Downtown Des Moines, the heart of the capital city’s dining scene, keeps diners fed with its diverse array of restaurants. Hungry visitors can find everything from Southern fried chicken and double drunk burgers to oysters and full English breakfasts. One of the best brunches in the metro takes place near the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, where diners can slip over afterward for a selfie at the “Nomade” sculpture by Jaume Plensa. Tapas and martinis provide diners with a great excuse to share a variety of dishes. Bring your appetite to these must-try restaurants in downtown Des Moines.
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Go to 801 Chophouse for a business dinner
A grand steakhouse stakes a claim in downtown Des Moines as a fine example of a restaurant for celebrating a big deal — a business deal, a promotion, an anniversary or a birthday, or just getting through a week. All the steakhouse favorites — the bone marrow, the shrimp cocktail, the pancetta-wrapped scallops to start — are on this menu at 801Chophouse. Order an 801 Wedge with blue cheese dressing plus crumbled Maytag blue cheese and bacon for a true steakhouse experience, and follow it with USDA Prime dry-aged cuts of rib-eyes, porterhouses, filets, or strips. Add Béarnaise or black truffle butter on the side, then pair steaks with scalloped potatoes or baked creamed spinach. Handsome booths decked out in clubby dark woods give a sense of intimacy.
801 Chophouse, 801 Grand Ave., Suite 200, Des Moines, 515-288-6000, 801chophouse.com/des-moines…