I dropped in for dinner between 6 PM and 8 PM and honestly, I've found a new favorite. The vibe here is 10/10 candlelit, romantic, and perfectly quiet. Even though I was dining solo today, the staff treated me like a VIP. The waiter was incredibly warm and took the time to explain everything on the menu with real patience. The food? Absolutely crazy. I ordered the Pork Steamed Buns and they were on my table in under 10 minutes. The aroma alone was incredible, and the flavor was next level. Fresh greens, perfectly prepared pork it just works. If you want amazing service and food that actually lives up to the hype, this is the spot. I'm officially a fan read more

Harbinger - Steamed buns - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

A must-visit Des Moines restaurant that pulls off a unique menu in a cozy interior with elite customer service. Grace, our server, was amazing, adding so much to the entire visit. Thankful! They serve tapas style, and we grazed all night! We literally tried as much as we could, and loved the entire experience. Among my favorites were the Black Pepper Pork Noodles, Halibut Cheeks, Pea Pasta, and the Beef Fat Potstoes. But I also loved the Farm Carrots and HH Onigari. Seriously, amazing growth food, bolstered by an incredible level of customer service. Finished a great meal with terrific Dark Chocolate Gateau and Strawberry Shortcake. This is a superb place...GO! read more

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I feel a bit mixed on Harbinger based on 4 visits. Our first visit was pretty good, during Happy Hour, food was great but drinks were just OK. Drink choices on Happy Hour special are very, very limited. 4 stars Second visit was a multi-course meal for their anniversary. We were really disappointed. We spent ~$300 with the meal, drinks, and tip. Of the ~8 courses we enjoyed 3 of them. The others were over cooked or poorly executed. They clearly were overwhelmed and could not deliver quality at that level of busy. Third visit was again for Happy Hour. Food was not as good as the first time, but better than the Anniversary dinner. Fourth visit was again at Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is really not for drinks, it's for food. I ordered a generic cocktail that was not on the Happy Hour menu and was charged $17 for the drink. That overcharge kinda overpowered the rest of the experience. read more

Harbinger has a very relaxed vibe in the dining room. Staff are casually dressed, but well put together. However, don't let that put you off, the quality of the food, and the knowledge of the servers here is absolutely top notch! I have eaten at very nice restaurants all over the country, and this is a top five restaurant for me. I had the chef's tasting menu which was absolutely outstanding. Dish after dish of wonderful flavor combinations, fresh and/or local ingredients with nearly every dish, and a wonderful explanation from the servers, or chef himself, as each dish was presented. The cuisine is Asian based and ranges all over from Japanese to South Asian influences. I can't wait to go back! read more

This was such an amazing meal! You could really tell how much thought went into each dish. We started with the Dungeness crab crispelle which was a perfect way to start, very light and refreshing. The Island Creek Oysters with miso butter and chicken skin xo were some of the best oysters I've ever had. The steamed buns were addicting, especially the chicken and rhubarb one, i would have ordered more if i wasn't already so full! The vegetable broth in the spring green dumpling dish was perfection. I also can't stop thinking about the english pea lumache pasta dish. And both desserts were absolutely incredible. Who knew yuzu and blue cheese could work so well together? The service was great as well, our waitress was very nice and fun. I'm so glad i came here and would definitely come back while in town! read more

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Harbinger never disappoints! We came here for their tasting menu 3 months ago and it really impressed us. We had Ben as our bartender and server as we ate at the bar and he provided incredible customer service. So, we came back recently to celebrate our 9 year wedding anniversary and guess who was our bartender/server once again? Ben! He ensured that we enjoyed our celebration by serving us a wonderful tasting menu along with his recommendation of wine pairings. Every pairing that he introduced to us with the dishes complimented the flavors so well! We especially loved the Habanada Peppers, Marinated Scallops, & Korean Pear, and the Bulgogi Steak with Scallion Aioli Potatoes. Mouth-watering deliciousness! What keeps bringing us back to Harbinger is not only the creatively curated dishes that fuse various cuisines together thoughtfully, but the warm hospitality and service. Ben went above and beyond to make our celebration one to remember. Thank you, Ben!! We loved every moment of our delicious meal and atmosphere that surrounded our celebration. We will definitely be back :) read more

