5 Restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA for Late-Night Food
Updated 29 September 2026 · 7 restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in Downtown Des Moines IA that Google tags for late-night food. It is for anyone looking to eat after a show at the Civic Center, a game or a late workday. The ranking was set before writing: we took places listed for late-night food, then ordered them by Google rating, weighted by review count. Seven qualifying businesses were considered. Each entry uses only that restaurant's own listing details and review excerpts.
#1
El Bait Shop
★ 4.7 (3,093 Google reviews)Bar & grill$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
El Bait Shop is a bar and grill at 200 SW 2nd St, open from 11 am until 11 pm most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers single out its very large beer selection, with walls of taps behind the bar and staff who know the list well. They also mention hearty homemade chili and a lively atmosphere. The listing notes outdoor seating, food at the bar, happy-hour drinks and sport on screen.
Best for: Craft beer with bar food
- Address
- 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–12 am; Mon 11 am–11 pm; Sat 11 am–12 am; Sun 11 am–11 pm; Thu 11 am–11 pm; Tue 11 am–11 pm; Wed 11 am–11 pm
#2
Hessen Haus
★ 4.6 (3,766 Google reviews)German restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Hessen Haus is a German restaurant at 101 SW 4th St, open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 pm on most other nights. Reviewers point to a deep German beer list on tap, fish and chicken with chips and curry sauce, and German meatloaf, with one stopping in before a Civic Center show. The listing notes outdoor seating, happy-hour food and drinks, and a braille menu.
Best for: German beer late on weekends
- Address
- 101 SW 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 am; Mon 11 am–11 pm; Sat 11 am–2 am; Sun 11 am–10 pm; Thu 11 am–11 pm; Tue 11 am–11 pm; Wed 11 am–11 pm
#3
Zombie Burger + Bird
★ 4.5 (9,802 Google reviews)Hamburger restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Zombie Burger + Bird is a hamburger restaurant at 300 E Grand Ave with horror-themed decor, open 11 am to 9 pm most days and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention inventive burgers, kimchi tater tots, pot stickers and fried pickles, noting that much of the menu is fried. Staff get repeated praise for friendliness. It offers cocktails, desserts, outdoor seating and delivery.
Best for: 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
#4
The Republic on Grand
★ 4.5 (574 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Republic on Grand is a restaurant at 401 E Grand Ave with rooftop seating, open from mid-afternoon and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention an open-air sixth-floor setting with downtown views, craft cocktails, quick food service and a limited but well-made menu, plus plenty of street parking. The listing notes live music, a fireplace, a wine list and a private dining room.
Best for: Rooftop cocktails and city views
- Address
- 401 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 2 pm–12 am; Mon 3–10 pm; Sat 2 pm–12 am; Sun 3–9 pm; Thu 3–10 pm; Tue 3–10 pm; Wed 3–10 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 Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sundays and Mondays. Reviewers mention queso, guacamole, handmade tortillas and salsas, street tacos with mahi mahi, carne asada and beef tenderloin, shrimp ceviche, chicken fajitas and a vegan burrito. One reviewer disliked the unchilled water. It has an outdoor patio, cocktails and a wine list.
Best for: Upscale tacos and cocktails
- 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 7 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 “Late-night food”, 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
- The Republic on Grand 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?
El Bait Shop ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 3,093 reviews. Hessen Haus is second at 4.6 from 3,766 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA are open late?
El Bait Shop stays open until 12 am; Hessen Haus stays open until 2 am; The Republic on Grand stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: El Bait Shop $10–20; Hessen Haus $20–30; Zombie Burger + Bird $10–20; The Republic on Grand $20–30; Malo $20–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for El Bait Shop, Hessen Haus and The Republic on Grand.
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