![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-1.jpg\")
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Centro 1003 Locust St(515) 248-1780Yelp: 4 stars, 153 reviews
\nPronounced \u201cchen-tro,\u201d this restaurant is where basics done right (like a cheeseburger) meets chic, specialty cuisine (like pancetta-wrapped shrimp).
\nLocated in the heart of downtown, this is the place to impress your date or your in-laws, or just enjoy a great meal with friends. The menu also has something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas, to sandwiches, to pasta, to seafood.
\nAnd the portions are generous, so you\u2019ll have plenty for lunch the next day. Perfect.<\/p>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-2.jpg\")
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Django210 10th St(515) 288-0268Yelp: 4 stars, 131 reviews Flying Mango4345 Hickman Rd(515) 255-4111Yelp: 4.5 stars, 115 reviews Tursi\u2019s Latin King2200 Hubbel Ave(515) 266-4466Yelp: 3.5 stars, 34 reviews Fong\u2019s Pizza223 4th St(515) 323-3333Yelp: 4 stars, 145 reviews El Bait Shop200 SW 2nd St(515) 284-1970Yelp: 4.5 stars, 67 reviews Trostel\u2019s Dish12851 University Ave(515) 221-3474Yelp: 4 stars, 33 reviews La Mie Bakery841 42nd St(515) 255-1625Yelp: 4.5 stars, 78 reviews Cool Basil8801 University Ave(515) 225-8111Yelp: 3.5 stars, 48 reviews Zombie Burger300 E Grand Ave (515) 244-9292Yelp: 4 stars, 176 reviews Wasabi Chi 5418 Douglas Ave(515) 528-8246Yelp: 4 stars, 46 reviews Jethro\u2019s BBQ3100 Forest Ave(515) 279-3300Yelp: 4 stars, 104 reviews Gusto Pizza Co.1905 Ingersoll Ave(515) 244-8786Yelp: 4 stars, 38 reviews Drake Diner1111 25th St(515) 277-1111Yelp: 3.5 stars, 50 reviews Americana1312 Locust St(515) 243-1397Yelp: 4 stars, 93 reviews 1. Centro Does It All, And Does It Right Source: CentroDSM Facebook page Centro 1003 Locust St(515) 248-1780Yelp: 4 stars, 153 reviews Pronounced \u201cchen-tro,\u201d this restaurant is where basics done right (like a cheeseburger) meets chic, specialty cuisine (like pancetta-wrapped shrimp). Located in the heart of downtown, this is the place to impress your date or your in-laws, or just enjoy a great meal with friends. The menu also has something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas, to sandwiches, to pasta, to seafood. And the portions are generous, so you\u2019ll have plenty for lunch the next day. Perfect. 2. Django Is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinions","post--single"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nSee what I did? Django…is unchained?
\nOK.
\nDjango boasts classic French fare and the atmosphere of a bustling brasserie in Montmartre. Diners can choose from a menu that ranges from beef bourguignon and moulard duck confit, to a variety of fruits de mer and mussels frites, or a classic croque madame.
\nAnd if you have a picky eater dining with you, never fear. There are awesome burgers and slightly less French sandwiches on the menu too.
\nThis is Iowa<\/a>, after all.<\/p>\n3. Flying Mango Is Iowa\u2019s BBQ Destination<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Flying Mango Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nFlying Mango is where BBQ and flavors of the Caribbean turn into delicious love and happiness on a plate.
\nThis is the place for BBQ classics like a rack of ribs or pulled pork, as well as favorite dishes with a twist, like \u201cRed Neck Surf-n-Turf\u201d or lime and garlic shrimp with mango salsa over black pepper fettuccine.<\/p>\n4. Tursi\u2019s Latin King Rules Over Des Moines Restaurants<\/h2>\n
\nTucked alongside a dairy and a used car dealership, Tursi\u2019s Latin King is an east side institution. If you\u2019re just driving by you might never think to stop, but locals know this is the place to be. Do a double take, and you might notice the parking lot is completely full.
\nKnown for their house specialty, chicken spiedini, other menu favorites include antipasti, pretty much any pasta dish you could imagine, and Italian fried mozzarella. The wine menu is comprehensive, Italian-focused and won\u2019t gouge your wallet.
\nDone, done and done.<\/p>\n5. Fong\u2019s Is The Go-To Place For…Asian Pizza?<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-5.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Urbanspoon<\/div>\n
\nWere you expecting that? Well, you know what happens when a pizza place moves into the location of the city\u2019s oldest Chinese restaurant? The ultimate in Asian fusion, that\u2019s what.
\nPizzas are handmade with names like \u201cCrab Rangoon,\u201d \u201cHappy Family\u201d and \u201cMoo Shu Pork.\u201d It would be so easy to get everything wrong, but Fong\u2019s somehow turns Asian-Italian fusion (a head-scratcher, for sure) into a delicious adventure.
\nAnd don\u2019t forget to order a tiki drink; after all, you\u2019re a Fongolian now.<\/p>\n6. Kitschy Awesomeness Awaits At El Bait Shop<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: el Bait Shop Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nDo you like \u201870s fishing themed, Mexican-ish Des Moines restaurants? Us too! Especially if there are well over 100 beers on tap to choose from and more than 150 in bottles to wash down all those delicious tacos and enchiladas. Our list of Des Moines<\/a> restaurants has the perfect spot for you.
