Sure, we like our tenderloins and sweet corn, but Des Moines' dining scene is nothing if not diverse. From warm bowls of noodles and sizzling steaks to tasty tacos and spicy curry, see what locals voted the best international cuisine in Greater Des Moines. Consider this your passport to flavor!
*All of our Des Best lists are crowdsourced and voted by locals.*
Mi Patria
If you've never had Ecuadorian food, you need not be intimidated. This is meat and potatoes stuff, with a healthy dose of plantains to satisfy your sweet tooth. As seen on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the menu features grilled chicken and grilled carne served with rice and beans, but the real star may be the Hornado con mote – slow-roasted marinated pulled pork served with a potato patty, white corn, and rice. Side of empanadas practically mandatory, not optional. Their Mi Patria for 2 (a little of everything) still remains the best bang for your buck in town.
Green Olive
Ever since it opened in 2023 on Fleur Avenue, we’ve waved our hands wildly and shouted to anyone that will listen, “Green Olive is wildly underrated!” Oh, some of the looks we’ve gotten. But some of you must have heeded the call, since they recently opened another location in West Des Moines as well. At both locations you can expect to find arguably the best Mediterranean food in the state, with dozens of hala meat and vegetarian options, including wraps, kababs, gyros, falafels, and salads. They also have a tasty breakfast menu with breakfast tortas, omelets, and pancake platters. They can do no wrong.
Tacos La Familia
So as not to bury the lede here: get the birria. Literally, stop reading this, get in your car, drive there, and get the birria. (Maybe check their hours first.) More specifically, the Tacos Ahogados (tortilla dipped in birria sauce and fried with melted cheese) or the Birria Pizzadilla (basically a quesadilla). Get either of these with…wait for it…a side of birria stew. If you haven't googled 'birria' yet, what are we even doing here?
Eat Thai
Here comes a HOT TAKE: One follower claimed that "Eat Thai is better than any Thai food I had living in New York City for 20 years." Whoa, that is spicier than ordering their yellow curry with level 5 spice! Since we're living on the edge here, skip the safe (but delicious) pad thai and try the pad wee ew (flat rice noodles with egg, broccoli, and choice of meat) or live like a king/queen with their Surf and Turf fried rice with beef and shrimp, which may just be one of the best dishes that only us is talking about.
KPOT
The buzzy new kid on the block, KPOT opened in West Des Moines in 2024 to much anticipation and has already delivered on all the hype. The popular chain specializes in all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, where diners cook their meats and vegetables at their table, either with a grill or a hot pot, dunked in boiling broth. Meat options include everything from short ribs and pork belly to chicken and jumbo shrimp. Great for big groups, date nights, vegetarians and everything in between, KPOT is experiential dining at its finest (and freshest).
A Dong
With 145 items on the menu (this is the type of place you just order by number) you're best served to put your fate in the hands of the knowledgeable staff who can help guide you. When in doubt, go for the Pho, a rice noodle soup served with basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, jalapeno, lime wedge, and choice of protein. Bonus pro tip – if you love Vietnamese food, check out Vietnam Café in Merle Hay Mall. Don't let the "mall" status scare you off; this is often lauded as one of the best hidden gems in the metro.
Cosi Cucina
Cosi Cucina in Clive has quietly been dishing up the most delicious authentic Italian cuisine in the region since 1993, amassing a legion of loyal fans along the way. The carefully curated family recipes are crafted with reverence and love, which is evident the moment the plate is set in front of you and the smell hits your nostrils. Chicken parmesan, potato ravioli, mushroom farfalle, seafood linguini...we could go on, but imagine that a Pavlovian response has already been triggered.
Kathmandu
This Windsor Heights favorite serving Nepalese cuisine earns raves for its chicken vindaloo and lamb curry, but we can't stop raving about their momos. (Not to be confused with a similar sounding Iowan dish). These dumplings come steamed or fried and are filled with chicken or vegetables. Gimme mo'!
Flavory Bistro
Tucked away inside The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny, Flavory Bistro is a charming Mediterranean bistro that is the self-proclaimed “home of the paella.” Having experienced it first-hand, we’re happy to confirm that the title is well-earned. So are their other accolades, including showing up on Eater’s list of Best Des Moines restaurants, and being voted the No. 1 Healthiest Restaurant by the Ankeny Chamber. Healthy doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing flavor though (it’s in the name, duh), as evidenced by their savory paninis and specialties like Mediterranean steak and chicken cordon bleu. Just make sure to save room for a piece of baklava at the end.
Open Sesame
This cute little Lebanese café in the East Village may be the only place where 'date night' and 'gyro' co-exist. With its chic décor and dark ambiance, the gyro plates and shawarma are the stars of the show, but vegetarians in the know rave about their vegetarian sampler and plethora of options.
Lucky Lotus
Besides being the best Instagram follow on the list, Lucky Lotus might just be the most buzzed about as well. Modern and progressive, hip yet comfortable, Lucky Lotus is the cool kid on the list (case in point, they sell beanies and stickers) thanks to dishes like Yuzu Brussels, drunken noodles, and Lucky bento. Their winter green curry with tempura fish might just be the best cure for the winter blues ever cooked up. Be sure to order a side of crab Rangoons – they're the triangle kind stuffed full of the goods!
Opa!
