26 hot new restaurants you can try in Des Moines right now
Brian Taylor CarlsonThe restaurant scene in the Des Moines metro continues to grow in 2019, with over 25 eateries opening since June — and doubling the number of new restaurants in the first half of the year.
From vegan fast food to neighborhood taverns and Indian buffets to fine dining with a New England twist, there are plenty of new options you can try to help get out of your dining rut.
And there are still a few months left in 2019.
Here are 26 hot new restaurants to keep in mind for your next meal out in the months ahead:
Alegrias The Blue House
After closing in April, this Mexican seafood restaurant reopened with new management and a new menu in August. Feast on seafood appetizers and chilled seafood cocktails, specialties and family platters including shrimp, lobster, fish, crab legs and shellfish. Top off dinner with flan or pastel tres leches (three-milk caramel cake).
Location: 2809 6th Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 528-8288; DesMoines.AlegriasSeafood.com; Facebook
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Opening in September, Blue Sushi Sake Grill is a regional sushi chain specializing in Asian-inspired dishes, including a selection of fresh maki, sashimi and nigiri, along with small, medium and large plates, and desserts. The menu features plenty of vegan, vegetarian, keto and gluten-free options, too.
► More:New downtown Des Moines sushi restaurant focuses on sustainably sourced seafood
Location: 316 Court Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 379-6800; BlueSushiSakeGrill.com; Facebook
Burger Shed
Burger Shed is the newest addition at the Shoppes at Prairie Crossing in Altoona. The restaurant features about 10 specialty burgers, milkshakes, salads and several classic dishes, like the turkey Reuben, pork tenderloin, baked potato soup and chicken pot pie. Dessert offerings include apple dumplings and several milkshakes.
Location: 500 Bass Pro Drive, Altoona
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 630-7433; EatAtBurgerShed.com; Facebook
Dirt Burger
This new eco-conscious new restaurant in East Village is the perfect spot to grab a quick vegan meal of homemade veggie burgers with a wide variety of topping options. Don't forget to order a side of 'Dirt Balls' — croquettes made with regular or sweet potatoes, quinoa and carrots.
► More:Vegans, rejoice: This new restaurant in East Village Des Moines is redefining vegan food
Location: 407 E. 5th St., Des Moines
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 850-3890; DirtBurger.us; Facebook
DreiBerge Coffee
This single-origin coffee shop in East Village features a special drink every day, along with cold brew, nitro coffee, espresso drinks, drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, cortados and a pour-over station. Other offerings, like Agri-Cultured kombucha from Waukee, chocolate and vegan and gluten-free pastries, are available.
► More:New coffee shop in Des Moines' East Village aims to bring something 'new and different'
Location: 111 E. Grand Ave., Suite 109
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays.
Contact: (515) 657-7719; dreibergecoffee.com; Facebook
Giordano’s
Giordano's, a regional deep-dish Chicago pizza chain, opened in West Des Moines in July. The flagship menu item is the stuffed deep-dish pizza in 12-, 14- and 16-inch sizes featuring six to 10 slices apiece. The pizzas are known for their "cheese pull," meaning the melted cheese stretches in midair as you pull slices away from each other.
► More:Giordano's opens in West Des Moines, bringing its popular deep-dish pizza to the masses
Location: 120 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 650-2058; Giordanos.com; Facebook
Grand Junction Bar & Grill
This new sports bar opened in July in the former spot of Hagar's Manhattan Grill just off the Jordan Creek Bike Trail. Broasted wings are the thing here — all-you-can-eat on Mondays and Tuesdays — along with daily specials, happy hour from 3-6 p.m., live music, game-watching and breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy served until 2 p.m. Try the Junction Burger - a grilled open-faced hamburger served on Texas toast smothered with chili, cheese and onions.
Location: Normandy Plaza, 1970 Grand Ave., #29, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 440-8481; grand-junction-bar-grill.business.site; Facebook
Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
This Ankeny restaurant recently opened a new location in Altoona in the former location of Bigfoot Bacon & Brew, which closed last fall. Enjoy plenty of favorites, like nachos, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas and combination platters, for lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options are also available.
► More:Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant adding new location at former Bigfoot restaurant site in Altoona
Location: 3221 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 305-1361; Facebook
The HandleBar
Get out of town and head to Dallas Center for this new restaurant with its own pond where you can roam around on the property. Enjoy 32 craft beers on tap and a wide-ranging menu of appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches, entrees, kids' meals and desserts. Nibble on some beer snacks — bacon sticks, candied peanuts and chicharrones — or go for the Handleburger, with bacon onion jam and a choice of cheese on brioche.