\nThe ambiance at El Bait shop is fun all year round, but things really get going in the summer, when the patio opens and an I-Cubs game is going on nearby.<\/p>\n7. Go Small But Mighty At Trostel\u2019s Dish<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-7.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Facebook user Trostel\u2019s Dish<\/div>\n
\nNot sure what you\u2019re in the mood for on this list of Des Moines restaurants? Why not sample flavors from around the world on small plates so you can try as many as possible?
\nAt Trostel\u2019s Dish on University (technically located in nearby Clive) you can jump from pork tostadas to tuna tataki to an antipasto flight.
\nHeck, throw in a wine flight too. Go crazy.<\/p>\n8. Sample Every Pastry There Is At La Mie<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-8.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Facebook user La Mie Bakery<\/div>\n
\nAsk anyone in Des Moines<\/a> about pastries and the name La Mie is sure to come up. La Mie is synonymous with the city\u2019s best flaky goodness and has been a favorite bakery and caf\u00e9 for more than a decade.
\nWhether you\u2019re in the mood for a classic croissant, tart or danish, or would like to take home a loaf of your favorite bread, La Mie is the place to be. The tough part is holding yourself back from buying all the pastries.
\nSeriously, you will want them all.<\/p>\n9. \u201cThai\u201d One On At Cool Basil<\/h2>\n
\nIn the Des Moines area, \u201cThai\u201d and \u201cCool Basil\u201d are synonymous. The best part is, when you order almost much any of their delicious dishes, you can specify how spicy, or how mild, you would like it.
\nIn addition to curry, noodle, rice and stir-fry dishes, the restaurant also serves great sushi, maki, sashimi and nigiri.<\/p>\n10. You\u2019ll Be Defeated By The Zombie Burger<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-10.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nSometimes you just need a really great burger. Look no further than the No. 10 spot on our list of best Des Moines restaurants. Zombie Burger has you covered, to the tune of 26 to choose from as well as salads, appetizers, deep fried hot dogs, chili, sides, desserts and a full menu of shakes.
\nOrdering will be tough \u2013 how to choose between the Raygun and the Fulci burgers, or the carrot cake shake and the pumpkin pie shake?
\nBut beware, after consuming a giant burger and needing an immediate post-burger nap, you may just feel like a zombie. Wait…<\/p>\n11. Savor The Spectacular Sushi At Wasabi Chi<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-11.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Wasabi Chi Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nDes Moines has a number of good sushi restaurants, but Wasabi Chi is known for being fresh and delicious, not to mention truly artistic, each time you visit.
\nThe restaurant features classic rolls, sushi and sashimi as well as signature rolls like the Des Moines Monster Roll, a definite local favorite.
\nAnd if you\u2019re not in the mood for sushi, try the other hot Chinese and Thai dishes. Whatever you do, be sure to strike up a conversation with the great bartenders.<\/p>\n12. Jethro\u2019s BBQ Doesn\u2019t Mess Around<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-12.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Jethro\u2019s BBQ Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nDon\u2019t go to Jethro\u2019s BBQ by Drake because it was on TV. Don\u2019t go because you\u2019re curious if an ambulance is going to show up after someone stuffs themselves during an eating challenge (it\u2019s an American restaurant that serves a lot of meat; of course they have an eating challenge!).
\nGo because you want to eat amazing BBQ at one of our favorite Des Moines restaurants – and a lot of it. The restaurant\u2019s signature dish is The Jethro, a pork tenderloin, topped with Carolina-style pulled pork, house smoked pit ham, and a double order of thick slab bacon.
\nYou might just want to have a salad tomorrow.<\/p>\n13. All Pizza Lovers Can Live In Harmony At Gusto<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-13.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Facebook user Gusto Pizza Co.<\/div>\n
\nWith two Des Moines restaurants there\u2019s no reason to miss out on a delicious pie from Gusto. And the pizza\u2019s awesome too. Whether you want a simple pepperoni pizza, a specialty pizza like the Vincent Van Goat, or one with a gluten-free crust and vegan mozzarella, Gusto has you covered.
\nThe menu also offers sandwiches, pasta, appetizers and desserts and a selection of Iowa Craft Beers, including selections from Peace Tree and Millstream.<\/p>\n14. Throwback To Simpler Times At Drake Diner<\/h2>\n
\nDrake Diner is everything a diner should be: Great diner atmosphere meets great diner food.
\nThe pumpkin pancakes are the best you\u2019ll ever have; the omelets are loaded with your favorite ingredients, and the lunch and dinner fare range from the expected (salads, sandwiches and burgers) to the surprising (chicken deburgo and black bean hummus).
\nAnd you\u2019ll find just about everyone there, from students at nearby Drake University, to families and young professionals. Everyone loves Drake Diner.<\/p>\n15. Brag To Your Uncool Friends About Your Meal At Americana<\/h2>\n
![\"Best](\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/citybuzz\/2014\/01\/Restaurants+Des+Moines\/desmoines-restaurants-15.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Americana Facebook page<\/div>\n
\nAmericana is just one of the trendy Des Moines restaurants helping revitalize the downtown area. And, beyond the chic d\u00e9cor and nice location (gaze outside at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park), is some seriously good food.
\nFrom a brunch buffet and mimosa bar to lunch, dinner and cocktail menus for later in the day, there\u2019s something tasty for everyone. On the dinner menu, Thai tacos, steak with a choice of sauces and seared tuna with miso noodles are all favorite dishes.
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