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Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Des Moines

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OpenTable
Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Des Moines? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4.8
4.8 (353)
$30 and under
American
Des Moines
About the restaurant
Casual New American dishes, cocktails & craft brews served in an airy space with minimalist decor.
Top review
Alexa
Dined 6 days ago
It’s a pleasure having a gem like Prairie Canary in the college town of Grinnell IA. Great drinks and food even with a large group
A photo of Aura Restaurant & Lounge restaurant
4.8
4.8 (298)
$31 to $50
American
Urbandale
About the restaurant
Lively & flavorful tapas along with vibrant cocktails offer a unique shared experience that challenges the traditional. At Aura, it's good vibes only! Our invigorating environment is the perfect place to gather friends & family.
Top review
Abby
Dined 7 days ago
We had a fabulous first experience at Aura! We sat on the patio which was lovely. Our cocktails were delicious and our food was fabulous. We enjoyed the Elote dip (not to miss!) and our entrees were fabulous: glazed salmon, shrimp diablo pasta. Our waiter was very kind and brought us a delicious Prickly Pear nightcap he concocted, on the house. A new favorite place!
A photo of The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines restaurant
4.7
4.7 (914)
$30 and under
American
Des Moines
About the restaurant
The Stuffed Olive is about the entire “Martini & Tapas Experience.” From your favorite classics to new and exciting blends you’ve never seen before, you’re sure to find a cocktail to love on our vast martini menu. Add a warm, comfortable atmosphere, great wines, beers and top-shelf spirits, and The Stuffed Olive will become your favorite place to start, end or spend your entire evening. Our tapas menu offers appetizer-sized portions of globally influenced entrees, for a sampling and sharing dining experience. Pair tasty tapas with your favorite martini for happy hour, dinner or a late-night snack. We welcome you to sit back, relax, enjoy great food, good conversation and your favorite martini. Welcome to the Stuffed Olive!
Top review
Julie
Dined on May 18, 2026
First time into the Stuffed Olive after my daughter said - Mom you will love it! She was right. Great evening with my bestie sister and her husband we would definitely go again and again. We hit Monday night BOGO martini’s and they were all so great! Highly recommend this restaurant! We would rewind and repeat! Our server was amazing!
A photo of Wasabi - Waukee restaurant
4.7
4.7 (83)
$30 and under
Sushi
West Des Moines
About the restaurant
Wasabi is located at 9500 University Avenue in West Des Moines. Chefs at Wasabi serve the highest quality New York style sushi, Japanese fusion dishes. Unique custom cocktails and more.
Top review
Hoot
Dined on Apr 25, 2026
Love Wasabi Waukee, Love the food. Love the Service. If I lived closer, I’d be there everyday.
A photo of 30hop Ankeny restaurant
4.7
4.7 (40)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Ankeny
About the restaurant
At 30hop in The District at Prairie Trail, we’re all about good food, good vibes, and great company. Each visit feels fresh and inviting—a place where you can kick back, connect, and enjoy the moment. Our menu satisfies every craving, from classic comfort favorites to bold, globally inspired flavors.

Pair it all with our rotating selection of local craft beers, creative cocktails, and a weekend brunch where sweet meets savory. Whether you’re here for a casual lunch, patio drinks, or dinner with friends, 30hop delivers food for legends and hospitality with heart.

Top review
Ben
Dined on May 22, 2026
Loved the food and it was a great atmosphere! I enjoyed the views out the windows!
A photo of Eatery A restaurant
4.6
4.6 (602)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Des Moines
About the restaurant
Eatery A is Des Moines's destination for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Perfecting simple dishes that focus on local, quality ingredients, we strive to offer our guests exotic flavor profiles that let the ingredients take center stage.
Top review
Margaret
Dined on May 28, 2026
Our server was amazing and the food was fantastic!
A photo of Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1671)
$30 and under
American
Clive
About the restaurant
Award-Winning Wines | Craveable Dishes | Innovative Cocktails | Wine Country Hospitality The inspiration behind Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants was the desire to bring the Wine Country experience to all of America by combining a Napa-style tasting room with a modern casual restaurant. Built upon the belief that food and wine have the ability to forge lasting connections, Cooper's Hawk is home to one of the world's largest wine clubs.
Top review
EliseGold
Dined 1 day ago
Our server, Ella, was excellent. The food and wine was amazing. We are happy to be wine club members!
A photo of Tribute Eatery & Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (35)
$31 to $50
American
Ankeny
About the restaurant
At Tribute Eatery & Bar, good things gather daily. Located in the District at Prairie Trail, we blend the charm of a French bistro with the ease of a modern diner. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, thoughtful plates, and a vibrant atmosphere that’s both refined and welcoming. From weekend brunches to late-night bites, we’re here to celebrate the everyday moments that bring people together.
Top review
Kelsey
Dined on May 20, 2026
Our service by Steve was outstanding!!! I would highly recommend!
A photo of In Confidence Speakeasy restaurant
4.5
4.5 (59)
$30 and under
Speakeasy
Des Moines
About the restaurant
For Large reservations or other inquiries please call 515-528-7733 x 4627 f=

SPEAKEASY BAR IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DES MOINES

Hotel Fort Des Moines brings the Prohibition-era feel to downtown Des Moines - In Confidence. Enjoy our hidden secret with a curated wine collection and crafted cocktails.
Enjoy your downtime in a unique casual setting deserving of the Great Gatsby himself!

Top review
Shannon
Dined on Apr 24, 2026
We stopped in for Friday night cocktails. It’s a cool spacious place with cozy nooks. We thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails - very inventive!
A photo of Bar Nico restaurant
4.4
4.4 (146)
$30 and under
Mexican
Des Moines
About the restaurant
Our restaurant's mantra is "Sin Maiz, No Hay Pais" meaning "without corn there is no country" as such, our tortillas are hand ground in house from heirloom organic Mexican corn varietals - made daily & cooked to order. As a result of our corn obsession, we have no flour in house & are a completely gluten-free kitchen.
Top review
Elizabeth
Dined on May 23, 2026
We arrived during happy hour and were immediately seated. The food was outstanding, and so was our server! We were encouraged to box up what we couldn’t eat and she proceeded to give us a few different sizes so we could even take some of the salsas. Love that they don’t want food to just go to waste and it was delicious as leftovers. We had chips and 3 different salsas- and I’m not usually a fan of salsa verde but it was delicious. We also had literally a bowl of guacamole, along with pork tacos and sweet potato tacos & a side of black beans, which were literally the best black beans I’ve ever had- and I live in San Diego!
Explore Diners' Choice best of Des Moines
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