I was sleeping on this place and finally went with a friend. I wanted to try it all, but alas we'll have to go back. Ambiance was amazing. Service was good. Food was a flavor-bomb. I'll be back and highly recommend this place! read more

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4.2* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $38 10/11/2025 My wife found this place when it was her turn to pick a restaurant for dinner after Mass. We parked in the back and the first impression was great - the smell of actively smoking meat on the way in is always a positive for me! Inside, we found the decor to be clean and modern as was the storefront when I stepped out to take a picture for this review. As is almost always the case when we are out for dinner, we started with drinks - my wife opting for the Coconut Mojito (see picture) while I ordered the Caribbean Sea Margarita (see picture). Both were very good and are highly recommended, although they were a bit pricy...especially for their size (although that seems to becoming the norm everywhere). The menu was a bit limited, but did have some very unique dishes (see picture) - one of the main reasons that we love restaurants like this! For dinner, my wife ordered the Suya Pepper Shrimp (see picture) and I went for the Jerk Chicken with Coconut Candied Yams and Jollof Rice (see picture). The chicken was extremely tender and delicious...just be aware that it was served in what is likely a very traditional African / Caribbean style - chopped into small pieces with numerous bone fragments. We both thought the flavors of both dishes were wonderful - so would recommend them and would definitely order again. If you are looking for a unique African / Caribbean food and drink experience in downtown Des Moines...you will definitely enjoy a stop here! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com read more

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You know you're in the right place the moment the spicy aromas hit your senses, pulling you toward Palms DSM, the long-awaited brick-and-mortar spot that opened in June on Ingersoll Avenue. After eight years of building a loyal following through their food truck and farmers markets, owners Amara and Dionne Sama have finally given their blend of Jamaican and West African flavors a permanent home. Inside, the space is instantly welcoming--rattan chairs, colorful wallpaper, and a breezy patio create a relaxed, Caribbean-inspired atmosphere rooted in family history and Amara's Liberian heritage. And the food? Truly exceptional. The famous Jerk Chicken bursts with world-class flavor, but the surprises go beyond it. The Mac and Cheese is so expertly crafted it may reset the standard entirely. The Empanadas offer bold, unique combinations, and the Jollof Rice provides the perfect anchor for the meal. The hospitality is just as memorable. Our server, Izzy, was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. And Amara came out to welcome us, sharing his story and adding a heartfelt touch that made the meal feel even more special. **Palms DSM is a must-visit--**a place where passion, heritage, and extraordinary flavor come together in every bite. read more

Palm’s DSM - Caribbean Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Madame CJ Walker stated " Don't sit down and wait for opportunities to come --- get up and make them" -- The owners of Palm's DSM did just that (Manifesting the Dream) by going from a food truck to a brick and mortar building at 19th & Ingersoll. The unique dishes of African & Jamaican fusion is -- unique to the DSM area -- served up in succulent braised oxtails and deliciously seasoned Jollof Rice, Jerk Chicken and banging Coconut Candied Yams (An acquired taste needed). My wait staffer (Izzy) and the owner schooled me on the special seasoning used for each entree which gave me a new appreciation of African & Jamaican Fusion Cuisine which I added to my list of newly acquired taste explorations. Each dish was eye appealing, the colorful mod decor was environmentally comforting, the spacious seating and safe surroundings made one stay in a "zen" mood while indulging in the delicious well portioned meal. The prices are above moderate ($$) and the welcoming environment is top notch for all types of social gatherings. If you are looking for something new for a meet and greet, date night or a one on one meet up this would be a good spot to hang out and enjoy the " friendly Caribbean neighborhood vibe." read more

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Ok me and a coworker was trying to get something good today and we looked up the best Jamaican in Des Moines Iowa . I am from NJ originally and lived in Atalanta for 29 years so I know good food. So let me start with the owner and the young lady behind the counter . They were both ever friendly. They were Liberian/ Jamaican. Very small menu but when I tell you the execution was on Point, I Ned the food was going to be good when we pulled up and the grilled jerked wings smelled amazing that were still cooking on the grill. The place is so pretty and super clean. The decorations a very Afrocentric. This place is a ten out of ten. The food was cooked perfectly. Seasoning on point. read more

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I love experiencing the food from different cultures and this didn't disappoint! I felt like I was a part of the family. From the moment we walked in we were greeted warmly and addressed by our names the whole night and left with hugs! Rarely can I say that food is so well balanced and delicious that it's like a party in my mouth. Each bite was made with skill and love And you took your time savoring it and trying to identify all of the different flavors Dancing on your palate. Thank you for a wonderful gastronomical experience! We will be back! Ben and Ann read more

Black excellence at its finest. I love the ambiance, the customer service was great, the food was very tasty and so were the drinks, only reason for not a 5 star was for the macaroni and cheese, would love more seasoning it was a bit bland, I will for sure be back again. read more

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Perfect place! Great atmosphere with people who really care that you are enjoying your meal. The Oxtail was the tastiest Oxtail I have ever had. Melissa had the jerk chicken which she had to come back for. Steven the bartender had it together with some great cocktails and James was running the show making sure you felt like you were home. read more

Absolutely love the sliders, I get them every time! I love that they use Nadia's French Bakery locally for the buns, too!

