Eclectic shops and fine dining sit side by side in the East Village, just west of the Iowa State Capitol and east of the Des Moines River. This update includes some of the newest restaurants in the neighborhood.
Alba Restaurant
Alba opened under Jason Simon over a decade ago with globally influenced cuisine served in a modern, eclectic space with touches of reclaimed wood. Seasonal menus define the restaurant, and grab a seat in front of the kitchen to watch the chefs conjure up their dishes. The cocktail program and the house burger are a must.
Location: 524 E. Sixth St., Des Moines
Hours: Every day from 4:00 p.m. to closing. Happy hour from 4 to 6 pm in the bar and on the patio.
Contact: 515-244-0261; albadsm.com; Facebook
the breakfast club
In February 2021, The Breakfast Club opened its doors for the early morning crowd. The restaurant serves over 40 brunch items with spiced classics like cookie monster pancakes and boba yogurt parfait with fried plantains. There are extensive vegan and vegetarian options and an extensive menu of brunch cocktails. In the warmer months, diners can dine on the restaurant’s adjacent patio.
Location: 212 E. Third St. Suite B, Des Moines
Hours: Every day from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Contact: 515-280-5251; thebreakfastclubusa.com; Facebook
Ceviche Bar
Owner Tanya Suarez channeled her Cuban heritage to create dishes she grew up making and eating. Indulge in ceviche, of course, Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, arroz con picadillo, and palomilla steak. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Enjoy mojitos, smashes, mules, Cuban-inspired cocktails and martinis. Or just enjoy a simple Cuba Libre (rum and cola with lime).
Location: 223 E. Walnut St., Des Moines
Hours: Open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am to 2 am; Sunday closed.
Contact: 515-770-9795; cevichebardsm.com; Facebook
Clyde’s Fine Dining
At the helm of the trendy Clyde’s Fine Diner is owner and chef Chris Hoffman, a Chicago transplant who is transforming simple classics into something new. The menu adds an elegant touch to dinner with dishes like Steak & Fries (house fries buried in creamed spinach, pickled mushrooms and hanger steak) and the CB & J, an adult PB & J made with cashew butter, smoked apple jam and raclette on homemade wholemeal bread. Be sure to try the seasonal soft serve, which often comes in fun flavors like Lucky Charms cereal.
Location: 111 E. Grand Ave. Suite 111, Des Moines
Hours: Open Tuesday through Wednesday from 4 to 9 pm; Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact: 515-243-3686; clydesfinediner.com; Facebook
remote
Chef and co-owner Suman Hoque opened his Iowa-focused restaurant in the East Village more than nine years ago. The ever-changing menu adapts as ingredients arrive in season so those bright, fresh flavors shine through. Look for dishes like local grass-fed steak, salmon en papillote, leg of lamb, and a vegetarian dish that can be made vegan upon request.
Plus:Featured Chef Celebrates Five Years Bringing Local Food to the East Village
Location: 303 E. Fifth St., Des Moines
Hours: Open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday closed.
Contact: 515-244-1213; hoqtable.com; Facebook
The Iowa Tavern
This ode to Iowa beers features 120 beers on tap in a brewery setting filled with an 1880s bar reclaimed from a bar in Jewell, reclaimed barn wood, historic signs, grain bins, machinery parts, furniture recovered and more. Patrons can drink beer with Iowa ham balls, fried cheese balls or wings wrapped in one of nine sauces. Other options include a BBQ meatloaf, breaded pork tenderloin, and burgers, burgers, burgers.
Location: 215 E. Third St., #100, Des Moines
Hours: Open Sunday from 11am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday from 11am to midnight.
Contact: 515-243-0827; iowataproom.com; Facebook
Luca
James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef in the Midwest in 2009, Steve Logsdon, serves his hefty four-course prix fixe that changes weekly in Lucca. A pasta dish and entrees like salmon, eggplant, scallops, or a New York strip steak anchor the menu. At lunch, spiced chicken sandwiches, light salads, and spinach and ricotta rigatoni lead the way.
Location: 420 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact: 515-243-1115; lucadsm.net; Facebook
Miyabi 9
Mike Miyabi, a native of Osaka, Japan, stepped down from his role as owner of Miyabi 9, but the restaurant still serves up Japanese favorites for Des Moines patrons. Diners can sample udon noodles, katsu, teriyaki favorites, and yakitori dishes, but the main draw here is the sushi and sashimi.
Location: 512 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner .
Contact: 515-288-8885; miyabi9official.com; Facebook
Plus:Des Moines Skywalk 2021 Food Guide: Where to Find Food Downtown (Without Having to Go Out)
Nosh Cafe and Restaurant
This frozen yogurt shop and fast casual restaurant offers healthy bowls, smoothies, bagels, and toast, along with quick grab-and-go items. Frozen yogurt sold by the ounce in cups is topped with more than 70 different types of nuts, candies, sauces, fruit and cupcake crumbs called Molly’s Middles from Molly’s Cupcakes. Or order a smoothie with a healthy boost of superfoods. Frozen custards and sorbets are also available.
Location: 424 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Hours: Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: 515-280-5277; nosh-eats.com; Facebook
Olympic Flame Restaurant
For more than 30 years, this East Village restaurant has served up a great Greek menu of gyros, flamed saganaki, crispy spanikopita, dolmathes and pasticcio. Diners must leave room for the baklava. Sometimes belly dancers can be seen making their way through the dining room.
Location: 514 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 9 pm; Sundays closed.
Contact: 515-243-4361; Facebook
Open Sesame
This East Village restaurant serves Lebanese food in a vibrant and welcoming space. Mediterranean dishes here include hummus, baba ganoush, gyros, falafel, and shawarma. Try the kibbeh platter – a baked patty made with ground sirloin, bulghar, onion and Lebanese spices with laban (yogurt), hummus and pita; or grape leaves stuffed with rice, chickpeas, dried tomato, parsley and onion.
Location: 313 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Hours: Open from Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 to 8 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 to 8 pm Closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact: 515-288-3151; Facebook
Easy Conversation Books and Coffee
For the more literary, Plain Talk offers organic coffee and locally sourced foods made with produce from Raccoon Forks Farms in Redfield, as well as new and used books, records and local art. Customers can order from the prologue (drinks), chapter one (breakfast), or chapter two (sandwiches).
Location: 602 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open Sunday and Monday from 7 am to 2 pm and Tuesday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm
Contact: 515-243-0815; Facebook
Plus:New restaurants and what’s changed in the Des Moines dining scene
Railroad Bill’s Dining Car
This quirky little spot offers breakfast and lunch items like biscuits and gravy, steak and eggs, burgers, and sandwiches. After fueling up at Railroad Bill’s, take a tour of the attached antique shop. A full line of classic soft drinks is available, plus there’s a sizable kids’ menu.
Location: 621 Des Moines Street, Des Moines
Hours: Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily
Contact: 515-243-0247; Facebook
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Gaining national attention for its wildly popular zombie-themed burgers, Zombie Burger offers a wide selection of toppings to customize burgers. Customers can choose a specialty such as the Amanecer de Muertos with bacon, egg, American cheese, red onion and mayonnaise or the vegetarian Apocalypse of Mushrooms with a croquette of breaded mushrooms with cheese, and order a cocktail or a rich thick milkshake with a basket of fries with chili and cheese.
Location: 300 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Hours: Open from Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Contact: 515-244-9292; zombieburgershakelab.com; Facebook