5 Restaurants Open Late in Downtown, Des Moines IA
Updated 29 September 2026 · 8 restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in Downtown Des Moines that stay open until midnight or later on at least one night of the week. It is for anyone looking for dinner after a show, a game or a late shift. Businesses meeting that hours rule were ranked by Google rating, and eight qualifying businesses were considered. Each entry uses only the listed hours, address, Google attributes and what its reviewers mention, so check the exact closing time for the night you plan to go.
#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 on SW 2nd Street, open until midnight on Friday and Saturday and until 11 pm the rest of the week. Reviewers mention a very large beer selection with walls of taps, knowledgeable staff, a lively atmosphere and hearty homemade chili. Google lists great cocktails, happy-hour drinks, outdoor seating, sports viewing and fast service, with wheelchair-accessible parking, seating and toilets.
Best for: Huge beer selection late
- 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
The Iowa Taproom
★ 4.6 (4,270 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Iowa Taproom is a restaurant on East 3rd Street, open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11 pm on Thursday and 10 pm on other nights. Reviewers mention a big wall of Iowa beer and cider taps, bartenders who help newcomers choose, Philly egg rolls, an Iowa chop, a French dip and a bread pudding large enough to share. Regulars point to quick seating and friendly service.
Best for: Iowa beers and ciders
- Address
- 215 E 3rd St #100, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–12 am; Mon 11 am–10 pm; Sat 11 am–12 am; Sun 11 am–10 pm; Thu 11 am–11 pm; Tue 11 am–10 pm; Wed 11 am–10 pm
#3
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 on SW 4th Street, open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Reviewers mention a large German beer selection on tap, a fun atmosphere, friendly staff, fish and chicken with chips and curry sauce, and German meatloaf, and some stop in before a show at the Civic Center. Google lists outdoor seating, happy-hour food and drinks, a Braille menu and delivery.
Best for: German beer after a show
- 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
#4
The Royal Mile
★ 4.6 (1,950 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Royal Mile is a restaurant on 4th Street open until 2 am every night, with earlier weekend openings of 8 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday. Reviewers mention fish and chips, a Rarebit burger, build-your-own mac and cheese with corned beef and bangers, scotch eggs and local beers, though one found the food disappointing. They point to comfortable seating and good service.
Best for: Pub food until 2 am
- Address
- 210 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 am; Mon 11 am–2 am; Sat 8 am–2 am; Sun 10 am–2 am; Thu 11 am–2 am; Tue 11 am–2 am; Wed 11 am–2 am
#5
The High Life Lounge
★ 4.6 (1,872 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The High Life Lounge is a restaurant on SW 2nd Street, open until midnight on Friday and Saturday and until 11 pm on other nights. Reviewers mention a nostalgic sixties Miller-themed bar feel, liver and onions, pot roast with green beans, onion rings, bacon-wrapped little smokies and booths for people-watching. They note it can fill quickly when ballpark crowds arrive. Accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilets are listed.
Best for: Retro comfort food and drinks
- 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
How we made this list
We looked at 8 restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then open until midnight or later on at least one day, 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
- For an early start, The Royal Mile opens at 8 am.
- 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. The Iowa Taproom is second at 4.6 from 4,270 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Des Moines IA are open late?
El Bait Shop stays open until 12 am; The Iowa Taproom stays open until 12 am; Hessen Haus stays open until 2 am; The Royal Mile stays open until 2 am; The High Life Lounge 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. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for El Bait Shop and Hessen Haus.
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