Plant-Based Restaurant Guide for Downtown Des Moines

Are you a vegan, plant-based or simply curious about these dietary choices? Downtown Des Moines (DSM) offers a variety of vegan restaurants and other dining options to suit your needs. Whether you are in the mood for a quick bite, a romantic dinner or just some coffee, the list below will help you discover delicious choices to satisfy your hunger.

A Dong Restaurant

1511 High St., Des Moines
This family-owned Vietnamese restaurant has been a Des Moines staple since 1989. They serve authentic Vietnamese dishes with plenty of vegan options. For their vegetarian options to be vegan, you will need to ask for modifications. I recommend trying 27C: Stuffed Tofu (be sure to ask for it to be vegan with no butter!) or 16C: Tofu and Veggie Curry Stew.
adongdesmoines.com

Big Grove Brewery & Taproom

555 17th St., Des Moines
This Iowa favorite was originally in Solon, Iowa but has been expanding to bring us all their fantastic beer and delicious fare. They have an amazing outdoor patio to enjoy with family and friends. Some of their most popular vegan options are crispy cauliflower and the tofu poke bowl.
biggrove.com

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

316 Court Ave., Des Moines
This Downtown Des Moines sushi grill offers a unique and delicious take on sushi, entrées and desserts that are sure to leave you, your family and your friends impressed. They have vegan apps, vegan entrées, 15 different vegan sushi rolls, and even vegan desserts! No modifications are needed. I recommend trying the charred edamame (spicy!), cowgirl roll, Thai hippie roll and the chocolate torte.
bluesushisakegrill.com

The Breakfast Club

212 E 3rd St., Ste B, Des Moines
There is no place that is as bright or has such amazing creative brunch options as The Breakfast Club, located in Downtown Des Moines. Some of their standout vegan options are guilt free B&G and the fiesta hash which has vegan chorizo, JUST egg, vegan queso, cowboy caviar, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro and breakfast potatoes. Yum!
thebreakfastclubusa.com

Bubba

200 10th St., Des Moines
Bubba is a Southern Comfort eatery that has a cocktail lounge, patio and beautiful dining area. Vegan options include their house-made black bean and quinoa burger with vegan pepperjack cheese and crispy succotash stuffed chile relleno over beans.
bubbadsm.com

Cinnaholic

505 E. Grand Ave., Suite 101, Des Moines
Cinnaholic is a 100% vegan bakery that has "create your own" cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats like made-from-scratch brownies, cookies and edible cookie dough. my favorite is the cookie monster cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting topped with homemade chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce.
cinnaholic.com

Dough Co Pizza

2330 University Ave., Des Moines
Dough Co Pizza is known for its impressive giant pizza slices as big as your head, but this fun Drake pizza joint also has vegan options to impress your tastebuds. Located just a short distance outside of Downtown Des Moines, they have four vegan pizzas such as the vegan taco pizza and vegan supreme! But feel free to modify any of their options with vegan cheese and request no butter or cheese finishing seasoning — and enjoy!
doughcodsm.com

Fresko

909 Locust St., Ste. 103, Des Moines
Fresko has seasonal menus that take advantage of fresh, locally sourced Iowa farm foods whenever possible. Their culinary team works hard to bring you delicious fresh options that are top quality! They have a couple of vegan options for brunch such as their seitan scramble and the A.M. tacos sans crema. And for dinner, they have chorizo tacos and a vegan roll, along with other options you can modify.
freskodsm.com

Gursha Ethiopian Grill

2316 University Ave., Des Moines
This quick-service restaurant just outside of Downtown DSM makes fresh authentic Ethiopian food and has five vegan options and fresh injera for you to enjoy. I recommend the veggie combo and injera.
gurshaiowa.com

Horizon Line

1417 Walnut St., Suite B, Des Moines
Horizon Line is a small, locally owned coffee shop. Since August 2019, Horizon Line Coffee no longer uses paper or plastic cups and has a reusable glass jars program. They have a rotating seasonal menu, but their homemade syrups are vegan and treats available on the weekend are always vegan! Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed.
horizonlinecoffee.com

Lua Brewing

1525 High St, Des Moines
Lua Brewing is a local brewery with craft beers and chef-crafted dishes. They have a separate vegan menu, and some favorites are fried tofu bites, impossible smush burger and vegan fried falafel.
luabeer.com

Nosh Café & Eatery

424 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Nosh is a local café that highlights local products and is a quick service spot for breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps and smoothies. A few of the standout vegan options are their vegan grilled cheese and green goodness smoothie.
nosh-eats.com

Pho Real

200 4th St., Des Moines
Do not let the name fool you, they serve more than amazing pho at this Downtown Des Moines eatery that is also open late on the weekends. My favorites are the vegan vermicelli bowl and vegan pho.
phorealkitchenandbar.com

Railroad Bills

621 Des Moines St., Des Moines
Railroad Bill's is a Raccoon Fork business that provides job opportunities to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. They have a full vegan menu! Standouts on the vegan menu are vegan French toast and vegan Billy's cheese steak sandwich.
raccoonforks.com/railroadbills-menu

 

Ritual Café

1301 Locust St., Ste. D, Des Moines
This locally owned and operated coffee shop (photo above) features a vegetarian menu with vegan options plus baked goods from locally owned small businesses. I recommend the vegan tempeh Reuben and black bean burritos.
ritualcafedsmiowa.net

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

300 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab has a quick-service counter for food to-go and full-service seating area for meals and drinks. As for vegan options, the most popular are the Negan and undead Glenn.
zombieburgershakelab.com

Find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation and additional restaurants, coffeeshops and more. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.