Had a great dinner. Enjoyed my spaghetti & meatballs. Partner enjoyed his cavatelli. Drinks were delicious. Definitely will be back. Our waitress was great! The last time we went she was equally great as well. Patio was really nice other than the tiny fly bothering everyone. read more

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Great local pizza. High quality ingredients, good service, upscale-yet-cozy vibes, and easily accessible location. If you're new to Des Moines, just passing through, or a long-time resident looking to broaden your catalogue of dining, I commend Sonny's Bistro to you. Also low-key sounds like it could be a place of business in the Sopranos. Get down on it. read more

Chicken garlic Alfredo pizza - 4-5; 1 person said best ever had. Thin crust, good sauce. Green peppers were different but good. Chicago beef - 3.5; included mayo, giardiniera, on focaccia. Sandwich was good, but could use another slice of roast beef and be bigger altogether. Kids pizza - 5, good value. Kids spaghetti and 1 large meatball - sauce not liked by kid but good value. Alfredo and noodles: 4, good sauce, not best but worth re-ordering. read more

Great food. Waitress was attentive. Will return soon. Chefs choice pasta is delicious.

So dark...had to turn on my phone flashlight to read the menu. Place is small! It was not busy so we got seated right away and the food came quickly. Waitress refilled our drinks but never checked on us. Cavatelli was super dry and pretty flavorless. I ate about 3 bites. Chicken Romano was very garlicky and oily. Heard such great things about this place but will spend our $50 somewhere else in the future. Was hoping for more and pretty disappointed. read more

First time at Sonny's and we will absolutely be back. Started off with bruschetta which was delicious. It has a base of pesto and was topped with pico to give it that freshness. I got a pizza and my Fiancé got the Cajun pasta which she loved. I tasted as well and it was very flavorful. Domestic beers were $4.50. Our server was speedy and on top of it. We sat on the heated patio and watched some basketball. Highly recommend read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Supreme - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Busy place on a Saturday night! Waited 1/2 hr for a table. It was inside but we didn't want to wait another 1/2 hr for an outdoor one. Friend & I ordered cavatelli with salads. Oops waitress forgot salads. Cavatelli was tasty! I could have had a bit more sauce in mine. Waitress brought more bread. Hubby's spaghetti & meat sauce disappeared quickly! Friend had pepper steak & enjoyed it! Waitress asked if hubs wanted another beer & then forgot it. She was very apologetic. Food is good. Help is friendly & attentive. We love this place! read more

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Two words: Chicken Pesto. You cannot go wrong with this pizza. I ordered it for our friend groups outting, we had 4 brought to us - a Hawaiian, Italian, supreme & chicken pesto. The bread is so crispy and delicious, we thoroughly enjoyed the perfect amount of cheese we found ourselves attempting to cut further into. We got to sit in the extension wing and it was warm and toasty. We enjoyed our company and our server was very accommodating and sweet. We will be coming back!! read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Italian Pizza - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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The blonde manager is so incredibly rude, from the moment we walked in to when we left. Ended up cutting my 12 year old daughter's birthday cake on the hood of my car in the parking lot in the heat. read more

The crispy crust of the pizza was really good. The sauce was flavorful. We got a meatball and Italian sausage pizzas (two pizzas total). Prices are fair. The spot is super cozy. read more

Oh. Em. Gee! The bruschetta!! I'm normally like "meh" when it comes to brusxhetta, but this... THIS bruschetta is... uh-MAY-zing!! And THEN I had the chicken giardianera pizza... I'M SOLD!! I We dined on the patio with the live music. The atmosphere was perfect for a summer night. We WILL be back! Yum! read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Bruschetta and a cosmo - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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First time visitor. Had the Sicilian sandwich. Very good. Roast potatoes were really good but could have been warmer. My only complaint is that music was so loud at noon on the patio, we couldn't really talk. I asked if they could turn it down and they said no. Good service otherwise. I would come back for the food. ​ read more