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Out of all the places in Des Moines to dine at, I choose to come here. Why? I saw a lot of Japanese inspired dishes on the happy hour menu and I love Japanese food. The waitress informed us that their menu was Southeast Asia inspired though, which I did see reflected on the dinner menu. I also had high hopes for the food here as the chef has been nominated for a James Beard several times. We ordered one of everything on the happy hour menu- $8 snacks. Most to least favorite: -Shishito peppers- I enjoyed the crispy tempura fried peppers. The tama miso (egg miso) it came with was too thick and I went without it. -Steamed buns- This was most value for your money as it came with three buns. There was pork belly, tempura fried butternut squash, and fried chicken. I favored the squash one. -Sweet potato okonomiyaki- It was presented in a slice. The flavors of okonomiyaki came through. -Milkbread toast- The flavor of the caramelized leeks was quite pungent. -Shiitake mushroom yakitori- Mushroom, as in one, cut up into several pieces and skewered. -Ginger roasted beet gyoza- The flavors didn't work for me. I appreciate the fact that the dishes were vegetable focused. Nothing off the happy hour menu really stood out though. We did order dessert too as I saw one of them contained matcha. I loved it, but wished it was a bigger portion. The interior is nice- dimly lit with wooden tables/ chairs. The kitchen is open and there is a bar. Service was friendly and water was constantly refilled. It seems like a nice place for date night or maybe special occasion as the table next to us was celebrating a birthday. The place is not for me though. read more

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My mother and I stopped at Harbinger on a cross country road trip. She and I both agreed, this was one of the best meals we have had in recent memory. We ordered a variety of plates, about 6 total, and everyone was delicious. The flavor combos were amazing, the seasonal vegetables were cooked to perfection. The waiter we had was very knowledgeable of every dish and what we ordered was explained when each dish was brought to us. We enjoyed that food came out when it was ready and sharing was encouraged. We arrived about 10 minutes before last seating, and nobody made us feel rushed to eat quickly. The restaurant was not crowded on a Wednesday night, but about 4 other tables were occupied. The lighting was dim and my mother needed a light to see the menu but I could read it just fine. We both wish we lived nearby so we could eat here regularly. Once again, this was one of the best meals we have had. read more

Went here with friends and was a small plates, fun, shareable experience with a menu that consistently updates. Would recommend going at least twice to experience the fun! :-) read more

Our server was so sweet! The food was brought out by kitchen staff members. They were very focused and described the dishes well. Our favorites were the squash blossoms, corn, hamachi, chocolate dessert, berry mochi dessert, and even the basic iced tea was delicious. I believe we had 5 dishes and 2 dessert along with 2 nonalcoholic beverages. Our bill was $112. I feel well worth the money. read more

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Everything was beyond expectation. We did the chef's menu, which was exquisite. Every dish is a well choreographed dance. I've never had a better dining experience, they even created a mocktail for me. The service was superior, the ambiance perfect for a romantic, celebratory dinner in a beautiful, cozy setting that was quiet enough to converse and relax. I would celebrate everything here. Six of five stars. read more

Our favorite birthday/anniversary spot! Love the chef's menu choice. Food is always amazing!

We met friends for a special wine pairing menu this week and had a great time. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Our babysitter canceled last minute so our 3 year old was dragged along, and they were very polite about it even after a water spill which we really appreciated. The food was delicious - very unique and fresh. The white fish had some kind of scallop puree that was very interesting; the sweet potato sounded so simple but ended up having a lot of depth and complexity. We also ordered one of each bag for our child who absolutely devoured them. We have been here twice before and it's been a truly stellar experience every time. The vibes and ambiance are lovely and there just seems to be a lot of warmth and heart in the restaurant, so it's extra enjoyable to come have delicious food here. read more

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Pretty good date spot. Brought the family along. Read a lot of great things about it and was curious. "Unfortunately," it was some wine prix fixe menu week, so was not able to try things that I had my eyes on when looking at the online menu. The set menu was nevertheless pretty good. Service was good and attentive. They gave my daughter a complimentary fancy lemonade. If I'm in the area again, I'd return to try out the rest of their menu. read more

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A surprisingly upscale Des Moines restaurant that (at least to this California native) is very affordable. Nothing stood out, but the happy hour small bites menu is a great deal that allows for a fun exploration of the entire menu. The menu changes frequently, but highlights for me included the beet gyoza and a perfectly cooked heirloom tomato. read more

