This casual, welcoming place can COOK. The shrimp tacos, fish tacos and chicken tostadas had depth with varied layers of flavors and textures. Better than tacos we've had anywhere in San Francisco or New York. read more

Staff members were friendly and sweet. Unfortunately we had to send all of our food back. Everything lacked seasoning and tortilla chips were stale (which can happen and is no fault of restaurant, except they need to check such things). Feels more like a bar or lounge than a restaurant. read more

I am currently in Spain for the second time this year and let me just say that the chocolate and gluten-free churros that I had at Bar Nico in Des Moines, Iowa of all places were the best I've had - far better than any of the chocolate I've ever had in Spain hands down. I honestly don't know how this place is in business with their incredibly affordable Happy Hour. We nearly got one of everything because it was in the $5-7 range for each dish. Even their normal prices are fantastic for meals. We definitely enjoyed the chicken wings and I loved the black squid ink tortillas that were part of the chimichangas. We loved basically everything we ordered and it was so nice that the entire menu was naturally gluten-free as a celiac. I live in Vegas and have talked about flying back to Iowa specifically so that we can eat here again, that's how much we liked it. Service was fast and polite, the ambiance felt moody and cool. Visited: November 2025 read more

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Our group of five came to Bar Nico and none of us live in that area, but we thought we'd give it a try. I won't say that we were surprised because we had no expectations but the food, the ambience the service and the employees were all outstanding. The service was amazing , at times we had two employees at our table doing different things. Our server was excellent, well versed in the menus for good and drinks (there seemed to be 25 different margaritas). We all had tacos of different types all were great! I highly recommend Bar Rico for the food, service and alcoholic beverages! read more

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Bar Nico had a couple of very nice appetizers and two very good drinks. I tried the Ceviche Sangria and Nico Chip and Salsa appetizers. The ceviche had a very nice spicy heat to it and some other nice flavors to go along with it. The chips and salsa came out warm with four different types of salsa. All the salsas had a nice taste. I did however end up mixing the salsas together. . I also tried the smokey old fashioned and the pineapple margarita. Both drinks had great flavor and the old fashioned even had a bite. Nice job. read more

Always an amazing experience!! Not your standard Mexican fare, but an elevated experience of fusion flavors that just leaves you for wanting more! Great service great ambience amazing food. I've been to this establishment now several times and it never disappoints. What more can I say? This is a must stop for foodies. read more

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Wow! I was blown away by the quality of the drinks and food! A little more than I typically pay in DsM but well worth it. For a group of 4 we ordered the guac (wow!), mushroom queso (holy cow, yum!) and 4 taco plates (shrimp, wild boar and pork belly). Each taco came with 2 and were probably 5" and loaded. Bonus for my friend is that this is a gluten free kitchen, but apparently the straws are not (who knew that was even a thing, I just assumed straws would be GF) Nice night out. Will be back! read more

Visited bar Nico for brunch on a Sunday and I was very pleased and happy. The menu is all gluten free so I was nervous slightly but it's proof that gluten isn't a requirement for delicious food. Everything is made fresh to order and so delicious although the portion size is somewhat small or on the smaller end. Especially the sides. I had the rice and it was so delicious but the portion was tiny. Our server and bartender took great care of us and was very attentive so I'd definitely return because of the food and service. PS ask for the habanero carrot hot sauce, it costs a little extra but it's well worth it. read more

We just had a great first-time experience in this totally gluten free restaurant! Both my boyfriend and I loved the Baja fish tacos and will be back for more. And he's not even gluten free. Happy hour deals and service were super, too. read more

Came here with my good friend to try this spot out back in September and service was great! Love that they offer a lot of gluten free options. Having a gluten allergy myself I really appreciate places like this because it's sometimes hard to go try new spots when they don't really cater to people with allergies. We had two appetizers because how can you not get guacamole at a Mexican restaurant. I was kind of disappointed that the portion was kind of small for two people. There were more chips than guacamole. I drank a refreshing glass of Paloma and had two Al pastor tacos with super soft blue tortillas. The al pastor was tasty and tender. We finished it off with some churros that I was so glad were not only Gluten-free but delicious. I recommend to come try it out for yourself. I love the creativity of some of these dishes so I'm looking forward to trying out more. read more

