50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Des Moines

“Easily one of the best breakfast meals I've had. I got the biscuit benny, and it was outstanding. The place was cute, the service was kind and attentive. Parking was simple. We were passing through from out of town and were very glad we chose it!“

“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.“

“I ordered the Thai Peanut Buddha Bowl and the Limeade. Jen clearly pours passion into her meals. I would highly recommend ordering. 🫶🏼“

“Fuzzy's crew totally nailed it! Mad props! Their menu's kinda wild, right? Like, tons of choices and I got this food allergy thing, BUT... The cashier was super cool, helped me find something safe to grub on. And the food? Seriously mind-blowing! Fuzzy's DSM? Man, they didn't disappoint! I'm definitely heading back for more!“

“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.“

“We had an amazing evening at Panka Peruvian restaurant this week with a BIG surprise at the end. We are having our first son! We carefully chose this place to celebrate our anniversary the last few years and our intimate gender reveal, because of the extraordinary experience they give us each time. It's really not just the food that they give us. They always give us a time we will never forget.“

“Rayon burger and the fries brussel sprouts were amazing!“

“Highly recommend food by K&G Digital 360! 10/10“

“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!“

“I just got the chicken low mein, hot and sour soup, and egg rolls. All so good! The noodles on the low mein and the chicken have the best FLAVOR!! The guy in there is also a very nice person!“

“Amazing food and great service!“

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

“5 star family classic eatery.“

“Went for the first time last night and was blown away by the flavor they pack into their food! Great quality for the price and they give you so many different foods with your meal. I got the pastitsio and it came with soup, salad, Greek fries, orzo, a little spinach feta pastry. 10/10“

“Great food and beer, and very friendly staff. We come here every time we visit Des Moines!!“

“Nice place. Huge selection of British beers and very good food.“

“We love Smokey's the food is exceptional as is everything else.“

“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.“

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

“The waiters are very accommodating. Good food and services.“

“Food is always tasty, and the service is consistently great. The owner is super kind and really goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable and taken care of. I especially like going around noon when it’s quieter and not as busy—everything comes out fast and fresh. If you’re in the Beaverdale area, it’s definitely worth checking out.“

“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!“

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

“Great food staff and atmosphere“

“We recognize Chris for going above and beyond at Wasabi Waukee on September 23, 2025.

We were facing an urgent issue with our keg cooler that was impacting draft service. Chris not only helped diagnose and repair the cooler on the spot, he also assisted with swapping in new kegs, confirming lines, pressures, and temperatures, and ensuring every tap was pouring correctly before he left. His professionalism, technical know-how, and willingness to stay until the job was truly complete prevented service interruptions during a busy period and saved us product waste.

Please pass along my thanks—this is exactly the kind of partnership we value. Chris represented Confluence exceptionally well.

Thank you,
Rhiannon King
General Manager, Wasabi Waukee“

“I never have been inside the building but I would have to say that this is a beautiful place to pass by and every time I walk by or stop to look at its beautiful structure I've only been met with smiles and great conversations with great people!!! Thank you for your contribution to the community!!“

“The smashburger sliders were amazing and so was the painkiller drink! Also loved the candied yams and fried plaintans!“

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

“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!“

“Great environment ( inside and out) to grab a beer and relax. Lots on tap to choose from. Never had one I didn’t like. Staff is friendly and happy to be there. Highly recommend.“

“Their pizzadilla is amazing!! Only place that I have found this and it’s wonderful“

“Best service in DesMoines“

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

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

“Our family is on a tour of all 50 states and we stopped in here since it had such great online reviews! It did not disappoint! The Sarah’s Revenge sandwich was the best sandwich I’ve EVER had!“

“We heard many good things about their Pie…we were in town & decided to stop…we ordered a 1/2 & 1/2 & both choices were excellent…our waitress as well was very friendly & never missed a beat…we will definitely be a return customer!…“

“Wonderful food, drinks, and atmosphere. 2 of the 3 ladies I brought to dinner are southern belles, and they were reminded of home by the food. Great first experience. We will definitely be back again. A+ in my book.“

“This is our go to sushi restaurant in the metro! Highly recommend!“

“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“

“My wife and I just visited here again last night, and I feel remiss about never having shared a review. We've eaten many meals cooked by Chef Baruthio, and he has never once disappointed us. We enjoyed his prior restaurant (Baru 66) when it was still around, and we’re delighted that he’s back in town with his new concept - Café Madeleine.
Like other reviews mention, the setting is small and intimate, and the service is warm and personable. The carefully curated seasonal menus are creative and delicious. Each course is well presented and includes a detailed description from the chef himself. We recommend including the suggested wine pairings, which further elevates the experience. The Café’s sommelier does a great job finding wines that harmonize well with each course, and you will likely be enjoying selections that aren’t commonly available locally.
In short, if you’re looking for a special dining experience and you appreciate great food, you should give this restaurant a try. Des Moines has several excellent high-end restaurants, and we’ve been fortunate enough to visit each of them, but in our opinion, you won’t do better right now than Café Madeleine.“

“3/1/25 I ordered delivery My order was grilled chicken sandwich on sourdough bread with fries. The sandwich was very good and lots of great flavor. Herb fries were good too. I also, ordered the pretzel Bread Pudding, it was terrible dry and hard even with the carmel sauce. Bad choice.
8/10“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“The food here is great and the atmosphere is so fun. Currently, the seasonal menu (winter 2025) has Yo's Wontons which are in an excellent sauce. I also enjoy the bing bing wraps and drunken noodles.“