A delightful meal for the price! We were there for the restaurant's 13th Anniversary 4 course dinner. All the food was delicious. The first course, the Soup Duo (half roasted corn, half tomato) was amazing! Portions were moderate. Servers were very pleasant and accommodating, although a bit undertrained & seemed stretched too thin. It was a Tuesday, and the restaurant was half full.
Mark
Excellent food. You will not be disappointed with the quality and taste of the food. The service is also top tier!
Carl
The food was good but not great. The service was not good at all — particularly given that the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was either disengaged or distracted to the point that he forgot to take our entree order, forgot what I was drinking, and did not offer me a second beer. The local fine dining market is far too competitive for a restaurant to survive long with such poor service.
Doug
This is an exceptional restaurant. We had the fixed menu for two. Food and service were flawless.
Christopher
HoQ had a very intimate setting that allows for conversation while enjoying some delicious food. We had the cheese sampler appetizer and the steak dinners which were amazing and cooked to perfection.
Grace
Went at 6pm on a Saturday during DSM Restaurant Week 2025 for their prix fixe menu. I hadn't been here before but had heard great things. Unfortunately I was really underwhelmed with the food. The presentation was ok, flavor was bland, veggies were undercooked, and dessert was like wet cat food. I would go to a lot of other restaurants in DSM before I went back here, especially for the price. Cocktails were tasty, but nothing too special.
Eric Weber
Best place in DesMoines for reliably accommodating dietary restrictions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim Griffin
We went here for my husband’s birthday. I thought this old be a good place to go and we hadn’t been. I was apprehensive when we arrived and it was quiet. We ordered drinks, a French 75 for me, a pear prosecco for my daughter. They came out and were warm. I asked for ice for my mine. Next I ordered the Bibb salad which was an another warm wet thing. My husband and I ordered filet and those were lukewarm, but the risotto was hot and tasty. Our server was lukewarm as well. For the price this place charges, I was expecting unique and tasty. I could have gotten a better meal at a chain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
kim
Drinks were hot, entrees were not. Very pricey and I was expecting better. Service was inattentive and slow. Would not eat here. Risotto was hot and tasty.
I will dream about the mixed vegetable sides with homemade steak sauce and the tenderloin. It was the most flavorful meal I've had this year. Ambiance was boring. We went at 8pm on Saturday mid July and it was dead. Only 2 other tables full. Service was excellent tho. But the risotto was crunchy and undercooked. I don't really like risotto when it's cooked to perfection, so no big deal for me but disappointing nonetheless. Delicious Smokey Paloma. Nice touch of homemade naan and amuse bouche.
Amy
This restaurant was not what we were expecting for a $50 per person hold for a reservation. It was a bit grungy in the entry, some of the tablecloths looked like they'd been washed and wadded up before being put on the tables. The appetizer portions were small. The food was good but not outstanding (pierogis were very good, bison burger was good, fries were meh, bread pudding was small, too moist, too spongy and light... if you're expecting New Orleans style, don't order it). For $160 for two, the bathroom should smell ok and not be dated, and the food should be excellent. It definitely wasn't crowded and the parking was cheap and easy.
Scott
We had the meal for two option. Reasonably priced, fresh ingredients. Salmon was cooked just right but portion size was pretty small. Pork schnitzel was very good with large portion. Great Naan appetizer and Bread pudding for dessert.
Nancy Hu
Amazing produce quality deserving more attention. Will see you soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley
My husband and I live out of state but are originally from Iowa. When we are back in Iowa we always make a point to eat at Hoq. The food quality, attention to detail, staff, and ambience is top notch. We are quick to recommend Hoq to everyone.
A delightful meal for the price! We were there for the restaurant's 13th Anniversary 4 course dinner. All the food was delicious. The first course, the Soup Duo (half roasted corn, half tomato) was amazing! Portions were moderate. Servers were very pleasant and accommodating, although a bit undertrained & seemed stretched too thin. It was a Tuesday, and the restaurant was half full.
Excellent food. You will not be disappointed with the quality and taste of the food. The service is also top tier!
The food was good but not great. The service was not good at all — particularly given that the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was either disengaged or distracted to the point that he forgot to take our entree order, forgot what I was drinking, and did not offer me a second beer. The local fine dining market is far too competitive for a restaurant to survive long with such poor service.
This is an exceptional restaurant. We had the fixed menu for two. Food and service were flawless.
HoQ had a very intimate setting that allows for conversation while enjoying some delicious food. We had the cheese sampler appetizer and the steak dinners which were amazing and cooked to perfection.
Went at 6pm on a Saturday during DSM Restaurant Week 2025 for their prix fixe menu. I hadn't been here before but had heard great things. Unfortunately I was really underwhelmed with the food. The presentation was ok, flavor was bland, veggies were undercooked, and dessert was like wet cat food. I would go to a lot of other restaurants in DSM before I went back here, especially for the price. Cocktails were tasty, but nothing too special.
Best place in DesMoines for reliably accommodating dietary restrictions!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went here for my husband’s birthday. I thought this old be a good place to go and we hadn’t been. I was apprehensive when we arrived and it was quiet. We ordered drinks, a French 75 for me, a pear prosecco for my daughter. They came out and were warm. I asked for ice for my mine. Next I ordered the Bibb salad which was an another warm wet thing. My husband and I ordered filet and those were lukewarm, but the risotto was hot and tasty. Our server was lukewarm as well. For the price this place charges, I was expecting unique and tasty. I could have gotten a better meal at a chain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Drinks were hot, entrees were not. Very pricey and I was expecting better. Service was inattentive and slow. Would not eat here. Risotto was hot and tasty.
Cozy and stylish interior, perfect for relaxing.
Restaurantji Recommends
I will dream about the mixed vegetable sides with homemade steak sauce and the tenderloin. It was the most flavorful meal I've had this year. Ambiance was boring. We went at 8pm on Saturday mid July and it was dead. Only 2 other tables full. Service was excellent tho. But the risotto was crunchy and undercooked. I don't really like risotto when it's cooked to perfection, so no big deal for me but disappointing nonetheless. Delicious Smokey Paloma. Nice touch of homemade naan and amuse bouche.
This restaurant was not what we were expecting for a $50 per person hold for a reservation. It was a bit grungy in the entry, some of the tablecloths looked like they'd been washed and wadded up before being put on the tables. The appetizer portions were small. The food was good but not outstanding (pierogis were very good, bison burger was good, fries were meh, bread pudding was small, too moist, too spongy and light... if you're expecting New Orleans style, don't order it). For $160 for two, the bathroom should smell ok and not be dated, and the food should be excellent. It definitely wasn't crowded and the parking was cheap and easy.
We had the meal for two option. Reasonably priced, fresh ingredients. Salmon was cooked just right but portion size was pretty small. Pork schnitzel was very good with large portion. Great Naan appetizer and Bread pudding for dessert.
Amazing produce quality deserving more attention. Will see you soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I live out of state but are originally from Iowa. When we are back in Iowa we always make a point to eat at Hoq. The food quality, attention to detail, staff, and ambience is top notch. We are quick to recommend Hoq to everyone.
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