Creative, beautiful, and tasty food and cocktails. (The "best pork chop of my life" was a quote heard from my husband.) Welcoming and comfortable decor. Outstanding service with a team that seems to execute perfectly. Oh what a night! read more

Oak Park - Potato Gnocchi - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

Celebrated a birthday at Oak Park with some friends. I'd heard a lot about this place, and I'll report that it lived up to the hype! To begin, the staff was extremely well trained. Very knowledgeable about the whole menu with a sommelier on the floor floating around to answer any questions. All staff worked in strong unison by delivering drinks and entrees in a coordinated fashion which shows that they take their job of serving very seriously! The restaurant is very elegant, clean and a fancy setup. We did not sit at the bar area, but that seems to be another great spot. We had a number of different courses. Starting with a warm croquette as compliments of the chef! Then a brioche roll with butter that was killer - perfect mix of sweet and salty on the fluffy slices of brioche bread. Also got the lobster ravioli shared plate. Magnificent My wife got the candied pork chop . This was a large cut of meat with a sweet and savory glaze. Very juicy meat that let all the flavors come out! I got the Wagyu Sirloin. This was cooked to order (medium) which retained so much flavor. The borderlaise sauce was a fantastic compliment to the steak as well. For dessert, a complimentary apple jam NY cheesecake was served. Great crust and a light cheesecake was a great end to the meal. My wife got the hot chocolate soufflé which was so warm and melted in the mouth. Of the two, this dessert was the winner. While a very nice fine dining restaurant, I feel their prices are reasonably fair for the value. Don't expect a cheap meal, but do t expect a subpar experience either! read more

See all

A phenomenal dining experience, quite possibly the best in the Des Moines Metro, and a top 10 for me all-time compared to my world travels. Update: Chef Ian Robertson was named a 2026 Midwest semifinalist for a James Beard Award in mid-January. This is no ordinary meal; it is a memorable meal to be shared with special people. The decor is incredible. Parking in a private lot. They grow their own veggies in the back. Elite customer service starts at the top with their owner, Kathy Fehrman, who met us at the door with kindness and warmth. She transformed a historical building into a masterful architectural wonder inside. It oozes a great visit. We had an amazing server, Cole, who elevated the entire evening from the onset. He was incredibly helpful throughout, making us aware of their amazing options. My Potato Gnocchi was great, and I loved my family's salmon, watermelon, and beet dishes. Great filet mignon too! Do this if you can - it is a visit you won't forget! read more

See all

Fantastic spot for finer dining in Des Moines. My least favorite part of my experience was the parking. Heated coat check? Obviously. Our server was amazing, as was her timing of the courses. We ordered drinks and got a tour of the menu. Once we received our drinks and ordered we were brought a gift from the kitchen. A potato croquet I believe. I ordered the pork chops and it was pure Heaven. I did not partake in dessert but everyone had high remarks. The dining room was simple and elegant. The bathrooms were clean and inviting as well. I would absolutely return! read more

Oak Park - Potato croquet - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

A great experience. A gem outside of downtown. Beautiful venue with interesting shape/lines. Staff was friendly and attentive and knower. Food was amazing. Looked beautiful. Tasted fantastic. We had Caesar salad, lobster bisque, and pork chops. Wow! read more

Oak Park - Lobster Bisque - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

This was the most memorable meal of my life. Better than The French Laundry, The Restaurant at Meadowood, Auberge du Soleil in Napa, Daniel in NYC, Restaurant Le Taillevent or Alain Ducasse in Paris. Every bit of every dish was an explosion of flavor - making me wonder how could they come up with that combination. The Crispy Halibut was crunchy on the outside, moist in the center and accented with ramp gribiche and salmon roe. The chicken breast poached in stock with a morel, ramps sauce was rich with every bite inviting another. The Lamb Wellington made me feel like a king, only to be outdone by the A5 wagyu strip with a porcini mushroom bordelaise. Wine pairings were the best match of my culinary life - ranging from vintage champagne, white bordeaux, german riesling, rhone, red bordeaux and California cabernet. Every wine perfectly matched to the dish is ways beyond the imagination. As a foodie from Napa and Master of Wine student, I was blown away with the creativity and excellence. The service was attentive and engaging, proper without pretension, precise without being overly fussy. No attitude here, just wanting to share something extremely special with guests. Whether you are looking for the bucket list dining experience or wanting to create unforgettable memories with a loved one - look no further than Oak Park. The owner, Kathy Fehrman, is making a mark that shouldn't be ignored. read more

