Amazing and delightful exciting culinary adventure! Nick and Phil are doing beautiful things here with integrity, freshness and fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay
Mind blown. A gem of DSM. Perfect place to impress a visitor or your date. Food was outstanding. Gavin was an amazing server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Meany
The best sushi in town literally! I was spoiled with NY sushi and this is the best! When people visit from out of town I always will bring here. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Langseth
Everything was absolutely top-notch! As foodies from a foodie city (Portland, OR), we know good food, and the food here is stellar! The sashimi salad - incredibly sophisticated ginger-based sauce and amaranth shoots with freshest fish; and the scallops over Japanese eggplant, leek, and Iowa sweet corn was one of the best entrees of my life. Topped off with incredible wine pairings and espresso-crusted crème brûlée, a top 5 of my life dining experience!! Bravo!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kerry
Masao does fusion right! A poshly minimalist eatery located in Des Moines’ East Village, Masao brings sushi grade seafood back to the neighborhood with a fresh, continental flair. My California crab roll was exquisite. The crab 🦀 🦀 was sweet, melt-on-the-tongue tender, and delicious. The beet puree served along side the ginger 🫚 and wasabi added an unexpected hint of earthiness to this light seafood 🍣 🌊 delicacy, elevating the entire dish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Jennings
Can't wait to go back. Scallops were some of the best I've ever had. Shishito peppers were a great sharable. The specialty tuna lemon roll and nigiri i had were fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Rosendahl
That was a very pleasant surprise. I could not recommend it more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shane Donegan
From the flavors, to the plating, to the service, to the pacing, this was a top notch dining experience. Probably our new favorite restaurant in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
raj devan
Masao: East Village’s Posh Playground for the Brave Palate
Walking into Masao feels less like “just another dinner” and more like stepping into a fusion experiment where France and Japan decided to stop texting and finally move in together. The ambience is clean, minimalist, and elegant — subtle lighting, thoughtful details, and a space that whispers “classy” without trying too hard. Even the bathrooms got the memo: spotless, stylish, and more bougie than you’d expect (you know a restaurant cares when the bathroom makes you nod in approval).
The menu is bold and playful, changing daily, so you’re not here for comfort food — you’re here to taste things you probably haven’t tried before. Bring an open palate, because Masao isn’t pandering to the usual Midwest safe-zone.
The food highlights:
Vegetable Tempura ($10): Beautifully plated broccoli rabe tempura, but yeah — a little oily, like it lingered too long in the fryer. The dipping sauce saved the day.
Lavender Eggs ($18): French-style scrambled, soft as a cloud, kissed with lavender and topped with caviar. Half breakfast, half fine art.
Scallops ($28): Seared just right, resting on lemon beurre blanc with sautéed leeks. A bit salty solo, but mix it all together and it hits balance.
Salmon Sashimi:,($25) Clean, fresh, and plated so elegantly it almost felt rude to eat it.
Karaage Chicken ($25): The absolute rockstar. Soy and sesame marinated, fried golden, paired with Okinawa purple potato chips, and finished with a cheeky beet gel nail polish swipe on the plate. Crispy, juicy, and somehow luxurious. Fried chicken, but make it fashion.
The service takes Masao from “great” to “unforgettable.” The waiter knew every dish like they wrote the cookbook, offering non-alcoholic pairings that actually felt intentional. Then the chef himself came out, chatted like an old friend, and — plot twist — poured Hennessy VSOP shots into gold-rimmed glasses. That’s not dinner, that’s membership into the Masao inner circle.
And credit where it’s due — the owners are genuinely great people. They care about the community, support local, and it shows in how they treat their guests.
Final word: Masao is a must-visit for anyone who loves food with a side of adventure. Not every dish will be your thing, and that’s the point. Come with an open mind, a hungry stomach, and maybe a friend who appreciates fine plating and a good shot of Henny. This is East Village showing off, and it’s worth every bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs
Ryan Jones
Masao was a wonderful experience. We sat at the bar and we entertained all night. The food was delicious and unique. It is a great addition to the East Village. It is going to be our go-to place for all our special nights in the future.
