Top 5 Food Places in Des Moines

A slice of cake from one of Des Moines many great restaurants!

Des Moines is home to hundreds of restaurants and bars. There are plenty of interesting spots and areas to explore such as Ingersoll, the East Village, and Drake Dogtown. Walking around the beautiful downtown you’ll notice many restaurants and lovely views. However, there are many gems hidden in plain sight that are local secrets! This definitive ranking list is here to help those non-locals find some of our favorite gems. 

  1. The Mullet’s, Highlife Lounge, and El Bait Shop Family

Of all the food places in Des Moines, this group of restaurants will give you amazing service and food every time. All owned by the same group of people these restaurants boast cheap drinks and great classic American cuisine. With Highlife Lounge and El Bait being located in the same building it’s no surprise they both have dedicated regulars. 

  1. Ceviche Bar

Nestled in the East Village of Des Moines Ceviche Bar is a hop skip and jump away from the amazing shops and businesses on Locust Street. The bar has an amazing ambiance and Cuban food that will satisfy your appetite. It also is one of the only places to find great Paella in the state. 

  1. Lachele’s Fine Foods

On Ingersoll Lachele’s Fine Foods looks like a 50’s diner inside. However, the kitchen is exploding with fun flavors and modern combos. With its fast and convenient service, Lachele’s is perfect for date nights looking for a quick bite and casual meet-ups between friends.  

  1. Blu Thai and Sushi 

Blu is a lovely place within walking distance of the Papajohn Sculpture Park. With a lovely staff and delicious cultural Thai food, Blu is an excellent choice for a first date after walking in the park. Come for their curries and stay for the Thai Tea.

  1. Christophers 

Christophers has been a Des Moines staple for over 60 years. The business has been serving Italian-American cuisine and great vibes for decades. This place is fantastic for families and friends to enjoy each other’s company and laugh over classic pastas. 

Honorable Mention: Simon’s aka J. Benjamin’s 

Simon’s is a hole in the wall that you’ll want to take the time to stop at! With their amazing atmosphere and fantastic food, it is not hard to understand why people will line up before the restaurant even opens just to try and score a table!

Of all the food places in Des Moines, these are just a few of the city’s hidden treasures. There are many others that you can find all over the city. Whether they are quick bites or sit-downs they all represent the diverse tastes and loves of people in our great city. Take some time to explore Des Moines and find your favorite. 

Des Moines Crime Rates and Safety

Planning on moving to Des Moines? Des Moines is generally a safe place to live, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind. There are some statistics that you definitely don’t want to ignore to make sure that you and people you care about are safe. Des Moines’ overall crime rate is 107% higher than the national average. That being said, you may wany to be careful when choosing to explore the Des Moines area.

Any bigger city will have higher crime rates overall, but knowing which areas are safer than others can make a big difference when it comes to how comfortable you feel overall. While crime rates are higher than the national average in Des Moines, there are steps you can take to stay safe and enjoy the city. The first step to staying safe in Des Moines is making yourself aware of the types of crime occuring, exactly where they occur, and learning proper ways to take precautions.

There’s a 1/37 chance in Des Moines of becoming a victim of property crime. You may want to explore the idea of adding cameras to your property, as well as a strong security system.

In 2016 the rate of car thefts in Des Moines was 682 per 100,000 residents. You are going to want to be aware of where you are parking, remember to lock the doors. Leave only bare mininum of personal items in your car laying about inviting pedestrians to explore further.

That being said, after interviewing 35 people, 63% reported that they do feel safe in this city. And there is a low amount of street crime throughout Des Monies. With all big cities, make sure you walk in groups because there is saftey in numbers.

With all those stats in mind, Des Moines is overall a safe place to live. There a group called, Operation Downtown, and they strive to make sure that Des Moines is a safe place for people to live. They are the eyes and the ears on the street and they make sure to crime is lower.

Safeist Places in Des Moines to Live

There are only a view areas in Des Moines who have a low crime rate. Parts of Clive and Urbandale are some of the safeist areas in Des Moines individuals can live in. Waukee is also good with crime rates when it comes to safety matters.

Get to know Des Moines!

Des Moines, Iowa is a city located in central Iowa, most known for being the state’s capitol, home to numerous universities, multiple professional sports teams, and producing one of the greatest athletes of my generation, Caitlin Clark.

Serving as the state capitol, Des Moines is most known for just that. The capitol building sits high and mighty, overlooking the East Village neighborhood. The Capitol offers diverse employment and internship opportunities to students from surrounding universities, ranging from roles as clerks for senators to positions such as social media coordinators. These opportunities provide valuable hands-on experience and contribute to the professional development of aspiring young professionals.

Des Moines is also known for the numerous universities that call this city home, such as Drake University, Mercy College of Health and Sciences, Grand View University, and the Des Moines Area Community College.

Just outside of Des Moines, we also have quite a few surrounding schools such as Iowa State University and Simpson College . Mercy College is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, while Drake is roughly 10 minutes away, nestled near the cozy neighborhood of Beaverdale.

The city of Des Moines is also home to multiple professional sports teams. In season now are the Iowa Cubs, a minor league baseball team that feeds into the Chicago Cubs. Their home field is Principal Park, located just south of downtown just west of Waterworks Park.