See all

Great service great food. Fancy. More fancy than I am accustomed too so I felt a little out of place but the staff was excellent and made me feel special. read more

Went here for a special event wine tasting dinner event on Tuesday. From the moment you walk in, it was truly a 5 star experience. The decor and ambiance was beautiful. The hostess was so sweet, professional, and started off by checking in our coats. Everything from the glassware to the plates was very high end. No expense was spared at this restaurant. The food was great and the chef came out each course to describe the cuisine and discuss how it paired well with that particular wine. This is a great date night spot/event idea! Everything was truly perfect and I felt like it was a great value for the quality of experience. 10 out of 10! read more

See all

Never disappoints, never. One of the most consistent restaurants in des moines, the services is always spectacular, the food is always A+, it's one of the most beautiful restaurants in Des Moines, I love it here. read more

See all

Great environment to celebrate or date night. The service is excellent and well informed with the menu. Of course.... The food is delicious! We will definitely be back again and again. read more

WHOA. My parents took me here for my birthday dinner, and we were blown away! What an absolute TREAT it is to have a restaurant of this caliber in Des Moines. My dad is in culinary school, and he was so excited about their program to grow microgreens, garnishes and other items in their garden out back. The space itself is stunning - so elevated and perfect for a fancy evening out. Service is top tier! We had great service from the moment we walked in, throughout our meal, to the hostess taking our photo for us at the end. Cocktails: FOOD: I love that they start with an amouse-bouche! It's a great fine dining touch. We shared the shishito and another small plate and both were delicious and presented well. For our main course, we tried the filet mignon, smoked lamb belly fusili, and king crab mafalda. All were delicious! For dessert, the team was kind enough to bring out a birthday treat - ice cream, birthday sign chocolate, souffle, and caramel to pour over. We also got the cream pie and creme brulee to share. All in all, an incredible fine dining experience here - so glad they are in DSM! read more

See all

The service at Oak Park was remarkable. The setting is beautiful and comfortable. Our drinks and food were delicious from start to finish. I did have a few moments similar to the restaurant scene in "Pretty Woman" with multiple utensils and the amuse-bouche, but the experience was delightful. Will definitely return for a special occasion. Cole T. was our server and he made sure that our evening reconnecting with our friends was memorable. read more

See all

Oak Park is one of my favorite places to eat in the country. It is well worth the expense. We had two apps, two entrees and two desserts for $200, not including tip - for this level of dining, I think that's a great deal. The menu changes about every six weeks and if I were local I'd probably come every six weeks. We started with the pork belly and brioche. The pork belly was tender and served with a vinaigrette on the side that was absolutely delicious. The brioche is a must get for the table. The butter is a 10/10 and I wanted to just keep snacking on it. I had a salad the first time I came and I much preferred these appetizers to that experience. The entrees we got were the lamb rack and pork chop. The pork chop is delicious, and topped with a berry compote. It makes it sweet and the one drawback may be that it overpowers the rest of the dish. I thought it was a solid 9/10. The lamb rack was one of the best items I've ever eaten. The pesto and puréed asparagus paired beautifully and made the dish craving for more. For dessert, we had a sundae and a guava soufflé. The guava soufflé was life changing. If you don't want a meal, just go for the dessert. read more

