The Ultimate 7 Must-Try New Restaurants In Des Moines That Just Opened (2025 Edition)
The Des Moines culinary scene is exploding with fresh, vibrant flavors, marking 2025 as a landmark year for Iowa foodies. Forget stale, outdated lists—the Greater Des Moines area has recently welcomed a wave of innovative new dining establishments, ranging from Southern comfort food staples to high-end, locally-sourced concepts. This curated list focuses exclusively on the absolute newest and most buzzworthy spots that have opened their doors in late 2024 and the first few months of 2025, ensuring your next meal is at the freshest table in town.
Right now, in , the city's food landscape is defined by a renewed focus on elevated comfort classics and expansion into vibrant neighborhoods outside of the traditional downtown core. From the savory crunch of gourmet fried chicken to the nostalgic indulgence of a classic diner, these seven new restaurants are setting the pace for the future of dining in the 515 area code and are essential additions to your Des Moines restaurant rotation.
The Newest Culinary Hotspots Defining the Des Moines Food Scene
The influx of diverse cuisine types and unique dining concepts proves that Des Moines is quickly becoming a major Midwest food destination. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch, a sophisticated dinner, or a new brunch spot, these recent additions offer something for every palate.
1. Lachele's Fine Foods and The Fitz (Highland Park)
Lachele's Fine Foods has long been a local favorite on Ingersoll Avenue, but its expansion into the Highland Park neighborhood with its second location, "Lachele's Fine Foods and The Fitz," has created a massive buzz. This new spot, which officially opened in late February 2025, brings the beloved concept to the north side of Des Moines.
- The Cuisine: Elevated diner classics, specializing in signature smash burgers, creative sandwiches, and daily specials. They are also known for their commitment to providing excellent vegan and vegetarian options, making it an inclusive spot for all diets.
- The Concept: The addition of "The Fitz" suggests a dedicated bar or lounge area, offering patrons a place to enjoy craft cocktails and local brews alongside their comfort food. This doubling down on the smash burger phenomenon confirms its place as a major food trend in the Des Moines metro.
- Why It’s Hot: It’s a successful local brand expanding into a new, hungry neighborhood, solidifying the Highland Park area as a must-visit dining destination.
2. The Empire (Downtown Des Moines)
Opening its doors in October 2024, The Empire instantly became a cornerstone of the downtown Des Moines 4th Street area. It occupies a historically significant location, paying homage to a bar that closed over a century ago.
- The Cuisine: Comfort food focused on quick, counter-service meals. The menu is designed to cater to the downtown crowd, serving everything from breakfast pastries and coffee in the early morning to a full food menu starting at 11 am.
- The Concept: Designed as a neighborhood hangout, The Empire transitions seamlessly from a morning coffee shop to a lunch spot, and finally to a happy hour destination with cocktails and beer. It fills a vital niche for versatile dining in the central business district.
- The Vibe: A modern, approachable spot that respects its historic roots while offering a contemporary, welcoming atmosphere for both workers and residents.
3. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar (Downtown)
Bringing a taste of the South to the Midwest, Tupelo Honey is one of the most anticipated chain entries into the Des Moines market. This Southern restaurant and bar has quickly established itself in the downtown area and was a prominent participant in the 2025 Des Moines Restaurant Week.
- The Cuisine: Authentic Southern cooking with a modern twist. The menu features their famous fried chicken, classic Southern brunch items, and chef-inspired seasonal delights for lunch and dinner.
- The Menu Highlights: Expect staples like biscuits, shrimp and grits, and other regional specialties, all prepared with a focus on fresh ingredients and Southern hospitality. This addition significantly diversifies the downtown dining options.
- Topical Authority: Tupelo Honey's arrival is a clear indicator of the Des Moines food scene's growing national recognition, attracting established concepts from across the country.
4. Basic Bird (Beaverdale)
If you are a fan of crispy, flavorful chicken, Basic Bird in the Beaverdale neighborhood should be at the top of your list. This spot has garnered rave reviews almost immediately upon opening for its quality and execution of a simple, beloved dish.
- The Cuisine: Fried chicken focused, with an emphasis on unique wing flavors and generous portions. It contributes to the "flavorful evolution" of the Des Moines fried chicken scene, which has seen a significant increase in both diversity and quality.