Also calling Des Moines home are The Iowa Wild, a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League. The Wild play at the Well’s Fargo Arena, a stadium which hosts hundreds of different events throughout the year.

The Well’s Fargo Arena also serves as the home arena for the Iowa Wolves, the G-League team that feeds into the Minnesota Wild. The Wolves’ success became very promising with the addition of Luka Garza after being demoted from the Minnesota Timberwolves, however that was not the case.

Des Moines is known for numerous things, across all different kinds of people. While every city does have their unpleasant aspects, Des Moines does an amazing job at showcasing how all the positives outweigh the negatives.

Top 4 Des Moines Parks

(Image Credit: Macrae Park)

Those who are the outdoor expertise or just wants to marniate in the nature of the Des Moines area. Please look at these park suggestions on your next journey.

Gray’s Lake Park is in Des Moines, Iowa, near the downtown area. This park is located in the heart of the city, giving the public a nice place to unwind. Surrounding Grays Lake, the park has many amenities that are offered to the public. Some amenities include an accessible playground with 2 toddler bucket swings, beach, boat rental, bike rental, concessions, boat ramp, walking path/bike trail, restroom, parking lots, and open space. Some favorite activities at the park are picnics, walking around the lake, and boating. The park is relatively large at 166.6 acers, allowing Des Moines residents a place to explore the great outdoors while still in the city.  

Drake Park, named after nearby Drake University, is a public park located at 2300 Drake Park Avenue in Des Moines. The park features two tennis courts, a basketball court, a small playground, and a splash pad for local kids. 

Quaintly nestled in a historic residential area of Des Moines, Drake Park is a perfect fit for kids and families of all ages. There’s the splash pad, perfect for your wee tots. The park isn’t going to wow you with anything fancy, but the soul of Drake Park is evident within the many shaded trees of the rectangular plot of land, offering perfect relaxation on a summer day.

From 1915 to 1978, Riverview Amusement Park occupied the land south of Euclid Avenue and northwest of North High School in Des Moines. In 1978, the nearby Adventureland Park bought the Riverview but left it abandoned. A new initiative to restore the park began in 2014. The park opened once again in 2020 with an amusement park-themed playground. It was the first accessible playground in Des Moines. Nowadays, Des Moines residents and visitors get to enjoy concerts at Riverview Park’s Prairie Meadows Riviera State. The Rendezvous on Riverview series features local bands and artists, bringing in food trucks and activities for families to enjoy.

If you want a great skyline view of Downtown Des Moines, visit MacRae Park.

MacRae Park is one of the oldest parks in Des Moines, located in the Gray’s Lake Neighborhood. With 50.9 acres of land, the park offers many amenities for those who enjoy the casual outdoors. MacRae is also a park with natural native vegetation with oak-hickory forests.

MacRae Park has a playground, playgrounds, tennis courts, a pond with a pedestrian bridge, and a Sledding hill.

Do not fret if you want to rest and enjoy your time in MacRae Park. Visitors can also enjoy family time with cooking amenities such as charcoal grills, Picnic tables, drinking fountains, and more.

Top 5 Summer Activites in Des Moines

Des Moines Summer Farmers Market

Des Moines is a great place to spend the summer! Located in the heart of Iowa and the Midwest, Des Moines boasts all the benefits of a big city, with the charm of a small farming town. From entertainment to food to outdoor activities, Des Moines has everything for families, young adults, and everywhere in between in the summer. With typically tolerable weather, the summer sun provides the perfect backdrop for these exciting summer activities in Des Moines.

2024 Des Moines Summer Activities

1. Des Moines Farmer’s Market


Returning for the season May 4th, the Des Moines Farmer’s Market is a favorite of local families, college students, and everyone in between. From coffee stands to fresh produce to handmade jewelry, the Des Moines Farmer’s Market sells everything you could want. Check out the nation’s second biggest farmer’s market this summer!

2. Hike at Gray’s Lake Park


This open green space right near Downtown is a unique feature of Des Moines. The park boasts a two-mile trail around the lake, playground, and open picnic space. Enjoy stunning views of Downtown while getting some fresh air and enjoying the sun with this free Des Moines summer activity!

3. Hinterland


This end-of-the-summer music festival is an Iowa staple! Technically located in Saint Charles, Iowa, this music festival is a must-see if you’re in Des Moines for the summer. Headliners in 2024 include Hozier, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend, and Ethel Cain. Tickets can be pricey, but it is so worth it if you are a music fan! Just make sure to buy tickets ahead of time and book a hotel well in advance. The Des Moines area can get crazy during this time, so plan accordingly even if you aren’t going to the festival yourself! Get a dose of music with this Iowa summer activity.

4. Adventureland


Amusement parks are a summer staple. With fun for families, young adults, and teenagers, Adventureland is an adventure for everyone! Hop on a rollercoaster, win a prize at a carnival game, or enjoy a classic amusement park snack. Tickets for Adventureland are reasonably priced, so bring a group and have fun in the summer sun!

5. Iowa State Fair


Held in August, the Iowa State Fair is another great family-friendly option. With attractions relating to livestock, agriculture, entertainment, rides, food, and so much more, the Iowa State Fair is a must-see for an Iowan. Go for just a day or enjoy a whole weekend depending on time and budget. Enjoy this summer activity near Des Moines!

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