After our dinner last night, I rank Masao up with Harbinger as one of the best restaurants in Des Moines - if you haven’t been in yet, stop what you are doing and make a reservation. The okonomiyaki dish was a super original and delicious way to showcase cabbage, the scallops and lamb were delicious (I particularly loved the pickled peppers (I think they were serranos?) pairing with the scallops which was a new and interesting pairing to me). The lemon tuna roll was light and clean - lemon zest was a smart element added to this dish. Trio of mushrooms was the only miss of the night for us - the dish was too one note for our palettes (truffle oil was the primary flavor profile), we felt it needed something to add dimension and cut the oil- maybe some sort of acid. On the sweet side, the pavlova was a hit - so refreshing to have a dessert that doesn’t punch you in the face with cloying sweetness - this dish was well balanced and unique. Overall one of the better dining experiences we’ve had in Des Moines - honestly up there with some Michelin star restaurants in Chicago we’ve visited.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
food lad The Consumer
Diego! Nick! And other chefs! Our server! The food rivaled harbingr’s tasting menus. They rotate all the time. What I had tonight may never be served again and it was glorious all around. The japenese pesto was revolutionary! The head honcho chef came out a couple of times (we ordered many an item) and was so cool. So amazing. Chef Diego was so kind and interactive with all of us at the bar. Will be back again. I cannot recommend enough. 10/10. Ps: the lamb was spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mayalisa barnard
Amazing! The food was spectacular and the service was the best I’ve had in the city recently.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aquib Ali
I don’t even know where to begin with Masao. The vibe is incredibly warm, stylish, and full of energy when you step inside. The food? Outstanding. Honestly, it’s at the level where a Michelin star wouldn’t be out of place.
The sushi was some of the best I’ve ever had, with each piece perfectly prepared. My favorite item was the Sanam fish, which was absolutely unforgettable. The crème brûlée was one of a kind, a perfect ending to the meal. I was also impressed by the thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic beverages crafted to be refreshing and healthy. Something I’ve never seen done this well on a menu before.
Masao is exactly what Des Moines needed and had been missing. It’s a destination spot that raises the city’s dining scene to another level. I can’t wait to go back and try even more from the menu. Highly recommended.
Amazing and delightful exciting culinary adventure! Nick and Phil are doing beautiful things here with integrity, freshness and fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mind blown. A gem of DSM. Perfect place to impress a visitor or your date. Food was outstanding. Gavin was an amazing server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best sushi in town literally! I was spoiled with NY sushi and this is the best! When people visit from out of town I always will bring here. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was absolutely top-notch! As foodies from a foodie city (Portland, OR), we know good food, and the food here is stellar! The sashimi salad - incredibly sophisticated ginger-based sauce and amaranth shoots with freshest fish; and the scallops over Japanese eggplant, leek, and Iowa sweet corn was one of the best entrees of my life. Topped off with incredible wine pairings and espresso-crusted crème brûlée, a top 5 of my life dining experience!! Bravo!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Masao does fusion right! A poshly minimalist eatery located in Des Moines’ East Village, Masao brings sushi grade seafood back to the neighborhood with a fresh, continental flair. My California crab roll was exquisite. The crab 🦀 🦀 was sweet, melt-on-the-tongue tender, and delicious. The beet puree served along side the ginger 🫚 and wasabi added an unexpected hint of earthiness to this light seafood 🍣 🌊 delicacy, elevating the entire dish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can't wait to go back. Scallops were some of the best I've ever had. Shishito peppers were a great sharable. The specialty tuna lemon roll and nigiri i had were fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
That was a very pleasant surprise. I could not recommend it more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the flavors, to the plating, to the service, to the pacing, this was a top notch dining experience. Probably our new favorite restaurant in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Masao: East Village’s Posh Playground for the Brave Palate
Walking into Masao feels less like “just another dinner” and more like stepping into a fusion experiment where France and Japan decided to stop texting and finally move in together. The ambience is clean, minimalist, and elegant — subtle lighting, thoughtful details, and a space that whispers “classy” without trying too hard. Even the bathrooms got the memo: spotless, stylish, and more bougie than you’d expect (you know a restaurant cares when the bathroom makes you nod in approval).
