As Lent begins on Feb. 18, many Iowans return to a familiar Friday ritual: seeking out the best fish and seafood the metro has to offer. Whether for tradition, personal practice, or simply the joy of a well-prepared plate of oysters or salmon, seafood becomes a weekly centerpiece during this season. Fortunately, Central Iowa’s dining scene rises to the occasion.
From polished coastal-inspired dining rooms to lively taverns with unexpectedly strong seafood programs, the Des Moines metro offers a lineup of restaurants that make Lenten Fridays something to look forward to. This guide highlights standout spots — from oyster-forward menus to jet‑fresh seafood bars and modern steakhouses with serious seafood credentials — ensuring diners have no shortage of exceptional choices. Whether you’re craving refined lobster dishes, market-fresh fish, or a simple platter of perfectly chilled oysters, these restaurants deliver flavors that bring a taste of the coast to Iowa all Lent long.
Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster
Located in West Des Moines, Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster blends upscale energy with an approachable menu centered around oysters — raw, Rockefeller, chargrilled or stuffed. The generous happy hour deal — just $4 oysters, with a three‑oyster minimum — makes it one of the metro’s most affordable ways to slurp top‑quality bivalves. Beyond the shell, diners rave about the lobster rolls, hearty mains, and refined tavern classics. With stylish décor and a seafood‑forward menu, Guesthouse brings a coastal tavern vibe to West Des Moines.
Details: 9500 University Ave., Suite 1118, West Des Moines, 515-994-8378, guesthousetavernoyster.com.
Oceanside Grill
Under owner Oscar Juarez, Oceanside Grill delivers a polished seafood‑and‑steak menu with standout lobster specialties and surf‑and‑turf combinations. Lobster fest dishes pair filet mignon with scampi shrimp or crab‑stuffed lobster tail, while signatures like Faroe Island salmon and El Dorado mahi mahi showcase refined sauces and fresh pairings. Oceanside Grill offers a coastal-inspired dining room that balances casual comfort with an elevated, polished feel. The space lends itself well to date nights, special occasions, or relaxed evenings out.
Details: 1802 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, 515-289-8200, oceanside-grill.com.
Prime & Providence
Prime & Providence pairs a modern, sophisticated ambiance with a relaxed sense of luxury. The space features a contemporary design, warm lighting, and a polished dining room that suits both special‑occasion meals and elevated weeknight dinners. Co-owners Dominic Iannarelli and Cory Gourley take seafood seriously with a full oyster bar, shellfish towers, chargrilled octopus, lobster pasta, Chilean sea bass, Hokkaido scallops, crab cakes, and more. The cocktail hour oyster deal — $1 off each oyster — sweetens the experience daily from 3 to 6 p.m.
Details: 595 S. 60th St., West Des Moines, 515-644‑6805, primeandprovidence.com.
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
Packed nightly with seafood lovers, Splash remains Iowa’s premier destination for jet‑fresh seafood flown in daily. Known for its towering seafood platters, pristine oysters and elegant lobster dishes, Splash consistently delivers a coastal fine‑dining experience far from the shoreline. Lobster, crab, tuna and caviar grace the menu, alongside iconic surf and turf offerings and a wine list recognized by Wine Spectator every year since 2001. For special occasions — or any night that calls for polished seafood dining — Splash stands unmatched.
Details: 303 Locust St., Des Moines, 515-244-5686, splash-seafood.com.
Tuddy’s Tavern
A stylish tavern with an unexpectedly robust seafood menu, Tuddy’s Tavern surprises diners with its oysters Rockefeller, fried oysters, Parmesan-baked clams, garlic shrimp, and ahi tuna salad. The restaurant even has lobster tail for $29. With 50 beers on tap, more than 50 TVs, and chef‑driven dishes, it blends sports‑bar fun with elevated coastal flavors.
Details: 6240 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, 515-440-2264, tuddystavern.com.
Waterfront Seafood Market
The longtime powerhouse of Central Iowa seafood, Waterfront Seafood Market continues to set the bar with its full oyster bar, sushi bar, and bustling in‑house seafood market. With seafood flown directly from the coasts, it offers some of the freshest oysters and fish in the state. The menu features oysters on the half shell, sea scallops, and rotating specials like pompano, salmon, and other hard‑to‑find species usually reserved for coastal dining scenes. Both its West Des Moines and Ankeny locations deliver a market‑to‑plate experience unmatched in the region.
Details: 2900 University Ave., West Des Moines, 515-223-5106, or 2414 S.E. Tones Drive, Ankeny, 515-963-1940; waterfrontseafoodmarket.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@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Top Des Moines seafood spots perfect for Lenten Friday dining
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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