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Great service- from the moment the Chef greeted us at the door to our server who was professional but not too chatty. Had a solid bottle of Italian Pinot Grigio, but noticed the menu had lots of great choices. Vegetables were exquisite, halibut perfection and so creative. I didn't love my dessert (my partner did), should have ordered another course instead. Only thing maybe to consider (so you can go early or later during service) is that the restaurant can be loud and bustling. It's packed with people for a very good reason! read more

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Genuinely the best food I've ever had in my life. Every single employee was super friendly and understanding while I tried to navigate the menu as an uncultured slob. I immediately came home and showered to remove the guilt of having consumed such amazing food. I'm afraid of the next time I have to eat, as nothing will ever taste as good. read more

Harbinger - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Hello, Des Moines! This dining experience was excellent. I am not sure what I thought Iowa had to offer but this exceeded expectations. A mix of Asian fusion plates with brilliant execution. This was veggie forward but in the best way! The stuffed cabbage rolls surprised me. The celery root was more than a puree and truly exceptional. Finally dessert(s) are not to be missed! We ordered each one :) This is a rotating menu based ingredients so speak with your server who will be knowledgeable and kind! Oh Iowa... you surprise me! read more

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This is the quintessential example of lower quality photos, but higher quality food. I have been waiting/wanting to go to harbinger for years! Ever since I had basic bird as a pop-up to go out of this location in 2020 I have wanted to return for their curated menu. Their happy hour menu was pretty exciting because it definitely opens up more affordable options to try a number of different things. However, I found myself truly wanting to try all of the entrées! They sounded so good. The bao buns were some of my favorite. I appreciated that they had three different varieties with three very distinct flavor profiles. This delicata squash was super unique and very flavorful. I loved the crisp texture with the bold sauce. The cocktails that I tried were interesting and good, but I wish I would have opted for the old-fashioned special they were running. FYI, the entrées, while delicious, are not super filling. Therefore, if you're looking for ridiculous American portions that will have you stuffed and still taking a to-go box, don't look here. This is elevated food with delicate intentional flavors. Finally, whether it's a special occasion or something, I will definitely be back to try their seven course chef's menu. That night it was $125, but I am certain it would be well worth it. read more

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I love the feel of Harbinger. It's small and intimate. The food is amazing. The bao buns are a must try. We sat at the bar (reservations recommended for a table) and Devan, our server, was amazing! She walked us through the menu and was so helpful. Can't wait to go back to try the happy hour menu! read more

We decided last minute to go for restaurant week after reading the menu online. We called ahead to make sure there was open seating at the bar and we could eat there and they said no problem. It was busy and pretty loud which is what I would expect for this week when they were fully booked until 8:30 for a table. We had not been since before the pandemic and I know we will not be waiting that long to return. We enjoyed an amazing meal with some of the best things I have tasted in Des Moines. The sweet corn pasta (course three) is the best dish I have had in Des Moines ever. I had mahi mahi and my spouse had Waygu beef for the main course. Both were very good, cooked to perfection and good sized portions. The Staff was attentive and friendly even with us sitting at the bar on a busy night. Wine pairing selections were unique and went well with our food. read more

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My friend and I were in town for one night on a road trip and decided to do dinner at Harbinger. I was totally floored by this experience and it really exceeded my expectations. The cocktails we tried were all really nice: fresh, bright, creative flavor combinations and very well made. Food wise, we enjoyed everything. My favorites included the chicken special, the tart, the pork skewer starter which was SO FLAVORFUL! Everything was extremely fresh and bright. Lots of tangy flavors giving Thai and Vietnamese vibes. Service was great, very attentive. The space is also fun and clean, and was very comfortable. I really hope to be back again and if I'm in town I'll definitely plan to come here. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun dinner experience. read more

Harbinger - Tart and asparagus dishes - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Small restaurant with fabulous staff and a great dining experience. This is a perfect date night spot. If you go during happy hour they have good values. The server is Mmmm great at explaining the unique dishes. The carrots have a great sauce on them. Loved the pork skewers. Also tempura fried Romain. read more

