Celebrate National Eat Outside Day at the Downtown Farmers’ Market

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) has patios galore and numerous parks and spaces to eat outside, but the Downtown Farmers’ Market offers even more opportunities to take in the sun and enjoy a meal on National Eat Outside Day on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Vendors may change from week to week, but many attend numerous Market events all season long. From 7 a.m. to Noon this Saturday, stop by these vendor booth recommendations for something tasty:

Food and Drink Booths at The Market

• Antojito’s Lupita’s: Located at 4S-39
  • Grab some authentic, handmade Mexican food with fresh ingredients.
• Arepa DSM: Located at - 3N-05
  • Find incredible Venezuelan-style arepas from this local business!
• Asian Mission Food: Located at C-222
  • Find crab Rangoon, egg rolls, smoothies or Pad Thai at the Asian
• Bernardo’s Burritos: Located at 4N-17
  • A delicious chorizo burrito or breakfast bowl from Bernardo’s will hit the spot this Saturday.
• Breakfast Guys & Gals LLC: Located at 3N-11/13
  • English muffin sandwiches with hash browns and drinks will start your morning off right.
• Brenda Smith Concessions: Located at 3N-12/14
  • Fresh mini donuts, lemonade and strawberry smoothies are the perfect treats for eating outside.
• Brick & Ember Pizza: Located at 1N-12/14
  • Neapolitan-style brick oven pizza that comes in personal size. Try the breakfast or dessert pizza!
• Bubble Tea Kups: Located at C-317
  • Grab a bubble tea or boba drink to quench your thirst as you walk the booths in Historic Court District.
• Cajun Belle: Located at C-401
  • Try the flavors of southeast Texas from Cajun Belle on National Eat Outside Day.
• Crème: Located at 4S-38
  • Cupcakes, cookies and flavorful desserts are available at the Crème booth!
• Dumpling House: Located at 4S-19
  • Chinese homemade dumplings are served up to go.
• Friedrichs Coffee: Located at 2N-09
  • Serves coffee and tea drinks.
• Hmong Lao Foundation: Located at C-203/205
  • Try the Hmong Lao eggrolls, fried rice and fresh produce from the garden.
• Holy Biscuits: Located at C-128/130/132
  • Don’t miss the homemade biscuits and local jam from Holy Biscuits.
• HOQ Restaurant: Located at 3S-15
  • Locally sourced breakfast wraps are a HOQ specialty.
• Houndstooth and Hooch: Located at 1N-02
  • Grab an iced coffee during your local shopping excursion in Downtown DSM. They also have a syrup bar to customize your order!
• Iced: Located at 4S-56
  • Iced energy drinks and coffees made to order.
• Jeffepop: Located at 4N-12/14
  • Gourmet popcorn, lemonade shakeups, kettle corn, shaved ice and cinnamon roasted nuts are available here.
• Kona Ice of Central Iowa: Located at C-419
  • Tropical shaved ice flavors include Blue Raspberry, Groovy Grape, Island Rush, Ninja Cherry and more.
• Life Style Juices: Located at 4S-34
  • Stay hydrated with a juice or smoothie made with fresh whole fruits and vegetables.
• Lou-Lou B’s: Located at S-15
  • A food truck that serves up Chicago-style hot dogs!
• Lucky Birdee Asian Waffles: Located at 2S-18
  • Try an Asian waffle at The Market! Yummy!
• Lyela’s Kitchen: Located at C-127
  • Pakistani options are available at Lyela’s Kitchen.
• Mao’s Homemade Eggroll and Garden: Located at C-335
  • Mao’s offers homemade eggrolls to shoppers at The Market.
• Musa’s Lemonade: Located at C-139
  • Try a specialty lemonade — Classic or Strawberry!
• Nadia’s French Bakery, LLC: Located at C-212
  • Handmade French pastries like croissants and chocolatines are just a few of the options from Nadia’s.
• Northern Vessel: Located at C-323
  • Locally owned, Northern Vessel has ice cold Cold Brew Lattes all summer long.
• Papillon: Located at 4N-02
  • Try cevapi, Sarma or burek at this Bosnian food vendor booth.
• Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse: Located at 1N-05/07
  • An Australian meat pie — meat, vegetarian or vegan ؅— is something savory to try at The Market.
• Pupusas: El Savador: Located at 3S-20/22
  • Looking for a refreshing treat? Pupusas has fruit cups to go with their pupusas.
• Reyes Tamales: Located at C-224
  • Traditional tamales passed down through the generations make Reyes Tamales an authentic option at The Market.
• Roadside Tacos: Located at C-400/402
  • What’s better than a stop at a mobile taco truck on National Eat Outside Day? Try the street tacos, a stuffed burrito or the loaded nachos.
• Rolling Wok: Located at C-109/111
  • Rolling Wok offers Chinese food and bubble tea.
• Say Cheese Des Moines: Located at 4S-57/59
  • Have you ever eaten a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich outside? Now is your chance!
• Scorno’s: Located at C-100
  • Scorno’s is an Italian Market favorite.
• Slap Soda: Located at C-325
  • Try a specialty beverage from Slap Soda.
• Steve’s Chef Kabob: Located at C-208
  • Prepared Asian food from Steve’s will be ready for you to try this Saturday.
• Sweet Treats: Located at C-141
  • Grab a cup of homemade ice cream and some roasted nuts, too.
• Tacos Tarascos: Located at 4S-50/52
  • This booth’s Mexican food is made to order.
• Tamale’s Industry: Located at C-407/409
  • Mexican food to go, including tamales and salsa will be at The Market.
• Taqueria 3 Hermanos: Located at 2N-11/13
  • It’s time to try out the breakfast burritos and mango-on-a-stick from Taqueria 3 Hermanos.
• Tarboosh: Located at C-316
  • Stuffed meatballs and shawarma from a booth that’s versed in fresh Labanese food.
• Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Ankeny: Located at C-417
  • Hot or cold coffee made for the Market! Or try a nitro energy drink, lemonade or cinnamon apple cider.
• Tullpa Restaurant: Located at C-420
  • Try some authentic Peruvian cuisine.
• Twisted Asian: Located at 2S-07
  • A sip of fresh-squeezed lemonade will hit the spot, but you can also stop by for homemade chicken noodle soup or pad Thai.
• Uncle Dave’s Mini Donuts: Located at 4S-54
  • Sugar, cinnamon and sugar and powdered sugar mini donuts are must-try options on National Eat Outside Day.
• What the Fries DSM: Located at C-424
  • A food truck with a variety of loaded fries like Chicken Parm, Buffalo Chicken and more.

For a complete list of vendors, visit DowntownFarmersMarket.com. Or, search out patio dining options for every occasion or where to find food trucks around Downtown DSM. We’ve even got a Patio Dining Buying Guide to explore that features several Downtown restaurants, cafés and more! There are flavorful good eats across Downtown to help you celebrate National Eat Outside Day this year! And if you’ve got food covered and just want to find a space to picnic with scenic Downtown views, picnic tables and nearby walking trails, check out Western Gateway, The Principal Riverwalk (this one’s got view of the Des Moines River!), Gray's Lake Park, Water Works Park, MacRae Park and more!

From May to October, experience local artists, live music and entertainment at the Downtown Farmers’ Market featuring more than 300 family farmers, bakers, artists and crafters from around the state. It’s easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find the latest updates for The Market each week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

More Downtown Des Moines (DSM) restaurants are opening all the time. Don’t miss out on bakeries, brunch, breakfast, lunch, dinner, pizza, seafood, bars and breweries in downtown. Here’s the in on where to eat locally in Downtown DSM.