The food was pretty good but there was nothing extra special about it. My husband and I both ordered the baked cavatelli. He got it with meatballs and I got it with Italian sausage. We both thought it was tasty but agreed that we have had better cavatelli from other places in town that was much better. The menu said the noodles were supposed to be gnocchi-shaped, but they were shells instead. The dish came with a cold and dry dinner roll that was a little disappointing. It would have been nice if it had been warmed up and a little softer. The butter pat was softened, so that was a nice touch. For $15, we were expecting a little more bread or at least better quality. I thought about ordering a sandwich but the only sides that came with it were cottage cheese, pasta salad, grilled vegetables or roasted potatoes. I really wanted French fries and couldn't believe they didn't offer that as one of their sides. I don't think I've never been to a restaurant that didn't offer fries as one of the sides for a sandwich. I thought that was kind of strange. I've heard their pizza is good. If I ever came back, I might try it but I don't think I would make a special trip to eat here again. If I was in the area and was craving Italian, I might try it again. The service was good. The waitress was nice and kept our drink glasses filled. The food here is decent but I feel like there are better options elsewhere. read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - cavatelli with Italian sausage - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We have drive by several times and decided to finally give it a try this weekend. Upon arrival 30 min wait, which is fine and considerable on a Friday evening. We were told we could wait at the bar for a table. Con; only can order drinks at the bar- was not able to order an app while we waited because we were told no food in the bar. We were seated on the patio which was nice. The wait from time we were seated till a server came to our table was extremely long, after an already 30 min wait. The waitress could have been a little more attentive. We ordered the antipasto as an app. My husband ordered the cob entree and I ordered chicken Alfredo pizza. Which was good. My husband said his fish was ok. The food was just ok for us. And very over priced for what it is. The food was good but over all average and not worth the price. read more

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Food is always top notch. Great pizza,pasta and sandwiches. Highly recommend Take out is always good and ready in 30 minutes.

We funnily enough saw this restaurant on TikTok, had a good review so tried it out for ourselves. When we arrived we were told a 30 minute wait but they had us sat in 10, so great start already. We sat on the back patio which was nice because of the heaters. When we originally sat down we watched a women server arguing with the host about us being sat because she has just gotten another table, this guy stepped in and said he would take us, watching this was a little disheartening but he did an amazing job. Our servers name was Isaac and he was phenomenal right where he needed to be but not hovering. Made great suggestions for the main meal and was on top of service perfectly. We had a margaritas pizza as an appetizer it was THE BEST PIZZA IVE HAD IN YEARS. The sauce was so amazing and fresh the crust was thing and crispy but still thick enough tro feel like crust IYKYK. Then we tried the cavetalli with meatballs and pepper steak pasta. Both would highly reccomend. recommend. The meatballs are fantastic, tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection, the steak was also very tender and the mushrooms and peppers were perfect savory to the hint of sweet in the sauce. It was a great experience the service was phenomenal and food was Amazing. We will definitely be going back. Loved loved loved the red sauce. read more

Don't bother..... this place has the worst pizza I have ever eaten. Dominos is better and that is a D+ in my book. Shocking that people wait in line to get a table here. read more

Pizza and Focca bread are great. 2 out of the 3 times we've been service was good. Just a little slow tonight and Focca bread was really crispy. It was fixed by me saying something. No worries and it was nice they brought out the perfect bread. Still a good place to eat. Sat in there covered outside area and still stayed warm. read more

The food is amazing!! Amazing service and the amazing patio!! Try the Italian nachos with the homemade sauce.

Best kept secret in north Polk County. Food, service, wine, value. Vaco family business

This was my second trip to Sonny's, the pasta is amazing, the first time here I had the chefs pasta, it was so good, I'm getting it with shrimp this time. The staff is awesome, they are good natured and efficient. There wasn't any parking spaces when I got here at 6:15, so I had to wait. There is soft background music and the lighting is very subdued. read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Chefs pasta with shrimp. - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We had the pizza and it did not have great flavor. The sauce, the dough, the whole shebang. We left disappointed. The draw must be that's it's local and people like to sit outside? read more

Gotta say I've never seen white bread "bruschetta" I'm biased though. Growing up in the NE with 1st gen Italians, this is probably fantastic for native Iowans. I'm sorry Sonny's, I really expected more. See pics. Advice? If you grew up in Iowa, check em out. Paisan? Find another! read more

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Outstanding pizza, best in the metro IMO! Worth the drive from Waukee. Excellent value.

