Handpicked off the vine by locals, this list of the Des Best Italian Restaurants in Greater Des Moines is like a Dutch oven full of slow-simmered, bubbling Sunday sauce. It’s a feast for the senses that builds anticipation and will have you twirling a fork and humming Sinatra without even realizing it. Dig in.
*Speaking of Sinatra, pair this list with this Spotify playlist for full effect.
**There are many great pizza places that have their own list. You can find that here.
*All of our Des Best lists are crowdsourced and voted by locals.*
Cosi Cucina
If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t think much of this unassuming storefront in Clive, with its modest black and white sign, tucked off 86th Street next door to Mr. B’s menswear. But locals do know better, as evidenced by a parking lot that fills up by 5:00 p.m. and a cramped but comfortable waiting area that rewards the patient with consistently great dishes like their Ziti Cucina, topped with two meatballs and their famous Diana sauce. Maybe the fact that it’s cozied up to an old-school menswear shop is no accident, as it conjures up visions of a dapper Dean Martin digging into a heaping plate of Cosini Linguini and exclaiming, “That’s amore!”
Chef’s Kiss: Cosi was recently named the best Italian restaurant in the state by Chowhound and was also the numero uno vote-getter among locals. The love is as big as their portion sizes.
Portofino’s
Green, white, and red awning that looks like the Flag of Italy? Check. Paintings of wine bottles and rustic Italian countrysides? Check. A charming waitstaff that shakes up a dirty martini behind the bar and looks impossibly cool doing it? Check. That's the trifecta that we’re here for. And the complimentary, fluffy bread that’s the stuff carb dreams are made of. (Pro tip: ask for some made-to-order alfredo sauce or homemade cream soups to dip it in.) This Ankeny favorite specializes in all the pastas ending in ‘i’: cannelloni, manicotti, tortellini, and a whole host of other ones that are all fun to say and delicious to eat.
Chef’s Kiss: The lobster ravioli wins raves for being bold enough to also include shrimp, because why stick to one shellfish when you can have two?
Tumea and Sons
Des Moines’ southside Italian restaurants are boiling over with history, shaped by immigrant families whose secret sauces are intertwined into the cultural fabric like a fork wrapped with spaghetti. Tumea and Sons is the embodiment of this ideal, founded by Italian immigrants Joe and Lucretia Tumea, and now run by their sons, Louie, Mario, and Joe Jr. Known for their red sauce, this old school joint screams “family Italian” from the moment you walk in, from the Rat Pack photos and Catholic crucifixes on the wall to the Italian history primer on the placemats. Come for the Pasta Diablo, stay for the lingering conversation and Sinatra on the speakers.
Chef’s Kiss: Tell me you’re Italian without telling me you’re Italian. They have a regulation bocce ball court out back and even host league play.
Simon’s
We’re running out of superlatives to describe Simon’s, and they’re running out of window space to display their Des Best clings. From Hidden Gems and Comfort Food to Date Spots and even Best Restaurants period, no list is safe from its legion of loud and loyal locals. (Brunch is there for the taking Simon, just saying.) The Lamb Chops and Chicken Parmesan are divine, and the complimentary red velvet cake for dessert is the worst kept secret in town. The line outside the door, at once both intimidating and a badge of honor, has been rendered manageable (perhaps even anticipated) by the addition of the most charming waiting area in town next door, where Simon himself will get you a drink while you wait. And please never take down The Rock vs John Cena WrestleMania poster, which feels weirdly at home with all the other fancy stuff. Art is subjective, but Simon’s excellence is objective.
Chef’s Kiss: If Simon’s sounds like a hospitable place, don’t just take our word for it. It was a semifinalist for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality.
Baratta’s
Another southside stalwart, Baratta’s started in the 1950s as a small Italian grocery store before evolving into the decades old staple of the Des Moines dining and catering scene that it’s become today. Like most of its Italian brethren on that side of town, it’s not so much about pomp and circumstance as it is time-tested dishes and a familial feel (no, not like the Olive Garden kind). The play is to go there for lunch and eat irresponsible amounts of Stuffed Mushrooms and Baked Lasagna and follow that up with a well-earned pasta coma (we'll forge a doctor’s note to get you out of work if you need it).
Chef’s Kiss: Getting hitched? Baratta’s has won a whole host of awards for their wedding catering, including being a three-time winner on The Knot and is a featured caterer with Wed Society Iowa.
Lucca
If many of the red-sauce institutions on this list are the grandfather who will pinch your cheeks and give you a Werther’s, then Lucca in the East Village is the hip yet approachable Italian cousin who wears expensive cologne and loafers without socks. This charming Italian bistro with its exposed brick, natural lighting, and minimalist white decor, is both a savvy date night choice and low-key lunch find, where $15 gets you a choice of pasta or a sandwich and choice of soup or salad. Both your wise grandpa and cool cousin love that for you.
Chef’s Kiss: Chef and owner Steve Logsdon has earned James Beard nominations for Best Chef Midwest four different times. Not a bad way to bolster your LinkedIn profile.