► More:New restaurant and patio opens on the Raccoon River Bike Trail in Dallas Center
Location: 1607 Sugar Grove Ave., Dallas Center
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Contact: (515) 992-8014; Facebook
The Indian Chef Bar & Grill
This new Indian restaurant opened on June 30 in Ankeny. The menu features both vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers and entrees for lunch and dinner — with plenty of naan and roti varieties cooked with a clay oven to go alongside. Try some potato and green pea samosas and then go for some palak paneer, butter chicken or mutton masala. A lunch buffet is featured daily.
Location: 711 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
Hours: Sunday-Monday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; closed Tuesdays; Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 630-0182; Facebook
Mama Mia’s
Mama Mia's recently closed its 9th Street location and moved just off the Des Moines skywalk, offering pizza by the slice and the whole pie for lunch. The restaurant menu started out small and grew from there, offering New York-style pizza by the slice for $4 to $6 and strombolis for $9. Whole pies, both build-your-own and specialty combinations, are also available, starting at $22.25 for a 20-inch one-topping.
► More:This new pizza joint is opening off the Des Moines skywalk and will offer pie by the slice
Location: 604 Locust St., Des Moines
Hours: Monday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5-8:30; closed Sundays.
Contact: 515-288-2324; MamaMiasFood.com; Facebook
Mojitos Mexican Restaurant
Opening in the former spot of Cowboy Chicken in Ankeny in September, Mojitos brings Mexican food, margaritas and, of course, mojitos to the metro. The menu has plenty of appetizers, salads, specialty dishes and Mexican favorites you can enjoy for both lunch and dinner, and there are plenty of options for vegetarians, too.
Location: 802 SE Oralabor Road, #102, Ankeny
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 343-0301; MojitosMexicanRestaurant.business.site; Facebook
El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
This new Mexican restaurant opened in July and offers both authentic dishes, Tex-Mex favorites, a full line of burgers and margaritas. Enjoy fajitas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and appetizers like queso dip, shrimp ceviche and nachos. Or go for a combination plate for variety. Vegetarian options are also available, along with kids' meals. For dessert? Get the flan or churros.
► More:Two new Ankeny restaurants bringing international flavors to metro Des Moines
Location: 301 E. 1st St., Ankeny
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 964-3322; Facebook
Motley School Tavern
This new neighborhood tavern serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner opened in July in the former space of Chef's Kitchen in Beaverdale. Enjoy meat and cheese boards, "after school snacks" of antipasti like Marcona almonds, deviled eggs, zucchini and street corn fritters, and fried bologna sandwiches. A house fave is the beef short rib entree, served with a honey-gochujang barbecue glaze.
► More:This new restaurant in Beaverdale features 'after school' snacks and meals for all ages
Location: 1903 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mondays.
Contact: (515) 279-0075; mstdsm.com; Facebook
Mr. Falafel
Tucked inside the food court at Valley West Mall lies a new kiosk serving homemade Mediterranean food seven days a week. Mr. Falafel offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes and can accommodate halal and vegetarian diets. Try the chicken shawarma, hummus and falafel plates. But be sure to save room for the homemade baklava.
► More:Enjoy shawarma, falafel and baklava at this new food kiosk in Valley West Mall
Location: 155 Valley West Drive, Suite 133
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m.
Contact: (515) 537-9134; Facebook
Nomi's Asian Cuisine
Nomi's Asian Cuisine in Altoona features several made-from-scratch Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes. Offerings include chicken teriyaki, steak, bulgogi (Korean marinated beef), tonkatsu (Japanese breaded pork with teriyaki), orange chicken, kimchi (Korean pickled vegetables), fried rice and lo mein.
► More:Family-owned Altoona restaurant to serve made-from-scratch Asian food
Location: 404 8th St. SW, Altoona
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m.; closed Mondays.
Contact: (515) 414-6792; Facebook
Nosh Cafe and Eatery
Whatever your mood in food, Nosh has something for everyone, from health- and diet-conscious options to decadent desserts. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian choices abound. Enjoy bagels and toasts, grab-and-go items, shakes, 15 kinds of frozen yogurt and sorbet, salads and healthy bowls.
► More:Fast-casual cafe and frozen yogurt shop opens in East Village, the dream of two friends
Location: 424 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 280-5277; nosh-eats.com; Facebook
Outside Scoop
The Outside Scoop, a popular Indianola ice cream shop and metro ice cream truck, opened a second location in Ankeny in June. Enjoy homemade ice cream flavors like dark chocolate-raspberry, malted vanilla wafer and roasted goat cheese with roasted cherries. Or go for a sundae, shake, malt or blended frozen treat.
► More:Here's the inside scoop on this new ice cream shop in Ankeny's Prairie Trail
Location: 2410 S.W. White Birch Dr., Ste. 100, Ankeny
Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 12-10 p.m.
Contact: (515) 444-8234; outside-scoop.com; Facebook
Pho Real Kitchen and Bar
This new pho house in downtown Des Moines offers a variety of Vietnamese favorites like pho, of course, along with banh mi and vermicelli. But the menu also branches out with options like jalapeno crab rangoons, Korean bibimbap and chicken laap. Pho Real offers three different pho options: meat combination, vegan and keto-friendly. Or try the fried chicken wings, fried rice and egg rolls.
