When I was in Des Moines, Fresko felt like such a special find a place with a luxurious atmosphere but still comfortable and inviting. The space is modern, clean, and definitely has that upscale feel without being overwhelming. I decided to try it because Lily recommended the seared sesame tuna, and I'm so glad I did. It was absolutely wonderful, and the whole experience exceeded my expectations. I can't recommend it enough. Located right in the heart of the city, it's the perfect spot to start your evening with fresh, high-quality food before heading out for the night. The convenience, the variety of menu options, and the overall cleanliness of the restaurant really stood out to me. It's exactly the kind of place I love, and I'm already hoping to come back again. read more

Fresko - Many menu - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We visited Fresko for Valentine's Day dinner with a reservation and were seated quickly. The ambiance is beautiful. The space feels modern, clean, and elevated. I would not necessarily call it romantic, but it definitely has a strong vibe for a special night out. Service felt a bit uneven. Our waiter was doing his best, but the front of house seemed slightly disorganized in our section. I ordered the Land and Sea Valentine's special, but it was entered as just the ribeye. Not a big issue, just a small disappointment. The food was very good. The steak stroganoff had perfectly cooked pasta, a flavorful sauce, and plenty of beef tips and mushrooms. My ribeye was cooked exactly right and was a great cut of meat. The garlic potatoes were excellent. For the price, the overall experience felt slightly underwhelming, though the kitchen execution is clearly strong. We would visit again, but it is not at the very top of our Des Moines list. read more

We visited on a Thursday night and were immediately seated. The waiter was very nice and attentive. One friend ordered a shaved ribeye sandwich and loved it. Another had the Golden Dragon Street noodles and said they were very good. I ordered the Baja blackened chicken salad with a dressing on the side. It too, was very tasty. It had quite a bit of heat and I'm not sure if it was from the dressing or the crispy jalapeños. The food was fresh and the service was excellent. As I left, I noticed their plants needed watering so I told someone and I sure hope they did get drinks!! read more

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Had a really good meal at Fresko on a Friday night. Place was lively. Service was good. The Beef Stroganoff was amazing! Everyone at the table agreed it was the best dish we ordered. It's what I'd have if I go back again. read more

Fresko - Steak Stroganoff - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Amazing food! And service. I come here everytime for volleyball tournaments and it is always quality food and service. I recommend to anyone that is staying in Des Moines iowa. The crunchy shrimp roll is sweet but, its so different from anything I've ever had before. Amaze Amaze! read more

Fresko - Food. Crunchy shrimp roll and short rib tacos. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Very cute spot for date night! My husband and I came here for our anniversary and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is upscale but still cozy, with ambient lighting & modern design. I recommend the green velvet corner booth, if it's available. The staff were super friendly and attentive. We ordered a lot of food, so here's our quick rating breakdown: -crab cakes 10/10 -sensei sushi roll 10/10 -crunchy dragon roll 10/10 -vegan sushi roll 5/10 (needed v spicy mayo & was falling apart -golden dragon street noodle 9/10 (it was a bit more curry tasting than I prefer but still delicious) Loved seeing vegan options on the menu, I hope they expand these options so I can try new things. The espresso martini was excellent! They have soy milk, & mocktails! Definitely recommend for a romantic date night, a special occasion, or just grabbing cocktails & apps with the girls! read more

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Fresno delivers again. Their beet salad is absolutely delicious. I had that with the dressing and a slab of salmon on the side. Absolutely delicious!!Great bartender and good service. I sat at the bar again and it has a great vibe!! This has now become my go to when I am in Des Moines. Will definitely come back every time I am here. read more

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Fresko in Des Moines is an absolute gem and easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in the area. From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly service set the tone for a great evening. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made excellent recommendations that really elevated the meal. We started with two appetizers--the Brussels sprouts and the Formaggio cheese flatbread--and both were phenomenal. The Brussels sprouts were cooked in a unique and creative way that gave them a depth of flavor I've rarely experienced. Honestly, they may have been the best I've had in a long time. The Formaggio flatbread was rich, cheesy, and the perfect starter to share. For the main course, we had the hanger steak served with mashed potatoes and kale. The steak was cooked perfectly--tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor--while the mashed potatoes were creamy and the kale provided a fresh, hearty complement. We paired our meal with a glass of Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a fantastic match to the flavors of the steak. From start to finish, everything was excellent--delicious food, beautiful presentation, great wine, and first-class service. Fresko is a must-visit if you're in Des Moines! read more

