Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Des Moines

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best service in Des Moines? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (319)

$30 and under

American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar serves comfort food with local flair in a historic building on Main Street in Grinnell, Iowa. Prairie Canary was opened in September 2012 and is currently owned by Chef, Paul Durr. Located in the city of Grinnell, also known as “The Jewel of the Prairie” and home to Grinnell College, Prairie Canary provides a gathering place where guests can enjoy Midwestern flavors in an inviting, understated atmosphere that speaks to the colors and textures of the Iowa prairie.
Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar is all about being local. From the name of the restaurant to the dishes on which the food is served, effort was taken to showcase local talent and area producers. Enjoy your meal on hand-thrown plates and bowls. Sit at hand-made hickory tables. Savor farm-fresh produce grown just miles away. Sip on an Iowa wine or pint of beer. We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

Kari

Dined 3 days ago

Allie was wonderful and the food was delicious from the Brussels sprouts to the steaks and loaded potatoes to the marshmallow brownies…what a treat for the soul.

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Popular dish

Iowa Chop

Proudfoot & Bird

4.7

4.7 (692)

$50 and over

Global, International

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fine Dining in every aspect. Proudfoot & Bird, named after the original Hotel Fort Des Moines architects, pays homage to the glamorous days of years past with every detail. Adorned with stunning marble tables, intricate gold ceiling inlay, plush soft seating, and grand circular bar we have recreated a time that was filled with elegance, extravagance, and indulgence. Housed in the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, we have taken every step possible to protect a valued piece of Des Moines’ cherished history. Two semi-private areas available, seating eight and ten guests respectfully.

Top review

Dined 6 days ago

Delectable food and excellent service! Upscale ambience.

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Popular dish

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

4.7

4.7 (212)

$30 and under

Italian

Des Moines

About the restaurant

The Latin King restaurant was founded in 1947 by Rose and Jim Pigneri, who immigrated from Terravecchia, Italy to Des Moines. Rose and Jim wanted to bring authentic Italian fare to Des Moines and began this undertaking in earnest upon selling their home to finance the Latin King restaurant lease, which had previously operated as the Cinderella Sandwich Shop (circa 1930) and the Chanticleer Restaurant (circa 1937). Pigneri named the Latin King after New York City’s Latin Quarter and operated the Latin King for 35 years, notably taking only 10 days of vacation time during his tenure. Pigneri sold the Latin King to his third cousin Bob Tursi in 1983.

Top review

Kurtis

Dined 3 days ago

Another great experience and excellent food. The staff was very attentive. The large room is a little loud but not uncomfortable.

Fleming's Steakhouse - Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (908)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine, or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply wanting to enjoy an excellent culinary experience - we will create a safe and memorable evening for you. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

Amy

Dined 7 days ago

Food was good but extremely overpriced. Wait staff was very attentive. Tables were tucked in very tight so not much privacy. I really like this steakhouse and have been numerous times before. Perhaps it was just extremely crowded with the holiday and the environment felt different but for some reason I felt a little abused at paying $600 to feed 5 people…no drinks involved.

Cooper's On 5th

4.9

4.9 (139)

$30 and under

American

West Des Moines

About the restaurant

Cooper’s on 5th is a great place for Lunch & Dinner. We have had the pleasure of being West Des Moines’ first Craft Cocktail Bar. Join us for our amazing food menu & award-winning cocktail program. Classic & Reimagined Americana comfort food paired with one of Des Moines’ original & highly awarded craft cocktail programs. Great beer, wine, and martinis.

Top review

Catherine

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

If you're seeking a warm ambience and friendly servers, check out this wonderful restaurant in Valley Junction - West Des Moines!

Alba Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (407)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Des Moines

About the restaurant

Alba offers a creative culinary twist on traditional American cuisine. Dishes are prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients, the finest cuts of meat, and the freshest fruits, vegetables and herbs. Our menu changes often, we invited you to join us to discover a new favorite.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined on 16 Dec 2024

Great service, incredible food. All the dishes were excellent. The Beef Stroganoff was the hit of the night!

801 Chophouse – Des Moines

4.8

4.8 (3183)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown Des Moines

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, enjoy beautiful views and excellent customer service at 801 Chophouse. We value our guests and want to give you the best dining experience possible. Our restaurant has only prime USDA steaks, paired with innovative side dishes and an award-winning wine selection from around the world to create an upscale dining experience you won't find anywhere else in Iowa. 801 Chophouse is the premier steakhouse in Des Moines and even offers private dining room options. Book a reservation online or via phone today.

Top review

Victor

Dined 2 days ago

From the second we walked in in the doors, it was fantastic. Ambience, service, food was top tier. Something we’d never experienced before, so we decided to treat ourselves on our 5th anniversary! Like our waitress literally folded my husband’s napkin again all fancy, as he went to the bathroom. So many little things that made it perfect. We had fried calamari and king crab, filet mignon, asparagus and baked potato. They gifted us the most decadent soufflé for our occasion. Definitely worth it!

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Popular dish

Grand Marnier Souffle

Popular dish

Roast Prime Rib

Popular dish

Sliced Prime Rib au jus

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Clive, IA

4.7

4.7 (1209)

$30 and under

American

Clive

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Darla

Dined 5 days ago

Three of us dined at Cooper's Hawk on Christmas Eve. Our service was excellent. Our food was scrumptious! Wine was devine! Dessert was decatant! Why has it been months since I have dined here?

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Popular dish

House-Made Truffles

Popular dish

Cooper's Hawk Chocolate Cake

Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

Destination Grille

4.7

4.7 (380)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Grimes

About the restaurant

Welcome to Destination Grille. A contemporary, upscale yet casual restaurant that reminds us of travels and destinations around the globe. We are an experience like non-other!

Please join us Monday through Saturday from 11am-9pm and Sundays 11am-8pm.

Don't forget to join us for a night cap Fridays and Saturdays, our bars remain open until 11pm on both levels!

We have a lot of options with a fabulous ambience on each level, but it can be overwhelming your first time, please call if you have any questions!

Top review

Karen

Dined 7 days ago

We had a very pleasant waitress. Her name was Abbie W. She came back numerous times to be sure we were happy with everything. Excellent job!!!!

Fresko

4.8

4.8 (1190)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Des Moines

About the restaurant

“Fresko” meaning “fresh” inspires our creation of seasonal menus made from locally sourced ingredients. Fresko makes natural food from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. The culinary team prepares product from start to finish applying natural time honored techniques with care at every step. This enriches the flavorful and nutritious product we serve and benefits our community. Fresko believes we are what we eat and eating well means living well.

Fresko features a splendid assortment of original cocktails with a deep spirits menu and a beer program with sixteen beers on tap in addition to bottles and cans. Fresko's wine menu focuses on quality selections at a great value to our guests.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 6 days ago

Food was excellent, great service. A great place to go but especially over the holidays. We’ve been to Fresko before and will return.

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