Palm's is the perfect place for happy hour or girls night! Johnny our server was incredible! The food and drinks always have us coming back for more! read more

Tried Palms DSM and it absolutely lives up to the reputation they built before opening their restaurant. We ordered the honey suya wings and coconut curry wings, and my friend got the jerk wings. Every flavor was excellent, but my favorites were the coconut curry and the jerk. The jerk has real flavor and a little spice, but it is not overpowering. It is approachable for people who do not love heat, while still being bold and satisfying. If you like it hotter, you can easily add sauce and take it up a notch. The flavors across the board were layered, balanced, and genuinely well thought out, not just "spicy for the sake of being spicy." I also had the candied yams and rice and peas, and both were seasoned beautifully. Same theme here. Nothing bland, nothing heavy-handed. Just really well-executed food with a sophisticated flavor profile. What really matters though is this: these guys know what they are doing. They did not just wake up and open a restaurant. They spent over six years at the farmers market, building a following and refining their food before ever opening a brick-and-mortar. That experience shows in the consistency, the confidence, and the execution. The atmosphere and branding are also worth calling out. The space feels intentional, custom, and like a real experience. The staff was professional and prompt, and the owner was there on a Sunday. He was friendly, passionate, and clearly hands-on. You can tell this is a hardworking local family business that actually cares about doing things right. If I had one suggestion, it would be to add a vegetable or greens option as a side, since the current sides lean more carb-based. If you are unsure whether this is your kind of food, go anyway. If you like chicken, you will like Palms DSM. This is not a risky try. They have already proven themselves, and the food is genuinely great. read more

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What a beautiful ambiance - loved the Caribbean vibe! The food was DELICIOUS~ we had the oxtail, jerk chicken, yams, rice & plantains - all super flavorful!! The service was TOP NOTCH! Amara the owner was so kind and friendly-~ our server was kind and helpful!! Definitely going back! read more

Upon arrival I was the first to come into the restaurant which is nice. I had a plethora of options to sit at. Once I sat down I was greeted with fresh water and was told the waiter would be with me shortly. Less than 3 minutes later my waiter arrived with menu in hand. I took a while to order since everything sounded so good so I ordered the jerk wings and jollof rice with a DSM sunset drink and a coke soda. My drinks came fast both checked the sweet category. Moments later my food arrived now as a person who thrives in eating Jamaican food I will say the wings had a nice smoke to them. The jerk sauce was not spicy very sweet but overall a nice flavor. The rice had a nice light flavor that was not overpowering. Overall I would rate the food an 8/10 which is good for restaurant quality. I understand that the chef couldn't make the food that spicy due to being comfortable for everyone's palate but I'm pleased. When I'm in town I would love to taste other options. Oh and also they play really nice music, a mixture of genres which was surprising for a Afro Caribbean restaurant. read more

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Service and food so good!! We celebrated a birthday and all staff were so accommodating. We will be back ! Thanks much. read more

Palm’s DSM - Palms Restaurant . Happy Birthday dinner w friends. - Caribbean Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

My boyfriend and I came in around 8:10 PM, nearly an hour before closing, planning to eat quickly and head home. We were seated and then left waiting 10-15 minutes while multiple employees stood at the front talking. No one took our drink order or checked on us during that time. Close to 8:30, we were finally told the kitchen was "backed up" and that they wouldn't be able to serve us because it would be closing by the time our food was ready. If that was the case, we should have been told before being seated. Instead, we wasted valuable time and had to scramble to find somewhere else to eat, and by then most places were already closed. As someone who works in the industry, this was simply poor communication and disappointing service. read more

I've been going to the Palms ever since they started their food truck. Their new restaurant is perfectly set up with great parking in the back. The decor and music creates a perfect ambiance. The staff is quick and friendly, and the restaurant feels like home. The food was great as usual, the oxtail spiced and tender, plantains soft and sticky, and the rice and beans well spiced and goes well with the oxtail. Going from food truck to restaurant can be tough but they hit it out of the park. Must try, and my new spot! read more

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Last visit was more of a 3.8. Too much pre-prepared and over cooked. The JChicken was very nice. As was my painkiller. That said, for these prices, fresh juices are standard equipment. Still love it! read more

Tried this at the farmers market in Des Moines. I think the breakfast bowl was another good option. read more