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My new fav spot in Des Moines! Fresko nails it all - fantastic food, incredible staff, and great ambiance! I dined here alone on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. I felt immediately welcomed by the bartenders and staff, they were super friendly and accommodating considering it was a packed house! Special shout out to Katie, I'm relatively new to Des Moines and she made me feel like I belonged. To drink, I enjoyed the berry mojito which was wonderful. It was sweet and light and super refreshing! I had the frizzled Brussel sprouts to start and I am not exaggerating when I say these might just be the best Brussel sprouts I've ever had. They were so light and crispy while bursting with flavor! The truffle aioli was a delicious addition and theres bits of onion and pork belly that take the dish to the next level! There's so much on the menu, it was hard to pick an entree. Katie recommended the seared sesame tuna and so I paired it with the flaming dragon roll. The seared tuna was full of flavor and paired to well with the crunchy and flavorful asian salad underneath. The flaming dragon roll was great, too, with the fresh seafood and spicy mayo and unagi sauces drizzled on top. The meal was so good, I've been thinking about the leftovers ever since. I had such an amazing all-around experience at Fresko, I can't recommend it enough! In the heart of downtown, it's the perfect place to take friends and family for a fresh, tasty, & high-quality meal with great vibes to start the night. I am excited to go back and try more! read more

Fresko - Frizzled Brussel Sprouts - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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We had the most amazing experience at Fresko from the chicken caprese sandwich to the perfectly crafted cocktails and exceptional service from Daniel. If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would! read more

Fresko - Craft cocktails - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Service is good. The drinks were good the food was outstanding. I'll definitely go back read more

It has been a while since we'd been here, and even longer since I wrote a review. This visit reaffirmed my previous rating, and we had a delightful time and great food and service. On this visit it was one of our daughters and her husband with my wife and I. We were headed to the Civic Center (a half mile walk), but we gave ourselves lots of time so we didn't need to rush. We all got mixed drinks and they were DELICIOUS! I think the bar is one of the strong suits here, but as you'll read later, the food and service are right up there too! On this visit I got the Chicken Tacos. They don't come with a side, and I wasn't sure if I'd need something more (you do). I was lucky enough to mooch a couple of slices of our daughter's very Margherita Flatbread. The tacos were really good too-soft corn tortillas and fresh and tasty fixings. Our son-in-law got the Chicken Caprese Sandwich, which is one of his go-to's, and he enjoyed it this time too. My wife got the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, and added shrimp. To their credit they toss in a lot of shrimp for the $9 upcharge - about a dozen smaller ones. For dessert my wife and I got the Molten Chocolate Cake - it was OK to share, but more of a personal serving size, as was the Smores that our kids shared. Both were good, but $9, and like I mentioned, more personally sized. Our server was great-pleasant, efficient, and right there when we needed her. One of the managers delivered drinks as well, so they were all working well together. Very open environment, but the bar area and dining area are divided from each other. Simple tables and lots of seating. read more

Delicious did with upscale atmosphere. The staff was top notch and handled our large group in a timely manner. Drink selection was great with extensive wine list. The seared tuna was seared perfectly. read more

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Came to Fresko for lunch on a Friday around 2pm as we were passing through Des Moines. Parking on the street wasn't too bad, there were a handful of meters available. We were able to be seated right away. The restaurant itself was HUGE. I wouldn't foresee much trouble with anyone else walking in during normal dining hours. Great menu options! I had the harissa chicken salad and wasn't disappointed. Ingredients seemed very fresh and were all flavorful. My partner got the caprese sandwich with a side of potatoes. The potatoes came out a little later which was a little odd, but the kitchen increased the portion. We split the cherry cheesecake for dessert. I would skip it in the future. The consistency was a little runny and the cherries tasted too artificial. Overall would recommend! read more

Fresko - Cherry cheesecake - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The meal was absolutely delicious....wait staff was super friendly and the atmosphere delightfully and relaxing. A must visit if you are near or in Des Moines. Definitely one of my new favorites. read more

Fresko - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is our second visit to Fresko and it does not disappoint. Lots of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan adaptable options. I had a goat cheese and beet salad and my husband had the Baja chicken salad. Everything was super fresh and the steak added to my salad was perfectly tender. He appreciated the fried jalapeños for "added kick." We split the truffle potatoes, which were subtle and delicious. I also love when a place will take my boring drink order and make it look fancy. A+ ambience and friendly wait staff. read more