See all

Oak Park. We have heard so much about it and received a birthday gift certificate so off we went. Wow! Des Moines finally has a class act first class restaurant worthy of the reputation. From the greeting at the snowy front door which was enthusiastic in single digit temps to the coat room attendant who was also effusive we knew good things were happening. Our server was top flight and called over the wine concierge to recommend one of the best bottles we've had in a very long time. Appetizer of octopus - devine. Main courses of roast duck and Iowa chop - delicious. Desserts of crème brule and cheesecake - decadence. Service was gold star perfect. I know it's high end and expensive. I get that but we haven't done better in the metro - ever. Mic drop. read more

See all

Four of us dined tonight at Oak Park on Ingersoll. We were welcomed at the door and thanked for coming out on a snowy evening. After being seated we were presented with menus from our server (who did a great job throughout the entire night). The menu was explained well to us and we made some choices that everyone loved from starters and through the entrees. Some of the best starters were: the Brioche bread and the potato gnocchi. The gnocchi was truly the hit of the evening with everyone. My Filet Mignon was wonderful (and I am picky about steak having grown up on an Iowa farm where Dad raised Black Angus). My wife and SIL both had the Chilean Sea Bass which was also wonderful. I tasted some of it and it was better than any other I have had at high end restaurants anywhere. We brought our own Magnum sized bottle of wine to share for which we paid one corkage fee. The desserts we ordered included Crème Brûlée and scoop of sherbet and some fresh-brewed French Press coffee. Overall we all agreed that dining at Oak Park tonight was a better experience than any other fine restaurant in the Des Moines area. read more

Oak Park - Crème Brûlée. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Incredible food and service. This is such a cool restaurant and unlike any other place in Des Moines... highly recommend for an elegant evening out. read more

See all

Oak Park is my go to restaurant for an elevated dining experience and special occasions. I've been here a couple of times now and it never disappoints. The gnocchi is outstanding. Incredible service each time I have dined. read more

See all

Great environment and amazing food! 10 out of 10 recommend trying this out at least once if not more. Food was prepped quick and efficient, but tasted even more amazing. We did not have one bad experience here and loved everything we had! I had the Pappardelle and my wife had the Filet mignon. read more

See all

Food was amazing! Their server was a professional, she was soooo good. It was very fancy inside the restaurant and they even gave us a tour of their kitchen. read more

See all

Plan for a Dining Experience! We parked next to the newly planted Prarie. The wine list is extensive and the iced tea is refreshing. We ordered several appetizers along with Morels, and then the amuse arrived. Pea sorbet, Savory and refreshing! The chilled oysters arrived and we ordered another half dozen immediately. The Bourbon candied bacon is more savory and should be renamed BOURBON CANDIED Pork Belly. The gnocchi appetizer was beautiful. Our salad course was good, the asparagus salad requires a bit of carving... The Burrata and beet salad with Strawberries was the winner of the second course. House made pasta is delicious! I Ordered the Clam y Pepe made with house bucatini and my friend raved about his Morel Radiatori ( all pasta is house made ). The other two in our party ordered fish and it was perfect. They have a $100 banana Split. Perfect for 4 guys to share. We ordered a large French press and the most expensive dessert. The armagnac caviar is an interesting addition to the foie gras ice cream and the puff tarts. It's incredible. Totally worth it. The Vibe is Prairie modern, the staff is attentive and plan for a fun evening of local ingredients presented in a modern way. read more

See all

From top to bottom this is a top notch place. The service is far beyond anything I've ever seen with details like heating up your coats! The food is exceptional. The wine selection was perfect for the pairings. And the building was build with such great thought and care. I'm so glad Oak Park is in Des Moines! read more

Oak Park - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I'm actually sad I'm not there now, like sad. It is the best restaurant, day in day out, in The Moines. There are others close but this is the best and yes Virginia one must pay to eat the best. The staff is amazing, attentive and brutally knowledgeable... nothing gets by them and the detail I of the dishes is unequaled here. Quit reading and go, also the garden is fun to well through when it isn't hot like Satan outside. read more