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A Must-Visit Spot - Food, Drinks & Vibes On Point! Bar Nico absolutely blew us away! Every single dish was packed with bold, fresh flavor--from the bright, citrusy ceviche to the rich and comforting chicken enchiladas. The scallop tacos were melt-in-your-mouth perfect, and the Gulf Coast rice was a flavor bomb we're still dreaming about. The caipirinhas were dangerously good--refreshing and just the right amount of kick--and the margaritas were top-tier (definitely try more than one!). The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the ambiance hit that sweet spot between fun and laid-back. Great music, good energy, and an all-around vibe that makes you want to linger. We'll definitely be back. Bar Nico nailed it! read more

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I am obsessed with this place! The food, service, and energy are all fantastic! I got to try their restaurant week menu and I do hope they continue to participate every year now! The wagyu carne asada was delicious! I especially loved the sweet corn gazpacho - the lil dumpling complimented the soup so well. I was definitely in a food coma afterwards but it was all so worth it! Can't wait to come back here again! read more

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Unfortunately, this didn't do it for me at all. We had a lobster quesadilla and the chicken enchiladas with mole. The chips were warm and good. I didn't love any of the salsa. The lobster didn't have amazing flavor and didn't have much lobster for what we paid for it. It was more like a mini burrito than a quesadilla. The mole was missing the balance of savory and sweet and was off for me. I always try mole if it's on the menu so I do know what good mole tastes like. The churros were very good and the brown butter Carmel sauce was a 5 in flavor. Service was fine. I didn't livw the lighting as it was dark. read more

Bar Nico was recommended by a local business employee and it did not disappoint! As someone who is gluten free, eating at restaurants can prove to be difficult at times. Bar Nico boasts a gluten free menu that has quality food and the elotes are beyond amazing. Just the right amount of food and it left us feeling satisfied but not stuffed. Highly recommend! read more

The food is very uniquely Mexican. It's always very fresh and there's always some specials. The basics though are just excellent. The service is always quick and courteous. The ambience is simple and pleasant. It's quiet for a good conversation. read more

FOOD: We started with some drinks and guac and salsa for the table. My Paloma was nice - it had some fruitiness added to your classic Paloma but it wasn't too sweet. The guac was a bit small for our party of four, so I recommend maybe getting one guac for each pair. For mains I got the Campechano Tacos, which was a pulled steak and burnt tips vibe, which I really enjoyed. SERVICE: They were definitely understaffed all around for the evening. Our server was doing the best job she could, but it was a bit of a bummer to have to remind about orders both kitchen and bar, so it ended our special dinner a bit earlier than anticipated. I hope if I return the service experience may impact my overall view of the restaurant. read more

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Came back for dinner with a couple of my New York business partners. The meal and service were fabulous as always. The mezcal based old fashioned was straight up awesome. read more

Bar Nico - Skirt steak Enchiladas And scallops - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The staff was so friendly and our tacos were incredible. The music was the tiniest bit loud for a little bit of dinner but then it go turned down and was better. My mother commented it was the best taco she'd had in a long time. The caramel with the churros is drool worthy. Definitely worth a stop read more

Bar Nico - Chicken Al Pastor Tostadas - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fantastic stop in Des Moines. Everything's gluten free, and you wouldn't know it. Had a taco and the empanadas, as well as cheesecake. Quality and atmosphere are both top notch! read more

Lovely atmosphere. Adorable green booths. Minimal outside seating but still a cute little patio. First time we ever went we got all 3 desserts they offer & fell in love with the churros. Not everyone can perfect them! The salted caramel sauce that goes with it is my favorite. It also comes with apple butter & and chocolate sauce. The pork carnitas tacos were our favorite of the main dish! Along with the papas as our appetizer. Those were bursting with flavor! I absolutely loved my mocktail, definitely recommend. Service was great, waitress was very attentive & friendly. Not our most favorite of dishes but had a great experience & that's what we're all about when trying new places! Check them out. read more

