Best Fun Restaurants in Iowa

29 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines restaurant

1. Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines

4.6

Exceptional(206)

Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Des Moines

Booked 14 times today

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

A photo of The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines restaurant

2. The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines

4.8

Exceptional(782)

Price: Moderate

• American • Des Moines

Booked 39 times today

The Stuffed Olive is about the entire “Martini & Tapas Experience.” From your favorite classics to new and exciting blends you’ve never seen before, you’re sure to find a cocktail to love on our vast martini menu. Add a warm, comfortable atmosphere, great wines, beers and top-shelf spirits, and The Stuffed Olive will become your favorite place to start, end or spend your entire evening. Our tapas menu offers appetizer-sized portions of globally influenced entrees, for a sampling and sharing dining experience. Pair tasty tapas with your favorite martini for happy hour, dinner or a late-night snack. We welcome you to sit back, relax, enjoy great food, good conversation and your favorite martini. Welcome to the Stuffed Olive!

A photo of Mulberry Street Tavern restaurant

3. Mulberry Street Tavern

4.6

Exceptional(571)

Price: Expensive

• American • Des Moines

Booked 18 times today

Mulberry Street Tavern brings a fresh yet nostalgic vibe to Downtown Des Moines. Once a hub for the city transit, it is now adorned with rich woods, leather, and a zinc bar that create a warm and timeless social destination. The open-hearth kitchen produces shareable worldly tavern fare, hearty entrees and, hands down, the best burger in Des Moines. Enjoy perfect classic cocktails, eclectic award-winning wines, and interesting regional and foreign beers on draught.

4. Fresko

4.8

Exceptional(1190)

Price: Moderate

• Farm-to-table • Des Moines

Booked 37 times today

“Fresko” meaning “fresh” inspires our creation of seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients. Fresko makes natural food from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. The culinary team prepares product from start to finish applying natural time honored techniques with care at every step. This enriches the flavorful and nutritious product we serve and benefits our community. Fresko believes we are what we eat and eating well means living well.Fresko features a splendid assortment of original cocktails with a deep spirits menu and a beer program with sixteen beers on tap in addition to bottles and cans. Fresko's wine menu focuses on quality selections at a great value to our guests.

5. Proudfoot & Bird

4.7

Exceptional(691)

Price: Very Expensive

• Global, International • Des Moines

Booked 8 times today

Fine Dining in every aspect. Proudfoot & Bird, named after the original Hotel Fort Des Moines architects, pays homage to the glamorous days of years past with every detail. Adorned with stunning marble tables, intricate gold ceiling inlay, plush soft seating, and grand circular bar we have recreated a time that was filled with elegance, extravagance, and indulgence. Housed in the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, we have taken every step possible to protect a valued piece of Des Moines’ cherished history. Two semi-private areas available, seating eight and ten guests respectfully.

6. Bar Nico

4.7

Exceptional(82)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Des Moines

Booked 19 times today

Our restaurant's mantra is "Sin Maiz, No Hay Pais" meaning "without corn there is no country" as such, our tortillas are hand ground in house from heirloom organic Mexican corn varietals - made daily & cooked to order. As a result of our corn obsession, we have no flour in house & are a completely gluten-free kitchen.

A photo of Splash Seafood Bar and Grill restaurant

7. Splash Seafood Bar and Grill

4.5

Awesome(1955)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown Des Moines

Booked 8 times today

Splash Seafood Bar and Grill is a fun place because of its unique dining experience, as one reviewer said, 'Splash Seafood is a unique dining experience with Fresh Seafood, great service, and awesome atmosphere!!'. The ambiance is praised for being 'cool and modern' with a 'plethora of adult beverages', and the food, 'amazing! Freshest seafood in the Midwest'. Plus, the seafood is served in both traditional and contemporary styles, so there's something for everyone!

A photo of Tupelo Honey - Des Moines restaurant

8. Tupelo Honey - Des Moines

4.2

Awesome(666)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Southern • Des Moines

Booked 32 times today

Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains we call home. We craft brunches, lunches and suppers that bring family and friends around the table and allow for conversations and cocktails to linger longer than usual. Please arrive on time with all members in your party present. We will cancel reservations 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The combining of separate reservations will not be honored. We look forward to seeing you soon!

A photo of In Confidence Speakeasy restaurant

9. In Confidence Speakeasy

4.4

Awesome(20)

Price: Moderate

• Speakeasy • Des Moines

Booked 8 times today

For Large reservations or other inquiries please call 515-528-7733 x 4627 f=SPEAKEASY BAR IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN DES MOINESHotel Fort Des Moines brings the Prohibition-era feel to downtown Des Moines - In Confidence. Enjoy our hidden secret with a curated wine collection and crafted cocktails.Enjoy your downtime in a unique casual setting deserving of the Great Gatsby himself!

10. Alba Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(407)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Des Moines

Booked 18 times today

Alba offers a creative culinary twist on traditional American cuisine. Dishes are prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients, the finest cuts of meat, and the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs. Our menu changes often, we invited you to join us to discover a new favorite.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Brooke
Minneapolis - St. Paul •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Love the server recommendations, and the great service.
More info
Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des MoinesPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Des Moines
•
4.6
K
Kevin
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The service for ordering food and drinks was perfect. Our server was pleasant and accommodated dietary needs with a smile. All plates were delivered with excellent presentation and the right temperature. Getting until and paying took a bit longer than I expected but wasn’t excessive.
More info
FreskoPrice: Moderate• Farm-to-table• Des Moines
•
4.8
D
Deb
Iowa •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Downtown Des Moines @ 6th & Mulberry Streets = the fabulous Surety Hotel, which includes Mulberry Street Tavern ... the name sounds casual, but the cuisine is well-studied and so enjoyed! We were warmly greeted by Brianna Luck and served beyond expectation by Andrea Humbert. Many thanks to the entire time @ Mulberry Street Tavern for extending a warm welcome and unforgettable menu to your community on Christmas Day 2025. Thank you for the gift of a wonderful dining experience; we plan to return often!
More info
Mulberry Street TavernPrice: Expensive• American• Des Moines
•
4.6
M
Maurice
Kansas City / Kansas •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Proudfoot & Bird never disappoints! From the time you walk in and are greeted to the presentation of the dessert everything is just magnificent!
More info
Proudfoot & BirdPrice: Very Expensive• Global, International• Des Moines
•
4.7
S
Sid
Iowa •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Honestly the wait staff was great and kind, they just didn’t have many food options left and they kept bringing wrong drinks to the table. With as busy as it was and how large our party was I felt they did do a fantastic job and that aside, everything else was exceptional.
More info
The Stuffed Olive - Des MoinesPrice: Moderate• American• Des Moines
•
4.8

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29 restaurants available nearby

1. Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Des Moines

2. The Stuffed Olive - Des Moines

3. Mulberry Street Tavern

4. Fresko

5. Proudfoot & Bird

6. Bar Nico

7. Splash Seafood Bar and Grill

8. Tupelo Honey - Des Moines

9. In Confidence Speakeasy

10. Alba Restaurant

See what locals rave about

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