Wondering where to do lunch in Greater Des Moines? Across the metro, locals weighed in on their go-to spots for everything from a quick bite to a full-on “I’m taking my time” lunch. This list is easy, satisfying, and just indulgent enough to make your day noticeably better.  

So, whether you’re refueling your mid-errand shopping or strategically escaping your inbox for an hour, consider this your official excuse to go out to lunch.

Old School Sandwiches & New School Bites  

B&B Grocery
Having opened in 1922, B&B Grocery keeps grab-and-go at a local level. Their old-fashioned deli counter serves up killer sandwiches (grilled, breaded, burgers, deli, you name it) and hearty sides to leave you nostalgic for that old deli vibe. Come hungry, as the Quadzilla burger and Dad’s Killer Sandwich (named one of the Des Best Sandwiches) aren’t here to mess around.

Hansen’s Manhattan Deli
Manhattan Deli is bringing New York-style deli staples to the Des Moines metro. Trust us, it’s been tried and certified by NYC locals themselves. Order up a pastrami on rye, corned beef deluxe, or an original like The Blue Bird (made with blueberry bread) or the Chi-Iowa (Iowa’s take on the Italian Beef). Their daily specials are fair game any day of the week (at regular price), but if you’re in the know, the Tuesday Special is the move, best enjoyed along the Seinfeld-lined walls.

South Union Bread Cafe
What Des Moines locals lunch guide would it be if we didn’t mention South Union? What started as a bread bakery for Chef George Formano has now become a go-to lunch spot with homemade warm and cold sandwiches all on that fluffy, South Union focaccia or Italian bread. Go for George’s Special, a stacked combo of ham, roast pork, salami, Swiss, and all the fixings on focaccia, and thank us later. 

Gateway Market Cafe
If you have a broad palate, this spot boasts a menu variety unlike any other for lunch. Craving a sandwich? They’ve got it. Craving a Philly cheesesteak or a Korean pulled pork? You betcha. Need a basket of fish and chips, shrimp tacos, or Cantonese stir fry to satisfy? Say less. You can dine in if you have time or place an order for pick up or delivery depending on your schedule. And while you’re there, grab a few groceries and call it a productive lunch hour.

Lunch, But Make it Dinner-Worthy  

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
What’s this West Des Moines steakhouse doing as a best lunch spot? Simple. Our locals love the incredible deal of the two-course lunch prix fixe menu. Choose between the mushroom brie soup or Fleming's salad for your first course, and the Cabernet filet or steak frites for your entree. It delivers all the white-tablecloth energy, even at noon. 

Lucca
Also voted one of the Des Best Italian Restaurants by locals, Lucca is an East Village spot that strikes the perfect balance between trendy and approachable, serving up both dinner and lunch. As natural light pours into the brick-lined space and hearty bowls of steaming pasta hit the tables, it’s easy to see why it earned a spot on this guide. At lunch, their wildly popular special lets you snag a house-made pasta or sandwich with a side for just $15, which locals have turned into one of the most coveted lunch deals in town.

Fresko
In the heart of downtown Des Moines is Fresko, elevating your lunch with menu options you’ll find hard to get anywhere else. From flatbreads and sandwiches to tacos and special entrees, each item is created with farm to table ingredients that boast fresh flavors and bold dishes. It’s the kind of place that makes group decisions easy, whether you’re craving something light, hearty, or a little outside the box. 

Trendy Cafes and Light Lunches 

Allora Cafe
Quietly ready to make you look like you planned something impressive and tucked inside the Krause Gateway Center across from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, it’s ideal for lunch meetings, subtle flexes, or winning over that one coworker who’s impossible to impress. House-made pastas, polentas, and a Pranzo Combo that raises the bar on what lunch can be.  

Little Leaf Luncheonette
When “luncheonette” is in the name, you know the expectations are high. This Waukee spot has turned midday dining into a bit of a moment. Missed breakfast? Not a problem. Their lineup lets you bounce between savory (that glorious Tavern burger, anyone?) and sweet (yes, their French toast is still available for lunch), depending on which way your cravings are pulling you.

Crisp & Green
If your schedule is tight (like, “I have 27 minutes and a meeting right after this” tight), Crisp & Green has you covered. This is your go-to lunch that feels responsible and tastes good. Stick with a signature salad or take full control and build your own salad, wrap, or grain bowl. Either way, it’s quick, customizable, and just healthy enough to make you feel like you’ve got your life together. 

Flora Cafe
For lunch with a view (and a solid excuse to linger longer), head inside the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Open year-round, Flora Cafe pairs bowls and salads with full-on nature therapy, with fresh, vibrant ingredients that feel straight out of the garden itself. Order the HoQ Mediterranean grain bowl or a Flora salad for a vibe that’s scenic, serene, and seriously hard to beat.

Palmer's Deli & Market
A downtown staple with four metro locations in Urbandale, West Des Moines, Ingersoll Avenue, and the Kaleidoscope skywalk, Palmer’s knows lunch starts with the bread, fresh-baked daily and stacked high on sandwiches like their can’t-miss Reuben. Build-your-own “spinner” salads keep things crisp, while the ever-popular box lunch fuels the workday crowd with an easy, delicious grab-and-go. It’s classic, quick, and done right, just how Des Moines likes it.

