Des Moines’ dining scene isn’t just growing — it’s accelerating, widening and reshaping with a momentum that feels almost seasonal. Over the past six months, the metro has welcomed an eclectic wave of newcomers that show just how expansive its palate has become. You can trace the surge through the openings alone: mac‑and‑cheese bars, classic burger joints, small‑town ice cream shops, Korean fried chicken, Cantonese barbecue and fiery hot‑chicken specialists, all landing within weeks of one another. Layer in rooftop dining at Saylorville Lake, fast‑casual expansions across Waukee and Urbandale and the return of beloved institutions like Orlondo’s and Le’s Chinese Bar‑B‑Que and you get a metro that’s not just adding restaurants — it’s diversifying its identity.
This guide captures that moment in real time, spotlighting only the newest arrivals that opened in the past six months and rotating older entries off the list to keep the focus sharp. If you’re looking for the city’s established heavy hitters, explore our 2025 Essential Restaurants guide for a curated list of the metro’s top dining destinations.
Is your favorite new restaurant missing from the list? Drop us a line at sstapleton@gannett.com and we’ll check it out.
Orlondo’s
Opened: June 11
Orlondo’s in Grimes is built for people who chase nostalgia, know their pizza order by heart, and appreciate a comeback story with real stakes. After seven years away, Patrick Orlondo Renda is back behind the counter, pain‑free and energized, reviving the scratch‑made classics that defined his 45‑year run across Des Moines. The move here is simple: show up hungry, grab scratch‑made dough pizzas, load up on cavatelli with Renda’s original sauce and don’t skip the creamy Italian dressing that became a cult favorite. The Reuben pizza is a must near St. Patrick’s Day. The garden produce comes straight from Renda’s hands and the kitchen runs on mentorship and muscle memory. Expect a family‑friendly space built for soccer‑tournament crowds, fast service and the feeling of watching a local icon hit reset — and hit it hard.
Details: 1601 N.E. 12th St., Grimes, 515-537-2533, facebook.com/p/Orlondos-Pizza-61576492427713/.
Roni’s Mac Bar
Opened: May 16
Roni’s opened in the Des Moines metro serving customizable mac and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches at a fast-casual and counter-service restaurant. The menu includes drizzles such as pesto and ranch, toppings like tomatoes and pineapple and a range of cheeses, proteins and vegetables. Signature bowls include Buffalo chicken, a Hawaiian option with pineapple and barbecue, Southern Comfort with pulled pork and corn and a Texas barbecue brisket version.
Details: 1195 S.E. Alice’s Road, Waukee, 515-216-4202, ronismacbar.com.
The Soggy Frog Marina Bar & Rooftop Patio
Opened: May 15
The Soggy Frog is for people who want to do summer, not just admire the view. Sitting at Saylorville Lake Marina, this rooftop bar is where boaters, bikers and lake‑day regulars pull in for quick food, cold drinks and a hit of waterfront energy. The menu leans into lake‑day staples — burgers, wraps, nachos, fried apps, salads — built for speed so you can get back to the water. Drinks stay easy and refreshing, from cold beers to summer cocktails served in marina‑friendly cups. What makes it a destination is the rooftop patio overlooking Saylorville Lake, the ability to dock and dine and the steady hum of live music that keeps the day moving. Expect a breezy, flip‑flop‑casual crowd, fast service and a vibe that nudges you to stay for one more before heading back out.
Details: 6170 N.W. Polk City Drive, Polk City, 515-329-3610, soggyfrogmarinabar.com.
Le’s Chinese Bar‑B‑Que
Opened: May 14
Le’s Chinese Bar‑B‑Que is built for people who show up early, order decisively and treat Cantonese barbecue like a ritual. After reopening on Douglas Avenue, the beloved institution from Thanh and Loan Le is back to slicing roast meats in the front window, drawing longtime regulars and curious newcomers who know the best stuff sells out fast. The move is simple: grab roast duck, barbecue pork, crispy pork belly or a whole roasted chicken, then round it out with noodles or rice before the line builds. The experience is quick, aromatic and no‑frills — a counter, a display of glistening meats and a crowd that moves with purpose. For diners who chase iconic Des Moines food institutions, Le’s remains a destination worth planning around, especially if you want the good cuts.