- Must-Try Items: Reviewers consistently praise the "double dip" and the "pineapple jalapeno" wings for their incredible crunch and balanced flavor profiles. The sides are also noted for being well-proportioned and delicious.
- Why It's Unique: Basic Bird proves that specializing in one thing and doing it exceptionally well is a winning strategy, making it a standout in the Beaverdale food landscape.
5. Chelsie's Courtyard Diner (Downtown/MLK Parkway)
Chelsie's Courtyard Diner, which opened on February 1, 2025, is a welcome addition to the 300 W MLK Parkway area, bringing classic comfort food to a busy corridor.
- The Cuisine: Classic American diner fare. The menu is packed with familiar, satisfying items like the Bacon Cheeseburger, the Baconator BLT, and the Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It’s the perfect spot for a reliable, hearty meal.
- The Vibe: A cozy eatery focused on delivering American comfort food favorites in a straightforward, friendly setting. It's a great option for those seeking a no-fuss, high-satisfaction lunch or dinner.
- LSI Keyword Focus: This diner caters directly to the demand for accessible, high-quality "comfort food Des Moines" and "classic American dining."
6. Bar Martinez (Coming Late 2025)
While not open yet, Bar Martinez is one of the most anticipated cocktail and small-plate concepts slated for a late 2025 opening on Euclid Ave. The buzz surrounding this establishment highlights a key trend in the Des Moines food scene: the fusion of high-end mixology with refined, small-plate dining.
- The Concept: The focus is on modern twists on classic cocktails, paired with a curated menu of food offerings. This signifies a move toward more sophisticated, late-night dining and drinking experiences outside of the immediate downtown core.
- Topical Authority: The emergence of dedicated cocktail bars like Bar Martinez, which prioritize mixology and a refined atmosphere, shows the maturity and sophistication of the Des Moines nightlife and dining scene.
7. Judges DSM (Downtown)
Judges DSM, another late 2024 downtown opening, adds to the growing list of new venues that cater to the professional and social crowd. Located on 3rd Street, its name and proximity suggest a destination appealing to those in the legal or business sectors, or anyone looking for an upscale, polished dining experience.
- The Vibe: While specific menu details are emerging, new downtown spots like Judges DSM typically offer a blend of elevated American cuisine and a strong bar program, fitting the trend of stylish, full-service restaurants anchoring the city center.
- Why It Matters: Along with The Empire, Judges DSM reinforces the revitalization of the downtown corridor, offering more choices for pre-event dining (near the Civic Center or Wells Fargo Arena) and business lunches.
Des Moines Dining Trends: What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond
The latest wave of openings in the Greater Des Moines area is not random; it follows several distinct trends that are shaping the local food culture. Understanding these trends provides insight into why these new restaurants are so successful.
The Rise of Neighborhood Dining
For years, the East Village and Downtown Des Moines dominated the scene. Now, we are seeing significant investment and growth in surrounding neighborhoods. The opening of Lachele's in Highland Park and the continued success of spots in Beaverdale and Ingersoll Avenue are proof that diners are eager for high-quality, unique concepts closer to home. This decentralization creates a more robust and accessible "Greater Des Moines" food scene.
Elevated Comfort Food and Niche Specialization
The days of generic menus are fading. The new trend is to take classic comfort foods—like smash burgers (Lachele's), fried chicken (Basic Bird, Tupelo Honey), and diner fare (Chelsie's)—and elevate them with high-quality ingredients, unique preparations, and chef-driven creativity. This focus on niche specialization allows restaurants to build a strong reputation quickly and become known for one signature item.
The All-Day Concept
Restaurants that can serve multiple purposes throughout the day are thriving. The Empire, for instance, functions as a coffee shop, a lunch spot, and a happy hour bar. This versatility maximizes revenue and makes the location a true neighborhood hub, catering to different needs from morning to night. This model is essential for success in high-traffic areas like downtown.
In conclusion, the Des Moines restaurant landscape is more dynamic and exciting than ever before. The class of 2024–2025, led by places like Lachele's Fine Foods and The Fitz, The Empire, and Tupelo Honey, are setting a new, high standard for quality, creativity, and neighborhood engagement. Exploring these new spots is the best way to experience the current, vibrant flavor of Iowa's capital city.
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