Fresh Faces, Classic Feel  

The Empire
Located on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines where the original Fong’s used to be, The Empire is new to the foodie scene. This all-day restaurant is home to one of the more craveable and affordable lunches in the area. It’s no-nonsense, tasty, and serves as a quick break from your day. With Midwest comfort food on the menu, you can order a hot beef sandwich, chili, chicken pot pies, and more, all built to hit the spot.

Tribute Eatery & Bar
If you’re looking for a more sleek approach to lunch, Tribute in Ankeny brings it. What has the locals talking? Their choose two menu includes a variety of delicious salads and soups, with a hearty entree to go with for only $15.99. But that’s not all; their focaccia paninis are absolutely mouth-watering. (Psst, they also have $0.99 lunch martinis...drink responsibly.)

Lachele’s Fine Foods
Smashburgers get a whole new meaning here. With two locations, their flagship on Ingersoll and a more relaxed sit-down eatery in Highland Park, Lachele’s has made quite the name for themselves in the Greater Des Moines area. Order the best smashburger in town with a side of their house seasoned tots. Then check the daily sandwich special, where things get creative, rarely repeat, and are worth the Instagram follow all on their own. 

Basic Bird
THE local Korean fried chicken spot, with flavors that will have you wondering, “where has this been my whole life?”. Sometimes all you need is fried chicken that is crispy, juicy, and unapologetically satisfying to turn your whole day around. And if you’re open to trying something new, their honey fries and corn cheese will be unlike anything you’ve ever had before (in the best way ever).

Culture Meets Quick Cuisine 

Graziano Brothers
Add that old-school Italian charm to your lunch plate. A true Des Moines institution, Graziano Brothers is famous for its Italian sausage, the same quality staple you’ll find featured on menus across the city. Stop in at their deli counter and order up an authentic Italian sandwich, choosing from both cold and hot. Grab a spicy grinder sammie or a caprese panini, and don’t forget to top it all off with giardiniera. 

Café con Leche
For a cozy, Latin-inspired pick-me-up, Café con Leche is your spot for rich espresso, savory chilaquiles, and a little more optimism to carry you through the rest of your day. Eastsiders love the modern cafe vibes paired with the warm, homemade spices and sauces that come with the perfect plate of chile verde. This is what people are talking about when they speak breathlessly about “hidden gems”.

Taste of Italy
Taste of Italy doubles down on those Italian deli favorites with a carb-filled hug you didn’t know you needed at 1 p.m. They bring a little slice of Chicago to Des Moines, from their standout Italian beef, The Vogue, to loaded sandwiches like the ever-popular Non Profit. Whether you’re here for the classic beef or branching out, it’s the kind of place that makes every lunch feel like a trip up to the Windy City. 

Basil Prosperi
Their menu keeps it modern and simple with fresh pastas, sandwiches, and salads as one of 801 Grand’s best kept secrets. Highly accessible by the downtown skywalks and surrounding businesses, it’s no wonder locals prefer this place for a midday meal. It’s quick without feeling rushed and exactly the kind of place you start gatekeeping after your first visit.  

Faustino’s Taqueria
Where flavor and spice in their 16 different street tacos, burritos, and quesadillas wake up your taste buds faster than a triple espresso. On the border of Clive and Windsor Heights, right off University Ave, locals are raving about the birria pizza and Cubano torta. Some might argue these are the best, most authentic tacos you’ll find in the heart of the Midwest. And with their new spot, Faustino’s Breakfast & Tacos, now open in West Des Moines, you’ve got reasons to make the trip for every meal.

Other Noteworthy Lunch Specials 

  • De Rice, Johnston
    Two maki roll combo for $11.95 or a three-roll combo for $14.95. 

  • Opa! Italian & Greek, West Des Moines
    Tuesdays, $7.99 gyros and $10 combos available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

  • Lua Brewing, Downtown Des Moines
    Weekdays, a sandwich and two sides for $15 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

  • Wasabi, multiple locations
    Maki lunch special — pick any two rolls for $13.65, or any three rolls for $18.65 served with miso soup, spicy egg drop soup, or green salad. 

  • KPOT, West Des Moines
    All you can eat Korean BBQ, hot pot, or both for $21.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids ages 7-10 years old. 

  • Angry Goldfish, Southside Des Moines
    Tuesdays, $10 burger and beer. 

  • Cheese Bar, Downtown Des Moines/Ingersoll
    Half grilled cheese and a side for $15. 

  • Cooper’s on 5th, West Des Moines
    Pick two from half sandwiches, soup, salads, and fries for $11 or three for $14. 

  • Fong’s Pizza, Downtown Des Moines/East Village
    Two slices and a soft drink for $10 or one slice with a salad and soft drink for $10. 

Des Best Doesn’t Stop at Lunch 

Did this leave you wondering, “Wow... I wish there was a full crowd-sourced series of lists about the best food and/or drink spots around Greater Des Moines area?”. Well, today is your lucky day. We’ve been, and continue to, crowd-source for all kinds of places around the metro from hidden gems to notable (and reliable) hot spots. So, the next time you’re planning your date night, happy hour, or searching for the best place to take your Midwestern in-laws...check no further than our Des Best lists.