Spectacular pizza. No onion rings??? At a place that makes this great of pizza. Doesn't stop me from going back many times. I've had a few of their sandwiches and they were delicious. Highly recommend. read more

Our party sat in the patio which was covered and heated to a toasty, nice level. Our service was pretty slow, but not bad, just a good bit of time between visits from the server. Food was Great! I had the 10" bbq chicken pizza and ate every hit. Others at the table had sandwiches and other pizza and all enjoyed it. read more

best shrimp scampi i ever had! service was great, and the setting we had on the patio was awesome! they had heaters going so we didn't get cold and it was perfect! read more

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First time here and we will definitely be back! This place is a gem - atmosphere was small town supper club feel. Live music on heated patio while we dinned on very tasty cracker-thin pizza with TONS of toppings. Next time we will try the pasta. So glad we stumbled upon Sonny's. read more

Food is amazing! Waitstaff is amazing! Try to go once a week!!! Typically get their pizza ToGo but their Cajun Chicken Alfredo is the best thing on the planet!!! read more

Waitress was patient and friendly and helpful. Atmosphere was a bit dark but we could hear each other for good conversation. As far as food, Bruschetta was OK. POPS was OK. Pizza was OK too. Friends said pizza reminded them of Shakey's Pizza. Personally, I favor other pizzas more. read more

Just had a sit down supper with my hubby and had the best supper. Best, I mean best, Special pizza. Waitress was great - stopped by several times to check to see how we were doing. Just a great couple outing. Highly recommend. read more

We were sat in the outside patio area. Although they did their best to winter proof the area there was a strong wind that still came under the side panel walls. We were freezing shortly after we were sat. I requested a table change because of this. Was told that we would have to go back in the wait list after we had already waited 40 minutes for our table. Went to the car and got some blankets and-ended up covered up with blankets while we had our dinner. Food was a solid C at best, which is frustrating considering our bill was over $110.There are too many other restaurants that have better accommodations for dinning, service and quality of food for us to return to this establishment. read more

Great food! They have amazing pizza and we love their chef's pasta (replace the green peppers with mushrooms)! The BEST appetizers are the focaccia bread and POPS! You will not regret eating here! Locally owned as well!! read more

Had a hard time deciding what to get as everything looked good. Asked the waitress for a recommendation and found out that it was her brothers place and her grandmother's recipe. All of us tried something different and they were all amazing. Live music was playing. Even chatted with someone that was from our hometown that just happened to be there. Small world. read more

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Great foods, warm ambiance, great service. Sonny's is a great neighborhood gem. They have great pizzas, I love the grilled veggies option as a side. The chicken Pesto sandwich is great. Top notch Cavatelli! The Cod dinner is delicious. Don't miss out! read more

1st time trying this place out tonight and have been wanting to come here for quite sometime. I've been using their pasta sauce for a year now and it's amazing try some of ya haven't already. I ordered the bistro size pizza Italian style with lots of meats. I got full off of it half way through but my big a$$ ate it all lol so be prepared to come with an appetite I honestly didn't think the pizza would fill me up. Waitress was great and attentive we sat outside on the patio only a 2 minute wait for a table. Great music to fill in the background unless you got loud people around you then forget about hearing the music. Coke products and plenty of alcoholic beverages sold here. read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Italian bistro pizza - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The food is good. The customer service has a lot to be desired. Recommend take away if anything. I'm tired of the attitude from the owners when there, though. Tonight was not the first time we have experienced this. Don't think you owners are doing us all a favor by allowing us to spend time at your establishment. The place is tiny and dark inside. Patio is nice but you'll be kicked off of it if you decide you want to order something else before heading out. So no ordering dessert, coffee, a nightcap, etc. Lots of excellent choices in Johnston and Ankeny that will be happy to have your $ even if Sonny's doesn't want your $. read more

The best Italian food in the city! Love the atmosphere, the patio is great & the staff is amazing! Hidden gem!

I want to start off by saying I am a fan of local places and especially one that is close to me. I do enjoy the small place and limited seating keeps it more romantic and personal. All the wait staff has been great for each visit. I have had pizza, couple sandwiches and an app that all came out hot/fresh and just as ordered and intended. They do play some music some nights on the outdoor patio which is very nice to see and hear. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a change of pace from chain restaurants with just good food and service. read more

Sonny's Pizza Bistro - Italian Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Wanted to post the update. We went right after opening, again in a snow storm. We three were the only ones there. The waitress seemed a little insecure with what we wanted. Just as a tip they serve bread (not toasted) with some of their meals. The waitress seemed confused with the request to toast it. We did succeed and the meal was fantastic. I really liked this place. The unique bistro pizzas are really good and I keep ordering them. My dad keeps ordering the cavatelli. We'll be back soon. read more

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