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I was very impressed with Bar Nico! I had the seasonal margarita which was strawberry and basil. So fresh and delicious. I had the campechano tacos for my main, which were amazing and a side of black beans which were the best I've ever had. I definitely want to come back. It's definitely loud in there and dark but very fun for a girls dinner. Service was good. read more

Bar Nico - Campechano Tacos - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Cute colorful ambiance with patio out back. They have a dietary guide menu you can ask for. Everything is gluten free!! Love that they use organic corn. Fast service. My party enjoyed the chicken tinga tacos and I thought the vegan sweet potato tacos were okay. The sweet potatoes were a puree and I was expecting more of a cubed sweet potato lol read more

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Funky joint providing great tasting flavours. Amazing cocktails. Well worth a visit to set your taste buds on fire!! read more

Enjoyable dinner! Ambiance was okay. Our waitress was nice and helpful. The food was pretty solid. Idk what it is and it could just be a me problem but their salsa negra had a little bit too much of a BBQ sauce vibe to it which was fine but it kinda threw things off for me a little bit. Will go back at some point just cuz the quality of food is pretty good just hard to give a 5 at this time. read more

Bar Nico - Smoked Duck Enchiladas - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Great restaurant in Green Village and all gluten free! Party of four, made a reservation, was greeted right away when we arrived and seated even though we were a little early. Server was friendly and very knowledgeable. And we enjoyed the eclectic atmosphere. Drinks and apps (mushroom queso and guacamole) were very good. Chips are made in house and were cooked perfectly and seasoned well -- just wish there were more. The campechano tacos were fresh and full of flavor and the elote (corn) side was full of spice but very nice. Wire and friends had wings, rice, quesadilla and chicken tanga tacos and all enjoyed them as well. The churros dessert sounds good and the sauces were amazing but the churros had a definite "gluten free" taste (which is not good). Possibly cooked at too high of temperature. read more

Zach was awesome. Great drinks and food! Can't stop recommending this place for gluten free food. read more

Bar Nico - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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This was a rec from our daughter and a nice surprise! We had a nice meal and the drinks were top notch. Service excellent. We will be back!

This was our first time coming here and it was great! The food was fantastic and our servers were phenomenal...so friendly and on top of everything! We had a variety of things...guacamole (delicious!), lamb empanadas, wings, chicken enchiladas, carne asada brava, and wild boar tacos. The flavors were so thoughtful in every dish. Definitely recommend! read more

I have hated mushrooms my entire life. It's a texture thing. But tonight, I was proven wrong. Enter the Mushroom Queso Fundido at Bar Nico DSM. Holy crap. I scraped the bowl clean!!! I am forever changed. It was so good! (I could have done with a few more chips offered but I realize this is supposed to be modern Mexican fare and not your traditional servings, but still...) I ordered the seasonal margarita - phenomenal. The waiter described it like the taste of winter so I wasn't sure what to expect but I think the salt on the rim might have included some cinnamon? It was unique and delicious. It was the pork belly carnitas tacos for me, and my husband did the Campechano (carne asada, chorizo verde, roasted-tomato salsa, aioli) - both tasty and very tender meat. We added a side of sweet corn esquites which I anticipated to be like elote but it featured charred brussels sprouts througout that made the flavor combo kind of explode. We finished with the Dulce de Leche cheesecake which was really sweet but a good size to share. Its a small venue but so cute and fun - super easy to make reservations on their website which is always a huge bonus in my book. I don't think I ever went to The Continental when it was in this space so I'm not sure how much changed decor-wise, but we would totally go back. The staff was super coordinated, working completely in sync, with very cool and trendy style but still extra friendly and welcoming. Two thumbs up from these two parents blessed with a spontaneous date night! read more