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Truly a one of a kind restaurant in DSM. The attention to detail is evident through every dish. The waitress carefully explained every dish to add to the eating experience. The passion from the chefs and cooks is evident with every dish that's produced. From the beautiful and meticulous plating and the complex flavor profiles of every dish to the way they do the simple things right. Be prepared to order multiple dishes because the portions are small. The vibe of this restaurant is very unique. It's small and cozy but still gives you plenty of room to relax. The ambience is warm and pleasant and adds to the experience. It almost feels like you are eating in a warm cottage at the source of all the ingredients. Overall this restaurant is outstanding. It's unique, consistent and, unbelievably delicious. Harbinger knows how to make art, but more importantly they know how to make some of the best food in the state. If you live in Des Moines make the visit and if you don't live in Des Moines then still make the visit It's worth the trip. Trust me. read more

Overall: 4.6/5 (dine in) We made a reservation for Friday night at 8:45 PM through Resy. The restaurant closes at 9:00 PM but they were still packed when we came and I think they sat one more couple after us as well. Even though they closed, they didn't rush any of their guests. The seating is a bit tight though. The service is amazing, & the food/drinks came out quickly. Definitely worth the price + great food quality. Street Noodles ($15): This was a very unique cocktail that we both love. You can taste all the flavors, especially the Thai peanut orgeat. Genuinely surprised how they took flavors from a food dish (inspired by pad thai) and turned it into a drink! It didn't have any overwhelming or clashing flavors and the drink didn't feel heavy like how sometimes a dessert cocktail might. Highly recommend trying! Featured Cocktail ($14): This is an off menu cocktail which I only remember having lotus and tea. You get to choose either a vodka or gin spirit base. We went with vodka. The cocktail was pretty strong and had an aftertaste I'm assuming is the lotus. I didn't really taste the tea but it's a solid & balanced cocktail. Singapore Style Chili Crab ($18): Oh my goodness, this was heavenly So much flavor in the crab that can be eaten by itself or with the mantou. The squid ink mantou looked like stone rocks but tasted so fresh & delicious. The mantou was slightly salted which gave it flavor, is soft on the inside, and has a nice crispy outside. I'm pretty picky with my seafood since it's not my favorite type of food to eat but this was so amazing! Highly recommend :) Crispy Mandu ($10): I saw a lot of pictures on Yelp so I thought it was a specialty. The presentation was nice. There were 3 pieces total that were shaped more like egg rolls than dumplings. In terms of taste, the mandus were just okay. You can skip this one. Steamed Buns ($4 for 1 bun or $11 for 3 buns): We got all 3 buns to try. The white buns were nice & soft. The pork belly was actually my least favorite since it wasn't as umami as expected and the meat part was a bit dry. Maybe braising the pork belly instead of grilling it would fix this issue. The lil birdie double dunk is essentially a fried chicken which was also just okay. I'm surprised to say the butternut squash & seaweed beignet was my favorite. read more

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The food was very good, what you got of it. The wait staff tell you it's a small plate restaurant, so be fair warned. We had two Summer Squash appetizers and one Sakura Farms Pork Collar and one Scallop (you get two), and the bill $78.00 plus tax and tip. read more

Such a fun, unique, and memorable meal! Each plate was its own experience! The octopus and the onion candy were the stars until dessert... the yuzu with bleu cheese will stick with me forever. I cannot wait to go back to this place as they rotate their menu! read more

Harbinger - Yuzu and dark chocolate black sesame dessert - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

It's a small place but we lucked out with seats at the bar. Dishes are small and expensive but delicious. Two of the three meat dishes seem to have the same sauce but it was still very tasty. read more

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Food was very tasty: had broccoli and buns. Interesting and distinct flavors. Price a little high for what you get: very smell portions. Small menu and I like that. Classy. Can get a little loud. Server was very friendly and attentive. read more

Harbinger - Broccoli - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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A true Culinary Experience right off of Ingersoll! We have been by here so many times and tonight we finally decided to try it. From start to finish we enjoyed every single bite! We love shareable plates and tapas so everything on this menu was very appealing. Excellent service; the staff are all very friendly and know the menu insanely well. We started our meal with some dishes off of the happy hour menu: crispy pork mandu dumplings, prawn & chili bahn xeo, Thai peanut pork satay, and we also ordered 3 steamed buns (pork belly, vegetable with mushroom tare, and chicken kimchi). We then ordered two medium sized plates: the Indian flatbread with green chickpea sauce (This was my favorite) and the duck egg omelet with dungeness crab - Wow!!! Lastly, we ended our savory culinary journey with the halibut cheek, which was in a yellow curry and sitting on top of root vegetables. As you may be able to tell from the photos this wasn't an overwhelming amount of food, but the absolute perfect amount for two. For desert we tried both the Lotus flower cookie that was flavored with cardamom, and a bread pudding which was in a caramel / Thai peanut sauce served with spicy chili ice cream... I can't even begin to describe all the complex flavors coming out of these desserts. Both were very, very good! Happy Hour was a huge hit, and we plan on coming back for a lot more of this! read more

