If you are looking for a date night spot in the Des Moines / Waukee area, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the best date night (or day) restaurants, entertainment and more, whether you are looking for fine-dining, casual eating or great music, there is something for everyone right here in Des Moines!
FINE-DINING
Proof
Modern, minimalist Mediterranean-style restaurant & bar that’s casual by day & intimate at night.
Address: 1301 Locust Street,Suite C, Des Moines, IA 50309
Menu: proofrestaurant.com
Phone: (515) 244-0655
Centro
High-ceilinged ex-Masonic temple turned contemporary Italian wining-&-dining destination.
Address: 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Menu: centrodesmoines.com
Phone: (515) 248-1780
Johnnys Steakhouse
Steaks, Italian dishes & cocktails served in upscale, supper club-like environs with a sleek bar.
Address: 6800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Menu: johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com
Phone: (515) 287-0847
Baru 66
Swanky bistro with refined, farm-to-table French meals, plus a chef’s tasting menu & boutique wines.
Address: 6587 University Ave, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
Menu: baru66.com
Phone: (515) 277-6627
Sam & Gabes
Intimate spot for Italian & American cuisine, with a full bar/lounge & occasional live music.
Address: 8631 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
Menu: samandgabes.com
Phone: (515) 271-9200
AJs Steakhouse
Contemporary steakhouse in Prairie Meadows hotel & casino serving classic fare, martinis & wine.
Address: 1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
Menu: prairiemeadows.com/dining/ajs-steakhouse
Phone: (515) 957-3535
CASUAL DINING
Tacos Marianas
Tacos, burritos & other Mexican staples served in casual surrounds with colorful art & decor.
Address: 1305 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Menu: tacos-marianas.cafes-city.com
Phone: (515) 288-1499
Angry Goldfish
Address: 2301 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Menu: facebook.com/pg/angrygoldfish/
Phone: (515) 288-2358
Taco Hangover
Energetic eatery featuring modern twists on Mexican favorites in a sports-bar setting with a patio.
Address: 265 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Menu: tacohangover.com
Phone: (515) 440-4703
Eggs and Jam
Address: 1907 Ep True Pkwy Suite 102, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Menu: eggsandjamwdm.com
Phone: (515) 528-2248
COOL PLACES TO DRINK OR EAT
Operating Room
The Operating Room is a pinball, arcade and cocktail bar in West Glen, West Des Moines hottest spot for dining and entertainment. We also sell pinball machines as an authorized dealer of Stern pinball.
Address: 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Website: facebook.com/theordsm/
Phone: (515) 226-3333
Hurts Donuts
Offbeat, contemporary donut shop open 24/7 for imaginatively topped donuts & coffee.
Address: 5513 Mills Civic Pkwy #105, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Website: facebook.com/Hurts-Donut-Co-West-Des-Moines-228935060835293/
Phone: (515) 267-1671
Updown
Below-ground bar for retro 80s & 90s arcade games & weekly specials, with craft beer & cocktails.
Address: 500 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: updowndsm.com
Phone: (515) 243-4322
The Basement
Night club in Des Moines, Iowa
Address: 901 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: desmoinessocialclub.org/the-basement
Phone: (515) 369-3673
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Wooly’s
Hot spot featuring diverse acts in a space with up-to-date lighting & sound systems plus a bar.
Address: 504 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: woolysdm.com
Phone: (515) 244-0550
Leftys
Easygoing hangout with a stage featuring a lineup of music acts & local beer on tap.
Address: 2307 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Website: leftyslivemusic.com
Phone: (515) 274-7442
Vaudeville Mews
Nightclub featuring everything from hip-hop & folk acts to comedy & burlesque gigs plus a full bar.
Address: 212 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: vaudevillemews.com
Gas Lamp
Artsy, boisterous watering hole with a diverse music lineup, comedy & trivia nights & a snack menu.
Address: 1501 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: gaslampdsm.com
Phone: (515) 280-3778
Noce
Chic venue known for its jazz cabaret events & specialty cocktails in an expansive, modern setting.
Address: 1326 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: nocedsm.com
Phone: (515) 244-5399
DATE EXPERIENCES
Science Center
Science-focused interactive galleries & learning labs plus a planetarium & IMAX cinema.
Address: 401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: sciowa.org
Phone: (515) 274-6868
Flix Brewhouse
Flix Brewhouse is America’s only first-run Cinema Brewery.
Address: 3800 Merle Hay Rd #1300, Des Moines, IA 50310
Website: flixbrewhouse.com/des-moines
Phone: (515) 612-9200
DSM Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is an art museum with an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, modern art and mixed media. It was established in 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa. Wikipedia
Address: 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Website: desmoinesartcenter.org
Phone: (515) 277-4405
Fleur Cinema & Cafe
Quaint cinema for art, indie & current films plus a cafe with beer & housemade snacks.
Address: 4545 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Website: fleurcinema.com
Phone: (515) 287-4545
Des Moines Playhouse
This contemporary local theater presents musicals, classic plays & a children’s theater series.
Address: 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Website: dmplayhouse.com
Phone: (515) 277-6261
Art Terrarium and Botanical Garden
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, on the east bank of the Des Moines River. Interest in a Des Moines botanical center began in 1929.
Address: 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website: dmbotanicalgarden.com
Phone: (515) 323-6290
Tandem Brick Gallery
Tandem Brick Gallery is a locally owned shop that carries fun and unusual gifts and art exhibits by experienced local artists.
Address: 2722 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Website: tandembrick.com
Phone: (515) 282-1031