, so I decided to grab a bite. I ordered Chicken Tenders w/ Fries from somewhat a limited menu. The food was decent, and the price was reasonable for the portion size (which was surprisingly large). And, the service was superb. My server, according to my receipt, was Rachel.When I arrived, she was already servicing 4 customers (3 tables and 1 counter) by herself. While I was there, a few customers left but new ones showed up. At any given point, she was servicing 4 other parties but didn't forget to stop by my table several times to make sure I was doing okay. She was even courteous to a group of college kids who didn't necessarily have the best manners.Bottom line: I'd eat here, again next time I'm at the Des Moines airport.“

“A party of five of us visited on 1/8/25. We asked for a table in back as there was live music by the bar and we wanted to be able to talk together Our server was excellent - wish I had gotten her name Food was amazing - we got brussel sprouts, sliders, French fries w Parmesan, stuffed mushrooms, and spinach artichoke dip All came out timely and very good! We had martinis and all were very delicious and also came out quick I’ve been here about six times before and it’s always great Good patio area too Definitely a great place!“

“We had our wedding dinner tonight at Harbinger. Low-key, just the two of us. We were treated with such kindness and respect from everyone, including the chef who made concessions to his tasting menu for my wife’s sugar issues. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We visit Harbinger we are blown away by the quality of our dining experience.“

“Great shareables, margaritas, and attentive, engaging staff, with great game day VIBE and screens!“

“VERY nice place. Menu is interesting and preparation is PERFECT. Best pizza west of the Mississippi“

“We had our Holiday party there on Saturday January 20th. The food was good, and the staff was excellent.“

“We had lunch here yesterday, absolutely delicious burgers. Ate every bite, nice atmosphere. Yummy ice cream sundae to finish off. 10/10“

“We had an amazing time at Francies. The food was amazing. I had the steak and peppers sandwich and fries. The fries were so good.“

“All the servers looked happy and smiling. Our server Gavin was soooo nice!!! Would definitely recommend eating here.“

“There is nothing better than The Library! They have a great selection of drinks and beers, incredibly fresh and tasty food, and amazing service! The small, cozy atmosphere just makes me happy!“

“Loved the friendly service and the food was great...we will be back!!“

“Love Truman’s! They hosted us last night for my birthday celebration and they did not disappoint. They never do! The food alone is delicious, their menu has something for everyone, plus some unique pizzas that I have tried to replicate. (Theirs was better 😉) Their service is always great too. Friendly staff, always helpful, and the dude who hosted our party of 26 last night was awesome and made sure we all had a great experience and had what we needed throughout our time there. Thanks for helping make my celebration so special Truman’s! I’ll be back soon!“

“Tiffany is an absolute joy of a server. We took our 4 kids here and she was very friendly with them, they quite enjoyed their meals, she brought extra chocolate milks for them. She gave lots of options and opinions on drink choices, which is very nice that they understand what they serve. Our food was absolutely delicious, very nice menu choices.“

“What a great atmosphere and the food was amazing. Will be back many more times.“

“My favorite breakfast spot in Des Moines, great food and coffee....and the service is always fantastic“

“Great atmosphere, meets top notch food, meets great service. Starting off with a wonderfully stocked salad bar that has amazing oreo fluff, then to the perfectly seasoned prime rib. My Old Fashion was a little stronger than I like but still good. My only overall complaint was the crowded parking. Still, if you are looking an affordable night out, this is one of the best places to go.“

“First timer! Food was amazing 🤩 definitely try the onion rings with Kelly’s Mayo! Will be back“

“Es un buen restaurante su comida es rica“

“A little stinky but fun place to let your pooch run around“

“That pizza is crack. The service is friendly and amazing.“

“We experienced discrimination at this diner by two rude door greeting hostesses. When we brought it to this Diners attention it was ignored. They also deleted our comment on their greasy fish post so nobody could see. Avoid this haunted greasy spoon at all costs!“

“Awesome service and awesome food 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋“

“Staff was great in helping the family celebrate my moms 50th! I have never had a poor experience in the times I have been there.“

“from cincinnati ohio. work trip here in des moines. was looking for a laid-back place to just chill at and was so impressed with the staff and patrons. thank you for a great chill night out“

“We have been to visit The Republic several times and have had a phenomenal time each visit! The staff are second to none! Ask for Nicole Ripperger for great service!“

“The bison dinner was a work of art! This was my first time having bison and I would definitely come back for the dinner again! And their specialty drinks have great names with amazing flavor…. Staff was phenomenal and I really can’t say enough great things… Definitely a must to eat here!“

“We just stayed for one beer but this place has a great vibe, great beer and friendly staff. Looking forward to coming back.“

“❤️ New China has a variety of dishes all very delicious. Have never had a bad meal.“