Dining · Des Moines, Iowa
Where to eat in Des Moines — for travelers on a road trip
6 curated spots with what to order, park and route context, and drive-through-town logistics.
Des Moines dining on a road trip is about timing and recovery: breakfasts that clear early departures, lunches that do not wreck the afternoon drive, and one dinner worth slowing down for.
Use this list as a traveler shortlist — not every restaurant in Des Moines. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you stake a long driving day on a single kitchen.
The shortlist
Family-run Vietnamese staple since 1989 with an enormous menu and standout spring rolls.
Seasonal, ever-changing modern American plates that earned multiple James Beard nods.
Tiki-bar pizza joint on the site of the country's oldest Chinese restaurant, home of the original crab rangoon pizza.
Counter-service Ethiopian near Drake serving spicy wats scooped up with house injera.
James Beard-nominated chef Joe Tripp's vegetable-forward small plates from the wood fire.
No-frills 1984 neighborhood diner whose loaded hash browns even drew Jason Momoa.
Drive-through logistics
Des Moines rewards a plan: lock one breakfast near your exit vector, keep a walkable dinner if you are overnighting downtown, and treat the signature place as a reservation or early-arrival problem — not a hope-and-wander problem after a long scenic day.
Common questions
Where should I eat in Des Moines on a road trip?
Start with A Dong, Alba, Fong's Pizza. Roamward’s Des Moines list is curated for travelers — route and park context, not every restaurant in town.
What is the best restaurant in Des Moines for travelers?
A Dong is a strong first pick (Vietnamese, $) — order the Pho and spring rolls. Browse the full shortlist below for breakfast, casual, and celebration options.
How many restaurants does Roamward list in Des Moines?
6 curated spots as of 2026-08-01, spanning roughly $–$$$ and cuisines like Vietnamese, New American, Pizza, Ethiopian, Coffee & Breakfast. The list stays trip-worthy on purpose.