► More:A new pho restaurant in downtown Des Moines will have vegan pho and late-night options
Location: 200 4th St., Des Moines
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Mondays.
Contact: (515) 630-3552; Facebook
Pyra Pizzeria
For Neapolitan-style pizza, this new restaurant in Norwalk is making its pies with imported Italian flour and tomatoes and baking them in a wood-fired oven. Choose a specialty pie or create your own topping combination. Sandwiches, appetizers and desserts round out the menu — like "Jodi's Absolutely Really-Yummy 'Chocolate-Fudge-Mint-Chip Grasshopper Square.'"
Location: 729 Main St., Norwalk
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, 4:30-9 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Mondays.
Contact: (515) 981-5353; PyraPizzeria.com; Facebook
R I Restaurant
Opening in September, this new fine dining restaurant in Windsor Heights features the creative cuisine of Jacob Demars. A blend of New England seafood dishes with Iowa ingredients, the ever-changing menu showcases fresh seasonal starters, mains and desserts with stunning presentations.
► More:New Windsor Heights restaurant represents chef's journey from New England to the Midwest
Location: 6587 University Ave., Windsor Heights
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays.
Contact: (515) 277-1840; rirestaurant.com; Facebook
El Rincón Catracho 2
You'll find plenty of Honduran and Mexican food made with chicken, beef, pork and seafood at the newest and more expansive location of this Des Moines eatery. Comforting Honduran soups, stews and rice dishes are the focus, along with entree platters served with rice and beans for lunch and dinner.
► More:There’s authentic Honduran food less than 5 miles from the Iowa Capitol
Location: 910 Hull Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: (515) 630-5518; Facebook
Sambetti's
With new owners, Sambetti's reopened its doors in September for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. The restaurant has been refreshed with a clean new look, an updated outdoor patio and a revamped menu that keeps all the old classics but introduces some new dishes along the way. Try the spicy Italian sausage grinder sandwich served with red peppers, housemade marinara and mozzarella cheese.
► More:Sambetti's is now open serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in downtown Des Moines
Location: 1430 2nd Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m.-2 a.m.
Contact: (515) 245-9780; Facebook
SKØL
This Nordic-inspired bar opened in the East Village in July. Enjoy appetizers, wings, salads, sides, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and daily roasted meat specials. Tacos are served on lefse, or Norwegian flatbread. Nibble on some smoked salmon spread or a plate of Mo' Rub BBQ dry rub wings.
►More:Get ready for a Viking-inspired pub opening in Des Moines' East Village
Location: 401 SE 5th St., Des Moines
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Contact: (515) 777-1012; skoldsm.com; Facebook
Sugar Shack Diner
Sugar Shack finally reopened after relocating, and the menu's staples of homemade onions rings and breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches have remained the same, but look for new appetizers, such as tater tot nachos and mozzarella sticks, and a new selection of burgers, like a Hawaiian teriyaki burger and a macaroni and cheese burger. New entrees include pork chops, fried fish and liver and onions.
► More:Altoona’s Sugar Shack is coming back: Take a sneak peek inside the new location
Location: 550 36th Ave. S.W., Altoona
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Contact: (515) 967-2527; Facebook
Totally Rolled Ice Cream
A new Thai-style rolled ice cream shop has sprouted up in West Des Moines, serving fresh, hand-rolled ice cream made before your eyes and customized with your favorite flavors and additions. You can choose from specialty options or build your own sweet frozen treat by choosing a base flavor, a wide range of mix-in ingredients, sauces and whipped cream varieties.
Location: 5545 Mills Civic Parkway, Ste. 103, West Des Moines
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 12-7 p.m.
Contact: (515) 222-4422; TotallyRolledIceCream.com; Facebook
Wasabi Asian Grill & Lounge
This restaurant in Ankeny is the fourth metro location from the Wasabi group. The menu features all the soups, salads, hot and cold appetizers, large plates served with steamed rice, noodle and rice dishes, sushi and sashimi as expected from its other locations — with the addition of grilled dishes and plenty of exotic cocktails.
► More:Popular metro sushi chain brings its signature 'Marilynn Monroll' to Ankeny
Location: 1615 SW Main St., Ste. 100, Ankeny
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contact: (515) 264-5210; WasabiDSM.com; Facebook
Has your Des Moines metro restaurant been open since June 2019 and you don't see it on this list? Please contact Brian Carlson to have your restaurant added.
Brian Taylor Carlson is the food and dining reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at btaylorcar@dmreg.com or 515-284-8552 and follow @briantaylorcarlson on Facebook, @BriinDSM on Twitter and @briindsm on Instagram.