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We snuck in at opening without a reservation and the hostess was very accommodating. We honestly would have tried the whole menu if our stomachs could have handled it. Everything we had was absolutely exceptional. The dishes had attention to detail with precision and sophistication. Definitely a tapas style restaurant where sharing is ideal! read more

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I have mixed feelings about my 1 and only experience here. First of all, the only item that resembled what I expected and received was the Steamed Buns aka bao buns and they were very good (my favorite of the night). The Halibut Cheeks looked like what they were. But 2 cheeks for $26 was a bit steep. The Wild Onion said it was a okonomiyaki which we were excited to try. Ummmm, not at all what an okonomiyaki looks like or taste like. It was $14 for 2 bites. We ordered Farm Carrots which really didn't have too many carrots. Lastly we ordered the Heritage Chicken which was not what I expected either. We ordered 2 of their house made non alcoholic drinks which were good. Even though we weren't thrilled with our meal, we will still return for the chefs tasting menu for $125 pp just to taste what is offered. The restaurant was small and very cute. read more

Tried harbinger last night for the first time. My husband was skeptical about the menu but after trying several dishes everything lived up to the reviews. We would go back and probably not get the beet salad and the one squash dish. We both took a bite out of the beet salad and thought it was way too bitter. The waiter knew we didn't like it too so I was surprised it was still on our bill at the end of the night but we paid for it anyway. Our favorites were the potato appetizer dish, the pepper/fennel sausage app, and beef cheeks. The steamed buns were good too! Overall, service was good and on point and food was delicious. read more

Harbinger - Potato dish for appetizer! Really good! Rich! - A bowl containing a potato dish topped with melted cheese, bacon bits, and diced vegetables, served on a dark wooden table. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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We had a family dinner here on 9/6/2024 the night before my mother's Celebration of Life. This is a very special for me. I live in San francisco and wish Harbinger had a restaurant there. The creativity, thoughtfulness in preparation/presentation and mind blowing food and service is such a treat! Greg handled our table of 12 flawlessly. Residents of Des Moines or visitors.....soak this restaurant up!!!! read more

Feeling straight lucky to have experienced the pure perfectionism of Harbinger. The staff, the culinary experience, the drinks were absolutely 11/10. You must go. I did the chef's tasting -- 7 courses for $120, more than worth it. Would've paid $200. Each bite was a flavor bomb from outer space. Go in and go hard at Harbinger. Cheers! read more

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Fantastic food selection and service. Specialty drinks to perfection. Highly recommended. Will be coming here every time I am back in town. read more

Parking: They have a small lot in back otherwise anywhere you can find along Ingersoll. Service: Phenomenal. Super attentive, helpful suggesting items, constantly filling up waters. Top notch. Atmosphere: Perfectly matched the food with a touch of organic/natural elements meets more modern. Very nice and clean too. Seating: low top tables, bar, and some half booth/half tables. Food: delicious and warm with tons of flavor. Small, shareable plates which is great because you can try a variety of dishes. 10/10 must-try this place if you haven't. read more

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I was in Des Moines for a few days on a business trip. Harbinger appeared to have an eclectic menu. I was not disappointed. The atmosphere is hip and happening. Our server was prompt and attentive. The dishes are small, so I recommend ordering several and sharing. We wish they had a more extensive dessert offering. Overall, it was a very good experience. read more

harbinger never disappoints. don't miss out on their happy hour there's always fun new things to try and you can't beat the deal on the bao buns. read more

Harbinger - bao buns their pork belly and an onion - Two bamboo steamers hold bao buns filled with different ingredients, topped with sauces, herbs, and garnishes, served on parchment paper. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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You have to splurge and get the chef tasting menu. It's food on an elevated level. No food will ever be the same again. Everything tasted just out of this world. The spin on things and recipes. The place is smaller than most so be sure to call ahead for a reservation. read more