A massive selection of beer, ciders and seltzers with great service. The atmosphere is laid back…read more We got the fried pickles and the ranch was killer. A guy next to us ordered the biggest burrito I've ever seen. Gotta check this place out

The Ultimate Stop for Bikes, Beer & Bites…read more After a day of biking, we made it back to El Bait Shop with some friends. This place is a solid choice, whether you're in the mood for the world's biggest selection of tap beers or some fantastic gastropub and comfort food from the lounge next door. We love it here because we can park our bikes in the provided area off the patio and still keep an eye on them. The outdoor service area is semi-shaded and the service is just as good as you'd get inside. As a beer lover, I can tell you the selection is ridiculous and expansive. If you want it, they probably have it, and from four or five different breweries at that! The menu is also loaded, with choices from both El Bait Shop and the High Life Lounge. Today, our food order was as impressive as the beer list. While I can't recall all the beers we had, the food included a Prime Rib Sandwich with tots ($14.99), the Pizza Burger also with tots ($11.99), the Philly Style Pot Roast Sandwich with a side of potato salad, and a massive bowl of Macaroni and Cheese ($11.99). We were starving after our ride, but that didn't change the fact that the food was all delicious, well-prepared, and served by our very attentive waiter, Kyle???, May. No one had any complaints, and the beer was cold and on time! Overall, we love the eclectic vibe of this place. Its downtown location gives you some great views, and more importantly, you're within walking distance of almost everything downtown Des Moines has to offer. This is a go-to spot for me, and I love taking first-time visitors here because it's so unique and the quality of both the service and the food is always on point. Oh, and did I mention the beer selection is completely insane? If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out, and you don't even know it. PRO TIP: Come here, and before you leave, slip over to the High Life Lounge for a throwback moment. Next time, start there and slip over here for a beer!

Definitely a hole in the wall place. The decor and overall vibe is super nostalgic. Our drinks were…read morecold, and our food came out within 10 minutes of ordering. Grilled cheese was great, as was the hot beef.

Only non Italian meal we had... maybe 3.5 but hey let's round up…read more Visited the science center and saw a sign advertising a cheeseburger basket for $6.99 all day every day... Flight delayed decides to have lunch before heading to airport and remember this place. It was busy at 12 noon. Just about everybody was ordering the cheeseburger plate. Serves with onions and pickles w/ crinkle cut fries. No seasoning but a solid burger. Not huge not tiny. Pour on the ketchup and starring munching! Service was quick and friendly. Definitely has a locals, bowling league kind of vibe. Christmas lights strung from the ceiling. Tons of photos on the walls and a Photo Booth in the corner. Several TVs and dim lighting rounds out the atmosphere. Cool lil hole on the wall to grab a drink. No frills kinda spot. 2 cheeseburger baskets + 2 kids meals = $30. Fine by me!

Drinks before and after the show at RŌCA…read more The drinks were all fantastic. The Pig & Fig Manhattan was fantastic with Bacon Fat Washed Bourbon, sweet vermouth, and house bitters. Excellent start. She got the smoked margarita which was really cool and smoky. Don Julio Blanco, lime, Cointreau, Agave, and Apple-Wood Smole. Very decadent. After the show we got: The Polar Express O with Diplomatico Rum, Sweetened Condensed Milk, coffee topped with cold foam, and grated chocolate. Very boozy and strong. Didn't look very good in the glass, but tasted ok. Very strong. She choose the Cold Brew Martini and it was excellent with Ketel One Vodka, Averna Amaro, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, and House Cold Brew Coffee. The service was great. Will be back for more drinks.

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $46 06/28/2025 Enjoyed our latest visit to RoCA with friends after Mass Saturday evening. My wife started with a Smoked Margarita (see picture) and I opted for the El Chapo (see picture) - both were delicious. The great thing about a small plates restaurant, especially with 4 people, is that you can try a bunch of different things...and that we did! We each chose one small plate and I'll say up front that all of them were wonderful and I wouldn't hesitate to order any of them again. We started with a BBQ, Pork & Apple Flatbread (see picture), followed by the Deconstructed Ribeye Nachos (see picture), Fondue (see picture) and Graziano Sausage & Pepperoni Flatbread (see picture). Of all of these, our favorite was the Fondue and Deconstructed Ribeye Nachos...but both Flatbreads were also very good. The only negatives to the atmosphere were having to go downstairs for the restroom and a bachelorette party next to us that got a little loud. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

Stayed at the Hotel Fort Des Moines and was very pleased to find out Proudfoot & Bird was there!…read moreSuch a great addition to downtown Des Moines. Beautiful bar and restaurant. Great cocktail and wine list. Loved the vanilla old fashioned. The bartenders were so helpful and kind! Great food menu, will be back again!

