Nathan and Jess' guidebook
Food scene
We love this little local Mexican restaurant. Their carne asada tacos are delicious and they have good ice cream!
El Michoacano Ice Cream and Mexican Food
2922 Merle Hay RoadWe love this little local Mexican restaurant. Their carne asada tacos are delicious and they have good ice cream!
This is a really fun burger/hot dog spot. Their smash burgers certainly have to be in the consideration for best in town. The ambience of the restaurant is also really fun.
7 locals recommend
Lachele's Fine Foods
2716 Ingersoll AvenueThis is a really fun burger/hot dog spot. Their smash burgers certainly have to be in the consideration for best in town. The ambience of the restaurant is also really fun.
Great late night pizza spot. They sell by the slice after 10 PM. The honey garlic alfredo pizza is a must. BE WARNED, however, that they advertise bad service and they mean it! I would not recommend ordering from here as they've been known to simply ignore orders. Just stop in for a slice.
6 locals recommend
Big Tomato Pizza
2613 Ingersoll AveGreat late night pizza spot. They sell by the slice after 10 PM. The honey garlic alfredo pizza is a must. BE WARNED, however, that they advertise bad service and they mean it! I would not recommend ordering from here as they've been known to simply ignore orders. Just stop in for a slice.
The Zombie craze is alive and well at Zombie Burger. Their zombie themed burgers are no mere gimmicks, they're yummy. It can be a lot, but if you're craving something out of the ordinary, this might be your spot.
44 locals recommend
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand AveThe Zombie craze is alive and well at Zombie Burger. Their zombie themed burgers are no mere gimmicks, they're yummy. It can be a lot, but if you're craving something out of the ordinary, this might be your spot.
Lua has a great spot in the Sherman Hill neighborhood. They have a good selection of their own brews as well as a great food menu. In the warmer months their patio is one of the best!
13 locals recommend
Lua Brewing
1525 High StreetLua has a great spot in the Sherman Hill neighborhood. They have a good selection of their own brews as well as a great food menu. In the warmer months their patio is one of the best!
Local specialty grocery store with a cafe area for dine-in or take-out. The food is really good.
35 locals recommend
Gateway Market
2002 Woodland AveLocal specialty grocery store with a cafe area for dine-in or take-out. The food is really good.
Neighborhoods
Valley Junction is a fun neighborhood shopping district with various stores, restaurants and attractions.
46 locals recommend
Valley Junction
Valley Junction is a fun neighborhood shopping district with various stores, restaurants and attractions.
Downtown food and shopping district. Great options for dinners and night life. Beautiful views of the Capitol and downtown Des Moines
64 locals recommend
East Village
Downtown food and shopping district. Great options for dinners and night life. Beautiful views of the Capitol and downtown Des Moines
Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch
La Mie is a wonderful breakfast/brunch spot. Their pastries are delicious and their breakfasts will not disappoint. It can be busy, especially on weekends, but it's worth it!
46 locals recommend
La Mie Bakery
841 42nd StLa Mie is a wonderful breakfast/brunch spot. Their pastries are delicious and their breakfasts will not disappoint. It can be busy, especially on weekends, but it's worth it!
St. Kilda has a handful of locations around town. This is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or a leisurely cup of coffee. You won't be disappointed!
6 locals recommend
St. Kilda Collective
333 5th StSt. Kilda has a handful of locations around town. This is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or a leisurely cup of coffee. You won't be disappointed!
It's just an old-fashioned diner breakfast spot. It is well loved around here, but I can't say that the food will blow you away. If you're looking for a vibe, you should go. Jason Momoa and other Iowa celebs frequent this little spot.
17 locals recommend
Waveland Cafe
4708 University AveIt's just an old-fashioned diner breakfast spot. It is well loved around here, but I can't say that the food will blow you away. If you're looking for a vibe, you should go. Jason Momoa and other Iowa celebs frequent this little spot.
Hiland Bakery
3615 6th AveDelicious donuts. What more do I need to say?
Donut Hut
4941 Douglas AveDelicious donuts. Try the apple fritter.
This is a fun spot for a quick bite. They have outdoor seating during nice weather and are not far from our place.
Motley School Tavern
1903 Beaver AveThis is a fun spot for a quick bite. They have outdoor seating during nice weather and are not far from our place.
One of my favorite lunch spots. Locally owned deli serving up delicious sandwiches. My personal favorite is the "Tuesday Special," which, despite it's name, you can get any day of the week.
10 locals recommend
Manhattan Deli
3705 Ingersoll AveOne of my favorite lunch spots. Locally owned deli serving up delicious sandwiches. My personal favorite is the "Tuesday Special," which, despite it's name, you can get any day of the week.
Coffee/Tea
Beautiful downtown coffee shop. They're good at what they do. If you like coffee you won't be disappointed.
8 locals recommend
Horizon Line Coffee
1417 Walnut StBeautiful downtown coffee shop. They're good at what they do. If you like coffee you won't be disappointed.
Great coffee shop to get a coffee. They have ample indoor seating if you want to hang out for awhile. They have a small food menu as well.
14 locals recommend
Mars Cafe
2318 University AveGreat coffee shop to get a coffee. They have ample indoor seating if you want to hang out for awhile. They have a small food menu as well.
If you like teas, they've got 'em. Specialty teas line their walls and their workers are super helpful to find what you'd like.
Gong Fu Tea
414 E 6th StIf you like teas, they've got 'em. Specialty teas line their walls and their workers are super helpful to find what you'd like.
Coffee shop/bakery. They have really good pastries and a beautiful location. You won't lack sunlight in this place.
19 locals recommend
Scenic Route Bakery
350 E Locust StCoffee shop/bakery. They have really good pastries and a beautiful location. You won't lack sunlight in this place.
Drinks and Libations
If you like beer, this might be your spot. They have over 200 beers on tap and their bartenders are knowledgeable to help you find what you're looking for. In addition, they have a great food menu.
25 locals recommend
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd StIf you like beer, this might be your spot. They have over 200 beers on tap and their bartenders are knowledgeable to help you find what you're looking for. In addition, they have a great food menu.
Featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, this 1960′s style corner tavern is a great spot. They sport shag carpet and have beers exclusively from this era. They also have a great food menu. Get their broasted chicken!
12 locals recommend
The High Life Lounge
200 Southwest 2nd StreetFeatured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, this 1960′s style corner tavern is a great spot. They sport shag carpet and have beers exclusively from this era. They also have a great food menu. Get their broasted chicken!
Intimate cocktail bar with a nice patio in the warmer months.
9 locals recommend
The Bartender's Handshake
3615 Ingersoll AveIntimate cocktail bar with a nice patio in the warmer months.
Fun cocktail bar with a mid-century modern theme inspired by the living room of the owner's grandmother.
14 locals recommend
Hello, Marjorie
717 Locust StFun cocktail bar with a mid-century modern theme inspired by the living room of the owner's grandmother.
Bellhop
440 E Grand AveModern Tiki Bar.
Revival House
316 Court AvenueTraditional tiki bar with fun vibes and plenty of blowfish hanging from the ceiling.
Up-Down
500 E Locust StBarcade located downtown.