At Opa! they’ve solved that age old dilemma of “Italian food or Greek food tonight?” What if we told you that you could get both at the same time? Opulent, sure, but YOLO. This family-owned West Des Moines staple offers up all the comfort food classics. Saganaki or fried calamari to start? Baked lasagna or Greek lasagna? Meatballs or moussaka? Better go twice to decide. Opa, indeed.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
For big city vibes and sushi that stands toe to toe with its coastal cousins, head down to Court Avenue to Blue Sushi Sake Grill. Start with an order of the delightfully decadent crispy rice cakes, with crispy rice topped with bigeye tuna, scallion, and tataki sauce. Then work your way through the more than 50 different maki rolls, including a dozen vegan friendly options. So many rolls, so little time.
Tacos Marianas
Often times the answer to the question, "Who has the best authentic tacos in Des Moines?", Tacos Marianas is as unassuming as it is delicious. The beauty lies within the simplicity. Order some a la carte tacos with al pastor, carnitas, or carne asada, on a corn tortilla with cilantro and onion. Pair with a cold Tecate. Repeat until full and happy.
El Fogon
If you're looking for a more traditional sit-down Mexican restaurant with warm chips, a festive atmosphere, and margaritas as big as your head, El Fogon in West Des Moines is the place for you. They've got all the usual suspects on the menu, and about a million other interesting offerings, including some "trainer approved" healthy options for those sticking to their New Years' resolutions. They make the tortillas homemade, right at the front of the restaurant, and that makes all the difference in the world. Sit on the patio in the summer, where there are solid odds you'll be serenaded by mariachi music as you nosh on your chips and Guacamole on Stone, or as we call it, Guacamole on Point.
Akebono 515
The best sushi place in Des Moines looks and tastes like you stepped into a New York hotspot, minus the prices and attitude. Akebono uses fresh ingredients, free of any gimmicks, just darn good sushi. If sushi isn't your thing (it will be if you give it a shot here), it's hard to go wrong with a steamy bowl of their ramen, either.
Fresh Mediterranean Express
An unassuming strip mall in Waukee with a deceptively simple name is not where you’d expect to find some of the best Mediterranean food you’ve ever tasted, but here we are. Fresh is the key word here. Sure, they offer traditional Mediterranean dishes like falafel, Greek salads, and wraps but rarely is so much attention paid to the quality of the ingredients and the meticulous preparation. Their rice bowls are rave-worthy, and their hummus and pita bread are among the best we’ve had.
DZO Korean BBQ
DZO was one of the first Korean barbeque places to make its mark in the metro, and the buzz has yet to die down. Experience all-you-can-eat tabletop grilling with premium beef cuts like bulgogi, tri tip, and pork belly, or opt for dishes like Korean fried chicken, creamy Gochujang noodles, or chicken tacos. Whether you take dinner into your own hands or leave it to the experts, you’re in good hands either way.
Monarca Paletas
If Lucky Lotus is the best Instagram follow, Monarca Paletas might just be the most "Instagrammable" food on the list. For the uninitiated, a paleta is a Mexican frozen treat made from natural fruits like strawberry and mango or rich, creamy ingredients such as chocolate or pistachio. Basically the best looking, best-tasting popsicle you've ever had. This location in Clive has over 30 flavors with endless amounts of flavor combinations. Pick your paleta, pick your drizzle, topping, and leave happy. Bonus location, they opened up a second spot in Waukee.
Pho All Seasons
Pho All Seasons is your favorite chef’s favorite pho restaurant (see: Joe Tripp, Harbinger). That’s because the Vietnamese dishes all scream quality, from the soul warming bowls of pho and fresh spring rolls to the noodle stir fry and some of the best fried rice this side of the Pacific.
Tullpa Peruvian Cuisine
One of the true hidden gems in the metro, Tullpa is discovered by many through their presence at the annual Latino Heritage Festival downtown. Those lucky enough to experience it there can usually be seen on their phones, googling where they can find these delightful Peruvian eats, including empanadas, seco de carne (beef stew with rice), and lomo saltado (beef stir fry and french fries). The answer is 3708 Merle Hay Road. Enter that into your Google maps and start your trip towards culinary delight.
Gursha Ethiopian Food
Gursha made a quick name for itself in the Drake neighborhood with its counter service take on Ethiopian food. Within five minutes, you'll be sampling Ethiopian faves like Sega Wat (beef stew), Doro Wat (chicken and egg in spicy berbere sauce), all sopped up with injera – Ethiopian sourdough flatbread bread unlike any sourdough bread you've ever had.
Thai Flavors
With two Des Moines locations, Thai Flavors makes it easy to get your noodles or curry fix, with traditional dishes done right. Not only do they offer an extensive menu of Thai favorites, but they also have Chinese favorites like General Tao chicken, Mongolian beef, and almond shrimp. Oh, and did we mention some of Des Best crab rangoons around? Welcome to Flavor Town.
Panka Peruvian Restaurant
Ingersoll Avenue is known as Restaurant Row in some circles, and those who run in that circle know that Panka Peruvian is the gem that more people should be shouting about. The vibes in the chic, 49-seat space are immaculate, matched only by Peruvian cuisine, which for the uninitiated, is a blend of Incan dishes using ingredients such as quinoa, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and corn. Start off with a trio of ceviche and then sample the classics like Arroz Con Mariscos (rice with seafood and yellow pepper) and Pescado A Lo Macho De Camarones (pan seared fish with spicy, creamy shrimp sauce). The eclectic menu has plenty of choices to choose from, but rest assured you’ll be back for more.