Details: 2831 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, 515-809-2558, facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064154528161.
Bonchon
Opened: April 29
The global Korean fried chicken chain has landed near Jordan Creek, serving its signature double‑fried wings, drumsticks and strips glazed in soy‑garlic or spicy hot sauce. The fast‑casual spot also offers tteokbokki, potstickers, fried rice, japchae and combo meals built for sharing. This location marks the first step in Bonchon’s Iowa expansion, with additional stores planned in Ankeny and Ames.Details: 6365 Stagecoach Drive, West Des Moines, 515-809-9686, bonchon.com.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Opened: April 10
Moe’s brings its build-your-own burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas — plus the chain’s signature free chips and salsa — to its first Des Moines-area location. The fast-casual spot features proteins like chicken, steak and tofu to customize any dish, along with queso, fresh toppings and kid-friendly options.
Details: 4206 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, 515-337-9337, moes.com.
Wayback Burgers
Opened: April 10
The national fast-casual chain expanded into Waukee with classic burgers, cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches and hand-dipped milkshakes. The space is designed to feel lighter and more modern than the nostalgia-heavy burger joints Wayback nods to. A glassed-in kitchen and pass-through let diners see their food as it’s being prepared, while the dining room mixes upholstered banquettes, booths and community tables meant to accommodate everything from quick lunches to family dinners. Try the Cheeeesy with four slices of American cheese and double patties, served on an inverted buttered bun.
Details: 1165 S.E. Alice’s Road, Waukee, 515-518-3815, waybackburgers.com.
Scoops by Beth
Opened: Feb. 21
Scoops by Beth has opened its first permanent ice cream shop, introducing its small‑batch, nostalgia‑leaning treats to the historic Highland Park corridor. The space leans into a warm, retro aesthetic shaped by owner Beth Mensing’s childhood spent churning ice cream with her grandparents — a throughline that still guides her flavor philosophy today. Inside, the shop glows with mid‑century diner energy: vintage‑inspired seating, soft retro hues and that cozy, familiar light that feels like stepping into an old family kitchen. The menu rotates through classics and playful originals, from cookies and cream and cookie dough to dairy‑free scoops, bright sorbets and signature creations refined over more than a decade of experimentation through Mensing’s homegrown brand, Pints by Beth.
Details: 523 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, pintsbybeth.com.
Phonatics & Grill
Opened: Feb. 21
Phonatics & Grill adds a fresh Vietnamese option to the suburb with a menu built around pho, spring rolls and crispy cheese wontons. The restaurant takes over a former Taco Bell space, transforming it into a casual, family-friendly spot for Vietnamese comfort food and broader Southeast Asian staples. The setting is unfussy and welcoming, but the menu is anything but minimal. Customers can choose from multiple pho styles, vermicelli and rice bowls, bánh mì, spring rolls, potstickers, boba teas, fruit tea refreshers and flavored lemonades — a wide-ranging mix that blends classic dishes with modern café-style drinks.
Details: 1611 Sunset Drive, Suite 100, Norwalk, 515-981‑1358, facebook.com/p/Phonatics-Grill-61586585125211/.
Happy Egg
Opened: Feb. 20
Happy Egg arrived in Johnston as a breakfast and brunch spot that leans into comfort, offering hearty plates that balance familiarity with just enough flair to feel special. Morning favorites anchor the menu, from matcha or dulce de leche pancakes and French toast to eggs cooked every way imaginable, alongside savory dishes including burgers, poblano sauce crepes and bagels with lox. Portions are generous, flavors are approachable and the vibe is intentionally welcoming. Sit on the patio when the weather is pleasant.
Details: 6110 N.W. 86th St., Suite 106, Johnston, 515‑416‑8447, thehappyeggdsm.com.
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 10 new Des Moines-area restaurants you need to try right now
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
