Even though we want to use this space to highlight travel outside of Iowa, we do love to brag about our state, especially because we just wrapped up the caucuses! So many different businesses are opening, from a jazz bar to a ceviche bar to Anthropologie (finally!!!). The Iowa Craft Beer Hall should be opening soon, along with hundreds of apartment spaces in the downtown area. We’ve seen the music scene grow with Hinterland and a growing list of bike ride events to participate in. There’s so much to love and appreciate about Des Moines so we made a list of five places we like to go!
Confluence Brewery
The open space, the selection of beers, the great growler prices for us to enjoy at home, the fact that it’s near Gray’s Lake and the trail system, the patio. It’s a win-win-win-win-win. Sometimes there’s live music, one time I hosted a POP UP YOGA class there, and the rotating food trucks are a great addition (which you can find on Twitter). If you stop there, be sure to check out MacRae Park to the southeast. You’ll get a nice view of the city! Preferably when it’s not 10 degrees as it appears to be in this picture.
Mars Cafe
This is definitely my favorite place to get coffee. They use Kickapoo beans and make everything with so much love that you can even get a latte-art heart. <3 The actual cafe location is by Drake University, which is where both of us went (Emily for undergrad, Zach currently for his masters). You can get anything from a Chemex to V60 to homemade chai to beer. The place is typically filled with local art and there’s a variety of seating options! The East Village location is next to the one and only Raygun and Thelma’s Treats (aka ICE CREAM COOKIES FROM HEAVEN), so you’ll be sure to enjoy several things. There are only a few stools though, so don’t plan for big group to sit & hang out! So, get caffeinated with Mars and check out Drake’s beautiful campus.
Sakari Sushi
Sushi is one of our favorites, but it is kind of a pricey meal, depending on how deluxe you like your rolls! Once a month or so, we’ll treat ourselves to Sakari. It’s a fun, energetic sushi bar which is typically quite full (although we’ve always been seated immediately!) and located on Ingersoll Avenue, a great street to take a walk east and west to see all the shops and other bars. Saki Bombs have been offered 75% of my visits as a fair warning.
Gusto Pizza
We may be biased on this one because we can see it (and smell it!) immediately out of our living room, but Gusto has some of the best pizza in town. Their recent “The Scampi” addition recently won my heart over because of the shrimp & wonderful taste. Other favorites? Vincent Van Goat, Buffalo Springfield, and the classic Fromage a Trois (yes, I did mispronounce that on the phone as Menage a Trois). There are great deals as well like $2 Iowa Craft Beer or 1/2 off wine bottles depending on the day you go. Check out their menu for other excellent pizzas!
This picture was actually on our Puerto Rico trip, but who doesn’t love a good “cheers” photo?!
Pancheros
Okay, so this place isn’t totally the “local” restaurant because it is a chain, but it started in Iowa City, which makes us feel supportive of eating lots and lots of Mexican food. It’s quick, consistent, a great price and deeee-lish! If you’re near downtown or out at Jordan Creek Mall, this is an excellent choice (they mix everything before they wrap their burrito which makes a huge difference). Zach is a little more obsessed with burritos than the average human, which is maybe why they decided to open one less than a mile away…