Eat, drink and play locally.

Des Moines Alive helps you find and share the best locally owned places in Des Moines. If you usually visit chains and franchises, we have those too, but we're going to do our best to convert you to local connoisseurs like us!

Latest Additions

Merle gave Lemon Grass 5 Stars

The food & service was wonderful. We have been there twice and looking forward to a return. We enjoyed it previously when it was located in clive and missed it while it was gone. Great to have it b... (see full review)

dah_Truth gave 101 Lounge 1 Star

Too many fights and not enough security. Security who will step in and follow through appropriately. They have a huge problem because they don't cut off drunks they just serve them up, let them fight,... (see full review)

dah_Truth gave 101 Lounge 1 Star

I saw a tall white guy slam a little black guy down on the concrete floor just because he was talking to a young lady. Security did absolutely nothing so the little picks himself up off the floor obv... (see full review)

PJ Seaton gave Trostel's Greenbriar 2 Stars

What people see in this place is beyond me. Salad simple plate of weeds not good at all, prime rib best in Des Moines spare me it was terrible!!!! The best Prime in DM is at a little bar call Phils o... (see full review)

Denny gave Riccelli's Restaurant 1 Star

We used to go here at least every other month. We stopped going about two years ago because the quality had fallen so much it was no longer even acceptable.

I usually got Italian pepper steak. The ... (see full review)

Denny gave Tamale's Industry 5 Stars

I have to admit that I do love a good tamale so I'm biased. These are great tamales and I really enjoyed my two visits. Even my dining partner, who is not a tamale fan, enjoyed them.

The people are... (see full review)

Charles gave Bistro Montage 1 Star

Ive been to a lot of expensive restaurants, this was by far the worst of them all.. The service here was absolutely horrendous, we never saw our waitress. The food was mixed up, the bills were wrong..... (see full review)

betty porter gave Americana Restaurant & Lounge 4 Stars

Stopped by the Americana for dinner while in Des Moines. Excellent wait staff. Enjoyed some of the more unique items on the menu. Loved the scallop lollipops!

Itialian Lover gave Sam & Gabe's Italian Bistro 1 Star

I was really looking forward to this place, but service was incredibly slow. Looking at the reviews it looks like all the good ones are from years ago

 

Status Updates

Mars Cafe: Sophomores back out in force. The Dublin must be open again.

Fong's: Happy Friday! Slices 10pm-3am #1-Pepperoni #2-Chicken & banana pepper on Big D #3-Spinach & black olive #4-Cheese on Thai

Varsity - Des Moines: The Artist is about a silent movie star that wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion. Shows @ 7:30!

El Bait Shop: Since the Paula doesn't look for her shadow until 7:30, I'd bet the ride isn't really going to leave until 8.

El Bait Shop: The info on the posters. I was looking for the answer on the posters. However, since we distributed the 7:30 time, I will accept it.

El Bait Shop: Okay, here's the deal. The information coming out of @bikeiowa including the stuff referenced on our Facebook page, is different than