Noah’s Ark
Noah’s Ark on Ingersoll hasn’t been around since the Old Testament, even if the stained glass and name-appropriate mural suggest otherwise. Launched in 1946 (the same year as Tupperware and the bikini), it’s helmed today by James Lacona II, grandson of founder Noah, who has done nothing to diminish its original charm. This Des Moines institution is known for their Calabrese-style lasagna (incorporating small meatballs and hard-boiled eggs), fried green pepper rings, and Neapolitan pizza that got Noah dubbed “The Pizza King” (arguably, the best kind of king). Everything here is great, so feel free to employ the ark strategy; ordering two of everything.
Chef’s Kiss: Noah’s Ark is considered the oldest continuously operating restaurant to sell pizza in Iowa.
Aposto
If you’ve ever been halfway through a plate of perfectly cooked gnocchi - so good that it could bring a tear to Gordon Ramsey’s eye, even on his grumpiest day — and thought, “The only thing that could make this better is eating it inside an 1880s Victorian mansion,” boy, do we have the place for you. Chosen by USA Today (and locals too) as one of the most romantic restaurants in America, this amorous Sherman Hill spot has everything you could want to set the mood: dim lighting, inviting service, cozy dinner party vibes, and appetizers being called antipasto. Speaking of which, Nanee’s Polenta Cakes also fit the bill of “things that would turn grumpy Gordon’s day around”.
Chef’s Kiss: Aposto specializes in 100% made-from-scratch pasta noodles. That’s the difference between “it was fine” and “foodie core memory”.
Christopher’s
Nestled amongst Beaverdale’s iconic brick houses, Christopher’s is the type of neighborhood joint where you half expect a familial “Ehi!” when you walk in the door, whether they know your name or not. That expectation isn’t wrong, as the tradition of greeting every guest started with original owner Joe Giudicessi in 1963 and continues to this day with his son Ron. You’ll also be greeted with the rich aromas of some of their signature dishes. Is that the Fettucine Gorgonzola with beef tenderloin you smell? Maybe it’s Chicken Parmigiana, covered in beautiful, bubbly cheese. Is it Monday? Because if it is, that’s definitely the slow-cooked Prime Rib special. Whatever it is, you’ll leave carrying notes of tomato and basil perfume, which is the smell of success.
Chef’s Kiss: When Joe and Red Giudicessi bought Christopher’s in 1961, the sign was too expensive to replace, so they decided to just keep the name.
Latin King
Even though we made a video about Steak de Burgo here, it would be unfair to pigeonhole this East-side anchor as merely “the place to get one of the best steaks of your life” (although there are surely worse ways to be typecast). Like, how about the “best chicken spiedini” or “best pollo sorrentina and filet mignon marsala” of your life? If these sound like impossible standards to meet, there’s also a section of the menu called “Great Tastes of Italy” which seemingly sets a more attainable, yet flavor-packed bar.
Chef’s Kiss: Their limited-time strawberry shortcake is the stuff of legends. Get it while it’s in season, which is usually from around April until the end of June.
Nonna’s Pizza & Pasta
We said this wasn’t a list for pizza places, but one look at the menu at Nonna’s and you’ll see why “pasta” is right there in the name, even if it’s not the headliner. It’s like the Best Supporting Actor nominee who steals the show and should have been up for Best Actor but must let the established box-office star take the spotlight. Speaking of which, we don’t think the Netflix movie Nonna’s was based on this Ankeny upstart, but we admittedly haven’t seen the movie, so maybe it is?
Chef’s Kiss: The owners are native New Yorkers, so the Italian street cred is strong with this one.
Centro
Whether it’s a client lunch meant to impress or a date night without too much “try too hard” energy, Centro has dominated the downtown Des Moines dining scene since opening in 2002. The mid-century Italian travel posters set the scene, providing a colorful juxtaposition against the white tablecloths and dark wood paneling of the dining room. The menu is also a balance of both elevated and casual, with sea scallops and chicken francese living comfortably next to their renowned New Haven-style pizzas. It’s like a dinner party at your cool friend’s house who reads really smart books and also watches a lot of reality TV.
Chef’s Kiss: What do Gene Simmons, Matthew McConaughey, Paula Abdul, and Scarlett Johansson all have in common? They’ve all checked Centro off their Des Moines foodie bucket list.
Opa!
At last check, “Opa!” was what your mildly annoyed waiter exclaims when another table of rookies orders the flaming cheese at a Greek restaurant. So, imagine your surprise when we tell you that Opa in West Des Moines is a family-run, Greek and Italian concept that will also have you exclaiming “Evviva!” in equal measure. (Light bulb idea: flaming mozzarella sticks, apologies to the waitstaff.) Greek lasagna and baked lasagna? Gyros and spaghetti? This is one of those “why didn’t I think of this first?” situations.
Chef’s Kiss: Want to skip the stress of cooking for the holidays? Opa is one of the few places in the metro that is consistently open for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is a gift in and of itself.
La Dolce Vita Doesn’t Stop at Italian, Greater Des Moines Has It All
Our city is full of history, culture, and cuisine. Beyond Des Moines’ strong Italian heritage are other signature scents, smells, and tastes for every palate. From boozy cocktails and sweet snacks to hidden local hot spots and patios, check out more of “Des Best” that our metro has to offer.
