Unearth The Voyage
Hungry in Des Moines? The capital city’s lunch scene is hotter than ever in 2025, with both beloved classics and exciting newcomers. Whether you’re downtown for business or exploring neighborhoods like East Village and Sherman Hill, these midday meal destinations offer something for every taste and schedule. From quick sandwich stops to sit-down experiences worth savoring, here are the spots making Des Moines a genuine lunch lover’s paradise.
1. South Union Bread Café (Downtown)
Fresh out of a February renovation, this downtown staple has returned better than ever. The beloved salad bar might be gone, but the new grab-and-go section makes lunchtime even more efficient for busy professionals.
Regulars swear by “Sarah’s Revenge” – a sandwich creation that’s earned legendary status among Des Moines lunch enthusiasts. The from-scratch soups change daily but never disappoint, especially paired with their house-baked focaccia.
Weekday crowds prove this institution hasn’t lost its touch after decades of feeding downtown workers. Arrive before noon to beat the rush!
2. Centro (Downtown)
Business deals and pasta plates go hand-in-hand at this downtown Italian cornerstone. The dedicated lunch menu makes ordering a breeze – exactly what you need when time matters but quality can’t be compromised.
Sunlight streams through tall windows, illuminating plates of perfect wood-fired pizzas and hearty pasta portions that somehow don’t induce afternoon naps. The service team operates with clockwork efficiency, understanding the midday time crunch.
Pro tip: the half-portion pasta options satisfy without overwhelming, leaving just enough room for their famous tiramisu – because sometimes expense account lunches deserve a sweet finale.
3. Bubba (Western Gateway)
Southern hospitality meets Midwest convenience at this Western Gateway gem. The fried chicken comes in two temperatures – classic mild for traditionalists or hot for those seeking a midday wake-up call.
Pimento mac and cheese arrives bubbling in its dish, rich enough to justify the calories yet somehow light enough to avoid derailing your afternoon meetings. The shrimp and grits have converted even the most skeptical Iowa natives into Southern cuisine believers.
Exposed brick walls and leather booths create a cozy atmosphere that feels miles away from office stress, despite being steps from downtown’s busiest buildings. Weekday lunch service runs smoothly, making this comfort food haven a reliable escape.
4. Mulberry Street Tavern (Surety Hotel, Downtown)
Hotel restaurants often disappoint, but this polished tavern inside the Surety breaks that stereotype with spectacular weekday lunch service. The burger deserves its reputation – perfectly seared with toppings that complement rather than overwhelm the quality beef.
Tuesday through Friday, downtown professionals claim the cozy leather booths for meetings that feel more like rewards than obligations. Hearty salads satisfy the health-conscious without feeling like punishment, loaded with seasonal ingredients and house-made dressings.
The historic building’s original architectural details create an atmosphere of understated elegance, while the service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive – exactly what you want when discussing quarterly projections over lunch.
5. Palmer’s Deli (Downtown)
Palmer’s remains the undefeated champion of downtown’s quick lunch scene after all these years. The build-your-own combo concept lets indecisive eaters have their sandwich and soup too – especially valuable when that legendary Wisconsin cheddar is on the daily rotation.
Lines move with impressive efficiency as workers from surrounding offices grab their numbered tickets and await their names. The signature sandwiches come stacked high with quality ingredients, wrapped tight for those who need to dash back to their desks.
Nothing fancy here – just reliable, satisfying lunch fare that’s become part of downtown’s weekday rhythm. Their loyalty program rewards regulars, which explains why some downtown workers have accumulated enough points for free lunches until 2026.
6. Gateway Market & Café (Sherman Hill)
Shopping and dining unite perfectly at this Sherman Hill favorite. The café’s menu draws inspiration from the gourmet market surrounding it, resulting in dishes that showcase the freshest seasonal ingredients.
Sunlight floods the casual dining area where neighborhood regulars mingle with visitors drawn by the café’s reputation. Daily soups never disappoint, while the burger – made with locally-sourced beef – rivals any in the city.
Service begins at 10:30 daily, making this an ideal spot for early lunch meetings or late breakfast cravings. After your meal, browsing the market’s aisles of specialty foods and Iowa-made products turns a simple lunch break into a delightful excursion away from office monotony.
7. Open Sesame (East Village)
Aromatic spices greet you before you even open the door to this East Village Lebanese treasure. Efficient service makes this perfect for those with under an hour to spare – tell them your time constraints and watch the kitchen work its magic.
Shawarma comes wrapped tight or plated generously, the meat tender from hours on the vertical rotisserie. Vegetarians celebrate the falafel – crispy outside, herb-green inside – while the silky baba ganouj makes a convincing case for eggplant’s greatness.
The bright, casual space fills quickly at peak lunch hours, but turnover happens naturally without feeling rushed. Many downtown workers grab takeout to enjoy in nearby parks when weather permits, creating impromptu outdoor Lebanese picnics throughout East Village.
8. Olympic Flame (East Village)
Since 1988, this family-owned Greek institution has been feeding Des Moines workers authentic Mediterranean flavors. The gyro plate arrives sizzling hot, the meat shaved fresh from the rotating spit and piled high beside rice pilaf that’s never an afterthought.
Avgolemono soup – that magical lemon-egg-chicken concoction – warms souls even during Iowa’s harshest winter days. Lamb dishes showcase old-world cooking techniques that have survived trends and fads for good reason.
