See the 2025 Des Moines Register Essential Restaurants
What are the best restaurants in Des Moines? These entries from the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list won’t let you down.
Central Iowa’s culinary landscape just got a flavorful upgrade with seven distinctive newcomers making their mark across the Des Moines metro. From a sun-drenched luncheonette in Waukee to a floral-infused coffee shop in Urbandale, these openings showcase the region’s growing appetite for creative, community-driven dining.
Littleleaf Luncheonette brings sustainable comfort food to a lovingly restored building in Old Town Waukee, while Barista’s Bouquet blends espresso and blooms in a serene café setting. In Des Moines, Mariscos El Capitan expands its footprint with a vibrant new space serving bold Mexican seafood, and Bonfire Restaurant & Bar in Ankeny turns up the heat with globally inspired fare in a stylish atmosphere. Teriyaki Eats Japanese Grill delivers fast-casual freshness with handcrafted sauces, sushi rolls, and poke bowls in a sleek, family-friendly setting. Chikin Lickin brings Korean-style double-fried chicken to downtown, and Chick-fil-A graduates from a cart to a permanent skywalk location serving its signature original chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, wraps, salads, and waffle fries.
Whether you’re craving a yellowfin tuna melt, a cherry blossom latte, or a sizzling molcajete, these fresh spots offer something for every palate — and plenty of reasons to explore the metro’s ever-evolving food scene.
Keep track of all the new restaurants that opened in 2025 by bookmarking our guide.
Chikin Lickin
Opened: Nov. 7
Chikin Lickin, known for its Korean-style double-fried chicken, has officially expanded into downtown Des Moines with a new location inside Local Bites, a food hall in the Greater Des Moines Partnership Building. This marks the second location for Chikin Lickin serving double-fried Korean chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches with signature sauces like soy garlic and spicy gochujang. The outlet also offers Korean street food favorites like bibimbap and bulgogi fries. Find the original location at 1196 S.E. University Ave., Waukee.
Details: Greater Des Moines Partnership Building, 700 Locust St., Des Moines, eatlocalbites.com
Mariscos El Capitan
Opened: Nov. 5
The new location on Southeast 14th Street in Des Moines brings a larger restaurant for Mexican fare. Mariscos El Capitan brings vibrant Mexican-style seafood to the metro. The ambiance is festive and family-friendly, with colorful décor and live music on weekends. Signature dishes include shrimp ceviche, molcajetes, and aguachile, paired with micheladas and cantaritos. The restaurant is known for generous portions and bold flavors, with rave reviews for both food and service. It’s a go-to for seafood lovers seeking a lively dining experience.
Details: 6050 S.E. 14th St., Des Moines, 515-348-1115, mariscoselcapitandsm.com
Teriyaki Eats Japanese Grill
Opened: Nov. 1
Teriyaki Eats in Windsor Heights is a fast-casual Japanese grill offering handcrafted sauces. The ambiance is clean and modern, with a focus on fresh, healthy meals. The menu includes teriyaki bowls, sushi rolls, poke bowls, bento boxes and noodle dishes, as well as crab Rangoon and salmon teriyaki. The restaurant is family-friendly and designed for quick service without sacrificing flavor. It’s already drawing attention for its generous portions and vibrant presentation.
Details: 7238 University Ave., Windsor Heights, 515-255-9973, teriyakieats.com
Barista’s Bouquet
Opened: Oct. 29
Barista’s Bouquet’s second location in Urbandale is a delightful fusion of a coffee shop and flower boutique. Owners Stacey and Brandt Carlson, longtime hospitality professionals, created a serene space where customers can sip custom lattes like the Full Bloom (cherry blossom and rose) or Herbalicious Caramel (rosemary and thyme) while browsing fresh floral arrangements. The café also hosts story time, book clubs, and networking events. With beans from Pammel Park Coffee Co. and pastries made in-house, it’s a sensory experience that blends taste and beauty.
Details: 3837 121st St., Urbandale, 515-500-1123, baristasbouquetcom
Bonfire Restaurant & Bar
Opened: Oct. 21
Bonfire in Ankeny offers a globally inspired menu in a stylish, welcoming setting. Located on South Ankeny Boulevard, the restaurant features dishes like Sicilian arancini, penne vodka, chicken scarpariello and formaggio feta linguine. The ambiance is modern and upbeat, with a full bar and happy hour specials. Customers can enjoy everything from ribeye steaks to fruit salads with goat cheese. Bonfire also offers catering and private event space, making it a versatile destination for both casual meals and celebrations.
Details: 410 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, 515-216-1014, localbonfire.com
Opened: Oct. 20
Nestled in a restored brick building in Waukee’s Old Town, Littleleaf Luncheonette is a cozy breakfast-and-lunch spot with a focus on sustainability and elevated comfort food. Owners Mallory Holt and Ryan Nicholson spent three years transforming the building into a warm, inviting space with exposed brick, a skylight, and plenty of windows to let sunshine in. The menu features thoughtful dishes like yellowfin tuna melts, steak and eggs, grain bowls, and seasonal smoothies. Parlor Coffee from Brooklyn anchors the beverage program. With plans to evolve into a wine bar with tapas, Littleleaf is already a standout for its charm and culinary creativity.
Details: 405 Sixth St., Waukee, littleleafluncheonette.com
Chick-fil-A
Opened: October
The Chick-fil-A cart graduated into a permanent Chick-fil-A location in the Greater Des Moines Partnership Building in the skywalk. This location operates during weekday lunch hours and some breakfast hours Tuesday through Thursday, offering a limited menu of Chick-fil-A favorites. Find dishes such as the original chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, wraps, salads and waffle fries.
Details: Skywalk level of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Building, 700 Locust St., Des Moines.
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