Delightful. Amazing. Happy hour was supreme :) beautiful ambiance! 10/10 will go again.read more

Best Burger joint ever! Craft burgers with character. Love the atmosphere. Never had a bad meal…read morehere. Love the option to sit down and relax to eat or get it to go. Whenever I'm in town I always make the effort to eat here.

If you love good burgers you'll love this place…read more If you love b movie horror flicks and burgers then you MUST eat here! Can't say enough good things about the food, drinks, and especially the shakes! You'll love the atmosphere, the friendly staff, and the quick service (even though you'll probably be waiting to get it. People are just dying for it) Great food. Great atmosphere. Make your reservations today.

Dave C. Appreciate the conversation and scotch…read morerecommendations, we'll be back The fish and chips are incredible

I stopped by here early on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner. There was a decent…read morecrowd, but plenty of seating. I found myself a spot across from a tv so that I could watch some Olympic hockey. Very attentive but not intrusive staff. When I finished one drink or my food, my glass/plate were swiftly whisked away. The tiny Guinness shot was adorable, and honestly worth the money for the selfie opportunity alone. I also had their lamb burger with fries, which was quite good as well. They had plenty of pub favorites on the menu, but if I stopped by again, I would probably still get the lamb. It's such an underrated option.

First time trying out Bubba's. We ordered:…read more Southern bread basket comes with butter and jam Coffee with cream and sugar Smoke chicken salad Crab cake Benedict with hash browns. Server and host were friendly and wonderful. Atmosphere was beautiful with natural lighting allowed in. Food came out fast and was hot. I liked the intense flavor for the crab cake Benedict. It was super filling and the egg was just cooked perfectly. We would come again!

A Southern-style restaurant with Southern-inspired food…read more We started with the fried green tomatoes and my only recommendation would be to use cornmeal to make it a true Southern taste. All I could taste was the breading which seemed like a very bland option to showcase the tomatoes. I had the red beans and rice and my Husband had mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, and an open-faced sandwich. He wished the sauce they used on the sandwich had been a little less so he could've enjoyed what was underneath all of it. For dessert, we had a Coca-Cola cake. It was moist and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The classic hotel rooftop bar. Their menu is small, but the views and vibe are great. I've had…read morealmost everything on the menu and never had a bad meal. Republic is great for meeting friends, having an appetizer or eating a dinner when staying at the hotel. It's a fun place and would be good for a date as well. They have a full bar, TVs and a variety of seating options. Flatbread pizza and the Gnocchi are my favorites. The waitstaff is always friendly, but there is usually only the bartender and one other person. If you are in a hurry sit at the bar.

We went here for their Rudolph on the Rooftop holiday pop up. We loved the Christmas deco, and the…read morevibe was merry. The food was good. I really enjoyed the pesto and tuna and charcuterie board. Our waitress checked in on us often. We would come back here.

Mulberry Street Tavern was one of our favorite dinners in Des Moines! Located inside the Surety…read moreHotel, it's the kind of restaurant that feels elevated without being overly formal--and the best part is you don't have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy it! We started the evening with a bottle of wine before ordering the homemade Bolognese and the bison filet with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. Both dishes were full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Of course, we couldn't leave without trying dessert, and we're glad we saved room because both were the perfect ending to the meal! Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a date night, or simply looking for a great meal downtown, I'd definitely recommend adding Mulberry Street Tavern to your list!

Staying at the hotel and had dinner here. We arrived at 5:45 and were told it was full of…read morereservations and we'd have to eat at the bar. The whole time it was half empty and when our plates were served the server passive aggressive said "thanks for helping" because I guess he expected me to grab my own plate??? The Les Moines cocktail was disgusting and they charged $36 for a tiny corn pesto pasta with a tablespoon of corn in it....it's Iowa for crying out loud!

Sabina was my sever, she did an amazing job! The beer was really good as well. I'll definitely be…read moreback

Big Grove Brewery was one of our favorite places to grab a bite and unwind while exploring Des…read moreMoines! The atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming, making it a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy a date night, or simply take a break after a day of exploring. We tried the mac & cheese stacked with BBQ and a couple of their fresh brews....everything hit the spot! (PS - Kansas City now also has a Big Grove Brewery!) If you're looking for a local brewery to add to your Des Moines itinerary, this one is definitely worth checking out!