Walking distance from downtown offices makes this a regular haunt for those seeking flavors beyond typical lunch fare. The owners still work the floor, recognizing regulars and remembering their usual orders – a personal touch increasingly rare in today’s dining landscape.
9. Smokey D’s BBQ (Skywalk, Downtown)
Award-winning barbecue meets downtown convenience at this skywalk location of Des Moines’ smoking royalty. The chopped pork sandwich arrives piled high enough to require strategic first bites, while the brisket – sliced thick with perfect bark – demonstrates why this spot has earned national competition trophies.
Burnt ends appear as daily specials that trigger mass exodus from surrounding offices when word spreads. The sides deserve equal billing: mac and cheese rich enough to be a meal, beans studded with meat scraps, and coleslaw that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Plastic forks might break under the weight of these portions, but nobody seems to mind. The efficient counter service keeps lines moving even during the busiest lunch rush, making this a reliable option when time matters.
10. Trellis Café (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Lunching amid botanical splendor elevates ordinary workdays at this hidden gem. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame downtown’s skyline while bringing garden views indoors, creating Des Moines’ most naturally beautiful dining backdrop.
The menu transforms monthly, following whatever’s freshest and most vibrant. Spring brings asparagus-topped flatbreads and edible flower salads; summer delivers heirloom tomato creations; fall introduces squash soups that steam against the glass as temperatures drop outside.
Garden members receive discounts, but anyone can enjoy this escape from urban hustle. The patio becomes Des Moines’ most sought-after lunch real estate during warm months – arrive early to secure a table with both skyline and garden views for a midday reset that feels like a mini-vacation.
11. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. (Historic Court District)
Beer might be the star after dark, but lunchtime reveals this brewpub’s culinary talents. The Black & Tan Reuben – a local legend – pairs house-cured corned beef with sauerkraut and Russian dressing between marble rye that somehow maintains structural integrity despite its delicious contents.
Cheeseburger soup sounds like a novelty but delivers surprising comfort with each spoonful, explaining its status as a menu mainstay. Historic brick walls and wooden beams create an atmosphere that honors Court Avenue’s significance while servers navigate between tables with practiced ease.
Business lunches flow naturally here – private enough for conversations yet lively enough to break workplace tension. The brewing equipment visible behind glass partitions reminds you where those afternoon beers come from, though most lunch crowds stick to iced tea before returning to offices.
12. Lucky Lotus (Ingersoll Ave.)
Vibrant flavors match equally vibrant decor at this Ingersoll Avenue standout for Southeast Asian cuisine. Drunken noodles arrive steaming at tables, the perfect balance of spice and comfort that somehow energizes rather than induces food coma.
Crispy rice wraps make for perfect hand-held lunching – each bite delivering crunch followed by fresh herbs and savory fillings. Rainbow drinks aren’t just Instagram bait; these layered refreshments complement the bold food flavors while adding visual pop to your midday break.
The dedicated lunch service window ensures efficient timing for those with afternoon commitments. Families, professionals, and students create a diverse midday crowd, united by appreciation for authentic flavors that never compromise to suit timid Midwestern palates.
13. la mie Bakery (Roosevelt District)
Morning pastry heaven transforms into lunchtime paradise at this Roosevelt District institution. Artisan sandwiches arrive on bread baked hours earlier – the difference between good and transcendent lunch clearly evident with each bite.
Salads defy the sad-desk-lunch stereotype with vibrant ingredients and housemade dressings that make vegetables the star rather than obligation. The pistachio croissant tempts even the most disciplined diners into dessert territory – its flaky layers and nutty filling justify every calorie.
Downtown workers without time to visit the original location find salvation at La Mie Elevate in the skywalk system. Both locations maintain the quality that’s made this bakery a Des Moines essential, though Roosevelt’s charming atmosphere gives it the edge when time allows the short drive from downtown.
14. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab (East Village)
Apocalyptic themes meet gourmet indulgence at this East Village institution where lunch breaks become adventures. Burgers stacked impossibly high dare you to find a proper first-bite strategy – these hand-held creations require tactical planning and plenty of napkins.
“Killer” shakes complement the experience, with flavors ranging from nostalgic classics to boundary-pushing combinations. The 2025 Kaiju Ramen pop-up added unexpected Japanese flair to the menu, proving this zombie concept still has plenty of life left.
Opening daily at 11am makes this perfect for teams seeking something playful rather than formal. The horror-movie atmosphere somehow works perfectly at midday, providing welcome escape from fluorescent office lighting while delivering serious flavor beneath the themed fun.
15. Fong’s Pizza (East Village)
April 2025 marked the triumphant return of this beloved concept to its East Village roots. The Crab Rangoon Pizza – their signature creation that launched countless imitations – remains undefeated, its cream cheese base and sweet chili drizzle still surprising first-timers with how perfectly these flavors work together.
Lunch specials feature quick-serve slices and appetizers ideal for midday meetings or solo breaks. The tiki-meets-pizza-parlor aesthetic creates an atmosphere that’s simultaneously nostalgic and novel – exactly what you need to break workday monotony.
Opening from lunch through late night makes this newly reopened location a versatile addition to East Village dining. For efficient lunching, the slice counter offers the fastest service, though the full experience deserves your time when schedule permits.