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Checked this place out with a friend! I usually give new places three chances; one when they first open, again about 3 months later, and then, if I didn't like it, about 6 months after that. I won't need to wait 3 months to try Bar Nico again. I enjoyed my Nico Margarita. It wasn't the absolute best margarita I've ever had but it was still enjoyable. Let's get into this food though. That smothered quesadilla is an experience on its own. The black bean purée on top is so luscious. Perfect shareable appetizer or full meal if you're eating alone. That short rib taco is at the top of my list. The crispy pieces with that mustard are a perfect mixture. I can't wait to try the other dishes. read more

Bar Nico - Braised Short Rib - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Food was very flavorful and tasty! Didn't get a picture but the sweet potato tacos were insanely good, staff was friendly and helpful with the menu. read more

Bar Nico - Crispy Churros - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Service was great, ambiance was great. Really classy spot. Food was interesting... be prepared for a lot of beans and other veggies in your food. People I was with loved the Caesar salad. Get the yogurt for a side, you won't be disappointed. read more

The food was disappointing. This is not elevated Modern Mexican cuisine. It doesn't know what it wants to be. Some of the plates were overcooked, and others undercooked. Potato churros were served with ranch and ketchup. Why? Food is over-priced. I'm from California and know good Mexican food when I taste it. This was supposed to be elevated Mexican food. It seems that the chef has little knowledge of the seasonings/spices and other noteable ingredients that make Mexican food an outstanding cuisine. If you want imaginative and elevated Mexican cuisine, go to Amsterdam and book a table at Rosario Cocina Mexicana. This is an elevated and imaginative take on Modern Mexican cuisine for much less than what Bar Nico charges. No ambiance. Service was good read more

When I tell you this is the spot, thatd be an understatement!! What an establishment from the service Brisa, Alex, the amazing chefs that you can tell the effort they put in throught their food, just a top to bottom perfect experience 9.4/10 read more

Bar Nico - Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Excellent margaritas and tacos. Very cute interior. The happy hour is an excellent deal and everything we had was very tasty.

Mexican food re-imagined. Spectacularly delicious and inventive remix of traditional dishes with complementary flavors. Must try: the Lobster taquitos with a side of papas bravas (spicy fingerling potatoes fried in duck fat). Finish with the amazing Coconut Custard for dessert. read more

This place was so good - big drink menu and the food was amazing! The atmosphere is what drew us in, every time we walked by we wanted to go! My complaint and compliment is that every single thing is gluten free- the food was amazing and you would never know but it isn't advertised anywhere so we put this place off for so long! Highly recommend 10/10 Gluten free people especially go asap read more

Great new GF place!! My partner and I tried out Bar Nico for the first time on a Sunday afternoon Happy Hour. We both had the seasonal margarita, which had hibiscus and mezcal in it... delicious! The chips and salsa were a great app to start with - 3 different salsas, Mexican bar nuts and whole fried corn tortillas for chips (homemade to boot!). The pork empanadas were covered with fresh and pickled veggies. The braised short rib tacos were ok, but the shrimp tacos were out of this world good. All was gluten free naturally, and we asked for dairy free as well, and everything was easily modified. The staff was helpful and friendly. We will definitely be frequent fliers - thrilled to have them in the EV! read more

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Bar Nico is one of our favorite new restaurants in town! Many people who have lived in Des Moines for a while know that Dos Rios on Court Ave was our only source of Modern Mexican inspired food in the DSM area for a while. My family and I were especially saddened to see it shutter because their vegetarian enchiladas were the most unique and incredible enchiladas we had ever eaten, along with their table-side mashed Guac and pineapple rice. Mmmm.... The reason I bring up Dos Rios is because Bar Nico has mostly filled that void for us. They serve a refreshing take on modern Mexican inspired cuisine, and the service is skilled and friendly. We love pretty much all vegetarian items on the menu. Some recent standouts include the Cheese and Potato Flautas, Black Bean Quesadilla, and Sweet Corn Esquites. The veggie tacos need to be reworked, but I'm confident they will get there. The cocktails are also quite amazing! Don't forget those. Looking forward to spending more times at Bar Nico! read more

BEST happy hour in Des Moines! The margs are my favorite. The entire menu feels fresh and healthy. I love this place!