This place lives up to the hype. It was pretty busy for a Wednesday night, but two of us were still able to walk in and sit right at the bar. This place is perfect for a special occasion, date night, or even an elevated girls night out. The highlights: - Service was great. Shout out especially to our bartender Rick and the sommelier Sam for going above and beyond with the food and wine recs. - The WINE. Wow--the best selection (both in quantity and QUALITY) that I've seen in Iowa. The wine offerings alone are worth a trip here. - The food was delicious. We enjoyed the roasted oysters, the beet salad, and the duck fettuccine. The oysters were warm (not hot, as you might expect since they are called "ROASTED oysters" on the menu). Each one plated on a dollop of garlic salt. Sneaky good. - Impressively stocked bar. They even had anejo tequila stocked--a TRUE rarity here in Des Moines. Overall, one of the best restaurants I've dine at in Des Moines. I will 100% be dining here again. Would highly recommend checking this place out! read more

See all

One of three restaurants that deserve a five star in my opinion. I went to culinary school been working in kitchens blah blah blah this place is to die for. Every single dish we had was incredible and the service is unparalleled. The price is way passed worth it. read more

Oak Park - Filet mignon top, richilini bitten, fries top right - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Oak Park is one of the few restaurants in Des Moines that my husband and I choose for date nights or to celebrate special occasions. The service is impeccable--professional, attentive, and makes the evening feel truly special. The ambiance is equally impressive, with beautiful architecture and décor inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. It creates a warm and refined atmosphere that elevates the entire experience. The food is good, though not particularly memorable or unique. That said, the price point feels very reasonable for the quality of service and setting. read more

After waiting 4.5 months for our Friday night reservation, we arrived at the hyped up Oak Park. When we arrived, we noticed there's not a lot of parking but that's not a big deal because it's not that big of a place. The building was beautiful and clean with a classy ambiance. We started at the bar with a glass of wine- I really like the sounds of silence Pinot noir. There was a big selection of wine. When we were seated, we were greeted by our waitress who was really nice and we ordered a bottle of Malbec- which was pretty good. We eventually got our complimentary croquette which was tiny but really good. You're probably wondering why 3 stars- Our food took a long time to get and was small portions and overpriced. I got the salmon, which was good but I could've made just as good at home. Nothing was really mind blowing to me and it was overhyped in my opinion. I am all about supporting local but this is a one and done for me. We were there 2.5 hours. Pics attached. read more

See all

Haven't been to every restaurant in Iowa, but i feel confident in saying this is top 3 in all of Iowa. It's fantastic. Menu changes seasonally, wait staff is always attentive and friendly, food is always tremendous. read more

See all

Food was fantastic, service was great and the ambiance was nice. Prices are high but that was expected. Overall I recommend Oak Park and it was a perfect place for a business meeting. read more

Oak Park is an experience, not to be missed! The service is impeccable and the food prepared so delightful and delicious! Beautiful inside and out...the edible gardens, smelled and tasted so good! read more

The experience was lovely. The restaurant was very well designed and perfect for a quiet evening enjoying the company you are with. 5)3 staff are super knowledgeable and do a great job anticipating your needs. We tried the bread trio, Brussel sprout/pear salads and the onion soup to start. All were good with on point flavors. Next our entrees, the mushroom pasta and the pork chop. Wow, the flavor of the pork chop was a 10/10. The fat to pork was a little different it was 80% to meat. So it was a little disturbing but the flavor made up to the excessive fat content. The deserts were good the Sunday was wonderful and the lemon tart was bright. The oatmeal cream pie seemed a little undercooked but the presentation was beautiful. All in all it was a lovely evening. read more

