Upscale Dining
Aunt Maude’s – highly recommend!!!
547 Main St, Ames
Bubba – southern comfort
200 10th St, Des Moines
District 36
1375 SW Vintage Parkway, Ankeny https://www.district36winebar.com/
Django – French American
1420 Locust St, Des Moines
https://www.djangodesmoines.com/
Americana – modern steakhouse
1312 Locust St, Des Moines
Stuffed Olive – great for small plates
216 Court Ave Suite 100, Des Moines https://stuffedolivedsm.com/
Breakfast
The Café
2616 Northridge Pkwy, Ames
Provision’s Lot F
2400 N Loop Dr, Ames
Mullets
617 Southwest 3rd St, Ankeny
1253 1300 SE 1st St, Des Moines
4518 Mortensen Rd Suite 101, Ames https://mulletsames.com/
Drake Diner – classic diner
1111 25th St, Des Moines
Main Street Café and Bakery
2510 SW White Birch Dr #1,2, Ankeny
801 Grand Ste 370, Des Moines https://mainstreetcafeandbakery.com/
Coffee
Café Diem
229 Main St, Ames
2005 S Ankeny Blvd Suite 800, Ankeny
Smokey Row Coffee
1530 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny
1910 Cottage Grove, Des Moines
Deli
Scenic Route Bakery
350 E Locust St Suite 104, Des Moines https://scenicroutebakerydsm.com/
Northern Vessel;
1201 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines https://www.northernvessel.com/
Manhattan Deli – highly recommend!!!
3705 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines https://hansensmanhattandeli.com/
Palmers Deli
2843 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines https://ingersoll.palmersdeliandmarket.com/
Casual Dining
Sweet Caroline’s
316 Main St, Ames
https://sweetcarolinesames.com/
Machine Shed
11151 Hickman Rd, Urbandale https://machineshed.com/urbandale/
Dublin Bay Irish Pub
320 S 16th St, Ames
Flight Bar and Grille
N US Hwy 69 Suite 931, Huxley https://flightbarandgrille.com/
Wallaby’s Bar and Grille
2733 Stange Rd, Ames https://www.wallabysbarandgrille.com/
Fong’s Pizza – open late on Friday and Saturday
223 4th St, Des Moines
Iowa Tap Room – serves all Iowa Craft Beer
215 E 3rd St, Des Moines
Zombie Burger and Drink Lab
300 E Grand, Des Moines
https://www.zombieburgerdm.com/
Italian
Latin King
2200 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines https://www.latinkingdsm.com/
Baratta's
2320 S Union St, Des Moines
Mexican
El Azteca
2727 Stange Rd, Ames
2120 Isaac Newton Dr, Ames
La Casa Maya
631 Lincoln Way, Ames
BBQ
Cornbred- BBQ
526 Main St #106, Ames
Smoky D’s BBQ
5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines
Whatch Smokin BBQ & Brew
403 Iowa Ave, Luther
https://www.whatchasmokinbbq.com/
Jethro’s BBQ
Ames: 1301 Buckeye Ave, Ames
Lakehouse: 1425 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny
Downtown: 721 3rd St, Des Moines
Southside: 4337 Park Ave, Des Moines
Pork Chop Grill: 5950 86th St, Johnston
Jambalaya: 9350 University Ave, West Des Moines
Bacon Bacon: 1480 22nd St, West Des Moines https://jethrosdesmoines.com/
Seafood/Sushi
Waterfront Seafood
2900 University Ave, West Des Moines
2414 SE Tones Dr, Ankeny https://waterfrontseafoodmarket.com/
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
303 Locust St, Des Moines
Wasabi
926 S 16th St, Ames
2707 Kent Ave, Ames (Somerset)
1615 SW Main St #100, Ankeny
8481 Birchwood Ct, Johnston
9500 University Ave #2101, West Des Moines https://wasabidsm.com/
Fun bars
*serve food
High Life Lounge/El Bait Shop* same kitchen, different vibes 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines
https://thehighlifelounge.com/ https://elbaitshop.com/
Johnny’s Hall of Fame*
302 Court Ave, Des Moines
https://johnnyshalloffame.com/
Up-Down – arcade bar
500 E Locust St, Des Moines https://updownarcadebar.com/des-moines/
Whiskey River*
134 Main St, Ames
https://whiskeyriveronmain.com/
1350 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny https://whiskeyriverankeny.com/
Shorty's
enter from the alley door behind Rocca
208 Court Ave, Des Moines
Breweries
Torrent Brewing Company
504 Burnett Ave, Ames
Confluence
1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines https://www.confluencebrewing.com/
Alluvial Brewing
3715 W 190 St, Ames
https://www.alluvialbrewing.com/
Big Grove
555 17th St, Des Moines
Lua Brewing
1525 High St, Des Moines
Fenceline Beer Lab
107 S Main Ave, Huxley
https://www.fencelinebeerlab.com/
Exile
1514 Walnut St, Des Moines
Cocktail Lounges
Hello Marjorie
717 Locust St, Des Moines
Secret Admirer
110 SW 5th St, Des Moines https://www.secretadmirerdm.com/
Good News Darling – reservations available 7 days in advance, check-in at Hello Marjorie
717 Locust St, Des Moines https://www.exploretock.com/good-news- darling
Mulberry Street Tavern – in the Surety Hotel
206 6th Ave, Des Moines
https://suretyhotel.com/mulberry-street- tavern/
Attractions
Iowa State University - Memorial Union, Central Campus, Museums
2229 Lincoln Way, Ames
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd, Ames
Inside Golf and Games - Golf, Axe Throwing, Duck Pin Bowling 2801 Grand Ave (North Grand Mall), Ames
Ricochet
400 Locust St Suite 105, Des Moines https://www.ricochetsocial.com/
Lumber Axe – challenge Jodi if you’re brave
338 SW 6th St, Des Moines
Smash Park
6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines https://smashpark.com/west-des-moines/
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale
Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/
Science Center of Iowa
401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines https://www.sciowa.org/
Shopping
Outlets of Des Moines
81 Bass Pro Dr NW, Altoona https://www.outletsofdesmoines.com/
Historic Downtown Ames
304 Main St, Ames
Jordan Creek Town Center
101 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines https://www.jordancreektowncenter.com/en/