5 Restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA for Great Desserts
Updated 29 September 2026 · 6 restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in Downtown Des Moines, IA that Google marks as offering great dessert. It helps anyone planning a dinner out who wants a strong finish to the meal, from steakhouses to burgers. Six qualifying businesses were considered, and the list is ranked from Google ratings weighted by review count. Each entry notes the type of restaurant, opening hours, address and what reviewers mention about the food and service.
#1
801 Chophouse
★ 4.7 (1,352 Google reviews)Steak house
Representative photo, not of this business.
A steakhouse at 801 Grand Ave, open for dinner every night from 5 pm. Reviewers mention steaks cooked correctly, generous sides that taste freshly made, fried lobster, and Old Fashioned cocktails, along with polished, attentive service. One couple describes a spontaneous anniversary dinner with confetti on the table. Google lists great dessert, a great wine list, a private dining room, happy-hour food and full wheelchair access.
Best for: Special-occasion steak dinner
- Address
- 801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 5–10 pm; Sun 5–9 pm; Thu 5–10 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#2
Centro
★ 4.6 (2,478 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$20–50 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
An Italian restaurant at 1003 Locust St. It opens at 11 am most days and at 4 pm on Mondays. Reviewers describe a lively, modern dining room where you can dress up or come as you are, and several mention birthday dinners and helpful server recommendations. Outdoor seating, delivery, fast service, great dessert, cocktails and a great wine list are listed.
Best for: Lively Italian dinner downtown
- Address
- 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 4–9 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#3
Fresko
★ 4.6 (928 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Fresko is at 909 Locust St and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with weekend hours starting at 10 am. Reviewers mention a Sunday brunch with filling French toast and short rib Benedict, short rib poutine, Mediterranean salmon and custom cocktails made by the mixologist. A family with young children found something for everyone, though one table waited a long time for a server. Great dessert, great tea and delivery are listed.
Best for: Weekend brunch with family
- Address
- 909 Locust St Ste. 103, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10:30 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 10 am–10:30 pm; Sun 10 am–8 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#4
Zombie Burger + Bird
★ 4.5 (9,802 Google reviews)Hamburger restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
A hamburger restaurant at 300 E Grand Ave with horror-themed decor, open daily from 11 am, until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention creative burgers, tater tots, pot stickers and fried pickles, and call the visit a fun experience, though much of the menu is fried. Google lists outdoor seating, great dessert, cocktails, late-night food and full wheelchair access.
Best for: Horror-themed burgers and fried sides
- Address
- 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#5
Malo
★ 4.3 (1,787 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Malo is a Mexican restaurant at 900 Mulberry St, open 11 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Saturday and closed the rest of the week. Reviewers mention queso, guacamole, fresh salsas, handmade tortillas, shrimp ceviche, street tacos, chicken fajitas and a vegan burrito. They describe it as upscale, with a good drink menu and an outdoor patio. Great dessert, cocktails, happy-hour food and curbside pickup are listed.
Best for: Upscale tacos on the patio
- Address
- 900 Mulberry St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 6 restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- 801 Chophouse, Centro, Fresko and Malo take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
801 Chophouse ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,352 reviews. Centro is second at 4.6 from 2,478 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Fresko, at 10:30 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Centro $20–50; Fresko $20–30; Zombie Burger + Bird $10–20; Malo $20–30. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for 801 Chophouse.
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