Stopped here while traveling for work and it did not disappoint! There was street parking available up front and though we did not have reservations we were seated fairly quickly at the bar. We almost ordered one of everything to share. Each dish had unique flavors that tied perfectly together. The staff knew their food well and gave excellent recommendations. If you are going to get dinner in downtown Des Moines, you have to come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumplings
Jamie K
This place is a favorite - in the world not just Des Moines. I try to come whenever I’m in town visiting my sister so this trip when I had three girlfriends from different cities in town for the half marathon we had to go! and they were all equally blown away.We skipped the tasting menu and made our own - but I think either way is a win. Just do not skip the spring rolls or the duck or really any of the street bites since the menu changes.Most of all, if you’re a cocktail person and Ben is working — just go rogue. One of my friends ordered a “ Thai inspired old-fashioned” and it is worth it just for the tiny chili pepper but the flavor was out of this world. Another friend ordered a twist on a Negroni, and since *he knew* that she had ordered a mezcal drink he made her a mezcal Negroni. Another friend requested a not too strong bourbon - and as I said that doesn’t exist the waiter said gotcha “soft bourbon” — I’ll never be the same.This place is unique and exceptional without being pretentious or stuffy. The vibe is warm and welcoming, The service is jovial and fun. The food is absolutely divine. We had such a good time. Thank you for making our night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Smith
Went here for Friday night dinner with a friend. The staff was very knowledgeable and the service was excellent. We shared plates for less than half of the menu. I was amazed by how much flavor each dish had. I had a menu cocktail and the classic rum and coke. Everything g was fantastic. Their parking lot is small, but there's plenty of free parking around. They recommended two hours to enjoy your meal because they pace out the dishes. Well worth the price. Definitely something I plan to include into my routine more regularly.
Just amazing!! Everything was so great from cocktails to entrees and the deserts. Delicious flavourful food. Great service and vibe. Would definitely recommend this as an experience in Des Moines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lincoln K.
Great ambience and service. Only ordered from the desert menu so I can't speak much for the food itself. However I feel the need to point out that the menu listed online is incorrect and has been for months according to my waitor. The 2 deserts I had looked forward to trying were both replaced months ago with no warning before my arrival.
Bobby Miller
Best scallop I’ve ever had in my entire life. The food is amazing, and priced fairly for the quality. Favorite spot in DSM.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caitlyn G.
Amazing food and service! Loved all of the small plates and the Asian-inspired dishes were all so wonderful and flavorful. The chef's tasting is so worth it-surprising and all excellent dishes. This was the best dinner out we've had in Des Moines in the past 2 years!
Taylor Hobbs
We loved our visit to Harbinger! Our waitress Grace was fantastic and absolutely elevated our experience. The food was the best we've had in Des Moines and we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chace S.
Such a fun experience full of thoughtfully made food. Got quite a few different things and loved every single one. Every dish is so unique and flavorful. It was very exciting wondering which of our dishes was coming up next. Expensive, yes, but a great treat to taste so many different creations.
Marilynn W.
What a pleasant surprise! We saw Harbingers on Yelp and decided to give it a try. The food and drinks were amazing. What a talented staff. The flavors and presentation were outstanding, and Carly was a really top-quality server. Harbingers is one well run restaurant!
We have been a couple times and enjoyed both. Once ordering from the normal menu and once recently for the wine pairing menu. We always enjoy the bao buns, and enjoy trying lots off the menu from starters, mains, and desserts. Cocktails are also good. Service has always been very attentive as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katie Hall
Update: Amazing experience and menu over Wine Week 2024! Service was perfection and the food was incredible. Our server was quick and appreciated her recommendations.Prior experience: Fun food and our server worked his buns off. He made some great food recommendations and the team worked well together, serving food, refilling drinks, etc. Pictures are of a tasty lemon, granola dessert and our drinks from the evening. Outstanding food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maya Q.
We met friends for a special wine pairing menu this week and had a great time. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Our babysitter canceled last minute so our 3 year old was dragged along, and they were very polite about it even after a water spill which we really appreciated. The food was delicious - very unique and fresh. The white fish had some kind of scallop puree that was very interesting; the sweet potato sounded so simple but ended up having a lot of depth and complexity. We also ordered one of each bag for our child who absolutely devoured them. We have been here twice before and it's been a truly stellar experience every time. The vibes and ambiance are lovely and there just seems to be a lot of warmth and heart in the restaurant, so it's extra enjoyable to come have delicious food here.
David Jennings
Every bite was fantastic. Would recommend the chefs tasting course to get a curated 5 course meal. Will be back.Happy hour steamed buns mon-thurs 4-6
Michael Erb
Everything is good but DO NOT miss the “Farm Carrots, Memories From Vietnam.” The food is superlative but the dining room staff push the experience over the top.