See all

I'm not sure how I feel about it. It was fun for sure the place was very pretty. Took a while to get greeted. Bisque was underwhelming. Brioche was good, steak was good , duck a bit salty for me but good, fries were really tasty. Honestly ? I rather pay for the chef choice at harbinger. The food here was good but nothing I haven't had, seen or tasted. Everytime I was talking to my husband we keep get interrupted by small talks and plates and silverware movements. I would say it's nice for dsm to have and as long as the food keep changing it'll be worth checking out. Otherwise it's not worth it. read more

See all

My family of four came here for my adult son's birthday. (I was here last summer for my 25th anniversary and absolutely loved the bone-in ribeye and truffle fries). We were seated in a small room with several windows and we loved the privacy of the room. I would consider myself a foodie and have eaten many amazing dishes in many restaurants over the years. I can honestly say this is the BEST meal I have ever had. Every dish was bursting with flavor! We ordered the gnocchi and the brioche bread as small plates. The presentation on every dish was exquisite! The sauce on the gnocchi was so outstanding that I practically wanted to lick the plate. The edible flowers really dressed up each dish. The amuse bouche was a bite of cucumber with some perfectly paired spices. The vindaloo curry butter that came with the brioche was noteworthy. I ordered the Iberico Pork Secreto and was in love with every bite and especially the different sauces on the plate. I tried a bite of my son's porkchop and a bite of my son's filet. They were both so delicious, but I loved mine the most. My son chose the raspberry soufflé with toasted coconut ice cream for his birthday dessert. We all enjoyed it and the toasted coconut was cooked to perfection. The soufflé was flavorful and warm. The ice cream was rich and elegant. The service was excellent. We had at least four or five different people attend to us throughout our meal. Our main waitress was great and then we had several others refill our water, deliver our food, check on us, etc. I loved the fancy plates that the amuse bouche was served on. The napkins were folded in a nice style. The lighting and music volume were great. Overall, it was an amazing experience and very memorable dinner. Every staff member was so friendly. I can't wait to go back again! Des Moines is so fortunate to have this high of caliber place to dine! read more

See all

Oh my goodness, we had a fabulous time at Oak Park! Every detail was impeccable. The service, vibes, and the food, all five star. Just waiting for the James Beard award to be placed here! Get yourself on the waitlist, and get ready to ball out, you won't be disappointed. It's truly an experience. The filet mignon and the crème brûlée truly stood out to us as shining stars of the evening, however, everything was delicious. Jules was our server and they were incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and made our experience top notch. To top it all off, we received our coats, and they were warm. A heated coat closet, they really thought of it all! Thanks for the fabulous anniversary dinner, Oak Park! We will be back soon! read more

See all

Fancy dinner that looked spectacular but fell short on the fine details. I give Oak Park a 6 out of 10. Initial impression: The restaurant presents itself in a beautiful way. You can look into the kitchen as you walk up. Our table for four was immediately available and our coats were checked at no charge. The drinks range from basic to very high end. The dishes appeared to be absolutely stunning. The staff presented the menu and dishes perfectly. I expressed slight disappointment in being placed in a booth in the bar area vs. a table, but the host didn't acknowledge my comment. There were several open tables along the windows. But anyhow, I wasn't going to let that bother me further. My pour of West Bank-Bordeaux got me warmed up. $35 The amuse-bouche was a nice little treat to go with my red wine ahead of the meal. - gratis The bacon entree got my hopes up. It had a delicious crust and light, crisp veggies to complement it. $19 My wife's Caesar salad was pleasantly chilled and dressed while my bisque was warm but somewhat bland. The crab was really the highlight of the dish. The soup itself wasn't memorable. $33 The Wellington had a nice flaky pastry and the filling was cooked perfectly. I did feel the goat cheese left a bitter taste in my mouth, however. $32 The pork chop was cooked to well done and had some bites of strong char flavor; fantastic otherwise. $44 The filet was aged. The extra seasoning and salt with the dish brought the steak over the top and blew out my palate. I needed the bordelaise to balance it out. $59 - I was left without drink or water during the entire service of this course. I had nothing to wash away the taste of salt. I resorted to drinking my wife's water. The crème brûlée was flawless. I didn't want to share it. I loved the berries and petals. $15 The donut dessert was awful. I requested a knife from staff in order to try it. We genuinely struggled to cut off a piece with our spoons. It was bland without a dollop of filling on the spoon. I'd happily exchange this dish for a box of glazed donuts from Hy-Vee - or 2 considering it was $15. For reference, Hy-Vee donuts are not great. Big miss. They are primarily losing points for seasoning (both over and under), a critical service error (empty drinks for an entire course) and overall value ($284 for 2 plates with a single glass of wine and 2 cocktails before tip). Lastly, the donut. Unfortunately this was the last bite of the meal and was what we talked about at the bar afterwards. I likely will give it a year to improve before returning. read more