The menu is bold and playful, changing daily, so you’re not here for comfort food — you’re here to taste things you probably haven’t tried before. Bring an open palate, because Masao isn’t pandering to the usual Midwest safe-zone.
The food highlights:
Vegetable Tempura ($10): Beautifully plated broccoli rabe tempura, but yeah — a little oily, like it lingered too long in the fryer. The dipping sauce saved the day.
Lavender Eggs ($18): French-style scrambled, soft as a cloud, kissed with lavender and topped with caviar. Half breakfast, half fine art.
Scallops ($28): Seared just right, resting on lemon beurre blanc with sautéed leeks. A bit salty solo, but mix it all together and it hits balance.
Salmon Sashimi:,($25) Clean, fresh, and plated so elegantly it almost felt rude to eat it.
Karaage Chicken ($25): The absolute rockstar. Soy and sesame marinated, fried golden, paired with Okinawa purple potato chips, and finished with a cheeky beet gel nail polish swipe on the plate. Crispy, juicy, and somehow luxurious. Fried chicken, but make it fashion.
The service takes Masao from “great” to “unforgettable.” The waiter knew every dish like they wrote the cookbook, offering non-alcoholic pairings that actually felt intentional. Then the chef himself came out, chatted like an old friend, and — plot twist — poured Hennessy VSOP shots into gold-rimmed glasses. That’s not dinner, that’s membership into the Masao inner circle.
And credit where it’s due — the owners are genuinely great people. They care about the community, support local, and it shows in how they treat their guests.
Final word: Masao is a must-visit for anyone who loves food with a side of adventure. Not every dish will be your thing, and that’s the point. Come with an open mind, a hungry stomach, and maybe a friend who appreciates fine plating and a good shot of Henny. This is East Village showing off, and it’s worth every bite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scrambled Eggs
Masao was a wonderful experience. We sat at the bar and we entertained all night. The food was delicious and unique. It is a great addition to the East Village. It is going to be our go-to place for all our special nights in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Beautiful food, beautiful bathrooms, beautiful chefs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
After our dinner last night, I rank Masao up with Harbinger as one of the best restaurants in Des Moines - if you haven’t been in yet, stop what you are doing and make a reservation. The okonomiyaki dish was a super original and delicious way to showcase cabbage, the scallops and lamb were delicious (I particularly loved the pickled peppers (I think they were serranos?) pairing with the scallops which was a new and interesting pairing to me). The lemon tuna roll was light and clean - lemon zest was a smart element added to this dish. Trio of mushrooms was the only miss of the night for us - the dish was too one note for our palettes (truffle oil was the primary flavor profile), we felt it needed something to add dimension and cut the oil- maybe some sort of acid. On the sweet side, the pavlova was a hit - so refreshing to have a dessert that doesn’t punch you in the face with cloying sweetness - this dish was well balanced and unique. Overall one of the better dining experiences we’ve had in Des Moines - honestly up there with some Michelin star restaurants in Chicago we’ve visited.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diego! Nick! And other chefs! Our server! The food rivaled harbingr’s tasting menus. They rotate all the time. What I had tonight may never be served again and it was glorious all around. The japenese pesto was revolutionary! The head honcho chef came out a couple of times (we ordered many an item) and was so cool. So amazing. Chef Diego was so kind and interactive with all of us at the bar. Will be back again. I cannot recommend enough. 10/10. Ps: the lamb was spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing! The food was spectacular and the service was the best I’ve had in the city recently.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don’t even know where to begin with Masao. The vibe is incredibly warm, stylish, and full of energy when you step inside. The food? Outstanding. Honestly, it’s at the level where a Michelin star wouldn’t be out of place.
The sushi was some of the best I’ve ever had, with each piece perfectly prepared. My favorite item was the Sanam fish, which was absolutely unforgettable. The crème brûlée was one of a kind, a perfect ending to the meal. I was also impressed by the thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic beverages crafted to be refreshing and healthy. Something I’ve never seen done this well on a menu before.
Masao is exactly what Des Moines needed and had been missing. It’s a destination spot that raises the city’s dining scene to another level. I can’t wait to go back and try even more from the menu. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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