Palm’s DSM - Wings and rice - Caribbean Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The jerk chicken and sides were fantastic! The painkiller cocktail was excellent! As close as you can get to Jamaica! read more

We had a great dinner here! The food and drink were spectacular. Johnny provided excellent service, including stellar recommendations. The jerk chicken is outstanding, as were the yams and sangria. It's a beautiful place, and we enjoyed our experience. read more

Love the food. I can't pick a favorite dish because they were all so unique and different in their own ways. Love love love the staff there so sweet !! read more

Absolutely incredible and tasty meals!! Ow key nice ambience with chill vibe!! Friendly service that is engaging. Love the music !! My first experience here but most definitely not the last time. read more

The space and service was great. The food is very good. A ton of flavor packed into the chicken and sauces. read more

Alfredo should never be watery, phone wasnt answered to place order, the chicken had good flavor in cheese water it was a good effort doh

Delicious food. We got the oxtail and the jerk chicken with coconut candy yams and jollof rice. Be prepared to eat with your fingers. The oxtail had nodes of cinnamon and was very tender making an easy peel from the bone a great part of the experience. The chicken was lean and beautifully seasoned. Service was fantastic. The food was light and rich. Very fulfilling. One of the best meals we've had making palms one of our new favorite places. read more

Excellent food and service. We tried a variety of items to share and we liked them all. We had the jerk wings, curry wings, tacos, and beef patties(like empanadas). read more

Food, cocktails, ambience, and staff were all top-notch. Loved my first visit and will be back!

Izzy was our server and he out did himself!!! We had tons of questions and he recommended some great items on the menu. Please please please go and have your taste buds blown away. And if you're in the mood for a nice mocktail the hibiscus drink was amazing! The ambiance was very nice, music playing but not too loud and it was very clean! Can't wait to come back and have Izzy as our server!!! read more

The atmosphere, service, and menu are excellent. The food is still the star! They offered delicious jerk chicken pizza as a special. And the plantains were perfect. I will be back with friends and family. read more

The food is chef kissed and made with love! The bartender Steven was very attentive and he's for sure a mixologist the owner Amara was like no other...he made sure we were well taken care of! Let's not forget the ambiance was perfect! The music choice had me singing every songs! Thanks again guys! read more

Great wings, tacos and mojitos. Jerk chicken was fantastic. Service was very good. Highly recommend.

Wings were undercooked. Did notice a smoker by the bushes in the parking lot and did not look like a clean area. Also ordered pasta which was good but the chicken was chewy and looked that came out from a bag. The last item was fried plantains and came with no dip just plain plantains which were good. Would not recommend this place. Server never asked how the food was and only came to the table when i waved my hand. Only thing good was the overpruced drinks. Also the chairs and tables outside were not clean. read more

We had some great jerk chicken in Jamaica so I was happy to see this cuisine in town. We ordered the option one and it's a great portion for two people. The price is awesome too. I didn't expect the yams to be so delicious! It tastes like warm pumpkin pie - but BETTER!! Definitely try it. The beef patties were good too. We will definitely be back for the jerk chicken. read more

Palm’s DSM - Pork, Mac n cheese, and yams. Includes 2 Jamaican Beef Patties. Feeds 2 people. - Caribbean Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Super happy with this catering! I saw the adds on Facebook and ordered. I didn't realize that they used to be at the Downtown Farmers Market. This is very good. Meat was not over cooked/smoked. I preferred the pork over the chicken because the chicken was a little sweeter and had a little too much ginger for me. The pork was excellent and moist with a little bark on it. The beef patties were the real deal! They must be individually made and are smaller than I have seen and I loved them! The candied yams were good. The star for me is the hot sauce. I haven't cried and ate dinner in a long time! I was concerned because sometimes you don't get hot sauce with Caribbean but this was super hot and wonderful! The regular sauce had quite a bit of ginger and pretty sweet. Rice n peas actually had flavor and were great! read more

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Got curbside carry-out from Palm's Caribbean Cuisine tonight. The jerk chicken and jerk pork headliners were both incredible and the sides of Jollof rice, coconut candied yams and Jamaican beef patties are just as good. And those sauces....holy hot, but so so good. Everything is such quality and the flavors are out of this world! Highly recommend giving them a try if you haven't. And hats off to the gentleman delivering curbside during a downpour, awesome service! read more

Palm’s DSM - Jerk chicken and pork. Jollof rice. Candies yams. Jamaican beef patty. - Caribbean Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

First time having Jamaican food and this place did not disappoint! We had the jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, and jollof rice. They even included a side of coconut candied yams. So good! Must try. Love supporting local restaurants. read more

Holy delicious! I got the vegetarian platter with both vegetarian and beef patties and, wow, I will definitely be back.

Best Jerk Chicken and Sauce in America. Hands down could eat this 3 times a day, for 7 days a week!!