Visiting Des Moines and wondering where to grab a drink? Our s’s may be silent, but our drinks scene speaks volumes. For me, the right sip — whether it’s a cozy latte, a patio pint, or a perfectly mixed cocktail — always sets the tone for the trip and gives a true taste of the city’s vibe. From sunrise to last call, Greater Des Moines pours personality into every cup, glass, and tumbler. Let’s tap into the best drinks in town and the tastemakers behind them.

Get Your Caffeine Fix, One Cup at a Time

Des Moines is brimming with noteworthy coffee shops. Across the metro, you’ll find hot and cold brews with distinctive twists. Rise and shine — let’s go find your morning (or afternoon) cup of joe.

Start downtown at Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar, tucked off the lobby of Hotel Fort Des Moines. With bay windows and a cozy ambience, it’s a Gatsby-worthy setting. Another standout is Horizon Line Coffee, focused on sustainability and known for its signature glass jars and house-made syrups.

For those wanting to slow things down a bit, The Slow Down Coffee Co. lives up to its name with its casual setting and soft vibes. I never skip the vegan OCPs (oatmeal cream pies) from Thistle’s Summit if they’re in stock. Looking for bold, spiced flavor? Mayalu Coffee channels Nepalese traditions with ingredients like cardamom and saffron.

Though not a café, BLK & Bold coffee is a local treasure — ethically sourced, socially conscious, and available at many metro retailers. The company donates 5% of its profits to youth-focused nonprofits. In nearby Grimes, Lightbrite Coffee Roasters brightens the day with small-batch beans, a cozy vibe, and fun favorites like the Spicy Mayan (house-made chocolate and espresso) and Nightlite Latte (house-made lavender, vanilla, and espresso). Can’t decide? Go for a coffee flight with an espresso, cortado, filter brew, and cold brew — all roasted on-site by husband-and-wife duo Matt and Megan McNeece.

Modern and sleek, Northern Vessel is a must-stop for visitors who love smooth brews. Hit up the shop on Keosauqua Way in Des Moines — or just follow the trail of cold brew cups to the green awning at the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. If you like your coffee with a side of gears and spokes, Chain & Spoke is the city’s only coffee cyclery (and a personal favorite of mine), serving espresso by day and beer by night. The natural, industrial space makes for the perfect coffee break.

Begin the Road to Zen With Tea

With colorful boba teas and steaming cups of soothing loose leaf, you’ll find your perfect “matcha” in Des Moines.

In the Historic East Village, Gong Fu Tea is a haven for tea purists, with walls lined with premium loose-leaf blends from around the globe. If you’re after boba, Zenko Tea is a local favorite, with five locations across the metro known for rich and creamy milk teas and sweet and colorful fruit teas.

Heading north? Check out Red Dragon Herbs & Tea in Polk City, a woman-owned shop crafting small-batch herbal blends that balance flavor and wellness. Nearby in Ankeny, Naughtea brings cheeky vibes to your sip session with milk teas, fruity juices, and Korean corn dogs (aka K-dogs) — half hot dog, half mozzarella cheese, all deliciousness. The Fruity Pebbles K-dog is kid-approved and Instagram-ready.

Sip Into Something Juicy

Craving a midday pick-me-up with a fruity twist? Des Moines serves up vibrant, feel-good sips that hit just right.

In the heart of the Drake neighborhood, Lifestyle Juices crafts nutrient-packed wellness shots and fresh-pressed blends that fuel your day the tasty way. Ready to shake things up? Head to Twist Soda Shop in Bondurant, where you can sip on classic craft sodas or go wild creating your own fizzy masterpieces with fun syrups and creamy twists. On the move? Swing by Hyper Energy Bar, a drive-through hot spot popping up all around the metro and serving customizable caffeinated concoctions, plus sugar-free and caffeine-free options to keep everyone refreshed.

Pour Your Own Afternoon Path, Pint by Pint

If your perfect afternoon includes sunshine and something frosty in hand, Des Moines delivers. Our breweries pour personality by the pint, whether you’re into hazy IPAs, crisp lagers, or sours with serious attitude.

