With the advent of Big Data, it's now easier than ever to quantify what people like around the globe. And when it comes to food, Americans seem to have specific opinions. American dining brands have a long and storied history, and whether they're fast food, fast-casual, high-end, or super cheap, U.S. restaurants offer something for almost everyone.
What's clear about U.S. dining habits is that people love options. Restaurants across America are chock-full of variety, mixing ethnicities, food regions, and cultures into steaming melting pots of (often) fried deliciousness.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Des Moines using rankings from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Some restaurants on the list may have recently closed. These restaurants range from fast food powerhouses to local hot spots.
Locals reading the list will surely see some favorite eateries and classic go-to restaurants. Keep reading to see if your favorite restaurant made the list—and to see which spots you haven't been to yet.
You may also like: Best places to live in the Des Moines metro area
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#30. Alba
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (186 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 524 E 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1918
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#29. Splash
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (284 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Seafood
- Price: $$$$
- Address: 303 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1705
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#28. Mullets
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (149 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1300 SE1st, Des Moines, IA
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#27. Drake Diner
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (254 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Diner
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311-4207
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#25. High Life Lounge
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (152 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $
- Address: 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4706
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#24. Francie's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (90 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2100 Wakonda View Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321-2338
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#23. Malo
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (234 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Mexican, Latin
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 900 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3614
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#22. Americana Restaurant and Lounge
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (282 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1312 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2920
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#21. Tursi's Latin King Italian Dining
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#20. 801 Chophouse
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (297 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$$$
- Address: 801 Grand Ave Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309-8000
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#19. Royal Mile
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (196 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Bar, British
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 210 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2206
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#18. Hessen Haus
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (277 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: German, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 101 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4741
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#17. Jethro's BBQ
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (659 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 3100 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311-2838
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#16. Buzzard Billy's
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#15. Eatery/A
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (292 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Pizza
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2932 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-4015
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#14. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co.
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (337 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Brew Pub
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 309 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309-2245
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#13. El Bait Shop
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (300 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $
- Address: 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4706
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#12. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,614 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 300 E Grand Ave 2nd location at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines, Des Moines, IA 50309-1816
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#11. Exile Brewing Company
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#10. Django Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (451 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: French
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1420 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3656
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#9. The Cheese Shop
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (184 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 833 42nd St Ste B, Des Moines, IA 50312-2604
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#8. Iowa Taproom
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (220 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American, Bar
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 205 E 3rd St East Village, Des Moines, IA 50309
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#7. Bubba
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (224 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3609
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#6. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse
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#5. Simon's J Benjamin's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (164 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 5800 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50322-6132
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#4. Fong's Pizza
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (808 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: Pizza, Asian
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 223 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2205
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#3. Centro Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (987 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Type of cuisine: Italian, American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2805
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#2. Skip's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (405 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Type of cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4000 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321-2322
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Read more on Tripadvisor