See all

Exceptional food and service. Likely the best food experience we've had in Iowa. A treat for us and highly recommended.

Great upscale atmosphere and service. Staff was informative, friendly, and had recommendations from the menu. Bathrooms are unisex and dimly lit with real towels to dry your hands. Nicely decorated and individual rooms, some with a baby changing station and some with urinals. Ordered The Lark off the cocktail menu and it was delish! I even ordered a second. So good at $13/glass! We started with the candied bacon appetizer and I loved this dish! Tasty, cooked perfect and tender, a few bites of this were just right. My Caesar salad had a great ratio of dressing to lettuce and tasted good, like you would expect of a salad. The duck fettuccine also tasted great. Food was warm and good portion size. The duck was cooked well and tasted delicious. A different spin on the fettuccine dish, and tasty overall. Ended with the creme brûlée which had delicious complimentary fruit flavors. Great dish. Also tried a few bites of our dinner guests food. The brioche bread with truffle butter was good, and the carrot Wellington was ok-if you like carrot and goat cheese. I'm not a goat cheese fan and that flavor is very commanding in the dish, so I tried a small bite but would not order this myself. Also tried the potato that complimented the filet mignon. Requested extra crispy and was very basic but tasted good with the sauce on the dish. My experience and this review was good compared to a few others at our table, thus the 4/5 stars. read more

See all

Went to Oak Park to celebrate my birthday. The service and atmosphere was amazing and unlike any I have experienced in Des Moines. It was beautiful and intimate and we were well taken care of. We thought the food in general was good but great. For the prices I expected the food to blow me away a bit more. My favorite item I had was the cookies and cream sundae. read more

Oak Park - Cookies and cream dessert. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

Overall, this is an amazing restaurant and I would say the best restaurant currently in all of Des Moines. I grew up in a big city and this places ranks right up there with LA, Chicago, NYC. The restaurant is beautifully designed with an intimate atmosphere. The service was impressive however, I would say a bit slower than what I would even expect from a fine dining restaurant. Makes sense since they probably want you to order more drinks in between! As for the food, 100% delicious and meticulously plated. We ordered the Caesar salad which was the best in all of DSM. The bisque was just alright, more brothy than an actual bisque but it was very flavorful. I ordered the duck breast and I would honestly go back and just order the same thing. It was perfectly cooked and the Demi glaze was the cherry on top. My husband had the pork chop which had rave reviews from our server, but I honestly was unimpressed. It was overcooked and tough to cut and eat. The glaze was great but I would not order that again. We had chocolate cake and the donut for dessert but I again was not overly impressed. Those are the reason why I give it 4 stars. I'm definitely going to go back and try out a few new things!! read more

Appetizers and Mains were exquisite! Best service in Iowa and a beautiful setting! Ask for Mitchell...

We have been here twice now and love it! The food is amazing. They do change up their menu which stinks when you get something you love (butternut squash/chestnut soup) and then it's not there anymore! But I appreciate the change ups too, you can't go wrong getting anything here! Everything is so good and local/fresh. Our service both times have been with Cole and he does an awesome job! Highly recommend! read more