Lua Brewing is where Des Moines’ brewers go to drink — prestigious, inventive, and beloved for its seasonal IPAs, fruity sours, and beautifully designed indoor-outdoor space with skyline views. The rotating food menu is just as buzzworthy. The Sherman Hill brewpub recently won USA Today’s Readers’ Choice for the best brewpub in the country, so they even have the hardware to back up the buzz.

Across the street, Big Grove Brewery brings the party with Easy Eddy IPAs, tasty taproom bites, and one of the biggest patios in town. Fun fact: It’s the largest restaurant in Iowa by square footage — so, yes, there’s room for your whole crew.

At SingleSpeed Brewing, bikes and brews go hand-in-handlebar, with fun seasonal taps and not one, but two patios for soaking up sunshine. Just down the road, Exile Brewing Company is a Des Moines original — home to the iconic “Cheers From Des Moines” mural (selfie time!) and the Ruthie lager. Check out Exile during the holiday season when it turns into a Christmas pop-up called SnowGlobe — rooms wrapped in a million strands of holiday sparkle (but the same great beer).

Feeling adventurous? Barn Town Brewing in West Des Moines doesn’t just brew beer, it goes all in on bold. The creative sours run the gamut from peanut butter and jelly to rainbow sherbet. Come Iowa State Fair time, beers like Pickle Tickle, Cotton Candy Sour, and aptly named State Fair Lemonade are every bit as craveable as a sugar-dusted funnel cake. Over at Confluence Brewing Company, it’s all about the classics: Crisp, crowd-pleasing beers served on a patio that’s a little slice of heaven for cyclists and sunshine lovers.

Choose Your Twist and Stir Up the Night

I can’t think of a better way to wrap up a day in Des Moines than with a craft cocktail, a sultry, low-lit vibe, and great company. And if you’re skipping the buzz, no worries. Most cocktail bars here serve expertly crafted mocktails that keep the good times flowing.

Start at Secret Admirer, an intimate indoor-outdoor hideaway where colorful chairs, a vibrant mural, and twinkling lights set the perfect scene. It’s the kind of patio that feels less like a bar and more like your coolest friend’s secret backyard hideout. For a splash of the unexpected, head to Revival House, where Des Moines goes full-on tropical. Funky wallpaper, playful tiki glasses, and drinks that taste like they were flown in straight from the beach set the scene. Don’t forget to snag some mango crab rangoons to soak up the island spirits. Split the Holy Diver, a massive four-person cocktail that’s as bold as your night.

Hello, Marjorie is a beloved staple of the Des Moines cocktail scene — sleek, dimly lit, and buzzing with energy and bubbly drinks. Be sure to snap a pic under the iconic neon sign, “The Prettiest Girls in the World Live in Des Moines.” Not sure what to order? My favorite, and a fan favorite, is The Marjorie — it never misses. In the Historic East Village, The Contrary is the cool new kid on the block, blending sophisticated vibes with a DJ spinning smooth, vibey R&B. Relax in the sunken lounge area with plush couches while enjoying creative cocktails paired perfectly with amazing small bites.

The Bartender’s Handshake is one of my favorite cocktail spots and was recently named one of the best bars in America. It’s the perfect blend of cozy retro charm and inventive drinks served in a warm, laid-back atmosphere including a killer retro patio. For martini lovers, The Lift is a delightful contradiction: a dive bar with martini cred. From dirty classics to sweet, inventive variations, it’s the perfect place to kick off a night or wind it down in style.

Hotel bars often get a reputation for being just a quick pit stop, but these two are a cut well above the rest. In Confidence, a true speakeasy tucked inside the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, serves 1900s-inspired cocktails alongside a carefully curated wine list. When you’re ready for a grand finale, head up to The Republic on Grand atop the AC Hotel, where expertly crafted drinks and one of the city’s best rooftop views await.

This is just one of many features from our 2026 Visitors Guide. To read more, request a hard copy or flip through the digital version HERE.