Stopped here while traveling for work and it did not disappoint! There was street parking available up front and though we did not have reservations we were seated fairly quickly at the bar. We almost ordered one of everything to share. Each dish had unique flavors that tied perfectly together. The staff knew their food well and gave excellent recommendations. If you are going to get dinner in downtown Des Moines, you have to come here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumplings
This place is a favorite - in the world not just Des Moines. I try to come whenever I’m in town visiting my sister so this trip when I had three girlfriends from different cities in town for the half marathon we had to go! and they were all equally blown away.We skipped the tasting menu and made our own - but I think either way is a win. Just do not skip the spring rolls or the duck or really any of the street bites since the menu changes.Most of all, if you’re a cocktail person and Ben is working — just go rogue. One of my friends ordered a “ Thai inspired old-fashioned” and it is worth it just for the tiny chili pepper but the flavor was out of this world. Another friend ordered a twist on a Negroni, and since *he knew* that she had ordered a mezcal drink he made her a mezcal Negroni. Another friend requested a not too strong bourbon - and as I said that doesn’t exist the waiter said gotcha “soft bourbon” — I’ll never be the same.This place is unique and exceptional without being pretentious or stuffy. The vibe is warm and welcoming, The service is jovial and fun. The food is absolutely divine. We had such a good time. Thank you for making our night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went here for Friday night dinner with a friend. The staff was very knowledgeable and the service was excellent. We shared plates for less than half of the menu. I was amazed by how much flavor each dish had. I had a menu cocktail and the classic rum and coke. Everything g was fantastic. Their parking lot is small, but there's plenty of free parking around. They recommended two hours to enjoy your meal because they pace out the dishes. Well worth the price. Definitely something I plan to include into my routine more regularly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carrots, Fried Chicken, Dumplings, Sauce
Just amazing!! Everything was so great from cocktails to entrees and the deserts. Delicious flavourful food. Great service and vibe. Would definitely recommend this as an experience in Des Moines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great ambience and service. Only ordered from the desert menu so I can't speak much for the food itself. However I feel the need to point out that the menu listed online is incorrect and has been for months according to my waitor. The 2 deserts I had looked forward to trying were both replaced months ago with no warning before my arrival.
Best scallop I’ve ever had in my entire life. The food is amazing, and priced fairly for the quality. Favorite spot in DSM.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and service! Loved all of the small plates and the Asian-inspired dishes were all so wonderful and flavorful. The chef's tasting is so worth it-surprising and all excellent dishes. This was the best dinner out we've had in Des Moines in the past 2 years!
We loved our visit to Harbinger! Our waitress Grace was fantastic and absolutely elevated our experience. The food was the best we've had in Des Moines and we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a fun experience full of thoughtfully made food. Got quite a few different things and loved every single one. Every dish is so unique and flavorful. It was very exciting wondering which of our dishes was coming up next. Expensive, yes, but a great treat to taste so many different creations.
What a pleasant surprise! We saw Harbingers on Yelp and decided to give it a try. The food and drinks were amazing. What a talented staff. The flavors and presentation were outstanding, and Carly was a really top-quality server. Harbingers is one well run restaurant!
Restaurantji Recommends
We have been a couple times and enjoyed both. Once ordering from the normal menu and once recently for the wine pairing menu. We always enjoy the bao buns, and enjoy trying lots off the menu from starters, mains, and desserts. Cocktails are also good. Service has always been very attentive as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Update: Amazing experience and menu over Wine Week 2024! Service was perfection and the food was incredible. Our server was quick and appreciated her recommendations.Prior experience: Fun food and our server worked his buns off. He made some great food recommendations and the team worked well together, serving food, refilling drinks, etc. Pictures are of a tasty lemon, granola dessert and our drinks from the evening. Outstanding food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We met friends for a special wine pairing menu this week and had a great time. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Our babysitter canceled last minute so our 3 year old was dragged along, and they were very polite about it even after a water spill which we really appreciated. The food was delicious - very unique and fresh. The white fish had some kind of scallop puree that was very interesting; the sweet potato sounded so simple but ended up having a lot of depth and complexity. We also ordered one of each bag for our child who absolutely devoured them. We have been here twice before and it's been a truly stellar experience every time. The vibes and ambiance are lovely and there just seems to be a lot of warmth and heart in the restaurant, so it's extra enjoyable to come have delicious food here.
Every bite was fantastic. Would recommend the chefs tasting course to get a curated 5 course meal. Will be back.Happy hour steamed buns mon-thurs 4-6
Everything is good but DO NOT miss the “Farm Carrots, Memories From Vietnam.” The food is superlative but the dining room staff push the experience over the top.