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Always looking for a good restaurant to eat lunch at when downtown so decided to try Fresko! Ambiance: The restaurant offers plenty of seating, though some tables in the main dining area are a bit close together. I loved the natural light from the large windows and the high ceilings, which made the space feel open. The modern decor adds to the inviting atmosphere. Service: The service was a bit lacking--our server seemed distracted and slightly annoyed by menu questions. However, she was attentive with water refills. Food: I decided to try the Chicken Caprese sandwich that came with roasted potatoes. The sandwich was excellent, with a great balance of grilled chicken, arugula, basil pesto (which really elevated the dish), and fresh mozzarella, all served on ciabatta bread. Unfortunately, the potatoes were disappointing--too soft for my taste, as I prefer a crispier texture. Location/Parking: Fresko is located downtown, with metered street parking available. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu next! read more

Fresko - Seafood Ravioli - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The food was high quality and it was served fairly quickly. The waiter was friendly and checked in on us several times. It was a great stop before our show. read more

It was our first time visiting for our daughter day. Place was and quiet. Waiter was very friendly and helpful. He made great suggestions and even gave out daughter a dessert for her Bday. Being GF and DF he helped me select some items. Drinks and food came out quick and hot. They were delicious. Of i lived closer I would go more often. read more

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Third time and this was not the same. Food was cold, got my daughter's order wrong. Service good. Room is always upbeat.

Hungry at 2:30 walking in Des Moines and I found a keeper... Fresko! The aesthetic is adorable. Despite it being lunch, I couldn't resist trying the pineapple old-fashioned from their inventive cocktail menu. It was an excellent choice! If they used pineapple juice versus simple, they nailed it! The service was wonderful, attentive, and friendly, I started with the tuna tartare, which was fresh and flavorful. The fruit bowl, peppered kettle chips, and beet salad rounded out a beautiful spread. read more

Fresko - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The waitress we had was so sweet and very attentive. My grandmother got the black bean burger in a lettuce wrap because she wanted it vegan. I got the skewers and the beet and goat cheese salad. We were very happy with our meal. The restaurant has a great ambiance and we would definitely come back. read more

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We had reservations early, 5:45, so we definitely beat the rush of a crowd that started rolling in at 6:30ish. We got seated and our waitress came up to us. It's very spacious and contemporary inside. It was 5:55, 5 more minutes for happy hour. When we asked for the happy hour menu, she told us we would have to go sit in the bar to order that. Mind you again, not busy yet and really? If you're gonna make it inconvenient for me, I'm definitely not impressed with the customer service. On to the food, we split two apps. I've never had a bad experience with these two items and they didn't disappoint again. The mussels and chorizo have so much flavor and there's always so much. We can never finish it all. The tuna tartare is light and so much flavor. A sweet sauce and an abundance of tuna. I'll be back for those two items again specifically but I'll wait a bit. Sometimes customer service, or the lack thereof, trumps delicious food. read more

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The food here is amazing. They are efficient and the environment is comfortable We had a concern once and they had someone came over right away and discuss it with us but overall we've had a great experience! read more

Neat place. Seated immediately. Very nice atmosphere. Food was ok. The atmosphere and drinks are worth it.

What a great spot to be! Ambiance is great for a first date feel. It does get a bit loud but a great place to sit and have a great meal. The food is seasonal and locally sourced. The chef's meticulously prepare the food and know what they are making so ask for their specials! We got a small sampling for their food and it was great since we were there for an event. The drinks were all made and tasty too! The zucchini soup had roasted beans and corn and some braised pork that was savory, smooth, and crunchy! All the textures you can have in one bite! The salad was crisp, clean, and sharp with the balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect bite. The drinks was the Manhattan with blue pea flower. It does have a lemon for a bite and to change the color of the drink as well. It's cute. The Gingerbread Man inspired drink was great too. All made with fresh ingredients! Definitely a place to go and try! read more

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The bustling location in downtown Des Moines was wonderful. The restaurant is bright and comfortable. Our service was excellent. Not too slow and not too rushed. The most fabulous dish was the Seared Sesame tuna appetizer. It was perfectly cooked and the bed of slaw under the tuna was amazing! I'll order it every time. Every dish we had was clean at the end of the night -- not a morsel remained! The Tres Leche cake was average. read more

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Service was great. I was alone, so sat at the bar. Had the tuna nachos and Brussels sprouts. Delicious.

After a long work day including a field trip to farms, I came to sit at the bar for happy hour. I had 2 vodka drinks for $14, then ordered an entree to go. The staff was fantastic and the drinks well done. My entree that I ate later was very good. It was their Golden Dragon Street Noodles, with veggies and marinated tofu. Quite yummy. I would order it again. read more

Fresko - Lavender Butterfly - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fresko fresh food! Farm to table style restaurant. Menu rotates many items to keep it fresh and new. There are staple items on the menu too that we have enjoyed the handful of times we have visited. Excellent place for group dining. Party room can be rented and is highly encouraged. Ordered the hanger steak and shrimp tacos. Both dishes came out hot and fresh. Very tasty! The hanger steak was a beautiful unique flavor. The caramelized onion sauce gave the steak its own taste. The crunchy onions were a perfect pair. The steak was medium rare and cooked well! Very tender. Shrimp tacos were spicy! Fully filled with shrimp and toppings. It wasn't my favorite flavor but it was good. Mr W and I dined right after enjoying a Yelp party at Fresko. Total came to $52.xx before gratuity Previous dining experiences were as expected. Consistent good service by serving team. Walking in was more pleasant this time around. In the past we've had questionable interactions with different hosts giving us a hard time about reservations and seating. Pro tip: MAKE RESERVATIONS (Walking in seems to make hostess annoyed and your seating may take much longer than anticipated) The booths found in the larger dining area are very attractive and give a fun dining feel. I've asked for a booth for my party of 6 with early reservation as well!!! ...and was not allowed even though a couple of them were open. I was not allowed to know if they were reserved prior to me or not or if it was first reservations basis. Not sure how they choose to seat guests. But it kind of gives a negative vibe. That would be my only CON of Fresko. Food and service is great but the seating situation has always been the tension. And it might be due to lack of information from the host. read more

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Both the bar and dinning rooms have great atmosphere, also great food, and wonderful people.

this brunch was so good. the steak brisket was cooked perfectly and our server was so sweet! will definitely be back! read more

Fresko - brisket and eggs benedict - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

AMAZING!!!! Interesting and well done menu! Food, drinks and service were all wonderful! The shrimps on the Barbie are to die for...Gouda in the grits! They also make a great old fashioned read more

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good service Artichoke spinach dip was good Brussels sprouts appetizer good specifically told waiter no red in French onion burger...it was red. I can excuse for a mom & pop establishment but for prices they charge, should not be red in my hamburger. Wine way over priced for the quality poured. will not be back read more

Best food in Des Moines. So many wonderful choices. Needs to be a must go to Highly suggest you try it yourself. You'll enjoy. Trust me

The food was amazing! We went on what looked like a busy night without a reservation and were sat right away. Super cute and hip place with fresh, tasty food. We will definitely be back. I got the steak sandwich and husband got the mango shrimp. We shared Brussels sprouts and tuna tartare to start. Everything was amazing! read more

Fresko - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Our party of 4 arrived for brunch on a Saturday morning. We were greeted and sat right away and by the host. Our waitress came over and explained the menu and told us about the farm to table mindset they have when creating their menu. She was extremely polite and accommodating. We had someone in our party with a heart condition and as a result has a low to no sodium diet. Our waitress was very attentive to this and explained what they could have and what to stay away from as well as how no additional sodium would be added to season their meal. I ordered the grilled pineapple old fashioned which was EXCELLENT to drink. It had some black walnut and maple bitters in it. So so good. For my meal, I ordered the Paris Benedict. Rich and fresh tasting. Eggs were cooked perfectly and was delicious. There are so many great looking and sounding dishes, I can't wait to go back and try more! read more

Fresko - Paris Benedict - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Had lunch at about 11:15am on a rainy day. Place is huge, high ceilings and large windows but because of intimate high back seats, felt cozy. Natural lighting muted by warm candescent lighting. We came early enough so there weren't many people yet, but the server was very slow and inattentive. Gave us our menus and disappeared for at least 20 minutes before water was brought to us and by now the tables are starting to get filled. Place looks fancy but the server and the food is mediocre at best. I had the Golden Dragon Street Noodles which tasted like messed up pad tai bordering a soup with all the sauce in it. My daughter had the banana pecan cake which was yummy but not enough bananas; need to pile on the bananas. My husband had lobster ravioli which was delicious but nothing outstanding. Food portions, service and supposed fine dining did not live up to the prices on the menu. read more

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The food here is very good. I love brussel sprouts and they have very good ones. They also have great desserts. Very nice staff and a very nice and clean restaurant. read more

Fresko - Frizzled Brussel Sprouts - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Great space, excellent food, fabulous service! We had a reservation for a large party for brunch; the menu had something for everyone and we really enjoyed it, will definitely be back. read more